matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN CASTORS FOR FURNITURE AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Tierney, Henry John Tierney,
and Thomas Henry Howard at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 2nd January 1877.
JAMES TIERNEY, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Tobacconist, and
HENRY JOHN TIERNEY, of Aston, near Birmingham, aforesaid, Tool Maker, and
THOMAS HENRY HOWARD, of Birmingham, aforesaid, Tool Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CASTORS FOR FURNITURE AND OTHER ARTICLES."
Our Invention relates to those kinds of castors for furniture and other articles
called "ball castors," and consists of the improvements herein-after described in
the said ball castors..
By our improvements great freedom of motion of the ball or sphere in its cup
is secured, and the locking or binding of the ball or sphere is prevented; and the
cup in which the ball works is so constructed that the said ball is readily secured
in the said cup.
.
In constructing ball castors according to our Invention we make the cup in
which the ball or sphere works in two halves or parts, the upper half cup being
deeper than the lower half cup. We connect the half cups or parts together by
flanges, that is to say, on the bottom edge of the upper half cup we make a flange,
and on the upper edge of the lower half cup we make a similar flange. After the
ball or sphere has been placed in the upper half cup the flange of the lower half
cup is placed against that of the upper half cup, and the two flanges are connected
together by screw pins. The lower half cup has an opening in its bottom, through
which opening a portion of the ball or sphere protrudes. The diameter of the cup
in which the ball works is greater than that of the ball itself, so that the latter,
besides being capable of freely rotating in the cup, is also capable of rising and
falling in the said cup. Between the summit of the upper half cup and the bottom
of the socket or plate by which the castor is connected to the article of furniture
or other article is a tubular junction piece, in which a rod slides, the said rod being
pressed downwards by a coiled or other spring. The bottom of the said rod is
concave and bears upon the summit of the ball or sphere in the cup, and constitutes
a central elastic or yielding bearing for the ball or sphere, the said rod permitting
when necessary the ball or sphere to rise in the cup. When pressure is put on the
Dssics 1

page_text: ball or sphere of the castor, as in the act of moving the article of furniture or other
article, the ball is lifted in the cup, the central bearing or rod rising in its tube and
compressing the spring.
The rising of the ball in the cup removes the lower half of the said ball from
contact with the opening in the lower part of the cup, while the summit of the
ball seats itself against the concave bottom of the yielding bearing, the said yielding
bearing receiving the whole of the thrust of the said ball. The surface against
which the ball bears being thus reduced to a minimum, the said ball has great
freedom of motion in its cup, and the locking or binding of the ball, which is
common to ball castors of the ordinary kind, is avoided.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING STONE AND GRANITE
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Wheeler at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd August 1877.
JOSEPH WHEELER, of No. 42, Bankside, in the Borough of Southwark, Stone
Merchant. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SAWING STONE AND GRANITE."
By my Invention I employ one or more adjustible circular saws arranged to
rotate upon a single shaft, which shaft I by preference place above the material to
be cut.
The shaft is supported in a suitable frame, and constructed so that it may be
raised and lowered.
The table or platform upon which the material rests is constructed so as to permit
of being moved longitudinally and laterally beneath the saw shaft.
Beneath the framework of the shaft and carrying bed or table, I provide a rack,
and in a main bed frame I supply a shaft and pinion; upon the pinion shaft I place
a worm gear, and drive the same by a worm, and that in turn by a cog and con-
tinuous racket, and that by a variable lever or other similar device to give a variable
movement to the carrying bed.
I also place on the pinion shaft a pulley and clutch, so that by moving the clutch
I can disengage the worm gear and engage the pulley, and thus give backward
movement to the carrying table.
"
Instead of teeth cut in the saw disc I employ detachable holders, so formed
that they clasp the disc to which they are secured and hold in position "carbon'
or tort diamond points set thereto, which points form the cutters for sawing the
material.
The material to be cut having been placed in position upon the carrying frame,
the circular discs holding the cutters are set in motion by power connected by belting
or otherwise, and the mechanism for giving the movements to the carrying frame
are also connected to the power and set in motion at the requisite speed. The
material is thus moved beneath the cutters at right angles to the axes of rotation of
the discs, and in direction of their rotation.

page_text: The cutters may also be applied to the ordinary stone saw, and to vertical or
horizontal reciprocating saws for cutting stone or granite, and when so used in order
to secure a uniform kerf, and to provide against inequalities in the cutters when
used or applied to ordinary saw frames, I increase the length of the stroke, so as to
cause each cutter to travel over about two-thirds or more of the material.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR TRACING ELLIPSES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Mario Victor Coustant at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th June 1877.
MARIE VICTOR COUSTANT, of Boulevard de Strasbourg, 59, Paris, Geometer.
"AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR TRACING ELLIPSES."
My Invention relates to an improved ellipsograph or apparatus for drawing
ellipses. It is founded on the well-known principle that when a line of constant
length is moved so that its extremities always are on two rectangular axes, any
point in this line, or in its extension, will describe an ellipse, having for its semi-
axes the distance of the tracing point from the two extremities of the moving line.
The object of my Invention is to apply this principle in a convenient form of
instrument having a pen, pencil, or other tracer which draws the curve at once on
paper or other surface. I provide a flat frame which can be laid upon the surface,
and which has fitted in it two rules, sliding at right angles to one another, these
rules being made with rack teeth, gearing with a toothed wheel mounted in the
frame. From each of the rules projects upwards a standard with a vertical joint,
surmounted by a clip, through which passes a bar having also rack teeth gearing
with a pinion mounted in one of the said clips. The bar has a socket for the
reception of a pen, pencil, or tracer, and it is held in any desired position in the
clips by means of set screws pinching it therein. Each of the standards that project
upwards from the sliding rules is of cranked form, and is jointed to the rule so as to
be capable of turning on a vertical axis. One of them has its joint in a piece that
can be slid along the rule by means of a screw.
In employing this instrument it is laid down in such a position that the edge of
the one rule and the end of the other coincide with one axis of the ellipse to be
drawn, the centre of the latter rule coinciding with the centre of the ellipse. In
this condition the tracing bar is parallel to the former rule, which is graduated
along its edge. The tracing bar is now moved by turning the pinion in the one
clip until the tracing point is at distance from the centre, corresponding to the one
semi-axis of the ellipse, and the standard of the other clip is moved by the screw
"

page_text: along the graduated rule till its distance from the tracing point corresponds to the
length of the other semi-axis. The bar is then tightened in the clips by means of
the set screws, and thereupon by turning the wheel in the frame the two rules are
caused to slide so that the tracer marks the desired curve, being half the ellipse.
The other half of the ellipse can then be traced by inverting the instrument.
E
IMPROVEMENTS IN REGULATING VALVES FOR LIQUID SERVICE CISTERNS FOR WATERCLOSETS AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Scott at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 19th April 1877.
JAMES SCOTT, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Plumber.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REGULATING VALVES FOR LIQUID SERVICE CISTERNS FOR
WATERCLOSETS AND OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to an improved construction of valve for regulating the
delivery, or discharge of water or other liquids in nearly regular or measured
quantities from service water cisterns into waterclosets, or other vessels for other
purposes, which is of a more simple and cheap construction, and at the same time
as efficient in action as other valves heretofore in use for such like purposes. And
the nature and novelty of the Invention consists in attaching or screwing to the
top of the lifting lid of ordinary service valves (guided below by a spindle or
equivalent in their seat), a small cylinder close below and open above, with a piston
working in it, having the piston rod directly attached to the chain or link leading
to the lifting acting lever of the valve, which lever, service cistern, and its other
fittings may all be of the ordinary constructions, the supply of water to the cistern
being regulated by ordinary ball cocks. This open cylinder has formed or fitted
round it a conical or other shaped annular inverted air vessel, perfectly close at top
and open below, some little distance above the valve lid, so as to act as an inverted
air cup or float to partially support the weight of the valve lid and cylinder, and
steady the whole in its descent when lifted by the lever and piston, the time of the
lift and descent, and consequently the flow of the liquid through the valve seat
being regulated by the time the liquid takes to flow into the lower close part of the
cylinder from above through a small hole or groove in the side of the piston, which
is preferred to be made in the form of two annular rings, working freely in the
cylinder, which is found to work most regularly without packing, which would
vary its tightness and action; or, instead of allowing the liquid to flow in through
the small hole or groove in the piston rings these may be turned somewhat smaller
than the interior diameter of the cylinder to allow the liquid to flow in past them,
the size of this opening regulating the time the valve will take to fall and close the
seat to stop the flow of the liquid as above stated. This valve, besides being simple
in construction and action, is suitable for being applied to nearly all the ordinary

page_text: forms of service lift valves, preferably with leather or india-rubber discs on the
fower face of the lid, or upper face of the seat, but it is equally applicable to ground
laced valves, and although the cistern may be emptied by any accident, the moment
it is refilled this new or improved valve would always be in working order again,
the water flowing into the upper part of the cylinder and closing or sealing the 5
lower part of the annular inverted air cup.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HEADINGS FOR INDICATING SPECIAL MANUFACTURES OF WOVEN FABRICS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Archibald Sinclair at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1877.
ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR, Assistant to the Firm of William Graham & Company, of
the City of Manchester, Merchants. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HEADINGS FOR INDICATING
SPECIAL MANUFACTURES OF WOVEN FABRICS."
I produce a novel and distinctive heading for woven fabrics by twisting two or
more yards or threads of different colored wool, or wool and cotton, together, and
then employing the same as weft in weaving a heading. The heading thus obtained
consists of a stripe or stripes of mottled or mixed colors, which may be used
separately or conjointly with self-colored or any other description of heading to
indicate any special quality or manufacture of woven fabric.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MULTIPLE DRILLS, PARTLY APPLICABLE FOR TRANSMITTING MOVEMENT FROM ONE SPINDLE. TO TWO OR MORE OTHER SPINDLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Drysdale, Roderick Walter
Baynes, Charles Walter Vosper, and William John Snawdon at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1877.
JOHN DRYSDALE and RODERICK WALTER BAYNES, both of the Bridgwater
Engineering Company, Limited, Millbay, Plymouth, in the County of Devon,
Engineers, CHARLES WALTER VOSPER, of No. 1, Millbay Road, in Plymouth afore-
said, Mechanic, and WILLIAM JOHN SNAWDON, of Union Street, Stonehouse, in the
said County of Devon, Cabinet Maker. IMPROVEMENTS IN MULTIPLE DRILLS,
PARTLY APPLICABLE FOR TRANSMITTING MOVEMENT FROM ONE SPINDLE. TO TWO
OR MORE OTHER SPINDLES."
"
In constructing a multiple drill, we mount the spindles which are to carry the
drills side by side, parallel one with the other, in a suitable frame.
At one end of the spindles are sockets for receiving the steins of the drills, and at
their opposite ends are crank arms inclined to the spindles, and all inclined in the
same direction. The crank pins at the ends of these arms are parallel with the.
spindles, and enter holes in a disc or piece which has motion given to it by a crank
or cranks in a circular path, without rotating.
A single crank is by preference used, and its crank pin works in a hole in the
plate or piece. By this means, when a rotating movement is given to the driving
crank, a corresponding movement is given to all of the drill spindles; and by reason
of the crank arms of the drill spindles being inclined as above described, the drill
spindles may be placed in close proximity to one another, and have the throws of
their crank arms greater than the distance between the spindles.
The frame is formed with a slot or opening at its centre, the drill spindles are
mounted in the frame at one side of this opening, and the shaft of the driving crank
on the opposite side. The several crank arms are on the ends of the spindles within
the opening in the frame; the sockets for receiving the drills are on the outer ends

page_text: of the drill spindles, whilst on the outer end of the driving spindle are fast and loose
pulleys, to allow of this spindle being driven by a driving belt.
Eccentrics might be used in place of cranks.
The means above described for transmitting motion from one spindle to a number
of other spindles in proximity to one another may be applied in other cases where
it is desired to give a revolving or oscillating movement to two or more spindles.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO APPARATUS FOR STRAINING PULP
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Daniel Bentley and John Broad
Jackson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th February
1877
DANIEL BENTLEY and JOHN BROAD JACKSON, of Lodge Bank Works, Bury, in
the County of Lancaster "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO APPARATUS FOR
STRAINING PULP"
Our Invention relates to that description of apparatus for straining pulp in which
the casing of the strainer is made of a cylindrical or prismatic form, and is mounted
on tunnions horizontally, so as to be capable of revolving in a trough or receptacle,
into which the pulp to be strained is introduced, the pulp being drawn through the
sides of the stiainei casing, and conducted away through one of the trunnions made
hollow for the purpose
Heretofore this action has been produced by a species of bellows, by metal discs
or cylinders, or an oscillating fan working in the interior of the casing, or by a
pump or its equivalent arranged at the exterior thereof Now according to our
Invention we substitute for the suction appliances before-mentioned apparatus
constructed and arranged in the following manner -We employ an eccentric shaft
passing though one of the trunnions of the stramei casing, and evolved by a
pulley or other suitable means To this eccentric shaft are attached by brackets or
other wise frames consisting of plates of wood, metal, or other suitable material, of
aT or a section, or arranged as a box of a square shape, or with concave sides,
or of any other convenient form, and extending either the entire length of the
interior of the casing or other wise When the eccentric shaft revolves motion is
imparted in all directions to such frames or plates (which however are prevented
from rotating with the shaft by the addition of a counter weight or other suitablo
means) whereby the pulp is drawn through the sides of the casing to be conveyed
away through the trunnion in the ordinary manner
The details of the Invention may be modified whilst still retaining the pinciple
of the application of the movement of an eccentric shaft which is driven duect for
imparting a vertical and horizontal reciprocating motion to an agitator.
By means of our Invention great simplicity of construction combined with
increased efficiency are obtamed, whilst the apparatus is rendered less liable to get
out of order than existing apparatus for a similar purpose
A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Robertshaw at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd July 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERTSHAW, of West Vale, near Halifax, in the County of York
Worsted Spinner.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER."
This Invention relates to a new method of obtaining motive power, and my
apparatus is therefor constructed as follows:-I employ a hollow wheel which is
mounted on an axis or shaft, and is divided internally into a series of compartments
One half of
or water spaces, valves being provided for the introduction of water.
this wheel revolves within an enclosed cistern or water tank, the water in which is
kept at a level with the top of the wheel. The valves are so constructed that water
cannot escape therefrom.
It will be readily seen that the portion of the wheel within the cistern will be in
equilibrium, that is, without tendancy either to rise or fall, but this state of equi-
librium is overcome by the weight of the portion of the wheel which is out of the
cistern, and which falls by gravitation, thereby causing the wheel to revolve.
A similar result will be obtained by constructing the wheel air-tight, only in this
case the portion within the cistern being lighter than the water will tend to rise or
float, and in so doing will cause the wheel to revolve.
AN IM- PROVEMENT IN COMPOSITION ALLOYS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of No. 20, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IM-
PROVEMENT IN COMPOSITION ALLOYS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Charles Denton Abel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd February 1877.
A
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 20, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVEMENT IN COMPOSITION ALLOYS."
communication from abroad by Frank Raymond, of Greenville, South Carolina,
United States of America.
This Invention relates to alloys or metals used as alloys, and it consists in melting
mica and mixing the same with any metal or composition of metals while the same
is being melted, thereby rendering the metals harder, admitting of better finish,
preventing corrosion or rust, less susceptible to effect by fire, heat, or friction, and
more durable.
In carrying out this Invention, take of mica the quantity necessary to produce
the desired effect, and a relative quantity of borax, saltpetre, and soda, or either or
any two of them, and place the same in the crucible or furnace, together with the
necessary quantity of metal or metals, and melt the whole in the usual way. The
borax, saltpetre, and soda will cause the mica to melt, when it will mingle with the
metal or metals in the crucible or furnace, producing the effects mentioned above
In carrying this Invention into operation, the ingredients have been compounded
in the following proportions:-Lead, one part; zinc, one part; mica, two parts; also
brass, three parts; copper, one part; zinc, one part; lead, one part; mica, four
parts; also copper, four parts; mica, four parts; tin, one part; lead, one part.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said In-
vention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, I wish it to be under-

page_text: stood that what I claim is,-the use of a composition consisting of metals or
metallic alloys in combination with mica and fluxes, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Denton Abel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
ATT 2
n TTAT
1-1
IMPROVED METHOD OR MEANS OF HEATING OR WARMING RAILWAY CARRIAGES, PULMAN CARS, OR OTHER VEHICLES USED ON RAILWAYS OR TRAMWAYS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Leak at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 26th June 1877.
'AN
HENRY LEAK, of Longton, in the County of Stafford, Lathe Manufacturer.
IMPROVED METHOD OR MEANS OF HEATING OR WARMING RAILWAY CARRIAGES,
PULMAN CARS, OR OTHER VEHICLES USED ON RAILWAYS OR TRAMWAYS."
This Invention relates to the warming or heating of railway carriages, "Pulman"
cars, and other vehicles or travelling carriages, or coaches of railways and tramways,
the object of the Invention being to render the interiors of such vehicles more
uniformly heated and comfortable than at present, and at a less cost.
The Invention consists in effecting the warming or heating of the carriages or
vehicles by means of steam direct from the engine, or by means of the waste steam
or of hot air therefrom, the same being carried from the engine to and through the
carriages or vehicles by pipes or tubes made of any suitable rigid or flexible
material, each carriage carrying its own length or lengths of piping, and the
separate lengths being connected, in the formation of a train, by india-rubber
tubing or other suitable connections of any suitable rigid or flexible material, the
steam or hot air escaping at the end of the train.
In using waste steam we connect the carriage pipes to pipes connected with the
waste steam pipes from the cylinders (on one or both sides of the engine) providing
the waste steam pipes, and the pipes in connection with them, each with stop cocks,
so that the waste steam may be allowed either to escape up the chimney, as usually,
or to traverse the carriage pipes and heat or warm the carriages.
In using fresh steam the engine pipes are connected to the steam dome or any
other suitable place where they can obtain a supply of fresh steam; they are
provided with a stop-cock, so that the engine driver or stoker may regulate the
amount of steain admitted to traverse the carriage pipes, which latter at the end
of the train are provided with a safety valve to prevent accumulation or waste of
steam.

page_text: The carriage pipes are arranged preferably under the carriage floors near the
doors, where small gratings are placed, and they run along on the floors under or
close by the seats; the connections fastened to their ends projecting from the
carriages. The carriage pipes may however be arranged in any other suitable or
convenient way.
AN IMPROVED EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION COUPLING FOR SIGNAL AND TELEGRAPH WIRES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Pickersgill at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st May 1877.
GEORGE PICKERSGILL, of Todmorden, in the County of Lancaster. "AN IMPROVED
EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION COUPLING FOR SIGNAL AND TELEGRAPH WIRES."
Hitherto a simple regulating screw has been used in connection with the wire,
and placed near the pointsman's cabin to be adjusted by him in accordance with
the varying temperature. If the adjustment is not attended to when required
accidents are very liable to occur in consequence of the semaphores not being thrown
off or on correctly, which results from the wire being either too short or too long.
The wires vary much in length, altering by every change of temperature.
Now to obviate the above I provide what I terin an expansion and contraction
coupling, which is placed in any convenient position, and connect the wires thereby
between the signal box and semaphore, all as hereafter described.
It consists of a metal cylinder or tube, in which is provided one or more piston
rods, on each of which and within the cylinder are mounted any required number
of rings or discs, made by preference of vulcanized india-rubber. (Other equivalent
elastic substance may be employed as a substitute for the vulcanized india-rubber.)
The rings are retained on the piston rods by ordinary means. These rods after
passing through the covers (provided on each end of the cylinder) are attached to
the wires, and the apparatus at once forms a compensating medium, allowing the
wire to expand or contract at the same time, always retaining the required amount
of tightness.
The above arrangement effectually prevents the breakage of the wires, and
ensures correct signalling.
The apparatus is also applicable for connecting telegraph wires, preventing
breakage of the same, and when used for this purpose the whole apparatus is made,
by preference, of either copper or brass.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FANCY YARNS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Leedham Binns at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 24th January 1877.
LEEDHAM BINNS, of Grove House, Oakenshaw, Low Moor, near Bradford, in the
County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FANCY YARNS."
The Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of fancy yarns
in order to obtain improved effects when the same are made into fabrics.
In carrying my Invention into effect I employ roving, yarn, twist, cord, or wire
or metal shavings or strips, either separately or combined in any desired order, and
of the same or of different colors, and I deliver the various materials employed to
form my improved yarn to be twisted at equal or at different tensions to each other
according to the effect desired to be produced.
According to one plan I first twist together two or more strands of similar
material, but of different colors or of different materials, which may be of similar
or of different colors, a certain number of turns per inch in one direction, after
which I twist such partially formed yarn in combination with one or more strands
of any desired color or material a similar or a greater or less number of turns per
inch in the contrary direction; or I twist together two or more strands of different
colors or materials in one direction a certain number of turns per inch, and I then
combine therewith one or more strands of any desired color and material, or com-
bination of colors and materials, and twist them together cither in the same or
in different directions, and at the same or different number of turns per inch, and
in some cases I repeat the process any desired number of times, and build up a
yarn of any desired number of strands, twisted together in the same or different
directions, and at similar or varying number of turns per inch according to the
effect to be produced.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY STEAM ENGINES."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Livsey Tomlinson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th June 1877.
LIVSEY TOMLINSON, of Hyde, in the County of Chester.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY STEAM ENGINES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
I employ a fixed steam cylinder (by preference horizontal), and having a main
shaft passing longitudinally through it and out through a stuffing box at each
end.
The inside of this cylinder is not in vertical section, but oblong, that is, higher
than it is wide, and either elliptical with flattened sides.
Inside the cylinder the main shaft is enlarged so as to fit inside the smaller axis,
that is, touching the cylinder at each side, but not at the top or bottom, so that there
is a space of a crescent-form section left above and below the enlargement of the
main shaft from end to end of the cylindor. The enlarged part of the shaft is slotted
through from end to end of the cylinder, and in it are fitted two long slides or
pistons, which are pressed outwards by means of a spring or springs acting against
or between their inner surfaces.
The lines of junction between the inner sides of the cylinder and the sides of the
enlarged part of the shaft are kept steam-tight by means of long strips of metal or
steam stops, also forced outwards by means of a spring or springs, the steam exhaust
passages being above the steam stop on one side of the cylinder and below the steam
stop on the other side.
Two longitudinal passages for the admission of steam are bored through the main
shaft, one upon one side of the slides or pistons, and the other upon the reverse
side, and from these longitudinal passages several short radial passages communicato
with the crescent-form space above and below, and admit the steam simultaneously
thereto.
The steam is admitted to the longitudinal passages through regulating valves at
each end of the main shaft, or at one end only if preferred. The edges of the slides
or pistons which work against the inside of the cylinder as they revolve are filted
with packing pieces or slips ground into circular grooves, so that they can swivel
slightly, and thus always to keep the whole surface of their edge close against the
inside of the cylinder.

page_text: Packing pieces are also provided to keep the ends steam-tight. As the steam is
admitted into the crescent form spaces between the steam stop and the piston, it acts
against the sides of the slides or pistons and causes the main shaft to revolve, the
steam escaping through the exhaust passages at the sides of the cylinder from the
opposite sides of the slides or pistons, the said exhaust passages being momentarily 5
closed each time just before the slides or pistons pass the steam stops.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Smith and William Rothwell
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th December 1877.
EDWARD SMITH and WILLIAM ROTHWELL, of Blackburn, in the County of
Lancaster, Mechanics. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
This Invention relates to an improved construction of "wires" used on the dobby
of looms, the improved wires being so made and operated as to be in contact with
the "knives" or notches only when in actual use, so as to relieve the knives and
loom from carrying the wires unnecessarily, thus reducing the wear and tear of the
dobby and loom.
Wires, according to this our Invention, we construct of two parts, one a hook and
notch piece, being capable of being moved upon a fulcrum pin or hinge so as to
admit of its hook or notch being by the “pegs” brought into position for engaging
with the knives when required.
AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING FASTENER FOR WINDOWS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Arthur Benjamin Crossley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th January 1877.
ARTHUR BENJAMIN CROSSLEY, of Halifax, in the County of York, Mechanical
Draughtsman. "AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING FASTENER FOR WINDOWS."
This Invention relates to an improved construction of window fastener which, on
the closing of a window, securely lock the same self-actingly.
The apparatus is constructed as follows:-A small rectangular semicircular or
square box supports by its two ends a spindle, the outer end of which is provided
with a "knob or button-shaped end. The lid or cover of the box is loose and is
free to slide endwise; the end of the lid or cover of the box nearest the back sash.
projects and is curved downwards. The pendant end of the lid nearest the back
sash is provided with a lip or catch piece, and there is an incline on the under side
of the lid, for purpose herein-after explained; to the back sash is secured an angular
catch and notch piece. The action is as follows:-When the windows are closed
the lip or catch piece of the pendant part of the lid engages with the catch secured
to the back sash and the windows are secured. On pressing the knob or button
of the spindle the lid and lip are moved forward and the catch piece is carried clear
of the catch on the back sash, and is there held by the back of the incline engaging
with the "notch" referred to; the windows are now unlocked. On separation of
the sash bars by the opening of either top or bottom window the connection of the
incline and notch is severed, whereon a spiral spring on the spindle referred to
returns the lid and catch again into relative position for self-actingly engaging with
the catch on the back sash, on the window or windows being closed.
An incline catch piece may be attached to the plate on the back sash for holding
the lid and main catches apart, in lieu of the incline and notch, but I prefer the
incline to be under the sliding lid, as herein described.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW BLINDS AND CURTAINS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Jensen at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 21st August 1877. (A communication from
abroad by Philippe Maine, of Paris, France.)
PETER JENSEN, of Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW BLINDS
AND CURTAINS." [A communication from abroad by Philippe Maine, of Paris,
France.]
"
Blinds and curtains made according to this Invention may be called The
Universal Advertising Blinds."
For the purpose of rendering blinds and curtains more useful and ornamental
advertisements and other information are applied to blinds or curtains used in
railway carriages, tram cars, hackney carriages, omnibuses, steamboats, and other
places.
These blinds or curtains may be made of any suitable fabrics.
To these blinds or curtains are applied hanging or flying strips or tablets, on
which are set forth, by preference in several languages, the utility and uses of these
blinds or curtains, and a list of the information they contain, and so as to be
conspicuously visible when the blinds are rolled up.
IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CHAIRS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Sample, John Grantham, and
William Maddison Ward at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
3rd January 1877.
JAMES SAMPLE, JOHN GRANTHAM, and WILLIAM MADDISON WARD, all of Blyth,
in the County of Northumberland. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CHAIRS."
Railway chairs used for securing certain classes of rails to the sleepers of per-
manent ways have hitherto been made to rest on the surface of the sleepers, and
secured thereto by trenails of oak or by fang bolts. This method of attaching the
chair to the sleeper has been found to give rise to many defects in the permanent
way, occasioned by the vibration of the passing traffic working the chair laterally
upon its bed and disintegrating the substance of the sleeper, loosen thereby the grip
of the trenails or fang bolts, consequently endangering the stability and continuity
of the railway track. To remedy this evil is the object of our Invention, for which
purpose we cast upon the under side or sole of the chair bosses or projections circular
in form. The centre of each of these bosses would coincide with the centre of each
of the holes in the chair for the holding down bolts, and would therefore be drilled
through for the passage of the said bolts. Each boss fits into a corresponding hole
or cavity cut in the upper surface of the sleeper which, in combination with the
holding down bolts, effectually prevents the chair riding on its bed.
In fixing our improved chair in position the holes or cavities in the sleeper for
the reception of the bosses should be first cut to the required depth by a centre bit
or by any suitable means, and afterwards with a proper tool but upon the same
centre points as the aforesaid cavities the bolt holes should be bored through the
sleeper in the usual way to receive the holding down bolts. The chair being now
placed with a boss in each cavity and gripped thereby, the trenails, or fang bolts, or
other approved method of fastening is then applied and the whole secured, the
bosses preventing any lateral and the bolts any vertical motion of the chair.
Although the same end may be gained by substituting in lieu of the circular
projections or bosses transverse ridges or flanges, projecting downwards into the
sleeper or sharp protruberances penetrating the same, we prefer, however, as being
more economical and efficient, the circular projections above described.
CING MOTIVE POWER."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Clavoquin at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd April 1877.
EDWARD CLAVEQUIN, of Monkstown, in the County of Dublin, Ireland.
DUCING MOTIVE POWER."
"PRO-
My Invention rests upon the following principle:-If a frictionless or nearly
frictionless piston is shot by atmospheric pressure and energy into a cylinder in
which a vacuum exists, the force of impact, after the piston has travelled a short
distance and it strikes a solid surface, is greater than that required to bring back
the shot piston to its original position. This being so, I have two cylinders, each
provided with a shot piston, and with a second piston connected with the shaft.
This second piston, which receives the impact, is composed of two parts, and each
part is itself a perfectly air-tight piston; the part which receives the impact works
into the second part, which is partly hollow, to allow proper play to the first.
Between the two parts of this double piston air is contained, which becomes com-
pressed by the energy of the aforesaid impact and drives the second part. To this
second part of the double piston is attached the piston rod which connects it with
the shaft.
The return of the shot pistons is obtained by means of wheels partly toothed
taking in the racked part of the rod of the shot piston. When the toothed part of
a wheel has brought tho shot piston to its proper position, the teeth failing, the
shot piston is shot upon the second piston by the atmospheric energy. If the shot
pistons are shot alternately, each may be made to effectuate the return stroke of the
other, and the inexhausted energy may be made useful for driving machinery or
other purposes. The toothed wheels are put in motion by an endless rope or a
cranked rod connecting their axle with the shaft. One cylinder only would suffice,
as in that case energy might be stored in and applied to the return stroke.
Instead of the atmosphere, the open end of the cylinder might be made to
communicate with a reservoir of air, and a greater or lesser energy might be pro-
duced, according to the pressure.
I should mention that the racked rod of the shot piston is crossed by a bar of
metal with extremities bent at right angles, which are made to impact on metallic
blocs so as to exhaust the unspent energy before each return stroke.
STOPPING RAILWAY TRAINS NEARLY INSTANTANEOUSLY BY A NEW CONTINUOUS RAILWAY BRAKE
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Zéphire Blareau Lafontaine
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1877.
ZÉPHIRE BLAREAU LAFONTAINE, Engineer, of 22, & 23, Peter Street, St. James,
W.C., London. "STOPPING RAILWAY TRAINS NEARLY INSTANTANEOUSLY BY A
NEW CONTINUOUS RAILWAY BRAKE."
The brake being one of continuity runs from the first to the last carriage, and is
made of wrought iron; the chain is also made of wrought iron; the chain is com-
posed of flat links, and runs from end to end of the train.
The brake may be applied by means of a lever or a wheel, or any other convenient
arrangement. AT piece is adapted to each waggon.
Underneath each waggon is
placed a bar, running from side to side, at each end of which a clog of hard wood is
fixed. From the centre of this bar a bent rod is attached, extending above and
below the bar, the bent being at the junction with the bar. At the extremity of
the rod below the bar a weight is fixed for the purpose of taking the clog from the
wheel when the chain is slackened. The end of the rod above the bar is attached to
the chain. The brake is put on by pulling over the lever or turning the wheel; this
has the effect of tightening the chain, the chain acting on the rod attached to the
bar, and draws the clogs to the wheels, and at the same time raises the weight.
To take the brake off it is only necessary to release the chain, the weight drops
and turns the bar in a reverse direction, and draws the clogs from the wheels.
The brake is worked by one man, the stoker on the engine, or any other man
employed for that purpose.
The train may be composed of thirty or forty waggons & even more.
ADAPTING A SHEET OF PAPER TO SERVE THE COMBINED PURPOSES OF PAPER FOR CONTAINING A PRINTED OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION, AND AN ENVELOPE OR COVER FOR SAME, ALSO FOR ENCLOSING ARTICLES USUALLY TRANSMITTED BY POST
Year: 1877

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph James Macky at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th October 1877.
JOSEPH JAMES MACKY, of 2, Milk Street, London, in the County of Middlesex.
ADAPTING A SHEET OF PAPER TO SERVE THE COMBINED PURPOSES OF PAPER FOR
CONTAINING A PRINTED OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION, AND AN ENVELOPE OR
COVER FOR SAME, ALSO FOR ENCLOSING ARTICLES USUALLY TRANSMITTED BY
POST."
My Invention consists in so cutting a single or double sheet of paper that it will
serve for the ordinary purposes of printed or written communications, and also as
an envelope or cover for same in one undivided sheet of paper; or it may serve as
a cover or wrapper for other contents, as cards, and things generally sent under
cover by post or otherwise, or envelope.
The accompanying Drawings will help to illustrate my Invention.
Fig. 1 shews a double sheet of paper; the first page, p. 1, and the fourth page,
p. 4, being visible; the dotted lines showing the creases of the paper when it is
folded and closed in its own cover; a, are the side flaps, being the chief feature
of the Invention. These side flaps are part of the closing flap b, as seen also in
Fig. 4, which represents the back of the packet.
In Fig. 5 is seen the side flaps a, a, adhered to the face of the packet, shewing
also the postage stamp S affixed. These side flaps a, a, are cut out of the paper, sub-
stantially as the Drawing in Fig. 1 indicates, and are gummed for adhering.
Fig. 3 shews first page, p. 1, and third page, p. 3, through opening made by
cutting out side flap a.
Fig. 2 shews a single sheet as adapted for memorandums, etc.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTONS, AND IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF ATTACHING THE SAME TO WEARING APPAREL AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hector Auguste Dufrené at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1877. A communication
from abroad by M. Pierre Lenique, of Saint Germain, 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. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BUTTONS, AND IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF ATTACHING
THE SAME TO WEARING APPAREL AND OTHER ARTICLES." A communication from
abroad by M. Pierre Lenique, of Saint Germain, in the Republic of France.
The Invention communicated to me consists in making buttons with two or
more flexible metal shanks or tail pieces; and to attach the button I first place on
the article of dress to which the button is to be applied an eyelet, similar to those
used for stays or corsets. I place the button over the eyelet, passing the shanks
through the hole therein, and then by means of pincers, or other suitable tool, I
bend down these shanks so as to hold the button it its place.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATES OF SODA AND POTASH, PARTS OF WHICH INVENTION ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER CHEMICAL APPARATUS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Jones and John Walsh at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th May 1877.
WILLIAM JONES and JOHN WALSH, both of Middlesbrough, in the County of
York, Chemical Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS
FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHATES OF SODA AND POTASH, PARTS OF WHICH
INVENTION ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER CHEMICAL APPARATUS."
In the pans in which our Patent process for making alkaline sulphates is carried
on it is found that the rapid changes of temperature cause an amount of expansion
and contraction very deleterious to the rigid joints. To obviate the disadvantages
thereof we have designed an expansion joint.
Our pans are usually made of cast iron, in segments radiating from a central boss.
The junctions of these segments are formed by outside flanges projecting per-
pendicularly, and joined by bolts or rivets.
Now by our new arrangement we form a second or ✓ flange (projecting out
parallel to the pan) in each of these flanges, thus together producing a double or
T flange outside the pan. To this T two bent wrought-iron or steel plates, like
angle irons, are attached by rivets or otherwise, their long projecting webs being
back to back, but separated at their extreme ends by a caulking strip, through
which they are securely rivetted together. The bent plates, and to a very slight
extent perhaps the two halves of the cast-iron T, give a little with the expansion
and contraction, while the joint is at the same time perfectly water-tight.
This joint is not merely applicable to our own pans but to other large pans used
in chemical operations, in the interiors of which considerable changes in temperature
take place.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PULLEYS FOR DRIVING MACHINERY OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Carl Reuter at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1877.
JOHN CARL REUTER, of Bagshott Street, Old Kent Road, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PULLEYS FOR DRIVING MACHINERY OR FOR OTHER
SIMILAR PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object the covering of driving or other pulleys with
vulcanized india-rubber in order to impart greater holding power to the driving
band running thereon, or to increase the adhesion of ropes, strands, or threads
whilst passing over or around pulleys so covered. By this means it is possible to
work with slack straps instead of tight ones, and thereby economize power,
causing less wear and tear of the straps, the straps as well as the pulleys lasting
longer. Greater safety is also obtained, and accidents by being entangled with the
straps in a great measure avoided, as the pressure will not be so great. Great
saving of power by the use of such covered pulleys is obtained.