IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES, JARS, AND OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nathan Thompson, of 15, Abbey Gardens, St. John's
Wood, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES, JARS, AND OTHER VESSELS."
Sealed the 24th February 1863, and dated the 18th November 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nathan Thompson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th
November 1862.
I, NATHAN THOMPSON, of 15, Abbey Gardens, St. John's Wood, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES, JARS, AND OTHER VESSELS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for stopping
bottles, jars, and other vessels. For this purpose I employ a plate or disc of.
metal or other rigid material, which by a screw is forced down on to the top
of the neck of the bottle, jar, or vessel, a disc of some suitable compressible
material being, however, interposed between the two surfaces. The neck of
the vessel is made, by preference, cylindrical exteriorly for a short distance
down, and in this portion of the neck a groove is made all round. To the
neck thus formed a piece of sheet metal is applied, so as to extend half round
the neck, and this strip of metal has its upper and lower edges turned inwards,

page_text: so as to form flanges; the lower flange of the strip of metal enters the groove
in the neck of the bottle, whilst the upper flange comes just above the top of
the neck. This flanged strip of metal is secured to the vessel by another
narrower strip of metal, soldered or attached to it at the two ends, so as to
form a ring encircling the neck, and this ring is prevented turning on the
neck of the vessel by teeth or grooves being formed on the said neck, into
which portions of the ring are caused to enter, the ring being suitably indented
for that purpose; this I do by means of a pair of nippers, the jaws of which
are suitably formed to embrace the neck of the vessel, and have corresponding
teeth within them. The instrument may also be so formed as to produce at the
same time the lower flange on the strip; the flanged strip of metal may,
however, be secured to the neck of the vessel by means of binding wires
attached to the strip of metal, and twisted together; or it may be otherwise
secured. The plate or disc which is used for closing the vessel, and the screw
which actuates it are carried by a metal cap, which when, in its place, covers
the mouth of the vessel; this cap on one side (or half of its circumference) is
deeper than on the other side or half of its circumference, and this portion, at its
lower edge, has a flange projecting inwards to enter the groove in the neck of
the vessel, on its other side or for the other half of its circumference the
cap does not descend so low, so that when in place it terminates' at the top of
the neck of the vessel, and it has a flange or horizontal rim projecting
outwards from it, which, when the cap is in its place, enters under the flange,
which, as before mentioned, projects inwards from the strip of metal secured
to the neck of the vessel. In the centre of the cap, at the top, there is a hole,
and beneath it a screw nut is soldered or otherwise fixed to the cap; this nut
receives the screw, which, as before mentioned, is employed to force down the
plate or disc, which closes the vessel, and the said plate or disc is rivetted
securely to the end of the screw, but in such a manner that the screw can
turn freely independently of the plate or disc. There is a hole formed in the
plate or disc, through which a stud or pin formed at the bottom of the screw
passes; and is clenched on the other side of the plate or disc. The hole may,
if desired, be closed air-tight by soldering over it a small piece of thin metal,
this, however, is not essential, as the packing material is alone sufficient to
ensure the perfect closing of the vessel. The cap (with the parts in con-
nection therewith) is slidden sideways into its place, so that the flanges on its
lower edge enter the one into the groove in the neck of the vessel and the-
other under the flange on the strip of metal attached to the neck; then, by
turning the screw at the top of the cap it can be caused to descend through
its nut so as to press the disc or plate at its lower end down towards the top-

page_text: of the neck of the vessel. The compressible material interposed between the
disc or plate and the top of the neck of the vessel I prefer to be a thin slice of
cork, cemented to a disc of pasteboard, the cork being first saturated with
melted wax, so as completely to close its pores. I prefer that the plate or
disc which closes the mouth of the vessel should be stamped, so as to be hollow
in the centre at its under side; this gives stiffness to the plate or disc, and
also prevents the lower end of the screw coming in contact with the packing
of cardboard and cork. The cap is also formed by stamping up a disc at its
sides;
it is made cylindrical, or nearly so, in order that the plate or disc and
the packing material which it encloses may be able to move up and down
freely for a short distance within it. The top of the cap is made with a
shallow recess in it to receive sealing wax to cover the top of the screw so
that a seal may be applied in such a way that the vessel cannot be opened
without destroying the seal. The screw is made with a recess at its upper end
to receive a key. The recess is conveniently made square and nearly as deep
as the screw is long. I prefer to make this screw by stamping or pressing a
disc of soft iron in suitably formed tools; the edges of the disc are by these
tools turned up and contracted until a cylinder is formed to receive the screw
thread; the tools at the same time form- the square recess in the centre of
the piece. The key I employ has at one end a solid square to fit into the
recess in the screw, and at the other it has a point suitable for removing the
sealing wax from the recess.
In some cases I dispense with the flanged strip on the neck of. the vessel,
and flatten the neck on two opposite sides. The cap is slidden on, as before,
and is made to fit to the flattened side of the neck. Thus the cap is prevented
turning, and the flange at its lower edge gets.a,hold in the groove in the neck
of the vessel for about.two-thirds of the circumference. This arrangement is
applicable for bottles and other vessels with small..mouths, where the. stopping
apparatus does not require to be very strong.
According to another arrangement I employ a cover or stopper of suitable
rigid and non-porous material, which enters into the neck of the bottle or jar,
and fits on to or into a seat therein, an elatic material being interposed between
the two surfaces connected with the top of the cover or stopper, but so as to
be capable of turning freely, is a screw, which passes through an outer lid; this)
also fits into the neck of the bottle or jar, and it is notched at its periphery a
three, four, or other convenient number of points, and the interior of the neck
of the bottle or jar has corresponding projections upon it, so that the lid can
only be dropped into its place when turned into such a position that the
notches therein correspond with the said projections; when in it can be turned

page_text: round, and then, by rotating the screw, the lower cover or stopper is forced
down, and a tight joint made. There are recesses in the rim of the upper lid
into which the projections in the neck of the bottle or jar drop when the lower
cover or stopper is forced down by the screw, so that the lid becomes secure
and cannot be turned until the screw is again slackened. A key is employed
to turn the screw, which may, if desired, be protected by a seal or capsule, or
otherwise.
In some cases I employ a lower cover or stopper, as above described, with
a screw attached, so as to be able to turn freely, and in place of arranging this
to pass through an upper lid I arrange it to screw into a thread cut in the
neck of the bottle or jar over the seat which receives the lower cover or
stopper.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Nathan Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 18th May 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, NATHAN
THOMPSON, of 15, Abbey Gardens, St. John's Wood, in the County of
Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Nathan Thompson, Her special licence that I, the said Nathan
Thompson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Nathan Thompson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR STOPPING BOTTLES, JARS, AND OTHER VESSELS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Nathan Thompson, my executors or adminis-
strators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Nathan Thompson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be.
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for stopping
bottles, jars, and other vessels. For this purpose I employ a plate or disc of
metal, or other rigid material, which by a screw is forced down on to the top of
the neck of the bottle, jar, or vessel, a disc of some suitable compressible.
material being, however, interposed between the two surfaces. The neck of the
vessel is made by preference cylindrical exteriorly for a short distance down,
and in this portion of the neck a groove is made all round. To the neck
thus formed a piece of sheet metal is applied, so as to extend half round the
neck, and this strip of metal has its upper and lower edges turned inwards, so
as to form flanges. The lower flange of the strip of metal enters the groove
in the neck of the bottle, whilst the upper flange comes just above the top of
the neck. This flanged strip of metal is secured to the vessel by another
narrower strip of metal soldered or attached to it at the two ends, so as to
form a ring encircling the neck, and this ring is lodged in another groove in
the neck of the vessel, and prevented turning on the neck by teeth or trans-
verse grooves being formed therein, into which portions of the ring are caused
to enter, the ring being suitably indented for the purpose. This I do by
means of a pair of nippers, the jaws of which are suitably formed to embrace
the neck of the vessel, and have corresponding teeth within them. The
instrument may also be formed so as to produced at the same time the lower
flange on the strip; the flanged strip of metal may, however, be secured to
the neck of the vessel by means of binding wires attached to the strip of
metal and twisted together, or it may be otherwise secured. The plate or
disc which is used for closing the vessel, and the screw which actuates it, are
carried by a metal cap, which when in its place covers the mouth of the
vessel. This cap on one side (or for half its circumference) is deeper than
on the other side or half of its circumference, and this portion at its lower
edge has a flange projecting inwards to enter the groove in the neck of the
vessel, on its other side or for the other half of its circumference the cap does
not descend so low, so that when in place it terminates at the top of the neck
of the vessel, and it has a flange or horizontal rim projecting outwards from
it, which when the cap is in its place enters under the flange, which, as
before mentioned, projects inwards from the strip of metal secured to the
neck of the vessel. In the centre of the cap at the top there is a hole, and
beneath it a screw nut is soldered or otherwise fixed to the cap. This nut

page_text: receives the screw, which, as before mentioned, is employed to force down the
plate or disc which closes the vessel, and the said plate or disc is rivetted
securely to the end of the screw, but in such a manner that the screw can
turn freely independently of the plate or disc.. For this purpose there is a
hole formed in the plate or disc, through which a stud or pin formed at the
bottom of the screw passes, and is clenched on the other side of the plate or
disc. The hole may, if desired, be closed air-tight by soldering over it a
small piece of thin metal. This, however, is not essential, as the packing
material is alone sufficient to ensure the perfect closing of the vessel. The
cap, with the parts in connection therewith, is slidden sideways into its place,
so that the flanges on its lower edge enter the one into the groove in the neck
of the vessel, and the other under the flange on the strip of metal attached to the
neck; then by turning the screw at the top of the cap, it can be caused to
descend through its nut so as to press the disc or plate at its lower end down
towards the top of the neck of the vessel. The compressible material inter-
posed between the disc or plate and the top of the neck. of the vessel I prefer
to be a thin slice of cork cemented to a disc of pasteboard; the cork being
first saturated with melted wax, so as completely to close its pores.
Figure 1 is a side view of an earthenware bottle fitted with stopping
apparatus, constructed according to my Invention; Figure 2. is a plan, and
Figure 3 a vertical section of the same; Figure 4 is a side view of the bottle,
with the parts which. remain attached thereto, but with the cap and parts con-
nected therewith removed; Figure 5 is a plan of the same; Figure 6 is a
side view of the upper end of the bottle; Figure 7 is a side view of the cap;
Figure 8 is a vertical section of the parts shewn at Figure 4, and Figure 9, a
vertical section of the parts shewn at Figure 7.
a is the bottle, its neck is made cylindrical, and with a groove in it at a¹;
b is a strip of metal applied to the neck of the bottle, and extending one-half
round it; it has flanges at its upper and lower edges, the lower flange enters
the groove a¹ in the neck, and the upper stands just above the top of the
same; c is another strip of metal serving to secure the strip 6 in its place.
The strips b and c are shewn separately at Figures 10. The strip c at its
ends is soldered to the extremities of the strip b. There are several means
by which the parts b and c may be attached to the bottle, one of the most con-
venient is, in the first instance, to make the strip c of such a length that the
parts b and c may together be dropped over the neck into their places, and
then by means of a pair of pliers the piece which is in excess in length in the
strip c is nipped up and doubled, as is shewn by dotted lines in the plan and
side views Figures 10. The parts are then prevented turning on the neck of

page_text: the bottle by denting the band c at intervals into the flutings, recesses, or
teeth which are formed around the neck of the bottle at a². The bottle need
not be necessarily formed with the fluted or toothed ring at a², in place thereof
a single notch or recess may be made in the exterior of the neck of the bottle,
which is readily done by means of suitably formed nippers, and the portion of
the strip c, which is bent over being then lodged in this recess, prevents the
parts turning. Or in place of this arrangement the two strips b and c may be
soldered together when in their places, and the whole made tight and pre-
vented from turning by indenting the strip c, as before. Or the parts b and c
may be placed on the neck of the bottle in the position required, and then, as
before mentioned, by means of a pair of nippers, with suitably formed jaws;
the lower flange of the strip 6 may be produced by bending inwards the lower
edge of the strip, and at the same time the strip c may be indented so as to
secure the parts and prevent them turning. Or the strip c may be secured by
binding wires. d is the metal cap, which when in its place covers the mouth
of the bottle; this cap is made deeper on one side at d', for half its circum-
ference than it is on the other side or half of its circumference. The part d'
of the cap is not by preference made in the same piece of metal as the part d,
but as a separate piece exactly similar to the strip b, and it is soldered to a
horizontal flange or rim d³ at the bottom of the part d. It will be seen by
the Drawing that when the cap is in its place the lower flange of the part d¹
enters the groove a¹ in the neck of the bottle, and at the same time for the
other half of the circumference of the cap, its horizontal flange or rim d²
enters under the upper flange of the strip 6 on the bottle, and thus the cap
becomes firmly held to resist an upward strain. At the centre of the top of
the cap is a hole, and immediately beneath it the screw nut e is attached; it
may be by solder, or (as is shewn in Figure 11, which represents a plan of
the cap,) the screw nut may have four studs e¹ upon it projecting up through
the top of the cap, and rivetted over on the outside; f is a screw working
within the nut e, it has rivetted to its lower end the plate or disc
9, which
closes the mouth of the bottle; his the packing of prepared cork and card-
board which is interposed between the plate or disc g and the neck of the
bottle. The connection between the plate or disc g and the screw f is such
that the screw can turn independently of the plate or disc, and by so turning
it the plate or disc and packing can be forced down on to the neck of the
bottle, so as to make a tight joint. When this is done it will be impossible to
take off the cap without slacking the screw, as when the pressure comes upon
it the packing will bulge down and enter to a greater or less extent into the
mouth of the bottle. The screw.f and the disc 9 are shewn separately at

page_text: Figures 12. The rivet hole through the plate or disc g may be covered by
soldering over it a piece of metal; this, however, I do not consider to be
necessary, as the packing h, if of good quality, will make a perfect joint. I
prefer that the plate or disc g, which closes the mouth of the vessel should be
stamped, so as to be hollow in the centre at its under side, as is shewn, this
gives stiffness to the plate or disc, and also prevents the lower end of the
screw coming in contact with the packing of cardboard and cork. The cap d
is also formed by stamping up a disc at its sides; it is made cylindrical or
nearly so, in order that the plate or disc and the packing material which it
encloses may be able to move up and down freely for a short distance within
it. The top of the cap is made with a shallow recess d³ in it to receive
sealing-wax to cover the top of the screw, so that a seal may be applied in such
a way that the vessel cannot be opened without destroying the seal. The screw f
is made with a recess at its upper end to receive a key; the recess is con-
veniently made square, and nearly as deep as the screw is long. I prefer to
make this screw by stamping or pressing a disc of soft iron in suitably formed
tools; the edges of the disc are by these tools turned up and contracted until
a cylinder is formed to receive the screw thread. The tools at the same time
form the square recess in the centre of the piece. The key I employ is shewn
at Figure 13, it has at one end a solid square i to fit into the recess in the
screw, and at the other it has a point j suitable for removing the sealing wax
from the recess.
Apparatus for stopping jars I arrange precisely in the manner described as
respects bottles, the size and proportion of the parts being, however, somewhat
modified. Figure 14 is a side view of a jar closed by means of the stopping
apparatus; Figure 15 is a vertical section of the same; Figure 16 is a side
view of the jar as it appears when open; Figure 17 is a plan of the same;
Figure 18 is a side view of the stopping apparatus or cover of the jar;
Figure 19 is a plan of the same; Figure 20 is an under side view of the
cap and screw nut; Figures 21 shew separately the rings 6 and c; and
Figures 22 shew separately the cover g and screw f. The letters on the
several Figures correspond with the description herein-before given. Figure 23
is a vertical section of another form of jar with stopping apparatus also simi-
larly arranged.
It is not essential that the cover g should be connected to the screw f; it
may be introduced into its place as a separate piece, and this is a convenient
arrangement in jars of considerable size, as it enables me considerably to
reduce the height of the cap d.
Figure 23 is a vertical section of a jar and stopping apparatus thus

page_text: arranged; Figure 23° is a side view of the cap d shewn by itself; Figure 23°
is a plan, and Figure 23d an edge view of the cover g; and Figures 23° are
side and end views of the screw f. It will be seen that the screw fis
enlarged at its lower end; this serves both to increase the bearing surface on
the cover, and to prevent the screw being withdrawn from its place in
removing the cap. It will also be remarked that the cap d is much lower
than in the other arrangements in consequence of its not having to receive the
cover g. The cover 9 is in this case most conveniently made in glass or
earthenware, and is made with a boss or projection in the centre of the back
and with radial flanges. This form is very strong, and admits of the cover
being readily taken hold of to remove it from its place; there is a hollow or
recess in the centre to receive the end of the screw f. In these arrange-
ments it will be seen that when the cap is in its place it has a bearing all
round the circumference, so that the strain upon it is continuous and not
local; it is also so secured that the cap cannot be turned round. These are
important features in the arrangements.
In some cases I dispense with the flanged strip on the neck of the vessel,
and flatten the neck on two opposite sides; the cap is slidden on as before,
and is made to fit to the flattened side of the neck, thus the cap is prevented
turning, and the flange at its lower edge gets a hold in the groove in the
neck of the vessel for about two-thirds of the circumference. This arrange-
ment is applicable for bottles and other vessels with small mouths where the
stopping apparatus does not require to be very strong.
Figure 24 is a side view of a portion of a bottle with the stopping.
apparatus constructed in this manner; Figure 25 is a vertical section, and
Figure 26 is a plan of the same; Figure 27 is a plan of the upper part of
the neck of the bottle; Figure 28 is a horizontal section of the cap taken at
line 11, Figure 24; Figure 29 is a vertical section of the bottle and stopping
apparatus taken at right angles to the section shewn at Figure 25; Figures.
30 and 31 shew parts of the stopping apparatus separately, and Figure 32 is.
the key or instrument employed for securing and removing the stopping
apparatus. ȧ is the neck of the bottle; a', a', the two sides where it is
flattened, and a² the groove formed around it; b is the metal cap notched at
one side, as is clearly shewn at Figures 24 and 28; 6¹ is the interior flange
on the lower edge of the same; and which enters the groove a³ in the neck of
the bottle; 6, 6, are two filling pieces of metal fitting against the flattened.
sides of the neck of the bottle, so as to prevent the cap being turned round
when on, or the filling pieces may be dispensed with by flattening in portions

page_text: of the sides of the cap 6; 6³ is the screw nut fixed to the top of the cap; this
part is shown separately at Figures 30. c is the screw working therein; it is
shewn separately at Figures 31, and has connected with it the plate d. The
connection between these parts is made by a small stud on the lower end of
the screw, which is passed through a hole in the centre of the plate, and
rivetted over. c¹ is the recess at the top of the screw for receiving the key
shewn at Figure 32, the lower end of which is made to fit the recess; e is
the disc of cork or other similar material, which when forced downwards
against the neck of the bottle, makes a tight joint. It will be seen that as
the flange b¹ of the cap gets a bearing on the upper side of the groove a in
the neck for a distance considerably exceeding the semicircumference thereof,
there is no tendency for the cap to tip when screwed up. The projection
marked at the top of the key is for the purpose of removing the sealing wax
from the top of the screw. For large jars or vessels, the under, surface of
the plate & may be enamelled, and a ring of vulcanized india-rubber may be
d
employed to make the joint, and the plate d may be strengthened by means
of radial corrugations.
According to another arrangement, I employ a cover or stopper of suitable
rigid and non-porous material which enters into the neck of the bottle or jar,
and fits on to or into a seat therein, an elastic material being interposed
between the two surfaces. Connected with the top of the cover or stopper,
but so as to be capable of turning freely, is a screw which passes through an
outer lid; this also fits into the neck of the bottle or jar, and it is notched at
its periphery at three, four, or other convenient number of points, and the
interior of the neck of the bottle or jar has corresponding projections upon it,
so that the lid can only be dropped into its place when turned into such a
position that the notches therein correspond with the said projections; when
in it can be turned round, and then by rotating the screw, the lower cover or
stopper is forced down, and a. tight joint made. There are recesses in the rim
of the upper lid into which the projections in the neck of the bottle or jar
drop when the lower cover or stopper is forced down by the screw, so that the
lid becomes secured, and cannot be turned until the screw is again slackened;
a key is employed to turn the screw, which may, if desired, be protected by a
seal or capsule, or otherwise.
Figure 33 is a vertical section of the upper parts of a jar, together with
apparatus for stopping the same arranged in this manner, the cover being
represented as dropped in its place, but not screwed up tight; Figure 34 is
also a vertical section of the same parts, but screwed up so as to close the

page_text: jar air-tight; Figure 35 is a plan of the same parts. a, a, is the upper
portion of a jar shewn separately in plan at Figure 36; b is the cover or
stopper entering the mouth or neck thereof until the packing ring c.placed
around the said cover or stopper bears on the seat or shoulder a¹ in the jar;
d is a screw which may also, be of earthenware; it is shewn separately at
Figures 37, and is connected by the metal stem e with the cover or stopper b.
On the upper end of the stem e is an enlargement or head, and its lower end
is cemented into a hole in the cover or stopper, so that this latter and the
screw are held permanently together, but the one is able to turn independently
of the other; f is the outer lid also fitting into the mouth or neck of the jar.
A plan of this lid is shewn at Figure 38, a side view at Figure 39, and an
under side view at Figure 40.
The periphery of the lid is notched at f, f, and in the mouth or neck of
the jar are corresponding projections a³, a². The screw d, as the Drawings
shew, passes through a hole with a corresponding screw thread in the centre
of the lid f. After the cover or stopper and lid together have been dropped
into their places, and turned round an eighth of a circle, on the screw d being
turned (which is done by a suitable key entering a recess at the top) the
cover or stopper 6 is forced down, thus nipping the packing ring c between
itself and the seat or shoulder a' in the mouth of the jar, and thus a tight
joint is made; the screw at the same time presses the lid f upwards until it
bears on the under sides of the projections a³ from the jar. The bearing parts
of the lid are slightly recessed, as is seen at f³, so that the lid itself may not
be able to turn in the mouth of the jar.
In some cases I employ a lower cover or stopper, as above described,
with a screw attached so as to be able to turn freely, and in place of
arranging this to pass through an upper lid, I arrange it to screw into a thread
cut in the neck of the bottle or jar over the seat which receives the lower
cover or stopper.
Figure 41 is a side view of the neck of a bottle together with stopping
apparatus so constructed; Figure 42 is a vertical section, and Figure 43 is a
plan of the same; Figure 44 is a side view of the stopping apparatus sepa-
rately; Figure 45 is a vertical section, and Figure 46 a plan thereof.
a, a, is
the neck of the bottle, in which is a seat or shoulder at a¹; 6 is the cover or
stopper entering the neck of the bottle, and furnished with a packing ring c,
as before; it is also similarly connected with a screw d, but
working in an outer lid secured in the mouth or neck of the vessel. is in the
present case at once screwed into the neck or mouth of the bottle, a screw
this in place of

page_text: thread being formed therein at a³, as the Drawings shew.. The screw d, as it
is represented, is intended to be turned by, a key having a recess in it to receive
the projection d' at the top of the screw, but this may be varied.
In witness whereof, I, the said Nathan Thompson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
NATHAN THOMPSON. (L.s.)