matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF PRESSURE GAUGE
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Vincent Newton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th April
1863. A communication from abroad by Philip Justice, of New York
City, United States of America.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF PRESSURE
GAUGE," to be as follows:-
This Invention applies mainly to the construction of gauges for gauging
steam or water under high pressures.
In carrying out the Invention a disc or plate of iron or other suitable metal
is provided having a recess or chamber for mercury on its under side and
pierced with a central opening for the passage of the mercury in its upward
or downward movement. Fitted into a central recess of the disc is a cylinder
of india-rubber, which forms a bearing for a glass tube. Secured to the
metal disc and covering the same is a cap having a shoulder for supporting
a metal tube which surrounds the glass tube. A slot is made through tho
whole length of the metal tube in order to shew the height of the mercury
the glass tube, the same being indicated by a graduated scale: A metal cap
having a contral opening is screwed to the metal tube and serves to hold the
glass tube in its place. A lateral hole is made in the metal disc for the
insertion of mercury into the chamber below it. This hole, when the chamber
is filled, is closed by a screw. A cylindrical cup is clamped to the under sido
of the metal disc and a diaphragm of india-rubber is placed between it and
in

page_text: the disc. A metallic plunger plays loosely in the upper and lower section of
the cup. The area of the upper portion of the plunger being much greater
than that of the lower portion, allows of the mercury column being shortened,
as will be presently explained. The downward movement of the plunger is
limited by a shoulder in the cup. Attached to the under side of the cup is a
coupling for admitting steam or water to act on the plunger. Between the
cup and coupling is a diaphragm of india-rubber, forming a tight joint, and on
the upper surface of which rests the bottom of the plunger. The steam or
water admitted to the gauge presses forcibly upon the lower part of the plunger,
thereby forcing the mercury upwards in the glass tube in proportion to the
pressure applied. As many times as the area of the lower end of the plunger
is less than the area of the upper end of the plunger, so many times less will bo
the pressuro per square inch upon the area of the upper portion of the
plunger than upon the lower portion of the same plunger, thereby rendering
practicable the employment of short columns of mercury for the measure-
ment of high pressures without any other opposing medium.
Ax IMPROVED TURNIP CUTTER FOR CUTTING THE LAST SLICE
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Sainty at the Office of the
Commissioners of. Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd June 1863.
I, JOHN SAINTY, of Burnham Market, Norfolk, Agricultural Implement
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Ax
IMPROVED TURNIP CUTTER FOR CUTTING THE LAST SLICE," to be as follows, that is
to say:-
The turnips or other like produce are
My Invention consists of machinery for cutting turnips, so that the last
piece which has hitherto escaped untouched is also cut. This is performed by
placing a front plate in such a position that a sufficiently large opening is left
at the top (where the turnips and other like agricultural produce enter) and
gradually decreases in size till the front plate and the knives or cutters fixed
on to a revolving drum nearly touch.
fed in from a hopper placed at the top of the machine, and pass down between
the front plate and the knives or cutters on the revolving drum. As piece
after piece is cut off by the rotation of the drum knives or cutters, the turnip
gradually slides down the incline till it reaches the narrowest part of the
opening, where a sliding plate is passed through the front plate so as to
prevent the small piece left slipping through, which as the knives revolve is
finally cut in two. This sliding plate is actuated by a thumb screw, so that as
the part which comes in contact with the turnips wears away, it is only
necessary to turn the screw and the plate is instantly returned to irs normal
position.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CLEANING SHIPS HULLS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henri Adrien Bonneville, Patent Agent, of the British
and Foreign Patent Offices, 24, Rue du Mont Thabor, Paris; in the
Empire of France, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR
CLEANING SHIPS HULLS."- A communication from François Capponi,
residing at Constantinople, in Turkey.
Sealed the 26th January 1864, and dated the 14th October 1863.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Henri Adrien Bonneville at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Decla-
ration, on the 14th October 1863, pursuant to the 9th Section of. the
Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRI
ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, Patent Agent, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices,
24, Rue du Mont Thabor, Paris, in the Empire of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS
POR CLEANING SHIPS' HULLS," communicated to me by François Capponi,
person resident at Constantinople, in Turkey, and have petitioned Her Majesty
to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters
Patent for the same, and have made solemn. declaration. that it is a com-
munication.

page_text: in which it is to be performed, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details above given; but what I claim is the
arrangement and disposition of 'the different parts, the whole substantially as
above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henri Adrien Bonneville, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
H. BONNEVILLE. (L.S.)
IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Crane Wilkins at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with bis Petition, on the 27th
January 1863.
I, WILLIAM CRANE WILKINS, of Long Acre, in the County of Middlesex,
Lighthouse Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS," to be as follows:-
To a lamp constructed with a reservoir in its stem or base to contain the
matter to be burned, and means for forcing up such matter for consumption,
I apply between such reservoir and the burner a small vessel of porcelain, glass,
or other suitable material that will not freely conduct heat up to the burner,
and I apply cork or other suitable non-conducting matter between the upper
parts of a receiver, and the burner tubes acting as a receiver for or feed to the
lower part of the wick and of the fluid being consumed. This receiver has an
overflow for surplus fluid to flow back into the reservoir below. Or in order
to prevent the conducting down of heat to the fluid to be consumed, the wick
tubes may be separated horizontally except by slight connections which may
be of non-conducting material. I also apply an internal hollow cone and an
external tubular deflector, the upper or deflecting edge thereof being turned
inwards and at or near the level of the wick tubes, which external deflector
I prefer to be of glass, so as to intercept the rays of light as little as possible;
over these I apply an external chimney.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOES, BOOTS, AND OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE FEET
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Bernoulli Barlow at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd April 1868.-A communication from abroad by Jesse Follett, of
Turner, in the County of Androscogin, State of Maine, in the United
States of America.
I, HENRY BERNOULLI BARLOW, of the City of Manchester, Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SHOES, BOOTS, AND OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE FEET," a communication to me
from abroad by Jesse Follett, of Turner, in the County of Androscogin,
State of Maine, in the United States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the application of a plate or plates of a peculiar
form, made of malleable cast iron or other metal or material, to the toes of
shoes, boots, and other coverings for the feet, to render them more durable.
The plates form a sheath or fender for the protection both of the upper and
under leather at the toe of the boot, shoe, or other covering for the feet; the
said sheath or fender is formed of compounded metals, and may be composed
of a mixture of lead, tin, and bismuth, or any of the known metals or prepara-
tions, such as india-rubber ✓ a percha, or other substances which are suffi-
ciently sequacious to be wrought or moulded into the desired form. The said
sheath has a double form, being a union of the covering for the upper and
under leather of the toe of the boot or shoe in one entire piece of metal or

page_text: other substance of which it may be constructed. The form is such that it
covers over the upper leather at the toe of the shoe or boot and extends down-
ward over the outer sole and passes over on the outer side of the said sole
sufficient to receive the nails to fasten it on, and has also a central flange
which passes between the outer and inner sole, extending back towards the
heel.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS TO BE ATTACHED TO LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS FROM RAILWAYS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Maxime Charles Edouard
Houdayer and Jules Jean Cormier at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 30th December 1863.
We, MAXIME CHARLES EDOUARD HOUDAYER and JULES JEAN CORMIER, both
of Paris, France, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS TO BE ATTACHED TO LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES FOR
THE PURPOSE OF REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS FROM RAILWAYS," to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to an improved safeguard to be applied to the front
part, viz., the beams and the buffer or cross bar of a locomotive engine, with
the object of removing any obstacles or obstructions on the track in front of
the engine.
The apparatus consists of two strong cheeks of sheet iron or other suitable
resisting material connected together on a suitable iron frame fixed to the
beams and the buffer or cross bar of the engine; the said cheeks form a sort
of protruding wedge, the angle of which is situated in the prolongation of the
axis of the engine, the faces of the wedge forming either straight or suitably
curved inclines, both in the vertical and horizontal direction; whilst the two
free ends of the wedge extend sufficiently far beyond the rails, the lower edge
of both cheeks nearly reaching these latter; which lower end is bent up into
the horizontal direction, so as to act in the manner of a shovel for lifting any
obstacles existing on the track in front of the engine and throwing them aside.
The free end of each cheek may be prolonged parallel to the outside of the
locomotive.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS CALLED 'GINS' FOR CLEANSING SEED COTTON
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Kenworthy Dutton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th May 1863.
I, EDWARD KENWORTHY DUTTON, of Stretford, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS CALLED 'GINS' FOR CLEANSING SEED
COTTON," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates more particularly to cotton gins made on the prin-
ciple known as the "Macarthy," in which a leather covered roller acting
against a fixed "doctor" in connection with a vibrating blade is employed,
and consists, first, in balancing the said vibrating blade by means of springs
attached or connected to the blade or to the crank arms, or to any portion of
the machine which is connected to and vibrates with the blade, the said
springs being made of caoutchouc, wood, metal, or other suitable material; or,
if preferred, weights may be employed for the same purpose.
Secondly, my Invention refers to that description of the "Macarthy gin" in
which two rollers are employed, and consists in placing the two rollers in a
horizontal or diagonal position and parallel to each other, with a grating
between them, a separate vibrating blade being adapted to each roller and
driven from the same shaft, so as to be moving in contrary directions at the
same time, and in a vertical direction in the case of the rollers being placed
horizontally. The blades may be balanced separately, as described in the first
part of my Invention, if preferred.

page_text: The third part, of my Invention consists in placing two of the leather
covered rollers in the same horizontal line, either on the same shaft or on
separate shafts, and causing the vibrating blades belonging to the two rollers
to move in contrary directions, as described in the second part of my Inven-
tion; or I apply a separate vibrating blade to each half of the roller, in an
ordinary single roller gin, and cause the same to be moved in opposite direc-
tions. The rollers used in the gins to which the above improvements apply
may be of the ordinary construction, or they may have the leather covering
applied in a strip or strips wound round the roller, with the one edge of the
strip in contact with and cemented to the roller, the flesh and grain sides of
the leather being at right angles to the axis of the roller. The leather may
be all of the same quality and description, or a hard and a soft grained leather
may be wound on the same roller in alternate strips. The rollers, when
covered, may (if preferred) be grooved spirally on their surface, the section
of groove I prefer being V-shaped, one edge coinciding with a radius drawn to
the centre of the roller, and the bottom of the groove forming a tangent to the
circumference of the roller..
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WIND INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Newton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
February 1863.-A communication from abroad by Ambroise Santucci,
of Rue St. Sebastien, Paris, in the Empire of France.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WIND
INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC," to be as follows:-
This Invention of improvements in the construction of wind instruments
of music, relates principally to that kind of wind instrument in which valves or
pistons are employed for modifying or assisting in producing the notes or
tones. One of the objects of the Invention is to facilitate a change of key,
and another is to construct the instrument in such a manner that it can be
carried more easily by the player.
In order to effect the first object the instrument is divided into two main
parts, which are connected together by a central pivot on which one part may
be turned horizontally on the other in either direction for a short distance..
The upper part of the instrument carries the principal working parts, and the
lower part consists, mainly, of the lower bends of the main tubes. In order
to admit of changing the key of the instrument there are several additional
tubes so that the main tube may be lengthened or shortened as may be
desired. These additional tubes all terminate at the central part of the
instrument where the top and bottom parts are connected. These tubes are

page_text: adapted to a perforated valve plate, in which there are as many ways as there
are sections of the main tube in the lower half of the instrument. This valve
plate, with the tubes thereon, turns on the central pivot, so as to bring any
section of the lower part of the main tube into coincidence with the upper
part, a change of key may therefore be produced by simply moving the valve
plate round horizontally part of a circle. In order to render the instrument
more convenient to carry the bell, part of the main tube is bent back and
passed either over the left shoulder or under the arm-pit. This will be found a
great convenience in trombones, which by this arrangement need not project
out so far as usual either in front or behind. In bombardons the main tube
is bent so as to rest on one of the shoulders, and is further supported in front
by means of a leather or other belt or band so that it may be played and supported
by only one hand. It will of course be understood that the particular form
in which the main tube is to be bent and arranged for the purposes of the
Invention must depend in some measure upon the particular kind of instru-
ment to which the improvement is to be applied.
AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR UNHUSKING RICE AND OTHER SEEDS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Charles Wilson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th June
1863.
I, JOHN CHARLES WILSON, of 14*, Cannon Street, London, Civil and
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR UNHUSKING RICE AND OTHER SEEDS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to machinery for removing the husk from rice and
other seeds.
Hitherto this operation has been performed either by stampers, which are
cumbersome and tedious in operation, or by millstones, which are difficult to
adjust and keep in order, are much given to break the seed, and are unsuited
for making small machines to be driven by hand power. In this Invention.
the operation is performed by means of partly revolving discs, cones, or
cylinders of perforated tin plate, the ragged edges of the perforations forming
the rasping surface, which effects the desired purpose. The cheapness of this
material renders it well suited for producing an economical machine for
general use, while its hardness is such as to render it more than usually
durable.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR OPENING AND CLEANING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Bernoulli Barlow at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th June 1863.-A communication from abroad by John Edo Van
Winkle, of Paterson, State of New Jersey, United States of America.
I, HENRY BERNOULLI BARLOW, of the City of Manchester, Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR OPENING AND CLEANING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES,"
a communication to me from abroad by John Edo Van Winkle, of Paterson,
State of New Jersey, United States of America, to be as follows:-
The nature of this Invention consists in opening and cleaning fibrous
substances by means of two sets of intersecting beaters fixed upon shafts
placed parallel to each other. These beaters have two or more serrated
or plain arms, and the fibres when opened are drawn from the feeding to the
delivering end of the machine by a current of air, which is formed within a
wire cage, against which and on a travelling creeper the fibres are collected.
The cover over the beaters is provided with one or more spiral guides
or feathers to convey the opened fibres towards the delivering end of the
machine, and the grates under the beaters are made adjustable; the air is
supplied to the machine by draft holes placed under the grates.
By this improved machinery the light or open fibres and dust are
immediately drawn through the machine, while the knots or entangled fibres
are operated upon until completely opened, the dirt and heavy impurities
falling through the adjustable grates.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, AND WALLETS, AND IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF DOUBLE-ACTION LOCKS FOR THE SAME, AND OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Michaelis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
October 1863.
I, JAMES MICHAELIS, of the Firm of Michaelis and Rubino, of 3, Tower
Royal, Cannon Street West, and 35, Aldersgate Street, both in the City of
London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, AND WALLETS, AND IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF DOUBLE-ACTION LOCKS FOR THE SAME, AND OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in manufacturing a purse of two separate con-
partments, and fastening the same by means of a double-action lock. This
lock is made in three pieces, in the interior of the centre piece is a bolt
working from the centre with the aid of two steel springs; this bolt slides both
ways; on the end pieces is a catch, which passes through a slot cut on each
side of the centre piece of the said bolt, locking into these catches. The end or
side pieces are fastened to the outer ends of the cover of purse, and meet the
body of lock, which is fixed on the front or face of purse in the usual manner,
thereby making a secure fastening to both compartments.
The advantage of this Invention is that the knob being in the centre of
two mouth holes, and made to open either way at pleasure, one of the two
separate compartments only need be opened, the articles contained in the
other compartment being kept secure as if in a separate purse. Though I

page_text: have only described the application of this lock to purses I do not confine
myself to the same, as this Invention is equally applicable to wallets, pocket
books, and other similar articles.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TELEGRAPHIC CABLES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Platts and John Bailey
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 13th January 1863.
We, WILLIAM PLATTS, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant,
and JOHN BAILEY, of the same Place, Cotton Dealer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TELEGRAPHIC
CABLES," to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to a novel method of protecting the wires employed
in telegraphic communication, whereby the strain of any great length of cable
is sustained by the covering or protection, instead of partially by the wire as
hitherto, and thus the continuity of the wire is preserved.
The improvements consist in surrounding or enclosing the wires in a metallic
tube or case formed in short lengths, every alternate length being formed like
a ball at each end, the intermediate lengths being formed like a cup or socket
which are to enclose the balls, and all these lengths are to be made in
halves (in the direction of their length) and bolted together or otherwise
secured at their edges, so that when they are so secured together with the
balls in the sockets to form the joints, they will constitute a flexible tube
enclosing the wires, which will not gradually elongate by strain as the twisted
wire covering now employed.
Im- PROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF KEEPING CAMERAS OR OTHER APPARATUS STEADY WHEN SUSPENDED TO BALLOONS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Johann Ernst Friedrich Lüdeke
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th August 1863.
I, JOHANN ERNST FRIEDRICH LÜDEKE, of No. 2, Elizabeth Terrace, Isling
ton, London, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF KEEPING CAMERAS OR OTHER APPARATUS STEADY
WHEN SUSPENDED TO BALLOONS," to be as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention consists in keeping cameras or other apparatus steady when.
suspended to balloons at certain distances from the earth, which is effected by
means of a peculiar arrangement of two or more ropes attached to the car of
a balloon, so that when the balloon is waving about the camera will be kept.
comparatively steady.
In the annexed Drawing, A represents the balloon; B, the camera; C, one-
of the ropes with a weight D attached; E, another rope fastened to the ground
at one end by any suitable contrivance, and then passing over a pulley F to
the roller or drum G for the purpose of raising and lowering the balloon,.
although other means for obtaining the same result may be employed in place
of the roller. By this arrangement the camera will be kept steady and in its
place. The camera B may be raised or lowered by means of a rope, and is opened
and shut by suitable mechanism; or I can make use of a wire in connection.
with a battery for the same purpose. I do not restrict myself to the use of any
precise number of ropes, as they may be varied if considered necessary.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR GINNING COTTON; ALSO FOR CLEANING, OPENING, AND PREPARING COTTON, WOOL, OR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Louis Fleischmann at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th
September 1863.
I, CHARLES LOUIS FLEISCHMANN, of 18, Rue Moncey, Paris, at present
residing at the Queen's Hotel, Saint Martin's-le-Grand, in the City of London,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR GINNING COTTON; ALSO FOR CLEANING, OPENING, AND
PREPARING COTTON, WOOL, OR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
Over two grooved rollers is placed a grate, the openings of which correspond
with the grooves of said rollers. In those grooves are placed endless cords,
which move freely between the horizontal part of the grate, forming thus a
kind of feeding table carrying the material which is put on said table to the
top of the front roller, where another series of cords pass through the openings
of the grate into the grooves of said front roller, catching the filaments and
drawing them down between the grate bars into the grooves, leaving the seeds,
leaves, or other impurities on the top of the curved part of the grate, where a
number of scrapers disengage the seeds or impurities from the filaments. The
seeds and impurities are collected in a trough placed below the curved part of
the grate, and the clean cotton or fibrous substance is carried to the front of
the roller, where it is taken off by a brush or equivalents.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN LAMPS FOR BURNING OIL
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Wickens at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th November
1863. A communication from Florimond Baudoin, of Chaussée du
Maine Montrouge, in the City of Paris, in the Empire of France.
I, HENRY WICKENS, of Tokenhouse Yard, Bank, in the City of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LAMPS FOR BURNING OIL," to be as follows:-
The oil is put into the reservoir of the lamp, as in a carcel lamp, and the
air therein is compressed by means of a piston and apparatus. When the
compressed air is allowed to escape from the reservoir, it passes through the
tube in connection with the reservoir, and carries with it a small quantity of
the colza or other oil to the burner, and the oil so admixed with the air is
burnt for the purpose of giving light through the orifices of the burner without
cotton or other material.
IMPROVED TABLE APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING THE COMFORT OF PERSONS AT SEA
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Gedge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
February 1863. A communication from abroad by Hyacinte Clare, of
the Rue du Faubourg St. Martin, Paris, France.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of the Firm of John Gedge and Son, of
No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
TABLE APPARATUS FOR PROMOTING THE COMFORT OF PERSONS AT SEA," (a communi-
cation to me from abroad by Hyacinte Clare, of the Rue du Faubourg St.
Martin, Paris, France, to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to obviate the inconveniences arising in
taking meals at sea in rough weather, when from the rolling of the ship it
frequently happens that plates, dishes, and comestibles are upset over the
persons at table to their great annoyance and discomfort. For this purpose it
is proposed to place upon the table épergnes or stands (constructed as herein-
after described), upon which will be placed glasses, bottles, plates, dishes,.
cruets, and in fact, if desired, the entire table service. It will be evident.
that similar stands may be placed on the table at other than meal times, and
be found convenient for many purposes. The apparatus, which may be of any
shape, and as ornametnal as may be desired, is constructed as follows:-On two
upright supports fixed to the table, and sufficiently above it to avoid touching
it in the come-and-go motion, is a moveable axle, to which is suspended a

page_text: stand or tray, on which is placed the bottle, glasses, or other objects, and a
weight in the shape of a moveable cylinder is carried at the lower end of
vertical pieces for the purpose of always preserving the equilibrium of the
entire apparatus when tossed about by the rolling of the ship. The axle of
the apparatus must be placed parallel with the sides of the ship; nevertheless,
when the inconveniences of pitching are to be avoided, the axle may be placed
slightly slanting athwart ship.
The principle of this arrangement is therefore suspension, become appli-
cable, firstly, by the reduction of the radius of the segment described as much
as possible, so as at the same time to reduce the come-and-go motion almost
to nothing.
And, secondly, by the position of the balance weight, the axle of which is
parallel to the axle carrying the stand or tray, and is placed well in the
centre of the lower extremities of the perpendicular pieces carrying it.
The duty of this weight is not only to prevent the apparatus swinging about,
but also from capsizing, its weight must therefore be in proportion to that
which the epergne or stand will have to carry.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FURNITURE OR FASTENINGS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander John Fraser at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
February 1863.
I, ALEXANDER JOHN FRASER, of Water Lane, Great Tower Street, in the
City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FURNITURE OR FASTENINGS," to be as follows:-
My improvements in the furniture or fastenings of windows relate to
windows sliding upwards, such as windows that are hung and balanced by
cords and counterbalance weights, but such counterbalance is not necessary,
as such furniture or fastening may be applied to windows the weight of
which is counterbalanced or partially so. My improved fastening or furniture
consists of a metal or other suitable ratchet-toothed rack, which I apply to the
inside of the window frame; this extends from top to bottom of the sash, one
for each sash. This rack has its ratchet teeth so disposed that the horizontal
part of each tooth is above. On the window sash I apply a spring bolt, which
is so fixed as to abut its end against the rack, and by the pressure of its spring
is kept up thereto, and is at same time free to recede; the effect of this.
bolt is that on raising the sash the bolt slips over the inclined faces of the
teeth, freely catching at each one, and preventing the sash again descending
from any intermediate distance to which it may be raised or at the full height;.
thus in opening a window it is simply necessary to lift the window to the
required height. If it is desired to lower the window, it is simply necessary
to withdraw the bolt from contact with the rack teeth, and lower it down when
closed; a hole is provided in the rack at that point to receive the end of the

page_text: spring bolt, which shoots into such hole and prevents the window frame from
being again raised until the bolt is withdrawn, which of course can only be
done from the inside. Supposing it is desired to fix the window sash open a
few inches, so that it cannot be further opened from the outside, I add another
bolt at the top of the sash, which is shot into one of several holes which
receive it, and secure the window sash at the height desired. The advantage
of this mode of fixing and supporting window sashes are that the window
cannot be opened from the outside, and that the counterbalance weights and
boxes may be dispensed with in ordinary windows; for very heavy sashes I
prefer that they should be partially counterbalanced. Instead of mounting the
bolt on the sash and the ratchet teeth on the framing, I sometimes reverse
these positions, fixing the ratchet teeth on the sash, in which case the position
of the teeth will be inverted. In this case the whole apparatus may be hidden
from view, the ratchet teeth being sunk into the sash and the spring bolt
within the lining of the window framing, it being actuated by hand by means
of a handle or knob turned in the manner of a door handle, and this may
further be operated by a key instead of a handle, in order that it may be
locked, or the bolt may be locked by a key being used in addition to the said
knob handle.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAYS AND IN CARRIAGES FOR THE SAME
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Alison, at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th October
1863.
I, ALEXANDER ALISON, of No. 72, Sloane Street, Chelsea, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAYS AND IN CARRIAGES FOR THE SAME," to
be as follows:
The nature of my Invention consists in the use of an improved flexible valve.
in the air tube of ordinary atmospheric railways, in the novel construction of
an atmospheric tunnel railway, and in carriages, the latter being also applicable
to ordinary railways and tramways.
The valve employed is constructed of gutta percha or other flexible material,
and is so formed that it is raised up by the piston rod and returns immediately
after the passage of the same. The piston rod being constructed flat will not
open the valve more than one and a half inches, and as the pressure of the
atmosphere will keep the valve tight very little external air will enter the
tube.
The tunnel employed (when the tube is dispensed with) is constructed of
any suitable material and convenient size for the passage of the train.
Attached to the front of the first carriage of the train is a curtain or piston
nearly filling a section of the tunnel. This curtain or piston is constructed of
metal or wood, and moves on wheels with a guiding wheel running on a rail
at the top of the tunnel. Though attached to the carriage the piston is freed
from the oscillation of the carriage to which it is attached. To avoid any

page_text: change a piston may be attached to the last carriage. One or more doors are
placed in each piston. By the opening of those in the front piston the vacuum
will be at once destroyed, and by keeping those in the rear piston open the
passenger carriages of the train will be continually supplied with fresh air.
In addition to the ordinary breaks is used an accumulating power break
similar in form to the mainspring of a watch. This spring is fixed to the
axle of the carriages and is wound up by the revolution of the wheels when it
is desired to stop the train, and the accumulated force is exerted against the
wheels in starting. The doors in the piston or curtain, as well as those com-
municating with the stations, are hung on their centres to prevent slamming
and for convenience of opening. A stationary engine working large fans is
placed at each end of the line and at such intermediate points as may be found
desirable.
The advantages of this system of railways, whether worked by an air
tube or tunnel, are, that the power requisite to draw the weight of engine,
tender, condenser, fuel, and water, which is equal to the weight of the
passenger carriages of an ordinary train, is saved; the wear and the tear of
the permanent way occasioned by the locomotive, which is estimated at three-
fourths the whole, is avoided; the liability to accidents is greatly decreased,
and the comfort of the passengers vastly increased from the absence of noise
and smoke.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHOT-PROOF IRON OR STEEL WALLS, SUITABLE FOR THE SIDES OF WAR SHIPS, FLOATING BATTERIES, OR FORTS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Legg at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th December
1863.
I, ROBERT LEGG, of 14, Owen's Row, Clerkenwell, in the County of
Middlesex, Millwright and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHOT-PROOF IRON OR
STEEL WALLS, SUITABLE FOR THE SIDES OF WAR SHIPS, FLOATING BATTERIES, OR
FORTS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of an improved method of constructing shot-proof
iron or steel walls suitable for the sides of war ships, floating batteries, or
forts, in such a manner that the said shot-proof walls may contribute to or
constitute the entire strength of the sides of a ship so constructed, and also in
such a manner that every piece of the structure shall be supported and
strengthened by the whole, and so that the shot-proof walls may be self-
supporting, instead of being, like the present armour plates, a load added to
the frame of the ship. For this purpose I propose to use rolled slabs or
plates of metal of any convenient length and thickness, but equal in breadth
to the proposed thickness of the ship's side, and to lay and fasten them one
upon another flatwise. And further, to cause any one of the said plates to bo
supported and strengthened by all its surrounding plates. I propose to make
the said plates with grooves or indentations in one face, and with ribs or pro-
jections on the other, so that when the plates are secured to each other the
ribs or projections on one plate may fit into the grooves or indentations of the

page_text: next. The plates may be secured together by either rivets, screws, or bolts,
but I prefer to use screw bolts, and to protect them by placing them in the
middle of the plates, and to make the groove in the one plate so much deeper
than the projection or rib in the other as to leave a sufficient space for the
heads and nuts, or at least for the nuts of the bolts. The most convenient
form for the plates is that in which the ribs and grooves are continuous
throughout the length of the plates, and of which a cross section would nearly
represent a common crank.
Of the accompanying sketches Fig. 3 shows a part of a midship section of
a ship's side constructed according to this Invention, by which it will be seen
that a solid wall of iron nine inches thick and perfectly self-supporting may
be constructed, and will weigh less than 360 lbs. per superficial foot of surface.
Figures 1 and 2 show one of the methods by which the bolts may be arranged.
In Fig. 3 one of the iron plates is shown of greater breadth and projecting
inwards, for the purpose of supporting the deck.
A NEW METHOD OF BENDING THE REVERSE ENDS OF PARTRIDGE CANES, AND BENDING PARTRIDGE CANES WITHOUT ROOTS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Lublinski at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd December
1863.
I, ROBERT LUBLINSKI, of 183 and 185, City Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Stick Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A NEW METHOD OF BENDING THE REVERSE ENDS OF PARTRIDGE
CANES, AND BENDING PARTRIDGE CANES WITHOUT ROOTS," to be as follows:-
The bent ends of partridge canes now used as handles for umbrellas, walking
sticks, and such like articles, are made from the root. Generally the cane
grows thicker at the top than at the root; in such cases the cane has to be
reduced, whereby the bark, which is the best part of the cane, is wasted. My
Invention consists in' preventing this waste by bending the reverse ends of the
canes, and my Invention is also applicable to the bending of partridge canes
without roots (such as are imported from China and elsewhere); by this means
the beauty of the bark is preserved.
The bending is accomplished in the following manner:-A metal semi-
circular tube (made of zinc by preference), about six inches long, is placed on
the part of the cane to be bent, and both placed in a vice; heat by gas, or other
convenient means, is applied, and when the semicircular tube and cane are
sufficiently heated, the cane can be bent as desired, by means of a handle
attached to the semicircular tube.
AN IMPROVED FASTENING FOR LEGGINGS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Seigmund Simon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th
August 1863.
I, EDWARD SEIGMUND SIMON, of 10, Bury Street, in the City of London, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED FASTENING
FOR LEGGINGS," to be as follows:―
This Invention obviates many of the faults and inconveniences hitherto
experienced by "volunteers" and others who use leggings. The fastenings at
present in use are not safe, as they frequently fly open by the bend of the leg
in walking, or by a slight blow from behind. They are also very apt to bulge
out at the middle of the leg, & thus admit the wet. This is corrected by
using my improved fastening, which consists of two pieces of metal, one for
each edge of the legging. One of these pieces of metal is made with a vertical
projection, larger at the top than at the bottom, either angular or circular, and
may have either a plane surface, or the projection may be indented or corru-
gated for the purpose of adjustment or fit of the legging. The other pieco
of metal has an opening or slot cut in it larger at one end than at the other
for the admission and retention of the projecting part of the first-named piece.
On bringing the two picces into contact they become securely locked together,
and though easily opened by the hand, it is scarcely possible they should
become accidentally detached. The indentations or corrugations on the
projecting part allow a slight variation in the size of the legging, according as
it is the more or less inserted into the slot, thus ensuring a better fit.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR OPENING, CARDING, AND CLEANING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS WHEN IN A MANUFACTURED OR PARTIALLY MANUFACTURED STATE
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Knowles at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th July
⚫ 1863.
I, THOMAB KNOWLES, of Hulme, in the County of Lancaster, Gentleman,"
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR OPENING, CARDING, AND CLEANING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS
MATERIALS WHEN IN A MANUFACTURED OR PARTIALLY MANUFACTURED STATE,"
to be as follows:-
My improvements are designed for the purpose of preventing the doffing
roller employed in machines for carding and cleaning waste forming a lap.
during the operation of doffing, thereby causing the waste as it is stripped
from the doffer to be carried in one continuous length to the ordinary lap
rller.
My improved arrangement of mechanism may be described as follows:-
Underneath and bedding against the bottom doffing roller is a bar or rod
slightly hollowed or recessed, extending the whole length of such roller from
end to end, and being sustained or held in position by two levers having their
fulcra at and bearing upon the axis of the ordinary roller for actuating the lap
or other convenient place. These levers at their extreme ends from the bar
or rod and on the opposite side of their fulcra are supplied with weights or
springs for the purpose of firmly bedding the aforesaid bar or rod through the
nedium of such levers against the under surface of the bottom doffing roller,
thereby keeping such roller clean and free from extraneous matter.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COVERS FOR PURSES, WALLETS, AND POCKET BOOKS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Henry James, James
Marshall James, and Josiah James, at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 25th July 1863.
We, GEORGE HENRY JAMES, JAMES MARSHALL JAMES, and JOSIAH JAMES, all
of No. 10, Dyers Buildings, Holborn, in the City of London, do hereby declaro
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
COVERS FOR PURSES, WALLETS, AND POCKET BOOKS," to be as follows:-
The covers of purses, wallets, and pocket books as now generally manu-
factured will only permit of a small amount of coin to be conveniently carried,
and in the case of pocket books and wallets a very limited space is allowed for
papers, coin, or other matters, and in both cases, when over-full, the coin or
papers either fall out or the purse or pocket book is injured. The object of
this Invention is to make a cover that shall expand, and thus obviate this
inconvenience.
This Invention consists in making the covers of leather or other suitable
material for purses, wallets, and pocket books, in such manner that any
quantity of money, notes, or paper may be carried with safety and security
without injuring the purse, wallet, or pocket book. To effect this object the
cover is made of two pieces; to the end of the piece which forms the flap is
attached or joined a piece of elastic web or any other suitable pliable material;
the pieces are then joined and fastened inside the purse, wallet, or pocket book,
the part forming the back overlapping the elastic material, thus leaving a
pocket on the back, which will be found very convenient for railway tickets
and such like, being easy of access without opening the purse or pocket book.

page_text: The backs of the purse, wallet, or pocket book are permitted to expand as
they are filled by means of the elastic material, while the interior pockets or
receptacles are kept quite tight.
We do not confine ourselves exclusively to the use of elastic web, as a flat
spring or some other contrivance may be adopted, nor to the spring coming
from the flap or top of the purse, poeket book, or wallets only, as it may be
applied to the bottom or fronts of purse, pocket book, or wallet, in some
instances with advantage. Any of the present well-known catches, clicks, or
other fasteners, can be applied to this Invention.