matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVED ROCKING FIRE-GRATE
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alphonse Joly at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd March 1877.
ALPHONSE JOLY, of Boulevard Saint Denis, No. 1, at Paris, Engineer. " AN
IMPROVED ROCKING FIRE-GRATE."
The difficulty and trouble caused by the clearing out of the grates of domestic
fire-places each time that it is necessary to light a fresh fire is well known; and my
Invention consists in making the grate bottom movable by swinging or rocking in
such wise as to cause the ashes and cinders to fall into the ash-pan at one move-
ment, which instantaneously renders the grate bottom ready to receive the new
fireing, and from this arrangement a great advantage and economy of time in the
preparation of the fire is effected.
The grate-bars of the fire-place is furnished at its sides with trunnions, supported
in two loops or bearings. These loops are fixed on cast-iron plates, which are
arranged in front of the grate. The grate bottom is thus suspended on the trunnions,
which are so arranged that the weight alone of the back part will cause it to turn,
and to render the revolution complete the grate carries at its bottom a button or
knob cast of a piece therewith, which may be taken hold of by the hand or fire-
iron.
For holding the grate in position there is arranged on each side of the fire-place
behind the grate two strong latches fixed on a rod, which may be worked from the
front. This rod carries at its outer extremity a joint eye, to which is attached a
bolt, provided with a tongue piece which enters a hole provided therefor in the
grate front.
When it is desired to cleanse the grate from its warm or cold residues, and con-
sequently to render it free, it is only necessary to draw the bolt, and with it the
tongue piece, whereupon the latches no longer held by the rod and tongue piece
turn by their own weight and disengage the grate bottom, which turns on its
trunnions and empties out the residue, and the grate is replaced.
Instead of this arrangement for securing the swinging fire-grate two bolts
arranged on the side of the fire-place may be used, and which bolts will engage
with the grate bars to hold the grate in position.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING APPARATUS TO ADJUST THE POSITION OF VESSELS CONTAINING FLUIDS OR SEMI-FLUIDS, WHEN THE SAID VESSELS ARE BEING EMPTIED OF THEIR CONTENTS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Ridley at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 5th June 1877.
HENRY RIDLEY, of Walkley, near Sheffield, in the West Riding of the County
of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ACTING APPARATUS TO ADJUST THE POSITION
OF VESSELS CONTAINING FLUIDS OR SEMI-FLUIDS, WHEN THE SAID VESSELS ARE
BEING EMPTIED OF THEIR CONTENTS."
These improvements relate to self-acting apparatus to adjust the position of
vessels containing fluids or semi-fluids when the said vessels are being emptied of
their contents, so that the said fluids or semi-fluids may be drawn off from the
said vessels clear and free from any sediment which may have been deposited in
the said vessels, and consist essentially in the employment of an apparatus composed
of a spring or springs of "conical," "volute," "helical," or other suitable form, and
the rods, hooks, rings, or clips necessary for attachment, to the vessel and to the floor
above, wall, post, or other suitable support near to the said vessel, and the said
apparatus may be encased in part in a suitable cover.
In carrying these improvements into effect the apparatus above specified can be
suspended over and be attached to the vessel containing the fluid or semi-fluid, and
so made to act as that the said apparatus does or does not bear any of the weight
of the said vessel and its contents, when the said vessel is full or about half-full,
but it is generally intended that the said fluid or semi-fluid shall be partly drawn
off from the said vessel before the said apparatus commences to adjust the position
of the said vessel by the action of the spring or springs which form a part of the
said apparatus, the said apparatus being so made, arranged, and attached to the said
vessel that it will gradually raise the end or part of the said vessel to which it is
attached in proportion as the said vessel becomes lighter by its contents being
emptied, by which means the fluid or semi-fluid can be drawn off from the said
vessel clear and without disturbing the sediment which may be deposited in the
said vessel.
"

page_text: The spring or springs may be constructed of steel or any other suitable material,
and the rods, hooks, rings, or clips for attaching the said spring or springs to the
vessel and medium of support may be made of wrought iron, cast iron, or any other
suitable material, and the apparatus may be encased in part in a cover of tin, zinc,
sheet iron, or any other suitable material.
5
IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND STAMPS OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN BINDING TOGETHER SHEETS OF PAPER, PARCHMENT, LEATHER, OR OTHER MATERIAL."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Alpheus Rollins at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th August 1877.
WALTER ALPHEUS ROLLINS, of Old Swan Wharf, Upper Thames Street, in the
City of London. IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND STAMPS OR APPARATUS TO BE USED
IN BINDING TOGETHER SHEETS OF PAPER, PARCHMENT, LEATHER, OR OTHER
MATERIAL."
The Invention has for its object improvements in hand stamps or apparatus for
use in binding together sheets of paper, parchment, leather, or other material. For
this purpose the stamp is constructed as heretofore, with a foundation plate in
which, according to my Invention, is fixed with capability of being removed and
replaced when desired, a piercer, having its base inclined in an outward and
downward direction, for the purpose herein-after described. This piercer I form
with a bulge or enlargement at or near its point to clear the way for the metallic
binder, to which reference is made hereafter.
The plunger of the hand stamp is carried and guided as heretofore by an arm
rising from the foundation plate. This plunger has a hole or recess therein, formed
to register with the piercer, and is kept in its raised or normal position by a spring,
except when otherwise acted upon.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-A metallic binder is first placed
upon the foundation plate of the apparatus with the piercer through the saine, then
the sheets of material to be bound together are placed upon or against the point
of the piercer; the plunger is then forced down or depressed, and in its course
forces the sheets of material on to the piercer and metallic binder, when the points
of the binder will pass up into the cavity in the plunger, and the inclined base of
the piercer will in flattening the body of the binder cause the points of the latter
to turn somewhat outwards away from the piercer on the plunger being allowed to
rise, then by a second depression of the plunger the points of the binder are bent
outwards, and flattened on to the sheets of material to be bound together.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY WHEELS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Alexander Jeffreys at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st January 1877
EDWARD ALEXANDER JEFFREYS, of Low Moor, near Bradford, in the County of
York "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY WHEELS"
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of railway wheels,
and consists in forming in the inner periphery of a tie and in a recessed portion
thereof a channel or groove at an angle with the inner face of the tire for the recep-
tion of a flat 11ng or a bai bent into ng shape, having a slit or opening to
divide it, and form two ends to admit of its being closed to, to reduce its diameter
for its insertion into the the channel or groove prior to being to being opened out
again to fill up the groove or channel in the tue, and yet to leave sufficient metal
outside the channel to bear against an inclined edge of a retaining 11ng to hold the
tue firmly to the wheel, and thereby prevent it moving laterally
The inner periphery of the tire has a lip to engage under the lip of the retaining
ring, the other face of the tue having also a hipped or other retaining ring to engage
into the tyre, or other methods may be adapted for fastening the tire on
My inclined groove may be near both edges of the inner peuphery of the tire,
and the retaining rings held thereto in a similar manner to that described above
My ring or bent bar which fits the groove in the inner periphery of the tire is
"selt" to a conical shape, that is to say, from the innery periphery to the outer
periphery it is conical
My method of fastening ensures the fixing of the tire to the centres, and can be
used in connection with any system of bolts or other fastenings now employed
AN IMPROVED SELF-CLOSING TAP
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Dangerfield at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th December 1877.
JOSEPH DANGERFIELD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Engineer.
"AN IMPROVED SELF-CLOSING TAP."
The object of this Invention is so to construct a water tap that it shall be self-
closing, and thus that the great waste of water which now often takes place
after a sufficient supply has been obtained shall be saved. For the purposes of
my Invention I first provide a suitable casting, which has formed within it a pipe
or opening for the entrance of the water on its underside; in connexion with this
there is a cross or horizontal pipe; a spout or outlet for the water connected with
the horizontal pipe is also provided, and also an air vessel on the top which is
situate immediately over the first mentioned pipe.
Within the horizontal pipe before mentioned and between the entrance pipe and
the outlet, I provide a valve seating of the required kind and size. Through the
whole length of the said horizontal pipe I provide a suitable rod upon which the
valve is fitted, and this rod is made to project beyond the end of the said pipe
(being suitably packed), and is furnished with a handle or push piece. The other
end of the said rod is fitted with a small helical spring, the normal tendency of
which is to force the said valve upon its seating.
The action of the tap is as follows:-The said spring and the pressure of the
water combined act upon the valve, and so force it upon its seating.
When water is required to be drawn the handle is pushed inwards, this com-
presses the spring and forces back the valve, and the water now passes down the
outlet pipe, but as soon as the pressure is taken from the handle, the valve as
before mentioned is forced upon its seating.
The object of the air vessel is to break the concussion of the sudden stoppage of
the water.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John George Owen at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th December 1877.
JOHN GEORGE OWEN, of Upper Swainswick, near Bath, in the County of Somerset,
Gentleman. "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS."
My Invention has reference to the handles or sticks of umbrellas and parasols,
and consists of the improvement or improvements therein, herein-after described, by
which improvement or improvements the umbrella or parasol can be carried in
its open state much more conveniently than an umbrella or parasol of the ordinary
construction.
B
In umbrellas and parasols as ordinarily made the part of the handle grasped by
the hand in carrying the umbrella and parasol in its open state is of a figure more
or less approaching that of a cylinder, and in carrying the open umbrella or parasol
the handle and arm have not only to bear its weight, but the fingers require to be
closed upon the handle with sufficient lightness to prevent the handle slipping or
sliding downwards through the closed hand.
In windy weather the pressure of the wind as well as the weight of the
umbrella or parasol has to be resisted by the grasp of the hand, and the necessary
sustained muscular contraction in the fingers when long continued becomes very
distressing.
By my Invention the hand and arm have only to carry the weight of the open
umbrella or parasol, and the hand to grasp the handle with sufficient force to
maintain it at the required inclination, the exertion involved in the tight grasp
necessary to prevent the slipping referred to not being required.
My Invention consists in forming on the handle or adding to the handle a disc
or flange at that part of the handle immediately above the part grasped by the
hand in holding the open umbrella or parasol. The said disc or flange constitutes
a stop against which the upper side of the hand adjusts itself, and which stop being
rigidly connected to the handle prevents the slipping or downward motion of
the handle and relieves the muscles of the hand from the distressing exertion
referred to.

page_text: When the stick and handle of the umbrella or parasol are made in one piece, and
of a material such as wood from which the said disc or flange can conveniently
be made by the turning process, I prefer to make the said disc or flange in one
piece with the handle. When this cannot be conveniently done I make the said
disc or flange of metal or other hard rigid material and affix it to the handle by 5
screws or otherwise.
For convenience in fixing the disc or flange to the handle, the said disc or flange
may be provided with a short tube of a size proper to fit upon the handle.
Screws or pins passed through holes in this tube into the handle securely connect
the disc or flange thereto. I do not however limit myself to any particular
method of attaching the disc or flange, nor to any particular shape of the said
disc or flange.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE Manufacture of GLASSES FOR CARRIAGE ROOF LAMPS, AND OTHER LAMPS OF PREST GLASS MANUFACTURE
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Greener at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1877.
HENRY GREENER, of the Wear Flint Glass Works, Sunderland, in the County of
Durham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE Manufacture of GLASSES FOR CARRIAGE ROOF
LAMPS, AND OTHER LAMPS OF PREST GLASS MANUFACTURE."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of glasses for
carriage roof lamps, and other lamps of prest glass manufacture.
I construct a lamp glass for a carriage roof lamp with a number of angular
prisms formed around it, as shown in the Drawing hereunto annexed, by pressure in
a suitable mould
A is a section of the lamp glass with its reflecting prisms.
B, B, is the plunger that moulds the inside of the lamp glass.
C is a hollow part inside of the plunger.
D, D, is the top and bottom of the lamp glass.
E, E, are the segments of the outer poition mould; it is composed of three
segments.
F is the bottom of the mould.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND REGULATING THE SPEED OF MARINE ENGINES
Year: 1877

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Henry Smith at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th May 1877.
JAMES HENRY SMITH, of No. 430, Euston Road, in the County of Middlesex,
'IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND REGULATING THE SPEED
OF MARINE ENGINES."
My Invention has for its object to prevent the "racing" of marine engines, when
by the pitching of the vessel or by the passing of large waves the screw propeller is
for the time raised partly or wholly out of the water, whereby the work is more or
less entirely taken off the engines. For this purpose I fix at or near the stern of
the ship, either inside or outside the same, a vertical cylinder or tube, the lower end
of which communicates with the water outside, and in this tubo I provide a float
having a rod which is connected by a cord, chain, or other suitable means of
connection to the lover of a throttle or equilibrium valve on the steam pipe of the
engines, in such manner that when the float falls in the pipe the valve will be
thereby caused to close and cut off the supply of steam to the engines, while, when
the float rises again, the valve will be opened. Thus it will be seen that when the
stern of the vessel is lifted out of the water by the pitching motion, or when the
screw propeller is otherwise uncovered by the passing of a large wave, the water
in sinking in the said tube will through the float effect the stopping or the slacking
the speed of the engines so as to prevent racing.
MENTS IN STOPPING OR CLOSING THE NECKS OF BOTTLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Hampson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1877.
HENRY HAMPSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
MENTS IN STOPPING OR CLOSING THE NECKS OF BOTTLES."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention relates to the stoping or closing of bottles having internal
stoppers, and used for effervescing or aërated liquids.
I use a soda water or other bottle of the ordinary form, and for closing the neck
of the same I employ a ball of metal or other suitable material heavier than water,
thickly coated with india-rubber or other similar elastic substance. This ball is
made of such a size that it will effectually close or stop the neck of the bottle
from within, being kept in its place by the pressure of the gas within, but
cannot be forced entirely out by such pressure.
The ball may be forced into the bottle by mechanical pressure after the bottle is
made, but I prefer to have it placed in the bottle before the mouth of the bottle is
finally reduced to its finished size in the process of manufacture.
The bottle is opened by driving in the ball by means of a peg, as usual in bottles
of this class, having internal stoppers.
The ball being coated with india-rubber, or other similar substance, is not so
likely to break or injure the bottle as the internal stoppers hitherto employed.
AN IMPROVED UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR WATER PIPES USED FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Barlow and Walter Iden at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th December 1877.
ALFRED BARLOW, of Tonge, and WALTER IDEN, of Chadderton, both in the County
of Lancaster "AN IMPROVED UNIVERSAL JOINT FOR WATER PIPES USED FOR
EXTINGUISHING FIRES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
The object of this Invention is to dispense in a great measure with the use of
flexible hose pipes in connection with the stand pipes used in mills, factories, ware-
houses, and other places for extinguishing fire and for other purposes, such as washing
windows, floors, and so forth.
The Invention consists in providing the end of the stand pipe or main with a
kind of universal joint (herein-after described) on to which joint the branch or
jet pipe may be screwed direct without the intervention of any flexible hose what-
ever; at the same time that lengths of flexible hose pipe may be added at any time
when it is found necessary in order to reach distant parts of the building. On to
the end of the main or stand pipe we screw the larger end of a hollow conical plug,
which is closed at the smaller end, and is provided with two side openings. Outside
this (and so as to be able to turn thereon) we fit a conical socket having a circular
chamber all round the plug, and to the end of the socket we screw the branch or
jet pipe. It will be seen that the branch or jet pipe can be turned round on the
plug, so as to radiate in any direction, either horizontally or vertically, according to
the position of the conical plug.
If we wish the branch pipe to be movable, both vertically and horizontally, we
then have two of the conical plug joints above described, one at each end of a short
pipe, which is bent or curved to a right angle.
AN IMPROVED METALLIC ELEMENT FOR GALVANIC BATTERIES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAI, SPECIFICATION left by Martin Fenn Roberts at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December 1877.
MARTIN FENN ROBERTS, of Shacklewell Lane, Dalston, in the County of Middlesex.
"AN IMPROVED METALLIC ELEMENT FOR GALVANIC BATTERIES."
It has been usual to protect the zinc plates used in galvanic batteries from the
action of the exciting liquid to coat them with mercury, but this method is not
perfect, owing to the mercury becoming detached from the plate after the battery
has been some time in use, and also through the mercury being dissolved, though
slowly, by the exciting liquid with which the battery is charged.
Another method has been to immerse the zinc plates in a quantity of mercury
placed at the bottom of the porous cell used in the battery, but this method is
defective, owing to the loss in handling the mercury. Now in order to avail myself
of the advantage of mercury for the above-named object without its disadvantages,
I propose to make a solid alloy of zinc and mercury, and to use the same when cast
into a plate or a cylinder or other suitable form as one of the elements of a galvanic
battery. The advantage I derive from this alloy is that the exciting fluid of the
battery has little or no appreciable effect upon the alloy while the battery remains
out of action, although when the circuit is complete the action on the zinc will
proceed so as to ensure the production of a constant and highly efficient galvanic
force.
A convenient way of forming the alloy is to run together by means of heat equal
quantities of zinc and mercury, and then to introduce this alloy into, say, seven
parts of molten zinc, thus producing an alloy of eight parts of zinc to one of
mercury.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PORTABLE CORRUGATED IRON BUILDINGS
Year: 1877

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Isaac Dixon at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 12th October 1877.
ISAAC DIXON, of Windsor Iron Works, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO PORTABLE CORRUGATED IRON BUILDINGS."
This Invention is designed for a light cheap covering to be run up in an hour if
necessary, and taken down in an equally short space of time. It consists in forming
the building of a simple arch of corrugated iron with flat ends of the like material,
but without any framing. The end pieces can be flanged over the arch, and bolted
with one or more bolts. The door or doors can be of corrugated iron likewise, and
in the end or ends; in very long buildings, however, they can be cut in the arch also
to open outwardly. These doors are hinged to a stronger piece of corrugated iron
round the doorway, forming the door frame or substitute therefor.
An iron eye or loop can be rivetted or bolted to one side to put a peg in to keep
the door closed.
'
In erecting I usually let the bottoms of the arch into a small trench on each side,
and as an extra precaution occasionally hold the arch down by wire rope.
Lighting and ventilating holes can be placed in the roof or axis of the arch at
intervals, and the windows can be of glass, horn, mica, gelatine, or other tough
transparent material.
This Invention is applicable for military hospitals and cantonments, for pioneer
settlers' or navvies' huts, for hunting lodges, where "roughing it" is expected, and
for all purposes where temporary but thoroughly weather-proof buildings are
required.
When used for stabling I place the beasts in the centre, and the fodder and other
provender under the sides of the arch.
When greater luxury is desired the inside can be lined with felt, and it is usually
desirable to place a piece of felt round the angles of the building.
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO STEAM BOILER AND OTHER FURNACES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Proctor at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 7th April 1877.
"IM-
JAMES PROCTOR, of Burnley, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO STEAM BOILER AND OTHER
FURNACES,"
Firstly. This Invention relates to further improvements in apparatus as afore-
said, for which Letters Patent were granted to me, dated the Third day of June 1875,
No. 2047, and has for its object the simplification and bettor combination and
arrangements of the working parts.
•
Secondly. To an improved apparatus for operating the crushing rollers of the
feed hopper.
For operating the "flaps" or doors used for throwing the fuel into the furnace
I dispense with the end vertical shafts and worms, employing a single shaft and
worm near the central line of the boiler's front; these operate a cross shaft,
to which both the flaps or doors are attached, so that the latter are actuated
simultaneously.
The ram for moving the fuel to the flaps or doors I construct in two parts or
halves (that is to say, two short rams), and connect these by means of a spindle or
shaft, having a right-handed screw at one end, and a left-handed screw at the other
end, so that on the spindle or shaft being caused to rotate by pinion, segment, wheel,
or rack, the screws will move the two halves of the ram outwards and inwards so
supplying the fuel to both flaps or doors simultaneously.
For operating the crushing rollers of feed hoppers I employ a ratchet wheel and
pawl or catch actuated by a lever motion.
The improvements in "rams," above described, and the improvements relating to
the actuating the feed rollers of hoppers are applicable to self-acting stokers
generally.
IMPROVED MEANS OF DIMINISHING THE FRICTION OF MOVING PARTS OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard William Henry Paget Higgs
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th August 1877.
RICHARD WILLIAM HENRY PAGET HIGGS, of No. 12, Queen Anne's Gate, West-
minster, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVED MEANS OF DIMINISHING THE
FRICTION OF MOVING PARTS OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS."
When an electric circuit is transmitted through a moving metallic surface and a
moistened absorbent surface in contact therewith, the friction between the surfaces
is found to be greatly reduced.
My Invention relates to means of practically applying this phenomenon to
reducing the friction of moving parts of machinery or apparatus, as, for example, of
journals in their bearings, or of slides in their guides, which I effect in the following
manner For diminishing friction of journals I form the surface of the bearing in
which the journal revolves of absorbent material, such as paper, papier maché, fibres,
or texture, or of a number of thin plates of material that imperfectly conducts
electricity, packed together with capillary interstices between them, and I keep this
porous surface or set of interstices charged with water, or with acidulated water, or
saline solution. I also connect the journal and the bearing in an electrical circuit
so that a current of electricity passes from the journal to the moisture of the
bearing, which has the effect of greatly reducing the friction of the journal in its
bearing. In like manner, for reducing the friction of slides, I employ any porous
or finely grooved surface for the slide, or for its guide, and keep it moist while a
current of electricity is passed through the surfaces.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN TOOLS SUITABLE FOR CLEANING, RASPING, FILING, OR SHAPING WOOD, METAL, STONE, AND OTHER MATERIALS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Tobey Rawlings at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th September 1877.
SAMUEL TOBEY RAWLINGS, of Frome, in the County of Somerset. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TOOLS SUITABLE FOR CLEANING, RASPING, FILING, OR SHAPING WOOD,
METAL, STONE, AND OTHER MATERIALS."
According to this Invention I produce tools with rough surfaces by means of steel,
iron, or other metal points affixed to surfaces of steel, iron, wood, leather, cloth, or
other materials; the surfaces may be flat, curved, circular, or other convenient form
for the purpose.
As applied to tools for similar purposes as files, wood rasps, or fish skins, I prefer
to use wire card manufactured in the same way as that now used in carding engines,
but with short points; the wire may be square, round, or other section. If I desire
to fit a disc with a hollow or otherwise curved rim I make or cut the card in narrow
strips and affix it spirally. For a disc or cylinder with a plain edge or surface I
also preferably use strips put on spirally. For using in the hands on a convex part,
say, at the crook of a walking stick, 1 affix to the back of the card a strip of leather,
steel, or other flexible material, which may be done by rivetting, sewing, or
cementing.
When the tool is to be used in the hand as a file or rasp I fix the card to a piece
of wood or metal.
The points may also be inserted in wood or metal or other hard surfaces driven
in or inserted in holes already made by punching or otherwise; such surfaces may
be provided with a backing.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR SAWING AND WORKING TIMBER
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Firth at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st September 1877.
DAVID FIRTH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer. " IM-
PROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO MACHINERY FOR SAWING AND WORKING
TIMBER."
My Invention relates to the machinery employed in the sawing, planing, moulding,
and working of timber, and in the first place more particularly to the appliances for
holding the deal or log whilst it is being fed forwards to the saw or cutting tool;
that is to say, to the dogs or appliances for attaching the deal or log to the feeding
chain or to the part which feeds the deal or log forwards. In lieu of the wedges
hitherto employed for this purpose I employ metal dogs, which are placed with
one end bearing against the side of the holding jaw, and the other end bearing
against the deal or log. The said dog acts as a strut, and is of such a
length as that it will be inclined in the direction which will cause the
strain arising from the action of feeding forwards to tighten the grip of the dog.
Dogs of various lengths to suit the variations in the thickness of the timber may be
used, or the dog or jaw may be made adjustable in length or width.
My Invention relates in the second place to appliances for holding down the deal
or log whilst being sawn. I employ a series of fingers or trailing struts, which are
hinged by their upper ends upon a rod or shaft, or to a frame. The said fingers
vary in length. As the deal or log is fed forwards, the lower ends of the said
fingers trail upon the deal or log and assume varying angles, and one or more will
be sufficiently near to lines of right angles with the upper surface of the deal or log
to enable it or them to offer sufficient resistance to the rising of the said deal or log.
The said fingers accommodate themselves to varying thicknesses of timber within
certain limits. To suit variations outside of these limits the part to which the
fingers are hinged may be adjustable towards and from the timber.

page_text: A third part of my Invention relates to the fluted rollers, and consists in forming
deep grooves in such rollers in place of the ordinary flutes, the bottoms of these
grooves inclining inwards towards the axle and outwards towards the roller ends, in
order that sawdust and matters tending to fill the grooves may be forced by the
pressure towards the roller ends and be discharged without requiring action on the 5
part of the attendant.
A NEW OR IMPROVED CAP OR STOPPER COVER FOR BOTTLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Andrew Clark Whyte at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th November 1877.
ANDREW CLARK WHYTE, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED CAP OR STOPPER COVER FOR BOTTLES."
This Invention relates to a new or improved cap or cover for the mouths or tops
of bottles, and it consists essentially in the application of a self-fitting or self-
adjusting cap of vulcanized india-rubber fitting over and hermetically sealing bottles
containing chemicals, perfumes, or other liquids or fluids requiring preservation, the
same being applicable for the covers of bottles containing jams, jellies, or preserved
fruits, pickles, and other similar substances. And the nature and novelty of the
Invention consists in forming the cap or cover of a hollow conical or semi-globular
piece of vulcanized india-rubber, shaped to suit the particular form of bottle head
to be covered, and having a stout ring of the same material, either primarily formed
in one piece with it, or cemented to its lower overlapping edge, which, when the
cover is stretched over the mouth stopper or cork of the bottle, contracts and takes
on to or grips below the outer projecting lip or rim thereof, and so holds on the cap
or cover securely, at the same time hermetically sealing the bottle. The stout ring
part of the cap or cover may be either round, oval, or square in section, to suit the
particular contour of the bottle lip or mouth, and the elasticity of the cap itself
enables it to adapt itself readily to any form of cork or stopper which may be
in the bottle.
It will be obvious that this new cap or cover will be easily removable, and made
so as to fit various sizes of bottles, and may be used over again for the same or
different bottles, as desired.
Another advantage of this Invention is, that the maker's or seller's name and
address may be moulded or stamped by any ordinary means upon these caps or
covers in the process of manufacture, and so dispensing with labels.
AN IMPROVED HORSE HOE AND SCARIFIER
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Dunn at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents on the 23rd April 1877.
JOHN DUNN, of Darlington, in the County of Durham. "AN IMPROVED HORSE
HOE AND SCARIFIER."
This Invention consists in the construction of an improved horse hoe scarifier
or scuffler, and which may also be used either for hoeing or scuffling alone.
The improved implement or machine is constructed of an iron frame and beam
provided with two handles similar to those of a plough, a moveable guide wheel being
fixed to the head of the beam. In the middle of the frame is a main driving wheel, and
on the end of the spindle of this wheel (outside the frame) is a bevil wheel gearing
into a smaller bevil wheel, the spindle of which is placed at an angle and runs in two
ears or straps secured to the side of the frame and beam respectively.
The hoes are secured by screws in a pair of loose bosses on the end of the small
bevil wheel spindle, and are thus driven by the bevil wheels.
At the rear of the hoes (which may be of any suitable size) I provide two coulters,
one on each side of the frame and immediately following the hoes for scarifying or
scuffling, and suitable levers and clutches are provided to adjust the implement for
either scarifying or hoeing.
A NEW OR IMPROVED SYSTEM OR METHOD OF ARRANGING, COMBINING, AND EXHIBITING ADVERTISEMENTS, AND IN APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES EMPLOYED FOR THIS PURPOSE
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Francis Emile Petit at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd January 1877.
HENRY FRANCIS EMILE PETIT, of Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square, in the
County of Middlesex, Architect and Surveyor. "A NEW OR IMPROVED SYSTEM
OR METHOD OF ARRANGING, COMBINING, AND EXHIBITING ADVERTISEMENTS, AND IN
APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES EMPLOYED FOR THIS PURPOSE."
This Invention has for its object new or improved artistic arrangements and
combination of pictorial effects with advertisements, so as to exhibit them upon the
surfaces of theatrical and other drop scenes or curtains at intervals or between the
acts or parts, mechanical and other contrivances being employed to change and
vary the effects, produced in accordance with my Invention. This new or improved
drop scene or curtain is especially adapted to the application of a new system or
method of advertising by attracting the attention by means of historical character-
istic scenery, figures and objects, in combination consistently or harmoniously with
the pictures, figures, or objects displayed upon the scene or curtain.
The scenes or pictures may be applicable to different countries and localities, with
groups of or isolated figures in national or other costumes, who by their costume,
phisionomy, action, or manner draw the attention of lookers on to the advertise-
ments exhibited; in combination with them animals of any kind, form, or shape
may also be represented and exhibited in like manner in accordance with my
Invention.
Novel effects may also be produced by representations of natural or living flowers
together with a great variety of objects, such as fans, cards, dominoes, drafts, and
all kinds of accessories, ornaments, or attributes.
The drop scene or curtain may be so arranged and constructed that parts thereof
may be capable of shifting or movement in order to change or give motion to the
figures, objects, and devices arranged in combination therewith, as, for instance, a
procession of figures or animals may be caused to travel across or in front of the
picture, such figures carrying advertisements of different kinds; or ships or railway

page_text: trains may be exhibited in like manner, such moving parts being mounted behind
apertures in the curtain and arranged to travel in slides or guides and actuated by.
mechanical or other suitable, means or contrivances, such as toothed racks, pinions,
and levers, electrical and magnetic apparatus being also used in some cases to vary
the effects produced
MEANS AND STYLES OF ADVERTISING; ALSO TOUGHENING CLAY, MAKING CHINA, EARTHENWARE, AND PARIAN LESS DESTRUCTIBLE BY HEAT
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Henry Cooke, Louis Charles.
Alexander, and Henry. Brinsley Sheridan at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents on the 23rd May 1877.
ROBERT HENRY COOKE, of Rose House, Lower Broughton, in the County of
Lancaster, Manufacturer, LOUIS CHARLES ALEXANDER, of Putney, in the County
of Surrey, Gentleman, and HENRY BRINSLEY SHERIDAN, of 6, Colville Gardens,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, Barrister-at-Law.
MEANS AND STYLES OF ADVERTISING; ALSO TOUGHENING CLAY, MAKING CHINA,
EARTHENWARE, AND PARIAN LESS DESTRUCTIBLE BY HEAT."
We mix with the clays and preparations now ordinarily in use (say) fifteen per
cent., more or less, of china clay, and when the above compound is thoroughly and
evenly amalgamated, we work in with sufficient water about one per cent. (more or
less) of purified cotton wool of kaoline of the substance called soapstone, and (say)
two per cent, more or less, of well sifted starchy matter, either separately or in
combination, according to the degree of fire and fracture resisting power it is
intended to impart to any particular articles of ware. We engrave and burn into
the articles of ware patterns and designs, in which are spaces, divisions, or panels,
for the exposure or publication of artistic, commercial, or literary matter, which
matter is likewise burned in. In such burning in, for the purpose of producing
better fixity of colour, and sharper and more clearly defined impressions, and a
surface less liable to scratches or discoloration, we mix with the substances now
ordinarily in use for glazing purposes (say) two per cent. of jeweller's borax, and
(say) two per cent., more or less, of white of eggs, varying such proportions
according to the nature of the article manufactured as thus, for a dinner plate we
use the said proportions, but for cups and similar articles we use only about one-
half of the same.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO VESSELS FOR NAVIGATING CANALS, AND IN THE MODE OF PREVENTING SIDEWASH
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Washington Whinyates at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd October 1877.
JOHN WASHINGTON WHINYATES, of 14, Southampton Buildings, in the County
of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO VESSELS FOR NAVIGATING
CANALS, AND IN THE MODE OF PREVENTING SIDEWASH."
In canals great speed cannot be obtained owing to the wash caused by the
passing boats destroying the banks. It is for the purpose of obviating this defect
in the present arrangement that this my Invention is designed.
I construct my barges with a baffle board on each side of their bows, so arranged
that it can rise and lower with the boat as it is laden or otherwise. I prefer to
have it at the bow a foot or two from the side of the barge, and sufficiently forward
to catch the wave thrown up by the bow, and change its direction into one longi-
tudinal with the canal. The baffle board is linked to the bow and side by links
and chains, so arranged by telescopic joints or otherwise that it shall not be
perfectly rigid, and can be brought close up against the side when required, and can
give way when brought into collision with a hard object, being kept in its place at
other times by a spring or weighted lever or other agency.
Instead of using the baffle boards in the steam vessels for canals I make the hulls
with flat parallel sides, and with a rudder at the end of each of said sides; the
central part at the bow and stern being cut away, and a longitudinal channel or
passageway goes the whole length of the bottom of the vessel, in this I place my
propeller, which consists of a series of floats arranged vertically on chains round
two smooth wheels near the bottom of the boat, and a larger wheel between them
above.
I find smooth wheels much superior to angular ones, and the smaller the wheels
are the better, as the floats turn quickly, and so do not splash the water so much.
The larger wheel can be arranged with projections to gear into the chain. This
wheel is connected with the engine by cranks and connecting rods or otherwise.
IMPROVED MATCH BOX AND APPARATUS FOR STRIKING MATCHES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Clapham at the Offico
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April 1877.
JOHN HENRY Clapham, of Shipley, in the County of York, Manufacturer.
IMPROVED MATCH BOX AND APPARATUS FOR STRIKING MATCHES."
"" AN
The object of my Invention is to arrange an apparatus in such a manner that by
the act of pressing down a lever, a match will be projected from the box, and struck
at the same time.
I accomplish my object in the following manner:-I construct a tin or metal box,
which is divided by a transverse partition; the length of this subdivision is a little
longer than the matches which are placed in the same. This subdivision is formed
triangular, the apex of the triangle being towards the bottom of the box. One side
of the triangle is formed so as to open at the apex to allow one match at a time to
pass into a narrow channel formed directly under the apex of the triangle holding
the matches. To any convenient part of the box I fix a handle, which is attached
to a lever. By pressing this said handle the lever actuates a sliding bar; this bar
slides up the aforesaid narrow channel, and forces the match contained therein
through a narrow opening formed between two plates, the surfaces of which are
roughed, so that when the match is forced between them the same will ignite.
These plates are pressed together by means of spiral springs, which are capable of
being regulated to give the requisite pressure to these plates. When the pressure
on the aforesaid handle is relieved the sliding bar is brought back into its former
position by means of a spiral spring, when another match falls into the aforesaid
narrow channel.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RUNNERS OF UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Warwick at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1877.
THOMAS WARWICK, of Aston, near Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Umbrella and Parasol Manufacturer. "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE RUNNERS OF UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS"
In the runners of umbrellas and parasols, as ordinarily made, the longitudinal
slot in the barrel in which the spring catch fastening on the stick engages to fasten
the umbrella or parasol in its open and closed positions respectively, has a sharp
or unprotected edge, which said edge besides having an unfinished appearance is
Jiable to injure the hand in opening and closing the umbrella or parasol.
My Invention consists in making the longitudinal slots in the barrels of the
runners of umbrellas and parasols in the manner herein-after described, whereby the
edge of the slot is rounded, the runner is strengthened, and an improved appearance
given to the runner.
Instead of leaving the edge of the longitudinal slot in the barrel of the runner in
the same plane as the said barrel as usual, I form around the edge of the slot a
raised bead so as to give to the said slot a rounded projecting edge. This rounded
or beaded edge of the slot increases the strength of the barrel of the runner at the
slot part as well as prevents injury to the hand and gives an improved appearance
to the runner. I form the said beaded or raised edge of the slot in the barrel of the
runner by shaping and cutting out tools or dies worked in a press or stamp in the
manner ordinarily practised in shaping and cutting out sheet metal.
In making the slot with a rounded or beaded edge, according to my Invention,
I take the unperforated barrel of the runner, and by means of a pair of dies worked
in a press I raise from the said barrel a beading or raised part having nearly the
size and shape of the slot to be made. I take the barrel having the raised beading
described, and by means of a pair of piercing tools I cut or pierce the metal from
the inside of the said beading. There is thus produced in the barrel the ordinary
slot with its edge surrounded by a beading or raised rounded part.
My Invention may be applied to runners made from solid drawn tubes or from
sheet metal.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES, APPLICABLE TO BICYCLES, TRICYCLES, AND SIMILAR VEHICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Simpson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 12th October 1877.
EDMUND SIMPSON, of the Firm of Stephen Simpson and Son, of Mansfield, in the
County of Nottingham. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES, APPLICABLE TO BICYCLES,
TRICYCLES, AND SIMILAR VEHICLES."
My improved brake consists of a pair of double ended brackets of wrought iron,
malleable iron, brass, or other suitable metal; the highest upper ends of the brackets
are carried by and ride upon or with two studs passed through the sides of the
bearing fork of the wheel, to which the brake is applied, the outer, upper, and
lower ends of the brackets are connected together by a curved rod or link, which
terminates at its lower end in a wedge-shaped brake block or shoe, which is clipped
by a double-ended looped lever held to the block or shoe by an axle pin passed
through them both. The looped end of the lever is provided with a cord, belt, or
chain, having its upper end secured to the handle in the usual way; upon the cord,
belt, or chain being slackened, the wheel to which the brake is applied will run
upon or into the block or shoe, and thereby apply the necessary check without in
any way injuring the tyre or straining the wheel.
When the cord, belt, or chain is tightened the outer ends of the looped lever
pressing upon the ground removes the pressure of the wheel on the brake or shoe,
and by the further tightening of the cord, belt, or chain the brackets and brake or
shoe is raised, so as to allow the wheel to revolve freely again.