matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
A NEW SYSTEM OF ENDLESS STAIR CRANE
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Prosper Reynaud at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
September 1855.
I, LOUIS PROSPER REYNAUD, of Paris, and 4, South Street, Finsbury,
London, Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention of
"A NEW SYSTEM OF ENDLESS STAIR CRANE" to be as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention relates to a new crane or apparatus for raising & moving
stone & other substances. It consists of a vertical standard or support fixed
to a moveable frame with wheels. Upon the top of this standard is placed
horizontally a beam, which rotates upon a strong iron pivot fixed to the top of
the standard. This beam is strengthened by a circular support of wood or
iron, to which is fixed two bars of wood at right angles to each other. Each
bar has at the end a chain or rope fixed to it, for the purpose of supporting
a heavy weight to act as a counterbalance. At one end of the main beam
is placed the stone to be lifted, which is accomplished without the necessity of
perforating it. For this purpose a bar of iron is attached to the end of the
main beam by a strong hook. This bar has suspended to it two hooks
having an iron rod passing through them, fixed by set screws in a suitable
manner, so that the weight of the stone causes the hooks to gripe or take
fast hold. Upon the opposite end of the main beam is placed a cart or other

page_text: vessel, filled with earth or other material, to act as a counterbalance to the
stone, & which enables it to be moved in any position.
To the main standard is fixed a ratchet wheel, having two pauls in gear
with it; these pauls are attached to two levers, that communicate with an
endless staircase, so that a person in ascending & descending causes it to
receive a rotating motion, which, by means of a rope round a pulley, raises
heavy bodies. This staircase is intended to supersede the use of treadmills.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LOOPED FABRICS
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Wilkinson, of the Town of Nottingham
Framework Knitter, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY
EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LOOPED FABRICS."
Sealed the 30th May 1856, and dated the 17th December 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Wilkinson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th December 1855.
I, WILLIAM WILKINSON, of the Town of Nottingham, Framework Knitter,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LOOPED FABRICS" to be as
follows:-
My Invention refers chiefly to improvements upon machinery, for which
Letters Patent for Great Britain and Ireland were granted to me, the 17th
December 1852; and consist, first, in an improved form of sinker, produced
by cutting off the nib from the sinker, shewn at Figure 2 in the Drawing
annexed to the Specification of the said l'atent; second, in an improvement in
the guides employed, not only in connection with my aforesaid Invention of

page_text: 1852, but which may be employed in all other machines for producing looped
fabrics in which guides are used. I make a nick in the upper part of each
guide, which opens into a slot, which leads into the eye of the guide, and so
enables a number of them to be threaded with great ease; and, third, in
certain new arrangements of the machinery, shewn in the Drawings herein-
before referred to, and a new cut of wheels, whereby with one and the same
thread I cover both sides of a cotton or other suitable core, producing a piled
surface on one side, and an even surface on the other.
IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS POR MAKING COPIES OF WRITINGS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE ORIGINALS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Peacock and Henry Heaton
Barry at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 30th July 1855.
I, JAMES PEACOCK, and I, HENRY HEATON BARRY, both of Bedford Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS POR MAKING COPIES OF WRITINGS
SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE ORIGINALS" to be as follows:-
Our Invention of improvements in instruments for writing original letters
and copies simultaneously relates to an instrument constructed on the principle
of the pentagraph, in which one pen is held and used by the writer in writing
the original, but so connected with a second pen, or a second and third, as to
produce one or more copies or duplicates simultaneously therewith. For this
purpose we provide a suitable table or surface to write upon, which is fitted
with two sockets, forming joints for the ends of two wires or rods placed
therein. The other end of these wires are connected by a wire of the same
length as the distance between the sockets. At these joints two other wires
are connected, which at their opposite extremes carry a bar parallel to the first
connecting wire; to this bar the writing instruments are attached. The pen

page_text: held by the writer is placed at mid-length of this bar, while the pens to make
the copies are placed one at either end. If only one copy is required, the pen
at the right-hand end of the bar is replaced by an adjusting pin, which moves
on and sustains the bar from the writing surface. The pens are free to move
in any direction, but are so controled in reference to each other by the jointed
wires, which maintain a system of equal angles, that any writings performed
by the pen held by the writer are simultaneously described by the other pen
or pens of the instrument, thus producing one or more copies or duplicates at
the time of writing the original.
The nibs or pens are fixed rigidly in the carrying bar, but the holder of the
pen, to which the attention of the writer is principally directed, is attached by
a universal joint, so that nearly an equal amount of freedom in the use of the
pen is maintained, as in ordinary writing.
The table used with this instrument is provided with two or more inkstands,
so situate that the act of dipping the primary pen dips the others at the same
time. Instead of making the copies on the same plane, the instrument may
have two or more writing tables or surfaces, one above the other. The pen-
holder in this case consists of a horizontal arm for each pen, projected from
an upright main bar, carried by the combined guiding rods. The upper pen
is used by the writer, while the others below make the copies required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Collier, William Bailey,
and Richard Horsfall at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 23rd October 1855.
We, GEORGE COLLIER, WILLIAM BAILEY, and RICHARD HORSFALL, all of
Halifax, in the County of York, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRYING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to arranging and combining series of endless
travelling aprons in connection with suitable heating means in such manner,
that the wool or other fibre to be dried (either raw or in the state of yarn),
upon being placed upon one apron travels with it, and is thence transferred to
another apron, and so on to each succeeding apron, according to the number
in the series employed; and we cause each succeeding apron to travel in an
opposite direction to the preceding, by which the wool or other fibre being dried
will be more fully turned over in passing from one apron to the other. From
the last apron it is delivered to any suitable receiver.
We form the endless aprons of open wire work in sections connected
together, and they are operated by supporting rollers. The heating we effect
by pipes or chambers passing between or under each apron, supplied with
steam or other suitable heating medium; but these details may be varied.
A fan or other exhausting means is employed to draw away the vapours
produced, and to keep up a circulation during the drying.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1855

page_text: This Invention received Irovisional Protection, but notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Tetlow at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th July 1855. -.
I, JAMES TETLOW, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner
and Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER
FIBROUS MATERIALS" to be as follows:-
These improvements are applicable both to self-acting and hand mules, and
consists in an extra delivery of yarn from the drawing rollers while the carriage
is "running up," the twist given to the yarn in the "draw" or "stretch" of the
carriage sufficing to give or render the necessary twist to the extra delivery of
yarn from the drawing rollers while the carriage is "running up."
This is effected by placing on the "roller shaft" a broad pulley, a corre-
sponding narrow pulley being secured at the opposite end of the "head stock."
To the broad pulley is secured a loose click or clicks acting in a click or
ratchet wheel; over either pulley a cord or rope passes, and round the broad
pulley, as many times as required; each end of the cord is secured to the
carriage as the carriage "runs up." The smaller pulley is actuated by the
rope or cord, and the coils wound off from the broad pulley causing it to
revolve, this brings the loose clicks into operation on the click wheel, which,

page_text: giving motion to the "roller shaft," causes the delivery of the extra or addi-
tional yarn. The broad pulley is allowed its reverse action in consequence of
the loose clicks running out of gear with the click wheel.
The delivery of the extra yarn is simultaneous with the entire "running up
of the carriage.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRESSING, SQUEEZING, AND ROLLING IRON
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Dorrell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th February
1-855.
I, JOHN DORRELL, of Bilston, in the County of Stafford, do hereby declare
the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PRESSING,
SQUEEZING, AND ROLLING IRON," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of constructing and combining mechanism in the
following manner:-Between two side frames is formed a curved bed, partly
of bars, with spaces between them, and grooved on their surfaces. A grooved
roller is placed within the curved bed, which bed commences at a point below
the roller, and somewhat forward of it, and the bed proceeds upwards over the
roller, and comes somewhat beyond the roller. The bearings of the axis of
the roller are made capable of being set nearer to or further from the back
of the bed; hence, the passage between the roller and the back of the bed may
be varied. The entrance to the space between the bed and the roller is larger
at the commencement than at the other parts, and the two sides of this space
are made to move, so that the space may be contracted, and such contraction
depends on weighted levers or other mechanism, so that as the iron progresses

page_text: by the revolution of the roller through the space between the roller and the
fixed.bed, the mass of iron is contracted in width; and the machinery may be
so arranged that the iron may descend or move in a trough from the machine
above described, to a pair of rollers, to be rolled into a slab, or otherwise.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN DRYING SMALL COAL
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Murdoch Napier at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
December 1855.
I, JAMES MURDOCH NAPIER, of the York Road, Lambeth, in the County of
Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT
IN DRYING SMALL COAL" to be as follows:-
Small coal is now very commonly washed, to render it more suitable for
various purposes. My Invention consists in causing small coal, when in a wet
or damp state, to be passed through a stove or oven constructed in such
manner that the wet or damp coal may be fed into the stove or oven at one
end, and by the working of the parts thereof, or the machinery in connection
therewith, the coal may be progressively moved through the stove or oven,
and be delivered therefrom at the other end; for which purpose a stove or
oven is employed, arranged in the following manner:-At one end of the oven
or stove is a fire-place, and over the bed of the oven or stove there is a cover
or arch. The products of combustion pass from the fire under the cover or
arch to the flue or chimney. The bed of the stove or oven is formed to an
inclination, and is composed of several shelves or steps, some or all of which
are moveable; the moveable steps or shelves are carried by a frame or frames

page_text: caused to reciprocate or move to and fro a short distance. The damp or wet
small coal is supplied at the upper end of the bed of the stove or oven from a
hopper, and it is caused to descend down the inclined bed by the movement of
the steps; the small coal, when dried, is allowed to pass out of the stove or
oven at the lower end thereof. In some cases, when the small coal has much
moisture therewith, a centrifugal machine, capable of receiving and discharging
the small coal continuously, is first used to separate a quantity of the fluid, and
then the drying is completed as above..
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF REFLECTING SURFACES, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF REPLECTING SURFACES TO DECORATIVE AND USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Fordred at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th April. 1855.
I, JOHN FORDRED, of Hampstead, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PRODUCTION OF REFLECTING SURFACES, AND IN THE APPLICATION OF REPLECTING
SURFACES TO DECORATIVE AND USEFUL PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My improvements in the production of reflecting surfaces consist in the
employment of what is known as Dutch or white metal leaf and pale gold
leaf, which I cause to adhere to surfaces of plain, corrugated, or fluted glass,
by means of a solution of isinglass or other suitable composition, and then
back with a protective coating of any suitable pigment or varnish, and in some
cases with a further coating of tin or lead foil.
My Invention also consists in employing aluminium or silicium instead of
other metals in the production of reflecting surfaces.
My improvements in the application of reflecting surfaces consist in
employing the same in the construction of railway lamps, roof lamps, shop
lights, the foot lights of theatres, shades for gas and other burners, and for
the tops of street lamps, and generally in the construction of reflectors for
natural and artificial light.

page_text: My improvements also consist in applying reflecting surfaces of silver or
gold in the formation of decorative pannelling, shop fronts, and facia boards,
and in the production of letters for shop fronts, and other like purposes. These
letters may be formed of small pieces of reflecting surfaces let into recesses
of a corresponding shape to that of the letters to be produced; or a large
sheet of the reflecting surfaces may be employed, from which all those parts
not required in-the formation-of-the letters are stopped-out by-a sheet of zinc
or other material having the letters perforated or cut out therefrom.
BooT AND SHOE CLEANING MACHINE
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Abbott at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th February
1855.
I, WILLIAM ABBOTT, Gentleman, No. 1, Lansdown Place, Richmond, in
the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "A BooT AND SHOE CLEANING MACHINE" to be as follows:-
My machine is formed by a framework of wood, iron, or any other kind
of material, supporting a spindle with circular brushes formed of any kind of
hair in a wood or iron block, or any other kind of material, and a small
cogg wheel or wheel for a band or gutt, and a second spindle for a handle
with a larger cogg wheel or wheel for a band or gutt, so that the motion
of the brushes would be increased. The motion of the machine can be obtained
by a treadle and crank, &c. The brushes are formed as in Drawing, Fig. 1
and 2, Sheet 1. Sheet 2 shows the machine; spindle a, small wheel b, brushes
c, c, c, spindle d, large wheel e, gutt f, handle g.
CLAIMS.
Firstly, I claim the Invention of the circular brush as applied to boot and
shoe cleaning.
Secondly, I claim the boot and shoe cleaning machine, as being entirely new.
PRODUCING A TRANSPARENT PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURE ON IVORY WITHOUT INJURING THE NATURE OF THE IVORY, SO AS TO BE ABLE TO FINISH THE PICTURE WITH COLOURS LIKE OTHER MINIATURES
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Johannes Möller at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th November
1855.
I, JOHANNES MÖLLER, of 3, Maynard Place, Hornsey, in the County of
Middlesex, Esquire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"PRODUCING A TRANSPARENT PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURE ON IVORY WITHOUT INJURING
THE NATURE OF THE IVORY, SO AS TO BE ABLE TO FINISH THE PICTURE WITH COLOURS
LIKE OTHER MINIATURES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in producing a transparent positive photographic
picture, and bringing or transferring the same upon ivory by means of a
gelatine or glass medium, which leaves the ivory free from all injury, and will
enable the artist thus to finish the picture so brought or transferred on ivory
with colours like other minatures prepared on ivory.
AN IMPROVED MAGNETO-ELECTRIC BATTERY
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Soren Hjorth, of Copenhagen, for the Invention of
AN IMPROVED MAGNETO-ELECTRIC BATTERY."
Sealed the 28th September 1855, and dated the 11th April 1855.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Soren Hjorth, at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declaration, on
the 11th April 1855, pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent Law
Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SOREN
HJORTH, of Copenhagen, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention of "AN
IMPROVED MAGNETO-ELECTRIC BATTERY," and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say):-
Various attempts have been made to produce electricity by means of
armatures brought in succession within the action of permanent magnets.
Now, my Invention consists in certain improved arrangements for producing
electricity in great quantity and intensity by those means. For this purpose
a series of armatures in a wheel revolving at a slow motion are brought in
succession between the poles of permanent magnets and the poles of a
series of electro-magnets, surrounded with spiral rings or coils of copper
wire, within cylinders also coiled with wires. The accompanying Drawing

page_text: shews an end view section and plan of my improved magneto-electric battery,
the same letters indicating similar parts in each.
a, the revolving wheel; b, the armatures, surrounded with coiled tubes,
having their false poles h, h, pointed and chamfered off at the points of
separation, whilst the false poles i of the fixed magnets are inlaid with the brass
plates j at the points of separation; c, c, the permanent magnets, between
the poles of which the wheel revolves; d, d, a series of electro-magnets; e, e,
spiral coils surrounding the electro-magnets; f,f, cylinders surrounding the
coils, coiled on the outside with wires; g, g, the commutator.
The action of this battery is as follows:-The permanent magnets acting
on the armatures brought in succession between their poles induce a current
in the coils of the armatures, which current, after having been caused by
the commutator to flow in one direction, passes round the electro-magnets,
charging the same and acting on the armatures. By the mutual action
between the electro-magnets and the armatures an accelerating force is
obtained, which in the result produces electricity greater in quantity and
intensity than has heretofore been obtained by any similar means.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I claim as my
Invention, an improved magneto-electric battery constructed and arranged as
above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Soren Hjorth, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
SOREN HJORTH. (L.S.)
IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John William Lewis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th May
1855.
I, JOHN WILLIAM LEWIS, of 52, Granby Road, Manchester, Manufacturer
5 of Lightning Conductors, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS" to be as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention of improvements in lightning conductors consists in the
employment of a flat copper wire rope, formed of three or more strands, each
strand being composed of two or more wires.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BREAKS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontaine Moreau at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 29th October 1855.-A communication.
I, PETER ARMAND le Comte DE FONTAINE MOREAU, of the English and
Foreign Patent Office, 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, & 39, Rue de
l'Echiquier, Paris, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREAKS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES" to be as follows, that is
to say:-
The Invention consists in certain improved apparatus for stopping railway
trains. To each wheel of the carriage may be applied one or more of the ordi-
nary brakes put in motion by a connecting rod and suitable levers. A wheel
on a vertical axis is fixed to a bearing on the carriage, so that it may be thrown
in or out of gear by the motion of a horizontal shaft which is fixed to the frame
of the carriage. This horizontal shaft by means of a lever also puts in action
all the brakes. To put the wheels in gear with the endless screw a weight or
lever may be used, in which case the said weight is raised and kept suspended
by means of a catch or bolt. Upon the withdrawal of this bolt by the hori-
zontal shaft the weight will fall down a given distance, and by that means all
the wheels will be put in gear with the endless screws at the same time, and
also all the brakes will be put in action for stopping the train. It may
observed that the brakes can be so constructed as to be worked by hand for
be

page_text: ordinary purposes, working them by the train's motion being only resorted to in
cases of danger.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING.
Fig. 1, plan, and Figure 2 elevation, of my improved apparatus.
A, shaft, provided with its endless screw A'; B, wheel, cogging with the
endless screw A'; C, shaft, provided with wooden breaks H; D, sliding piece,
to push forward the wheel B to the endless screw A'; E, rod, to which is
attached a spring; F, rod, serving to apply the breaks H on the wheels J;
H, breaks, mounted on shafts C; I, frame; K, coupling rod; L, coupling
slide, to bring the wheel B in communication with the endless screw A¹ by
turning the rod K; M, axis or pivot supporting the weight N, which falls
when necessary to put on the break; O, levers, fixed to the connecting rod G;
P, axle boxes.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MILITARY AND OTHER CLOAKS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Campbell Green Cooke
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th March 1855.
I, RICHARD CAMPBELL GREEN COOKE, of New Swindon, in the County of
Wiltshire, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MILITARY AND OTHER CLOAKS" to be as follows:-
My said Invention refers to the peculiar form and make of cloaks for use
in the military and naval service, for travellers and others, being portable,
and so arranged that it can readily be transformed for the purposes of a low
tent, sufficiently capacious to overhang the body of a person reclining on the
ground.
The cloak may consist of cloth, or light waterproof or other materials, and
be 8 or 9 feet long, and about five feet wide. In the middle of a centre line
drawn longitudinally on the cloak, I cut an aperture sufficient to admit the
head of the wearer, and sew on each side a lappel, with buttons to close it
when required, or the same may be formed like a hood. Around and near the
edge of the cloak, at suitable distances, I attach loops, so that when used as a
tent, the loops serve for the tent pegs and for the cords secured to jointed
stakes of about three feet long.
Cloaks thus manufactured hang square or nearly square both before and

page_text: behind, and are open at the sides. The middle loops can be slung to the neck
collar buttons, to allow the free use of the arms, or the front loops can be
buttoned to the back portion to keep the cloak close to the person, which
arrangements are particularly adapted to the requirements of soldiers on
picket duty in wet weather.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF FLUIDS AND GASES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Culpin at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th November
1855.
I, THOMAS CULPIN, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE SUPPLY AND DISCHARGE OF
FLUIDS AND GASES" to be as follows (that is to say) :-
The apparatus consists of a straight or a curved pipe, one end being formed
into an eccentric flange, having in its inner side a recess so formed that
when attached to the flange of an ordinary pipe or to any part of a steam
boiler or other vessel, the recess shall form a chamber or valve box. The end
of the pipe opening into the valve box is covered by a valve moveable upon a
hinge, which hinge is formed by a spindle attached to the valve and passing
through a boss formed upon the pipe concentric with the flange. Upon the
outer end of the spindle is fixed a lever for opening and closing the valve.
Two-way and three-way cocks are formed by making the required number
of openings in the valve box or flange.
The second part of the said Invention consists in making such apparatus for
the regulations of the supply and discharge of fluids and gases, to open or close

page_text: by the pressure of such fluids and gases. This part of the apparatus consists
of a bored cylinder fitted with two pistons moving independently of each other,
to one of which is attached a handle by means of a spindle passing through a
stuffing box; to the other is attached the before-mentioned plate or valve
covering the end of the pipe.
By means of a small passage the pressure of the fluid or gas is brought to
act upon the two pistons, causing the valve to close or open, as the case may
be, independently of the will of the individual using it.
AN IMPROVED LIFE-PRESERVING HARNESS
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Daniel Benjamin Herts at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
June 1855. A communication.
I, DANIEL BENJAMIN HERTS, of No. 17, Cornhill, London, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED LIFE-PRESERVING HARNESS,"
a communication from George Yellott & Samuel Hunt, both of the State of
Maryland & United States of America, to be as follows:-
The object of the Invention is to enable a person seated within a carriage
to detach the horse therefrom as soon as he becomes unmanageable by merely
pulling a cord, which instantly strips him of all his harness but the collar,.
bridle, & driving reins.
The hames of my improved harness are held together at top by a spring
bolt passing through a rule joint, and at bottom by a strap with rings passing
over the lower curved ends of the hames..
The saddletree is made in two parts, held together by a beveled pin. The
two sections of the cantle are held together. by a pointed tongue.& groove, each
section having a section of the crupper loop attached to it, which, when the
tree is fastened together, form the whole loop. The terrets are so arranged as
to drop out when the sections of the saddletree are parted.
.
A cord is attached to the spring bolt which holds the hames together, and a
branch of the same cord is attached to the beveled pin, which holds together

page_text: the two parts or sections of the saddletree; this cord is carried back &
attached to any convenient part of the vehicle. When this cord is pulled, the
hames fly apart at the top, & drop loose at the bottom; the saddletree at
the same instant comes apart, & the horse goes off, carrying with him
nothing but the collar, bridle, and driving reins.
The details of construction will be fully described in my final Specification.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FIGURED FABRICS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Nathaniel Templeton and David
Millar at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 7th September 1855.
We, NATHANIEL TEMPLETON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Manufacturer, and DAVID MILLAR, of the same Place, Manager, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF FIGURED FABRICS" to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the weaving or manufacture of figured muslins and
other ornamental fabrics, in such manner as to secure excellence of effect in
the finished goods, combined with superior economy in the manufacturing cost.
These advantages are carried out in practical working by the peculiar com-
bination and action of the ordinary jacquard or other pattern-working appa-
ratus with heddle mounting, these two branches of the weaving details being
worked together in concert in weaving the goods. According to the ordinary
system of weaving harness-figured muslins, the plain ground of such goods
is usually woven by the aid of a mounting or set of heddles, ordinarily con-
sisting of four leaves or sections, the warp of the fabric being equally divided
amongst such leaves. Hence, by elevating or depressing two of the leaves
alternately at each shot of the ground weft the required plain cloth ground is
produced. Now, the harness connected with the tail cords of the jacquard or

page_text: figuring mechanism is connected with and governs only one half of the warp
threads actuated by the heddle leaves, and when the jacquard harness elevates
a portion of the warp threads in producing the figuring effect with the figuring
weft thrown in for the purpose, the heddles are at rest. Now, according to the
present Invention, advantage is taken of this quiescent condition of the heddles
to actuate one of the two leaves thereof, through which leaves the warp threads
governed by the jacquard harness are also passed alternately with each figuring
weft shot; that is to say, one of the two leaves which operate upon the warp
threads attached to the jacquard harness is pressed down or actuated alternately
at each shot of the figuring weft. By this system of working the operator is
enabled to use the same jacquard pattern card for one, two, or more shots of
the figuring weft, producing a superior cloth at the same time in the figure
portion of the piece. The weaving details may be arranged in various ways,
but a preferable mode is to connect each alternate thread of the warp to the
harness connected with the tail cords of the jacquard apparatus, whilst the four
leaves of the heddles have the whole of the warp threads equally divided amongst
them, so that each alternate thread of the warp is passed through and acted
upon by two of the heddle leaves only. The other alternate threads are passed
both through the other heddle leaves and through the eyes of the jacquard
harness.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTTLES, INKSTANDS, AND OTHER VESSELS, AND IN CAPS OR STOPPERS FOR CLOSING THE SAME
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Vincent Scully and Bennett Johns
Heywood at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 14th September 1855.
We, VINCENT SCULLY, Esquire, and BENNETT JOHNS HEYWOOD, Gentleman,
both of the City of Dublin, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTTLES, INKSTANDS, AND OTHER VESSELS, AND IN CAPS OR
STOPPERS FOR CLOSING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to facilitate the closing and opening of
bottles, jars, and other vessels. To this end, we so construct these vessels as
to permit of the application thereto of caps or covers, which, without any
extrinsic aid as bands, clips, or wires, will retain their position and permit of
being readily removed when required. For covering bottles, jars, or other
vessels which require the removal of the cap or cover whenever access to the
interior is desired, we form a shoulder on the neck of the vessel, with inclined
grooves to receive pins projecting from the inner periphery of the cap or cover;
or we form inclines on the under side of the shoulder for the pins to bear
against as the cap is turned, and thus bind the cap tight to the neck of the
bottle or jar. The shoulder must of course be grooved vertically to allow of
the pins reaching the inclines on its lower edge. Or, in lieu of this arrange-
ment, the vessel may be provided with projecting pins, and the cap with
inclines; but we prefer the former plan. The insertion of some elastic material

page_text: in the cap to come in contact with the lip or upper edge of the vessel will
insure an air-tight closing of the vessel.
For closing that class of vessels to the interior of which access is required
without the removal of the cover, taking for an example inkstands, we make
the inkstand cylindrical, and fit into the upper end a disc pierced with an
excentric hole. The cap we pierce with a hole corresponding thereto, and
when the two holes are brought into coincidence a pen may be inserted as in
a common inkstand. To render this vessel fluid-tight when closed, and there-
fore portable, we tap the upper part of the vessel and the cap with a coarse
screw, or provide a means similar to that above described for securing the cap
to the vessel. We also propose, by increasing the depth of the cap, to gain
sufficient friction surface (with the aid of an elastic packing or not) to hold
the cap securely in its place.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OP RAILWAYS, AND IN CARRIAGES TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR ON COMMON ROADS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th July
1855. A communication.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OP
RAILWAYS, AND IN CARRIAGES TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR ON COMMON
ROADS," a communication from Pierre Joseph Bertrand Geoffrey, of Dax, in
the Empire of France, Manufacturer, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved construction and arrangement of the
permanent way of railways, and to a peculiar construction and arrangement of
railway wheels to be used on such permanent way, whereby the trucks or car-
riages are rendered equally applicable for transport cither on common roads or
on railways. The permanent way consists of an improved construction or form
of rails and sleepers, and of an improved mode of securing or uniting the rails
to the sleepers, whereby the junction is effected without either chairs, screw
bolts, pins, or wedges, thus materially reducing the cost of construction. The
rails are rolled with a considerably rounded surface on their working sides,
whilst their lower faces or bearing surfaces are rolled perfectly flat, with a pro-

page_text: jecting dovetailed rib running along their entire length. This dovetailed rib is
slid into and accurately fits a corresponding groove in the longitudinal sleepers,
the rails being thus securely held therein without any other fastening whatever.
The transverse section of the longitudinal sleepers approaches a trapezoidal
form; the inner sides of such sleepers being vertical, whilst their outer sides
are made to slope outwards from the upper edge downwards. These sleepers
are fitted into suitable recesses formed in transverse sleepers, which serve as
the main foundation or support of the way, and they are secured therein by
wedges or key pieces. The improved wheels consist of a species of broad
double tyre, that is, although the tyre is made in one piece, yet one portion
is of slightly larger diameter than the other; the larger diameter or flange
being made sufficiently broad for running on common roads, whilst the small
portion or diameter of the wheel is adapted to run on the rails of the perma-
The wheels are also constructed to be made either fast or loose on
their axles, according as the vehicle is intended for running on a railway or on
a common road. This is effected by a suitable clutch and pin or key passed
through the axle, the arms of the clutch being made to enter between the
spokes of the wheel, which will then be in gear with it and fast on the axle;
but in order to release the wheel the clutch is reversed, the arms or pins
being turned from the wheel, whereupon the wheel will be free to rotate
on its axle.
A COOLING APPARATUS TO BE USED IN BREWING
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Lister at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th November
1855.
I, GEORGE LISTER, of Leamington, in the County of Warwick, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "A COOLING APPARATUS TO BE USED
IN BREWING" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in a novel and improved form of construction of
cooler, by the use of which two important advantages are obtained: first, the
beer is cooled more quickly than heretofore; and, secondly, the capacity of
the vessel employed for that purpose is considerably less than, the coolers as
heretofore constructed and employed in brewing.
The following is a convenient form of apparatus for the above purpose:-
Within a vessel of any material and shape containing cold water I arrange
and dispose lengthwise a series of pipes, the ends whereof are left open, and
are securely fixed into the ends of the aforesaid vessel. The beer to be cooled
is conducted into the cooling apparatus in any convenient manner, and,
entering the open ends of the several pipes, passes along the same, and is
discharged cooled at the opposite ends of such said pipes into any convenient
receptacle.
And to insure a nearly uniform degree of coldness of the water, I cause

page_text: the same to be continually flowing through the said vessel by suitable inlet
and outlet pipes for that purpose, and in this manner and by these means the
beer will be cooled as fast as it passes through the aforesaid pipes, so that by
augmenting the number and size of the pipes it will appear evident that a
very large quantity of beer may be cooled in a short space of time, and in a
vessel considerably smaller than heretofore used for cooling beer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Vincent Newton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th
December 1855.-A communication.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN WASHING MACHINES, to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to a novel construction of washing machine, by the
use of which the operation of washing will be facilitated. Set up in a
circular tub or vessel is a central shaft, which carries a disc formed with a
conical under surface. Upon this conical surface conical half-round ribs are
fixed, the same being arranged radially around the central shaft. The bottom
of the tub is also similarly provided, and by the application of these conical ribs,
the tendency of the clothes under operation to work (by reason of centrifugal
force) too readily towards the sides of the tub will be checked. Attached to
the upper side of the disc is a batten, for giving it strength, and from the
batten project upwards two posts, which carry a horizontal cross bar or handle
for giving rotary motion to the disc, which rubs and turns over the clothes that
are placed beneath it. To facilitate the removal of the disc, the handle or
cross bar, instead of being held in place by being dropped over the central
shaft, is secured thereto by passing a conical wedge through the cross bar into
a central hole in the shaft.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN DISCHARGING CANNON
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Jordan at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th April
1855.
I, CHARLES JORDAN, of Newport, in the County of Monmouth, Ironfounder,
5 do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN
DISCHARGING CANNON " to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of applying to the touch-hole of a cannon a plug
with a recess in it to receive a red-hot shot, which on the turning of the plug
drops on to the charge of powder and ignites it, the plug at the same time
closing the touch-hole.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HORN, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OF A SIMILAR NATURE
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George White at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th March 1855.-
A communication.
I, GEORGE WHITE, of 5, Laurence Pountney Lane, Cannon Street, in the
City of London, Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF HORN, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES OF A
SIMILAR NATURE," (a communication,) to be as follows:-
My improvements relate not only to the treatment of horn and horn clip-
pings or shavings, but also of substances of the same nature as horn, such,
for instance, as the outside rind of feet or hoofs of horses, asses, mules, oxen,
cows, sheep, goats, and such like animals; bristles, horse or other hair, wool,
quills, feathers, whale fins or whale bone, turtle or tortoise shell, and other
analogous materials. They consist in incorporating or amalgamating with one
or with several of the said substances a suitable quantity of vulcanized or non-
vulcanized india-rubber, gutta percha, or both of them, by any suitable means,
and with or without the aid of heat. If required, I may incorporate with
these compounds one or more suitable colouring matter, and also such other
materials as will give to the compounds peculiar qualities, according to the
objects they are to be employed for, and in such manner that the said com-
pounds (the principle of composition of which consists in the incorporation of
horn or horny substances with india-rubber, gutta percha, or both of them,
with or without the adjunction of other suitable materials,) may serve for
various useful and ornamental purposes.
AN IMPROVEMENT APPLICABLE TO TELESCOPES AND OTHER SIMILAR OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1855

page_text: was not given
the come prescroca
"by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Sir John William Lubbock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st May 1855.
I, Sir JOHN WILLIAM LUBBOCK, of Mansion House Street, in the City of
London, Baronet, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVEMENT APPLICABLE TO TELESCOPES AND OTHER SIMILAR OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the application to the object end of portable
telescopes or other similar optical instruments of a reflector, consisting of a
mirror or a prism, so that the object to be viewed may be received thereon at
right angles to the axis of the telescope. The object of this arrangement of
parts is, that military or naval officers may reconnoitre or observe through a
glass the motions of an enemy without being exposed to view, as the observer
may be stationed behind a buttress, parapet, or other protection, and need only
expose the object end of the telescope beyond the protection.
In carrying out my improvement, I propose to mount a reflecting mirror
or prism in a suitable frame, which may be adapted to the object end of the
instrument. The reflector must be so arranged and adapted as to receive
the image of the object at right angles to the axis of the telescope, so that
the image may be thrown down the tube of the telescope to the eye of the

page_text: observer. The frame of the reflector may be made either to slip on the end
of the telescope like the ordinary cap, and will therefore be removable when
required; or it may be hinged to the end in such a manner that when not in
use it may be shut down on to the object glass, and when required for use it
will only be necessary to raise it to the proper angle for observation.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING VESSELS
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
not given within the time prescribed
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henson and Henry Oscar
Palmer at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 12th November 1855.
We, WILLIAM HENSON, of Bryan Street, Caledonian Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, and HENRY OSCAR PALMER, of Castle Street East,
St. Marylebone, in the same County, Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING VESSELS,
to be as follows:-
The chief object of this Invention is to provide barges (for canal use) with
a stern propeller which is capable of vertical adjustment to suit the varying
load carried by such vessels. The propeller which we prefer to employ
consists of a broad paddle wheel of the ordinary construction, and it is set
within the barge frame, and shielded, so as to produce as little disturbance as
possible in the water, for the sake of preserving the canal banks. To effect
the vertical adjustment of the propeller we mount it in a frame, which is
carried by and turns upon the crank shaft of the engine; this frame is raised
and lowered by a worm shaft, which works in a segment rack affixed to the
rear end of the propeller frame. A spur wheel keyed on the crank shaft
transmits motion to a spur wheel on the propeller shaft, and thus rotary
motion is imparted to tho propeller irrespective of its elevation with respect
to the deck of the barge.