matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
MENTS IN BAGS OR ENVELOPES FOR POSTAL AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Stanley Harris at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th December 1877.
WILLIAM STANLEY HARRIS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN BAGS OR ENVELOPES FOR POSTAL AND OTHER PURPOSES."
"IMPROVE-
My Invention consists in a novel method of folding and fastening bags, particularly
when such bags are made of paper, and used as sample bags for grain and other
like samples transmitted by post.
In carrying out my Invention a bag may be constructed of the ordinary oblong
or square shape, with a seam at the side or in the middle, and the bottom closed in
the usual way. The mouth of the bag is folded over laterally (so as to close the
mouth) for two or three folds. The folds are then punched with a circular punch
so as to leave holes, by preference one, in the middle, and one at each side. In the
case of small bags one hole is sufficient. The mouth of the bag is then unfolded
and the inside thickness of paper has a circular metal "eyelet hole" fastened in
the punched hole or holes, so that when the bag is filled with a sample, the mouth
can be folded over so that the circular metal eyelets come inside. To fasten the
bags I use a metal fastener, by preference with a round head and a split shank,
which is of size to pass through the metal eyelet, so that the shank can be folded
over and thus secure the bag. This method of fastening is greatly preferable to
tieing by string or tape, as the postal officials require only to bend back the
fastener to examine the contents of the bag, instead of having to untie and tie the
string or tape.
My Invention is applicable to all kinds of bags, whether of paper, parchment,
leather, cotton, linen, or other material, and is applicable to the keeping of all kind
of samples, and to their transmission by post or otherwise.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES FOR HEATING, PUDDLING, ROASTING, OR OTHERWISE WORKING OR TREATING METALS, ORES, AND THE LIKE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jacob Jones Storer, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES FOR
HEATING, PUDDLING, ROASTING, OR OTHERWISE WORKING OR TREATING
METALS, ORES, AND THE LIKE”
Sealed the 21st August 1877, and dated the 12th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jacob Jones Storer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th June 1877.
JACOB JONES STORER, of the City and State of New York, United States of
America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF FURNACES FOR HEATING, PUDDLING, ROASTING, OR OTHERWISE
WORKING OR TREATING METALS, ORES, AND THE LIKE."
This Invention has for its object improvements in furnaces for heating, puddling,
roasting, melting, or otherwise working or treating metals, ores, and the like; and
is more especially designed to adapt such furnaces for the combustion of powdered
or pulverized fuel in the most advantageous manner.
The said Invention consists in constructing puddling, heating, melting, or roasting
and similar furnaces with continuously curved internal surfaces at the roof and
sides, excepting at the parts occupied by the working doors; also in constructing
the said furnaces with small fire-boxes or gas generators for the primary heating of
the furnace, and for the ignition of the pulverized fuel used in the same; also in
constructing such furnaces with a low and broad flue or opening over the flue
bridge, and with an opening in the rear wall of the furnace, through which opening
pulverized fuel may be injected over or through the fire-placc.

page_text: The said Invention also consists in providing the top or roof of such furnaces over
the flue bridge with a metal box or bosh, to be supplied with water when it is
especially desirable or necessary to prevent the rapid destruction or burning out of
the top or roof of the furnace at that point.
The Invention also consists in providing "water boshes" to prevent excessive
consumption or waste of "fettling" or "lining,” which might otherwise result from
the intense heat of the combustion of powdered or pulverized fuel.
It also consists in the arrangement and use, when desirable, of hot blast pipes,
for the purpose of supplying heated air to the furnace in connection with pulverized
fuel.
And it further consists in the application of these improvements, or such of them
as may be desirable, to existing puddling, heating, melting, and roasting furnaces of
any form or construction.
This Invention is not applicable to blast, cupola, and other upright or vertical
furnaces.
BUILDING THE VICTORIA TUNNELS WITHIN CAISSONS BENEATH RIVERS, HARBOURS, STRAITS, AND OTHER SHALLOW WATERS FOR ROADWAYS, RAIL- WAYS, &C.; SECURING EASY GRADIENTS BY SHORT APPROACHES WHOSE CROWNS SHALL BE LEVEL WITH THE WATER BED
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Forsey Brion at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th April 1877.
"
HENRY FORSEY BRION, of 22, Philip Road, Peckham Rye, London, in the County
of Surrey, Geographical Modeller, Draughtsman, Surveyor, Relievo Map Constructor,
and Publisher. BUILDING THE VICTORIA TUNNELS WITHIN CAISSONS BENEATH
RIVERS, HARBOURS, STRAITS, AND OTHER SHALLOW WATERS FOR ROADWAYS, RAIL-
WAYS, &C.; SECURING EASY GRADIENTS BY SHORT APPROACHES WHOSE CROWNS
SHALL BE LEVEL WITH THE WATER BED."
By sinking caissons in the bed of rivers, harbours, straits and other shallow
waters where the Victoria tunnels are required to be built, then pump the water
out of the caissons, excavating vertically the soil within the caissons to the required
width and depth. The portion of the tunnel may then be built water-tight within
the caissons of stone, brick, concrete, iron, or other material, whose crowns shall be
level with the bed of water if the foundation is good, if not, concrete or other
material used to secure a solid foundation. Portion after portion can thus be built
within the caissons untill the tunnel is completed, removing the caissons when the
portion of the tunnel is completed to allow free passage for shipping over the
tunnel, the caissons being constructed to open into each other for the tunnels to be
built; but before removing one or more caissons the end of the ajoying one must
be replaced to exclude the water from the portion of the tunnel which is not
completed. The tunnel can be commenced in the centre, or shore end, or at as
many places as speed may be required.
Thus if the water is twenty feet deep, and the bredth one thousand feet, and the
height of the tunnel twenty feet, and the approaches one thousand feet on each side,
it will give a gradient of one in twenty-five. If there are fore shores of fifteen
feet the gradients can be made one in forty through the entire length of the
approaches and tunnels. The approaches would be shallow cuttings, which could
be occupied by shops at the side, where the property is valuable; or a portion may
be arched, in which case a roadway or building can be built on the top.
The bredth, height, form, single, double, or triple tunnels, length of approaches,
and gradients of the Victoria tunnels are entirely dependent on the locality and the
consideration of those concerned, for which these Victoria tunnels may be required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORTS OR COMBUSTION CHAMBERS FOR STEAM BOILER FURNACES, APPLICABLE TO HORIZONTAL LAND AND MARINE BOILERS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Kemble Stevenson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th July 1877.
GEORGE KEMBLE STEVENSON, of Great Tower Street, in the City of London,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORTS OR COMBUSTION CHAMBERS FOR STEAM
BOILER FURNACES, APPLICABLE TO HORIZONTAL LAND AND MARINE BOILERS."
This Invention refers to and is an addition to, or improvements on, an Invention
for which Letters Patent were granted to William Simpson, the 22nd May 1875,
No. 1883, for "improvements in the application and consumption of fuel in furnaces
and fire-places, and in apparatus therefor," as communicated from me, then resident
in Valparaiso, in the Republic of Chili.
Now according to my present Invention I make the retort lining or combustion
chamber of fire-brick, built or mounted upon a cast, wrought iron or other carriage,
which latter is mounted upon or carried by wheels running on rails, so that the
carriage and retort or combustion chamber may be run in or out of the boiler flue as
required.
Instead of wheels and rails, friction bearings or friction roller bearings may be
used for moving the retort or combustion chamber into and out of or from the
furnace. The fire-bricks are made of a size to suit the size of retort as experience
may dictate, and the corners may be cut off so as to form apertures in the bricks of
any desired shape found most applicable for facilitating combustion, or the bricks
may be perforated. The rails of the carriage are supported by cross bars, preferably
bent into an elongated inverted U shape, and having their bearings on the sides of
the flues, and cross sustaining rails if considered necessary.
The retort or combustion chamber may be open or closed at the back or inner end
with fire-brick or otherwise, and be perforated or not.
I do not limit myself to any particular mode or means, although I prefer those
described for fitting or applying retorts or combustion chambers to steam boilers as
aforesaid according to this my said Invention, as the same may be varied in so far
CD077

page_text: as the mechanical details thereof are concerned without departing from my Inven-
tion, the essential features of which are the employment of retorts or combustion
chambers, open, perforated, or closed at their inner ends, which are capable of being
moved in and out of the boiler flues of furnaces where powdered fuel is used, and
such furnaces as those described in the Specification of the Patent before referred to.
A NEW OR IMPROVED WHEEL FOR BICYCLES AND OTHER LIGHT VEHICLES OR CARRIAGES."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Edwin Howard at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th October 1877.
RICHARD EDWIN HOWARD, of Blackheath Hill, in the County of Kent, Architect.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED WHEEL FOR BICYCLES AND OTHER LIGHT VEHICLES OR
CARRIAGES."
The object of my Invention is the construction of wheels combining great strength
and rigidity with lightness and elegance.
I propose to make the hub in four parts, each part being a circle, with a flange on
the outer edge; the outside hub at each side of the wheel I fix to the axle with the
flange outwards, the other two hubs being loose on the axle with the flange on each,
inwards (or opposite each other). These flanges on the hubs I pierce with an equal
number of holes, which I countersink from the inside of the flange.
In the rim of the wheel, which is made of the usual V or U shaped steel, I drill
holes, through which I pass the spokes, which are headed at the rim end, and have
a screw thread on the hub end. This end of each spoke I pass through one of the
holes in the hub, and screw it up with a nut rounded at the end to fit the counter-
sunk hole, and so on with all the spokes. In the center of the wheel I fix to the
axle a piece of steel forming an arm, projecting at right angles from the axle, and
about three or four inches in length. To the two loose hubs I fix another some-
what similar arm, and of the same length. In each of these arms at the end farthest
from the centre of the wheel I pierce a hole, and connect them with a rod about
three or four inches long, which rod has a screw thread on each end of it, and is
passed through the holes in the arms, where it is screwed up by means of a nut on
each end, so that when the arms are drawn together by means of this rod they will
cause each pair of hubs to be drawn round in opposite directions, and so cause the
spokes in the two outer hubs which are fixed to the axle to cross those in the two
middle loose hubs, thus placing all the spokes out of the true radius, the object of
the rounded nuts to fit the countersunk holes being to allow play, so that the spokes
may not be bent when the hubs are forced round in this manner.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS' LAMPS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Johnson, of Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS'
LAMPS."
Sealed the 18th April 1878, and dated the 23rd October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd October 1877.
WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS' LAMPS."
My Invention relates to a method of joining the parts of the wire gauze used for
safety by miners. For this purpose I use strips of metal which fold over the edge
of the gauze, forming grooves through which the said gauze may be passed; and
pressure being then applied the whole is securely joined together.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd April 1878.
"
WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS' LAMPS."
My Invention relates to a method of joining the edges of the wire gauze used
for safety by miners. For this purpose I use strips of metal formed with grooves,
through which the edges of the gauze may be passed; and pressure being then applied
the whole is securely joined together.
In the accompanying Drawing,-
Fig. 1 represents the main gauze cylinder of a miners lamp in section, constructed
according to my Invention; and Figure 2 is a horizontal section thereof.
At a is the cylinder of gauze turned over at its edges, as seen at b, b, Fig. 2, such
turned over parts being embraced by a strip of metal c bent into the form shewn
detached upon an enlarged scale at Fig. 3. These parts being adapted to each other
by passing the turned-over edges of the gauze along the grooves of the strip c, or by
passing the said strip along the gauze; and pressure being then applied by any suit-
able means, the whole is firmly secured together. The top d of the gauze cylinder
is adapted by turning over and pressure in any usual manner, and the bottom in a
similar manner may be adapted to a ring e.
Fig. 4 and 5 represent the cap, which is made in a similar manner, by confining
the edges of the gauze within a bent strip of metal c, but in this instance the said
strip is of course on the outside. The cylinders of wire gauze thus formed may be
adapted to the other usual parts of a miners lamp in any ordinary manner.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood
that I claim as secured to me under the above in part recited Letters Patent, and
for the purpose above set forth, the use of strips of metal, illustrated at c, for
clamping and securing the edges of the wire gauze of miners lamps, substantially
as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Johnson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)
A PORTABLE BASIN, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR THE USE OF TRAVELLERS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Laurence Boyd at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd November 1877.
JAMES LAURENCE BOYD, of Number 12, Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, in the City
and County of Edinburgh. "A PORTABLE BASIN, SPECIALLY APPLICABLE FOR THE
USE OF TRAVELLERS,"
This Invention has more especially for its object to provide a wash-hand basin
for the use of travellers, and for this purpose I construct a basin, which, when out
of use, can be transformed into a water-tight bottle, capable of containing and
carrying a supply of liquid.
I make two bowls or basins of india-rubber, or other similar flexible substance,
the one to lie within the other; the outer one sufficiently thick to stand, being used
as a basin for holding liquid when the other is stiffening it, the inner one to be
more flexible, and to have a nozzle in the bottom, closed with a stopper or a cap, to
be screwed on.
The two bowls or basins are to be united at the edges, and made water-tight
throughout, and constructed in such wise that when the inner flexible one is lifted
by the nozzle there will be formed a water-tight bottle capable of containing and
carrying liquids.
The outer and stiffer bowl or basin will have a flattened bottom, upon which,
when to be used as such, it will stand.
To convert the bottle into a bowl or basin the nozzle of the upper part of the
bottle will be removed, and the upper part will be sunk into the lower part, the
two parts resuming their original position of outer and inner basins, and the water
or other liquid which, as a bottle, it has carried, will rise through the orifice of the
nozzle at the same time. By this means the bottle will be converted into a basin,
while retaining for use the water or other liquid which the bottle contained. This
feature being the specialty or novelty of the Invention.
The construction might be varied; the bottle might be made in one piece, the
flexibility of the material enabling the article to take the basin shape when

page_text: required. I think it preferable so to construct it that the article may most readily
take and retain the basin shape, and the form of construction I adopt is, I think,
best adapted for that end.
If desired, a slight frame, made to fold up when not required, could be used for
1: Paning and munnarting the basin.
required. I think it preferable so to construct it that the article may most readily
take and retain the basin shape, and the form of construction I adopt is, I think,
best adapted for that end.
If desired, a slight frame, made to fold up when not required, could be used for
stiffening and supporting the basin
When not required the whole apparatus will go into very small space.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AFFIXING POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS TO ENVELOPES AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Jensen at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 29th December 1877. (A communication
from abroad by Doctor Emil Jacobsen, of Berlin, Germany.)
PETER JENSEN, of Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
AFFIXING POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS TO ENVELOPES AND OTHER ARTICLES."
A communication from abroad by Doctor Emil Jacobsen, of Berlin, Germany.
The lower part of the apparatus constructed according to this Invention consists
of a hollow column containing an interior space of the size of the stamps to be
affixed, and deep enough to contain any convenient number of stamps superposed
upon one another like a pack of cards, with the gummed side downwards. The
bottom of this chamber is formed by a thin plate having a narrow slit through the
whole width at the left side. Above the stamps there is a piston working in the
chamber, and capable of being depressed on to the stamps, a spring raising it again
when the pressure of the hand thereon is released. A spiral spring may for this
purpose be arranged in a round casing on the top of the stamp and piston chamber.
The chainber has a door on one side for inserting the stamps. The piston has a
projecting rib on the under side opposite the slit in the bottom of the chamber. At
the right-hand of the bottom is fixed a narrow piece of sponge or pad.
The apparatus may conveniently be fitted with a handle on the right-hand side.
Taking this in the right hand the sponge is drawn from the left to the right over
the part of the envelope where the stamp is to be affixed. The piston is then
lightly depressed, whereby the bottom stamp is at one side pressed out of the slit in
the bottom, with its gummed part against the moistened part of the envelope. On
releasing the pressure the stamps will again rest loosely upon one another. Now
draw the apparatus to the right without raising it from the envelope, the partially
affixed stamp will then be drawn quite out of the chamber, and will by the bottom
edge of the latter be affixed with the rest of the gummed surface.
To admit a little air to the top of the stamp while being affixed, and for thus
preventing its adhesion by a sucking action, the bottom is forined with two very
slightly projecting side ribs on the under side.

page_text: To keep the sponge moist and ready for instant use the apparatus may when out
of use be kept standing on a small frame or stand fitted with a sponge or pad
supplied with water through one or more fine holes through the frame, and leading
to a small water trough at the side of the frame. The pad of the apparatus rests on
the moistening pad in the stand.
E
IMPROVE- MENTS IN CHIMNEY POTS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Richardson, of. John Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight,
in the County of Southampton, Writing Clerk, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CHIMNEY POTS."
Sealed the 14th August 1877, and dated the 20th February 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Richardson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th February 1877.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON, of John Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, in the County of
Southampton, Writing Clerk. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHIMNEY POTS."
The improvements consist in constructing chimney pots funnel shaped, or larger
at the top than the middle or springing, and larger at the bottom than the middle;
also in forming perforations in the sides of such pots, with the addition of louvres
serving to cause up draught and arrest down draught, and allowing the wind to
pass through, so that the pot does not present much surface to be acted on by wind,
and is consequently safer.
The improved pots may be made of metal, galvanized or otherwise, or of any
convenient material.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Richardson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
August 1877.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON, of John Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, in the County of
Southampton, Writing Clerk. IMPROVEMENTS IN CHIMNEY POTS."
"
The improvements consist in constructing chimney pots funnel shaped, or larger
at the top than the middle or springing, and larger at the bottom than the middle,
and in combination therewith forming perforations or openings in the sides of such
pots, with the addition of louvres, or guide pieces, or coverings serving to cause
rapid up draught and arrest down draught, at the same time allowing the wind to

page_text: pass through, so that the pot does not present much surface to be acted on by wind,
and is consequently safer.
The improved pots may be made of metal, galvanized or otherwise, or of any
convenient material or shape in section, bound and rivetted together by metal beads
or rivets.
The annexed Drawing will serve to show convenient modes of performing the
Invention, but I do not limit myself to the exact modes shown, which evidently
can be varied without departing from the nature of my Invention, as above set
forth.
In the Figures A are the louvres; B, the perforations; Figs. 1 and 3 are sectional
elevations; and Figs. 2 and 4, plans of same.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Richardson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the
above-named William Richardson
in the presence of
EDWARD F. BLAKE,
Solicitor,
Ryde,
W. RICHARDSON. (L.S.)
Isle of Wight.
IMPROVEMENT IN INSTRUMENTS FOR TRANSMITTING, RECORDING, AND RECEIVING TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Alva Edison at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1877.
THOMAS ALVA EDISON, of Menlo Park, in the State of New Jersey, United States
of America. "IMPROVEMENT IN INSTRUMENTS FOR TRANSMITTING, RECORDING,
AND RECEIVING TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES."
In my improvements a copy of the message sent by an ordinary key is preserved
at the sending station, and the message is recorded at the receiving station, and it
may be recorded at more than one station on the line, and the recorded message is
used to transmit upon another circuit, or to repeat the message.
The record is made by indentations in a sheet of paper, but instead of the indenta-
tions being made in a long strip of paper the record is made in either a volute line
upon a correspondingly grooved disc, or else upon a sheet of paper in a zig-zag
line, over a cylinder that is correspondingly grooved. The paper is put upon the
disc or cylinder in a predetermined position, regulated by register marks, so as to
be held accurately in place, and the indenting point is upon an arm or slide that is
kept in position by a corresponding groove, or volute, or otherwise, so that the
indenting point is always over the groove in the metallic disc or cylinder, and will
indent the paper down into the groove when the point is pressed upon the paper.
The indenting point is operated by. an electro-magnet, hence when the line connec-
tion is made through the electro-magnet there will be a record taken at the sending
station of the message sent by an ordinary key, and the same record will be made
at the distant station by a similar instrument.
In order to use the indented paper to transmit a message to a distant station the
indentations are inade to open and close a circuit breaker in the line or electric
circuit, said paper being moved automatically beneath the circuit-breaking apparatus.
The sheet may be reversed to work the circuit by the projections instead of the
indentations.
Two receiving or transmitting discs are usually connected together for long
messages, and the circuit connections and clutches to the actuating gearing are

page_text: arranged so as to connect with one and disconnect from the other alternately,
either with or without break in the message.
The sheets of indented paper can be preserved as a record, or used at any time for
transmission or repeating the message.
A magnetic engine and governor are usually employed for giving motion to the
parts that carry the paper so as to obtain uniformity of speed, or nearly so, in the
different instruments, and the line is provided with local circuits, sounders, or calls
for facilitating the business as usual; and in cases where it is preferred to make the
record on chemical paper, or by ink, it may be employed in the same apparatus.
IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Simon at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 31st December 1877. A communication
from abroad by Ferdinand Kindermann, of Neustadt, Magdeburg, in the
German Empire.
HENRY SIMON, of No. 7, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS MOTOR ENGINES." [A communication from
abroad by Ferdinand Kindermann, of Neustadt, Magdeburg, in the German
Empire.]
According to the present Invention a cylinder, open at both ends, contains two
pistons, the rods of which extend in opposite directions, and have cross heads working
in guides and connected to the ends of sway beams carried by the framing, the other
ends of which beams are connected by rods to opposite cranks on the engine shaft.
The pistons are so arranged that at the end of their instrokes they meet at the
middle of the cylinder, which has at this point ports governed by a rotary slide,
having suitable passages and connections to a gas and air supply, whereby a
combustible charge of gas and air is first admitted between the pistons, then ignited
by a gas flame, and after the combustion has taken place the gaseous products are
allowed to escape. The rotary slide receives a continuous rotary motion by means
of bevil gear and a counter shaft from the engine shaft.
In operating with this engine the engine shaft is first turned, so as to cause the
two pistons to move away from each other somewhat, whereby the combustible
charge is drawn in between them. On the ignition of this charge the two pistons
are propelled in opposite directions, thereby imparting motion simultaneously
through the sway beams, connecting rods, and opposite cranks to the crank shaft.
The return stroke of the pistons is effected by the atmospheric pressure acting
against the partial vacuum formed between the piston by the expansion and
cooling of the products of combustion.
By the above means the whole of the motive power produced by the combustion
of the gases is transmitted to the engine shaft.
MENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Curtze at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th January 1877.
JOHN CURTZE, of Sydenham, in the County of Kent, Gentleman
MENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES"
" IMPROVE-
The object of this Invention is to enable tourists and others to repair their own
boots and shoes when the soles and heels shall have become worn.
The sort of boot 01 shoe to which this Invention is specially applicable is that
known as double soled, and the mode in which the Invention is carried out is as
follows I fit into the sole a number of small screw sockets or boxes to receive
screws, by which an outer or clump sole will be screwed on to the sole
The screw
sockets will not be longer than the thickness of the sole, and the screw heads may
be countersunk in the outer or clump sole or may project beyond, so that they may
take the place of the ordinary large headed nails now generally employed in heavy
boots
The sole may be fastened to the "upper" in any well known manner, the heel
may be constructed in a similar manner, but the foundation heel may be formed of
wood or other material, on to which one or more layers of leather may be screwed
as desued
It will thus be seen that when the sole or heel becomes worn it may be
casily removed by unscrewing the screws, and a new sole or heel may be screwed
This mode of attaching the outer soles and heels of boots or shoes will also be
found very convenient for military purposes, as much time will be saved in the
repairing of the boots or shoes during a campaign.
on
IM- PROVEMENTS IN GAS METER INDICES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Joslin at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st October 1877.
GEORGE JOSLIN, of Beverley Road, Colchester, in the County of Essex. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN GAS METER INDICES."
This Invention has for its objects the construction of gas meter indices in such a
manner that the consumer may ascertain the consumption of gas for any particular
period, and set the hands on the dials at zero whenever he pleases without inter-
fering with the ordinary index attached to the meter, and for providing means for
testing the accuracy of the registration of such indices without necessitating the
revolution or vibration of the measuring chambers of the meter.
The Invention consists, in the first place, in attaching a train of wheels and three
or more dials in connection with the ordinary index, but partially independent of it.
This additional index I call the ".
'consumer's index." The consumer's index is
driven by the usual gas meter index, and is so arranged that by means of a friction
or slip wheel or wheels, and a key, each pointer or hand may be turned separately
and set upon its own spindle. The consumer may therefore. set the index to zero,
or to any other figure or position he desires, so as to show the consumption for any
given time without altering the position of the hands or registration of the index
recognised by the Gas Company or supplier of gas.
The Invention consists, secondly, in providing means for disconnecting the action
of the measuring chambers from the index by releasing one of the wheels or worm
between the index and the measuring chambers by the tightening or slacking of
a nut or screw attached thereto. The index so disengaged may then be tested
without actuating the measuring chambers by putting it in connection with a
standard index driven by clockwork or other motive power, and furnished with a
bell so as to give the tester notice when the revolution of the standard index
is complete and has stopped. The indices may then be compared.
The opening in the case of the meter where the connection was made between
the standard index and the meter index may be soldered or sealed up by the
testor.
IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS FOR CUTTING TWINE
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Sidney Grafton at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st October 1877.
SIDNEY GRAFTON, 26, Regent Place, in the Borough of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS FOR CUTTING
TWINE."
My Invention relates to an instrument to be used in the hand whilst attached to
the twine, and upon which the said instrument can be moved freely to and fro,
so that when a parcel or package has been tied the instrument is at hand to sever
the connection.
I describe the instrument as follows:-A circular knife, about one inch in diameter,
the cutting edge of which is at right angles with its disc, the aforesaid disc having
a hole through its centre, into which a ferrule is attached, and into which ferrule is
fixed a small wood handle having a hole through its centre also. Near the end of
the handle is another hole at right angles and communicating with the centre one.
The twine being so threaded through these holes sufficient friction is produced to
keep the instrument fixed when the twine is in a vertical position, at the same time
allowing the operator to freely move it to and fro.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE HEAD AND FOOT RAILS OF METALLIC BEDSTEADS, COTS, AND COUCHES, AND OTHER METALLIC RAILS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Rowland Francis Heath at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th November 1877.
ROWLAND FRANCIS HEATH, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE HEAD AND FOOT RAILS
OF METALLIC BEDSTEADS, COTS, AND COUCHES, AND OTHER METALLIC RAILS."
My Invention refers principally to the head and foot rails of metallic bedsteads,
cots, and couches, but is also applicable to other metallic rails, such for example
as rails for desks.
I will describe my Invention as applied to the foot rail of a metallic bedstead.
The top and bottom horizontal rods are fixed to the outer vertical sides or
standards in the ordinary way, the said top and bottom horizontal rails being fixed
rigidly at the required distance apart by the said standards.
In order to fix the vertical rods at the required places between the horizontal
rods, I employ for fixing each of the said vertical rods a pair of hollow bulbous,
ornaments or junction pieces, one for fixing the rod at top, the other for fixing it
at bottom. The said bulbous ornaments are concave at that end which bears
against the horizontal rod, the rod fitting in the concavity.
The end of the ornament has a screw pin fixed in it by rivetting, soldering, or
otherwise. This screw pin in fixing the vertical rods is passed through a hole in
the horizontal rod, and an ornamental screw nut is screwed on its protruding end.
By the said screw nut the bulbous ornament is firmly secured to the horizontal rod.
The end of the bulbous ornament opposite to that carrying the screw pin is open
and receives the end of the vertical rod, the said end of the rod bearing against a
shoulder in the interior of the ornament.
In putting the rail together the bulbous ornaments are arranged loosely on the
top and bottom rods by passing their screw pins through the holes made for them,
and the ends of the vertical rods are placed in the open ends of the bulbous orna-
ments of the horizontal rods. The horizontal rods are then fixed to the standards
and the screw nuts are tightly screwed on the ends of the screw pins protruding

page_text: through the holes in the top and bottom rods. Or the bulbous ornaments may be
without the screw pin described, and be furnished instead with a screwed hole. In
this case a screw pin, with an ornamental head for turning it, is passed through
the hole in the horizontal rod and takes or screws into the screwed hole in the loose
bulbous ornament in which the end of the vertical rod is inserted.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BORING MACHINERY FOR MINING PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Wardle Asquith and Richard
Donald Bain at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th March
1877.
THOMAS WARDLE ASQUITH and RICHARD DONALD BAIN, both of Seaton Dolaval,
in the County of Northumberland, Mining Engineers.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BORING
MACHINERY FOR MINING PURPOSES."
The apparatus or moans hitherto employed for boring minerals by manual labour
have been found defective in one or two points. In the first place, the winch
handle being placed, as is usually the case, at the outer extremity of the boring
shaft, to which it should when turned give a simple rotary motion, produces by
virtue of the distance between it and the support of the boring shaft a wabbling or
unsteady motion throughout the said shaft, which necessarily causes a great strain
and wear and tear to act upon the boring tool, and upon the box bearing or support
carrying the said boring shaft. In the second place, the radius of the winch handlo
prevents the boring shaft being placed close to the roof of the mine in a horizontal
position.
To remedy these defects the boring shaft passes through and is supported within
the axle of a chain wheel carried by a carrier, and driven by a similar wheel upon
the same carrier. Motion may be given to the latter wheel by a winch bandle, and
transmitted to the former wheel by an endless band or chain. The boring shaft has
two keyways along its whole length, into which loosely fit two keys or projections
from the interior of the hollow axle of the first-mentioned wheel. Consequently
when this wheel is made to rotate the boring shaft also rotates.
The forward or feed motion of the boring tool is supplied by a box nut on the
inner side of the carrier, which also forms the abutment to receive the thrust of the
boring tool. The said box nut may be hinged and supported by the boring shaft,
which is cut with a screw throughout its length to work within the box nut.
The carrier is capable of being adjusted on a suitable standard to suit the height
of the required hole.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF PICTURE AND MIRROR FRAMES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION loft by Stephen Joseph James Kelly and
Leonard Chapman at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th
December 1877.
STEPHEN JOSEPH JAMES KELLY and LEONARD CHAPMAN, both of Charlotte
Street, Shoreditch, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF PICTURE AND MIRROR FRAMES.”
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of picture and
mirror frames. For these purposes in place of forming frames of wood ornamented
with a composition moulded upon the wood, and then gilded as is now usual, we
form the frame with the ornament upon it by casting it in iron.
The frame is cast so thin as to be comparatively light, and when it has been
thoroughly cleaned from the sand, we proceed to gild the frame in the following
manner:- We beat it in an oven, and apply to it whilst it is hot a composition con-
sisting of varnish and white lead tinged with a yellow pigment. The frame is then
returned to the oven, and kept there until the coating is thoroughly dry and hard.
Afterwards in a similar manner another coating or coatings are applied, the surface
of each coating being rubbed down, in order that a very smooth face may be obtained.
When the frame has thus been made ready for gilding, we coat it with varnish
thickened with turpentine, and place it in the oven until nearly dry, when we
take it out, and whilst it is still hot and sticky we apply bronze powder to the
surface.
The superfluous bronze is carefully dusted off, and the frame is allowed to cool.
It is afterwards varnished and again stoved, which completes the process.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL BUTTER
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sydney Pitt, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL BUTTER.”
A communication from abroad by Angelus Joannis Nootenboom, of 50, Delftsche
Vaart, Rotterdam, Holland.
Sealed the 8th September 1877, and dated the 14th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sydney Pitt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th July 1877.
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL BUTTER." [A communication from abroad by Angelus
Joannis Nootenboom, of 50, Delftsche Vaart, Rotterdam, Holland.]
This Invention relates to the manufacture of a new product, to which is given the
name of milk-butterine. This product constitutes a quality differing from other
descriptions of imitation butter by the proportions of its constituent ingredients.
For its preparation I take an animal fat, such as ox or sheep fat, of which the
melting point is not higher than fifty degrees Celsius, in order that neither the
inelting point nor the firmness of the product is injured by an undue amount of
stearine.
This fat is purified by the following process:-The fat is crushed to pulp between
horizontal rollers, and falls into a sieve suspended in a vessel; beneath the sieve is
water, through which steam is driven by means of a coil. The heat rises in the
water to 70 degrees Celsius. The steam disengages the oil which falls through the
sieve. The water contains about lb. to 1 lb. of alum per ton of fat; the sieve is
then removed with the residue or scrap; then is added to the oil and the water 1
to 3 lbs. of hydrated magnesia, or of carbonate of magnesia per ton of fat.
The whole is then well stirred and agitated, and the fat or oil well washed. This
fat is mixed with a quantity of milk, varying between 30 and 40 per cent., warmed
Davies 31

page_text: to a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, and after having left it in repose for a little
while there is added to this compound a quantity of 50 per cent. butter at a
temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. Then, known mechanism is made use of to mix
this compound thoroughly, whilst a very small quantity of color is added, as
generally known; and after it has been brought to the desired firmness it is allowed
to stand some time in a cool place. In this way a quality is obtained, which, still
retaining the flavor of fresh butter by its richness in fat, possesses all the properties
of melted butter, whilst the melting point, as well as the proper degree of firmness
is maintained by the presence of stearine in the compound. A sinall quantity of
superfine arachide oil is added to bring the product to its proper softness.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN BEER AND OTHER TAPS OR COCKS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Enoch Sarjeant at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 8th August 1877.
ENOCH SARJEANT, of Balsall Heath, in the County of Worcester, Metal Worker.
"AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN BEER AND OTHER TAPS OR COCKS."
My Invention consists of the improvement or improvements herein-after described
in beer and other taps or cocks; the object of my said improvement or improvements
being so to construct the barrel or shank of the tap or cock that the tap or cock
can readily be fixed in the cask or other vessel without the necessity for striking
the nose of the tap or cock as usual.
I effect this object by forming at the rear end of the screwed or wormed barrel
or shank of the tap or cock a cutter constructed as herein-after described.
I take an ordinary tap or cock having the usual wormed or screwed conical
barrel or shank, and to the open rear end of the said barrel or shank, or that end
which enters the cask or vessel, I fix by screwing, soldering, or otherwise a tubular
cutter, the said tubular cutter consisting of a plain metal tube having the diameter
of the rear end of the shank or barrel, the extreme rear end of the said tube being
filed or otherwise shaped into a cutting edge.
The tubular cutter described is peforated with a series of small holes near its'
junction with the screwed or wormed shank or barrel of the tap for the passage of
the liquid from the cask to the tap.
In order to fix the tap in the cask, the cutter at the end of the tap shank or
barrel is pressed forcibly against the cork in the cask, and a backward and forward
partial rotation given to the tap. The tubular cutter is thereby made to cut out a
wad or circular disc from the cork in the barrel, forming a hole in the said cork of
a size proper for receiving the screwed or wormed shank or barrel of the tap. In
this way the tap is secured in the cask without striking the nose of the said tap,
and the usual packing of paper or other material for forming a tight joint between
the tap and cask is dispensed with.
The wad or piece cut out of the cork by the circular cutter fills the tubular end
of the barrel and prevents any solid matter from the cask entering and choking the

page_text: tap, the liquid from the cask entering the barrel or shank of the tap by the holes
described in the tubular cutter.
.
Instead of making a continuous cutting edge at the extreme end of the tubular
cutter, the cutting edge may be notched at intervals so as to form a set of slightly
inclined cutters at the extreme end of the tube fixed to the shank or barrel, and
instead of making the tubular cutter separate from the shank or barrel, and
attaching it to the rear end of the said shank or barrel, the said tubular cutter may
be made from the barrel or shank itself by filing, turning, or otherwise.
IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN WEAVING
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Bottomley at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th February 1877.
"AN
WILLIAM BOTTOMLEY, in the employment of Messieurs Titus Salt, Sons, and
Company, of Saltaire, near Bradford, in the County of York, Designer.
IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN WEAVING."
The object of the Invention is to insure the stoppage of the loom when the shuttle
fails to be properly boxed, and the improvement applies particularly to that class of
looms in which rotary or other shifting boxes are employed, though it is also appli-
cable to single box looms.
In carrying out my improvement I apply a lever to turn upon an axis carried by
the batten or going part of the loom, one end of which lever is in position to be
acted upon by the picker on the proper boxing of the shuttle, whilst the other end
is in position to act, by a bowl thereon or otherwise, on the inclined or curved end
of another lever, the fulcrum of which is also carried by the batten or going part,
whilst its inner end rests under the arm of the stop rod axis.
When a shuttle is properly boxed it acts through the picker on this leverage to
raise the arm of the stop rod axis from the "frog," but in the event of the shuttle
not being properly boxed at the required time the picker does not act on this
leverage to lift the stop rod arm, and the end of that arm then acts through the
frog" to stop the loom.
"