matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION, left by John Charles Alexander Pfaff at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd August 1855.
I, JOHN CHARLES ALEXANDER PFAFF, of Wiesbaden, in the Grand Duchy of
Hesse, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in an arrangement of machinery in which a columu
of liquid is made to act upon two pistons at the same time, and these
pistons, being placed in suitable cylinders and connected to balance levers
communicating by means of any suitable gearing with a main shaft, the
latter will be made to rotate as the levers vibrate up and down, the said
levers and their appendages being so arranged that when one lever moves
up the other moves down. After the column of water has exerted its full
force on the moving pistons, and communicated through them a vibrating
motion to the balance levers, the latter are brought back to their original
positions by a counterbalance weight, and the liquid forced from between the
pistons in the cylinders along exit pipes to a reservoir above, from whence it
again passes into the space between the pistons to exert anew its impelling
force on the pistons.

page_text: It will of course be understood that the supply and exit pipes of the cylinders
are provided with suitable valves, which, as in steam engines, must be opened
and closed at proper intervals to regulate the passage of the liquid. From the
above explanation it will be understood that the movement of the pistons is
based upon the principle that a column of liquid is capable of exerting a
greater pressure than its own weight, and that this pressure consists of the
base pressed upon, multiplied by the pressing column, and the pressing column
may even be smaller than the quantity of two other columns, which give
an opposite pressure in case the pressure be changed from a mechanical
pressure.
For the ascent of the pistons the height of the first column is diminished in
such manner that the pressure of one of the last opposite columns acquires a
preponderance over the opposite force which remains to the first, for which
purpose the exit and entrance valves of the cylinder change their positions. At
each descent of the pistons a quantity of liquid flows back through the exit
pipe into the reservoir, the quantity being equal to that which it is required to
supply to the cylinder between the pistons.
AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION APPLICABLE TO THE COATING OF IRON, WOOD, STONE, METALS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jean Baptiste Mario Potin and
Antoine Gabriel Nicolas Lingéc, at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 24th July 1855.
We, JEAN BAPTISTE MARIE POTIN, Chymist, and ANTOINE GABRIEL NICOLAS
LINGEE, Landlord, both residing in Paris, Rue Richer, No. 26, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVED COMPOSITION APPLICABLE
TO THE COATING OF IRON, WOOD, STONE, METALS, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," to be
as follows:-
This composition, which we call "volcanic cement," consists of twenty-five
parts of oil and seventy-five parts of pulverised sulphur. The oil is to be
placed in a boiler and warmed very slowly, adding the sulphur in small quan-
tities; when it is melted the heat is to be increased until ebullition takes
place. A brown matter is then formed, when the whole is to be well and
carefully stirred, and the composition will become solid and clastic, similar to
caoutchouc. The composition when used may be mixed with oil or other
substances in different proportions, according to the nature of the material to
which it is to be applied as a coating.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF MAKING AN EASEL
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Thomas Williams at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
March 1855.
HENRY THOMAS WILLIAMS, Archway, Guildford Street, and Keppel Mews
Nth, Russell Square, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF MAKING AN EASEL" to be as follows:-
Made of several pieces of mahogany, oak, or beech, put together with thumb
screws & brass fittings, having when unfolded three legs, with cross rail and
sliding rail fitted to ditto, the sliding rail having a rest for the picture, drawing,
or painting; the whole folding into one piece, weighing only 3 lbs., and when
open or unfolded to stand perfectly steady and firm.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN PACKING AND PRESERVING EGGS AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FOOD
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Taylor, of Spring Grove, Isleworth, in the
County of Middlesex, Architect, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT
IN PACKING AND PRESERVING EGGS AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FOOD."
Sealed the 4th September 1855, and dated the 8th March 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Taylor at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th March
1855.
I, JOHN TAYLOR, of Spring Grove, Isleworth, in the County of Middlesex,
Architect, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVE-
MENT IN PACKING AND PRESERVING EGGS AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FOOD" to be as
follows:
This Invention consists of placing eggs and other articles of food into
moulds or shapes and filling such moulds or shapes with plaster of Paris, so
as to completely coat the eggs or other articles of food in moulded blocks of
plaster of Paris. In thus treating eggs it will not require that they should be
otherwise covered, but in respect to other articles of food it is preferred first
to cover them with tin foil paper or woven fabric before casting them in plaster
of Paris blocks.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FROM PEAT, AND IN THE COKE RESULTING THEREFROM, AND ALSO IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THAT MANU- PACTURE
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Paul Marie Salomon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th.
December 1855.
I, PAUL MARIE SALOMON, of Rue Neuve, St. Eustache, Paris, in the
Empire of France, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FROM PEAT, AND IN THE COKE
RESULTING THEREFROM, AND ALSO IN THE APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THAT MANU-
PACTURE, to be as follows:-
My improvements in the manufacture of gas from peat consists in subjecting
the gas, after distillation from the raw material, to the action of coke placed in
a second retort and kept in a heated state. The coke I use for the purpose is
that of the peat resulting from a previous operation. The coke is at the same
time benefited as a combustable material. I place the peat in a retort some-
what of the ordinary kind, but from which gas is conducted at the back down
into another retort placed in the same furnace or heat chamber, immediately
below the first retort. I use two similar retorts to distil gas from the peat,
and connect them both with the lower or coke retort, so that the whole of the
gas evolved passes through such lower retort, and entering at the back end
passes off by a pipe from the front to the hydraulic main. I use two retorts
for the distillation of the gas from the peat, and one of similar size for the
reception of the coke, in order to afford double the capacity for the peat to

page_text: that required for the coke. The coke or residuum resulting from the distilla-
tion of the gas in the upper retort is removed from thence, after all the gas is
evolved, and transferred to the lower retort, where it is subjected to the action
of the gas, producing economically gas from the peat for the purposes of
illumination, while at the same time the bituminous matters abstracted from
the gas and deposited in the coke, improve the quality of the coke resulting
from that manufacture. To separate the oxide of carbon from the gas,
subject it to the action of a solution of calcium, after it leaves the retorts.
I
AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SAFETY POCKET
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Carter at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th November
1855. A communication.
I, WILLIAM CARTER, of Ludgate Street, in the City of London, Stay
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SAFETY POCKET" to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to prevent the surreptitious removal from the
person of purses or other articles of value, applicable chiefly for the use of
ladies. To this end, I make what may be termed a double pocket, which is
simply a bag, with a partition applied intermediate between the mouth and tho
bottom of the bag. This partition, which is composed of flexible material, has
an opening in the middle, which is partially closed by the contractile power
of a vulcanised india-rubber or a metal spring, and this opening is capable of
being enlarged by the downward thrust of the hand (the fingers having first
been inserted therein), to permit of anything being placed in the lower com-
partment, or withdrawn therefrom. The partition will, however, present a
considerable obstacle to the operations of the pickpocket.
For articles of little value or requiring to be constantly withdrawn, as a
handkerchief, the upper compartment of the pocket may be used. In some
cases I propose to apply the Invention as an integral part of male and female
apparel, and instead of making the pocket double I may find it desirable to
apply the expanding portion at the mouth of the pocket or bag.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING AERATED BEVERAGES
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
November 1855.-A communication.
1, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MAKING
AERATED BEVERAGES," a communication from abroad, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved and greatly simplyfied form of vessel
for making aerated beverages, and consists of a vessel of glass, earthenware, or
other suitable material having a partition or division piece extending from top
to bottom, so as entirely to separate one side of the vessel from the other and
divide it into two compartments. A pouring lip is formed on each side of the
vessel, such lips being so arranged as to open into both the compartments of
the vessel. In one compartment of the vessel is placed the acid, and in the
other the bicarbonate of soda or other chemical preparations. Each compart-
ment is then filled with water and the powders allowed to dissolve. On
pouring the liquid from the vessel the two solutions will comingle at the
pouring lips as they enter the glass, and will form an aerated beverage. If
found desirable, the vessel may be fitted with taps to enable each. separate:
solution to be drawn off, more or less, in order to facilitate the regulation of
the strength of the bevarage.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PUMPS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Heaton at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th September
1855.
I, THOMAS HEATON, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PUMPS to be as follows:-
I propose to use two separate working barrels, with a connection or com-
munication to keep the water in both pumps, when two pumps are used, one
up and the other down, at the same level, and another communication to allow
a column of water to fall upon the piston in the downward stroke, to act as a
balance weight; and by connecting the two piston rods so that the connection
shall pass over a wheel or pully, it is evident that one will act as a counter-
balance to the other. When one pump only is used, a weight will be required
to act as a counterbalance to the column of water.
The nature of these improvements will be easily understood by reference to
the accompanying outline Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a ground plan of my
arrangement; Fig. 2, a section through at A, B; Fig. 3, a section through at
C, D; and Fig. 4, an elevation of the same. a represents the bottom clacks:

page_text: b, the buckets; c, side cylinders with pistons; d, the stuffing boxes; c, the
pistons; f the connection or communication to keep the water in both pumps
at the same level; g, a pipe or connection to throw a column of water in the
pump trees upon the piston during the downward stroke which acts as a
balance weight; h, a wheel connecting the two piston rods; i, a lever to be
used when one pump only is used; this lever is weighted at the other end to
correspond with the weight of water in the trees; k, a hollow ram in connection
with the bucket.
AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF PADDLE-BOX LIFE BOAT
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Hodgson at the Office of
the Cominissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th January
1855.
I, THOMAS HODGSON, of Morley's Hotel, in the City of Westminster,
Architectural Modeller, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF PADDLE-BOX LIFE BOAT" to be as follows:-
In carrying out this Invention, I so construct the upper part of paddle boxes
as to admit of such part being readily detached from the ship, and thrown into
the water or launched, to serve as a life boat in cases of shipwreck or accident.
The upper portion of the paddle box may be of the same form as the top
of the fixed paddle boxes in common use, and constructed of wood or of plate
iron. It is intended to rest on the lower or fixed part of the paddle box, and
be secured thereto by bolts passing through eyes in the ends of straps attached
to the sides and ends of the boat and the lower portion of the paddle box.
All the bolts for either side or end are to be secured to a single rod for the
purpose of disengaging them simultaneously.
On the inner side of the boat there are beckets, in which to hang the neces-
sary number of oars, and other beckets to receive a solid mast, round which a
sail is rolled up, or an iron tubular mast with the sail rolled up on the yard
inside it. The boat should be provided on both sides with a rope or other
ladder, for the convenience of getting into the boat from the water. The steps

page_text: by which the top of the paddle box is reached when the .boat is in its place on
board the vessel, are all' tight chambers extending the whole width of the
paddle box or boat, and they are used as water tanks & provision lockers,
and in part as air chambers to give great buoyancy to the boat. By using the
top steps as the fresh water tanks, the next below as provision lockers, and
the lowest ones as air chambers, and keeping the tanks and lockers always
filled, the boat will be certain to right itself, whatever may be its position when
it first reaches the water. By constructing and employing the steps as tanks
as above described, the lockers and air chambers are all obtained without
encumbering the outside of the paddle box, or occupying any room in the
interior of the boat; and at the same time, the boat is rendered a life boat,
that is to say, it cannot capsize, or if it reaches the water bottom upwards will
right itself immediately. The tanks are to be reached by cocks or plugs, or
their equivalents, on the inside of the boat, and the provision lockers are to
have openings on the inside covered by doors or lids of some water-tiglit con-
struction. In the interior of the boat a step is provided to receive the lower
end of the mast, and there is also a pivot bar to support the mast above
the step.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS AND OTHER WOODEN VESSELS, AND IN. MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THOSE PURPOSES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Robertson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th August
1855.
I, JAMES ROBERTSON, of the Patent Cask Works, Commercial Road; in the
County of Middlesex, Cooper, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CASKS AND OTHER WOODEN
VESSELS, AND IN. MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR THOSE PURPOSES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improved modifications and adaptations of
and to the machine for topping, sloping, hollowing, crozing, or grooving casks,
for which I obtained Letters Patent for England, bearing date the 29th day
of July 1848; and consists, first, in the application or use of metal or other
guards fitted on to the back or front side of the cutters, which effect the
topping, sloping, and hollowing of the cask staves, by which means the danger
arising from the cutters being brought too quickly against the wood, and
consequently digging too deeply therein, is entirely avoided, as the guards
are adjusted at such a distance from the cutting edges of the tools as to
prevent the latter from entering too deeply into the wood. The front edge

page_text: is bevilled or rounded off, so as to present a sloping surface to any inequa-
lities in the surface to be cut, by which means the danger of sudden shocks or
jars is prevented, since such inequalities or irregularities of surface will glide
under the guard in place of striking against the face of it. It is proposed to
apply similar guards to the V cutters in the heading machine, described by me
in the Specification of my said Letters Patent herein-before referred to.
The second part of this Invention relates to an arrangement for adjusting
the vertical position or height of the cask in the topping, sloping, and
hollowing machine when requisite on its revolving table. This I accomplish
by employing a double table, the upper plate of which, & upon which the
cask rests, being made to rise or fall as required by means of a screw, spindle,
lever handle, or any other suitable and convenient mechanical contrivance..
IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERPROOF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Hibling at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd November
1855.
I, HENRY HIBLING, of Norwich, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERPROOF BOOTS AND SHOES, to be as
follows:-
This improvement in waterproof boots and shoes consists of making that
part of boots and shoes called the "galoshe" of a fabric of cloth coated with
india-rubber, and so made impervious to wet; or of thin sheet india-rubber,
and of cementing this waterproof "galoshe" to the upper part of the boot or
shoe, and also of cementing the sole thereto by a cement or solution made of
dissolved india-rubber, thus rendering the whole waterproof.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Bentham at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st November
1855.
I, JOSEPH BENTHAM, of Bradford, in the County of York, Commission
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING" to be as follows:-
The improvements relate, first, to the picking or throwing of the shuttle
across the loom. A finger or driver applied to each shuttle box, in position to
act upon to drive the shuttle, is acted upon by a spring capable of compression,
and when released of driving the shuttle. The compression of the spring of
either box, to admit of the shuttle going therein, is effected by a cam or tappet,
which is so formed as to admit of the spring being suddenly released when the
reaction throws or picks the shuttle.
The improvements relate, secondly, to means for stopping the motion of the
loom when the shuttle fails of being properly boxed. By arrangements for
this purpose at present in use, the parts for effecting the stoppages to the batten
or going part are supported from attachments under the batten, where, by the
force exerted, they soon become deranged; and my improvement consists in
causing a projection from the throwing-off motion to act with an opening to
each shuttle box through the face of the batten or going part, which openings

page_text: are capable of being closed by a plate when the shuttle fails properly to box,
but are clear by the removal of the plates therefrom when the shuttle properly
boxes.
My improvements relate, thirdly, to the letting-off motion, and consists in
applying a band of india-rubber to pass partly round the warp upon the warp
beam, thereby to give motion to the beam by frictional contact, whilst it is
also capable of yielding to the varying diameter of the beam of warp, the
band having the requisite motion given to it for the let-off in any suitable
manner.
AN IMPROVED CHANGEABLE LOCK
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Frederick Stansbury, of the firm of Nourse
& Co., American and General Patent Agents, of No. 67, Gracechurch
Street, London, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED CHANGEABLE LOCK."―
A communication from Henry A. Bleckmann, of Ronsdorf, in Prussia.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Frederick Stans-
bury at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 30th August 1855.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK STANSBURY, of the firm of Nourse & Co., American
& General Patent Agents, of No. 67, Gracechurch Street, London, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED CHANGEABLE LOCK,"
a communication from Henry A. Bleckmann, of Ronsdorf, in Prussia, to be
as follows:-
My Invention consists in forming a lock with a number of tumblers so
arranged that they can be worked by means of a key with changeable bits, &
that when the bolt of the lock is thrown out by a certain arrangement of bits
it can only be thrown back by the same arrangement, and yet admitting of
innumerable changes of the relative positions of the bits on the key without
requiring a change in the tumblers.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAYS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Marie Pouillet at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th
June 1855.
I, CHARLES MARIE POUILLET, Civil Engineer, of Paris, in the French
Empire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAYS" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, first, in the enployment, in the construction of the
permanent way of railways, of sleepers supported upon and fixed to what I
term pressure tables or bearers and of cast-iron chairs.
Second, in the employment of pressure tables and sleepers in which apertures
are made for placing the rails fixed and held in position by a key or wedge.
Third, in joining the ends of the rails by splints or side pieces placed on
each side of the joint and secured by bolts or rivets passed through them and
the rails.
And, fourth, in a frame or apparatus for effecting the change or crossing of
from one line or set of rails to another.
In Figure 1 of the. Drawings annexed, I have shewn a' sectional elevation,
and in Figure 2 a plan, of pressure table, sleeper, and chair, with rail held
therein; in Figure 3, I shew the improvement referred to under the second

page_text: head of this my Provisional Specification, in which the chair is dispensed with,
and the rail is held and fixed in the sleeper; Figure 4 shews the manner in
which I unite the ends of rails; and at Figures 5 and 6 are represented frames
for changing and crossing.
The pressure tables only are fixed to the sleepers, and between the two
parts of each table a space is preserved equal to the breadth of the girder N,
so that on placing the sleepers upon the girders, the parts of each table fall
(equally) on each side of them, and preserve the guage. After the sleepers
have been spaced out according to the requirements of the rails, they are
fixed upon the girders by wooden screws, the heads of which are flush with the
top of the sleepers, so as not to interfere with the laying of the chairs.
Changings of way and crossings constructed in the manner just described,
possess the great advantage of being easily put together and taken to pieces,
and are very solid and durable.
CERTAIN IM- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Ogden at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th June 1855.
I, THOMAS OGDEN, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton
Spinner, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "CERTAIN IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS
MATERIALS" to be as follows:-
My improvements apply to that description of spinning machinery known
as self-acting mules. This Invention consists in causing the drawing rollers
or "front rollers" to revolve slowly one or more times, and consequently to
allow of the delivery of a small portion of the yarn whilst the spindle
"carriage" is running in, so that the whole length of the thread which has
been spun may be wound on to the spindle, whilst that portion of the thread
which has thus been delivered by the partial revolution of the front roller will
be ready to be similarly spun upon the return of the carriage. This I effect
by means of a suitably formed cam, which causes the rollers to be thrown into
gear, and to make one or more revolutions at any required time before the
carriage "has completed its run in, and which cam I fix on to the ordinary
cam shaft in lieu of the cam commonly used for working the lever, which
throws the drawing rollers in and out of gear as required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIZING SUBSTANCES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Gedge at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th August 1855.
-A communication.
I, JOHN GEDGE, of No. 4, Wellington Street South, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIZING SUBSTANCES," communicated to me by
Jacques Joseph Hyppolite Mailly, of Paris, to be as follows:-
I propose to prepare the article to be galvanized by first well pouncing it
and cleaning it with alcohol, then with a strong open brush to brush those
parts intended to be galvanized, first powdering them well with plumbago..
Where there is open work, I take a slip or strip of new chamois leather well
covered with plumbago, working it through the holes or open work, so that the
whole shall become perfectly black and shining. I propose to make the bath
in a vase of sandstone, or one of wood lined with gutta percha, fill with three
parts of water, and place therein several open-work baskets containing pow-
dered sulphate of copper, allowing several days for its dissolution, and adding
thereto until the bath shall have attained 20 or 25 degrees. In arranging
the piles, I take a porcelain tube and a blade of zinc of the same size as the
interior of the tube, but longer, passing above the zinc blade a narrow band of
brass wire; I then put the pile into the bath, introducing water into the tube.

page_text: To the object to be galvanized I attach seven or eight conducting wires, twist-
ing their ends together in form of a hook, which is hooked on to the brass
wire band, the band being soldered to the zinc blade. The pile thus prepared,
the objects are to be suspended in the bath, and a few drops of sulphuric acid
are then to be added to the water in the tube; a slight ebullition will take
place, continuing for a short time. At the expiration of two or three hours
the object ought to be slightly covered, and should be allowed two or three
days to perfect the coating. When taken from the bath the objects should be
well pounced, brushed, and cleansed before being gilded or silvered.
IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CARDING ENGINES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Greenwood at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th November
1855.
I, THOMAS GREENWOOD, of Leeds, in the County of York, Machine Maker,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for AN IMPROVEMENT IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF CARDING ENGINES, to be as fellows:-
My improvement in the construction of carding engines relates to an
improved method of fixing the "bend pins" of carding engines, and which
bend pins are, as is well known, used for supporting the blocks in which the
carding rollers are mounted round the large card cylinder. The pins which
support these blocks are usually inserted into holes drilled or made in
the bends or rings of the framing of the carding engine. When this is the
case, it will be understood that the position of the carding rollers round
the cylinder cannot be changed without drilling or making additional holes
in the bends or rings to receive the pins which support the carding rollers.
This operation of drilling additional holes in the bends or rings is at all times
inconvenient, and sometimes nearly, if not quite, impracticable.
The object of the present Invention is to remedy these difficulties, by
attaching the "bend pins" in such a manner to the bends or rings of the
carding engine, that their positions may be changed with. facility when'
required, without the necessity of making additional holes for the purpose, as
heretofore.

page_text: This object is effected by making a groove or slot in the periphery, side,
or other convenient part of the bends or rings, so as to receive the foot of
a bolt or pin, which is made wedge-shaped for the purpose. This wedge-
shape foot of the bolt or pin may be moved to any part of the groove or slot
in the bend or ring, and may be secured there by nuts and washers, or in any
other suitable and convenient manner. When the pins have been properly
secured in the grooves or slots of the bends or rings, I place thereon hollow
sockets, which are screwed on the outside, and after screwing down thereon a
supporting nut to the proper altitude, the blocks containing the brass bushes are
fitted on, and secured on the top of the lower supporting screw nut by means
of a jam nut or tightening nut, which will hold every thing firmly.
In fitting and securing the "bend pins" by my improved plan, care must
be taken that each pair of pins on opposite sides of the machine arc accu-
rately adjusted, otherwise the rollers will not be in adjustment.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Hay and James Hay
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 8th January 1855.
We, WILLIAM HAY and JAMES HAY, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER" to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to the employment of certain apparatus as a sub-
stitute for the crank in all cases where a crank has hitherto been required, or
where a rectilinear motion has to be converted into a rotatory motion, and
consists in the application of a drum, cam, or cylinder, situate in the same
axial line with the steam cylinder, and fitted on to the end of the driving shaft
itself; or it may be fitted on to an intermediate shaft, carrying a fly wheel and
giving motion to the main shaft by suitable gearing. Round the surface of
this drum are formed two spiral grooves, which run in opposite directions
at each side of the drum, but meet at or near the extremities of such drum,
the horizontal distance or length between such junctions corresponding to the
length of stroke of the piston. A stud, fitted with an antifriction roller, is fitted
into the head of the piston rod, and the roller runs under the spiral grooves in
the drum, and gives a continuous rotatory motion thereto, since the change of

page_text: stroke is allowed for by the groove for such stroker running back in a contrary
direction to the opposite groove. The dead centres will occur of course at
the two junctions of the grooves, but the defects arising therefrom are obviated
by using two or more steam cylinders, with their stud pins and antifriction
pulleys at right angles to each other, or at any other convenient angle. In
some cases a double or treble drum may be used, having two or more-sets of
reverse grooves formed therein for different sets of stud pins to work in.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ELONGATING CHANDELIERS AND GASELIERS
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Smith William Davids at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th January 1855.
I, SMITH WILLIAM DAVIDS, of Carnarvon, North Wales, Slate Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN ELONGATING CHANDELIERS AND GASELIERS" to be as follows, that is to say:-
The Invention consists in substituting for the present water or slide appa-
ratus for raising and lowering chandeliers and gaseliers, an arrangement con-
sisting of a coiled flexible tube, attached at one end to the supply pipe, and at
the other to the head of the downward slide pipe of the chandelier or gaselier,
balance weights being employed as in the ordinary manner. The tubing, when
uncoiled, allows the gasclier to be at its extreme length, and. when coiled, the
chandelier or gaselier is of course at its shortest length, or nearest the ceiling.
The coil being placed between the joists and above the ceiling, is hidden by
the rose or other centre ornament, and is secured in its position by proper
carriers from the joists.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Lonsdale Bradley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th July
1855.
I, LONSDALE BRADLEY, of Richmond, in the County of York, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REAPING MACHINES" to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to a combination of mechanical parts forming a
machine by which the operation of reaping may be readily effected and the
corn laid ready for being gathered, and also to arranging the two main sup-
porting wheels of reaping machines in connection with their axle, that whilst
they are capable of driving that axle to give motion to the cutting instruments
used, they are capable of turning independently of cach other, to facilitate
turning the machine in sharp curves or angles.
The cutters used are somewhat of the form of "sickles," applied to wheels
or discs, of which there are a series, which are caused to rotate by means of
bands or straps from a drum on the main axle, acting upon pulleys on the
axles of these discs or wheels; but other suitable gear may be employed to
give motion to these parts. A shield over the discs carrying the cutters
inclines forward to a central point in front of the machine, so as to conduct
the corn as cut and throw it off on each side.

page_text: Upon the boss of each supporting wheel are formed or affixed ratchet teeth,
which are taken into by teeth on plates, capable of sliding upon and of yet
turning with the main axle. These plates of teeth are borne up to the teeth
on the bosses of the wheels by springs, and the pairs of teeth are arranged in
relation to each other, so that when the machine moves forward these main
wheels cause their axle to rotate with them, but on turning, or when otherwise
either of the main wheels turns backward, the ratchet plate by its spring
yields, to allow of the wheel rotating independently of the axle.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ferdinand Tavernier at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th August
1855.
I, FERDINAND TAVERNIER, of Paris, in the Empire of France, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
EMPLOYED IN COMBING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES" to be as follows:-
The improvements relate, when employing gill combs in lashing apparatus
as the feeding means for feeding wool and other fibres into receiving or car-
rying combs, to the application of a keeping or holding plate or instrument in
connection with the receiving or carrying comb, to press upon and hold the
fibre in the teeth of such receiving or carrying comb after each lashing, and
thereby prevent the injury to the fibre, by the looping into such teeth as the
filling head draws away for the separation of the fibres last laid on and ready
for a fresh lashing.
Also to causing such gill combs in feeding to travel with their points
upwards, or in the same direction as the teeth of the receiving or carrying
comb.
Also to means for governing the movement of such filling head. The filling

page_text: head is supported by two pairs of parallel rods moving on axes, one pair of
which is shorter than the other, and is at its lower end connected to cranks,
which are also by links connected to the other supporting rods, by which
in the rotation of these cranks the requisite lashing motion is effected.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF HARD INDIA-RUBBER, AND IN THE APPLICATION THEREOF TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTS OF TEXTILE AND OTHER MACHINERY
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION" left by John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Pétition, on the 12th
November 1855.-A communication...
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47; Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare tho
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR
PREPARATION OF HARD INDIA-RUBBER, AND IN THE APPLICATION THEREOF TO THE
CONSTRUCTION OF PARTS OF TEXTILE AND OTHER MACHINERY," a communication
from Henri Victor Wacrenier, of Paris, in the Empire of France, to be as
follows:-
This Invention, so far as it relates to the manufacture or preparation of
hard india-rubber, consists in the mixing with the india-rubber. & sulphur
the shells or scales of oysters calcined and reduced to powder, or other cheap
substance, for the purpose of increasing the volume of the material and
reducing its cost. And the Invention, so far as it relates to the applications
of this hard compound, consists in the application thereof to the manufacture
of the bobbins, cylinders, and rollers, and coupling or clutch boxes used in
spinning machines, whether for cotton, wool, hemp, or flax; and to the
manufacture of the racks & ratchet wheels employed in hand and power looms,

page_text: and spinning machines, whereby such pieces of mechanism may be made much
more economically than when composed of metal, as heretofore. It is proposed
also to apply hard india-rubberi to the manufacture of plate bolsters, hitherto
made of metal, of which there are great, numbers in spinning machines; hard
india-rubber, from the high- polish which it is capablo of receiving, being
particularly well adapted for this purpose. The collars or footsteps may also
be made in one piece with the plate bolster if found desirable, which can be
readily effected by constructing the matrix or mould accordingly; in all cases
the bearings and footsteps usually fitted on to the plate bolsters, and composed
of copper, may be replaced by corresponding pieces of hard india-rubber.
This material will be found equally applicable to the manufacture of the
bearings for driving and other shafts generally, of all kinds of machinery;
spindles for spinning machines may also be made of. hard india-rubber, as well
as the back spindles for twisting machines. The articles above enumerated
may either be moulded the required size, or they may be cast rather larger
to admit of their being subsequently turned and polished. In place of
manufacturing the various articles above, enumerated entirely of hard india-
rubber, it is proposed to make them of metal covered with hard india-rubber,
thereby combining the advantages of strength and durability of the metal with
the non-liability to oxidation of the india-rubber. All the articles herein-
before enumerated should be made, in preference, of caoutchouc previously
vulcanized and reduced to powder, and then moulded in heated moulds.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AZIMUTH AND AMPLITUDE INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1855

page_text: I, JOHN GRAY, of Strand Street, Liverpool, do hereby declare the nature
of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AZIMUTH AND AMPLITUDE INSTRUMENTS
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in arranging azimuth and amplitude instruments in
connection with ship's binnacles or compasses, in the following manner :-On
the top of the binnacle shade a short metal cylinder is fixed, which has at the
upper end a glass disc divided round its circumference into 360 degrees.
These divisions will be rendered visible at night by a lamp in the binnacle.
On the upper end of the metal cylinder a revolving ring is applied, which
carries a standard to which a telescope is jointed, so that it can be elevated or
depressed at pleasure. Opposite to the telescope a mirror is fixed at an angle
of 45 degrees from the vertical, so that when the telescope is placed horizontally
it looks into the mirror, which reflects the divisions on the glass circle.
When an observation is to be taken, the glass circle is set to correspond with
the binnacle compass, and the object is viewed through the telescope, which is
then placed horizontally, and the angle on the glass circle read off. There
is a line drawn on the mirror to render the reading more accurate.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1855

page_text: eceive
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Leech, James Robinson, and
Richard Burrows at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, "with
their Petition, on the 6th June 1855.
We, HENRY LEECH, of Preston, in the County of Lancaster, Tea Dealer,
JAMES ROBINSON, of the same Place, Wine Merchant, and RICHARD BURROWS,
of the same Place, Mercer, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention
for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SPINNING COTTON
AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in the general construction and
arrangement of self-acting mules for spinning cottons and other fibrous sub-
stances, and consists in the substitution of a perpendicular or vertical move-
ment or traverse for the horizontal traverse of the ordinary mule carriage or
spindle box, the vertical traverse of the spindle box being in a direction to
and from the roller beam (which is placed a short distance from the floor), the
spindle box traversing upwards and downwards between the ceiling and the
floor of the work room.
This vertical movement is obtained from a number of scrolls and a line
shaft, to which the scrolls are keyed or otherwise secured, the shaft itself
working in bearings near the ceiling of the room. The framework of the
machine.consists of a number of iron uprights extending from the-floor-to-the
ceiling, which serve as spring pieces for attaching the roller beam, slides, or

page_text: guides for the carriage or spindle box to slide in supports for the line shaft,
and also as supports for carrying the gearing of the mule head. The weight of
the carriage or spindle box, which is suspended between the line shaft & roller
beam, is counterbalanced by a weight or weights attached to the carriage by a
strap or cord passed over a suitable pulley or pulleys on the line shaft. The
carriage is steadied, in .its. movements by a number of pulleys working against
the uprights of the framework. The carriage being thus placed, and having
the spindles in an oblique position, receives the fibre from the rollers in a
vertical direction, for which purpose the front roller is raised-above the centre
of the middle roller, so as to deliver the fibre to the spindle points, in the
manner herein-before described....
------LONDON:-
Printed by GEORGE EDWARD EYRE and WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE,
Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty. 1855.
1+
'
753
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOULDING BRICKS AND TILES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Roberts at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th December
1855.
I, JOHN ROBERTS, of Falmouth, Builder, do hereby declare the nature of
the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MOULDING BRICKS AND
TILES" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object a peculiar combination of mechanical parts
into a machine for moulding bricks and tiles. For this purpose there are at
intervals in a circular track separate sets or series of moulds formed or fixed.
Each mould consists of a rectangular or other form of box, according to the
shape of bricks or tiles to be made therein. Each mould has within it a
piston or moveable bottom, which, when the clay or brick earth is introduced
into the mould, is in the lowest position. A heavy roller or rollers is made to
revolve around the circular track and to press on the clay or brick earth.
When such roller or rollers pass over a series of the moulds set or fixed in
the circular track, and when such roller or rollers have passed over and
pressed the clay into a set or series of moulds, one or both of them in passing
over the end of a lever (to which all the pistons of the series of moulds are
connected) will cause the lever to raise the whole of the pistons of such series,
and thus lift the bricks or tiles above the upper edges of the moulds into a

page_text: The clay or brick earth it is
such condition as to admit of
convenient position to be removed by hand.
preferred should only be slightly. moist, and in
its being shovelled into the moulds by hand. The roller or rollers, having
passed away from the lever of the previous set or series of moulds, will then
come to and press on the clay or brick earth which has been filled into
another set or series of moulds, and so on, all round the circular track.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- BATUS FOR REFLECTING THE BACK, FRONT, AND SIDES OF THE FIGURE AND HEAD IN A MIRROR OR TOILETTE GLASS AT ONE VIEW
Year: 1855

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, out nois i provocw were ww
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Barry Goodman and
George Alfred Webster at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 9th November 1855.
We, GEORGE BARRY GOODMAN, of No. 21, York Buildings, in the Parish of
Marylebone, and the County of Middlesex, and GEORGE ALFRED WEBSTER,
of 21, York Buildings, in the Parish and County aforesaid, Gentlemen, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
BATUS FOR REFLECTING THE BACK, FRONT, AND SIDES OF THE FIGURE AND HEAD
IN A MIRROR OR TOILETTE GLASS AT ONE VIEW," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved construction of reflecting mirrors, and
consists, first, of a chair or seat, to the back, front, or sides of which is secured
by screws, nails, or removeable clips one, two, or more mirrors or reflecting
surfaces. These mirrors are enclosed in frames, & supported by uprights, on
which they swing; the uprights are connected to each other, and are fitted
on to another upright or pole. This pole passes through one or more rings or
tubes, which said rings or tubes are provided with screws or catches, which
press on the pole and sustain it at such an elevation as may be required.
The poles may also be regulated in their elevation by means of weights
or other appliances. The rings or tubes are attached to the chair or seat,
either permanently by screws or nails, or temporarily by clips or removeable
fastenings.