matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVED MEANS FOR OBTAINING LIGHT BY ELECTRICITY
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Auguste de Meritens at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th January 1879.
AUGUSTE DE MERITENS, of Paris, in the Republic of France, but temporarily of
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVED MEANS FOR
OBTAINING LIGHT BY ELECTRICITY."
The object of this Invention is to economize the energy of the electric current
used in the production of light. It has been the practice to expend a portion of
this energy in fusing and insulating material placed between the parallel carbons
of the electric lamp, such insulating material serving to prevent the arc from
travelling down the carbons. Now according to my Invention I utilize the energy
expended in fusing this insulating material, and apply it to the generation of light.
Thus I provide two carbons, by preference semi-cylindrical in cross section, and
set them up in holders parallel to each other, and at such a distance apart (with
their flat sides inwards) as to leave room for the insertion between them of a third
carbon with parallel sides, and to provide a clear space between the carbons. The
outer carbons are respectively connected by insulated wires with the source of
electricity, and the middle or third carbon is mounted in a insulated holder.
The
electrodes I connect at their tips by some conducting material, which will ensure
the passage of the current through then when the electric apparatus is set in action,
and being immediately consumed the arc will be established. The current which
I prefer to employ will be an alternating current, and in passing to and fro over
the middle carbon it will maintain the ignition of that carbon, and thus the
brilliancy of that light will be increased.
AN IMPROVED INSTRUMENT FOR DETERMINING THE ELEVATION OF GUNS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Matthew Blakiston at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th July 1879. A communication from
abroad by Thomas, Wright Blakiston, of Hakodadi, Japan.
MATTHEW BLAKISTON, of No. 18, Wilton Crescent, in the County of Middlesex.
"AN IMPROVED INSTRUMENT FOR DETERMINING THE ELEVATION OF GUNS." [A
communication from abroad by Thomas Wright Blakiston, of Hakodadi, Japan.]
In laying heavy guns, it is necessary to elevate the axis of the gun above the
line of sight to the object aimed at, more or less, according to the extent of the
range. This Invention relates to an instrument to be employed with a gun for
determining such elevation. It consists of a telescope having in front of its object
glass a mirror placed at an angle of 67° to the axis of the telescope, so as to
reflect in the line of the axis rays proceeding at an angle of 45° from a mirror
below it. This lower mirror is mounted in bearings in which it can turn, and has
projecting back from it a graduated arm gearing with a tangent screw, by turning
which in the one direction or the other the inclination of the mirror can be varied.
In one position, which may be taken to be the limit of adjustment in the one
direction, the lower mirror is parallel to the upper mirror, and an observer looking
through the telescope will then see the image of an object in the line of the axis.
By turning the tangent screw the lower mirror can be more and more inclined,
and the observer will then see the image of an object, the line of sight to which
is inclined down from the axis of the telescope by a number of degrees double
that which measures the change of inclination of the mirror. In applying this.
instrument to a gun, the telescope is placed in fork bearings attached to the gun
with its axis parallel to that of the gun. The lower mirror is then moved through
the desired number of degrees, that is to say, half the angle of elevation that has to
be given to the gun, and the breech of the gun is then elevated or depressed until
an observer looking through the telescope sees the object to be aimed at, the image
of which he can adjust accurately to cross wires. He thus knows that the gun is
elevated above the line of sight to the object the desired number of degrees. The
instrument above described being portable can be applied to guns of
any
description, which have suitable fork bearings to receive it adjusted so that its axis
is parallel to the bore.
IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR PREPARING RHEA FIBRE AND ANALOGOUS FIBROUS MATERIAL
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Lawson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th December 1879. A communication
from abroad by Doctor Robert Hanham Collyer, of India.
THOMAS LAWSON, of Leeds, in the County of York, Machine Maker. "IMPROVED
MACHINERY FOR PREPARING RHEA FIBRE AND ANALOGOUS FIBROUS MATERIAL"
[A communication from abroad by Doctor Robert Hanham Collyer, of India.]
"
This Invention relates to a novel arrangement of machinery for preparing for
spinning rhea fibre and analogous fibres that require to undergo a "breaking
process, whereby the fibres are separated from one another, and the gluten which
combines them is squeezed out. Mounted in suitable standards is a cylinder of
some two feet in diameter, and grooved longitudinally to a depth of 3 of an inch.
Upon the axle of this cylinder, between the standards and the cylinder, an
oscillating frame is mounted for receiving grooved rollers, preferably four in number,
the flutes of which interlock with the flutes of the cylinder.
These rollers are pressed down onto the cylinder by means of coiled springs,
radial slots being made in the frame to receive their bearings and to permit of their
rising and falling in the frame.
Between the cylinder and these rollers the fibre to be operated upon is passed,
it being delivered to the cylinder from a feed table.
At the delivery end of the machine is a pair of rollers for taking up the fibres
after they have been crushed, and transferring them to a travelling apron, which
will deposit them into any suitable receptacle.
An oscillating motion is given to the frame carrying the fluted rollers by con-
necting the same below its axis of oscillation with a connecting rod attached to
the crank pin of a disc keyed on a shaft driven from the main driving shaft of the
machine, from which shaft also rotary motion is transmitted to the cylinder by
suitable gearing.
The fibre as it is submitted to the squeezing action of the rollers has a stream of
water discharged onto it from above, and a second stream is discharged upon the
fibre as it leaves the cylinder to enter the delivery rollers, which rollers, in the act
of passing it to the delivery apron, squeeze out the water therefrom, together with
the gluten or gummy matter which has been dissolved during the treatment of the
fibre,
For the delivery of these streams of water suitable discharge pipes are provided.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LADIES' DRESS HOLDERS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Arthur Charles Henderson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th June 1879. A communi-
cation from abroad by Madame Louise Eugénie Prebay, née Gin, Manufacturer
of Novelties for Ladies, of the City of Paris, in the Republic of France.
ARTHUR CHARLES HENDERSON, of 6, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LADIES' DRESS HOLDERS." A commu-
nication from abroad by Madame Louise Eugénie Prebay, née Gin, Manufacturer of
Novelties for Ladies, of the City of Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention is a substitute for the page, and is both an improvement thereon
and on dress holders generally. By the use of the page the dress was caught up
in several parts by rings, instead of in one bunch as at present; this first method
has a more graceful effect, but the drawback to the use of the page was the trouble
of adjusting it.
The improved dress holder, whilst taking up the dress in several judiciously
arranged parts, has the advantage of admitting of quickly hooking up and unhook-
ing the dress in a simple and expeditious manner.
The apparatus may be variously described as, first, consisting of a simple hook
suspended by a strap attached to a waist belt; or as a swivel hook, similar to that
terminating a watch chain, with the difference that the movable part is actuated by
a button or lever, on pressing which the spring is depressed and the swivel opened
for the passage of the hooks on the dress. Or it may be double branched, the
branches being opened and closed by pressure as before, and having a hollow
bar at the bottom for bearing the rings of the dress, a small projection fixed to
one of the branches entering this bar when the contrivance is closed.
Or it may be formed of two bent cross branches without a spring, each branch
being suspended to a strap, which straps are united to the belt; the weight alone
of the dress brings a bar as in the former case against the opposite branch and
closes the dress fastener, the dress hooks having been previously passed on to
this bar.
In all cases the strap or straps connecting the holder to the waist belt is or may
be capable of adjustment or being lengthened or shortened as desired.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HEADSTALLS FOR PREVENTING CRIB BITING OF HORSES AND OTHER ANIMALS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Hastings Farron at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1879.
WILLIAM HASTINGS FARRON, of Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HEADSTALLS FOR PREVENTING CRIB BITING OF HORSES AND
OTHER ANIMALS."
The object of this Invention is to construct a head stall, which, while preventing
crib biting, shall leave the horse entire freedom in taking its food. For this
purpose I substitute for or connect to the ordinary leather nose band a metallic
cage or muzzle, which may consist of, say, two rings connected by bars, the bottom
of the muzzle being just below the opening of the mouth. To this muzzle I
connect one or more bars, extending up to "the channel" at the back of the head
to the junction of the head and neck, where it may be formed with a padded fork.
This bar is kept in position by the throat lash or neck strap connected thereto. It
may be made in parts adjustable against each other by screw or otherwise to suit
the required distance between mouth and neck. It serves to prevent the horse
from protruding its mouth through the muzzle, and thereby prevents it from biting
the manger or other objects within its reach; the muzzle is at the same time large
enough to afford perfect freedom for the jaws in taking food.
The muzzle and the bars may be padded to prevent injury or discomfort to the
horse.
IMPROVED STOVE OR FURNACE FOR HEATING SOLDERING BOLTS, AND WHICH MAY BE USED FOR ANALOGOUS PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Smith at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 6th October 1879.
" AN
WILLIAM SMITH, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
IMPROVED STOVE OR FURNACE FOR HEATING SOLDERING BOLTS, AND WHICH MAY
BE USED FOR ANALOGOUS PURPOSES."
This Invention, which relates to an improved stove or furnace for heating
soldering bolts, and which may be used for analogous purposes, consists of a
chamber formed of fire clay, metal, or other suitable material. In the bottom, sides,
or top of this chamber are one or more openings, through which pass one or more
burners, constructed as hereinafter described, and another opening sufficiently
large to admit of the passing in of a soldering bolt or other object to be heated is
formed in one side of the chamber.
The burners are constructed of thin flat tubes, one inside another, the two tubes
having a space between then through which the gas passes, whilst through the
inner or central tube the air passes. The air and gas respectively may be either
cold or heated, or either the air or gas alone may be heated. The air and gas do
not mix together until they reach the outside of the burners. The gas as ordinarily
manufactured is of sufficient pressure to force itself through the burners, but tho
air requires to be forced either by a fanner pump, water column, or gas holder loaded
by weights, or by other equivalent means for producing a sufficient current.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Parsons at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 6th May 1879.
GEORGE PARSONS, Engineer, of Manor Wks., Manor Place, Walworth, in the
County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING."
I arrange compound levers for raising and lowering purposes to be worked by a
right and left handed screw or screws; the screw or screws are fixed in a suitable
frame to sustain the same. The sliding nuts of the screw or screws are so formed
to relieve the screw from any undue pressure in raising and lowering. The nut is
further formed with a joint to fix the lever to.
The number of levers are added according to height required.
On the end of
screw or screws I apply suitable gear wheels, spun, and pinion bevil on worm
wheels, (either) for multiplying power. Now to work this gear I employ a pulley
or fly wheel fitted either with a handle, rope, belt, or chain, and worked by manual
or other power.
The pulley, fly wheel, or handle may be worked at any convenient distance by
suitable connections.
This apparatus is intended to be used portable or stationary for interior or exterior
of buildings. Vessels, mines, fire escapes, and may be used for presses and other
such like purposes.
The apparatus can be so formed that the levers and screw or screws will work
in any direction, suitable guides being made to keep them in position. In cases in
which more than one set of screws and levers are required I employ tooth or friction
gear in order that both or more screws and levers may work at the same time. For
raising and lowering purposes I employ a cage or platform which is connected to
levers by hooks, chains, or rods.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOLTS AND FISH-PLATES FOR THE FASTENINGS AND JOINTS OF RAILWAY RAILS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter de Winton at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th January 1879..
WALTER DE WINTON, of 19, Great George Street, Westminster, in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOLTS AND
FISH-PLATES FOR THE FASTENINGS AND JOINTS OF RAILWAY RAILS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
My Invention has for its objects the more secure fastening of nuts, fish-plates,
and joints of railway rails, and for other purposes; to effect this I cut or split in its
manufacture the shaft of the ordinary formed iron or steel bolt for about half its
length, thereby making or inducing lateral expansion of each half of the bolt to a
required maximum; the elasticity of the metal will then admit of the two halves of
the shaft or stem of the bolt so cut or split being pressed together near their points,
and then being inserted or screwed through the bolt-holes of the fish-plates and
channels of the rail ends, then being pressed together near their points with nippers
(the point of each half of the bolt so cut or split being beveled or chamfered); the
nut is then turned on over the closed points of each half of the bolt, a ring or two
of the screw thread on the shaft thereof, the nippers are then removed to keep
together the points of the bolt, and the nut further turned on by hand or a spanner
the required space tight up to the fish-plate; the two halves of the cut or split bolt
by the elasticity of the metal laterally expand from each other within the bolt-holes
of the fish-plates rail and nut, keeping the nut fast in its first position by the
outward expansion of each half of the bolt, and thereby preventing the loosening
or working off the bolt by the vibration caused by frequent passing loads. To
further increase the secure fastenings of rail joints, fish-plates, bolts, and nuts,
I form the bolt-holes of each or either of them with a screw-thread through which
the clastic cut or split bolt is inserted, and screwed through the fish-plates, rails,
and nut before mentioned.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Dollar at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 4th March 1879.
EDWARD DOLLAR, of South Lichfield, in the County of Southampton, Farmer's
Son. " IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES."
This Invention has for its object the enabling reaping machines to pass more
evenly over furrows and irregularities on the surface of the land, & consists essen-
tially in bringing the axle of the off wheel of the machine in a direct line with the
cutter bar and working the outer end of the sickle through an opening made lon-
gitudinally in the said axle.
In carrying out the said Invention, the off or smaller running wheel which
supports the outer end of the platform of the machine is mounted so as to turn
freely upon a short axle or centre of comparatively large diameter, such axle being
situate in a direct line with the cutter bar in lieu of in advance thereof as heretofore.
A dovetailed slide is bolted or otherwise secured to the inner face or end of the said
axle, which slide fits into a corresponding vertical groove in an upright on the
outer end of the platforin, & is free to be adjusted vertically therein by means of
a vertical adjusting screw spindle which works through the slide & thus enables
the height of the off running wheel or of the platform & cutter bar to be
regulated. An opening is made longitudinally through the axle of the off wheel
& through the before mentioned slide, through which opening works the outer
end of the sickle.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BLAST OR SMELTING FURNACES
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Robert Cassels and George
Reston Wood at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th
January 1879.
JOHN ROBERT CASSELS, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
and GEORGE RESTON WOOD, of Wishaw, in the same County. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BLAST OR SMELTING FURNACES."
This Invention has for its object by an improved construction to improve the
action of flast or smelting furnaces and to economise the fuel used in such furnaces.
The Invention consists principally in providing outlets for the withdrawal of the
reducing gases, or part of them, at a comparatively low part of the furnace, but
where from the decrease in their temperature they have ceased to be effective.
Also in providing inlets for air at a level above that of the gas outlets, but still
considerably below the top or throat of the furnace. In carrying out the Invention
according to one modification the outlets for the reducing gases are made at about
four-ninths of the entire height of the furnace from the hearth to the throat, and
the air inlets are made at about six-ninths of that height. With this improved
construction whilst the reducing gases produced at the lower part of the furnace, as
soon as they reach the height at which they cease to act effectively, are withdrawn
at the lower outlets. The introduction of air above them promotes combustion in
the fuel mixed with the materials in the upper part of the furnace and thereby
causes the materials to be heated up so as to be the more readily acted on when
they reach down to the part of the furnace where the reducing action takes place.
The gases due to the combustion in the upper part of the furnace pass downwards
through the materials as far as the lower gas outlets and pass off there with the
gases rising from below. The gases thus passing off may be utilised in the same
way as ordinary furnace gases.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edwin Knowles, John Whyte, and
Henry Harrison at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th April
1879.
EDWIN KNOWLES, of Gomersal, in the County of York, Machine Maker, JOHN
WHYTE, of the same Place, Mechanic, and HENRY HARRISON, of Blackburn, in the
County of Lancaster, “IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
This Invention relates principally to further improvements upon machinery for
which prior Letters Patent were granted to Quintin Whyte and the said John
Whyte, dated the 29th October 1868, No. 3310, and our present improvements
consist :-
Firstly. In the employment of apparatus for preventing accidents and stopping
the loon in the event of any thing occuring to interfere with the rising or falling of
the shuttle boxes. To one of the levers which carry the duplex pressers or elevators
(whichever may be used) we attach a three armed lever, one end of which carries
the bowl or pulley resting on the operating cam, and the other end thereof is
recessed to receive a bowl or pulley which is mounted on a lever hinged on the
presser lever, which bowl is forced into the recess by a spiral spring sufficiently
strong to bind the presser lever and the cam lever together so that any motion
communicated by the cam will operate both levers, provided there is nothing to
interfere with the proper action of all the parts.
In case of obstruction however, the spiral spring gives way and the cam lever
and presser lever become disengaged, the former only being operated by the cam, in
which case a pin or finger on the top arm of the said cam lever comes in contact
with and operates a lever connected with the knocking-off lever and stops the
loom.
The spiral spring then forces the bowl back into the recess, the parts being so
formed as to be self adjusting.
The levers and rods connected with the stop motion are so arranged that the
weaver can stop or start the looms from the back as well as the frout thereof.
Secondly. Our improvements consist in the employment of inclined plates fixed to
the shuttle box frame for the purpose of placing the shuttles to their proper position
within the boxes instead of the bowls or guide rollers heretofore used for the
ригрове.
AN IMPROVED METER OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hector Auguste Dufrené at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th March 1879. A communication
from Messieurs Desjardin and Louis Legrand, of 101, Rue St. Thomas,
St. Quentin, in the Republic of France.
HECTOR AUGUSTE DUFRENÉ, of No. 10, Rue de la Fidélité, Paris, in the Republic
of France, and 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent.
AN IMPROVED METER OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER
LIQUIDS." [A communication from Messieurs Desjardin and Louis Legrand, of 101,
Rue St. Thomas, St. Quentin, in the Republic of France.]
This improved apparatus consists of a receiver containing a trough or bucket,
with two compartments oscillating on a horizontal axis and furnished with a
moveable counterweight. This alternating or reciprocating movement is registered
by means of a series of wheels and dials. An oscillating float is jointed to a rod
carrying a valve, which valve rises or falls for opening or closing the entrance of
the water or other liquid. The rod is provided underneath the valve with a metallic
cone, which rises and falls with the rod. This cone covers another cone forming
part of the casing of the receiver, and serves to prevent the liquid which enters
from running along the rod, thus dispensing with all packing. When there is too
much water in the apparatus the float rises and closes the valve. When the level
falls the valve opens and allows the liquid to pass, which liquid accumulates and
compresses the air in the receiver placed above it. The liquid thus egresses at the
pressure at which it enters, or without pressure, at will.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BUCKLES
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Le Blanc at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 5th July 1879. A communication from
abroad by Alexander E. McConnell, of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, United
States in America.
ALFRED LE BLANC, of 15, Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BUCKLES." [A communication from abroad by Alexander E.
McConnell, of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, United States in America.]
This Invention consists in a rectangular buckle having one of its ends somewhat
thicker than the other, and its under side slightly curved so that it may be used on
a rounded as well as a flattened surface. At about one third distant from the
thickest end the buckle is provided with a cross bar, around which one end of the
band is first secured by bending so as to form an oblate hook, which is prevented
from slipping as will be hereinafter described. The opposite end of the band is
secured by passing it under the bar at one end of buckle, over the cross bar, and
under the other end bar.
If the band be of metal its ends are clipped close to the thickest end of the
buckle, and both of them bent back against the end. If however the baud be of a
pliable material an additional security will be to fold one of the ends back under
the bar, or both ends of the band may be tucked under the said bar.
From the above it is evident that the strain upon the band will cause the longest
end of the buckle to act as a lever, whereby the shortest end is depressed with
sufficient force to effectually prevent any back slip of either end of the band.
A NEW OR IMPROVED COMBINED PEN AND PENCIL CASE, ERASER, AND MEMORANDUM SCROLL
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ralph Spear at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 15th September 1879. A communication
from abroad by the Firm of Spear and Bergmann, of Sonneberg, in the
Empire of Germany, Manufacturers.
RALPH SPEAR, of South Place, Finsbury, in the County of Middlesex. " A NEW
OR IMPROVED COMBINED PEN AND PENCIL CASE, ERASER, AND MEMORANDUM
SCROLL." [A communication from abroad by the Firm of Spear and Bergmann, of
Sonneberg, in the Empire of Germany, Manufacturers.]
This Invention relates to the coustruction of a convenient apparatus forming a
new or improved combined pen and pencil case, eraser, and memorandum scroll.
The improved apparatus is constructed of a metal or other case, or cylinder in
the centre of which rotates a roller or cylinder, the ends of which work in holes in
the ends of the outer cylinder or case. In the ends of the said roller I fit reversible
tubular holders, one of the said holders serving to receive a pen and an eraser, and
the other holder serving to receive a pencil, the object of making the holders
reversible being to allow of the ends thereof containing the pen and the pencil
being passed into the central tube or roller when not in use so as to serve to
protect the pen and pencil. On the said roller if rolled a strip or sheet of
parchment or other suitable material forming a scroll on which memoranda or
notes may be written, the outer edge of the said scroll passes through a slit in the
case, and is provided with a metal strip or band forming a stop to prevent the
scroll being entirely drawn into the case.
To make use of the apparatus the scroll is pulled out, and memoranda or notes
may be written thereon by means of the pen or pencil, the holders containing
which may be removed from the central roller for that purpose. The scroll is
replaced in the case by rotating the roller, by turning either the pencil or pen-
holder, thereby winding the scroll on the roller.
.
It will be understood that the pen or pencil may be used in the ordinary
manner without being removed from the case, which, in this case would form the
holder.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF REDUCING ORGANIC SUBSTANCES CONTAINING NITROGEN, SUCH AS FOOD OF DIFFERENT KINDS, BLOOD, MEAT, AND THE LIKE SUBSTANCES TO A POWDER UN- AFFECTED BY THE ATMOSPHERIC AIR
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frank Wirth at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 16th January 1879. A communication
from Christian Neuss, Court Chemist, of Wiesbaden, in the Empire of
Germany.
-
FRANK WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors, at Frank-
fort on the Main, in the Empire of Germany. "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF
REDUCING ORGANIC SUBSTANCES CONTAINING NITROGEN, SUCH
AS FOOD OF
DIFFERENT KINDS, BLOOD, MEAT, AND THE LIKE SUBSTANCES TO A POWDER UN-
AFFECTED BY THE ATMOSPHERIC AIR." A communication from Christian Neuss,
Court Chemist, of Wiesbaden, in the Empire of Germany.
The improvement is performed by thoroughly mixing in an earthen vessel 10
parts of meat, blood, pulse, eggs, or tho like, with 5 parts of water and allowing
the result to swell, then 3 parts muriatic acid of suitable specific gravity, or any
other mineral acid, are added; the mixture is then exposed to the action of steam
heated to 110° Celsius until syntonine is formed. Now sufficient carbonate of soda
is introduced until a small reaction (on test paper) is obtained; the liquid is then
evaporated, if the product is intended for manure; if, however, intended for food,
the fat and scum brought to the top by stirring is removed, and the rest either dried
in vacuo or else on glass plates in a temperature which should not exceed 40°
Celsius;
the dried product is then finely powdered. Meat which in its normal state
is extremely difficult to powder and dry soon loses its toughness and stringiness by
the action of the steam and muriatic acid and is easily powdered. Diseased ment
and animals that have died a natural death can be easily turned into valuable
manure by this method instead of being buried.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW, DIRT, OR OTHER ACCUMULATIONS FROM THE RAILS OF TRAMWAYS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Franklin Armstrong at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th July 1879.
THOMAS FRANKLIN ARMSTRONG, of Shirley, in the County of Hants. " IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR REMOVING SNOW, DIRT, OR OTHER ACCUMULATIONS FROM THE
RAILS OF TRAMWAYS."
The object of this Invention is to clear from the grooves in the rails of tramways
the accumulations, which collecting therein are liable to throw the cars off the
rails.
To this end I employ a scoop or other suitable implement which shall enter and
move along the groove of the rail. The scoop or implement should be so constructed
as to throw the dirt as it is scooped or worked out of the groove onto the side of
the track, and it may be attached to the car by means of rods pivotted to the car
and connected together by a knee joint which will allow of the scoop or implement
to rise or turn up when it meets with a permanent obstruction, such as an inequality
in the level at the joining of two rails.
The requisite amount of pressure to enable the scoop to act efficiently may be
given by springs, and springs may also be employed to bring the scoop or implement
back to the working position after it has been raised in passing an obstruction.
Means will also be provided whereby the driver or conductor of the tramcar may
raise or lower the scoop or implement out of or into action as desired.
The scoop or implement may also be attached to a rod which is capable of vertical
motion in a cylinder or tube, the requisite pressure being obtained by means of a
coiled spring suitably placed for the purpose.
In addition to this latter arrangement the scoop or implement may be connected
to the car by short chains or portions of rope.
Or the scoop or implement may be drawn along by the chains only, the amount
of pressure being given by the addition of weights thereto.
In all cases however I provide the scoop or other implement with a pair of horns
or fingers, which project some distance in front thereof. These horns or fingers are
so arranged that as the scoop or implement is tipped up by meeting with an
obstruction they shall be caused to bear in the top of the rails and raise the tip of
the scoop over the obstruction.

page_text: The apparatus may be attached to the tram car in any convenient position, but I
prefer to place it immediately-in-rear of the leading pair-of-wheels, and,-if-desired,-
a revolving brush to be driven from-the car axles may be provided as one additional
means for cleaning the grooves.
The apparatus may also be attached to a separate vehicle to be drawn by hand,
or horse, or other power, or to a water cart, such as is now used for the purpose of
-assisting in-clearing out-the-grooves.in.the.rails..
IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES AND STEAM GENERATORS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Herbert John Haddan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd April 1879. A communication
from abroad by Etienne Verderber, of Budapest, in the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, Inspector General of State Railways,
"
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS
IN FURNACES AND STEAM GENERATORS." A communication from abroad by Etienne
Verderber, of Budapest, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Inspector General of
State Railways.
The improvements relate principally to locomotives, and consist in constructing
the furnace so that it shall be isolated or cut off from the chamber or chambers for
generating the steam, and in making said furnace of or with refractory materials;
also in constructing the cylindrical part of the boiler or steam generator so that it
shall project into the isolated furnace; and, lastly, in altering existing locomotives
or furnaces and boilers as above. The improvements can be performed by building
the furnace with its walls and top of double plates of metal, with fire brick between
them, the hearth or fire bars being constructed and inclined as at present; the
cylindrical end of the boiler with its tubes is prolonged, so that it comes half way
across the furnace, or nearly so.
IMPROVED COUPLING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER ROLLING STOCK."
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Barclay Bruce at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1879.
t
GEORGE BARCLAY BRUCE, junior, of Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, in
the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. IMPROVED COUPLING APPARATUS FOR
RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER ROLLING STOCK."
This Invention is more especially applicable to the carriages and other rolling
stock used on narrow gauge railways in which the draw bar and buffer are
combined and placed in the centre of the carriage or vehicle, the object of the
Invention being to provide a rigid coupling and thereby prevent the great amount
of lateral oscillation which accompanies the practical use of a single central buffor,
and which renders travelling on narrow gauge railways so unpleasant.
In carrying out this Invention I may avail myself of the ordinary buffers at
present in use, and to the buffer, and in rear of the buffer head I pivot a lever or
arm, which I prefer should extend in a lateral direction for, say, eighteen inches
from the buffer. The outer end of this lever or arm is provided with a block of
india rubber or other elastic material, and at or near the centre of the lever or arm
is placed a suitable automatic coupling pin for engaging with a draught link that
forms the connection between two adjacent carriages. When coupling up two
carriages thus provided the coupling link of one carriage only is placed in position,
and as the carriages are brought together this link takes into and is secured by the
coupling pin on the lever of the adjoining buffer.
The starting of the train causes the adjoining buffers to be drawn apart and the
elastic blocks on the ends of the levers will be pressed together, the ends of the
coupling link forming the fulcrums on which the levers rock, consequently the
farther the buffer heads are separated the more will the elastic blocks be pressed
together.
As the buffer heads separate a wedge is allowed to drop between them, and they
are thus maintained apart. By this means I am enabled to obtain a coupling with
a double bearing surface which will prevent the lateral oscillation of the carriages.
The wedge piece may be secured to the carriage by a chain or cord, or it may be
attached to an arm pivotted to the carriage and capable of being rocked in any
convenient manner from the side of the carriage by the guard.
If desired the arrangement of levers may be duplicated, and thus a firmer
coupling of the carriages will be ensured,

page_text: This Invention may be applied to carriages of the ordinary construction, and will
be found to answer equally well, while its use would tend to prevent many of the
accidents which now occur during the coupling up of railway carriages and other
rolling stock.
The uncoupling is easily and readily effected by merely raising in any convenient 5
manner the automatic coupling pin or its equivalent.
AN IMPROVED FISH JOINT FOR RAILWAY and Tramway RAILS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Victor Dockery at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd February 1879.
ALFRED VICTOR DOCKERY, Consul of the United States of America at Leeds, in
the County of York. "AN IMPROVED FISH JOINT FOR RAILWAY and Tramway
RAILS."
My Invention relates to improved means of fishing the joints of railway and
trainway rails, and consists in a steel or wrought iron clip of about the same length
(more or less) as the ordinary fish plate, and bent to a form in cross section to
correspond to the form of the lower half of the rail, so as to embrace and fit the
same exactly. The fishing clip passes across beneath the foot or lower head, and
rises on either side of the web of the rail, and it is applied at the joint made by
the abutting ends of two rails as usual. It holds the rails firmly, and affords them
the necessary support at the joint without being bolted to them; it is therefore
easily put on, being simply slipped on the rails end wise, and retained in place by a
bolt at either end passed through the web of the rail only, and not through the clip
itself, so that the latter is not weakened; the heads of the bolt projecting from the
web of the rail prevent the clip slipping out of place. To remove or replace the
rail it is only necessary to remove one bolt and slip the clip along the rail.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRELIGHTERS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PART OF THE SAME."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William James, of City Road, in the County of Middlesex,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRELIGHTERS,
AND IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PART OF THE SAME."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William James at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th August 1879.
WILLIAM JAMES, of City Road, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE LIGHTERS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING
PART OF THE SAME."
One way of constructing fire lighters according to this Invention is as follows:-
I take two or more pieces of wood, say about four inches square and quarter of an
inch thick for example, in these pieces of wood I make holes. I then fix the said
pieces of wood together by one or more strips of wood nailed or otherwise suitably
fastened between the aforesaid flat pieces so as to leave space between same to form
air passages during combustion. The apparatus I employ to manufacture fire
lighters according to this part of my Invention I construct as follows:-Supposing
each flat piece of wood to have five holes. From a centre I actuate five "bits;" this
may be done by toothed wheels gearing from the centre "bit," and by this means
all the holes are made at one operation. Another way of constructing fire lighters
according to this Invention is as follows:-I take a number of strips of wood and
pass a piece of wire or other suitable material through one end of the said pieces
(by preference); across the other ends of each alternate strip I attach another piece
of wood or other suitable material so as to fix such alternate pieces together, and at
the opposite side I similarly connect the other alternate pieces so that a fire lighter
thus constructed may be pulled open or expanded to any extent at one operation.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CLASPS OR FASTENINGS FOR ALBUMS, SCRAP- BOOKS, AND THE LIKE
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Sidney Posen at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 17th January 1879.
SIDNEY POSEN, of the Firm of Eduard Posen and Company, of Offenbach on the
Main, in the Empire of Germany, and of Basinghall Street, in the City of London,
Manufacturers. * IMPROVEMENTS IN CLASPS OR FASTENINGS FOR ALBUMS, SCRAP-
BOOKS, AND THE LIKE."
In the usual method of placing photographs or other cards in the spaces of the
leaves of albums and other like books the leaves and covers become expanded or
bulged, whereby a strain is put upon the clasp, which tends to tear it from its
position and so prevent it performing its function. Now the object of this Inven-
tion is to construct a clasp or fastening in such manner that it shall yield with the
increase in bulk of the book as it becomes filled, and be thereby prevented from
breaking away or becoming put out of order for the proper closing. It will also
keep one cover square with the other, and add to the appearance of the book when
filled.
Now in accordance with my Invention the clasp or fastening is provided with a
moveable catch-plate which engages with the locking knob, stud, or pin on the
other cover of the book, and springs keep this plate in position. When the book is
fastened the moveable plate slides back wards and allows the book to expand, the
catch-plate yielding but yet being kept in contact with the knob by its springs.
In most cases, in connection with the expansible clasp above described, a double-
faced projection is fixed on the hinge side of the clasp, and against this projection
springs abut and hold the clasp in its open or closed position, but such double-faced
projection and its springs may also be employed on other clasps to which the
expansible arrangement is not applied so as to facilitate the opening of the book to
which it is fitted.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO FITTINGS FOR WINDOW BLINDS, APPLICABLE IN PART TO VENTILATORS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHERE CORDS OR THEIR EQUIVALENT REQUIRE TO BE SIMILARLY SECURED
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry John Hancock at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th April 1879.
HENRY JOHN HANCOCK, of Torquay, in the County of Devon, and 323, High
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO
FITTINGS FOR WINDOW BLINDS, APPLICABLE IN PART TO VENTILATORS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES WHERE CORDS OR THEIR EQUIVALENT REQUIRE TO BE SIMILARLY
SECURED."
45
Much trouble arises from the use of racks and other contrivances for tightening
the double cords at present commonly used for raising, lowering, and securing roller
blinds, and also by the use of hooks for securing the cords of Venetian blinds. Now
my Invention is intended to euable double cords for roller blinds to be dispensed
with altogether, and Venetian blind cords to be effectually secured by one turn
instead of many, as with hooks. In the case of roller blinds, I place on the end of
the roller a blind end," being a sort of pulley made of brass or other suitable
material, and having a deep groove between large flanges. The end of the single
cord which I use is fastened in any convenient manner in this groove, being prefer-
ably passed through a hole in the bottom of the groove, and knotted on the other
side. This may be done before the blind end is fastened on to the roller, and wound
round it in such a manner that when the blind is pulled down the cord is wound up
in the groove, and when the cord is unwound the blind is drawn up. By this means
the whole of the cord, except the piece left down for convenience in reaching it,
may be wound up on the blind end."
The second part of my Invention consists in the method of and apparatus for
securing the cord when the blind is up, or partly so. This consists of a stud or
holdfast, having a flange for fastening it to the window or other framework; a shank
projecting upwards at a suitable angle terminating in a large button or head. The
shank may be either straight or curved, and cylindrical in section, and I prefer to
cover it with some suitable material, such as india rubber. I also prefer to cover
wholly or partially the side of the button nearest to the shank. I am aware that
a holdfast somewhat resembling this has been before constructed, but in this the
shank has been formed with square corners, which cut the corners in a short time,
CD 077

page_text: and so cause much inconvenience. It will be seen that in my Invention this danger
is obviated. To raise the blind, it is only necessary to pull the cord and hitch it
round the shank of the holdfast, one turn being generally sufficient to hold the
heaviest blinds; in fact, within reasonable limits, the heavier the weight suspended
the more securely it holds.
AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR ROLLING RAILWAY AND OTHER WHEELS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Cotton and Charles Henry
Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th October
1879.
GEORGE COTTON, of Ince, in the County of Lancaster, Iron Roller, and CHARLES
HENRY SMITH, of the same Place, Iron Master. "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR
ROLLING RAILWAY AND OTHER WHEELS."
In performing our Invention we make use of two pairs of horizontal rolls, two
rolls revolve in contrary directions in a fixed frame, and two revolve in contrary
directions in a sliding frame; the sliding frame is caused to advance and recede
by hydraulic power, or otherwise, so as to put the requisite pressure on the rolls
when forming the wheel; these rolls are driven by a steam engine or other motor.
We also make use of six or other convenient number of rollers which work in
frames that slide vertically above and below the wheel being rolled, and these
rollers are for forming the tread or periphery of the wheel, and one of these rollers
is directly above the centre of the wheel being rolled, and another below the
centre; these two are driven by the steam engine or other power, and revolve
in bearings fixed at the centre of the vertical sliding frames, at each side of
which is a roller in a movable bearing, which rollers and movable bearings are
brought nearer to each other by taper blocks as the vertical sliding frames are
caused to approach the centre.
By means of this machine wheels of different diameters and thickness may be
rolled. The positions of these rolls and rollers may be reversed, the wheel being
rolled in a vertical or horizontal position, and they may be driven by belting or
gearing.