matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOKS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Platt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on tho
18th January 1869.
I, WILLIAM HENRY PLATT, of Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
* IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOKS FOR WEAVING," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to the construction of the
shuttle and shuttle pin or "peg" employed in looms for weaving, tho
former of which is designed for the purpose of giving strength to
the shuttle, increasing thereby its durability, and the latter for more
rigidly retaining the shuttle, pin, or tongue in its position, whether open
to receive the cop, or closed for "picking," and also for the purpose of
firmly retaining the cop when on the "pin" during the time it is
expending itself from the shuttle.
The improvement in the construction of the shuttle consists in the
hole to receive the head of the pin or tongue, a distance equal to the
depth of the same, the bottom of the shuttle underneath the head by
this means being left solid; into this solid part I form a recess parallel

page_text: to the bottom of the shuttle, into which a metal plate is inserted that
forms a slight yielding metallic surface or bed against which the head of
the pins bears, thereby strengthening the shuttle, and at the same time
making the frictional surface against which the pin head bears more
durable, or the recess may be carried through and a supporting pin
placed underneath. In order to place the cop upon the shuttle, tongue,
or pin with the greatest ease, I slightly incline or curve the end of the
spring, now well known and extensively employed for retaining the cop;
upon this the curved portion a fixed pin is caused to press when the pin
or tongue is opened, which depresses the spring so as to make it lie flat
with the pin, allowing thereby the ready placing on of the cop, but
when closing the cop in the shuttle the curved end of the spring being
free from the pressure of the fixed pin allows the pin to bulge or swell
out and press against the interior surface of the cop, by which means
the cop is firmly retained until finally run out during moving.
Secondly. The Invention relates to the novel construction and manu-
facture of "pickers," the formation and outer shell of which I compose of
malliable iron or other similar tough metal, midfeathers or strengthening
ties being formed to give durability, the recesses or interticies being filled
with wood or other suitable light material, a wad of buffaloe hide or other
slightly yielding material being dovetailed or otherwise secured in that
portion of the picker striking the shuttle, the striking wad being readily
replaced, thus enabling me to produce a picker both light and durable;
the frictional surfaces of the picker in contact with the spindles may be
cushed with brass or other suitable metal or material, or a tube of hard
wood which has been previously thoroughly saturated with oil may be
employed for supporting the picker upon the "spindle."
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND ORNAMENTATION OF LADIES' NIGHT DRESS CASES, BED HEAD BAGS, WATCH POCKETS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Knowles and Joseph
Lindley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 30th June 1869.
We, ROBERT KNOWLES and JOSEPHI LINDLEY, both of the City of
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturers, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE AND ORNAMENTATION OF LADIES' NIGHT DRESS CASES, BED HEAD
BAGS, WATCH POCKETS, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the manufacture and ornamentation
of ladies' night dress cases, bed head bags, watch pockets, and other
similar articles by sewing and embroidering or fringing machinery
instead of by hand as heretofore, so that the fringing of the edges and
the sewing together of the two or more fabrics of which such articles
are manufactured may be performed either separately by two distinct
machines, viz., by a sewing machine and an embroidering or fringing
machine, or by a single fringing or embroidering machine, by passing
the fringing or embroidering thread or threads through the fabrics at

page_text: the edges, and thus to sew and embroider or fringe the edges of such
articles all in one operation, thereby dispensing with a sewing machine.
This Invention further consists in manufacturing such articles of
patterns specially designed and manufactured for the purpose, either
printed or woven, such fabrics being secured together and ornamented
as herein-before described.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR DIMINISHING THE EFFECTS OF THE OSCILLATION OF VESSELS AND FOR PREVENTING SEA SICKNESS
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Lorenzo Dow Newell, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th August 1869.
I, LORENZO Dow NEWELL, of New York, United States of America,
Merchant, at present of 123, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR DIMINISHING THE EFFECTS OF THE OSCILLATION OF VESSELS AND
FOR PREVENTING SEA SICKNESS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to apparatus for diminishing the effects of the
oscillation of vessels and for preventing sea sickness, and consists in
supporting a hollow frame of wood, iron, or other suitable material on
pivots affixed to pillars or supports in any suitable part of the vessel.
Inside this said frame and supported by other pivots placed on two of
the arms thereof (the axial line of the said pivots being at right angles
to the axial line of those before mentioned) is suspended a circular couch
or sofa, the sectional form of which is that of a hemisphere or basin, the
said frame and couch being so suspended in relation to each other and
to the vessel that oscillation is reduced to a minimum, thus preventing

page_text: the unpleasant feeling consequent on the rolling and other movements
of a vessel at sea. The cabins in which these couches or sofas are
intended to be placed are not large enough to contain more than one,
the said cabins being entered by a sliding door in the partition near one
corner of the apartment, a corresponding door in the couch or sofa
turning up on a hinge to admit the person therein. Another corner of
the apartment is used for washing and other necessary purposes, the
remaining corners and spare spaces on the partitions being employed for
luggage, wearing apparel, and other articles. Windows may be placed
in the partitions, and a table fixed in the centre of the circular couch
during meals or at other times, and boards or other supports may be
placed across a part of the seat for resting the legs when required. And
although I prefer to place each of these said balanced couches or sofas
in a separate state cabin, yet two or more may be arranged in the
general cabin, or in other parts of the vessel if desirable.
In- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS POR FACILITATING THE CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE IN FURNACES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left, by William Stephenson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th May 1869.
I, WILLIAM STEPHENSON, of Sculcoats, in the County of York,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS POR FACILITATING THE CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE IN
FURNACES," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is the consumption of smoke from
furnace fires when fresh fuel is inserted on the bars by an apparatus
put in motion by the action of the furnace door while being opened.
The Invention consists in fitting a cylindrical or other shaped reservoir
at or near the front of the furnace. In this reservoir I fit a vessel
having a valve opening inwards in the bottom of it. The upper part of
this vessel is connected to a series of rods and levers to a door or valve
set in the brickwork at or near the bridge at the back of the furnace.
There is a projection or a depending lever on the furnace door, when the
door is opened the projection comes against one of the rods and causes
the other rods and the levers to open the valve at the bridge. Air is

page_text: ;
then free to enter and mix with the smoke whereby the smoke becomes
consumed; at the same time the weighted end of one of the levers is
mised which is in connection with the vessel by means of a cord or
clain this allows the vessel to sink into the water in the reservoir and
become partly filled with the water which enters through the valve.
When the furnace door is shut the weighted end of the lever descends
and gradually closes the valve at the bridge. The speed at which the
valve is closed is regulated by the outflow of the water which is allowed
to escape from the vessel.
IMPROVED MEANS OF INDICATING THE MILEAGE OF CABS AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Wright at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Pétition, on the 31st
December 1869.
I, JOHN WRIGHT, of Rochester, in the County of Kent, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
MEANS OF INDICATING THE MILEAGE OF CABS AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
The means I employ for indicating the number of miles or other
distances run by cabs or other vehicles consists of an elastic band or
strip secured within a box or case. The band or strip is held secure at
its ends by pins or studs, and is impressed with figures or other signs.
on its face, over which a finger is caused to move to show the distance-
travelled. The band or strip can be stretched, so that fewer figures are
exhibited through the glass with which the case is provided to suit
different sized wheels upon the vehicle and with which it is in con-
nection. The finger is caused to travel along the face of the band or
strip by mechanism of any kind, but I prefer to use a half nut working
on a threaded rod, which is geared into by a worm on the axle of a band

page_text: wheel driven by a corresponding sized band wheel on the nave or other
part of one of the running wheels, or a groove in the nave of the same.
When the finger has moved over the strip, and indicated the distance
travelled, the passenger can tell the same and pay his fare accordingly,
and the driver by pulling a string or cord can release the half nut
from the thread of the rod, when a spring will take the finger back
to zero ready for the next passenger. In some cases I provide a second
finger for moving along another part of the strip to show the total
number of miles the vehicle has gone over in, say, one day; this is under
lock and key, and can only be got at by the master or other person
appointed for that purpose. In first setting the elastic strip I run the
vehicle over a fixed distance, this moves the first-mentioned finger to a
fixed point; I then stretch the strip to bring the figure under the finger
and corresponding to the known distance, and secure it in that position.
Should the same strip be required for a different sized wheel I move that
wheel over a fixed distance, and then stretch and secure the strip in the
same manner. Of course any distance can be ascertained by calculating
the diameter of the wheel and moving the finger accordingly instead of
actually going over the distance.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CIRCULAR SAW BENCHES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Grint at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th July
1809.
I, JAMES GRINT, of Battersea, in the County of Surrey, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CIRCULAR
SAW BENCHES," to be as follows:-
The Invention has for its object improvements in circular saw benches.
For this purpose I dispense with the gut or band hitherto employed for
communicating motion from the saw spindle to the feeding mechanism,
and in lieu thereof I form on or mount on the saw spindle a screw
thread or worm, which takes into a screw wheel mounted on one end of
an axis, on the other end of which a pulling up cone is mounted, or if
desired a pinion may be mounted on the end of such axis to take into a
toothed wheel formed on or fixed to the pulling up cone, a clutch being
employed to throw the parts into and out of gear as required.
I also employ an improved arrangement of pulley and guide for the
rope or chain for feeding the timber up to the same. For this purpose
I so mount the pulley and guide for the rope as to be adjustable in both
directions as may be required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL HEALDS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jules Bélicard at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
November 1869.
I, JULES BÉLICARD, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF METAL HEALDS FOR WEAVING," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of healds from wire, and
consists principally in making each heald of a single wire doubled and
twisted so as to form the eye (instead of making them each of two wires
looped together), and then securing the twists at the top and bottom of
the eye by means of solder. In making these healds I take a wire of
rather more than double the length of the heald required and secure it
by the middle to the bottom shaft of the heald. I then take two
ends and make a single tie or twist to form the bottom of the eye, and a
second similar tie or twist for the top of the eye, tying or twisting the
wire in each instance over a rod or bar which acts as a gauge and thus
insures the exact position and uniformity of each eye. The two ends
are then secured to the top shaft in the usual or any other convenient
manner. I next solder each twist at the top and bottom of each eye to

page_text: prevent the possibility of its slipping or becoming loose, and this
soldering also prevents the yarn from becoming caught in the twist of
the wire, and presents a very smooth and even surface for the yarn to
work through both in rising and falling.
IMPROVED MATERIAL TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OP BLANKETS KNOWN AS 'WASHING BLANKETS' AS USED BY CALICO PRINTERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES REQUIRING A WATERPROOF MATERIAL HAVING AN ABSORBENT SURFACE
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Walker at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th December
1869.
I, JOSEPH WALKER, of Clayton-le-Moors, in the County of Lancaster,
India-rubber Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVED MATERIAL TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE
OP BLANKETS KNOWN AS 'WASHING BLANKETS' AS USED BY CALICO PRINTERS,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES REQUIRING A WATERPROOF MATERIAL HAVING AN
ABSORBENT SURFACE," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to produce a material from which
washing blankets used by calico printers may be manufactured, whilst
being waterproof will also be on one surface absorbent so as to gather
the superfluous color or colors used when printing, and thus dispense
with the use of separate or loose cloths now employed in connection
with the ordinary washing blanket. The improved material from which
I manufacture such blankets is produced as follows:-The india-rubber
when in the soft state, that is to say, previously to its being vulcanized,
is covered on one surface with powdered cork; the cork by the pressure
of rollers being partially embedded in the india-rubber firmly adheres

page_text: thereto. The rollers may be engraved or cut to any design so as to
produce a corresponding pattern on the cork or absorbent surface of the
material. For purposes requiring a considerable degree of absorbentcy
the cork is applied in a granular form and caused to adhere as described
by pressure.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL AND OTHER COCKS, TAPS, AND VALVES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Norton at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th May
1869.
I, JAMES NORTON, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Lead and
Glass Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL AND OTHER COCKS, TAPS, AND VALVES," to be as
follows:-
The Patent ball cock has a chamber in the centre of the cylinder
thro' which works a cone valve attached to the lever of the ball, which
by direct action opens or shuts the valve and prevents it sticking, and
upon the least portion of the water being drawn out of the cistern
will cause the ball to fall, opening the valve and refill the cistern
to which it is attached, and is adapted for either hot or cold water, high
or low pressure, and can be arranged for any supply desired. The
cylinder of the ball cock contains a washer of leather, india-rubber, or

page_text: some equivalent material, upon which the cone plug presses, forming a
water-tight valve. The upper part of the plug is split to receive the end
of the ball lever, in which it is held by a screw, so that as the ball falls
the plunger is raised to allow the liquor to escape.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPRESSED LEATHER
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Burr at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th March
1869.
I, WILLIAM BURR, of King Edward Street, in the City of London,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF COMPRESSED LEATHER," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in certain improvements in the manufacture
of compressed leather such as is used for the "insoles" of boots and
shoes, and which is composed of shavings and fragments of leather
formed into sheets by means of hydraulic or other suitable pressure.
The compressed leather hitherto used has been subject to the influence
of moisture, thereby causing the rivets of the boots or shoes in which it
is employed to become loosened, and at the same time diminishing the
cohesion between the fragments or pieces of which the sheet of com-
pressed leather has been formed.
By means of the present Invention these objections are obviated.
Instead of leaving the surfaces of the compressed leather in an unpro-
tected state one or both of the surfaces thereof is or are coated with a

page_text: composition capable of resisting the influence of moisture and of
preventing the same from being absorbed by the leather.
The composition which by preference is employed, and which is
eminently calculated to effect the object of this Invention, consists of
a mixture of vegetable black, boiled oil, and litharge, the requisite
proportions of which will be well understood by persons conversant
with the manufacture of such articles. Any other waterproofing com-
position possessing similar or analogous qualities may, however, be
employed for the like purposes. Compressed leather which has been
thus prepared is impervious to moisture; the rivets used in the manu-
facture of boots or shoes to which it has been applied retain their
positions, and the cohesion of the fragments or pieces of which the
compressed leather consists is increased.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MILLS FOR CLEANING RICE OR OTHER GRAIN
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Spooner at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
January 1869.
I, DAVID SPOONER, of West Abbey Road, Kilburn, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MILLS FOR CLEANING RICE OR OTHER
GRAIN," to be as follows (that is to say):
aforesaid is more
My Invention has reference to a mode of facilitating the cleaning of
rico and other grain by submitting the same when under operation
within the mill to additional rubbing or frictional surfaces than at
present, whereby the cleaning of the said rice as
effectually and expeditiously performed; and consists in employing in
place of the ordinary single drum or roller a series of circular plates or
dises arranged vertically at convenient distances apart upon an hori-
zontal shaft, and caused to revolve in connection with the same upon
suitable bearings within the outer case or jacket of the mill through the
nicdium of steam or other motivo power, by the construction and arrange-

page_text: ment of which the aforesaid additional rubbing and frictional surfaces
are obtained, and the grain thus operated upon in greater quantity and
in less time; the said circular plates or discs (for the above purpose)
being formed of perforated iron, and coated or recoated as required with
any of the usual preparations of artificial stone hitherto employed.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN LADIES' BUSTLES AND CRINOLINES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Emile Collard at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th April
1869. A communication from abroad by Mesdames Duvergé's
Sisters, of 58, Rue St. Laud, Angers, France.
I, EMILE COLLARD, of 37, Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVEMENT IN LADIES' BUSTLES AND CRINOLINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object to improve ladies' dresses by a bustle
(or dress improver), which can be expanded or made narrower according
to the size required by means of steel springs or whalebones fastened at
the right and left angles, an opening being left in the center of the tube
in which the springs are moving, and which allows the inner ends of the
said springs to be drawn out or moved in again according to desire
The required size is obtained and secured by means of fastenings of tape,
buckles, hooks, catchs, or buttons.

page_text: The said Invention is applicable to bustles and crinolines made of any
kind of material.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to a precise
number or kind of springs, whalebones, nor the precise number or kind
of fastenings that might be required.
AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF SURGICAL BANDAGE
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Whitchall
Mulloney at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 10th February 1869.
I, SAMUEL WHITEHALL MULLONEY, of Coventry, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF SURGICAL BANDAGE," to be as
follows:-
The object of this Invention is to produce a bandage for surgical and
other purposes having a firmly woven but non-rigid selvage.
A common way of forming bandages is to tear them from a piece of
calico, but the disadvantage of these is that they "fray" or "rove"
out at the edges in washing. Bandages have also been formed in the
loom, that is, with a selvage, the inelasticity of which causes the
bandage, when applied, to cut and indent the limb, and thus to give
pain or discomfort to the patient. By my Invention, however, I am
enabled to produce a bandage that can be applied with any desired
amount of tension without such a result.

page_text: The improvement is obtained by making in the process of weaving the
bandage a series of what are known to manufacturers of ornamental
goods as continuous "purls" or loops along each edge of the bandage
instead of forming as heretofore a rigid or inelastic selvage, and I thus
give the edge an equal elasticity with the centre of the fabric, combining
at the same time the advantages of both the above-mentioned bandages
without their disadvantages.
A NEW SYSTEM OF SIGNALLING BY COMPRESSED AIR
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Penning at the.
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th January 1869.
I, WILLIAM HENRY PENNING, of Bishop Stortford, in the County
of Hertford, and of Her Majesty's Geological Survey of England and
Wales, Jermyn Street, London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "A NEW SYSTEM OF SIGNALLING BY COMPRESSED AIR,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of a mode of transmitting signals suitable as a
means of communication in houses, buildings, and public places, on
carriages, on board ships, steam ships and boats, and especially applicablo
as a means of intercommunication between the passengers, guards, and
drivers in railway trains.
1. The principle applied in the "compressed air system" of signalling
is the tendency of atmospheric air as an elastic, fluid when confined in

page_text: (Article 4, Section A), the compressed air immediately escapes, rushes
along the tube of communication (Article 4, Section B,) in each direction
that may be open to it, and causes the whistle or other alarum (Article 4,
Section O,) to sound until the valve is again closed, or until all the air is
exhausted.
AN IMPROVED ATTACHMENT OR DEVICE FOR BALANCING TOILET AND OTHER LOOKING-GLASSES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Taylor at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th August
1869.
I, JOHN TAYLOR, of Herne Bay, in the County of Kent, Clerk, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
ATTACHMENT OR DEVICE FOR BALANCING TOILET AND OTHER LOOKING-GLASSES,"
be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to cause toilet glasses to remain at any
inclination at which they may be placed, and to prevent them from
moving or toppling over accidentally. To this end I adapt to the back
of the glass frame a moveable weight, which will change its position as
the frame of the glass is moved on its axis, so that it will always be
suspended in or near the line of the centre of gravity.
One way of carrying out my Invention is by attaching to the back of
the frame a curved guide or bar, which is placed vertically, and is
coincident with a curve or semicircle struck from the horizontal axis or
centre pivots of the frame. On this curved guide is suspended (by a

page_text: small roller or pulley) a weight, so that it may run on the curved guide
and change its position thereon as the glass is turned on its axis of
motion.
As a modification of the above instead of suspending the balancing
weight outside the curved guide the latter may be made in the form of
a curved tube in which a spherical or other weight may be placed, so that
as the frame is tilted in either direction the weight inside the tube will
always run down to the lowest point and thus maintain the glass at the
desired inclination. If desired leaden shot or bullets or quicksilver may
be placed in the curved tube instead of a single weight.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Leonard Wray at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th October
1869.
I, LEONARD WRAY, of Ramsgate, in the County of Kent, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES," to be as follows:-
The first improvement relates to rotary engines and the second to
reciprocating engines.
In my improved rotary engine the cylinder and the steam space are of
an annular form, and in the cylinder works a piston which is attached to
the end of an arm mounted on the central shaft of the engine. A
moveable abutment or steam stop is placed in a recess in the valve box
or other convenient part, and is moved in and out of the cylinder by any
sultable gearing or mechanical device so as to allow the piston to pass.
Steam is admitted to the annular steam space between the stop and the
piston, and thus forces the latter forward. At the same time a partial
vacuum or exhaust is produced behind the piston, so as to increase th..
steam pressure on its face. Instead of employing steam to propel the
piston I sometimes use atmospheric pressure by creating a vacuum
behind the piston and allowing air to rush in in front of it.

page_text: In my improved reciprocating engine I employ a cylinder open at
both ends, in the central portion of which works a piston, its rod being
connected as in an ordinary steam engine. This piston is moved back-
wards and forwards by the air being exhausted before and behind the
piston alternately, the cylinder being provided with suitable valves or
other mechanical devices necessary to work the exhaust.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BUILDING OF PUMPS IN GENERAL WHICH PERMIT THEIR WORKING WITHOUT PISTONS AND OIL
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Raoul Pictet at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th July
1869.
I, RAOUL PICTET, of No. 4, Rue Jean Goujon, in the City of Paris,
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BUILDING OF PUMPS IN GENERAL WHICH PERMIT THEIR
WORKING WITHOUT PISTONS AND OIL," to be as follows:-
In most machinery where piston lift and force pumps are employed
many disadvantages occur and interfere with the working of the
apparatus, which being lubricated with oil allows considerable escapes
either from the stuffing box lid or the piston, and to remedy which
by means of a closed adjustment is waste of labour on account of
the great friction occasioned thereby. To obviate these defects I have
conceived the following arrangement, which gives an incontestable
superiority to my apparatus over those of a similar species, that is to say
(as illustration of my principle), I employ two cylinders of cast or
wrought iron connected by a conduit, a metal rundle bearing a second
and thinner one serves to support the lower part of a bellows, whose

page_text: folds are maintained internally by metal rings. At the upper part of
the first cylinder a metal float is arranged, which rises and falls therein.
Two tubes arranged in the cover of the first cylinder terminate in two
inverse valves; between these a small glass tube is placed, in which a
ball or disc rises and falls, and to which a shaft is connected as well as
to the float, a spring being placed above the disc, so that the rising and
falling of the float is indicated by the disc. The other cylinder is also
furnished with a bellows, likewise fixed to a rundle; to the bottom of
this bellows a shaft is fixed, which is connected to another actuated by a
lever, wheel, eccentric, or otherwise. Water is introduced by a pipe into
the conduit, and the air escaping the bellows in the first cylinder is
filled with water, whilst the second is submerged in it without entering
the interior. Round the first-named bellows some mercury is poured in
sufficient quantity to completely cover the top, on this the float rests;
the apparatus is then set in motion by any suitable means, the shaft of
the second bellows forcing the water in the second cylinder to pass into
the bellows of the first, which then rises; the mercury follows this
movement and raises the float. The ball in the glass tube corresponds
with a mark indicating that the space between the top of the float and
the cylinder is sufficiently reduced. When this position is attained and
the bellows distended the apparatus is in working order, and can work
indefinitely without inconvenience.
Pumps of this discription are intended for marine purposes, in the
manufacture of artificial ice, in medical establishments, as lift and force
pumps for gas and liquids, and in the preservation of meats, fish, and
other animal and vegetable substances.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN FURNACES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Southern, of Top Lock, Aspull, near
Wigan, in the County of Lancashire, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FURNACES."
Sealed the 9th October 1869, and dated the 3rd May 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Southern āt
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd May 1869.
I, PETER SOUTHERN, of Top Lock, Aspull, near Wigan, in the
County of Lancashire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES," to be as follows:-
For
This Invention has for its object improvements in furnaces.
the purpose of feeding fuel into a furnace from a hopper at the front of
the furnace, and carrying it forward continuously from front to back of
the furnace I employ circular fire-bars placed transversely of the

page_text: furnace; these bars at their ends I support in bearings on the side
plates of a frame which is mounted on wheels, so that it can be run in
and out of the furnace, and this frame also carries the hopper containing
the fuel. The circular fire-bars are corrugated with longitudinal and
also with transverse corrugations passing around them, and have each a
slow revolving motion imparted to them so that they shall carry
forward the fuel from the hopper continuously into and through the
furnace. The corrugations in the circular bars in addition to facilitating
the moving forward of the fuel also allow air to pass in freely to
support combustion. I prefer also to make the circular bars hollow,
and to provide perforations in them through which air or steam might
be injected into the furnace, or the hollow bars might have a current of
water passing through them to keep them cool. Above the dead bars
which run from front to back of the furnace at its sides I place tubes
through which water or steam or air is passed, as is usual in what are
known as Juckes' furnace, and these tubes are also carried round the
back end of the series of revolving bars to form a stop or bridge. I
prefer to give the revolving motion to the furnace bars by a screw
running from front to back of one side of the frame carrying the bars,
which screw gears into worm wheels on each bar. I prefer to drive the
screw from the front end of the furnace, or the bars might otherwise
have a revolving motion given to them. It is not essential that all the
bars should be of the same diameter, as the bars near the front of the
furnace might be of a different diameter to the bars at the other end of the
furnace. The circular bars I prefer to be of about six or seven inches
in diameter, and in the hollows or spaces between the circular bars bars
of a triangular form may be placed so as to fill in the spaces, and these
bars may be mounted on axes at their ends so that they can rock freely.
The upper surface of the revolving bars should project somewhat above
the level of the upper surface of these triangular bars so as to facilitate
the feeding forward of the fuel.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF STAGE LIGHTS, AND IN SHADES FOR COVERING OR PROTECTING THE SAME
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Barbour at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
October 1869.
I, WILLIAM BARBOUR, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF STAGE LIGHTS, AND IN SHADES FOR COVERING OR
PROTECTING THE SAME," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object certain improvements in stage lights
whereby they are hid from the audience in a theatre or other place
where they are or may be used, and by this improvement the lights are
also completely protected, so that actors' and actresses' dresses and other
articles on the stage are prevented from taking fire, and at the same
time perfect ventilation of the lights is secured.
The Invention is carried into effect by employing a curved casing
which consists of a Venetian or louvre screen placed over the lights on
the side towards the audience, the openings in the screen allowing of the
free ventilation of the lights. The front part of the casing or that
towards the stage is composed of glass, so that the lights are completely
enclosed by the Venetian or louvre screen and the glass through which

page_text: the light is transmitted to the stage. In order to produce various
coloured lights this is effected by employing frames in front of the glass,
these carrying glass or other media of the different colours required, so
that by sliding any one or more of these in front of the glass which
constitutes part of the case the required coloured light is thrown on to
the stage. The lights in the casing are arranged alternately at a higher
and lower level, so that the whole stage, persons, scenery, and other
things thereon may be completely illuminated. The back of the case is
made partly double, that is to say, with an air space, the object of this
being to prevent the heat from the lights being radiated into the
orchestra. The laths of the Venetian or louvre casing are held in place
by a series of transverse bars in which openings are cut corresponding to
the section of the laths; in this manner the rivetting or bolting of the
laths to the frame is obviated and the laths are easily removed and
replaced.
AN IMPROVED COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION IN IMITATION OF MARBLE, VENEER, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FANCY AND OTHER ARTICLEB
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Wilhelm Matt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th August
1869.
I, WILHELM MATT, of Homerton, in the County of Middlesex, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
COMPOUND OR COMPOSITION IN IMITATION OF MARBLE, VENEER, AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES TO BE USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FANCY AND OTHER ARTICLEB,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in an improved compound or composition in
imitation of marble, veneer, and other substances to be used in the
manufacture of fancy and other articles, such as jewel cases, dressing
cases, frames for looking glasses, sculpture, and all other purposes to
which it can be applied.
I first boil six pounds of glue in sixteen pints of water until it is
cleared of all deleterious substances, and then add thereto a pint of
glycerine; I next boil three pounds of rosin in three pints of linseed
oil until the rosin is entirely dissolved; I mix the above solutions in a
boiling state and stir the composition until it becomes of a white color.

page_text: The colors required to be mixed with this white composition for purposes
of ornamentation and design are separately sifted in a dry powdered
state; a suitable quantity of each color is then placed in a heap on
a slab or other surface and a hollow or recess made therein to receive
as much of the above-described composition in a boiling state as will
absorb the color, and this mixture is then kneaded until it attains the
consistency of putty; each kneaded mass of colored composition is
then covered with a damp cloth to keep it in a moist state, by which
means the composition will be kept in a proper consistency for use.
I then take as many of these masses or balls of colored composition
as are required for the design or substance to be. represented or manu-
factured and roll them together. If marble or veneer is desired to be
imitated the mass must be thus kneaded until the veins of the marble
or the grain of the wood appear in sufficient perfection; the colored
mass is then placed on a warm slab, rolled flat, and spread on the surface
desired to be ornamented, or is moulded in any required shape or form.
The above proportions may be increased or diminished according to the
quantity of the compound or composition required.
ان
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING COFFEE AND OTHER, INFUSIONS
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Mangnall at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th January
1809.
I, JOHN MANGNALL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Commercial Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREPARING COFFEE AND OTHER,
INFUSIONS," to he as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object the constructing of improved and
simplified apparatus for preparing infusions in such a way that the
ground coffee berries or other substances used are subjected to a
steaming action.
The improved apparatus may be made of various forms, but in one
simple modification a cylindrical vessel is divided into lower and upper-
compartments by a diaphragm made by preference with its centre
depressed and with an open topped tube projecting up from it. A tube
of a little larger size is provided to place over the diaphragm tube, and
the upper end of this outer tube is closed whilst a perforated straining
disc is fixed to its lower end. In using the apparatus a little water
is placed in the lower compartment, the outer tube is put in its place,

page_text: the coffee is put in the upper compartment, and the remainder of the
water (boiling or nearly so) is poured also into the upper compartment;
the flame of a spirit or other convenient lamp is then applied to the
bottom of the lower compartment, and the steam produced rises up the
diaphragm pipe, descends by the outer pipe, and rises up through the
coffee. When this action is considered complete the lamp is removed,
and a vacuum being formed in the lower compartment the water in
the upper compartment is by the atmospheric pressure made to pass
down through the coffee and by the tubes into the lower compartment,
whence it is withdrawn by a stop-cock. An air tube with a plug is
by preference provided in connection with the lower compartment to
facilitate emptying and filling it.
In another modification the upper and lower compartments are made
in separate pieces and the lower one may be in shape like an ordinary
coffee pot with a spout, a plug being provided for closing the spout
when the steaming action is progressing. The two pieces of the appa-
ratus are made to fit together air-tight or nearly so by being conically
shaped at their junction, and a ring of vulcanised rubber being applied
between them.
Both modifications act and are used in the same way; but the second
may be placed on a common fire instead of having a spirit or other lamp
applied under it.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LACE MADE ON BOBBIN NET OR TWIST LACE MACHINES, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Wright and Isaac Fox
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 17th May 1869.
We, THOMAS WRIGHT and ISAAC Fox, both of the Town and County
of the Town of Nottingham, Lace Manufacturers, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
LACE MADE ON BOBBIN NET OR TWIST LACE MACHINES, AND IN THE MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
We make Ensor net with finings and openwork by a stump bar or bars
placed above the bottom bars. When we employ one stump bar only
the slots formed by the parts of such bar are eight in number from the
front of the machine to the back of the machine. When we employ two
stump bars there are four slots in each bar from the front of the
machine to the back of the machine. When we employ four stump
bars there are-two slots in each bar from the front of the machine to
the back of the machine. Suppose we employ two stump bars, each bar
having four slots from front to back of the machine, each bar is thus
constructed. Each wire will form a stump (when wire is used), and a
little above the top edge of the bar is bent at right angles to the depth

page_text: of the bar horizontally, thus projecting over the side of the bar, and
every wire is also beut at a right angle to itself horizontally either to
the right or left and parallel to the side of the bar, and again
bent at a right angle to the side of the bar, so that cach pair of
wires will form two slots and two half slots, which being repeated the
length required the whole will form a succession of slots, cach slot
overlapping one half of the two immediately adjacent slots at the side
thereof. Each slot is divided by wires longitudinally, thus forming in
each bar four holes or slots from the front of the machine to the back
of the machine. Each slot is the length of two gates in the machine
in which they are used, and in each slot is entered one thread from
the bottom bar; the bottom bars and the above stump bars are
operated upon by the jacquard or its equivalont in the usual way.
The novelty consists in making this net and "finings" and "open-
work" by the above stump bar or bars, and the bottom bars, thereby
considerably reducing the number of top bars heretofore employed.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Adams at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
December 1869.
I, WILLIAM ADAMS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows :—
My Invention relates to breech-loading fire-arms of the kind called
drop-down guns, and consists of the arrangement or combination of
parts herein-after described for connecting the barrels to the body of the
gun and fixing down the barrels for firing.
In order to form the joint upon which the barrels turn I make the
body of the gun about double the length of that of the ordinary drop-
down gun, and the fore end of the body I make of a fork shape, a
knuckle on the under side of the barrels engaging within the said fork
and forming when a screw pin is passed through the said fork and
knuckle the joint on which the barrels turn. Near the rear of the body
is a rectangular opening into which a lump on the under side of the
barrels and near their rear ends enters when the barrels are shut down.
A bolt sliding horizontally projects into the said opening, being urged

page_text: forward by a spring. The upper end of the bolt is bevilled, and on
shutting down the barrels the inclined edge of the lump presses back
the bolt, which when the barrels are fully shut down snaps into a recess
in the said lump and fixes down the barrels ready for firing. In front
of the trigger guard is a lever having motion in a vertical plane. The
upper short arm of this lever engages in a hole in the locking bolt.
By pressing the said lever towards the muzzle end of the gun the bolt is
withdrawn and the barrels may be raised for charging. The lever for
withdrawing the bolt may be placed on the side or other convenient part
of the gun.
By constructing the body and jointing the barrels thereto in the
manner described the stock of the gun is made in one piece, that is, the
stock is without the separate piece called the fore end used in the ordinary
drop-down gun. The ordinary separate metallic tail piece forming a
continuation of the body is also dispensed with.
My improvements may be applied to drop-down guns for firing central-
fire cartridges or pin cartridges.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CLASS OF VEHICLES KNOWN AS 'BASKET CARS
Year: 1869

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Proud at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
February 1869.
I, JOSEPH PROUD, of Carlisle, in the County of Cumberland, Coach
Builder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CLASS OF VEHICLES KNOWN AS 'BASKET CARS,'" to be as follows,
that is to say :-
This Invention relates to improvements in that class of vehicles known
as "basket cars," and it consists, firstly, in fixing the "uprights" (which
may be of iron, wood, or other material) of the basket or wickerwork
into a bar of wood which is fastened to the frame of the car. By this
means the wickerwork is raised a little above the floor or bottom of the
car, and prevented from being rotted by any water which may lodge
therein.
Another part of this Invention consists in forming the front part of
the body of wood, and also the fore part of the sides, which are liable to
be crushed by persons getting into or out of the car.