matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVED GLASS TUBE FOR LEVELS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Long at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 4th June 1878.
RICHARD LONG, of No. 2, Vigo Street, Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex,
"AN IMPROVED GLASS TUBE FOR LEVELS."
This Invention relates to the construction of a circular glass tube, which being
filled with alcohol or other liquids allows the bulb or air space to move around the
entire circumference. The said tube may form a complete circle, or part of a circle.
I prefer using a semicircular tube with the two ends closed.
When the tube is held with the two ends resting on a level and horizontal
surface, the bulb or air space in the tube will rest and remain at the meridian or
highest point of the tube, and at right angles, and perpendicular with the base
level. When either end of the tube is raised the bulb moves to a position at
right angles with the horizontal level or plane of the horizon.
The tube may be used in all instruments required to indicate the horizontal level
or the perpendicular line, or the angle of any surface or point.
The tube may be mounted on the periphery of a semicircular plate of metal or
other substance marked off in degrees or to a scale.
To allow the bulb to indicate the perpendicularity of any surface the two ends
of the tube may be made to continue a short distance past the diameter line, the
base plate extending between the two ends of the tube.
When the instrument is held against a perpendicular surface the diameter line
will pass through the centre of the bulb.
Instead of forming a bulb in the liquid the tube may be about half filled with
the liquid, so that the surface line of the liquid on each side of the circumference
in the tube may indicate the angle or level of any surface upon which the tube or
apparatus is placed.
A NEW OR IMPROVED WEIGHING APPARATUS, BALANCE, OR STEELYARD
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Gedgo at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th August 1878. A communi-
cation from abroad by Jean Baptisto Bassié, of Paris, France, Merchant.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "A NEW OR IMPROVED WEIGHING APPARATUS,
BALANCE, OR STEELYARD." A communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste Bassié,
of Paris, France, Merchant.
This new balance or weighing machine which the inventor terms a steelyard,
because, like the steelyard, it requires no weights for weighing, offers this advantage,
that it performs at the same timo the functions of a balance and of a steelyard, with
this distinction, that the lare of any article may be instantaneously ascertained by
means of a piece which advances or recedes at will. The tare being once known,
assuming that it is desired to first weigh a receiver, the action of a cursor or slider
on the beam of the balance indicates by stopping upon a dial the total weight
placed on the balance.
The apparatus is composed of four main parts. A pillar or standard carries the
bearing supporting the other parts of the balance, consisting of a lever or beam, a
plate or scale-pan of the balance, a stand supporting the balance and inclosing the
bottom pieces; a parallel equipoise receiving the balance blades at the end of the
beam supporting the scale, and at the bottom united by a horizontal piece with the
pillar; a balance blade of the beam resting on the bearing; a balance blade at
the end of the beam resting on the parallel equipoise; a piece screwed into the
pillar for the purpose of receiving a cross piece; a piece attached to the parallel
equipoise to receive the end of a cross piece; a piece which connects the axis of the
balance with tho parallel equipoise; a cursor or slider moveable from end to end of
the lever or beam, and giving motion to a dial which indicates the weight; a
graduated dial worked by the slider, and various indexes for indicating the weight.
The dial is moved by a pinion fitted to the slider and gearing with the beam, which
is toothed.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE RAILWAYS, AND IN ROLLING STOCK FOR THE SAME
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Greig at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 11th November 1878.
ALFRED GREIG, of the Steam Plough Works, Leeds, in the County of York. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE RAILWAYS, AND IN ROLLING STOCK FOR THE SAME."
This Invention has for its object improvements in portable railways, and in
rolling stock for the same.
I construct portable railways of lengths or sections each complete in itself. Each
section consists of two rails connected by iron sleepers or cross pieces. The sections
are so constructed that in laying the line they can be joined readily so as to hold
them securely in position, and in removing the line the lengths can be readily
disconnected. This is done without the use of fish plates. I employ flat bottomed
rails connected together in pairs by rivetting them at intervals to sleepers or cross
pieces consisting of broad bars or bands of wrought iron plate. One sleeper at each
end of every section. is bent or arched up in the centre, and the extremities of the
rails fall at about the middle of the width of this sleeper. At the other end of the
section the rails project beyond the end sleeper for a distance of about half the
width of the sleeper. Thus when the sections are put together the ends of the rails
where they butt are properly supported upon sleepers. To join the sections together
one end sleeper of each section has a pair of tongues rivetted to it one on either side
just within the rails, and these tongues when the line is laid overlap the end sleeper
of the next section, and they are secured to it by a bolt, or this sleeper may be
provided with sockets to receive the tongues. The joint is thus made perfectly firm
against lateral and vertical movements. In the construction of the rolling stock for
portable railways I connect one or both of the axles of a four wheeled wagon or
carrier in such a way that it is free to move up and down, thus allowing the wheels
D017

page_text: to adjust themselves to the inequalities of the line, for I have found that when the
axles are fixed rigidly to the framing the wagons or carriers are apt to leave the
line. The axles are so arranged that they can slide between horn blocks or guides,
and above the axles blocks of vulcanized india rubber or other material or spiral
springs are inserted.
IMPROVED SALTSTONE FOR CONSUMPTION BY CATTLE, HORSES, SHEEP, AND OTHER ANIMALS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Schüler at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1878.
PETER SCHÜLER, of Number 7, Rue Française, Paris, in the Republic of France.
"IMPROVED SALTSTONE FOR CONSUMPTION BY CATTLE, HORSES, SHEEP, AND OTHER
ANIMALS."
My improved saltstone consists of a mixture of pure salt with Glawber's salts,
chalk, bran, and ochre. I have found that about 93 per cent. of pure salt, and 7
per cent. of the other ingredients produce a satisfactory compound, but I do not
limit myself to those particular proportions.
The use of the improved saltstone facilitates and renders more economical the
breeding and fattening of cattle, causes an increase in the quantity and quality of
the meat yielded by them, and of the milk yielded by cows, sheep, goats, asses,
et cetera, and increases the richness of their manures in fertilizing matters. It acts
as a remedy for the desire to gnaw with which animals are affected when they
do not obtain sufficient salt, and as a preservative against swellings and other effects
of indigestion, and also against epizotic diseases.
It is well known that animals fed upon those meadows near the sea, known as
"salts," produce the most savoury meat.
My improved saltstone is intended to serve as a substitute for this beneficial
influence of the sea for animals placed in less favourable conditions of feeding.
AN AUTOMatic BalanCE PUMP
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Blackwell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th May 1878.
WILLIAM BLACKWELL, of Chapel Street, in the Town and Parish of Dalton-in-
Furness, in the County of Lancaster, Blacksmith. "AN AUTOMatic BalanCE
PUMP."
An ordinary windbore (at the bottom of a pipe) is made to communicate by a
valve or clack piece with an L bend pipe, with which again two parallel perpen-
dicular pipes are connected, one the working pipe in which the plunger or piston
works, which opens direct into the L bend, and the other the coluinn or water pipe,
the connection with which is by means of a second valve or clack piece. Both
theso valves open upwards. Within the working pipe a force plunger (or piston)
is worked by two spear rods connected by a cross head in the centre of the plunger,
and worked by power at the surface. The column or water pipe by means of a
second bend communicates with the stand pipe or column immediately above the
head of the plunger or piston which works within the stand pipe in the same
manner in which the other end of the plunger or piston works within the working
pipe or barrel below. On the windbore being immersed, & the plunger set in
motion, the up stroke lifts the first valve, and the water follows into the vacuum.
The down stroke closes the first valve, & forces the water to lift the second valve,
and, thus rushing into the water pipe, the repetition of the stroke lifts it into the
stand pipe above the head of the plunger, where it at once creates a balance, tho
water above the head of the plunger being counterbalanced from the surface, at
which the water is discharged.
The spear rods may be continued to connect to another set of balance pumps on
the same principle, or as many more as any deep shaft or mine may require.
AN IMPROVED DRYER FABRIC FOR PAPER-MAKING MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Porritt at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1878.
JAMES PORRITT, of the Firm of Porritt Bror. and Austin, of Stubbins Vale, near
Ramsbottom, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer. "AN IMPROVED DRYER
FABRIC FOR PAPER-MAKING MACHINES."
This Invention consists in substituting an improved fabric composed of warp and
weft threads bound together in weaving, so as to form an endless web for the
ordinary dryer felt now in use for absorbing the moisture from the paper in passing
over the drying cylinders.
In carrying my Invention into operation I arrange the warp threads and weft
threads to form a compound cloth consisting of two or more webs or folds bound
together in weaving to form ono cloth or web.
The warp
threads are interwoven with the two or more folds of weft threads to
bind the whole firmly together and to produce an endless cloth or web of the
required length without any splicing or joining.
I prefer to make these endless dryer webs or felts of cotton, as they are more
economical than those made of wool; but linen or other fibrous materials may be
used, either alone or in combination.
AN IMPROVED SEAT FOR SUSTAINING PERSONS IN THE WATER
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred William Birt, of 42, Dock Street, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SEAT FOR SUSTAINING
PERSONS IN THE WATER."
Sealed the 25th March 1879, and dated the 27th September 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred William Birt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th September 1878.
ALFRED WILLIAM BIRT, of 42, Dock Street, in the County of Middlesex.
"AN
IMPROVED SEat for SustaiNING PERSONS IN THE WATER.”
This Invention has for its object improvements in seats applicable for sustaining
persons in the water.
The improved seat is shaped like an ordinary camp stool or folding seat, that is
to say, it consists of two frames the side pieces of which are pivotted together at
about their centres, and are connected at their tops by the seat, their lower ends
resting on the ground when the stool is in use. The seat of the stool is flexible, or
so arranged that the two frames can be folded together so that the stool when out
of use can be folded. up, forming a flat package occupying very little space.
My improvements consist in attaching floats formed of cork, water-tight vessels,
or such like, to the upper and lower parts of the two frames, there being preferably
four floats, one across the top and one across the bottom of each frame; but in any
case there is a space left at the centres of the frames unoccupied by the floats. In
case of accident on the water the stool when folded up forms an admirable life buoy,
and like an ordinary life buoy it has a space in the centre through which the arm
can be thrust to enable the user to securely cling to it.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR AUSCULTATION OR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Charles Wallich at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th December 1878.
GEORGE CHARLES Wallich, of Holland Road, Kensington, in the County of
Middlesex, Doctor of Medicine. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR AUSCULTATION OR
MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS."
My Invention relates to a novel combination of the microphone and the stetho-
scope for auscultation or medical diagnosis with the aid of the telephone.
I place a microphone within a box of any suitable shape, and made of wood or
any material which I may find answer better. I find it preferable to support the
microphone within the box, so that it will not be in contact with its bottom or
sides, excepting at the points at which the support is itself fixed to the box, usually
at a right angle to the axis of the microphone.
I
I may connect the wires from the terminals to the bearings of the microphone, or
may connect them to a plate within the box or otherwise.
propose to fix upon the top or the bottom of the box (which is perfectly closed)
a tube or an ordinary stethoscope, solid or tubular, and upon the opposite side of
the box a hollow or other sounding tube or stethescope.
It will be understood that these sounding tubes or stethoscopes have not necessarily
any opening into the box, but abut against the top and bottom.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Schwartz, of Pelham Street, Stepney, in the County
of Middlesex, Sugar Refiner, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR."
Sealed the 18th October 1878, and dated the 10th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Schwartz at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th August 1878.
JOHN SCHWARTZ, of Pelham Street, Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Sugar
Refiner. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR."
It is well known that raw sugar or saccharine solutions usually contain such a
quantity of potash as will materially interfere with the crystallization of the sugar.
In the process of refining raw sugar the latter is usually dissolved in boiling water
in a melting pan at a temperature of from 160° to 200° Fahr., without the addition
of any chemicals, and the liquor passes from the pan into filters. The potash salts
being soluble pass with the saccharine solution through the filter cloth into the
charcoal, and ultimately into the vacuum pans, where they retard the crystallization
of the sugar, and ultimately produce a considerable quantity of treacle or low syrup,
besides darkening the colour of the crystallized sugar that is produced.
I have discovered that the soluble potash salts contained in saccharine solutions
of beetroot or cane sugars may be converted into an insoluble double sulphate
without injuriously affecting the sugar or interfering with the process of crystalli-
zation. This process may be carried on and the desired object attained even at the
temperature of 160°.
In carrying out my Invention I dissolve, say, 100 parts of the raw sugar in
100 parts of water in a melting pan, and I add to the solution, while at the tempe-
rature of 160°, and at a density of about 28° Beaumé, about 0.20 per cent. by

page_text: weight of pulverized chalk, carbonate of lime, or fine whiting. When this has been
well mixed (by stirring or mechanical agitation) with the saccharine solution I
introduce about 1 per cent. by weight of diluted sulphuric acid, made by adding
8 parts of water to 1 of the ordinary sulphuric acid of commerce.
The above-named proportions may be varied according to the per-centage of
potash contained in the sugar, and in dealing with cane sugar I sometimes use a
little lime water, if the saccharine solution is acid, before it is operated upon for
the purpose of eliminating the potash contained therein.
I would remark that other alkaline substances may be used instead of the whiting
or carbonate of lime, but I prefer the latter on the score of economy.
By means of the above-described process a very large per-centage of the potash
will be eliminated from the saccharine solution, and will be kept back in the filters,
and prevented from interfering with the crystallization of the sugar, the yield of
which from the raw sugar will be materially increased and its quality improved.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN REELS FOR DRESSING FLOUR AND OTHER PULVERIZED SUBSTANCES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas David Jones at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th July 1878.
THOMAS DAVID JONES, of Syracuse, New York, United States of America, but at
present of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN REELS FOR DRESSING FLOUR AND OTHER PULVERIZED SUBSTANCES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in reels for dressing flour and
other pulverized substances, and consists of a novel method of attaching the silk of
the reel to the frame of the reel.
"
The attachment consists in placing the silk where it is attached to the frame
between bands, strips, or sheets of "ticking," calico, or-canvas, and then attaching the
compound part formed by the silk, “ ticking,” or calico, or canvas, to the frame of
the reel, the object being to prevent the mealy or silk bug from destroying the
silk.
It is well known that the mealy or silk bug adheres to the frame of reels as at
present constructed, and eats through the silk at the juncture of the silk with the
frame. By the introduction of the "ticking," or calico, or canvas, the mealy or silk
bug is prevented from destroying the silk, as the insect cannot eat the " ticking,"
calico, or canvas.
The "ticking," calico, or canvas also prevents the silk from sagging.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN HANDLES FOR TABLE CUTLERY AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Parker Skinner at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th June 1878.
JOHN PARKER SKINNER, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Die Sinker. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN HANDLES FOR TABLE CUTLERY AND OTHER PURPOSES."
For securing the handles of table knives and forks to their respective blades and
prongs, such handles being "metallic," but it may be also applied to other articles
requiring handles, and it consists principally in casting the handles on to the blades,
prongs, or other articles in suitably prepared moulds, such moulds being arranged
to hold the blade, prong, or other article in the required position while the handle
is being cast upon it.
By the use of moulds I am enabled to pour back the central portion of the
molten metal before it has had time to solidify, thus leaving the casting hollow.
I am aware that "cast-iron" handles have been cast on to blades by being
moulded in sand in the ordinary manner. I am also aware that the handles of
teapots have been made hollow by pouring the central portion of molten metal out
of them; but my Invention consists in casting handles on to their respective blades,
forks, prongs, and other like articles, such handles being cast in moulds, by
preference, of metal, in contradistinction to casting them in sand, and by this
method being able to pour out a portion of the molten metal so as to leave the
casting hollow.
IMPROVEMENTS IN 'SAILS' OR WHEELS FOR WINDMILLS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Gerard Wenzeslaus von Nawrocki
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th May 1878. (A
communication from Carl Schroeder, of Charlottenburg, near Berlin.)
GERARD WENZESLAUS VON NAWROCKI, of the Firm of J. Brandt and G. W. v.
Nawrocki, of 124, Leipzigerstrasse, Berlin, Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN 'SAILS'
OR WHEELS FOR WINDMILLS." (A communication from Carl Schroeder, of Charlotten-
burg, near Berlin aforesaid.)
The object of this Invention is mainly to supersede the adjusting of the position
of the wheel according to the direction of the wind, and generally to improve the
construction and mode of action of such wheels.
According to one arrangement the wheel axle is vertical, or nearly so, and carries
a horizontal wheel having, say, six arms or fans, the outer ends of which are tied
together by rods. Each fan has a series, say, four valves, the two outer ones turning on
vertical hinge pins, and the two inner ones turning on horizontal hinge pins. The
extent of opening of these flaps or valves may be made to adjust. Near the
shaft of the wheel the fans present a closed surface to the wind. By the force of the
wind two or more of the valves on the fans on one side of the wheel will be closed,
while the wind at the same time keeps the valves on the fans on the other side open,
the wind passing through on this side without much resistance; the wheel will thereby
be caused to revolve the valves on a fan as it comes round, opening and closing in
rotation. The wind, striking the valves nearest the shaft, will then proceed
upwards, and thus not much impede the next following fan or arm.
It is obvious that in the moment a fan with opened valves has passed the centro
line of the wheel, which is parallel with the direction of the wind, the force of the
wind will at once close the valves, and the fan then present a close surface for the
wind to act upon. As soon as the same fan has passed the same centre line on
the opposite side, the force of the wind will open the valves and pass through such
fan. The wheel thus acts whatever the direction the wind may be without any
shifting or adjustment.
According to another arrangement the shaft of the wheel is placed horizontally,
or, say, a little raised at the wheel end. The valves or flaps in this case all turn
on hinges parallel to the axis of the wheel. The fans above the centre of the shaft

page_text: close against the wind, and as the fan enters the space below the centre line the
force of the wind tends to open the valves. There is thus in this case also the
desired want of equilibrium necessary for propulsion of the wheel. This wheel
must be shifted round according to the direction of the wind in any well-known
manner, so that this second arrangement in this respect does not offer the same 5
advantage as the first-described arrangement, but in other respects the construction
and advantages are similar.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN SMELTING AND OTHER FURNACES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Noad at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 20th September 1878.
JAMES NOAD, of Richmond Works, Plaistow, in the County of Essex. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN SMELTING AND OTHER FURNACES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in furnaces for smelting and other
purposes.
In constructing furnaces for smelting iron ore I form them in such manner that
the fuel together with the ore is fed into the top of the furnace as usual, but the
draft in place of being upwards I lead from the bottom of the furnace by a flue or
channel sloping somewhat downwards to a chamber in which the slag and molten
metal from the furnace is free to collect, and from which they can be drawn off
from time to time as desired or can be left there for further treatment. From the
top of chamber proceeds a tall chimney for producing the required draft in the
furnace or furnaces leading to the chamber. By preference I employ two furnaces
on opposite sides of the chamber, so that the heated gases passing from them to the
chamber shall impinge against one another below the bottom of the chimney at the
centre of the furnace.
Air for supporting combustion is admitted through openings around the sides of
the furnaces, and several tiers of openings at diffierent levels may be formed at
which air can be admitted or which can be closed as desired.
When the ores or fuel contain sulphur or other prejudicial materials which it is
desirable to prevent the metal being contaminated with I form an outlet flue from
the side of the furnace at some distance from its bottom direct to the chimney
through which the products of the combustion of such materials which burn at a
lower temperature than is required for the melting of the metal can be passed
directly into the chimney before the metal and fuel have descended to the lowest
part of the furnace where the highest heat is maintained, and where the metal is
fused and allowed to pass down with the draught to the receiving chamber at the
bottom.
These outlets from the sides of the furnace direct to the chimney I make at a
higher level than some of the tiers of openings for admitting air to the furnaces for
supporting combustion.

page_text: The openings from the sides of the furnaces to the chimney can be closed when
from the nature of the fuel and ores they are not required to be used.
Similar furnaces to those above described can be used for smelting other ores and
for heating ovens or chambers in which metals or other materials are to be heated
or melted, the furnaces being formed so that the heated gases from them are led
from the bottom through a flue leading somewhat downwards to a receiving
chamber in which the slag can accumulate and be drawn off from time to time, and
from which chamber the heated gases from the furnace can rise into the oven or
chamber to be heated.
Two rows of such furnaces may be used on opposite sides of the chamber or oven
to be heated, or they may be on one side only as desired.
PROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING CLOCKS AND BELLS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Casson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 25th September 1878.
THOMAS CASSON, of Denbigh, in the County of Denbigh, Bank Manager.
PROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING CLOCKS AND BELLS."
"IM-
My Invention relates to means and apparatus for working clocks and bells,
particularly those that are situated in turrets or steeples, the object being to effect
the movement and regulation of the clocks without the labour of winding up
weights and without the necessity for access to the clockwork, and in like manner
to effect the striking or sounding of the bells without manual labour applied to
them.
For this purpose I provide at or near the clock dials and the bells cylinders
communicating with a gas pipe and so arranged that they receive combustible
charges of gas and air. These charges being ignited at certain intervals, pistons.
with which the cylinders are fitted are propelled and effect the movements of the
clock hands and the bell hammers or of the bells themselves. Each piston also acts
by its stroke on a weight or spring which by its recoil movement causes the
introduction into the cylinder of the charge required for the succeeding strokes or
the movement imparted to the bell itself, or its hammer may be utilised for this
purpose. Instead of the cylinder being fixed and the piston propelled by the
combustion of the gas the reverse arrangement may be adopted. The ignition
apparatus may be of any known kind, acting either by an electric spark or by the
application of a gas flame to the combustible charge. In either case the time of
ignition is determined by a regulated clock near to the clock or bell, or at a distance
therefrom, which at the desired intervals either directly causes a flame to be applied,
or makes contact for the transmission through conducting wires of an electric

page_text: current either to produce. the spark or to give movement to the armature of an
electro-magnet, which movement effects the application of the igniting flame. For
the purpose of ringing the bells independently of the clockwork the igniting flames
may be applied or the electrical contacts made by hand or by any suitable
mechanism, such as a revolving barrel.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF- FEEDING PENS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Melvin Charles Byron and Augustus
Edward Napoleon Byron at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
16th August 1878.
MELVIN CHARLES BYRON and AUGUSTUS EDWARD NAPOLEON BYRON, both of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gentlemen. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-
FEEDING PENS."
This Invention consists in making the penholder a receptacle for ordinary writing
ink, and constructing it in such a way as to allow of a constant flow of ink to the
pen when in use. This we effect by forming a tube about the size of an ordinary
penholder, which tube is to contain the ink. The upper end of the tube is closed
by a cork stopper or cap, which may be so constructed as to admit air, and the
lower end is divided into two sections, one section being formed into a pen with
the usual slit to divide the nibs, and the other section being turned in
towards the concavity of the pen is thus formed so as to close in this end of the
tube with the exception of a small aperture which is left between these two
sections of the tube.
This aperture is not sufficient to allow the ink to escape until the action of
pressing the pen upon the paper causes it to flow.
The nib may be made in one piece with the holder, or separately by forming the
lower end of the holder so that it may clip the nib closely, and this would allow the
changing of the nib when worn.
The principle upon which this pen is designed to work is that of capillary
attraction, the ink not flowing until the point of the pen touches the paper.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO COMBINED MATCH OR FUSEE AND ASH BOXES FOR THE USE OF SMOKERS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Phillips Thompson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th August 1878. A commu-
nication from abroad by Monsieur Louis Calvet, of 5, Rue de Chateaudun,
Paris, in the Republic of France.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Consulting Engineer and British and International Patent Agent,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO COMBINED MATCH OR FUSEE AND ASH
BOXES FOR THE USE OF SMOKERS." A communication from abroad by Monsieur
Louis Calvet, of 5, Rue de Chateaudun, Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention, in its most approved form, consists of the combination of a match
box, an ash box, and a rest for the cigar or cigarette on the interior of the lid of
the ash box, so that the smoker can rest his cigar on said rest, and let the ash fall
into the ash box when he is not smoking, instead of laying it on the edge of the
nearest piece of furnature to the imminent hazzard of burning a mark on the same.
By the aid of this box, too, a smoker can dispose of his ashes instead of knocking
them out on to the floor of the office, or into the perhaps empty fire-place, to the
intense annoyance, may be, of the person he is visiting, or his own wife and
family.
The form preferred by Mr. Calvet consists of a rectangular box in two divisions,
separated by a partition. The largest division is the ash box; this is a plain
rectangular box, with a lid hinged to the top of the partition between the two boxes
so as it can lie flat back on the other partition. On the inner side of this lid an
arched plate is soldered by its two edges extending nearly the whole length of the
lid. Soldered to this is a chanel-shaped plate extending the same distance, upon
which, when the box is opened, the cigar can be laid; this plate is placed at such a
height above the lid that when closed it rests on the bottom of the box. A hasp of
any convenient construction completes this part of the box. The other compart-
ment to hold the fusees or matches is also rectangular, but one of its sides opens
instead of the top. Another side, preferably the end opposite the ash box, is
Dmias 27

page_text: roughened or covered with glass paper to strike the match on. A hasp or catch on
this door, or a rounded surface that will spring into and retain a hold of the end of
the box when closed completes this compartment.
The whole is carried in the pocket, or can be fixed to tables in refreshment bars,
restaurants, and the like.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Ashburn at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th July 1878.
WILLIAM ASHBURN, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, Yarn Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
This Invention relates to improved apparatus for beating-up or pushing the weft
forward into the cloth as woven.
According to this my Invention I employ a series of thin discs or vanes, arranged
upon a cross shaft. The discs are so spaced as to admit of the passage between
them of the warp threads and for formation of the shed, and the said discs have
each a slot or opening for the passage of the shuttle through the discs; the latter
are also so curved or formed as on the rotation of their carrying shaft to beat up
the weft. There may be two slots or passageways for the shuttle through each
disc so as to beat up twice for one revolution of the disc shaft.
"
It will be understood that no slay" or going part is, requisite on a loom so
constructed with discs, as described, and that the shuttle box will be stationary.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF DEALING WITH ELECTRIC CURRENTS, WHEREBY THEY MAY BE DIVIDED AND DISTRIBUTED THROUGH ANY REQUIRED NUMBER OF CIRCUITS FOR Lighting ▲AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward John Cowling Welch, of Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF DEALING WITH ELECTRIC CURRENTS, WHEREBY THEY MAY BE
DIVIDED AND DISTRIBUTED THROUGH ANY REQUIRED NUMBER OF CIRCUITS FOR
Lighting ▲AND OTHER PURPOSES"
Sealed the 15th April 1879, and dated the 16th October 1878.
(Void by reason of the Patentee having neglected to file a Specification in
pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward John Cowling Welch
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th October 1878.
EDWARD JOHN COWLING WELCH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF DEALING WITH ELECTRIC
CURRENTS, WHEREBY THEY MAY BE DIVIDED AND DISTRIBUTED THROUGH ANY
REQUIRED NUMBER OF CIRCUITS FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention consists in transmitting the main electric current along each of the
circuits of a series consecutively, and in maintaining the flow of such current
through each circuit for only a short space of time at each transmission, so that the
current may be sent separately through each one of the whole series of circuits
within so short a space of time as that the current may be repeated over and over
again throughout the series at such intervals as that the time elapsing between the
consecutive re-transmissions of the current through each individual circuit, whether
always in the same or in alternate directions, may be so small as that while these
intervals serve to reduce the total quantity of the electric fluid traversing each.
circuit during any lengthened period of time, the said currents follow each other in
such rapid succession as to furnish an aggregate result in each circuit similar to
that which would be produced by a proportionately weaker current of constant
flow throughout that circuit. The apparatus for producing this result may be

page_text: constructed in many ways, and may either be combined with and form a part of the
dynamo electric machine or other generator of the electric current, or may bo
constructed and used as a separate apparatus; as, for example, in some cases the
apparatus would consist of a central rotating piece in electrical connection with one
of the terminals of the generator, and having the connections with which it is
consecutively to complete circuit ranged around it, but insulated from it and from
each other. This central rotating piece might be driven either by extraneous
means or by a portion or the whole of the main or of the distributing currents, so
as to cause the said piece to rotate in harmony with the generator if required.
I employ the foregoing indicated method either in connection with condensing
apparatus or with equivalent apparatus or otherwise as required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES AND APPA- RATUS TO BE USED THEREWITH.
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Ambrose McEvoy at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1878.
CHARLES AMBROSE M°EVOY, of the London Ordnance Works, Bear Lane,
Southwark, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TORPEDOES AND APPA-
RATUS TO BE USED THEREWITH.'
"
Floating torpedoes which are permanently moored in position with their fuse
kept out of action when the torpedo is not required to act are liable as now con-
structed to be sunk or put out of order by blows received from passing vessels, as
the rivetted joints of their wrought-iron outer case become strained, and the joints
then leak and the torpedo sinks. To obviate this I form the outer case of the
torpedo with welded joints, and to further secure them from liability to leakage I
provide means for mooring such vessels without forming openings into the interior
of their outer case. The outer case I make circular in horizontal section and
tapering from top to bottom.
Around the top and also around the bottom of the case I form horizontal flanges
projecting outwards, and to these flanges I weld the top and bottom covers of the
case. There is thus formed around both the top and bottom of the case a strong
ring or hoop of wrought iron which will be able to withstand heavy blows without
altering its form.
The eyes to which the mooring chain is to be attached are secured to the bottom
hoop or ring, whilst the top hoop or ring has eyes secured to it, from which chains
may pass to a floating buoy.
In some cases I form the case of the torpedo with welded joints, but without
projecting flanges; in this case, in order to be able to moor the torpedo without
forming openings through its sides, I place the case within a cage or frame of bars,
to which the several attachments are made.

page_text: I prefer to form this cage of three bars placed at equal distances apart, and
passing from top to bottom of the case, so that their ends may be made to partially
overlap the top and bottom covers.
The top ends and also the bottom ends of the bars I hold together by rings or
ties so as to secure the bars in position against the sides of the case.
PROJECTILES FOR SMOOTH BORE FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE."
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Moss at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 19th February 1878.
JAMES Moss, of New Cross, in the County of Surrey.
PROJECTILES FOR SMOOTH BORE FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE."
" IMPROVEMENTS IN
The object of my Invention is to impart to a projectile discharged from a smooth
bore gun, the spinning or rotary motion on its own axis which a projectile discharged
from a rifled gun receives, and thus obtain almost equal advantages in respect of
steadiness and accuracy of flight, velocity, and penetrating power to those derived
from the use of a rifled barrel without the expense of the rifling.
My Invention consists in forming or providing the projectile with oblique or
spiral grooves (or with oblique vanes or wings) varying in depth, length, and pitch,
according to the diameter of the projectile, and which by encountering the resistance
of the air against their oblique surfaces during the flight of the projectile, impart
to the latter the rotary motion desired.
The grooves may either extend a short distance only along the shoulder of the
projectile, or be continued the whole length of the projectile, the former arrange-
ment being adapted for bullets, and the latter for the projectiles used in ordnance.
In the latter case the sides of the grooves which meet the resistance of the air are
undercut to increase the effect of the said resistance, and the grooves may either
entirely or for a portion only of their length be covered by a cylindrical casing
enclosing the projectile, and open throughout for the passage of the air.
Instead of forming grooves on the circumference of the projectile, I may provide
it with wings or vanes set obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the projectile, and
consisting of flat blades pivoted at their front ends, and received in chambers formed
or fixed in the circumference of the projectile. These wings or vanes are retracted
within their respective chambers when the projectile is introduced into the gun, and
are pressed outwards by springs behind them and project beyond the circumference

page_text: of the projectile immediately it leaves the muzzle of the gun, in order that the
resistance of the air shall act against these oblique wings or vanes and determine the
rotation of the projectile as in the former case.
These wings or vanes and the chambers in which they are received may be
readily applied to existing shells.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING AND CORRECTING NEGA- TIVES WITHOUT PHOTOGRAPHY, BY THE AID OF PAPER TYPES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Wayte and Conrad Herzog at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th April 1878.
CHARLES WAYTE and CONRAD HERZOG, both of Red Lion Square, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineers. " IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING AND CORRECTING NEGA-
TIVES WITHOUT PHOTOGRAPHY, BY THE AID OF PAPER TYPES."
This Invention relates to a peculiar mode or method of producing and correcting
negatives without the aid of photography, and consists essentially in the employ-
ment for that purpose of paper types, being simply white transparent signs, marks,
lines, or representations in outline of any desired design, surrounded by black or
other suitable opaque ground to be reproduced, in combination or not with other
designs or figures, the whole being mounted on glass or other suitable transparent
material, so as to produce a negative, the spaces between the paper types being
also rendered opaque by being coated with black or other opaque coloring
matter.
These negatives, which we call "paper type negatives," may be used as economical
substitutes for the negatives heretofore produced by the process of photography, and
be employed for any purpose where reproduction of designs and figures on paper or
other substances is required by the process of photo-lithography.
The said negative "paper types" are also applicable to the correcting of the usual
photographic negatives, as well as our "paper type negatives."
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF POTTERS' CLAY AND OTHER PRESSES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Ford, senior, William Ford,
junior, Thomas Jellicoe, and Thomas Ford, at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents on the 23rd April 1878.
WILLIAM FORD, senior, Joiner, WILLIAM FORD, junior, Joiner, THOMAS JELLICOE
Contractor, and THOMAS FORD, Joiner, all of Tunstall, in the County of Stafford.
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF POTTERS' CLAY AND OTHER
PRESSES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of potters' clay and
other presses, and the improvements consist in strengthening the chambers or trays
of such presses wherein the clay or other material is compressed.
As at present constructed the chambers or trays of such presses from the extreme
pressure used to expel the water from the clay wear away rapidly, and are liable
to breakage in the centre of each tray.
The accompanying Drawing shews a section of a chamber or tray constructed
according to our improvements.
In each potters' press there are from twenty-four to thirty chambers or trays,
about thirteen feet long by about two feet four inches wide, composed of seven
planks or blocks about two feet one inch long by eleven inches wide, as shewn at
b, put or nailed together as shewn at c. The extreme pressure in filling the
chambers from the ram pump at a force of ninety pounds to the inch, the blocks
being twenty and a half inches between, without any support, are constantly.
breaking in the centre of the chambers.
Now our Invention consists in placing cross pieces or blocks a across the centre
of the tray or chamber, the said blocks being so placed as to bear on or against
each other will avoid the herein-before described breakage (thereby being of great
public utility, and saving an enormous per-centage in repairs, and preventing loss of
time) as the blocks bearing on or against each other give that support to the centre
of the trays, which is requisite to prevent the breakage in the centre.
The insides of the chambers or trays are lined with canvas (through which the
water percolates); such canvas lining is also strengthened by means of our blocks,
arranged as described, thereby saving time and expense, as if the cloth bursts from
n

page_text: the pressure, the supply has to be shut off, and the chambers or trays on each
side of the vacant chamber also burst in the centre, through not having any support
there.
Now our Invention is for the purpose of also affording that support, thereby pre-
venting waste of clay, loss of time, and as before stated, a large per-centage of cost
in repairs.

page_text: No text detected.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLYING ELECTRICITY AS A SOURCE OF ELEAT FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Melville Clark at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1878. A communication
from abroad by Charles Davis, of Paris, France.
"
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLYING ELECTRICITY AS A SOURCE OF ELEAT
FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES." [A communication from abroad by Charles Davis, of
Paris, France.]
This Invention consists in the application and employment of electricity as a
source of heat to be utilised for industrial purposes, such as for generating steam,
expanding air and gases, distilling alcohol and other liquids, evaporating liquids,
concentrating syrups, acids, and other liquids, drying solid matters, and for other
similar purposes.
This result may be obtained either by utilizing the property of platinum or other
metallic wires to become instantaneously red hot on the passage of an electric
current through them, or by utilizing the heat developed by the, sparks from a
Rhumkorff coil or other similar apparatus.
To this end the wires or the sparks are to be brought into contact with the
matters to be heated, whereupon they speedily impart to them the heat developed
by the electric current, whereby the same results are obtained as when employing
ordinary fuel.
The apparatus employed for generating the electricity may either be a dry or
wet battery, or a magneto-electric machine, as found most suitable in practice.