matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVE- MENTS IN BATHS USED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Pierre Ignace Alexis Gaudin at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th July 1855.
I, PIERRE IGNACE ALEXIS GAUDIN, of Skinner Street, Snowhill, in the City
of London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN BATHS USED FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PURPOSES" to be as follows:-
My improvements in baths used for photographic purposes relates to baths
of nitrate of silver or collodion, into which the paper or glass is immersed pre-
vious to receiving the photographic impression, and consists in maintaining
and the means of maintaining the bath at a proper temperature for the purpose.
To effect this, I surround the bath with a double casing of metal or other suit-
able material, into which I place a freezing mixture or other cooling material,
in order to cool and reduce the bath to the proper temperature when it is
naturally too warm for the purpose; and, on the other hand, when too cold by
reason of the natural coldness of the surrounding atmosphere, I place warm
water within the double external casing of the bath, in order to raise the
temperature to the required degree.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING ELASTIC FINISH TO PIECE GOODS
Year: 1855

page_text: FLO www
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Clark at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th May 1855.
I, ROBERT CLARK, of 420, Gallowgate, Glasgow, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING ELASTIC FINISH TO
PIECE GOODS" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object an improved combination of mechanical
parts into a machine for obtaining elastic finish to piece goods. For this
purpose there are two endless bands with points which are kept parallel by
rods or bars at intervals, which allow of the endless bands moving to and fro
independently of each other as they circulate through the machine, but such
bars or rods keep the endless bands at all times parallel, though they are
constantly varying in respect to their distance apart. Two cranks or excentrics
(set in opposite directions) give motion to two beams or levers. Each of the
beams or levers has two connecting rods attached thereto, one on either side
of and equidistant from the fulcrum or axis of the lever or beam. The four
connecting rods at their lower ends carry the bearings of the axes of two
rollers, under which the endless bands pass, and at the upper ends the four
connecting rods carry the bearings of the axes of two other rollers, over which
the endless bands pass. In each case the bearings of the rollers carried by

page_text: the connecting rods are mounted on axes to admit of the rollers varying in
their positions, according as the ends of the beams (to which the connecting
rods are attached) are raised or lowered. Above the upper rollers, carried
by the connecting rods, there are cylinders or rollers, over which the endless
bands pass. The pieces of fabric are conducted into the machine by rollers,
and the fabrics pass away from the machine over drying or steam cylinders.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PORTABLE AND OTHER BUILDINGS, AND IN THE MEANS OF VENTILATING BUILDINGS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Henson Henson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
June 1855.
I, HENRY HENSON HENSON, of Parliament Street, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PORTABLE AND OTHER BUILDINGS, AND IN THE
MEANS OF VENTILATING BUILDINGS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing huts for troops, lodges to parks, agri-
cultural and other buildings of a combination of materials which combine
strength, lightness, durability, and are proof against fire and the weather; and
the manner in which I propose to carry my Invention into effect is as follows:-
I construct the beams and uprights of wrought or cast iron, or of slate, or of
wood rendered fireproof by any of the processes ordinarily followed for such
purpose, and I groove and channel them in the parts required for the reception
of panels of slate both for the roof and side and end walls; or the roofs may be
composed of slate, and the walls of slabs of plate or cast iron, or corrugated
metal let into the grooves between the beams aforesaid; or the walls may be
composed of double panels, one of wood and the other of slate, or of any of
the other materials-herein-mentioned-for-panels; instead of slate, terra cotta or
common earthenware or artificial stone slabs may be employed.

page_text: Where I form the walls, or walls and roofs, of corrugated metal, I propose
to fill up the corrugations on the outside with asphalte or other bituminous
composition, whereby the weather will be excluded, while the metal will be pre-
served from oxydation. For the purpose of lighting I employ, by preference,
thick rough sheet glass.
My means of ventilating buildings consists in a hanging valve or plate,
suspended from the top and free to swing in a suitable frame, in such manner
that the wind drives the plate back, closes entirely or partially an aperture in
the opposite side of the frame, and deflects the wind into the building to be
ventilated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS, FURNACES FOR THE SAME, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Herbert Holt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th
November 1855..
I, CHARLES HERBERT HOLT, of the City of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS, FURNACES FOR THE SAME, AND APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
I obtain an upward and downward draught for the furnace, by which the
smoke will be consumed. I have a heating apparatus to heat or partially
heat the water before it enters the boiler, which I fix between the engine and
the boiler; I add to the equalizing valve a syphon, into which I place mercury
to act upon the float and work the valve, and I have an apparatus to take off
the water produced by the condensed steam from the pipes without allowing
any steam to escape.
These improvements will be clearly understood by reference to the
accompanying two Sheets of Drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 are side and
end views in section of a boiler, shewing the smoke ascending and descending
through the hollow tubes; Fig. 8 is an end view, shewing a double row of the
said hollow tubes; and Fig. 4, a plan of the same; Fig. 5 is an elevation of
my said heating apparatus; and Fig. 6, a plan thereof; Fig. 7, a view of my

page_text: 1
improved equalising apparatus, shewing the syphon with mercury acting upon
the float; and Fig. 8, a plan of the same; Fig. 9 is a view of my apparatus
for extracting the water produced by the condensed steam without allowing
any steam to escape; and Fig. 10, à modification of the same.
AN IMPROVE- MENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN SEED DRILLS
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Lee Bennett at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th April
1855.
I, WILLIAM LEE BENNETT, of Wolston, in the County of Warwick, Gentle-
man, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVE-
MENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN SEED DRILLS" to be as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention consists of improvements in drills for sowing seed of various
kinds, and more especially applicable to the sowing of carrot seed. The drill
consists of a shaft, to which is attached a wheel. A hopper containing the seed
deposits it when of a certain description in holes in a drum, whence it is depo-
sited in a conductor, which drops it in the earth. For seed of the description
of carrot seed, which is of a feathery nature, and would not drop from the
hopper, the drum is provided with wire teeth in its periphery that tear the seed
from the hopper.
Various description of drums are used to suit different seeds, according to
the thickness with which they are required to be sown. The conductor cuts a
trench and deposits the seed in the ground, and a brush is fixed between the
hopper and the drum to regulate the flow of seed; an agitator worked by cog
wheels on the driving wheel constantly stirs up the seed in the hopper.
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRYING TAN, PEAT, AND SUCH LIKE SUBSTANCES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Player, John Phillips
Player, and Luke Duncan Jackson at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 24th February 1855.
We, JOSEPH PLAYER, JOHN PHILLIPS PLAYER, and LUKE DUNCAN JACKSON,
all of 2, Winchester Buildings, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR DRYING TAN, PEAT, AND SUCH
LIKE SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in adapting the ordinary fan blast machine or
apparatus to the drying of tan, peat, and such like substances; and the
principal feature of novelty in this Invention is the arranging and disposing
of certain receptacles around and about the periphery of the cylinder or
case in which the fan rotates, and in perforating the surface of such said
periphery, or in forming the same of wire gauze, for the purpose herein-after
mentioned.
This Invention will, however, be better understood by the following expla-
nation of the means by which it may be effected; that is to say, in two upright
standards I place a shaft, upon which is fixed a fan or fans working in a
cylinder or case, the ends whereof are closed, and the shaft passes through
them; these ends are made larger than the diameter of the aforesaid case or
cylinder, so as to form an annular groove or channel around the same, in which

page_text: I fit partitions, thereby forming four or more separate compartments, into
which the peat or other substance to be dried is placed, and kept therein by a
cover of wire gauze or perforated metal attached to each compartment; and
there are handles affixed to one or both ends of the aforesaid cylinder or case,
for the purpose of turning it round, so as to bring the several compartments
over the centre thereof for filling and emptying the same; and supposing all
the compartments to be filled with the substance to be dried and the fan to be
set in motion, it will appear obvious that the air will be forced through the
wire gauze and the substance, and have the effect of expelling the moisture
therefrom and drying the same.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF IRON
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Hunt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th January
1855.
I, WILLIAM HUNT, of Tipton, in the County of Stafford, Chemist, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF IRON " to be as follows:-
I use the oxide of iron, which occurs as a residuum from burning sulphuret
of iron, or pyrites, particularly coaly pyrites, for making iron, and sometimes
such iron as will be applicable to the manufacture of steel. When I want it
for steel, I use a little recovered oxide of manganese or chloride of manganese.
In using oxide of iron, produced by burning pyrites, I mix carbonaceous.
matter with the said oxide after it has been ground; I then put it into the
ordinary puddling furnace with or without pig iron. During the heating of
this mixture the carbonaceous matter decomposes the oxide of iron, and
reduces malleable iron. The oxide of iron may be treated with carbonaceous
matter, and reduced to a metallic state in retorts or close ovens, and then
removed to the puddling furnace to be worked into iron as required; or the
said oxide of iron and carbonaceous matter may be reduced in a blast furnace,
or placed on the sides and bottoms of puddling furnaces, instead of oxide of
iron or burned ore generally employed. When the mixture is so used, the
carbonaceous matter converts the oxide of iron into malleable iron, which may

page_text: be worked up with the iron in the furnace. When I want the iron for making
steel with, I add artificial or recovered oxide of manganese or the chloride of
that metal to the oxide of iron and carbonaceous matter. The artificial oxide
or chloride of manganese may be used with any other iron preparatory to the
manufacture of steel. The recovered oxide of manganese may be obtained
from the chloride of manganese by evaporation and roasting. The said chloride
is a refuse product in the manufacture of chloride of lime, and the oxide
obtained from it is less costly than the native oxide. I also add potash, or
soda, or salts of potash, or soda, or both, to the iron in the puddling furnace,
for the purpose of giving fusibility to the slag or scoria.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BRICKS, TILES, PIPES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Effertz at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th August 1855.
I, PETER EFFERTZ, of Aix la Chapelle, in the Kingdom of Prussia,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BRICKS, TILES, PIPES, AND OTHER SIMILAR
ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing a machine consisting of two square
cylinders placed side by side, each of which is provided with a piston, and in
which the pistons are made to press the articles to be formed in their upward
stroke. Each cylinder is provided with a cover, and between the cover and
the top of the cylinder a space is left for the mould to be slid in. Over the
cover is suspended a frame, with knives or breakers therein, and the clay or
other plastic material is fed into the top of the cylinders after passing through
the breaking frame from buckets mounted upon an endless chain.
The action is as follows:-The cover to the cylinders has been moved
sideways to allow of clay falling from the feed buckets through the breaking
or dividing frame, in which it has been shaken by the action of the machine.
Into the upper part of the cylinders the moulds are now slid in, and just
before the pistons commence to rise, the covers have been caused to move
round and cover the top of the moulds. The piston then continues to rise until

page_text: it reaches the top of its stroke, when the bricks or other articles will have
become perfectly formed. The moulds are drawn out by the workmen, and
the same machinery which causes the piston to descend moves back the covers,
allows of a fresh feed of clay falling into the breaking frames, communicates
a shaking motion to them, and then the machines continue working as herein-
before described.
.
According to the size of the cylinders and power employed, almost any
quantity of bricks may be produced in a day. But a convenient and useful
machine may be constructed capable of turning out eighteen complete bricks
at every stroke of the pistons, that is, nine bricks from each cylinder.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRE- VENTING FIRE FROM THE OVERHEATING OF HOT AIR FLUES
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 9th July
1855.
I, HENRY EDWARD FLYNN, of Retreat, Ranelagh, in the County of Dublin,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRE-
VENTING FIRE FROM THE OVERHEATING OF HOT AIR FLUES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of constructing parts, particularly the moveable
wheels or slides or valves used to open and close the flues, or all or any part
or parts of any safety valves applied to the "hot air flues" or "caliducts," of
amalgums, amalgamations, or mixtures of metals, which, fusing at lower tem-
peratures or degrees of heat than the brass or other metals or compounds of
metals used in the fixed and other parts of said hot air flues, will fuse, liquify,
run, and melt away at temperatures or degrees of heat far below and long
before the heated air or caloric in the said flues or caliducts comes up to a
dangerous degree of heat; by which means the said flues, escapements, or
safety valves are opened, the cold or atmospheric air rushes in, acts as a
refrigerator, moderates the heat of the flue, prevents all danger of fire, and
tells or points out the spot where the neglect of the person or persons in
charge of the heating apparatus took place.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY VALVES, AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE PRESSURE OF STEAM AND THE QUANTITY OF WATER IN STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Gerhardi at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th July 1855.
I, WILLIAM GERHARDI, of the City of Manchester, Mechanic, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY VALVES,
AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE PRESSURE OF STEAM AND THE QUANTITY OF
WATER IN STEAM BOILERS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in an improved compound safety valve, shewn at
Fig. 1 in the accompanying Drawing. Two. valves, one opening upwards
and the other downwards, act on the same lever. By this arrangement, the
centres of the valves can be brought so close to each other that a comparatively
small weight or a light spring is required to balance the pressure of the steam.
The floater is made to let off steam when the level of the water in the boiler is
too high or too low by a double cam a, fixed on the fulcrum shaft of the floater.
I propose to box up the above apparatus, and to place an excentric or cam at 6,
which the attendant can turn partly round by a key when he wants to make
the steam blow off.
--Another-modification of my improvements-in-safety valves consists in placing
two valves exactly above or opposite each other opening in contrary directions,
and in applying the pressure to both by means of a spring.

page_text: Fig. 2 shews an apparatus for regulating the pressure of steam in a steam
boiler. c is an ordinary syphon mercury guage, the index plate of which is
at d. As the steam increases in pressure the pointer e descends along the index
plate, and the excentric f, which is constantly revolving, brings the slide g
against the pointer when the steam is at the pressure required; by this means
the lever h, to which the excentric is connected, is made to oscillate, which
oscillation can be transmitted by röds and levers or other mechanism to close
the damper, lift the safety valve, or otherwise give warning, and (if self-acting
feeding apparatus is employed) to stop the supply of fuel.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PRESSURE AND VACUUM GAUGES
Year: 1855

page_text: 5720
prescrwea
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Clarkson Kay at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th April
1855.
I, JAMES CLARKSON KAY, of Bury, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF PRESSURE AND VACUUM GAUGES" to be as follows:-
In constructing pressure and vacuum gauges it has hitherto been customary
to use glass or iron tubes in conjunction or separately; this mode of construc-
tion is very objectionable, from the difficulty of making the tubes so accurate
that the results indicated may be depended upon.
Now, my improvements consist in planing or otherwise cutting or forming
grooves of the required sizes in plates of metal or other material in such
wise that unfailing accuracy is secured, and covering these grooves with metal,
glass, or other material, so as to complete the gauge and exhibit the pressure
or vacuum.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPLYING HEATED AIR TO THE BOTTOMS AND FLUES OF POTTERS' AND BRICK- MAKERS' OVENS AND KILNS, AND OF STEAM ENGINE BOILERS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Goodfellow at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th January
1855.
I, GEORGE GOODFELLOW, of Great Fenton, Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire
Potteries, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SUPPLYING HEATED AIR TO THE BOTTOMS AND FLUES OF POTTERS' AND BRICK-
MAKERS' OVENS AND KILNS, AND OF STEAM ENGINE BOILERS," to be as follows:-
"
This Invention consists of improvements in the construction of air flues in
potters' and brickmakers' ovens and kilns, and in the brickwork or seating of
engine boilers, and has for its object means of applying heated air to the
products of combustion passing from the furnaces or fire-places of such
structures; for which purpose the air flues are constructed with references to
their receiving over them a quantity of broken fire bricks, broken " saggers,"
or such like matters, and the air flues are covered over with such broken
substances or matters. Such air flues are also arranged with, or have applied
thereto, perforated pipes or perforated plates below the broken substances or
matters, and there are passages leading to the external atmosphere, by which
atmospheric air is admitted into such perforated pipes or under the perforated

page_text: plates, and the air is thereby divided into numerous streams, which, by rising
up amongst and coming in, contact with the heated broken substances or
matters, become heated thereby, and the air is diffused amongst the products of
combustion, passing from the fires over such broken substances or matters.
AN IMPROVED MODE OR METHOD OF DAMPING OR MOISTENING POSTAGE, RECEIPT, OR OTHER STAMPS, ADHESIVE LABELS, THE SURFACE OP PAPER, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Wilkins at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th January
1855.
I, JOHN WILKINS, Commercial Clerk, of No. 2, New Charles Street, City
Road, in the Parish of Saint Luke, County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OR METHOD
OF DAMPING OR MOISTENING POSTAGE, RECEIPT, OR OTHER STAMPS, ADHESIVE LABELS,
THE SURFACE OP PAPER, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
Composed of a stand, frame, or case, of any size, shape, or configuration,
made or moulded of wood, metal, glass, gutta percha, or any other material,
in one, two, or more parts, connected by joints for use.
The top of the postage, receipt, or other stamp, adhesive label, paper, or
other substance damper is a waterproof reservoir, with a pin, rod, or joint, con-
nected by a screw joint or otherwise with the bottom of the said reservoir;
this reservoir contains a chamber or chambers, division or divisions, made of
any material to receive the stamps or labels, paper, and other substances
intended to be damped; these chamber or chambers, division or divisions,
having a perforated plate or bottom resting on the sides or bottom of the said
reservoir; the said pin, rod, or joint to have a hole through its centre leading

page_text: into the reservoir, to which pin is affixed a vulcanized india-rubber hollow ball
or any other waterproof vessel intended to supply the reservoir above.
The case or stand has an aperture or opening of any form or size on each side.
To this stand is affixed, by screw joint or otherwise, a drawer or box with a
division or divisions for containing the reserve postage, receipt, or other stamps,
or adhesive labels, so constructed that the said damper may be complete either
with or without the drawer or box.
The postage, receipt, or other stamps, or adhesive labels, paper, and other
substances, may be placed in the chamber or chambers in the reservoir; then,
by compressing with-midfinger and thumb, or two fingers, or by any other
method of impinging, exhausting, or partly exhausting the ball or vessel, the
water is, projected into the reservoir; and on withdrawing the pressure it
rushes back into the ball or vessel, leaving the stamps, labels, paper, and other
substances only sufficiently damped on both sides as to be ready for immediate
use.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING VESSELS
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Revell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th March
1855.
I, JOSEPH REVELL, of Duckinfield, in the County of Chester, Plasterer, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING VESSELS" to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to maintain a perfect parallel motion of all
the floats of a paddle wheel throughout its entire revolutions, and this I effect by
employing two rings or rims of metal, revolving in the same plane, one with the
other, but having different centres. Of these rings or rims, one is secured to
the main or driving shaft of the paddle wheel, the other is secured to a centre
above or below the main shaft at such a height as shall be regulated by the
depth of the paddle or float employed. The short shaft on which this ring
revolves projects but slightly within the interior of the arms of the paddle
wheel. Each float is furnished with two studs or projecting pins; one being
secured at the top of the float, and the other at the bottom and on opposite
sides of the float, the lower stud or pin of the float being mounted in the rim
secured upon the main shaft. The upper stud is to be secured in the second
ring working on a fixed centre, (in this case suppose the fixed centre to be
above the main shaft and the float to be vertical;) this ring, by means of the

page_text: connection formed through the studs or pins and floats with the ring on the
main shaft, has motion imparted to it therefrom, and by its continuous and
simultaneous motion, dependant on and regulated from the ring on the driving
shaft, a perfectly vertical position or slightly inclined position, if required, of
all the floats or paddles will be produced, and each float be placed parallel with
the other, and maintained in such position throughout the whole revolution or
operation of the paddle wheel, or whilst entering, propelling the vessel upon,
or leaving the water.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AEROSTATION OR AERONAUTICS AND THE MECHANISM CONNECTED THEREWITH, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE RENDERED SUBSERVIENT TO PURPOSES OF NAVIGATION
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Joseph Curtis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st May 1855.
I, WILLIAM JOSEPH CURTIS, of Hardinge Street, Islington, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AEROSTATION OR AERONAUTICS AND THE MECHANISM
CONNECTED THEREWITH, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE RENDERED SUBSERVIENT TO
PURPOSES OF NAVIGATION," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in employing the vapour or gas of gunpowder or
similar compound to inflate balloons; also connecting with balloons kites
or wings, to be acted upon by suitable cords or connections, so that the motions
of the balloons and kites may be governed by operators stationed beneath the
same on land or water. When applied to a ship, these balloons and kites
may be used to propel or navigate same. These balloons and kites may
convey missiles, &c., which may be discharged by means of an electric spark
sent along the cords or connections; or the discharge may be effected at a given
time by clockwork attached to the balloon.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRO- PELLING VESSELS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Burns at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th April 1855.
I, ROBERT BURNS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRO-
PELLING VESSELS " to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to reduce the hight of the paddle boxes, and
to obviate the back water, inseparable from the common paddle wheel, as by
this Invention the floats retain their vertical position during every part of their
action. To accomplish these improvements, a driving shaft is placed across the
vessel, and which extends beyond her sides, and upon each end of which three
or more cranks or excentrics are formed.
Either before or aft the driving shaft described, there is a second or dupli-
cate set of cranks or excentrics, which are connected to the first-described
cranks by means of horizontal coupling or connecting rods, and to which are
attached a series of vertical floats or paddles, which act against the water upon
being put in motion by motive power applied through the driving shaft (or
shafts) and cranks or excentrics. When three cranks are formed on the ends
of the shafts they are placed at an angle of 120 degrees to each other, so that
the floats on each of the horizontal connecting rods, by which the fore and after

page_text: cranks are coupled together, may be brought to act alternately against the
water, and thereby obtaining at all times a nearly uniform amount of propel-
ling surface acting against the water.
against the water. The moving power may be applied
to all or either of the sets of cranks or excentrics.
A CERTAIN MODE OF COLLECTING AND MEANS OF APPLYING FOR USE THE SMOKE, HEATED AIR, AND OTHER GASES ARISING FROM ENGINE AND OTHER FURNACE FIRES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Onious at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th October 1855.
I, JOHN ONIONS, of 44, Wellington Place, Blackfriars Road, in the Borough
of Southwark, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "A CERTAIN MODE OF COLLECTING AND MEANS OF APPLYING FOR USE THE SMOKE,
HEATED AIR, AND OTHER GASES ARISING FROM ENGINE AND OTHER FURNACE FIRES,"
to be as follows:-
The smoke, heated air, and other gases arising from engine and other
furnace fires to be passed through certain tubes and cisterns by means of an
air pump or pumps; the tubes to form the chimney or flue from the boiler,
fire grate, or other furnace through which the smoke, &c., is to pass; the
cistern to form a purifier or regulator, and to prevent the dust from entering
the pump.
The use of the pump is to form a vacuum in the said tubes and
cistern, in order to cause a draft in the furnace, and also to force the smoke,
air, or gases into the places appointed for their use, consumption, or destruction.
A, furnace door; B, ash-pit; C, the boiler; D, the damper in chimney E;
E, chimney; F, second flue, where the separation is caused; firstly, when steam
is once raised so as to work the engine; the damper D is then closed; secondly,
the action of my Invention then takes place, by passing through G, G, G,
into reservoir, forming a rude gas either into twyere or back into furnace.
G, G, G, iron pipes or tubes, containing valve H, conducting smoke into reser-

page_text: voir J; I, plates, perforated in reservoir J, supplied with lime, &c. to purify the
smoke or gas; K, suction pipe, through which the smoke or gas is drawn by
pump N; L, valves for inlet; M, M, valves for outlet; N, the pump; O,
piston rod; P, the pump cylinder cover; Q, conductor into twyere or furnace.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF LOADING THE SAME
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Williams at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th August
1855.
I, THOMAS WILLIAMS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Gun
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS, AND IN THE MODE OR METHOD OF LOADING THE
SAME," to be as follows:-
I propose, instead of making the guard which covers the trigger in guns
and pistols fast to the body or barrel, to form a lever of the guard, the fore
part of which works in a slot, and is secured by a pivot to the body or barrel,
the pivot being the fulcrum. On the fore part of this guard or lever I cut
a teethed segment of a wheel, which acts on corresponding teeth cut on a
rammer of a new design, which works in a groove parallel with the barrel;
and by raising the guard or lever from the back, and drawing it forward, it
forces the rammer into the chamber or breech, and with considerable power
drives home the ball: the guard or lever is returned to its place, and the
breech turned to bring another chamber opposite the rammer. The operation
is repeated until the whole of the chambers or barrels are charged or loaded;
the guard is then returned to its proper position, and is secured by a spring
or catch.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL APPARATUS FOR SOWING SEEDS AND FOR DEPOSITING MANURE
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Murdoch at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th May 1855.
I, ROBERT MURDOCH, of Cran Hill, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AGRICULTURAL APPARATUS FOR SOWING SEEDS AND FOR
DEPOSITING MANURE" to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus to be
employed in sowing turnips, clover, cereal, and other seeds, whereby the con-
struction of the apparatus is greatly simplified, and an increased regularity
and certainty of action is secured. The main feature of the improvements is
the use of glass chambers or vessels for containing the seed to be sown or the
manure to be deposited, so that the operator can watch the action of the appa-
ratus; that is to say, so that he can see whether the seed or manure is being
deposited in a regular and uniform manuer, and at once make any adjustment
or rectification if required, and so that he can see when the seed is exhausted,
and at once add a fresh supply. This improvement is applicable to all kinds
of sowing machines at present in use, and may be carried out by making the
seed or manure containing vessel either wholly or partially of glass. According
to one modification of the improved sowing apparatus, and one which is
suitable for sowing turnips, the seed container is an oblong, cylindrical, or
globular vessel of glass, by preferenco of the description known as "crystal,"
which is mounted on a horizontal spindle, and is made to rotate as the
appa-

page_text: ratus proceeds. This glass vessel has holes drilled through it at equal distances
round its circumference at or near its longitudinal centre. The seed is intro-
duced at an opening formed in the vessel at any convenient part, and closed
in any convenient manner during the action of the machine, and it issues
through the circumferential perforations as the vessel rotates. The seed
thence passes down guide tubes, which deposit it in the earth, and which
may either be of the ordinary kind, or they may be made wholly or partially
of glass.
AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF RACK FOR WINDOW BLINDS
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Malcolm William Hilles at the
Office of the Cominissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th
September 1855.
I, MALCOLM WILLIAM HILLES, of Percy Street, Bedford Square, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF RACK FOR WINDOW BLINDS
be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a novel mode of constructing rack pulleys, the
object being to permit of the ready adjustment of the cord, either for the pur-
pose of tightening or slackening it. To this end, instead of forming the rack
teeth on the back plate of the rack for the spring to act against, I form
them on the inner face of the overlapping sides of the rack, and I provide
a pin or tooth at each side of the pulley carriage to take into the rack teeth,
the contact between which will be preserved by reason of the spring affixed to
the back of the pulley carriage bearing against the smooth back plate of the
rack, and pressing the carriage forward. In order to tighten or slacken the
cord on the pulley, it will only be necessary to press the carriage inwards suffi-
ciently to make the pins or teeth which project from it clear the rack teeth,
and the pulley carriage may be shifted up or down the rack to any desired
position.
THE EMPLOYMENT OF A NEW OR IMPROVED FABRIC OR FABRICS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF RICK COVERS AND FOR OTHER USEFUL ARTICLES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Hackett at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th March 1855.
I, JOHN HACKETT, of Derby, in the County of Derby, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "THE EMPLOYMENT OF A
NEW OR IMPROVED FABRIC OR FABRICS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF RICK COVERS AND
FOR OTHER USEFUL ARTICLES" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the employment of a new or improved fabric or
fabrics for the manufacture of rick covers, sacks, sails, tents, cotton carpets,
railway waggon covers, bed ticks, floor preservers, carpet preservers, or for
other purposes. The said fabric or fabrics is or are composed with not less
than two-thirds of the warp threads, and not less than two-thirds of the weft
threads, of two or more threads of single hempen yarn doubled and twisted
together, or of doubled and twisted linen yarn, or of doubled cotton yarn, or of
any combination of the above doubled and twisted yarns; or some of them may
be composed with not less than two-thirds of the threads of the warp and of
the weft of doubled and twisted yarn of New Zealand flax, or of any other
plant or plants.
IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC, ELECTRIC, AND ELECTRO-MAGNETIC APPARATUS, AND IN THE MODE OF APPLYING THE SAME AS A CURATIVE AND REMEDIAL AGENT
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Peter Piggott at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th
November 1855.
I. WILLIAM PETER PIGGOTT, of 529, Oxford Street, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Medical Galvanist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GALVANIC, ELECTRIC, AND ELECTRO-MAGNETIC APPARATUS,
AND IN THE MODE OF APPLYING THE SAME AS A CURATIVE AND REMEDIAL AGENT,"
to be as follows:-
First, I construct a brush consisting of a mixture of bristles and metallic
wires or plates, or I coat a portion of the bristles forming the brush with
metal by electric deposition, and these metallic wires, plates, or electrotyped
or metallized bristles cominunicate with and receive their electricity, gal-
vanism, or electro-magnetism from a battery or electrical apparatus, fixed
in the back, or some other convenient part of the frame of the brush, or
otherwise, as may be required, thus causing what is commonly known as
positive or negative currents of electricity to pass from the ends of the wires,
plates, or metallized bristles when moved in contact with the hair or skin.
And; secondly, in the construction of a bath for the administration of
galvanism, electricity, or electro-magnetism, one part of which bath will
communicate positive and the other negative electricity, and this I effect by
forming the bath of a combination of elastic or flexible waterproof material

page_text: and metal in such way, that when a part of the waterproofing material is
caused to envelope any required part of the body, two distinct currents of
electricity, galvanism, or electro-magnetism are created in the same bath; and
I would observe that I use the terms positive and negative currents in the
ordinary acceptation of those terms as understood at the present time.
IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING THE AGITATION OF FLUIDS AND SOLID MATTERS CONTAINED THEREIN
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Alexander Manning at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
April 1855.
I, JAMES ALEXANDER MANNING, of the Inner Temple, in the County of
Middlesex, Esquire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING THE AGITATION OF FLUIDS AND SOLID MATTERS
CONTAINED THEREIN " to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the employment and use of aeriform currents for
the purpose of causing agitation in fluids, semi-fluids, and fluids with solid
matters mingled therewith or contained therein, such agitation being necessary
in various manufacturing processes, and in operations of various other kinds.
It is carried out in practice by passing an air pipe or pipes down into the
mass of the fluid matter to be agitated, the inner discharging end of such pipe
being at a point nearer to or further from the bottom of the containing vessel,
according to the nature of the fluid under treatment, or the peculiar character
of the motion to be produced therein. The open outer end of this pipe or duct
is put into communication with any convenient air-forcing apparatus, and air
being thus forced down into the fluid, a very severe agitation may be produced
in a most effective manner and at a very economical cost. Such a mode of
agitating fluids is particularly suitable for brewers, distillers, and paper makers,

page_text: who have to agitate large quantities of fluid matters variously intermingled
with solid bodies, for the purpose of securing cooling effects and the com-
mingling of ingredients, as well as other ends or objects involved in processes of
agitation. In adapting the process to steam boilers, it answers most efficiently
in removing the sediment which continually collects in such vessels, as the
violent agitation produced by the air currents speedily raises the sediment
and loosens the adhering flakes in readiness for being blown out. The air or
aeriform current employed may be produced in various ways, such as from a
pump, fan, or other air forcer, and the discharging outlet through which the
air finds its way into the fluid to be agitated may be variously modified to suit
the effects to be obtained.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF INDICATING THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENTERING AN OMNIBUS OR OTHER CARRIAGE, ANY THEATRE, OR OTHER BUILDING
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Ullrich at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th October 1855.
I, LOUIS ULLRICH, of Prague, in Bohemia, and of the Office for Patents,
4, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF INDICATING THE NUMBER OF
PERSONS ENTERING AN OMNIBUS OR OTHER CARRIAGE, ANY THEATRE, OR OTHER
BUILDING," to be as follows:-
These improvements consist in the use and employment of certain mechanism
or apparatus of novel and improved construction, so disposed or placed as that a
portion thereof shall be acted upon by the feet of persons entering an omnibus,
theatre, or other building; to ensure which, this part of the mechanism
(if, for example, the apparatus is required to be used at a theatre or other
similar public building,) should be placed at the pay place of such building, at
which only one person can pass at a time. The nature of these improvements
will, however, be better understood by the following description of the means by
which they may be effected, that is to say:-To the flooring of the building,
or other place to which the apparatus is to be applied, a bell-crank lever is
connected, and has liberty of vibratory movement; the horizontal arm of such
said lever having a plate of metal or piece of hard wood affixed thereto, which
comes flush or nearly so with the surface of the flooring or ground, or other
part, when the apparatus is out of use, and descends sufficiently when trodden
upon to impart the necessary movement to a train of wheelwork, to which the

page_text: vertical arm of the aforesaid lever is connected.
Upon the principal axes of
this wheelwork hands are placed, the outer extremities whereof point to figures
marked upon a dial or face plate in connection therewith; the long hand moves
from one division to the next at each vibration of the aforesaid lever, and thus
registers one person at each movement of the lever as it is pressed upon the
face of the dial near the periphery thereof, being divided into 100 equal
parts. Each entire revolution of the long hand will therefore only register 100
persons, which number is now transferred to and registered by the short hand
on the centre part of the dial, which is divided into ten equal parts, the wheel-
work being so constructed as to cause the aforesaid short hand to move only
from one division .or mark to that next to it for one entire revolution of the
long hand, thus enabling this apparatus to register 1,000 persons; the numbers
on the dial for a greater or less number than the above being in accordance
with the wheelwork, and the purpose to which the apparatus is to be applied,
so that any desired number may be registered at each entire revolution of the
indicating hands in a simple and efficient manner.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE- ARMS
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Marc Toussaint Stefani at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th January 1855.
I, MARC TOUSSAINT STEFANI, of Paris, Empire of France, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-
ARMS," to be as follows:-
My improvements apply to portable fire-arms as well as to heavy or artillery
pieces, and consist in forming in the centre of the hinder part of the interior
of the breech a chamber for receiving the charge of powder, in the manner as
has been done before for howitzers and mortars, but of much greater length in
regard to the charge as has been done, in order to leave an open space between
the powder and the ball, bullet, or shot, allowing the gases evolved during the
inflammation of the powder to acquire their full dilatatory power, which is
increased besides by the elastic force arising from the heating, and consequently
the expansive force of the air contained in the above-mentioned open space
left between the powder and the bullet, ball, or shot. The interior of the
barrel may be either smooth, as for common muskets, or provided with spiral
grooves, as for rifles. In using small shot, for hunting purposes, for instance, a
small cylindrical wad of felt, or any other suitable material, suitably greased,
and corresponding in diameter with that of the interior of the barrel, is driven

page_text: in the interior of this latter till the same rests against the mouth of the above-
mentioned chamber, after which the shot, and finally a second wadding, is driven
in the barrel. When using balls, I prefer employing one of an elongated or
cylindro-conical form, round the cylindrical part of which a groove is cut, in
which is laid all round a piece of greased cloth, cotton, or other suitable
material, in order that, as is the case by the shot above explained, when the
ball is driven in the barrel (the powder charge having been previously intro-
duced in the chamber), the ball fitting exactly in the interior of the barrel, a
certain portion of air is confined between the ball and the powder, this air
being thereby in a rather compressed state. The hinder part of the ball is
hollowed out, in order to allow this part to expand by the force of the gases
evolved by the inflammation of the powder. In the interior of this expanding
part is left a short stalk, for keeping the centre of gravity of the ball in its
right place.