matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVE- MENTS IN TELEGRAPHING BY ELECTRICITY
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Isham Baggs at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th November
1858.
I, ISHAM BAGGS, of Kennington, in the County of Surrey, Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN TELEGRAPHING BY ELECTRICITY," to be as follows:―
My Invention consists in the employment of a fixed microscope, telescope,
or other optical power or instrument in combination with an instrument or
apparatus for indicating currents or effects produced in telegraphing by
electricity, whether needle instrument, or an instrument in which movements
or signs are capable of being produced or exerted by electricity, howsoever
obtained or applied, and whether the electricity be frictional, voltaic, or
otherwise.
In carrying out this my Invention I prefer to use the chemical agency of
electricity as acting upon particles of matter and not upon masses, and
being thereby practically independent of the opposing forces of inertia and
friction.
As an illustration of this mode of operating, I enclose two fine copper wires in a
small glass cell containing dilute sulphuric acid; these wires are by preference
pointed upwards, and covered nearly to each point with sealing wax or other
non-conductor.
In communicating by this apparatus it need only be observed that whenever

page_text: the circuit is formed, an instant and distinct stream of bubbles of hydrogen
gas is thrown from whichever wire is in connection with the negative pole of
the battery. The connections may be varied as rapidly as under the existing
system with a needle, and the effect is inevitable and far more rapid, as acting
upon particles only; a very small battery may be used, if desirable. Under this
arrangement, and by the combination with the instrument of a common lens,
or telescope, or a compound microscope, the effects may be magnified some
hundreds of times, and upwards of a million of times, if necessary, by the
oxyhydrogen microscope.
Or, for the purposes of telegraphing, I take an infusion of litmus and two
fine platina wires placed under similar circumstances, substituting a solution of
any neutral salt, such as sulphate of soda for dilute sulphuric acid, then
whenever either wire is brought into communication with the positive wire
(the circuit being as before complete) that wire is instantly surrounded with a
bright red tint. In this case a proper circulation should be maintained in the
liquid, by heat or otherwise, to remove the tint from the wire the instant after
formation.
Another part of my Invention consists in the generation of gas by electricity
as aforesaid for telegraph purposes, under a vacuum or partial vacuum, with
or without the application of the microscope, whereby the bubbles of gas are
made to expand to two or three hundred times their ordinary size, and the
indications are thus made more distinct.
Another part of my Invention consists in the application of photography
conducted by any suitable means whatever, to impress upon paper, glass, or
other material the required telegraphic communications.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM ENGINE BOILERS AND FURNACES FOR EFFECTING THE PREVENTION OF SMOKE
Year: 1858

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Allan Gibson, John Pollock, and
John Martin, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 12th June 1858.
We, ALLAN GIBSON, JOHN POLLOCK, and JOHN MARTIN, all of Stratford, in
the County of Essex, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM ENGINE BOILERS
AND FURNACES FOR EFFECTING THE PREVENTION OF SMOKE," to be as follows:-
Our said Invention relates to the introducing of air into furnaces by a
peculiar application of an air pump or air pumps, or by atmospheric pressure
through tubes suitably constructed and arranged for the purpose.
In locomotive engines we construct the smoke box with an air chamber at
the bottom, or otherwise connected therewith, and supply the same with a
safety air valve. Air is forced into this chaniber by means of an air pump
worked from the engine, and having a communication with the air chamber
by means of a pipe having a suitable valve; the compressed air escapes by two
or more tubes running through the lower part of the boiler, and which are
connected within the furnace by a cross tube perforated; or we sometimes use
air tubes merely applied externally on cach side of the top of the boiler, where
they may serve the purpose also of hand rails; these tubes, say one on each
side, are bell-mouthed, where they protrude at the back end of the smoke-box;

page_text: but in front they enter the steam space over the fire-box, and passing through
the crown of the furnace descend within it on both sides, where they are
perforated with numerous apertures for the escape of the air forced through the
pipes by the blast created during the travelling of the locomotive.
When it is requisite, we recommend the use of a donkey engine, independent
of the locomotive engine to work the air force pumps, and the same may be
applied for supplying the requisite air to the furnaces of steam engines
generally. We have thus described one application of our said improvements,
but the same may be modified and adapted to marine and other engine boilers
and furnaces.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CORE BARS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Gustave Schmidt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th November
1858.
I, GUSTAVE SCHMIDT, of No. 2, Caroline Street, Bedford Square, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CORE BARS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of core
bars. In casting hollow articles it has been usual to employ hollow core bars,
and the core is formed on such bars by wrapping them round with hay bands,
and afterwards coating them with loam. The object of the hay bands in
this arrangement is to facilitate the withdrawal of the core bar. In some
cases the use of hay bands has been avoided by dividing the core bar into
several pieces longitudinally, and so arranging them that the several parts may
be drawn inwards, so as to free the core bar from the article cast on it; but
core bars of this description, as they have been constructed heretofore, are
complicated and expensive.
Now, my Invention consists in combining together the several sections into
which a core bar is divided longitudinally, by hingeing them each at one
extremity to an end piece or plate, so that each section can move inwards on
its hinge towards the central line or axis of the bar. When the core bar is
required for casting, the different sections at their free ends are arranged
round a short central plug to which they are attached by suitable fastenings;

page_text: and when the core bar is coated with loam, the casting is effected in the
usual manner; afterwards, to withdraw the core bar, the central plug is
removed, and the sections caused to fall inwards, and when thus freed from
the article cast upon it, the removal of the core bar is easy.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Patrick Robertson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th January
1858. A communication.
I, PATRICK ROBERTSON, of Sun Court, Cornhill, in the City of London, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS," to
be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in lamps. For these
purposes the hydrocarbon or other fluid to be burned in a lamp made
according to the Invention is contained in an inner vessel of india-rubber, the
interior surface of which is suitably prepared so as not to be acted on by the
fluid. This inner vessel of india-rubber is of smaller dimensions than the
vessel of glass, metal, or other material which contains it, so that there is a.
space all round the outside of the flexible interior vessel; hence, in the event
of there being pressure on the interior, the vessel will not burst, and in the
event of the outer vessel being broken the hydrocarbon or other liquid will
not be spilled. The upper part or neck of the flexible vessel is fixed in any
suitable manner to the outer vessel, in order to the burner being attached
thereto. When using burners with wick tubes, such wick tubes are fixed to
a disc which rests on an inner ledge at the upper part of the lamp, and such
wick tubes pass up through two tubes fixed to the cap or cover, which is

page_text: removed when the lamp is to be filled with the hydrocarbon or other fluid,
and there is a spring introduced between the under surface of the cap and the
upper surface of the disc; hence, the cap cannot be removed without extin-
guishing the flames at the upper ends of the wicks. The spring is around a
hollow pin fixed to the under side of the cap. By this arrangement the lamp
cannot be supplied with liquid without first extinguishing the flame.
A NOVEL METHOD OF PROPULSION APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES
Year: 1858

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Thorrington at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th February
1858.
I, GEORGE THORRINGTON, of Old Windsor, in the County of Berks, Lighter-
man, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NOVEL METHOD
OF PROPULSION APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES," to be as follows, that is
to say :-
The Invention consists in the use of a right and left handed screw, placed
parallel to each other near the surface of the earth, and revolving in opposite
directions to each other in bearings supported on a suitably contrived frame,
which is borne on running and guiding wheels. The blades of the screws in
their revolution take in the soil and so effect progression. The screws are set
in motion by appropriate gearing driven by steam or other suitable power.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1858

page_text: vy the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Bowlas at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th January
1858.
I, DAVID BOWLAS, of Reddish, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER
FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to such portion of preparing and spinning machinery
known as the "top rollers," and the improvement consists in driving or im-
parting a rotatory motion to such "top rollers," which is effected by means of
endless bands or straps, elastic or otherwise, passing around the neck or
wharve upon the top roller, and also around a driving shaft (or wharves there-
upon), situated either above or below the "roller beam," and by means of
this or other similar suitable arrangement, I am enabled entirely to dispense
with the "saddle" weight, hooks, and weights, at present employed in con-
nection with the "top rollers," as it will be evident that by the employment
and use of the said driving band, any required weight or pressure may be
applied to the "top rollers," and also that any required speed may be imparted
thereto; the speed which I prefer being (just to give the lead or advance) at
the rate of about one in fifty quicker than the lower rollers.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSURE AND VACUUM GAUGES
Year: 1858

page_text: rovisional I rotection,
notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Anthony Casartelli and Louis
Casartelli at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 7th April 1858.
We, ANTHONY CASARTELLI and LOUIS CASARTELLI, both of Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Opticians, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSURE AND VACUUM GAUGES," to be as
follows:-
To steam boilers or any other vessel, where the pressure or vacuum
requires indicating, we attach our improved gauge, which consists of a cylinder,
piston, and spring, with a quadrant and pinion acting upon a finger or hand
on a dial, thus indicating the pressure of the steam or the vacuum formed
in any given space, or otherwise, as may be desired. This gauge can be made
to withstand any pressure by regulating the strength of the spring, and by
means of an adjusting screw can be varied at pleasure.
Our Invention consists in the application of a cylinder and piston with a
spring inside, and connecting the piston rod to the quadrant and the regulating
screw, so that the gauges can be adjusted and kept correct.
A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING STEEL
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Dixon at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th October
1858.
I, JOSEPH DIXON, of Jersey, City in the State of New Jersey, United States
of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING STEEL," to be as follows:-
I take cast iron in plates, or other convenient form, of or th of an inch
thick, more or less, and of any convenient size. I place the same in a con-
verting or cementing furnace such as is used in the manufacture of blistered
steel, and stratify said plates with sand, ashes, charcoal, or any substance that
will sustain the heat of the furnace during the operation. The furnace being
thus filled with stratified cast iron is subjected to heat for two or three weeks,
more or less, according to circumstances. This operation converts the cast
iron directly into steel, resembling the blistered steel of commerce, and of a
superior quality, because the metal has not been injured by previous conversion
into wrought iron, and the steel manufactured by the above method can be
cast or otherwise worked as usual.
AN IMPROVED SELF-DETACHING SAFETY HOOK' OR 'COUPLING
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert McLean Livingston at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
December 1858.
I, ROBERT MCLEAN LIVINGSTON, of the State of Alabama, in the United.
States of America, at present residing in Manchester, in the County of Lan-
caster, Vice-Consul, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED SELF-DETACHING SAFETY HOOK' OR 'COUPLING,'" to be as follows:-
My Invention is designed principally for the purpose of effecting the safe
and speedy detachment of boats when lowered into the water from ships or
vessels, but is of course applicable in all other instances wherein such appa-
ratus may be conveniently employed. The apparatus is simple and self-acting,
which an inspection of the Drawing annexed will clearly exhibit.
Fig. 1 is a front or side view, shewing the apparatus closed or in a holding
or retaining position, Fig. 2 being a similar view, shewing it when opened or
in a detached position; and Fig. 3, an end view.
a, a, are two hooked levers, kept in contact at b, when the boat or weight
is held in suspension by them by means of the inward pull or force of
their weighted ends c, c; these bent levers are hinged at d to the holding
"shackle" e, and secured by a small safety chain f. Instantly on the suspended
boat or other weight coming into contact with water, or otherwise, and the
small chain being disengaged from one of the lever ends, their weighted ends
will cause the lower or hooked ends to open as in Fig. 2, and the "self-
detachment" of the boat (or weight) and its holding or retaining hook or
coupling is effected.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN RESPIRATORS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Wainwright at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th October
1858.
I, JOHN WAINWRIGHT, of Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Dental
Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN RESPIRATORS," to be as follows:-
All the respirators hitherto in use bave retained a portion of the expired
air, which produces exhaustion and renders the instrument itself ultimately
injurious, the respired air being of course quite unfit to re-enter the lungs,
especially when the lungs have been so weakened as to require the use of
such an instrument at all.
My improved respirator differs essentially from all others, firstly, in having
two valves, thereby allowing the inhalation and exhalation to be conducted
through separate media, all previous respirators being arranged so that the
inspiration and expiration take place through one medium, which of course in
time retains a portion of the expired air. In my respirator I separate by my
valves the two actions, and render it impossible that any foul or exhausted air
can be retained in the instrument. A person may continue to use it for an
indefinitely long period with increasing benefit. Secondly, in constructing
my improved respirator I employ a series of metal plates, by preference three
in number, in place of the wire gauze usually employed in respirators.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CANDLESTICKS OR HOLDERS FOR CANDLES
Year: 1858

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, but notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th July
1858. A communication.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North
Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CANDLESTICKS OR HOLDERS FOR CANDLES," a communication
from a foreigner residing abroad, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved construction and arrangement of
candlesticks or holders for candles whether used separately as hand candle-
sticks or applied to chandeliers, lamps, or lanterns, whereby the ordinary
button and slide hitherto used in some cases for forcing up the candle from
its socket when nearly burnt out is dispensed with, and a more effectual
apparatus substituted. This apparatus enables the candle not only to be
easily raised from its socket, but combines also an effective "save-all,"
whereby all waste is obviated. These improvements consist in the application
and use of a screw spindle having one, two, or more spiral threads formed
upon it, such spindle being contained within the hollow of the candlestick.
The upper end of the spindle carries a "save-all," which consists of a metal
cylinder sliding freely within the socket of the candlestick, whilst the lower
end of the spindle carries suitable lateral projections which enter corre-

page_text: sponding straight slots or grooves made in the interior of the candlestick, or
of a separate guiding piece fitted therein for the purpose of preventing the
spindle from rotating, but at the same time allowing it to ascend or descend
at pleasure. A nut embraces the screw spindle, and is secured in any con-
venient manner to the lower portion of the socket of the candlestick, which
is so constructed as to be free to be rotated by hand. On imparting a turn in
either direction to the upper part of the candlestick, the nut by its rotation
will obviously raise or lower the spindle, and with it the "save-all." It is
further proposed, for the sake of economy of production, to cast several of the
internal portions of this apparatus in zinc; as, for example, the nut which
actuates the spindle, the guide piece which contains the guiding slot, and also
the sliding cylinder or "save-all," as by this means the parts when cast will be
ready for application without the expence of further manipulation. It is
obvious that the particular arrangement of this apparatus may be considerably
varied in detail without interfering with the essential feature of this Invention,
which is the employment, for the purpose herein-before set forth, of a screw,
spindle, and nut for raising or lowering the bottom of a candlestick, socket,
or "save-all."
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COPPER PIPES AND TUBES
Year: 1858

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, but notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Archibald Brooman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
June 1858. A communication by Messieurs Liébaut and Egrot.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, E.C., Editor of the Mechanics' Magazine, and Patent Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF COPPER PIPES AND TUBES," (communicated to me by Messieurs
Liébaut and Egrot, foreigners residing abroad,) to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in manufacturing copper tubes and pipes without
joint or weld, and either straight or curved, by depositing copper in a galvanic
battery over and upon a core of lead, or other fusible metal or material
capable of being fused or melted by heat, or otherwise reduced and removed.
The core may be solid or hollow, and when hollow may be allowed to remain
in the copper tube, or may be removed by melting, or otherwise.
IMPROVEMENTS IN A BLACK BOARD AND APPARATUS POR TEACHING MUSIC
Year: 1858

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard
left by Richard Coleman Henry
Groombridge, Henry Groombridge, and John Musselwhite at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 5th April
1858.
We, RICHARD COLEMAN HENRY GROOMBRIDGE and HENRY GROOMBRIDGE,
both of No. 5, Paternoster Row, in the City of London, Publishers, and JOHN
MUSSELWHITE, of No. 19, Aldersgate St., in the City of London, Accountant,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN A
BLACK BOARD AND APPARATUS POR TEACHING MUSIC," to be as follows:-
In constructing a black board or framework having the entire surface or
parallel spaces fitted, inlaid, or overlaid with cork or other soft material, upon
which the five lines of the musical staff are painted or drawn, or across which
wires may be strained so as to render the said musical staff clear and well
defined.
In constructing musical notes and signs of metal or any other suitable
material, with tangs or pointed stems fitted or fixed thereto, so that they may
be readily inserted in the required position on the aforesaid black board, the
cork or other soft material of which securely retains them.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IM- PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Smith, James Townsend,
and Edward Walter Williams at the Office of the, Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 4th December 1858.
We, ALFRED SMITH, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manu-
facturer, and JAMES TOWNSEND, of Birmingham aforesaid, Manufacturer, and
EDWARD WALTER WILLIAMS, of Birmingham aforesaid, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IM-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:—
Our Invention relates to those breech-loading fire-arms in which the barrel
or barrels move in a vertical plane, and consists of the improvement or
improvements herein-after described for securing the barrel in its place during
discharge; the ordinary fastening consists of an incline turning upon a centre,
and engaging with a knuckle or staple on the under side of the barrel; the
engagement and disengagement of the incline with the barrel being effected by
turning a handle on the axis of the incline.
Our Invention consists in making a double incline, or two inclines turning
on an axis in the body of the fire-arm, the said inclines being situated opposite
to each other on the axis. On the under side of the barrel two knuckles or
staples are formed, with which the two inclines engage. The fastening is
effected, as in the ordinary construction, by the motion of a handle on the axis
of the inclines. We prefer to make the inclines and the handle in one solid
piece. In the body of the gun two openings are made, through which the
before-mentioned knuckles or staples on the under side of the barrel pass to

page_text: engage with the inclines. The said openings are made out of the solid, and
the axis on which the inclines turn is fixed on the under side of the solid bar
separating the two openings. By our Invention greater security is obtained
in fixing the barrel or barrels in their place after loading and during
discharge.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE PREPARATION OF PAPER TO RENDER WRITING THEREON INDELIABLE
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ernest Julius Seyd and John
William Northway Brewer at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 7th October 1858.
We, ERNEST JULIUS SEYD, Merchant, and JOHN WILLIAM NORTHWAY
BREWER, Chemist, all of the City of London, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE PREPARATION OF PAPER TO
RENDER WRITING THEREON INDELIABLE," to be as follows:-
Our said Invention refers to a preparation of paper by applying to it
an aqueous solution of ferrocyanide of potassium, which paper so prepared,
when dry and written on with common writing ink, renders such writing
indelible. The ferrocyanide of potassium may be dissolved in distilled water,
the strength of the solution varying with the nature of the application to be
made therewith, and such solutions may be applied to the pulp in the manu-
facture of paper, or to the ordinary manufactured paper. Other salts besides
the ferrocyanide of potassium may be similarly applied when acting in like
manner on the ferruginous base of the writing ink.
AN IMPROVED WATERPROOF LITHIC PAINT
Year: 1858

page_text: ໄວ້
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed by
the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Frederie Chantrell at the
Office of the Commissioners of l'atents, with his Petition, on the
14th May 1858.
I, GEORGE FREDERIC CHANTRELL, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Furnace Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED WATERPROOF LITHIC PAINT," to be as follows (that is to say):--
This improved composition or waterproof lithic paint may be applied to all
or any of the purposes for which oil paint is used; it may also be employed as
a substitute for the water colorings now in use for covering external and
internal walls, and other like purposes. This improved composition may be
made by taking, say, two parts by weight of the liquid silicate of soda, or
silicate of potash of commerce, of a specific gravity of about 1-200, say, ono
part by weight of the carbonate of lime (the common chalk of commerce)
reduced to a fine powder, to which is added, say, one part by weight of
the china clay of commerce, which it is also preferred to reduce to a fine
powder, to which may be added a little cheese or milk, or other mater
composing caseine. The relative proportions of the chalk and china clay
may be varied at pleasure, or the chalk or the china clay may be used solely.
The ingredients being placed in any suitable vessel, are then intimately
mixed together, when a whiteing paint or waterproof wash will be produced.

page_text: This composition may be stained or colored any tint that may be desired, by
adding thereto any suitable coloring matter. The composition is then put into
close vessels until required for use, when it is applied to the surface to be
coated in the same way as common oil or water color paint is now applied.
IMPROVEMENTS IN INKSTANDS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Patrick Robertson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th January
1858. A communication.
I, PATRICK ROBERTSON, of the American Commcial Agency, 1, Sun Court,
Cornhill, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
INKSTANDS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in inkstands. For this
purpose the ink vessel or holder is made of vulcanized india-rubber, or other
suitable flexible and elastic material. Through the upper part of the vessel
the hollow stem of a glass or other suitable dipping cup descends, so that its
lower end is pressed on the flexible elastic bottom of the vessel, which forms
or acts as an elastic valve to close the bottom of such hollow stem of the
dipping cup, which gives way and allows the ink to pass when pressure is
applied to the ink vessel.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN LAYING DOWN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH CABLES
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Fowler at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd March
1858.
I, JOHN FOWLER, junior, of Cornhill, in the City of London, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED
IN LAYING DOWN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH CABLES," to be as follows:—
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus employed in
laying down electric telegraph cables. For these purposes, in order to reduce
the weight or strain on the cable (in deep seas), by reason of the great length
of cable between the bottom of the sea and the vessel, the cable is caused to
descend in contact with a succession of pullies in such manner as to press
thereon and give motion thereto. The axes of the pulleys have attached to
them paddles or vanes, which by their rotation offer resistance to the rotation
of the pullies, and consequently to the movement of the cable, so that the
weight of the cable hanging between the ship or vessel and the bottom of the
sea, will be reduced according to the number of the pullies interposed,
the pullies in succession supporting the weight of the cable at intervals more
or less near together, according to the circumstances of the particular case.
The pullies are carried by means of two cables or ropes, which descend from
the ship or vessel to a greater or less depth, according to the extent to which
it is desired to give support to the electric telegraph cable, and the two
ropes or cables are kept apart at intervals, in their length by suitable frames

page_text: or stays, which are arranged to form guides for the electric telegraph cable.
The two ropes or cables may be more or less buoyed or supported by having
the pullies attached thereto hollow, or by other means, in order to reduce the
strain on the upper parts of such cables or ropes.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL LEATHER
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Kemble Hall at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
February 1858.
I, WILLIAM KEMBLE HALL, Engineer, of 36, Cannon Street, in the City of
London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL LEATHER," to be as follows:-
The constituents of leather which is a definite chemical compound being
procurable at a comparatively cheap rate, may be profitably combined to
form a substance resembling leather and applicable to the formation of boots
and shoes, harness, trunks, and other purposes for which leather is generally
used. The gelatine and fatty matters of the skin are represented by glue
and grease, and the tannic acid and mucilaginous matters by terra japonica.
To accomplish their combination with water as a solvent, the fatty portion of
the composition is used in the modified condition of soap, which occasions its
solubility in water. With this solution of leather, as it may be termed, I
impregnate a suitably woven or felted fabric, which is subsequently passed
through a solution of alum or other similar reagent, by which the entire
material and its respective parts are rendered insoluble in water. There
is therefore no destructive action exercised by water or dampness upon this
material, although no expensive oils or compositions of india-rubber are
used in its manufacture. The fabric known as undressed moleskin, which is a

page_text: cheap strong twilled manufacture with a napped surface, is peculiarly appli-
cable to this purpose. The surface of the artificial leather may be dressed
with the ordinary dubbing, used by curriers, or may be enamelled in black or
colours in the manner practised with genuine leather.
AN IMPROVED ROTARY ENGINE
Year: 1858

page_text: This Invention received Provisional Protection, ut notice to proceed
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Armand Gilbee at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd July 1858.-A communication.
I, WILLIAM ARMAND GILBEE, of No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "AN
IMPROVED ROTARY ENGINE," to be as follows, that is to say :-
The Invention consists in a modified construction of rotary engine, and is
composed of two cylinders united end to end, and attached together by a
common plate which serves as a separation, and having one shaft passing
through them, provided in each cylinder with a cast-iron piece or washer, which
latter also supports two wings or pistons. These pistons move in a circular
direction in an annular space, divided into two equal parts by moveable par-
tition plates. The steam enters at both ends of the cylinder through ingress
pipes, and passing through the valve chest and orifices, presses simultaneously
against the two pistons, and causes them to travel over a half circumference;
at this moment the partition plates which slide in grooves, rise and allow the
pistons to continue their course. To facilitate the passage of this dead point,
the pistons of the second cylinder are disposed perpendicularly in such wise as
to be at their highest point of power. A perfect vacuum is kept up in front
of the pistons by the part of the cylinders through which they have to pass
being in constant communication with the condenser, by orifices which cor-

page_text: respond through an opening in the slide valve. The action of the moveable
plates in each cylinder is effected by the motive shaft; for this purpose, right
and left of the cylinders are placed two excentrics containing grooves, which
approach or recede from the centre, so as to cause rollers mounted on stems
or rods to recede from or approach the shaft. The to-and-fro movement
given to the rods or stems causes two levers to oscillate, and to lower or raise
the separating plates. To avoid loss of steam which would result from a
communication with the middle of the cylinder, the iron pieces or washers
supporting the pistons are surrounded with steel rings placed in annular
notches, and pressed home by springs. The pistons bear on three sides of the
moveable steel packing, which joins closely the sides of the cylinder. The
shaft of the engine is supported at its extremities by bearings, and by means
of straps or gearing it transmits the motion to other apparatus. Excentrics
suitably disposed work the feed and condensing pumps.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING BOATS AND VESSELS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Randal Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th October
1858.
I, JAMES RANDAL SMITH, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING BOATS AND VESSELS," to be as
follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to a simple mechanical arrangement whereby boats
and vessels may be propelled with much greater case than by oars.
According to one modification of the Invention, as applicable to boats of
moderate size, such as are usually propelled by oars, a horizontal transverse
paddle shaft is fitted up in suitable bearings near the boat's bow or well
forward; this shaft has a paddle wheel at each end, working in the usual
manner, and it has upon it a toothed pinion, by which it is geared through a
train of spur wheels and pinions, with the shaft of a ratchet wheel, which shaft
works in bearings a little abaft the paddle shaft. The train of gearing is so
arranged, that one turn of the ratchet shaft gives a considerable number of
turns to the paddle wheel shaft. The ratchet wheel is actuated by a pawl and
detent arrangement, in connection with one end of a long working lever
disposed lengthways and horizontally in the boat, the length being as great as
the boat will conveniently allow. The party working or propelling the boat
is seated in the stern, so as to be within convenient reach of the after end of
the great lever, and by working this lever up and down in a vertical direction,

page_text: he actuates the ratchet movement, and through it and the gearing the paddle
wheels. The long actuating lever gives the operator great power, and a com-
paritively small amount of traverse of the hand-worked end gives a con-
siderable amount of movement to the paddle wheels. Instead of one main
lever two or more such levers may be used for corresponding operators; and
instead of the ordinary ratchet action, a silent clipping or frictional nipping
ratchet movement may be employed. Various kinds of gearing may also be
used for getting up the speed.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Martin Westmacott at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th December 1858.
I, CHARLES MARTIN WESTMACOTT, of Arboretum Street, Litchurch, near
Derby, in the County of Derby, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS," to be as follows:—
This Invention has for its object improvements in the permanent way of
railways. For the purpose of fixing fish plates to railway rails, rails to chairs
and sleepers, chairs to sleepers, and the separate parts of chairs or sleepers (in
such as are made in more than one piece) the one to the other, I employ
screw bolts having heads at one end, and right and left handed screws cut on
the other. The screw thread, which is furthest from the head, is formed on a
part of the bolt which is smaller in diameter than the part on which the other
thread is cut; these screw threads receive nuts, which are screwed on in
opposite directions, and of which one serves to lock the other, or the screw
nearest the head is arranged to screw into a hole tapped in the fish plate or
rail, or other part to be secured.
In the construction of permanent ways in which transverse sleepers and
chairs are employed, I place cushions of wood or other suitable material
exterior of the chair and on each side of it, so that the under side of the rail
may rest on these cushions; in this manner a longer bearing surface is
provided for the rail than when it is supported by the chair only, as is usual;
and in arranging the chairs for supporting the rails in place of forming them

page_text: with two fixed jaws with sufficient space between them to receive both the rail
and a wooden key, by which the rail is fixed according to the system most
usually adopted heretofore, I make the end of one of the jaws a detached
piece, which drops in between the rail and the other part of the jaw, and is
secured by a bolt passing through it and through the bottom of the chair; and
it is of such a form as when in place to hold the rail without the use of a key.
In some cases I employ cushions of wood between the parts of the chair and
the rail. In some cases also I fit ordinary double-headed rails into troughs,
which are so formed that the rail is capable of freely entering the trough, and
is secured therein by filling blocks, which are placed in the trough after the
rail, and fixed by bolts or otherwise; these troughs are furnished with wings
to rest on or in the ballast; and I prefer to place these wings at different
levels, the one on the outside of the line of rails to rest on the surface of the
ballast, and that on the inside to be buried in it.
In place of employing fish plates to secure the ends of rails, I in some
cases secure them by placing the ends to be secured in a metal trough made
to fit over the lower part of the rails.
AN IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF WATER SUPPLY VALVE
Year: 1858

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, but notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Nicholas Common at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th March
1858.
I, NICHOLAS COMMON, of Rose Hill, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT OF WATER SUPPLY VALVE," to be as follows:-
The chief object of this Invention is to prevent the waste of water which at
present occurs in water-closets. For this purpose I provide in the outlet pipe
an equilibrium valve which commands a two-way outlet passage for the
water, and this valve I actuate by means of a rock bar mounted on a fixed
fulcrum, and connected at one end with the valve rod, and at the other with a
link jointed to a fixed bearing. On the fulcrum of this rock bar I mount
loosely a tumbling lever, which by its action in either direction opens and
closes the equilibrium valve by falling over on to one or other end of the rock
bar. Below the valve is a plunger which fits into the closed bottom of the
outlet pipe, and is pierced with a small hole to allow water to flow beneath
the plunger and escape upwards therefrom, thus serving as a cushion for the
downward motion of the plunger. The handle for working the valve is
connected to the pan lever as usual, and to the lower end of the handle rod
radius levers are connected, their fixed fulcrum being the fulcrum of the rock

page_text: bar. Attached to the tumbling lever by a swivel pin is a tumbling piece
against which the levers as they rise bear, and thereby the radius levers
alternately (as the handle is drawn:up) throw.over.the tumbling lever, which
forces the valve in contact with its upper or lower. seat.
By this arrangement it will be understood that water can only escape at
the moment that the valve is being moved from one seat to the other..
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE PROCESS OF AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DYEING YARNS
Year: 1858

page_text: This invention Tec
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Mallison, junior, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th May 1858.
I, JAMES MALLISON, junior, of Bolton-le-Moors, in the County of Lancaster.
Yarn Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PROCESS OF AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DYEING
YARNS," to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates more particularly to the dyeing of yarns in the "cop"
but is equally applicable to the said purpose when the yarn is in the "hank" or
"bundle." The improvement consists in dyeing yarns in vacuo, which may bo
effected by the following means, the yarn to be dyed is placed in a chamber or
receptacle in connection with a suitable arrangement of pumps for extracting
the air therefrom, and when the air has been sufficiently exhausted from the
chamber containing the yarn, and a vacuum obtained, the dyeing liquid is to bo
admitted to the chamber until full, by which means the "cops," "hanks," or
"bundles "of yarn will become thoroughly saturated or impregnated with the
dyeing liquid as required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES AND STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Sharp and William Elder
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the
22nd December 1858.
We, GEORGE SHARP, of Jarrow, in the County of Durham, Millwright, and
WILLIAM ELDER, of the same Place, Engine Smith, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES AND STEAM
BOILERS," to be as follows:-
We supply fuel to the furnace at the speed and time required by means of
a screw placed outside of a hollow barrel or cylinder, through the interior of
which the necessary air passes to the furnace. The air enters through a
nozzle or other suitable arrangement, and the fuel through a hopper or other
contrivance. Upon the exterior of the barrel we place feathers or arms for
the purpose of spreading the coal and forcing the air into the interior of the
furnace, a fan being employed, when required, for circulating the air, thus
enabling us to manufacture a very complete and efficient arrangement of
steam boilers adapted either for hand or marine purposes.
IM- PROVED DRIVING MACHINERY APPLICABLE FOR THRASHING GRAIN AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Fréderic Vasserot at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th
November 1858.-A communication from Auguste Bauguin, of Nantes,
Loiro Inférieure, in the Empire of France.
I, CHARLES FREDERIC VASSEROT, of 45, Essex Street, Strand, London,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVED DRIVING MACHINERY APPLICABLE FOR THRASHING GRAIN AND OTHER
AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES," a communication from Auguste Bauguin, residing
at Nantes, Loire Inférieure, in the Empire of France,) to be as follows,
and is composed, 1st, of a foundation plate of cast iron fixed upon a wooden
frame. 2nd, of a large toothed wheel, the teeth of which are in its inner
periphery; upon this wheel are fixed the poles or shafts by which the horse
or other motive power is applied. 3rd, of a pinion gearing with the main
wheel above named. This pinion is cast of one piece, with a toothed wheel
to which it gives motion. This toothed wheel gears with a pinion placed
upon a vertical axle passing through the centre of the foundation plate. A
bevil wheel is placed at the lower end of the said vertical axle, which gears
with a pinion fixed upon a horizontal shaft, upon which is a rigger connected
by means of an endless band to a small pulley placed upon the shaft of the
thrashing cylinder or other machinery to be driven.