matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF ORNAMENTAL SURFACES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Hoby James at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th February 1873.
I, JOHN НOBY JAMES, of the Seedley Printing Company, of
Pendleton, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of
my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF ORNAMENTAL
SURFACES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the production of ornamental surfaces on
fabrics in the following manner :-The fabrics to be ornamented are in
the first place either taken in a plain state or dyed or printed in the
usual way, and my Invention then consists in the preparation of a block
with the pattern desired to be produced upon the fabric to be treated; a
mixture of oil and size or other suitable adhesive or glutinous material
is then printed on the fabric by means of this block; the same block or
one of similar pattern is then caused to take up from any convenient
surface gold coloring matter in a dry state; this gold will adhere to the
pattern surfaces of the block; this block is again impressed upon the

page_text: part of the fabric which has already been painted with oil and size or
other suitable adhesive or glutinous material and will leave upon that
surface so printed the gold pattern; the fabric is then left to dry and
afterwards brushed and calendered for the purpose of completing the
fabrics for the market.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRAWING AND PREVENTING WASTE OF WATER FROM PIPES, MAINS, CISTERNS, OR OTHER SOURCES FOR DOMESTIC OR OTHER PURPOSES, ALSO FOR WATEROLOSETS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Carter at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
August 1878.
I, CHARLES CARTER, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Brass
Founder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DRAWING AND PREVENTING WASTE OF WATER FROM
PIPES, MAINS, CISTERNS, OR OTHER SOURCES FOR DOMESTIC OR OTHER PURPOSES,
ALSO FOR WATEROLOSETS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that system of supply in which a cistern,
vessel, or compartment containing no more water than is required to be
delivered or drawn off at one operation is connected to a tank pipe or
other main.
At present the cistern of limited supply is made independent of the
tank or main, and is found in practice to be exposed to the danger of
breakages and explosions when there is extreme cold, on account of its
small capacity, and the object of my Invention is to prevent these incon-
veniences, and at the same time to attain economy.

page_text: The independent cistern has hitherto been placed below or within the
tank or main, but I form it by simply making a partition in the tank or
main at such a distance from an end or side, that the cubical contents of
the smaller division shall be equal to the quantity of water required to
be delivered or drawn off, the two compartments communicating with
each other by means of a pipe at the bottom, and as both compartments
are only parts of one tank or main the expansion and contraction of the
several parts are equal, and no breakages take place.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING GAS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Toms Moody at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th March 1873.
I, EDWARD TOMS MOODY, of Templecombe, in the County of
Somerset, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ILLUMINATING GAS,"
to be as follows:-
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of
illuminating gas. For this purpose air is introduced from a suitable
"holder or "reservoir" into a compartment or series of compartments
filled with some capillary or absorbent substance (using, by preference,
the shavings of wood), the said compartments to be also charged with
petroleum or its lighter products, such as gasolene, or the various grades
of mineral "naphtha;" then by passing the air from the said "holder"
or "reservoir" it becomes charged with the vapour of carbon, and used
as a vehicle to convey the said vapour to the burner or point of con-
sumption.

page_text: To do this a series of compartments are employed filled with the
capillary or absorbent material; each compartment alternately touches
the sides and top or bottom of the containing case. The air enters at
one end of the case, and after passing through it in a zig-zag
direction
comes out at the opposite end in the form of gas of a highly illuminative
power and heating properties. To compensate for variations of tem-
pcrature, or in case the heavier oils of petroleum are used, I use a scries
of these cases or compartments suitably connected by cocks whereby
either one or all of the said cases or compartments may be used at
pleasure, the air having to traverse as many or few as desired by turning
the proper cocks. Each case or compartment is also provided with a
gauge by which the height of the material therein and consequent con-
sumption can be ascertained. A funnel with suitable pipe and cocks is
also used for supplying the material to the various cases or compart-
ments.
IMPROVED MEANS OR PROCESS OF TREATING WOOD. AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Gray at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
April 1873.
I, THOMAS GRAY, of No. 107, Usk Road, New Wandsworth, in
the County of Surrey, Practical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS OR PROCESS OF TREATING WOOD.
AND OTHER VEGETABLE FIBRES FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER," to be as
follows:-
I make a solution of slaked lime or hydrate of lime and cold water in
the proportion of about a quarter of a pound in weight of the lime to one
gallon of water, and I put the wood which has been previously gouged
across its grain by an ordinary gouging machine, or the stems of diss,
esparto, palm leaves, jute, wheat, oats, barley, or other fibrous vegetable.
substance, to be treated in a ripe or unripe state, into such solution, and
allow it to steep or soak therein from about twenty to forty-eight hours
according to the hardness or toughness of the material to be treated.
Or I soak or steep the material for about the same period in a solution
of the ordinary bleaching liquor (which is principally. composed of
chloride of lime and water) and cold water in the proportion of about a
gill measure of the bleaching liquor to a gallon of water. Or instead of

page_text: using either the lime solution or the bleaching liquor solution separately,
I soak or steep the material for about the same period in a liquor
composed partly of the lime solution and partly of the bleaching liquor
solution in equal or other proportions, as may be thought desirable,
according to the quantity of the fibrous material to be treated. The 5
material thus treated is then boiled from about five to eight hours in a
solution consisting of a liquor composed of the lime solution and caustic
alkali added thereto, in the proportion of about two ounces in weight of
the caustic alkali to a gallon of the lime solution, and after the fibrous
material has been so treated it is cleansed in cold water which may be 1
conveniently done in an ordinary rag washing machine, and it is then
in a fit condition to be bleached in the ordinary way.
If the gouged wood should not appear to. have been sufficiently
separated after the boiling process it will be desirable to subject it to
the operation of a machine which is known in the trade as an American 1
beater, and which is in use to facilitate the reduction of boiled fibres
into a pulp.
If wood be used I prefer deal, pine, or spruce, but other kinds of
wood may be used.
When diss or palm leaves are treated it will be desirable to soak or 2
steep them in cold water from about twenty to forty hours before they
are put into the lime solution in order to remove or reduce the coloring
matter therein.
✓ I have for convenience specified the ingredients above mentioned by
the names by which they are generally known, but I claim the right to
use their chemical equivalents and to vary their proportions and the
period for steeping or boiling the fibrous substances.
A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PLATING, COATING, OR COVERING IRON DIRECT WITH SILVER OR GOLD
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Stanislas Louis Delalot at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th October 1873.
I, STANISLAS LOUIS DELALOT, of Paris, in the French Republic, but
at present of 5, Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A
NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PLATING, COATING, OR COVERING IRON DIRECT WITH
SILVER OR GOLD," to be as follows :-
The object of this Invention is to enable iron to be plated or coated
with silver or gold directly and without the aid of copper as now
practised by electro-platers.
In order to accomplish the above object it is necessary to manufacture
the iron according to the following formula:-To every 1000 pounds.
weight of iron rendered liquid by heat I add 12 pounds of nickel and
half a pound of manganese. The iron thus prepared may then be
plated or coated with silver direct by a silvering mixture composed as
follows:-To every 100 pints or pounds weight of water I add 2 ounces
of azotate or chloride of silver (very neutral), 2 pounds of bi-carbonate of

page_text: soda, 6 ounces of cyanide of potassium or sodium, and 10 drops of
cyanhydric acid.
To coat iron prepared as above with gold direct I employ a mixture
composed as follows:-To every 100 pints or pounds of water I add ½ of
an ounce of chloride of gold (neutral), 4 pounds and half of bi-carbonate
of soda, 1½ pound of pyrophosphate of soda, 1 ounce of cyanide of
sodium, and 2 drops of cyanhydric acid.
To silver or gild the iron with the foregoing mixtures the iron must
first be rubbed with the hand and then immersed in a liquid composed
as follows:-To every 100 pints or pounds of water I add 1 pound of
slaked lime. The iron after immersion is immediately placed in a bath
without being first dried and subjected to the ordinary electro-metallo
plastic process; and in this manner and by these means I am enabled to
coat iron direct with silver or gold.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PREPARING ASPHALTE FOR Pavine
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederic Barnett at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st July
1873.
I, FREDERIC BARNETT, of 70, Cornhill, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PREPARING
ASPHALTE FOR Pavine,” to be as follows :—
The object I attain by this Invention is the facility of paving with
asphalte, and the security of transporting the same to distances.
The application of textile fabrics to asphalte slabs during their
preparation,-
Firstly. Insures their safe transport.
Secondly. Materially assists in retaining their primitive form.
Thirdly. It facilitates their junction as a pavement.
I make the slabs in iron moulds or in any other suitable material.
These slabs may be square, oblong, hexagon, triangular, or of any other
shape that will permit the junctions to be made, so that their surfaces
present no gaps.

page_text: .
The textile fabrics I use by preference, are canvas, coarse linens, or
any other similar material that will answer the same purpose, but
metallic wove wire, paper, or any other suitable substance may be
employed. These substances are strained on benches or tables first
prepared with solutions of whiting, chalk, or lime, or any other
substance that will prevent them from sticking to the body on which
they are strained. The moulds are then placed on them, and the melted
asphalte poured into them, after a few minutes their surfaces are
rubbed, that is to say, the surfaces of the slabs which may be finished in
various colours. The asphalte in its condition of fusion will adhere to
the canvas or other basis I have quoted above.
The slabs when cooled can be packed with safety, and persons desirous
of doing their own asphalte work will only require an even floor on
which to adjust the slabs side by side, and then when in their places
they can be cemented together by the following simple process:-In an
iron, earthenware, copper, or brass saucepan must be melted a cement,
which I prepare composed of equal portions of brai and asphalte, and
when in a perfectly liquid state I imploy a brush with which all the
edges are freely anointed.
When cooled all the slabs will unite, forming one unbroken surface.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GRINDING AND MIXING PRINTERS INK AND COLORS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Reed Kingdon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th November 1873.
I, THOMAS REED KINGDON, of 3, Wood Street, Exmouth Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Color Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR GRINDING AND MIXING
PRINTERS INK AND COLORS," to be as follows:―
This Invention consists in grinding printers' ink and colors with two
horizontally turned rollers of iron or other suitable material, by steam or
hand power, the mechanical working of the rollers being in opposite
directions, the one being directly over the other, and the top one being
smaller, so little breadth of surface of contact is consequently presented
between them that they require but little power to work them, whereas
by the ordinary method the rollers are side by side and of the same size
with consequently a great breadth of contact.
As one roller is smaller than the other the smaller one presents as it
were an edge to the under and larger roller: under this edge the color

page_text: passes quickly, and the contact of the rollers can be so adjusted by
suitable screws as very accurately to grind the color.
The rapid passage of the ink or color under the edge or surface of the
top roller prevents much of that darkening of fine color that results
where rollers of the same size are used.
This machine can be cleaned so as to substitute one color for another
in a few minutes with very little trouble by means of turps and rags.
From an ounce to a pound can be ground with this machine without
the great waste resulting from the three roller machine, for in leaving the
machine and its bed much of the color becomes lost from impossibility
to get it out.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FRAMES AND SASHES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Quick at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th April
1873.
I, JOHN QUICK, of 96, Market Jew Street, Penzance, in the County
of Cornwall, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FRAMES AND SASHES," to be as follows:-
"
The object of this Invention is to enable window sashes which slide
up and down in the ordinary manner to be cleaned from the inside of
the room, or if one of the panes of glass be broken to allow of its being
replaced without the necessity of getting outside the window. For this
purpose in place of arranging both of the side edges of the sash to slide
up and down between the ordinary beadings which are fixed upon the
frame, I hinge one of the side edges to a narrow slide which is received
between such beadings and which has the ordinary weighted cord
attached to it, the front and back edges of the slide are made with
semicircular grooves down them, and the edges of the front and back
bead are formed to enter these grooves. The opposite side of the sash
is received between the beadings in the ordinary manner, and these
beadings in place of being each in one piece and fixed as heretofore are

page_text: divided near the centre and the lower half of each made capable of
being turned inwards on hinges.
When it is desired to clean the outside of the sashes a catch by. which
the lower half of the front beading was previously retained is withdrawn,
and this half of the beading is turned inwards to be flush with the frame;
the lower sash is also slightly raised until its bottom edge is clear of the
fixed bottom beading, and the sash can then be turned inwards upon
the hinges before mentioned; and when the weighted cord has been
detached from the side of the sash which is being thus turned inwards
the sash may be completely turned back into the room. In the 'same
way when it is desired to clean the outside of the upper sash this sash
is drawn down and the lower one is raised until its bottom edge is
brought above the top of the upper or outer sash, the window frame
being made so that this latter sash may be raised somewhat higher than
usual; the lower portion of the central beading is then turned inwards
on hinges, leaving the outer sash free to be turned inwards in the
same manner as described with reference to the lower sash.
If it is desired that both of the sashes should be turned inwards into
the room at the same time, so that furniture or such like may be passed
into or out of the room through the window, the lower sash is first
turned inwards as above described and the slide to which it is hinged is
run upwards in order that the outer sash may in like manner be turned
inwards and come below it; the opening in the window will thus be
left perfectly clear.
Certain Im- PROVEMENTS IN CURTAIN POLES FOR WINDOWS, BEDSTEADS, CARRIAGE WINDOWS, AND OTHER UPHOLSTERING PURPOSES WHERE SIMULTANEOUS ACTION, EITHER IN DRAWING APART OR DRAWING TOGETHER THE CURTAINS OR DRAPERY IS DESIRABLE, AND WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO SINGLE CURTAINS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Joseph Bedington and
Thomas Greaves at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 27th November 1873.
We, ROBERT JOSEPH BEDINGTON, Brass Founder, and THOMAS
GREAVES, Jeweller, both of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for "Certain Im-
PROVEMENTS IN CURTAIN POLES FOR WINDOWS, BEDSTEADS, CARRIAGE WINDOWS,
AND OTHER UPHOLSTERING PURPOSES WHERE SIMULTANEOUS ACTION, EITHER IN
DRAWING APART OR DRAWING TOGETHER THE CURTAINS OR DRAPERY IS DESIRABLE,
AND WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO SINGLE CURTAINS," to
be as follows (that is to say) :-
Our improvements consist in using a hollow outer tubular case
with an open joint and secured ends with a concentric orifice in each
end, or its equivalent, the use of which will hereafter explain. Into
this case we fit a roller similar to the ordinary blind roller, having
a pulley at one or both ends fitted with an axis to work in the
above-mentioned concentric orifice. On the surface of the roller we
form a spiral groove from end to end in the same direction if it is
intended to operate for a single curtain; but if for two curtains we

page_text: reverse the spiral grooves from the centre towards the ends, and such
a wormed roller we place within the case before mentioned with hooks
so fashioned as to slide along in the open joint on the under side
of the outer case, while internally the said hooks are fitted with
projections which take in or engage with the spiral groove of the
roller. The apparatus thus constructed may be fixed at the top of
windows of rooms or carriages, or fitted to the cornice of bedsteads
to take the drapery, and adapted for various other useful purposes,
and by means of a continuous cord being placed over the pulley of
the roller, either at one or both ends; the said cord will have the
effect of drawing or withdrawing the curtains attached to the said
hooks when one curtain is used, or of drawing together or apart simu-
Itaneously by the reversion of the spiral groove from the centre the
two curtains when two are used: From this description it will be
seen that when two separate sets of curtains are in use a separate
apparatus or enclosed roller must also be used, and when pulleys are
fitted on each end of the roller it may be so arranged that by pulling
the cord at one side it shall close the curtains, and by pulling the cord
on the other side it shall open the curtains, thereby saving the necessity
of an endless cord.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE, AND IN BREECH-LOADING SMALL-ARMS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas William Miller at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th February 1878.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM MILLER, of Blackheath, in the County of Kent,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN ORDNANCE, AND IN BREECH-LOADING SMALL-ARMS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object the increasing the projectile force of
ordnance and breech-loading small-arms, and consists in making the
powder chamber or breech end of the gun or small-arm of larger
diameter than the bore of the said gun or small-arm, such chamber
being by preference in the form of a hollow truncated cone having
either a flat or a more or less concave base, the narrowest part of the
said chamber corresponding in diameter to the bore of the gun or small-
arm..
IMPROVEMENTS IN HEATING BAKERS' OVENS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Kininmonth at the Offico
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th
January 1873.
I, JOHN KININMONTH, of Kirkcaldy, in the County of Fife, North
Britain, Baker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HEATING BAKERS' OVENS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREFOR," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention which relates to improvements in heating bakers' ovens
has for its object to produce a more equable temperature in such ovens
than hitherto obtained, at the same time rendering their temperature
capable of being regulated with facility.
In carrying the Invention into effect a fan is employed which is driven
from a revolving shaft, and the blast thereby produced is conducted
below the grate wherein the fire used for heating the oven is placed.
The ash pit below the fire may or may not be closed; the admission of
air to the grate is regulated by the fan, and thus as the quantity of air

page_text: admitted for any length of time may be made constant, the intensity or
rate of combustion of the fuel is also made constant, the heat produced
being uniform for any length of time.
By means of this Invention also the oven is raised to the required heat
in a much less time than hitherto.
MAKING PORTABLE FIRES, USEFUL IN ARMY CAMPS, ALSO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC OFFICES, AND GENERAL DOMESTIC PURPOSES, CAN BE CARRIED IN THE OPEN AIR FOR LIGHT, WARMTH ON THE ROAD IN FOGGY WEATHER
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Matthew Trattles at the Office
of the Commissioners of Petents, with his Petition, on the 23rd
June 1873.
I, MATTHEW TRATTLES, Gordon Cottage, Gordon Road, Hornsey,
Middlesex, Builder, I do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "MAKING PORTABLE FIRES, USEFUL IN ARMY CAMPS, ALSO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC
OFFICES, AND GENERAL DOMESTIC PURPOSES, CAN BE CARRIED IN THE OPEN AIR FOR
LIGHT, WARMTH ON THE ROAD IN FOGGY WEATHER," to be as follows:-
A paper box in a obtuce taper or circle form with a ciclet hole in the
bottom inclosed within six or more strips of wood of various sizes
plaised on a spiral wire, and bound round the strips of the wood in saw
notches with wire, then dipped in rosin, pitch, or tar, three or four
shaving of wood dipped in flammable liguoid, then plaised in the
bottom of the box fitted round with coal or coak, a paper lid. cealed up
with a circlet hole in the lid of the box, also secure the same by separate
the Invention for kindling or lighting ordinary fires made as above.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER METERS, OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis George Fleury at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st March 1878.
I, FRANCIS GEORGE FLEURY, of No. 24, Merrick Squaro, Southwark,
in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER METERS, OR APPARATUS FOR
MEASURING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS," to be as follows :—
This Invention has reference to that class of moters in which the
spindle is caused by the action of the liquid against suitable surfaces
to rotate and actuate suitable counting and recording mechanism, so
as to indicate inferentially the quantity of liquid passed through the
apparatus.
My Invention relates in the first place to the construction of meters
of the above-named class in such manner as to produce what I call
an induced vortex motion of the liquid, and thereby to ensure a more
reliable action on the surfaces for actuating the spindle and recording
mechanism.
To this end I employ within the body of the meter a circular chamber

page_text: the lower part or inlet portion of the body, and formed with circular
tangential outlet openings in the upper part of its lateral portion or
circumference through which the liquid makes its exit. The circular
chamber is provided with a footstep for the lower end of the spindle
which passes up through a suitable guide into the dial box, its upper 5
portion being provided with a worm for actuating the recording
mechanism in the usual way.
Within the circular chamber are arranged four or any other suitable
number of cup shaped discs carried by radial arms attached to the
spindle. The bottom of the counting mechanism case is fluted and 1
forms the cover of the circular chamber.
Another part of my Invention consists in making the circular chamber
with a single central opening in its lower part or bottom fitted with
a vertical tube or casing, having an enlarged closed circular top, formed
with tangential openings in its circumference, opposite to which are 1
arranged the vanes or surfaces against which the body of liquid in the
upper part of the circular chamber is caused to operate, for actuating
the recording mechanism. In this arrangement I prefer to leave room
for the exit of the liquid between the rim of the circular chamber and
2
the under part of the counting mechanism case.
In some cases I arrange my improved apparatus so that the liquid
may flow through in the reverse direction to that above indicated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TABLES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William James Dunderdale and
Thomas Millner Holt at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 13th February 1873.
We, WILLIAM JAMES DUNDERDALE, Surveyor, and THOMAS MILLNER
HOLT, Woollen Merchant, both of Huddersfield, in the County of York,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TABLES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to round, oval, hexagonal, or other non-
rectangular tables, such as those used in hotels, restaurants, smoke
rooms, and other places, and has for its object the capability of adding
two or more tables together, in order to obtain any required rectangular
surface to be used as a dining table or other required purpose. For
this object each table top has hinged to it a number of flaps or pieces,
each having its inner edge of the same curve or shape as the exterior
edge of the original table top, and its other edges are rectangular.

page_text: When the table top is in its original condition the flaps are folded
underneath the table and there held by bolts, but if the table top is
required to be square or rectangular the flaps are raised level with the
surface and bolted, and when two or more tables are made rectangular
they can be joined or added together to make one or more large tables.
Iм- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WORKING SIGNALS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Augustus Haghe at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
November 1873..
I, Augustus HAGHE, Civil Engineer, of Weymouth, in the County of
Dorset, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for “ Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WORKING SIGNALS," to be as follows :-
-
This Invention has reference more particularly to the working of
signals upon railways or in other situations where a long length of wire
or other rope is used as a medium for raising or lowering the arms of a
semaphore, changing the position of or actuating other signals, and
consists in dividing the rope at some convenient part intermediate to its
two ends, and inserting a length of chain which is arranged to pass over
two grooved wheels or pulleys fixed to the edges of an iron or wooden
box or well. That part of the chain situated between the two pulleys,
aforesaid, is sufficiently slack to dip down in the well and form part of a
loop. This loop or depressed part of the chain is made to pass under a
sheave or pulley working in a fork, which is provided with a rod or
pendant, whereon moveable weights are hung, the said rod, bar, on

page_text: pendant being furnished with a stop and kept in proper position by a
fixed guide through which it slides.
In lieu of the foregoing arrangement the lower sheave or pulley
may be attached to a lever pivotted at one end and provided with a
suitable weight or weights at or near the other extremity.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-In raising the signal to
danger or otherwise the pull on the wire rope first extends the signal
arm until it reaches the stop fixed to prevent its further rising, when
any extra pull raises the wheel and weights off the guide bar and
support, thus keeping a suitable strain on the wire rope. In this 1
position any expansion or contraction of the rope will be compensated
for by the lowering or rising of the pulley from which the weights
depend. When the signal is to be lowered the pulley just alluded
to is first lowered on to the guide bar and then the further, slacking of
the wire rope will lower the signal.
By placing the box or well at the foot of the signal post and making
the chain which passes under the lower pulley act directly upon the
signal arm one of the pulleys before referred to may be dispensed with
and the apparatus simplified.
In addition to the foregoing the principle may be applied by means of
similar apparatus to that described to the rope or cord used for com-
munication between the guard and engine driver or in other like
position.
]
IMPROVEMENTS IN HINGES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Haseltine at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th
December 1873.-A communication from abroad by Frederick
Warren Nichols, of Lynn, Massachusetts,. United States of America.
I, GEORGE HASELTINE, of the "International Patent Office," South-
ampton Buildings, London, Doctor of Laws, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HINGES," a communication,
to be as follows:-
The present Invention is designed to improve and cheapen the con-
struction of self-locking hinges, and consists in providing one leaf or
portion of the hinge with a central pin cast in the same piece and
surrounded by a spiral spring held in place by a screw with or without a
washer in combination with the other leaf or portion of the hinge, which
has a sleeve cast in one piece with it for enclosing and protecting the
said spring, the two leaves of the hinge being provided with notches and
projections fitting each other, whereby they may be held in any desired
position.

page_text: from the entrance of dust and other foreign matter, and from the
weather when the hinge is used for blinds and shutters.
Within the said sleeve at a distance from the bottom slightly greater
than the length of the said projections is formed an annular shoulder
with which the washer or the enlarged head of the screw comes in t
contact when the spring is compressed by forcing one leaf of the hinge
laterally away from the other, by this construction the compression of
the spring beyond the distance sufficient to unlock the hinge, and the
consequent liability to injure and break the spring will be avoided.
By enclosing the spring within a sleeve or casing the parts are
securely protected from injury, and by casting the central pin in one and
the same piece with one leaf of the hinge, and the sleeve in one and the
same piece with the other leaf I am enabled to greatly simplify and
cheapen the construction of these hinges.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STIFFENING FELT HATS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Bird, James Wortli,
James Fogg, and John Oldham at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 2nd September 1873.
We, JOSEPHI BIRD, James WORTH, JAMES FOGG, and JOHN OLDHAM,
all of Hyde, in the County of Chester, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STIFFENING FELT HATS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists principally in the use for such purpose of a
mixture composed of pitch, resin, soda, gum thus, gum damar, and gum
benzoin melted together and diluted with a sufficient quantitŷ of hot
water to bring it to the requisite strength.
We first take about eighteen pounds of pitch and melt it in a vessel
heated by means of a steam jacket or a coiled steam pipe, and when
melted add thereto about twenty-five pounds of resin, eight pounds of
Scotch soda, eight pounds of gum thus, one pound of gum damar, and
two ounces of gum benzoin, stirring them in and mixing them well
together. When the whole mass is well dissolved and thoroughly mixed
add thereto a sufficient quantity of hot water to bring it to the consis-.
tency required; according to the class of work to be done.

page_text: The mixture is applied hot and may be used from the same vessel in
which it is melted, but if it is not intended to be used at once we pour
it into moulds before the addition of the hot water, and when cool store it
for use or sale. All that is then necessary when it is required for uso
is to melt it in the steam heated vessel and add a sufficient quantity of
hot water to bring it to the consistency required.
After stiffening the hat bodies by means of this mixture instead of
stoving them at the usual high temperaturo wo merely dry them at a
moderate heat (say from 120° to 150° Fahrenheit). After drying wo
steam them for about half an hour, and they are then ready for dyeing.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING THE FEED WATER OF STEAM ENGINE BOILERS, AND IMPROVING THE VACUUM IN CONDENSERS OF SUCH ENGINES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Render at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
November 1873.
I, FREDERICK RENDER, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Corn Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING THE FEED WATER OF STEAM ENGINE
BOILERS, AND IMPROVING THE VACUUM IN CONDENSERS OF SUCH ENGINES," to be
as follows:-
My Invention consists in a method of heating the feed water of steam
engine boilers by the aid of the exhaust steam of the engine, a better
vacuum at the same time being obtained. For this purpose I employ a
coiled pipe or other coiled passage situate within the pipe, which leads
to the condenser or to any other place to which it is desired to conduct
the exhaust steam. One end of this coil is connected to the force pump
or other source of water supply, and the other to the boiler, and the
feed water by passing through it becomes heated by the surrounding
steam, which being consequently cooled the vacuum is assisted.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREPARATION OF POWDERS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE PARASITES, APPLICABLE ALSO AS DIS- INFECTANTS AND DEODORISERS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Roberts at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th
March 1873.
I, CHARLES ROBERTS, F.R.C.S., of No. 2, Bolton Row, Mayfair,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PREPARATION OF POWDERS FOR THE
DESTRUCTION OF ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE PARASITES, APPLICABLE ALSO AS DIS-
INFECTANTS AND DEODORISERS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the preparation of
powders for the destruction of animal and vegetable parasites applicable
also as disinfectants and deodorisers.
Sulphurous acid (SO, sulphur dioxide or sulphurous oxide) is
exceedingly destructive to the lower forms of animal and vegetable life,
and is a powerful disinfectant and deodoriser, and I propose to take
advantage of these properties to destroy animal and vegetable parasites
infecting animals, trees, and vegetables, and to disinfect and deodorise
various substances by impregnating with it various substances in powder
in order to secure its more equal, convenient, and effectual application.

page_text: The powered substances which I propose to employ are sublimed
sulphur, precipitated sulphur, powdered crude sulphur, powdered sulphur
vivum, charcoal, soot, gypsum, silica (sand) or any other powdered
substance with which sulphurous acid does not combine chemically when
impregnated.
The sulphurous acid is to be generated in any of the usual ways in a
closed chamber and the powders are to be placed in thin layers on
wooden trays and exposed to the acid in a manner similar to that
employed for the manufacture of bleaching powder from chorine and
lime. Or the powdered substance is to be submitted to the influence:
of sulphurous acid in revolving wooden cylinders similar to those
employed for the manufacture of bleaching powder. Or in the case of
sublimed sulphur sulphurous acid is to be conveyed into the condensing
chamber during the subliming process in order to be condensed with the
sulphur.
AN INSTRUMENT OR APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE DIRECTION OF OCEAN AND OTHER CURRENTS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Barclay Leslic at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th June 1873.
I, JOHN BARCLAY LESLIE, of 27, Great George Street, Westminster,
in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "AN INSTRUMENT OR APPARATUS FOR INDICATING
THE DIRECTION OF OCEAN AND OTHER CURRENTS," to be as follows :—
My Invention has for its object the indication of the direction or set
of a current, and consists of an instrument or apparatus composed of a
vertical brass rod carrying an indicator and compass, with the means of
locking or fixing them as herein-after described, which instrument or
apparatus is intended to be lowered from a ship to the depth required,
and the indicator and compass fixed so as to indicate the set of the
current at such depth. On the said rod is mounted a moveable indicator,
which is capable of turning freely on the rod in any direction, as
impelled by a current, and at the bottom of the rod is fixed a compass
heavily weighted. Inside of the said vertical rod is an inner rod con-
nected with the said compass, which inner rod works with a spring in

page_text: such a manner that when the spring is relieved from pressure the
compass is free. At the top of the rod is a moveable weight which
is suspended by means of a cord or line, but is capable of sliding
down the rod when liberated. This weight is provided at the bottom
with a toothed clutch, which when the weight is dropped takes into a
corresponding toothed clutch at the top of the indicator.
By liberating the weight after the instrument or apparatus has been
lowered to the required depth the indicator and the compass are
simultaneously locked by means of the said toothed clutches or other
suitable locking arrangement, when the instrument can be drawn up 1
from the water and the set of the current is shewn by the position of the
indicator and the compass.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL DESKS AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Adolf Sonnenschein at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd August 1878.
I, ADOLF SONNENSCHEIN, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex,
Teacher, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL DESKS AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be
as follows:-
The improvements which consitute the present Invention consist,-
Firstly. In the provision or addition to a school desk of means which
will allow of the lid thereof being set and held in either one of two slopes
or inclinations, which will make it more convenient in the one position
for reading, and in the other for writing. I accomplish this by hinging
a movable ledge just within the front upright of the desk, which on the
desk being opened can be raised and folded over the upright, and under
the lid to raise it.
Secondly. The improvements consist in the addition and application
of a movable or fixed cloak or coat rail, and of a hat or cap peg under-
neath each desk, placed in a suitable or convenient position, which

page_text: besides guarding against exchange of garments, will save the cost of a
cloak room and the attendant's wages, and will secure better discipline
on the scholars leaving school.
Thirdly. The improvements consist in the addition and use of parallel
slides, ledges, or guides, under each desk for holding the student's slate
in a very convenient position.
Fourthly. Separate seat boards are provided for raising the seats when
required.
And Fifthly. A movable or adjustable foot rail is provided for the feet,
both of the latter improvements being designed more especially to
accommodate the stature of the scholar or pupil.
.
It is preferred that desks with the above described improvements
applied thereto, should be made in pairs, but these improvements can be
applied to single desks or to any number in a row, and locks or other
fastenings may be fitted to these desks when required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN JOINTS FOR JOINING METALLIC PIPES AND TUBES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas George Woodley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th April 1878.
I, THOMAS GEORGE WOODLEY, of West Bromwich, in the County of
Stafford, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN JOINTS FOR JOINING METALLIC PIPES AND TUBES,"
to be as follows:-
supersede the ordinary joint
tubes, particularly such as are
My Invention has for its object to
employed for joining metallic pipes and
made of wrought iron. The said ordinary joint consists of two flanges
attached respectively to the ends of the pipes or tubes to be joined, the
said flanges being fixed on the ends of the pipes or tubes by screwing.
Where pipes so joined are exposed to the vibration produced by the
working of machinery such for example as steam hammers, the threads
of the screws by which the flanges are attached to the pipes rapidly strip
and the joint requires frequent renewal.
In constructing joints according to my Invention I dispense with the
use of the said screws, and I make the end of the pipe to which the

page_text: flange is to be attached slightly conical by expanding it by the use of a
conical tool. The flange which is made conical to fit the end of the pipe
is passed from the other end of the pipe to the conical or expanded end.
Between the two flanges thus fixed on the ends of the pipes to be joined
I insert a tubular packing piece. This tubular packing piece is t
cylindrical in its interior. In the middle of the said packing piece and
on its exterior is a ring, and the packing piece tapers from the said ring
on either side towards the ends of the said packing piece. When the
tubular packing piece is inserted between the flanges, and the said
flanges are fixed together by screw bolts and nuts, the conical parts of 1
the packing piece fit and support the conical or expanded ends of the
pipes, while the central ring of the packing piece forms a washer
between the two flanges by which washer the junction of the pipes is
made tight. The ring of the packing piece or the whole of it may be
made of copper or other metal or alloy softer than iron, so that when the 1
flanges are drawn together they embed themselves tightly against the
said ring of the packing piece and form a permanently tight junction.
Joints made according to my Invention last much longer than joints
of the ordinary kind and are easily replaced in case of injury.
My Invention is applicable to the joining of all kinds of pipes and ?
tubes made of metals and metallic alloys.
AN IMPROVED CASTER FOR FURNITURE, ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER Purposes
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Showell Morris and
George Skinner at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 1st February 1873.
WC, THOMAS SUEWELL MORRIS, and GEORGE SKINNER, both of the
Royal Exchange, in the City of London, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED CASTER FOR FURNITURE, ALSO
APPLICABLE TO OTHER Purposes," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention consists in the construction of an improved caster for
furniture, also applicable to other purposes such as hand trucks used
at railway stations, in which the improved casters would replace the
ordinary rollers or wheels now employed.
Our improved caster is constructed as follows:-The frame of the
caster is formed of the ordinary socket or flat plate (according to the
purpose for which it is intended), but in both cases the lower part
thereof is cast or formed with a hollow cylindrical projection or short
tube. Instead of the ordinary roller we employ a splicre or ball which
bears against the end of the said cylindrical projection or short tube
which is bevilled or curved to correspond with the curve of the sphero
or ball. The ball is kept in its place in the caster frame by two, three,

page_text: or more suitably curved lugs or claws cast on the said cylindrical
projection of the frame of the caster; these lugs extend a short distance
below the centre of the ball so as to prevent the ball dropping out,
but do not touch the ball when the caster has a weight upon it.
The ball may either be cast in its place in the caster or be formed
separately and adjusted thereto, in which latter caso the lugs or
claws would have to be afterwards curved inwards to hold the ball in
position. By this improved construction of caster the usual pivotting
part of the frame carrying the ordinary roller is dispensed with, and the
weight is direct on the caster.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Clark at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th
August 1873.-A communication from abroad by Alexandre
Hédiard, of Paris, France.
I, WILLIAM OLARK, of 58, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS AND IN APPARATUS
FOR THE SAME," to be as follows :—
This Invention relates to improvements in the propulsion of vessels
and apparatus for the same, for which Letters Patent were granted to
Alexander Melville Clark, dated February 10th 1872, Number 436.
In the former Specification the steam is described as being projected
through a conical nozzle, while according to the present improvements
the steam is discharged directly into a tube (which may or may not be
inclined) either by means of intermediate pipes arranged in series or
separately, which simply conduct the steam into the said tube, or the
steam may be caused to carry the water with it through a tube or tubes
for producing a column of water.

page_text: The tubes through which the steam is projected may be of conical or
other form.
The steam may be divided into several jets so as to act on a large
surface for impelling the water, for which purpose the intermediate
pipes are arranged in series so as to economize the steam.