matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Reuben Sims at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd September
1863.
I, REUBEN SIMS, of the Firm of Picksley, Sims, and Company, Bedford
Foundry, Leigh, in the County of Lancaster, Agricultural Implement Makers
and Iron Founders, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
1st, I employ an improved method of fixing to the top part of the finger
beam of reaping and mowing machines duplicate knives as fixtures to
correspond with those upon the knife bar, having a vibratory movement, and
at such a distance from the fingers that the knife bar may freely work beneath
them, at the same time setting the edges of both knives to pass each other,
similar to the action of a pair of shears, and thereby separate or cut the grass
or grain that may be forced between them when the machine is at work.
2nd, I attach to that part of the finger beam nearest the main frame a
hinge or eye, into which I place the fulcrum of a lever, and carry the opposite
or longer end through a suitable slot fixed on the main frame; the object of
this lever is to allow the finger beam to drop at its outer end below the level
of the machine, as in the case of cutting along the sides of short slopes or
river banks, or other similar places. As the finger beam is raised up this
lever butts against its inner end and against the top part of the lever slot, so.
that as the beam is raised up the outer end is thrown higher than the inner
or end next, the main frame.

page_text: 3rd, I engage and adjust the gearing by a suitable weight fixed on the
clutch lever, which renders the clutch self-acting in case of forward or back-
ward movements of the machine.
4th, I balance the tip board of reaping machines by means of a weight and
suitable lever, thus avoiding the annoyance caused by the use of elastic
materials or springs as heretofore used.
And, 5th, by way of protection for. the disc wheel and crank pin, I place in
front or over it a suitable cover having a binge joint or other equivalent
contrivance, whereby it is easily removed for cleaning and oiling the crank
and other parts of the machine.
IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE ROLLERS OF MACHINES EMPLOYED FOR SPINNING FIBROUS MATERIALS WHILST IN A WET STATE
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Logan Todd at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th July
1863.
I, JAMES LOGAN TODD, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, in Ireland,
Engineer and Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE ROLLERS OF MACHINES EMPLOYED FOR
SPINNING FIBROUS MATERIALS WHILST IN A WET STATE," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the rollers of "wet" spinning frames, and is
designed to protect the journals of said rollers from injury by wet or dirt, and
to serve also as a lubricator: These purposes I propose to accomplish by
applying to the journals of said rollers a cover, which I construct in the fol-
lowing manner :-I place two plates of brass or other suitable material (here-
after called sides) at a distance equal to the length of the journal apart from
each other, but so as to be admitted between the two bosses or shoulders of
the roller which enclose said journal. In the edges of said sides adjoining the
journal I cut a semicircular groove to surround or contain half the eircum-
ference of said journal. I attach the two sides together by means of transverse
plates or bars. Between the two sides I insert a semi-cylindrical plate of
brass or other suitable material, which I attach to said sides either rigidly or
fixed at one extremity, and furnished with a spring. The whole is then fixed
to the spinning frame so as to act as a cover for said journal. The concave
surface of said semi-cylindrical plate is to be filled with a lubricating matter,

page_text: such as tallow, patent grease, or a mixture of oil and tallow, which being kept
in contact with said journal lubricates it.
This Invention consists principally in placing a cover of any desirable shape
over the journals of the rollers of wet spinning frames to serve as a protection
from injury by wet or dirt, as above stated, instead of leaving said journals
exposed as heretofore has been the practice, which cover may be adapted at
the same time for applying a lubricant to said journals.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Johnston and Robert
Heatley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 18th February 1863.
We, FRANCIS JOHNSTON, Manufacturer, and ROBERT HEATLEY, Overlooker,
both of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," to be
as follows:-
Our Invention is designed to dispense with the tappets and shaft now em-
ployed to actuate the healds, and the improvements consist in a novel arrange-
ment and combination of apparatus by which the rise and fall of the healds is.
to be obtained, and which may be thus described. Upon the inside surface of
the front bottom or cross rail of the loom a bracket or support is fixed car-
rying a pulley attached to a toothed pinion, this pulley is situated immediately
under the healds, and the heald strap passes from one heald round the pulley
to the other heald. Upon the back rail of the loom a lever or bar has its
fulcrum or centre of radiation, the opposite end of such lever being toothed in
the form of a quadrant, which gears into the aforesaid pinion; this lever is
caused to move to and fro laterally by means of an undulating disc, and thus
causes the semi-rotation of the pinion and pulley, and produces the rocking
motion which causes the rise and fall of the healds.
A second part of the Invention relates to the regulation of the tension of the
warp, and consists in the employment and use of a rod or carrier to support the
warp, which is supported by vertical rods, each terminating in a bowl or roller
fitting into two hollows or cups formed on the aforesaid oscillating lever, so

page_text: that as the lever moves to and fro, the bowl rises out of one hollow and drops
into the other, and then returns; thus when the warp is slack the elevation
between the hollows causes its tension, and when the "shed" is open and less
tension is required the carrier or rod is at the lowest point; a bar is also
employed upon the warp to give tension instead of the ordinary warp beam
weights.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REEPING TOPSAILS AND COURSES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Alexander Elliott at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th June 1863.
I, THOMAS ALEXANDER ELLIOTT, of Enniskillin, in the County of Fer-
managh, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REEPING TOPSAILS AND COURSES," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to maintain the sail whole, and to cause the
rolling thereof upon the yard to which it is connected without the employment
of a supplementary yard or roller.
My Invention consists in suspending the yard by means of swing rods
connected at or about the centre to an arm or arms projecting from one or
more rings or hoops free to move up and down the mast, and connected to
haulyards, whereby the yard is raised or lowered as required. For the courses,
as the yards do not require to raised or lowered the swing rods are connected
at their centre to an arm projecting from some fixture on the mast. At each
of their outer ends the swing rods are connected to cross heads, the axes of
the yards are supported in and protrude beyond these cross heads, and the
protruding ends have fixed upon them a toothed pulley or similar contrivance;
a plain guide pulley or roller is also fixed upon each of the cross heads both'
above and below; a chain carried from the deck is passed through a block
suspended from the arm to which the swing rods are connected, through the
plain pulley on the upper side of the cross head at one end of the yard round
the toothed pulley, then through the plain pulley on the under side of the
cross head, and back through the block down to the deck, and a similar chain

page_text: is similarly carried round the toothed pulley on the other end of the yard.
For convenience sake, after returning through the block the two ends of each
of these chains are united into one and carried down to the deck as one chain.
In order to reef the sail the yard is caused to rotate by hauling on the chains,
whereby the sail is rolled up upon the yard, the sheets of course being slacked
to allow of the foot of the sail rising. To let out the sail to any extent
required slack away the chains and haul upon the sheets.
IMPROVEMENTS THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Bowron and George Robinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the
2nd October 1863.
We, JAMES BOWRON, of South Stockton, in the County of York, Glass
Manufacturer, and GEORGE ROBINSON, of Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square,
in the County of Middlesex, M.D., do hereby declare the nature of the
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of soda.
For these purposes comnion salt is converted into sulphate of soda as is usual,
but in place of heating the same together with carbon and chalk, as hereto-
fore practised, the sulphate of soda is mixed with or acted on by iron in a
melted or liquid state in a suitable vessel or furnace having flues or passages com-
municating with a chamber for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, the sulphur
is in the first place taken by the iron, leaving the soda free, and by continuing
the heat for a certain time in the presence of atmospheric air it is burnt into
sulphurous acid gas, which passing into a suitable chamber or passages in the
usual way may be converted into sulphuric acid. The residue, consisting of
oxide of iron and soda, may be treated with water when the soda will be
dissolved out. Or the sulphate of soda may be heated with carbon, as is usual,
to convert it into sulphuret of sodium, and this may then be treated with melted
or liquid iron as above described.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF- ACTING MULES FOR SPINNING
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Emanuel Kemp, James Needham,
and Orlando Robinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 12th February 1863.
Wo, EMANUEL KEMP, Manager, JAMES NEEDHAM and ORLANDO ROBINSON,
Overlookers, all of Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-
ACTING MULES FOR SPINNING," to be as follows:-
Our Invention is designed to dispense with and supersede the use of the
"sector" as hitherto employed in mules to actuate the "fallers," and consists
in a novel arrangement and combination of apparatus as hereafter described.
Upon the inclined surface of the copping rail a small bowl runs, which is
attached by means of a stud or bracket to one end of a lever having its
fulcrum on the framing of the spindle carriage, the opposite end also being
furnished with an adjustable bowl which comes beneath and presses against a
projection attached to a vertical lever connected with the "faller shaft," such
pressure being caused by the action of the first bowl on the inclined surface
of the copping rail as the mule carriage runs in. Whilst the "fallers"
grinding the yarn, and shaping the cop, the adjustable bowl is retained under
the said projection, thereby affording steadiness and certainty of action to the
"fallers," the release of such bowl being effected by means of a horizontal bar
sliding in bearings on the top of the spindle carriage, such bar being in a line
with the lower end of the vertical lever, and is so arranged that when the
carriage runs in it shall displace the vertical lever, and thereby allow the
"fallers" to rise, placing them again in position for action.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PISTONS OF STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Francis Delany and John
Charles Raymond Okes at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 9th July 1863.
We, JOSEPH FRANCIS DELANY and JOHN CHARLES RAYMOND. OKES, of
Victoria Foundry, Greenwich, in the County of Kent, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PISTONS OF STEAM ENGINES,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the pistons of steam
engines.
For these purposes in order to render the pistons of steam engines steam-
tight and yet capable of moving freely in the steam engine cylinders, the
packing heretofore employed is dispensed with and the bodies of the pistons at
their outer circumference are made cylindrical of slightly less diameter than
the interior of the cylinders, so that they will move freely within the cylinders.
The interior of the central parts of the pistons may be hollow or otherwise
made as light as can conveniently be done; and in order that the use of
packing may be dispensed with, the outer surface of each piston has numerous
parallel grooves or indentations formed around it, and, by preference a number
of hollow ring-like spaces, in which water will accumulate, which will prevent
the passage of steam, whilst at the same time such accumulation will tend to
lubricate the surface of the cylinder as the piston is moved to and fro
within it.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SCOURING, CLEANING, AND POLISHING WHEAT, RICE, MALT, GRAIN, AND OTHER SEEDS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Ellis at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th August
1863.
I, JOHN ELLIS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Millwright and
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SCOURING, CLEANING, AND POLISHING WHEAT, RICE,
MALT, GRAIN, AND OTHER SEEDS," to be as follows (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machinery for scouring,
cleaning, and polishing wheat, rice, malt, grain, and other seeds, and consists
in placing a conical, parallel, or other suitably shaped cylinder, to work vor-
tically or horizontally, having at fixed points angle irons or other "beaters"
fixed in a spiral direction from end to end on the outside of said cylinder to
produce a rolling motion, and to act at certain distances to suit whcat, rice,
malt, grain, and other seeds which the machine may be set to clean against
wire or other clothing placed on the outside casing or outside cylinder. Tho
cylinder with its wire casing or other clothing is enclosed in a cast metal cage
or casing, which is also enclosed in an outer framing of cast metal, sheet iron,
zinc, wood, or other suitable material. The cylinder is mounted upon an
horizontal spindle (driven at a very high velocity), on the end of which spindle
is keyed a set of fan blades (also enclosed in a suitable framing), which have

page_text: the effect of separating all the lighter materials, such as chaff, dust, and dirt,
which have been scoured or beaten off the wheat, rice, malt, grain, or other
seeds in its passage through the machine, the remaining portion of heavy dirt
being beaten through the enclosed wire casing of the machine, and falling to
any allotted place for its reception. The grain (or seeds) being introduced at
the feed end of the machine, is passed from there to the inside of the internal
wire casing, when the spirally-formed angle iron or "beaters" give it a rolling
motion against the sides of the cylinder and the enclosed wire casing, where it
is retained a time sufficient to beat or clean it, when it is discharged through
the before-mentioned fan passage to the "hoppers" or other receptacle.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXHIBITING THE FLOW OF REAL WATER AND OTHER EFFECTS APPLICABLE TO THEATRICAL PURPOSES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Tyrrel Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th December
1863.
I, EDWARD TYRREL SMITI, of Astley's Theatre, Westminster Bridge Road,
in the County of Surrey, Theatrical Manager, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXHIBITING THE FLOW
OF REAL WATER AND OTHER EFFECTS APPLICABLE TO THEATRICAL PURPOSES," to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to apparatus for producing the flow of real water on
the stage of a theatre, and also of other representations of moving figures
behind the same. I propose to arrange in a frame sheets of plate glass,
silvered or not, at angles of 45 degrees or thereabouts, and to cause water to
flow over the same by means of hydraulic apparatus from a pipe over the
framework. Behind the glacial surface female or other figures are fixed on
vertical levers or other mechanical appliances so as to rise and fall and appear
as if immersed in water or floating in or under a cascade of real water pre-
cipitated on a marine grotto. The water flowing to the bottom of the glass is
conducted away by a hose or other aqueduct. The effects may be heightened
by the use of the electric, lime, or other artificial light.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN PINS, BROOCHES, BUCKLES, AND OTHER ORNAMENTS, TO BE APPLIED TO VARIOUS ARTICLES OF WEARING APPAREL
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Philip Bettle at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th November
1863.
I, PHILIP BETTLE, of Ely Place, in the County of Middlesex, Watch
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PINS, BROOCHES, BUCKLES, AND OTHER ORNAMENTS, TO BE APPLIED TO
VARIOUS ARTICLES OF WEARING APPAREL," to be as follows:-
My Invention of "Improvements in Pins, Brooches, Buckles, and other
Ornaments to be applied to various Articles of Wearing Apparel," relates
to a novel kind of fastening whereby these ornaments may be secured to the
article of dress.
The improved fastening consists of a swivel pin combined with a split or
divided spring ring. The ring, which forms the principal ornamental part of
the article, may be made either circular, oval, oblong, square, triangular,
heart shape, or any other suitable and convenient form, but it must be split
or divided at its lower part so as to allow the stem of the pin to be passed
through it from back to front or vice versà. In order to secure the ornament
in any article the swivel pin must be passed through the fabric from front to
back, and through again in the ordinary manner of inserting the pin of a
brooch. That part of the stem of the pin which is brought to the front is then
pressed through the divided part of the ring, and is brought in front thereof,

page_text: and will be retained there by the elasticity of the ring, which will keep the
divided part closed. In order to detach the ornamental article from the dress
it will only be necessary to use sufficient force to press the stem of the pin
back through the divided ring. The pin may then be drawn out.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Cutler at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th November
1863.
I, JOSEPH CUTLER, of Gloucester Road, Upper Holloway, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of
ornamental fountains. For these purposes a hollow transparent column is
formed, for the most part of glass, and generally of glass of different colors.
Up the interior of this column there is a water supply pipe; at the upper
part of this supply pipe are applied suitable jets or outlets and basins or other
devices for receiving the water as it descends, and from these basins or devices
the water descends down the transparent column into a suitable tray or
receiver, between which and the lower end of the column there is a suitable
base or stand for the column. The interior of the column is arranged to be
lighted by gas or by other artificial light, or the lighting by gas may be
combined with other means of producing artificial light within the transparent
column. In some cases the column is arranged in such manner as to be
caused to rotate by internal or external mechanism. When lighting the
interior of the column with jets of gas, it is preferred that the jets should wind
spirally around the upright supply pipe in the central axis of the column.

page_text: When using other artificial means of producing light interior of the trans-
parent column, it is preferred to use therewith colored lamps distributed
according to any device within the column. Ornamental devices of glass and
of other material may be al-o applied externally of the column.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BATTERY PLATES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Brown at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st January
1863.
I, WILLIAM HENRY BROWN, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Ironmaster
and Steel Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BATTERY PLATES," to be as follows:-
Hitherto battery plates have been made of malleable iron affixed to the
sides of vessels of war, without being hardened. Battery plates so made
have proved insufficient to resist the flat-beaded hardened shot and shell fired
from the Whitworth gun. Now, I propose to harden one side or face of such
battery plates to the depth of about one-fifth of their thickness, leaving the
remaining four-fifths in a mild or ductile state to support the hardened part;
I believe battery plates so hardened will so shatter or flatten any projectile as
to entirely prevent their penetrating such battery plates, and I further propose
to harden in like manner battery plates made of cast or refined steel. I claim
by the said Invention the hardening of one face of battery plates, whether made
of iron or steel, according to the improvements herein-before described.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND INCREASING THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Julius Ruthardt and Ferdinand
Thiele at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 10th October 1863.
We, JULIUS RUTHARDT and FERDINAND THIELE, both of Oxford Market,
Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND INCREASING
THE ILLUMINATING POWER OF GAS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for purifying
and increasing the illuminating power of gas. For this purpose the arrange-
ment of apparatus which we prefer to employ in carrying our Invention into
practice consists of a box or chamber made by preference of zinc or tin, having
an opening on one side and pipe to conduct the unpurified gas from the
gasometer to the interior of the box or chamber. On the opposite side or other
suitable part of this box or chamber there is an outlet and pipe for conducting
the purified and napthalized gas to the burner or burners for consumption.
The box or chamber is formed into compartments by a series of perforated
partitions, through which the gas passes into the several compartments in its
way to the outlet pipe. A frame or frames is or are arranged in the interior
of the chamber for holding or supporting wool or other fibrous materials which
is employed for absorbing a rectified spirit or fluid, (by preference naptha
distilled from petroleum), supplied thereto from a suitable reservoir in con-
nection with the apparatus. The gas in its passage through the apparatus

page_text: containing the wool or other fibrous material saturated as before described is
deprived of most of its impurities, and by the evaporation of the spirit the gas
in its passage to the outlet combines therewith, and thus increases the illu-
minating power thereof when ignited.
IMPROVE MEETS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Andrew Mein at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd June
1863.
I, ANDREW MEIN, of Hope Iron Works, Station Street, Stratford, in the
County of Essex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE
MEETS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for generating
steam. For these purposes a furnace or fire-place is constructed, from the
upper part of which a flue proceeds to a chimney or stack, the flue being by
preference horizontal or nearly so, till it arrives at a point where a cylindrical
or other suitably formed vessel is set, under which the back end of the flue
passes, and it is preferred that the flue should then descend a distance and
then pass to the stack or chimey. The cylindrical or other vessel passes across
the flue, and a series of parallel tubes, inclining downwards, are fixed at their
upper ends to the vessel, and pass along the horizontal flue and over the fire
in the furnace; they then pass through the front brickwork, where each of
them has a screw cap or plug affixed at its end, in order that the interior of
each tube may be readily got at and cleaned, or the ends of the tubes may be
connected together in such manner that they communicate the one with the
other. The parallel inclined tubes do not touch each other, but spaces are left
between them, so that the heat and products of combustion rising from the
fire and passing through the horizontal flue may pass freely between the.

page_text: neighbouring tubes. Water is kept supplied to the vessel so as partially to fill
it; the upper ends of the tubes are also only partially filled with water, as the
tubes are inclined, and their upper ends where they open into the vessel are
partly above the water line. Spaces are thus left above the water in the
upper parts of the tubes to facilitate the steam getting from the lower as well
as from the upper parts of the tubes into the upper part of the vessel, at the
same time a constant supply of water from the vessel to the tubes is insured.
In- PROVEMENTS IN SIGHTS FOR RIFLES AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Rock Cooper at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th July
1868.
I, JOSEPH ROCK COOPER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN SIGHTS FOR RIFLES AND OTHER FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:
My Invention consists principally in fixing the sights on the side of the
barrel instead of on the top. By this arrangement the sights, when adjusted
for long range firing, do not require the head to be raised so inconveniently
high as is necessary when the sights are on the top of the barrel. I prefer to
fix the front or muzzle sight to the barrel by means of a ring and set screw,
or by means of a spring clip. The back sight may be connected permanently
to the barrel. Instead of making the back sight capable of being elevated
and making the front or muzzle sight fixed, as is necessary when the sights
are on the top of the barrel, I make the front or muzzle sight capable of being
elevated and depressed by means of a screw or rack, or otherwise, and make
the back sight fixed. The back sight may, however, be capable of being
elevated and depressed as well as the front sight, or the front sight may be
fixed and the back sight moveable. The fixing of the sights on the side of
the barrel makes all these arrangements practicable. The arrangement which
I have found best in practice is to make the front or muzzle sight moveable

page_text: and the back sight fixed. Instead of making the front sight moveable on a
rack or otherwise, a series of separate sights arranged for different distances
and incapable of adjustment may be employed. Before firing the rifle or
other fire-arm the sight suitable for the distance to be fired is fixed on the side
of the muzzle of the rifle or other fire-arm.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CARDING ENGINES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Oddy and Edward Oldfield
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on
the 3rd February 1863.
We, SAMUEL ODDY and EDWARD OLDFIELD, both of the Adelphi Iron
Works, Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Machine Makers, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CARDING
ENGINES," to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists in applying two doffers to the main cylinder of the
carding engine, and in applying a fancy roller or revolving brush between
the two doffers. The object of our Invention is to deposit on the second
doffer the fibres that have been carried by the main cylinder beyond the first
doffer. When our improved carding engine is at work the greatest part of
the fibres are deposited on the first doffer and the remaining fibres being
acted upon by the fancy roller or brush are raised or loosened on the main
cylinder, and deposited on the second doffer. Both the doffers are stripped by
combs or other stripping instruments.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN CARTRIDGES CONNECTED WITH THE SAME
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Thomas Hughes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
May 1863. A communication from abroad by Rudolph Mayer, Gen-
tleman, of 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, in the Empire of France.
I, EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent
Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN
CARTRIDGES CONNECTED WITH THE SAME," a communication to me from abroad by
Rudolph Mayer, Gentleman, of 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, in the Empire of
France, to be as follows:-
These improvements relate to fire-arms to be loaded at the breech, for which
purpose I unite the barrel or barrels solidly to the breech by means of screws,
wedges, or other appropriate means, and at the rear of the barrel and in a line
with the same I place a rocking conduit or feeder hung on a centre placed
below the said conduit, and capable of assuming two different positions; the
first for the purpose of loading, in which case the end nearest the barrel is
tilted downwards, its lower surface, on which the cartridge rests, presenting
itself thus in oue continuous line with the bore of the barrel, so that the said
cartridge can be easily pushed from the said conduit into the barrel; and the
second for receiving the force of the explosion, in which case the end nearest
the barrel is raised sufficiently to close completely the aperture of the barrel,
and thus offer effective resistance at the moment of the explosion.
Another improvement relates to the construction of the lock, which consists

page_text: in a tumbler provided with a hammer or needle placed below the barrel, and
which can be cocked by a motion of the finger, and discharged by a trigger
in the usual manner; the hammer or needle penetrating through a sinall
aperture in the under side of the barrel to enable it to reach the fulminate of
the cartridge; the main spring actuating this tumbler is also placed under the
barrel and in a line with the same.
Another improvement consists in a cartridge containing fulminate powder,
ball, and wad, built on a central stem or core, one extremity of which is fixed
to the projectile, whilst the other extremity is provided with a small pro-
truding metallic tube charged with fulminating powder, the explosion of
which, effected by the hammer above mentioned, causes the ignition of the
charge of powder, which is placed round the said central stem or core, and
covered externally with paper, linen, or other appropriate material.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOXES OR CASES FOR CARRYING AND PACKING BOTTLES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Beesley at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th May 1863.
I, THOMAS BEESLEY, of Symonds Inn, in the County of Middlesex, Wine
and Beer Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOXES OR CASES FOR CARRYING AND
PACKING BOTTLES," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to facilitate the carriage and package of
bottles so that they may not be rendered liable to breakage or injury during
transport.
According to one arrangement I take a case, and near the bottom thereof
I fit a frame with so many apertures in it as the case is required bottles to
contain. Into these apertures the bottles are placed, their lower ends resting
on the bottom of the case, while the frame through which they pass steadies
them and prevents their coming in contact with one another. A second frame
containing apertures equal in number, but smaller than those in the lower
part of the case, is made to fit the case accurately, and in such manner that
the apertures shall pass over the necks of the bottles. The second frame is
held in position by thumbscrews or by a handle fitted to its top side, which,
when the case is secured, presses against and so steadies it, while at the same
time it acts as a means for readily removing the frame from the case.
According to another arrangement, I make the boxes or cases to contain a
double set of bottles, then the second frame, besides having apertures for

page_text: receiving the necks of the lower set of bottles, has also apertures for the necks
of the top row of bottles. In this arrangement it will be seen that the bottles,
when packed, are in opposite directions, but in either arrangement there is
only one opening to the case. The case may be supplied with handles or
finger holes for increasing its portability.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Johann Ernst Friedrich Lüdeke
and Maurice Fischer at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 2nd October 1863.
We, JOHANN ERNST FRIEDRICH LÜDEKE, of No. 2, Stonefield Street, Isling-
ton, in the County of Middlesex, and MAURICE FISCHER, of No. 28, Rue
Taitbout, Paris, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER," to be as follows, that is to
say:
Our Invention consists in obtaining motive power by means of a series of
magnets placed in a vertical, horizontal, or any other suitable position around.
a frame.
On the circumference of a circular frame are placed a series of magnets,
some of which on the upper part incline inwards, and the others outwards; but
the lower part of the said magnets are in the same line, some with the north
pole to the left, and the others in the opposite direction. Inside of the frame
a wheel provided with armatures revolves, which armatures as they come in
contact with the magnets close the current, whilst pieces of iron placed in a
direction opposite to the south or north pole of the magnets, and at some
distance from them, have the effect of putting in contact and breaking the
current. A vertical rod or arm is fixed to and moves round with the said.
wheel, and carries with it one or more magnets. This arm has a cross piece,.

page_text: from which descends another vertical arm, also carrying one or more magnets.
These magnets as they move round with the wheel serve to renovate those
fixed to the frame; the outer ones renovating from north to south, and the
inner ones from south to north, or vice versa.
AN IMPROVED HYDRAULIC MOTOR
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Isidore Pomès at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th November
1863.
I, ISIDORE POMÈS, of Condon, France, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED HYDRAULIC MOTOR," to be as
follows:-
In this improved hydraulic motor a moving power is obtained by means
of a system of unequal weights raised at suitable heights or by lever arms
acting with different effects for producing the regular up-and-down motion of
the said weights or lever arms. The following arrangement is made use
of: In a vessel of suitable height filled with water is fixed an inverted
cylindrical bell-shaped tube closed at top and open at bottom, the height of
which is somewhat less than that of the vessel. Towards the upper part of
this bell an upper and a lower piston, connected and held at suitable distance
apart by a tubular rod, are allowed to move up and down as air-tight as
possible in the bell. The said pistons might be replaced by suitable elastic
pouches. A partition situated between the two pistons divides that part of
the bell situated between the said pistons in an upper and lower compartment.
The tubular connecting rod is provided towards the top with openings for
allowing the air contained in the bell to enter in the upper compartment;
this rod is allowed to move air-tight through the stuffing box of a hole provided
in the partition. At the same height as the partition a deep nick or indent-
ment is provided in the bell and a valve opening upwards is situated in that

page_text: part for allowing part of the water from the vessel to enter into the lower com-
partment, whilst by a valve opening downwards provided in the lower piston
this water is at the required moment allowed to fall into a cup or reservoir
situated also in the said bell and fixed to a rod passing through the hollow
connecting rod of the two pistons. The cup or reservoir is provided with
a valve opening upwards for allowing the water to leave the said cup, when
on lowering this latter the valve is lifted by means of an arm or stop fixed
at the required height. On the top of the upper piston is put a weight and
supplementary weight connected by a lever to a counterweight; the top of the
rod of the cup or reservoir is likewise connected to a lever and suitable
counterweight. The moving power is obtained by the cup or reservoir
becoming at the required moment filled with water falling from the lower
compartment, whereby this cup will fall down with the increased speed of a
falling body and thereby carry its counterweight to a certain height or act
on a lever arm, which effect by any suitable mechanical means may be caused
to act as a supplementary weight for carrying down the pistons, whilst the
empty cup or reservoir rises again and is then ready to serve again for
receiving the water which by the lowering of the two connected pistons would
have entered into the lower compartment.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SADDLES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Stewart at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th April
1863.
I, ALEXANDER STEWART, of Helensburgh, in the County of Dumbarton,
North Britain, Saddler, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SADDLES," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention comprises improvements in the construction and fittings of
saddles, and has principally for object to facilitate the removal or changing of
the panel or stuffed portion which is applied next to the horse's back, whereby
the saddle will be rendered peculiarly suitable for hot climates. The Inven-
tion is also carried out in such a way as to secure other important advantages.
Instead of fixing the panel in the usual permanent way to the saddle-tree, it
is contrived so as to be connected thereto or disconnected therefrom at
pleasure, and it can in consequence be conveniently stuffed in a more uniform
manner, and to a greater depth when required for horses with high back-
bones, whilst there is not the increased hardness at the after part which is
unavoidable with the mode of fixing hitherto adopted. For the purpose of
attaching the panel to the saddle-tree, the former has fixed in it near its outer
edge at suitable points certain metal sockets or nuts screwed to receive thumb
screws, which are inserted from the upper side of the saddle through eye-
plates fixed into the saddle-tree. The screws are, by preference, formed with
slotted thumb heads for turning them by, and two of these, which are at the
front part of the saddle, serve to receive cloak straps, and dispense with

page_text: separate staples for that purpose. At the crupper a metal staple is fixed into
the panel, and a screw is passed through an eye in this staple, and is screwed
into a socket or nut firmly fixed into the back of the saddle-tree. The back
of the saddle-tree is, by preference, shaped squarely down, instead of being
acutely bevilled off, as in most British saddles, and this facilitates the
application of the staple and screw, and permits of the bearing surface upon
the horse's back being comparatively larger for a given size of seat.
When a
crupper strap is used, the crupper screw is formed with a slotted thumb head;
through which the strap is inserted; a separate staple may, however, be fixed
to the back of the saddle for the crupper strap. With these arrangements
when the panel is saturated with perspiration it may be rapidly and easily
changed for a dry one, whilst the drying of the panel will always be facilitated
and hastened by its removal from the saddle.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Mitchell, of Cams, Alder's Lodge, Fareham,
in the County of Hampshire, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES."
Scaled the 10th July 1863, and dated the 30th April 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Mitchell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th April 1868.
I, EDWARD MITCHELL, of Cams, Alder's Lodge, Fareham, in the County
of Hampshire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," to be as follows, and
consist in the application of horizontal knives (with three or more blades) or
cutters, with or without serrated edges. These knives or cutters are fixed one
on each side of the machine & upon the same level, and close to the ground.
They are made to travel in opposite directions, motion being given to the said
knives or cutters from the driving wheels by means of suitable gearing, such
as pulleys & straps or bands, spur or bevil wheels, or frictional gearing;
each knife or cutter having a separate motion, with any ordinary apparatus
to disconnect-it-from-the-driving-wheel. In advance of the machine and in
front of each knife or-cutter is fixed a wheel, so arranged that it will raise or
depress the said knife or cutter & keep it clear of all obstacles or irregularities

page_text: of the ground. The vertical shaft upon which each knife or cutter is
fastened is provided with an universal joint to allow of the rotary motion of
the knife or cutter being continued during the time it is. passing over any
irregularity or obstacle of the ground, or the shaft of the wheel in advance
of the knife or cutter may be so arranged (by any of the well-known methods
at present in use) as that when the wheel is passing over any irregularity of
the ground it will raise the vertical shaft before mentioned sufficiently for the
knife or cutter to clear such irregularity without the use of an universal joint,
the rotary motion of the knife or cutter being continued.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CHARCOAL AND OTHER PRODUCTS FROM REFUSE TAN AND OTHER WOODY SUBSTANCES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Brooks at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th August
1863.
I, THOMAS BROOKS, of Wylds' Rents, Long Lane, Bermondsey, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CHARCOAL
AND OTHER PRODUCTS FROM REFUSE TAN AND OTHER WOODY SUBSTANCES," to be
as follows:-
The Invention relates to various improvements in means or apparatus for
the production of charcoal and other products from refuse tan and other
woody substances, and it has for its object economy of labour, increase of
quantity. improvement of quality, and safety to the persons employed. For
this purpose I considerably increase the size of the retorts, by preference to
about double that ordinarily adopted, and I modify their shape so as to keep
the contents in a thinner body, and thus more susceptible to the heat of the
furnace employed. The following dimensions or thereabouts of each retort
answers well,-height, 1 foot 3 inches; breadth, 2 feet 6 inches; length dis-
cretionary; but I do not confine myself thereto. I also place doors at each
end for convenience of feeding, and I discharge the carbonized matter by
pushing it by means of rakes from one to the opposite end through funnels
or conductors into coolers; and I place by preference only 3 of such retorts
in each bed or setting, thus rendering them easier of access for charging and
discharging; I also make in each door an opening sufficient to admit a rod,

page_text: poker, or rake, and capable of being closed air-tight when not in use by a
valve. By means of the rod, poker, or rake, I stir the contents of the retorts,
so as to subject them more equably to the action of the heat employed. The
funnels or conductors are applied to the ends of the retorts so as to fit them
tightly, and they are adapted to conduct the matters from the retorts into a 5
receiving box or cooler, and so as to prevent contact of the carbonized matter
with the external air, and consequent loss of quantity and injury to quality by
firing or otherwise, and to protect the persons employed from injury, and the
building from danger from the ignited particles.
AN IMPROVED LUBRICATOR
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Longbottom at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th August
1863.
I, WILLIAM LONGBOTTOM, of the Nelson Foundry, Barnsley, Yorkshire,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED LUBRICATOR," to be as follows:-
This Invention has reference to a peculiar method of constructing lubricators
by which the tallow or other lubricating matter is fed with more regularity
and certainty to the part requiring lubrication than has been hitherto obtained,
and it consists of a cylinder provided with a cup for containing the tallow or
other suitable lubricating matter. A hollow piston works in the said cylinder,
and receives a reciprocating motion from a crank placed inside the cup;
steam enters said piston, and prevents coagulation of the tallow. On the side
of the cylinder is cast or fixed a reservoir, into which the melted tallow runs
from the cup when the piston is at the bottom of its stroke, and immediately
after the piston has ascended to the top of its stroke the tallow or oil runs out
of the reservoir in a regular quantity and at regular intervals into the cylinder
and thence to the part to be lubricated. Motion is given to the piston by
means of a lever, which, when actuated by the engine, causes a pawl to turn
a ratchet wheel, on the shaft of which is placed a worm driving a toothed
wheel working the crank of the piston. Any other arrangement of gearing
for driving the piston may be substituted if necessary.