matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
A NEW OR IMPROVED TAP OR Сock
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edwin Dixon and Thomas Bailey
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 19th June 1855.
We, EDWIN DIXON, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Manu-
facturer, and THOMAS BAILEY, of Wolverhampton aforesaid, Brassfounder, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED TAP OR
Сock" to be as follows:-
Our said Invention consists of a tap or cock, in which the flow of liquid is
permitted and arrested by the rising or falling of a valve upon a bed or seat.
The ingress pipe of our tap opens over the said valve, and the said valve, when
closed, is pressed to its seat by the pressure of the liquid as well as by its own
weight. On the under side of the valve is a plug or stem, which passes out at
the bottom of the tap and terminates in a thumb plate. The said valve stem
is hollow, and is perforated with a number of holes or slots. When the valve is
raised by pressing upwards the thumb plate underneath the tap, the water or
liquid passes under the said valve, and crossing the valve stem enters the egress
pipe which opens below the valve. The thumb plate by which the valve is
raised is provided with a washer, which when the said thumb plate is raised
prevents any leakage which might otherwise occur between the valve stem and
the roller in which it slides. Our new or improved tap or cock is applicable
to the drawing off and regulating the flow of fluids, gases, and vapours.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF SHEET METAL CASKS AND KEGS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Brown at the Office of the
Commissioners of l'atents, with his Petition, on the 29th March 1855.
I, WALTER BROWN, of 5, Catherine Street, Cornwall Road, Lambeth, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF SHEET METAL CASKS AND KEGS" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the manufacture of casks or kegs with six
equal sides when using sheet iron, tin plate, or other sheet metal, and where
such casks or kegs are made with heads with flanches, by raising the edges
thereof. For this purpose the sheet metal for each cask or keg is bent into
six equal sides, allowing for the joining and lapping of the edges or ends of the
plate used, and such bending is most conveniently performed on a six-sided
block or form mounted on axes at the ends; the sheet of metal is pressed
against this block or form by a roller pressed up thereto by a spring or other
convenient means. When the bending has been performed; the ends are joined
together in a similar manner to that heretofore resorted to when making
cylindrical casks or kegs of sheet metal. In some cases both heads are fixed,
in others only one head, and this is done by forcing the head or heads into the
partly formed six-sided cask with the flanches of the head outwards, and then

page_text: the fixing is completed by rivets passed through the metal of the flanches, and
through the metal at the end of the cask or keg; or the same may be fixed by
dipping the end into melted metal, as has heretofore been performed when
fixing heads in cylindrical casks or kegs; and the moveable head is fixed in like
manner to the moveable heads of cylindrical sheet metal casks or kegs. The
sheet metal for the heads is cut out one from the other, with very little waste
as compared with the making of heads for cylindrical casks or kegs. The edges
of the heads are raised into flanches by six-sided dies and forcers.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF SOLUTIONS OF CARBONATE OF AMMONIA, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CAUSTIC AMMONIA
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Deacon at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th September
1855.
I, HENRY DEACON, of the Woodend Chemical Works, Widnes Dock, near
Warrington, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF SOLUTIONS OF CARBONATE OF AMMONIA, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CAUSTIC AMMONIA," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of a mode of manufacturing solutions of carbonate of
ammonia, by passing solutions of caustic ammonia, or solutions of carbonates
of ammonia not sufficiently saturated with carbonic acid, down vessels con-
taining coke, bricks, or some inert materials, so as to distribute the solutions
over a considerable surface, at the same time that carbonic acid gas, procured
from any convenient source, and either under pressure or not, is passed up such
vessels. The ammoniacal solutions thus absorb carbonic acid, and the gases
not absorbed are passed through condensers before being allowed finally to
escape, to avoid loss of ammonia by volatilization.
The distinctive novelty of this portion of my Invention consists in exposing
ammonia in solution, and not in the gaseous state, to the action of carbonic

page_text: acid
gas in vessels, as above described. I prefer obtaining the ammoniacal
solutions by the aid of a continuously acting ammonia still, to which I attach
a vessel containing quick lime, & provided with any well-known mechanical
means for forcing the quick lime into the ammonia still in a gradual and con-
tinuous manner, so as to evolve the ammonia from the contents of the still
gradually and continuously also.
The distinctive novelty of this portion of my Invention consists in attach-
ing to a continuously acting ammonia still, a vessel filled with quick lime,
and provided with suitable means of forcing the lime continuously into the
ammonia still.
My Invention is more particularly designed for the manufacture of solutions
of carbonate of ammonia for use, according to the Invention for which John
Henry Johnson obtained Letters Patent, dated the Eighth day of July, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, and which Letters Patent are now the
property of myself and another; but my Invention is not necessarily confined
thereto; and particularly the vessel, &c. with quick lime attached to a con-
tinuously acting ammonia still can be advantageously employed in obtaining
caustic ammonia from the usual sources, and suitable for other purposes.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HANGING WINDOW SASHES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Russell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th April
1855.
I, FREDERICK RUSSELL, of 18, Cumberland Market, Regent's Park, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of the In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HANGING WINDOW SASHES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of means of hanging window sashes, whereby sashes
may be raised or lowered without the necessity of weights, lines, or pulleys, and
yet they will retain the positions at which they may be left. For this pur-
pose, on one side of a sash are fixed rollers, which, when the sash is raised or
lowered, move freely against one side of the window frame; on the other side
of the window frame is formed a recess in which a sliding piece moves, which
is faced with leather or other suitable material, and is pressed forwards by a
spring against the side of the window sash; by which means sufficient friction
will be offered to uphold the sash, and yet admit of its being readily moved up
and down.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COATING IRON WITH TIN
Year: 1855

page_text: ALCU.J
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Philippi at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th December
1855.
I, WILLIAM PHILIPPI, of 159, Regent Street, in the County of Middle-
sex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN COATING IRON WITH TIN" to be as follows:-
The principal feature of novelty of these improvements consists in the use
and employment of a solution of chloride of zinc in lieu of grease, as commonly
employed in the process of "tinning" iron, for excluding the contact of air with
the molten tin, by placing said grease on the surface thereof.
By these improvements the coating of the iron will be quite as efficiently
performed as by the use of grease, with this advantage, that whereas by using
grease in the above process the tinned surface is dull, by these improvements.
the surface retains a high polish, and thus constitutes an improvement in
coating iron with tin.
IMPROVEMENTS IN POLYGRAPHIC, OR WRITING AND DRAWING APPARATUS
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Gerner, of Moorgate Street, in the City of
London, Architect, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN POLYGRAPHIC,
OR WRITING AND DRAWING APPARATUS."
Sealed the 5th October 1855, and dated the 7th April 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Gerner at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
April 1855.
I, HENRY GERNER, of Moorgate Street, in the City of London, Architect,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
POLYGRAPHIC, OR WRITING AND DRAWING APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
My said Invention refers to a peculiar arrangement of jointed levers
attached to a suitable framework provided with the means for fixing two or
more sheets of paper, for writing or drawing on the same simultaneously by
means of pens clipped by a bar or bars in connexion with the jointed levers,
and which thereby retains its parallelism, whatever may be the action of the
pen or other instrument used for writing or drawing, allowing the same to be

page_text: employed freely in every desired direction; but such parallel action is not
indispensable.
One form of my improved apparatus consists of a wooden frame for any
required size of paper, each sheet placed on plate glass, ranged like a series of
shelves, and provided with a spring clip or bar to hold the top edge of the two or
more sheets of paper so placed by the single action of one screw nut or button;
two or more small ink glasses are placed at the top right-hand side of the frame,
one above another, about level with each tablet for writing on. At the upper
edge of the front right-hand corner of the frame I insert a swing bracket, bored
vertically at its other end to receive the bent end of a lever jointed about the
middle, and thence connected to a forked lever, having two or more writing
tablets, and carrying a pen at the end of each prong fixed in a slit tightened
by a sliding ring. A handle or director is fitted to the uppermost prong by
a broad flat strip of metal attached to the handle by a swivel stiffened by a
spiral wire spring, so that when writing the handle has a certain degree of
play, while the pen itself retains a constant position within its carrier bar. The
pens have a strip or tongue of metal on their upper surface, fastened at the top
end only, slightly bowed, and nearly touching at the tip of the pen, pro-
ducing a capillary action. In using the apparatus the pens all act alike and
in concert.
Another form of my said Invention consists in providing a larger single
writing surface, on which two or more sheets of paper can be placed beside
each other, and all written on at once; for which purpose I attach two
parallel bars to four connecting levers, two of which swing to the frame by
their ends, bent at right angles, working in sockets, and the front parallel bar
carries the pens in slits tightened by sliding rings, but one end of the bar has
only a screw regulating pin, and moves over the glass surface, merely acting as
a guide or regulator.
IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CRUSHING AND GRINDING VEGETABLE AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexander Charles Louis Devaux
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition on the
20th December 1855.
I, ALEXANDER CHARLES LOUIS DEVAUX, of King William Street, in the
City of London, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CRUSHING AND GRINDING VEGETABLE AND OTHER
SUBSTANCES, to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to facilitate the operation of grinding corn
and other matters. For this purpose I propose to mount a live stone on a
horizontal shaft, and face up one or both sides thereof as grinding surfaces.
To one side, or to the two opposite sides of this stone, I apply a stationary
burrh stone or its equivalent, of a semicircular, segmental, or other suitable
shape, and those side stones I so arrange with respect to the middle stone, that
suitable space shall be left between them for the passage of the corn or other
material from the damsel or feed cups to the grinding surfaces; the space will
then contract so as to ensure the complete grinding of the material under
operation, before its exit from between the grinding surfaces. The adjustment
of the stones with respect to each other may be effected by slides and set
screws. By this arrangement it will be understood that one or both sides of
the rotary stone may be employed for grinding or crushing, and that by

page_text: reason of the grinding surfaces being set so as to act in a vertical plane, the
delivery of the ground or crushed produce will be facilitated, and the heating
of the stones will be to a great extent prevented. In place of giving rotary
motion to the middle or circular stone, the side stones or grinding surfaces may
be set in motion.
I would remark that instead of stone, metal suitably ribbed or roughened,
may under some circumstances be employed with advantage.
MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN AND ADAPTING APPLIANCES TO LOCOMOTIVES AND ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES, WHEREBY THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM THE BREAKAGE OR DISLOCATION OF THEIR WHEELS OR AXLES IS PREVENTED, OR THE CHANCES THEREOF GREATLY DIMINISHED
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Edward Flynn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd
September 1855.
I, HENRY EDWARD FLYNN, of Retreat, Ranelagh, in the County of
Dublin, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN AND ADAPTING APPLIANCES TO LOCOMOTIVES
AND ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES, WHEREBY THE POSSIBILITY OF
ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM THE BREAKAGE OR DISLOCATION OF THEIR WHEELS OR
AXLES IS PREVENTED, OR THE CHANCES THEREOF GREATLY DIMINISHED," to be as
follows, viz.
This Invention consists in uniting the locomotives and several carriages of a
train by means of hollow cylindrical or socket buffers and counter cone-headed
spindle buffers, so that with the present ordinary couplings perfect support and
reciprocal action on the several carriages is obtained, preventing, in the event
of breakage or dislocation of wheels or axles, their falling over, coming down,
upsetting, oscillating, bounding, going out of place or off the line.
The appliances consist of a solid flat bar of iron, fastened athwart the unde
surface of the frame, and having its ends bent at right angles, or nearly so,

page_text: down to the axles, and having hinged thereto a loose iron collar, which
encloses the axle, having a space all round, and without in any part touching
or interfering with the axle until accident calls it into play to support or
retain the axle in or near its proper position.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF ASCERTAINING THE DEPTH OF WATER IN RIVERS, HARBOURS, AND AT SEA
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Heseltine at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd November
1855.
I, SAMUEL HESELTINE, of Harwich, in the County of Essex, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MEANS OF ASCERTAINING THE DEPTH OF WATER IN RIVERS, HARBOURS, AND AT
SEA," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a mode of ascertaining the depth of water by the
pressure of the vertical column upon air confined in a sunken vessel or
reservoir. In carrying out this Invention, I provide a hollow vessel, which I
connect by a flexible tube of small bore to a Bourdon or other pressure
indicator. This vessel I make of a specific gravity that will ensure its
sinking, and by means of a small hole in the end thereof (governed or not
with a weighted flexible pipe) I permit the water to gain access to the vessel
and press upon the air contained therein. It is important that the capacity of
the vessel or air reservoir shall be sufficiently large to allow for the greatest
compression to which the air in the flexible tube will be subjected.
When this apparatus is applied as a tide signal, the varying height of the
column of water will have the effect of compressing the confined-air in the air

page_text: vessel and pipe leading therefrom, and this, compression will be indicated on
the dial of the pressure gauge.
To ensure the proper, action of the apparatus when applied to a ship in
motion, I connect the air reservoir with a, weight fitted with inclined feathers,
and this weight being attached thereto intermediate between the ship and the
reservoir will tend to keep the reservoir always in contact with the river or
harbour bottom. If thought desirable, the air may be confined in a flexible
bag or compartment.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STAMPING & DRESSING OR SEPARATING ORES OF ANY KIND, BUT MORE ESPECIALLY TIN ORES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Bryant Wilkin at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th April
1855.
I, JOHN BRYANT WILKIN, of Helstone, in the County of Cornwall, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STAMPING
& DRESSING OR SEPARATING ORES OF ANY KIND, BUT MORE ESPECIALLY TIN ORES,"
to be as follows; and consists in attaching cranks and sweep rods to the
axle of the water wheel or other motive power connecting a stamping axle, on
which are also cranks, the stampers being operated in any suitable manner. By
the force of a stream of water the ore passes along a plane launder, having an
opening at some distance from the lud for the ore to fall into a tank; the slime,
foul water, & lighter particles of matrix are carried to the lud & deposited in a
receiver. In the tank are two inlets and two outlets; one inlet for ores &
water from the stampers or stroke, & the other for clear water at or near
the bottom; one outlet at the top for the discharge of the finer & lighter
particles, and the other at the bottom for discharging the rougher & heavier
particles. The jet of water entering the cistern at the bottom cleanses the
ore & causes the small & fine particles to rise to the surface outlet, the heavier
portions being expelled at the lower outlet & conducted into a buddle, and the
finer particles to a trunk, to be treated in the usual way.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Wright Gardener Treeby
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 21st November 1855.
I, THOMAS WRIGHT GARDENER TREEBY, of 1, Westbourne Terrace Villa,
Westbourne Terrace North, Paddington, do hereby declare the nature of the
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REVOLVING FIRE-ARMS" to be as follows:-
Heretofore considerable difficulty has been experienced in preventing escape
of gas at the joints between the barrels and the rotating chambers of revolving
fire-arms. According to this Invention, the end of the barrel is caused to pass
some distance over the end of the chamber; the barrel is arranged so as to
slide forward away from the chamber after the discharge of the fire-arm, so as
to let the discharged chamber be moved out and another into position, when it
is again slid back. This motion is given to the barrel by a lever and connecting
link. To the same lever is also attached another connecting link which passes
to the tail of the hammer, so that the motion of the lever for working the
barrel also raises and cocks the hammer
According to this Invention also revolving fire-ams are rendered self-capping.
There is a tube or cap holder which went out of use lies along the stock, but
during the operation of loading the chambers it is turned up, so that the caps

page_text: fall out one by one into a receptacle just wide enough to admit one cap.
This receptacle is opposite the nipple of the chamber when in position for
loading. Through the back of the cap chamber a small rod passes, which is
acted upon by the ramming lever, so that at the same time that the charge is
rammed down, this small rod moves forward and places the cap on the nipple.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ENVELOPES, on Mix AD Im
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Lamacraft, of Westbourne Grove, in the County.
of Middlesex, Engraver, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENVELOPES,
on Mix AD Immane
333
Sealed the 20th March 1855, and dated the 26th January 1855.
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declaration,
on the 26th January 1855, pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent
Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
LAMACRAFT, of Westbourne Grove, in the County of Middlesex," Engraver,
send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ENVELOPES, OR MEANS FOR SECURING LETTERS, NOTES, AND SIMILAR DOCUMENTS,"
and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administra-
tors, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made
solemn declaration that I verily believe myself to be the true and first Inventor
thereof:
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Lamacraft, do hereby declare that
the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal, fully describes
and ascertains the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which the

page_text: same is to be performed, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
My Invention being improved means of securing letters and other docu-
ments in cases termed envelopes, I proceed to say that my envelopes may be
made of any size and of different shapes, the principle hereafter described and
shewn being maintained. The novelty or peculiarity lies in the whole of the
portions of the envelope, numbered 1, 2; 3; in the Drawing, being secured by
the tongue or lappett 6 of the envelope passing through them in such manner
that neither 1, 2, or 3 can be withdrawn without loosening the lappett or
tearing or cutting the said parts 1, 2, or 3. The flaps 1, 2, 3, are cut of such
a size and in such a manner that they overlay each other, and having perfora-
tions of any suitable shape made in them, marked a, a, a, such perforations
being made either before or after the envelope is made up, or while being
made up, so that the tongue or lappett b, gummed or prepared with any suit-
able adhesive substance either on one side or both sides, may be passed
through them, and the envelope fastened inside, securing all the parts 1, 2, 3, 4,
by the tongue or lappett adhering either to the inner part of the envelope or to
the contents of the envelope, or to both, according to the manner in which the
said tongue or lappett may be prepared.
My envelope may be made of paper, calico, or a combination of both, or of
any other suitable material.
I claim the exclusive use of any envelope made in manner herein-before
described for securing letters, notes, and similar documents.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Lamacraft, have hereunto affixed
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
Witness,
DAVID KIDD,
134, Fleet Street.
JOHN LAMACRAFT. (L.B.)
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jean Jacques Fontaine, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th
December 1855.
I, JEAN JACQUES FONTAINE, of Paris, do hereby declare the nature of the
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in converting cast iron into steel in the following
manner: The cast iron is melted in a pot or crucible, and a current of heated
air, either alone or mixed with chlorine or hydrochloric acid gas, is passed
over the surface of the cast iron, to which is then added a mixture of cast
iron, scale peroxide of manganese, and chloride of potassium, magnesium,
calcium, strontium, or barium, or hypochlorite of potass, soda, lime, magnesia,
strontia, or baryta. I would remark that when the cast iron to be converted
is more than ordinarily pure, the first part of the process may be omitted.
The cast iron is then simply melted, and mixed with the above-named sub-
stances. The complete conversion of the cast iron thus purified into steel, is
effected in the ordinary manner. Or in place of melting the cast iron in pots,
as above described, a puddling 'furnace is employed, and a current of hot air,
either alone or mixed with the before-mentioned gases, is passed over the

page_text: surface of the melted iron. Then one or other of the before-mentioned
mixtures is added, and hot air is again blown in, and the metal is collected
into a bloom, which is then hammered or rolled, and the conversion of the cast
iron into steel is effected.
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Clay at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th December
1855.
I, WILLIAM CLAY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Iron Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in taking crude or cast iron in a melted state and
reducing it to a granular form, in which state it will be found much more
convenient for conversion by the subsequent ordinary processes into iron.
By using iron in the granular form, as above mentioned, instead of in the.
shape of pigs or plate, as is now generally the case, considerable advantages
will arise, and the subsequent processes may be conducted with greater cer-
tainty and economy.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WAR PROJECTILES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Disney at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th August
1855.
I, HENRY DISNEY, of Number 16, Stanley Street, Eccleston Square, in the
County of Middlesex, Esquire, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WAR PROJECTILES," to be as follows:-
First, an incendiary war projectile for the destruction of ships, forts, maga-
zines, rows of tents, &c., and may be also used against columns of troops with
the most paralysing and murderous effects, not only setting every object it
comes in contact with into a flame, but the vapour arising from it is most
dense and suffocating, and in a confined space deadly in its results. It
is composed of various combustible matters unnecessary to detail or expose.
It produces spontaneous fire on its exposure to the air, is most difficult to
extinguish, and if subdued for a time will again burst into flame; thus, a
ship or any object it touches, when once impregnated with it, is certain of
destruction. It is contained in a shell, which may be varied in size, fitted
with a metal cylinder firmly screwed, to contain the bursting charge, to the
neck of which the fuze is fixed. The shell may be exploded by the common
fuze by concussion or percussion. The shell is also fitted with a gun-metal
screw plug with a very fine worm or thread, and screwed down flush with the
shell renders it air-tight, and may be handled and used with the most perfect

page_text: security.
Hand grenades of glass charged with the combustible is most
effectual when thrown against an enemy.
The second Invention is adapted to the same projectile, and has for its
object causing the tempary blindness for six or seven hours of an enemy,
after which the sight gradually returns. On the bursting of the shell, which
is effected in the same manner as the former, it scatters a composition a
radius of about a quarter of a mile, blinding every one it comes in contact
with. It is also intended to be used with glass grenades with most paralysing
effects, and may also be adopted to rockets and other war missiles. This
composition only effects the sight, by which the enemy may be blinded, and
the troops led on to the assault, and the enemy disarmed and made prisoners
of war.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN CASES FOR CARRYING TICKETS, CARDS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederic Thomas Stoneham Bardo
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th June 1855.
I, FREDERIC THOMAS STONEHAM BARDO, of the Royal Exchange, in the
City of London, Manager to Carter and Bromley, Stationers, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN CASES FOR
CARRYING TICKETS, CARDS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing pocket cases with a transparent back,
front, or side, which shall not be liable to crack or be broken by such wear as
pocket cases are usually submitted to. The transparent substance I employ is
horn, and I let it in or otherwise fix it in a leather or other suitable frame, and
at the back thereof place or slide in a railway season ticket, for instance, or
other printed, engraved, drawn, or written card, paper, or other surface, which it
may be desirable to shew without taking out of the case. The horn is so thin
that it readily admits of any writing or printing being easily read, while it is
so flexible as not to be liable to break or to be damaged by pocket wear. It
also preserves the surface it covers clean.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CERTAIN ARTICLES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO THE CORRODING ACTION OF THE AIR AND MOISTURE
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Vincent Scully and Bennett Johns
Heywood at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 15th September 1855.
We, VINCENT SCULLY, Esquire, and BENNETT JOHNS HEYWOOD, Gentleman
both of the City of Dublin, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CERTAIN ARTICLES WHICH ARE
SUBJECT TO THE CORRODING ACTION OF THE AIR AND MOISTURE" to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to prevent the rapid destruction or deteriora-
tion of certain articles composed of metals or alloys of metals, by reason of the
chemical action set up by contact with the atmosphere and moisture.
To this end, we propose to introduce into the manufacture of wind and
stringed musical instruments the use of aluminium, which, by reason of its non-
affinity to oxygen, and its lightness and ductility, may be employed in place of
brass, copper, and silver.
We also propose to avail ourselves of the non-oxydizable property of
aluminium, by manufacturing therefrom pens, pen holders, and inkstands, upon
which the ink will have no appreciable chemical action. The metal for forming
the pens and pen holders we propose to roll or beat out into thin sheets, in
order to give toughness and rigidity thereto; we then by the ordinary means
convert this thin metal into the articles desired.
The comparative hardness of this metal, considering its ready fusibility,
coupled with its non-oxydizable property, will render it an efficient substitute

page_text: for type metal in the manufacture of type; and as it is capable, when
burnished, of retaining a bright metallic lustre, we propose to employ it in the
manufacture of medals, coins, plated goods, and articles of virtu, such articles
being either stamped in dies, or cast and chased, after the manner of the silver-
smith in producing statuettes, or manufactured after the manner of repoussé 5
work, or coated by the electro deposition process.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAYS OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Hunt at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st May 1855.
I, THOMAS HUNT, of the London and North Western Railway Engine
Works, Crewe, in the County of Chester, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAYS
OF RAILWAYS" to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to forming the rail by dividing its sectional area
or breadth and through its whole length into two or more, separate parts, which
parts when put together form a compound rail, by which I am enabled,
when laying such rails, to place these parts or lengths so as to break joint with
each other; and such parts or lengths, when so fixed by keying, screwing,
or as may be otherwise arranged, will be held compactly together. The
longitudinal and sectional division of the rails may be continued through
the entire depth of the rail, or only partially so, according to the sectional form
of rail employed, or as circumstances may indicate:
When the double-headed form of rail is used, and it is divided longitudi-
nally into two parts, I sometimes form the longitudinal surfaces, which come
against each other of each, half rail, hollow or recessed, producing thereby
when the two half rails are brought together an internal chamber or channel
through the whole length of the rail, by which lightness and strength to each
half of the rail will be more readily obtained; and.such internal chamber or
channel also serves, if required, for the introduction of steadying pieces or.

page_text: "fishes" at the junctions of the lengths of the separate parts of the rails; or a
continuous piece may be fitted into this internal chamber or channel throughout
the whole length of the rail, and fixed so as to break joint with the other
portions or separate parts of the rails.
CONSUMING SMOKE, AND FOR GENERATING AND DIFFUSING HEAT IN FURNACES, AND IN FURNACE OR OTHER FLUES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Lancaster, residing at No. 24,
Hatfield Street, in the Township of West Derby, and James Smith, of
Sefton Street, Toxteth Park, both in the Borough of Liverpool and County
of Lancaster, for the Invention of "CONSUMING SMOKE, AND FOR GENERATING
AND DIFFUSING HEAT IN FURNACES, AND IN FURNACE OR OTHER FLUES."
Sealed the 12th January 1856, and dated the 9th October 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry Lancaster
and James Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 9th October 1855.
We, WILLIAM HENRY LANCASTER, residing at No. 24, Hatfield Street, in
the Township of West Derby, and JAMES SMITH, of Sefton Street, Toxteth
Park, both in the Borough of Liverpool & County of Lancaster, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention of "CONSUMING SMOKE, AND FOR
GENERATING AND DIFFUSING HEAT IN FURNACES, AND IN FURNACE OR OTHER
FLUES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in employing hydrogen gas in combination with
atmospheric air for the purposes of consuming smoke, &c.; which may be
effected by introducing a number of jets of hydrogen gas into flues and

page_text: furnaces by means of pipes. Each jet of hydrogen being provided with a
supply of atmospheric air, the gas on being ignited burns intensely, and not
only consumes more effectually than heretofore the smoke from the furnace
fire, however dense, but at the same time the heat is greater, and more
generally diffused in the flues of the furnace than heretofore, thereby dis-
pensing with the necessity for an intense heat in the furnace, and consequently
effecting great economy in fuel.
IMPROVED TEETHED GEAR
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Burns at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th July 1855.
I, ROBERT BURNS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED TEETHED
GEAR" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in faceing or forming (or covering what would other-
wise be) the rubbing surface of the teeth of teethed wheels with wood, metal,
or other like substances, varying from that of which the wheels and body of
the teeth cast therewith are formed; that is to say, forming the outer rubbing
surface of the teeth of wood, metal, or other suitable substance or substances,
the other portion of the teeth being cast with the wheels, and the wood or other
substance being affixed thereto by dovetale joints, brazing, or other convenient
method.
AN IMPROVED FEED APPARATUS FOR STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Josiah Gimson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th September
1855.
I, JOSIAH GIMSON, of Welford Road, Leicester, in the County of Leicester,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED FEED APPARATUS FOR STEAM BOILERS" to be as follows:-
My improvements relate to the feeding of steam boilers direct from the
main service pipes of waterworks.
Hitherto the use of a force pump or donkey pump for feeding boilers with
water has been ordinarily resorted to where a column of water could not be
obtained sufficiently high to overcome the pressure of steam within the boiler.
In many situations, however, the waterworks' mains of towns are sufficiently
and constantly pressed to render any pump or separate hydraulic column
unnecessary; but inasmuch as in some such cases any connection between
a steam boiler and the waterworks' mains is prohibited, because of the chance
or probability of the direct and sudden pressure of steam in the boiler, or some
sudden reaction in the mains from the sudden opening of many services, or
from other causes, the hot water or steam, or both, from the boiler might
rush therefrom into the mains, and so, contaminating the water, render it unfit
for domestic use, or damage the service pipes, mains, or other property in cou-
nection with the waterworks.

page_text: Now, to obviate this inconvenience, and provide against such a contingency,
with a view to overcome the prejudice against such direct service and supply
to steam boilers at present entertained by the authorities controlling such
works, I have designed the following arrangement:-
I connect the high-pressure" or other suitable main water pipe with the
steam boiler, inserting at a suitably convenient distance from the boiler a
patch of fusible metal, or a short length of suitably strong gutta percha pipe,
or a plate or disc of gutta percha, or of fusible metal meltable at a sufficiently
low temperature. Should the steam or correspondingly heated water flow back
from the boiler to the main pipe, from whatever cause such action may occur,
so that it may when melted permit the steam, &c. to escape by the opening
thus made in the supply pipe, I propose to provide such opening with a waste
pipe to carry off the steam or hot water.
The supply should be regulated by a float within the boiler acting upon a
valve or cock, so that a self-acting feed is effected.
AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF GUARD FOR PREVENTING SURREPTITIOUS REMOVAL OF WATCHES, PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, AND OTHER ARTICLES FROM THE: PERSON
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hypolyte Gaudibert, of Rue de l'Arbre Sec; Paris,
in the Empire of France, Watch and Clock Maker, for the Invention:
of "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF GUARD FOR PREVENTING SURREPTITIOUS
REMOVAL OF WATCHES, PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, AND OTHER ARTICLES FROM THE:
PERSON."
Sealed the 18th April 1856, and dated the 20th October 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hypolyte Gaudibert at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th October 1855.
I, HYPOLYTE GAUDIBERT, of Rue de l'Arbre Sec, Paris, in the Empire of
France, Watch and Clock Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF GUARD FOR PREVENTING SURREP-
TITIOUS REMOVAL OF WATCHES, PURSES, POCKET BOOKS, AND OTHER ARTICLES FROM
THE PERSON," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to attach temporarily to the lining of the
pockets of waistcoats, trowsers, and other garments such articles as are required
to be protected from the arts of pickpockets. For this purpose I connect to
one end of a small chain a spring loop or suspender, and to the other end a

page_text: sharp pointed hook, or its equivalent, which will enter with facility the fabric of
which the pocket is composed, and take a firm hold thereof. The article (say,
a watch,) I then attach to the spring loop, and the ordinary watch guard I
attach to the ring which connects the short chain with the sharp pointed hook.
When thus attached, any surreptitious attempt to extract the watch from the
pocket will be immediately known to the owner, and he will thus be put on his
guard against the further attempts of the thief. In the case of a purse, that
is simply hooked on to the spring loop, and may be readily detached when
required.
AN IMPROVED COFFEE POT
Year: 1855

page_text: This Invention received Provisional Protection, but notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Robert Hudson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
September 1855.-A communication.
I, GEORGE ROBERT HUDSON, of the firm of Hill, Hudson, Brothers,
& Company, of No. 120, London Wall, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention of "AN IMPROVED COFFEE POT" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a novel and improved mode of constructing and
arranging that part of a coffee pot employed for effecting the clarifying of
the decoction, by which such process is rendered more expeditious and efficient
than heretofore, and consists in the following arrangement of parts:-First,
a perforated recessed plate or hollow piston, the under side of which is
covered with flannel or other suitable material, the piston thus covered
fitting tightly the inside of the coffee pot, which is formed cylindrical. There
is a rod fixed into the aforesaid piston, which rod passes through a hole in the
loose lid of the coffee pot, and the upper end of the said rod has a flat knob
affixed thereto, by which to actuate the piston as follows:-In using a coffee
pot constructed as above, the operator first removes the lid and piston, and
then puts the requisite quantity of coffee into the pot, and pours boiling water
thereonto, nearly filling the coffee pot; he then replaces the piston and lid,
and when he considers the coffee has remained sufficiently long to extract the

page_text: goodness therefrom, the operator then gently presses the piston down, and thus
forces the liquid through the flannel or other filtering material, and effectually
clarifies the coffee, leaving the more solid particles at the bottom of the
coffee pot, which can be easily removed, and the coffee pot cleansed.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING UTENSILS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Mathew Shelley at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st June 1855.
I, MATHEW SHELLEY, of 12, Union Crescent, Union Street, Kingsland Road,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING UTENSILS" to be as follows:-
My improvements in cooking utensils consist in the application of tubes to
the lower parts of saucepans, tea kettles, and other utensils for boiling or heat-
ing fluids for culinary purposes, which tubes depend or otherwise project from
the vessels into or near the fuel. The tubes are arranged so that the heat
applied produces a circulation of the fluid in the vessel, and which may thereby
be speedily raised to the boiling point. I prefer these tubes to be of copper,
and placed at one side or end of the utensil or saucepan, so that the tube or
tubes may be placed in the fire while the greater part of such vessel may be on
the grate. I.form the tube of circulation in the form of an inverted syphon,
securing one end to the bottom or lower part of the utensil, from which it is
carried downwards to a sufficient distance for the purpose; from this point it is
bent upwards and carried within the utensil, and conducted to the opposite side
thereof; two tubes for this purpose placed on one side or end of the vessel, when
judiciously placed, answer the purpose of two feet to stand on a level place,
with the assistance of a temporary or moveable foot on the opposite side or end
of the utensil. Instead of the tube or tubes depending from the bottom of the

page_text: vessel, they may project horizontally from the side, so that the kettle or other
utensil so fitted may be placed in front of the fire; and the projecting tube or
tubes inserted between the bars. The end of the tube passing within the
kettle or other utensil so fitted should be carried towards the opposite side of
the vessel, and to a higher elevation than the short limb of the tube. Instead
of the tubes being submitted to the heat of an ordinary fire, they may be
arranged to be heated by-gas or other means.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FINISHING OR DRESSING TEXTILE FABRICS
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert McConnell, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Bleacher, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN FINISHING OR DRESSING TEXTILE FABRICS."
Sealed the 18th May 1855, and dated the 22nd February 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert McConnell at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd February 1855.
I, ROBERT M°CONNELL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Bleacher, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FINISHING OR DRESSING TEXTILE FABRICS" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the general arrangement of the mechanism herein-
after described, as to its main features, by means of which a smoothing iron
may be made to operate upon the surface of the fabric in the manner
required.
The mechanism referred to consists of a table, on which is fixed or placed a
smoothing block, to receive and support the article or material intended to be
operated upon. To this table is also fixed a bracket or frame, from which is
suspended a smoothing iron, in such a manner as to be capable of being duly

page_text: regulated as to its degree of pressure upon the surface of the fabric placed
on the smoothing block, and also as to its mode of passing over such surface.
For this purpose, the iron is suspended by a rod, to the upper part of which
is connected by an universal joint a metal plug with flanges or guide pieces, to
admit of its sliding vertically within a cylindrical space formed at the outer
end of the bracket. The upper end of this plug is acted upon by a spring
and screw, so as to regulate the downward pressure of the iron, and the
iron is raised, when required, by means of levers acted upon by a treadle or
otherwise. The iron is connected to the lower end of the suspension rod by a
joint, which admits of the iron retaining its horizontal position when the rod is
inclined.
The iron is worked either by hand or by mechanical power, by means of a
handle or other suitable connection at the lower part of the suspension rod.
The form and size of the iron may be varied, but I prefer that it should be
made so as to inclose a heater or heaters.