matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO STEAM OR HOT AIR ENGINES FOR USING THE STEAM OR AIR EXPANSIVELY
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Adams at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
February 1873.
I, JOHN ADAMS, of Landport, Portsmouth, in the County of Hants,
Naval Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO STEAM OR HOT AIR ENGINES
FOR USING THE STEAM OR AIR EXPANSIVELY," to be as follows:-
My said Invention relates to apparatus to be used in connection with
either steam or hot air engines to afford the means whereby the expan-
sive force of the steam or air may be made most effective for working
the said engines. I attach a small cylinder provided with a piston to
the steam chest or other convenient part of the engine; a rod is con-
nected with the said small piston and with an expansion valve in such a
manner that it varies the motion of the said expansion valve according
to the pressure of steam, so that whatever may be the initial pressure or
the pressure at the beginning of the stroke of the said engine the final
pressure after expansion is the same.

page_text: My said Invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the
accompanying Drawing, in which A is the cylinder of a steam engine;
B, the piston; C, the piston rod; D is a small cylinder opening into the
top of cylinder A; E is a piston; F is the piston rod which is in con-
nection with the expansion valve above described. According as the
piston E is moved by the inward or outward pressure it causes the
expansion valve to cut off the steam at a greater or less portion of the
stroke of the piston B in the cylinder A as may be desired in such a
way that the greater the pressure in the valve casing the sooner the
expansion valve closes. I thus economise the expansive force of the
steam whatever the first pressure may be.
The aforesaid valve may be operated by means of a bent tube or by
any apparatus which fluctuates with the pressure of steam.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE, BY THE AID OF SOLUBLE SILICATE, OF BALLS OR BLOCKS OF ARTIFICIAL FUEL TO BE USED AS A FUEL ONLY
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Wilhelm Radeke, of No. 28, Gracechurch St.,
in the City of London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE, BY THE AID OF SOLUBLE SILICATE, OF BALLS OR BLOCKS OF
ARTIFICIAL FUEL TO BE USED AS A FUEL ONLY."
"
Sealed the 6th March 1874, and dated the 23rd December 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Wilhelm Radeke at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd December 1873.
I, WILHELM RADEKE, of No. 28, Gracechurch St., in the City of
3 London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE, BY THE AID OF SOLUBLE SILICATE, OF BALLS OR
BLOCKS OF ARTIFICIAL FUEL TO BE USED AS A FUEL ONLY," to be as follows:-
In the Specification of a former Patent granted to me on the 24th of
May 1873 (No. 1877), was described the production of balls or blocks of

page_text: artificial fuel by compounding with small coal or such like carbonaceous
matter, lime, or cement, powdered soluble silica, clay, chalk, and a
solution in water of silicate of soda or of potash, compressing such
compound and allowing it then to harden. In such manner or modes I
do now manufacture a very useful artificial fuel, capable of quick
drying and of obtaining great hardness. All the ingredients which I so
employ as agglomerating agents are of a not combustive nature.
By one part of my present Invention I purpose to add bituminous
substance as coagglomerating agent. I proceed much in the same
manner (No. 1877), using the same ingredients or sometimes partly so 3
by employing them in, inter se, varied combinations and proportions, and
I add thereto combustive or partly combustive substance by admixing
bituminous matter, as for example, asphalt, compressing the compound
similarly but sometimes with an increased amount of pressure, and sub-
sequently drying the shapes so produced in a suitable manner which
· requires to sometimes expose them to a good heat.
Another part of my Invention is to treat shapes of artificial fuel on
or from their outsides with water, and for fuel which I so treat with
water, I-alter or vary sometimes the proportions and combinations, inter
se, of the agglomerating ingredients employed and specified as per
Patent No. 1877, A.D. 1873, using, when necessary, a good heat for
drying.
By another part of my Invention I apply sometimes to the outsides of
the shapes of artificial fuel produced, as per Patent No. 1877, A.D. 1873,
a mineral oil, as for example, petroleum or a solution in mineral oil of
bituminous substance, as for example asphalt, I apply the mineral oil or
bituminous solution, sometimes also to artificial fuel which has
previously been treated with water as heretofore stated.
I find artificial fuel so manufactured and treated to be improved and
AN IMPROVED MEANS OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Stephens Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th July 1873.
I, DAVID STEPHENS BROWN, of Braywick House, Green Lanes,
Islington, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MEANS OF OBTAINING
MOTIVE POWER," to be as follows:-
An engine like an ordinary steam engine but contrived to act with
greater energy at short intervals instead of in a continuous manner.
This I accomplish by attaching springs or magnets to the piston rod
which hold it in one place until the steam or gas in the boiler or
generating apparatus has attained a great pressure, sufficient to
overpower such springs or magnets and release the piston, which then
moves with great force until it has passed an orifice in the cylinder by
which the steam or gas escapes. It is then brought back by other
springs to its original position; the springs attached to the rod passing
through latches which permit them only to move in one way, unless
there be sufficient pressure on the piston to bend such springs.

page_text: I obtain gas by heating nitrate of ammonia, which latter is conveyed
into the generator from a hopper outside by means of a cock having a
chamber in the plug instead of a hole through it, and which plug
revolves, but steam or any other fluid may be used.
The Invention is intended principally for aërial navigation and
discharging shot, and the principle also applies to an engine of the
rocket or emissive kind, provided it be furnished with a valve and the
springs or magnets be attached thereto.
Although I have described the application of my Invention for
aërial navigation and discharging shot it is also adapted for motive
power generally.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LACE IN TWIST LACE MACHINES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Toone, Henry Zaccheus
Archer, and Edwin Hartshorn at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 19th March 1873.
We, ROBERT TOONE, HENRY ZACCHEUS ARCHER, and EDWIN HARTS-
HORN,
all of Mansfield Road, in the Town and County of Nottingham,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF LACE IN TWIST LACE MACHINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of
lace in twist lace machines.
We produce the bands or clothings which in many descriptions of
lace are introduced in the midst of the net or fabric with fewer motions
than are now commonly employed to produce a similar effect, and
usually whatever be the width of the band we produce it in eight
motions. For this purpose supposing there to be seven band or straight
down warp threads in the width of the weaving we weft the bands with
three bobbin threads. One of these bobbin weft threads weaves with
the four band threads next the right hand side of the weaving; another
bobbin weft thread similarly weaves with the four band threads next the

page_text: left hand side of the weaving (both thus working with the centre band
thread), and the third bobbin weft thread weaves with all the band
threads from side to side of the weaving. A warp weft thread is also
employed, which aids in producing a purl or ticking at the edges of the
weaving.
If a wider weaving be required we add four more band threads and
another bobbin weft thread. In this case on either side of the weaving
one of the bobbin weft threads weaves with four only of the band
threads whilst the others weave with eight, so that in the wider weavings
none of the bobbin weft threads pass completely across the weaving.
The width of the weaving may be further increased to any desired
extent by the addition of more threads in the proportion of four band
threads to one bobbin weft thread. In all these cases, whatever the
width of the band, eight motions only are required to complete the
course. If desired, however, more band threads may be added, and the
wefting bobbins in the midst of the weaving may be caused to weave
with, say, ten band threads, in which case a corresponding number
motions will be required, or similarly the number of band threads to
each bobbin weft thread may be reduced, and a corresponding reduction
made in the number of motions, but it is preferred to employ eight
motions to produce the course.
We produce in combination with these bands or weavings different
descriptions of well known net, and also sometimes bands or weavings
of the ordinary description, by which we obtain a greater variety of
effect.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSERVATORIES, GREENHOUSES, AND OTHER GLAZED STRUCTURES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Tuck at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th
June 1873.
I, EDWARD TUCK, of Bath, in the County of Somerset, Horticultural
Engineer and Metal Worker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSERVATORIES, GREENHOUSES, AND OTHER
GLAZED STRUCTURES," to be as follows :—
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of the sash
bars, and in the method of fixing the panes of glass in conservatories,
greenhouses, forcing pits, cucumber frames, skylights, and other glazed
structures whereby all drip will be prevented, the structure be made
lighter in appearance, and free expansion will be allowed.
The improvements consist in making the sash bars (which are pre-
ferably of rolled or cast iron) of ✓ shape in cross section or with a
grooved upper surface, which serves to carry off the drip from the inside
of the glass, and also any water that may find its way in from the
exterior.

page_text: The panes of glass may be lapped in the usual manner where the roof
has a flat surface, and are held in place by a clip or plate of lead or
other soft metal at the corners secured to the sash bar by a screw nut.
The panes of glass are connected laterally to each other by a strip of
soft metal rolled or formed of I shape in cross section, that is to say, 5
with a groove on each side to receive the edges of the glass and form
a tight joint, which will however admit of the free expansion of the
glass.
By my improvements the usual unsightly lap of one pane on another
may be avoided by the use of flat panes on a curved or polygonal roof, 1
the panes being fixed as above described; but instead of being lapped
the one on the other the edge of one pane is made to abut against the
under surface of the pane above, thus making a close joint without laps,
the panes being disposed at an angle the one to the other, according to
the shape of the roof.
1
IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY VALVES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jolin Hosking at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th January
1873.
I, JOHN HOSKING, of 19, High West Street, Gateshead-on-Tync, in
the County of Durham, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY VALVES," to be as
follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in safety valves, and consists
in the application of valves acting on the "double beat" principle, and in
the construction of such valves so applied, in such a manner as to limit
the area exposed to the internal pressure instead of exposing the whole
arca of the valve to such pressure as in the ordinary construction of
valves now generally applied to safety valve purposes, thereby requiring
less lift of the valve in order to give the same area of exit and a smaller
load or power to resist the pressure, which load or power may if
preferred be applied directly to the valve, thereby dispensing with lovers
or other means ordinarily required to increase the load or power, and
admitting of the use of lighter springs when springs are employed for
the purpose.

page_text: The valve is formed with a moveable annular surface at both the
upper and lower parts thereof, fitting on to corresponding fixed surfaces
or seatings, and with an annular portion round the said moveable surface
on which the internal or lifting pressure acts as required, thereby
opening passages or exits between the moveable and fixed aunular
surfaces for the requisite escane of fluid.
The valve is formed with a moveable annular surface at both the
upper and lower parts thereof, fitting on to corresponding fixed surfaces
or seatings, and with an annular portion round the said moveable surface
on which the internal or lifting pressure acts as required, thereby
opening passages or exits between the moveable and fixed aunular
surfaces for the requisite escape of fluid.
By this mode of constructing the valve the area exposed to lifting
pressure is limited to that of the said annular portion at the top of
the valve.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Shanks, of the Firm of Alexander Shanks
and Son, of Arbroath, North Britain, and John Thyne, of Arbroath,
North Britain, Manager to the said Alexander Shanks and Son, for
99
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Shanks and
John Thyne at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 30th August 1873.
We, JAMES SHANKS, of the Firm of Alexander Shanks and Son, of
Arbroath, North Britain, and JOHN THYNE, of Arbroath, North Britain,
Manager to the said Alexander Shanks and Son, do hereby declare the
nature of our said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS," to
be as follows
:-

page_text: According to this Inventlon we introduce into the boiler flue a series
of fire-brick deflectors fitted alternately in the top and bottom of the
flue at a slight forward inclination, and overlapping each other a short
distance, whereby the draught is to some extent baffled by being
compelled as it traverses the flue to pass alternately under and over the 5
edges of the several inclined fire-brick deflectors. These deflectors
moreover by becoming highly heated serve as magazines or storers of
'heat, and tend to maintain a more uniform temperature within the
boiler.
SPECIFICAȚION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, 1
filed by the said James Shanks and John Thyne in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 27th February 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE. PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JAMES
SHANKS, of the Firm of Alexander Shanks and Son, of Arbroath, North
Britain, and JoHN THYNE, of Arbroath, North Britain, Manager to the 1
said Alexander Shanks and Son, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the 37th
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and 2
grant unto us, the said James Shanks and John Thyne, Her special
license that we, the said James Shanks and John Thyne, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said James Shanks
and John Thyne, our executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all 2
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,
an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said James Shanks and John Thyne, 3
our executors, or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said In-

page_text: application and use of fire-brick deflectors to the flues of steam boilers
in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Shanks and John Thyne,
have to this our Specification set our hands and seals, the
Twenty-third day of February, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-four.
IMPROVED PACKING LEATHERS FOR HYDRAULIC PURPOSES AND THE ARRANGEMENTS OF MACHINERY OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THEIR MANUFACTURE
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Anderson and Joseph
Harrison at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 3rd June 1873.
We, BENJAMIN ANDERSON and JOSEPH HARRISON, of the City of
Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers and Machinists,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED PACKING
LEATHERS FOR HYDRAULIC PURPOSES AND THE ARRANGEMENTS OF MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THEIR MANUFACTURE," to be as follows:-
Instead of as at present making the packing leather with a space
between the inner and outer rims, the space being formed by a ring
when the leather is pressed, we make the two rims of the packing
leather close together, and thereby enable the packing to be more
perfect than that used at present, and also effect great economy.
For manufacturing each packing leather we employ an outer metal
shell or cylinder open at both ends, and having its internal diameter the
same as the external diameter of the required packing, and on one end
of this shell or cylinder we place the damped leather from which the
packing is to be made and then press the leather into the shell to the
required depth by a block or plunger for forming the outer rim. After

page_text: the edge of the leather is pared a ring is placed on the end of the block
or plunger and the shell or cylinder turned over from the top to the
bottom, the ring being for the purpose of maintaining the leather in its
proper position, and then a finishing block or plunger is pressed into the
shell to form the internal rim of the packing. The exterior of this
block at one end is of the same diameter as the internal diameter of the
inner rim, and above this end the block is formed to fit the interior of
the shell in order to act as a guide, and as the block is pressed onwards
it forces the packing and the first block out of the shell, and when the
blank piece of leather is cut out the packing leather is finished, the inner
and outer rims being close together.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOOTS AND SHOES OR OTHER LIKE COVERINGS FOR THE FEET
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Gustave Poirier at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th
April 1873.
I, GUSTAVE POIRIER, of Trafalgar Road, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOOTS AND SHOES OR OTHER LIKE
COVERINGS FOR THE FEET," to be as follows:-
The Invention is designed for the purpose of providing boots and
shoes or other coverings for the feet with an inner yielding sole of wood
so constructed and adapted to the shoe that it will combine with
economy of manufacture all other advantages pertaining to wooden
soles, such as resisting humidity, being dry and warm to the feet, and
when being worn offering to the step of the wearer an elastic yield equal
to a sole composed entirely of leather.
The improvements consist in first constructing the inner sole of the
boot or shoe out of a piece or length of wood shaped and curved out to
the required size and formation of the sole of the foot it is intended to
fit, the under edge of which is recessed all round. This curved piece or
-

page_text: length of wood when so prepared is cut transversely across into two or
more pieces which are then joined together by strips of leather or other
material that will give to the joints so made a yielding and flexible
nature.
In some cases in lieu of leather joints metallic hinges may be
employed. The upper surface of this wooden sole nearest to the foot
is then covered with a layer of cloth, wool, or leather, after which
the upper leather or other material of the boot or shoe is welted or
secured to the wooden sole in the recess around its under edge before
mentioned; when this is accomplished and the upper leather and under
wooden sole are firmly secured together the bottom or under sole of
leather or other material is then secured or fixed thereto by any of the
usual methods now adopted when securing the under bottom sole and
heel to the welt. The form given to the foot by means of the wooden
inner sole or foundation will be retained during the whole time the boot
or shoe is being used until worn out.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RETARDING AND STOPPING RAILWAY TRAINS, TERMED CONTINUOUS BREAK APPARATUS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Arthur East Holmes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th September 1873.
I, ARTHUR EAST HOLMES, of Alvaston, in the County of Derby, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR RETARDING AND STOPPING RAILWAY TRAINS, TERMED CONTINUOUS
BREAK APPARATUS,'" to be as follows:-
:―
$
This Invention relates to apparatus for retarding and stopping railway
trains, and chiefly to those apparatus known as the continuous break
system. I fit under each carriage or vehicle a hanging frame which
supports a spring, say a coach spring, on the two ends of which the
blocks to act upon the rims of the pairs of wheels are fitted. The
central portion of the springs and the lowest portion to the hanging
frame is socketed for a threaded shaft to pass through, so that when the
threaded shaft is turned the hanging frames with the springs are moved
over to approach the tyre, and the break blocks to be put into contact
with the wheels. The threaded shaft runs from one end of the vehicle
to the other, and the free end on one end of the carriage has a slotted
socket on it, and the other a square end to fit the socket of the rod on

page_text: "
the adjoining carriage which it fits automatically to connect the carriages,
sufficient longitudinal action being secured to permit the buffers
being compressed or extended. The whole of the carriages forming a
train are fitted alike, consequently a train of any length can be made
up.
I purpose using small cylinders on the tender or on the engine to
operate the threaded shafts, or the threaded shafts can be operated by
the guard from the break.
In some cases I make the spring and blocks act in both directions at
the will of the guard or other attendant, and according to the direction:
in which the vehicles may be travelling, so that if the double blocks are
fitted to the springs they may be caused to act in front of or behind each
pair of wheels as desired. The piston rod or rods, if more than one
cylinder is employed, is or are in connection with cranks or discs to
actuate the threaded shafts through bevil or other gearing.
The break blocks and springs can be arranged to act only upon the
front or upon the back portions of the wheels, or upon both back and
front, the rods having right and left handed threads upon them for that
purpose.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINATION OR PERMUTATION PADLOCKS EITHER ALONE OR IN ADAPTATION TO LOCKS OF ANY USUAL CONSTRUCTION
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Morgan-Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st March 1873.—A communication from abroad by Hugo Count
Von Scïlern, of 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, France.
I, WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-
Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COMBINATION OR PERMUTATION
PADLOCKS EITHER ALONE OR IN ADAPTATION TO LOCKS OF ANY USUAL CONSTRUCTION,"
to be as follows:—
These improvements have reference, in the first place, to making the
extremity of the central pin of a combination padlock in the shape of a
key, adapted to open or close a lock of any usual construction which
may be employed to close the same door or object as the padlock itself,
by which means the ordinary key for such padlock is dispensed with
and the padlock is made to answer a double purpose of security; and
in the second place, in providing the padlock with a branch or small
rod jointed at one end of same, and of such a length as to extend over
the entire series on rings so as to close and to open, and when closed
to maintain all the rings composing the padlock stationary both with

page_text: reference to rotation on their axis and to any lateral motion or dis-
placement, in such a manner that they will not be detached when the
padlock is opened violently, whilst when opened the rings can be turned
freely in any
direction.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHOES FOR HORSES AND OTHER ANIMALS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Yates at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
December 1873.
I, WALTER YATES, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHOES FOR HORSES AND OTHER ANIMALS," to be as
follows:-
These improved shoes are best applicable to draught horses; and my
Invention consists principally in substituting for nails clamps outside
the hoof, thus avoiding the chance of pricking the animal, and in
making the heel and toe pieces movable, so that when worn out they can
easily be replaced and in slippery weather readily sharpened.
The rim of the shoe I construct either of wrought or malleable cast
iron, with (say) four pairs of light snugs to act as bearings for the
clamps on the outer edge of its upper side. Between each pair of these
a clamp works on a pivot having its lower outer edge bevilled off so as to
here-
easily swing backwards, but the inner one left square for a purpose
after described. The clamps are formed so as to clip the hoof tightly

page_text: when pressed against it, and are provided at the top with one or more
short spikes to give a better hold.
To keep the clamps in close contact with the hoof I drill a hole across
the rim below the snugs, and on turning a screw which passes through
this a small nut is brought against the inner edge of the clamp (left
square as before mentioned) and keeps it immovable. To prevent this
nut turning round it works in a square slot in the rim of the shoe.
In fastening the heel and toe pieces holes of an oblong or other con-
venient shape are made through the shoe, half dovetailed and half the
same size all through. A snug dovetailed to correspond and of a size to
pass through the last mentioned half is formed on the upper side of the
heel or toe piece, and on being pushed home is slid into the dovetail, a
wedge or peg driven into the other part of the hole rendering the whole
immovable.
This shoe is at the outset expensive, but as one set will last twelve
months and the heel and toe pieces are renewed for a trifling cost in the
IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR CLIPPING HORSES AND OTHER ANIMALS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Norman at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
January 1873.
I, JOHN NORMAN, of Hoxton Square, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR CLIPPING HORSES AND OTHER ANIMALS," to be as
follows:-
For this purpose I employ as is well understood two comb plates, one
of which is fixed rigidly to a handle, whilst the other is capable of being
moved to and fro thercon by a handle mounted on an axis of motion
fixed to the lower plate.
According to my Invention however, instead of causing the axis of
the moveable lever handle to be placed in the centre of a hole in the
upper comb plate and moving the latter by a tooth from the lever
projecting into a notch communicating with such hole, I mount the
moveable lever handle on an axis fixed below the lower end of the
moveable plate, and I cause a tooth or projection from the moveable
lever to work within a recess cut or formed in the lower end of the

page_text: moveable comb plate. I also place the guide pins or studs in a line
with the line of action of the tooth or projection from the moveable
lever handle, so as to prevent any angular thrust being given to the
moveable comb plate as heretofore. Over the moveable comb plate I
fix another plate which is provided with a projection at its lower end to
pass over the stud or axis of motion of the lever handle, and at its upper
end is formed to bear upon the moveable comb plate near to the upper
end thereof. Two screws passing through such upper plate and through
comparatively large slots in the moveable comb plate serve to keep the
upper fixed plate at its upper end, bearing down upon the moveable
comb plate whilst a screw or nut serves to keep such upper fixed plate
down on the lever handle and thereby keep it firmly in its position.
This upper fixed plate thus serves to keep the upper moveable comb
plate firmly up to the lower comb plate and at the same time holds
the lever handle firmly in position whilst it effectually prevents any
hair or dirt from getting in between the two comb plates or in the
working parts.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Swan at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th March
1873.
I, JAMES SWAN, of Lancaster Street, Hyde Park, in the County of
Middlesex, Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER," to be as
follows:-
My improvements consist in producing a vacuum by the means of
smoke hot or rarefied air, in one or more suitable chambers fixed in com-
munication with a convenient water supply, and in raising in such
chambers such water or liquids generally for the purposes of working
machinery, or for irrigation purposes, or for raising liquids generally.
Also when desired the using a certain quantity of water or liquid over
and over again without waste.
The improvements may be conveniently performed by constructing
two ordinary cylinders, which may be made of metal or other convenient
materials, and furnished at their bases with suitable inlet pipes for the
admission of vapour for creating the vacuum, and also with suitable inlet

page_text: pipes for the admission of the water or liquid, the said pipes being
respectively connected with any vapour generating apparatus, and a tank
supplied with water, and in addition suitable outlet pipes for the exit of
the water from the cylinders, or sometimes to prevent the liquid coming
into contact with the vapour. I place an india-rubber diaphragm or 5
diaphragms or bellows in the cylinder, and thus divide it into two parts;
in the upper part I create a vacuum and the lower I use to receive the
liquid, or a piston may be used for the same purpose.
The action will be as follows:-Vapour being admitted into one
cylinder a vacuum is created therein, and the water or liquid rises and 10
fills the said cylinder, and on the liquid reaching a certain height therein
the weight thereof puts in motion a valve, and the liquid is liberated and
flows through the outlet pipe; the same process takes place with the
other cylinder, only the creation of the vacuum therein is allowed to
take place just after the production of vacuum in the first cylinder, and 16
thus by producing a vacuum alternately in the cylinders a constant
supply of liquid by the exit pipe is produced.
I wish to mention that the addition of my improvements to any
'existing apparatus for generating steam by combustion of fuel, the fuel
is economised, and additional power is obtained by the use of the smoke 20
without further cost for fuel.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR ACTUATING THE BRAKES OF RAILWAY TRAINS BY COMPRESSED AIR
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Steel at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th November
1873.
I, JAMES STEEL, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR ACTUATING THE BRAKES OF RAILWAY TRAINS BY
COMPRESSED AIR" :-
..
This Invention which relates to improved apparatus for actuating the
brakes of railway trains by compressed air, consists of a vertical cylinder
placed at each end of cach carriage or other vehicle whereof the train is
composed. The cylinders are firmly secured to the roofs or ends of the
carriages, and coupled to the framing by one or more ties. Each such
cylinder is provided with a piston and piston rod, the latter being
coupled to the levers on the brake shaft, so that as the piston is actuated
by the compressed air, the brakes are applied. Counterweights, springs,
or their equivalent are also applied for withdrawing the brakes from
contact with the wheels of the train when the compressed air is
shut off.

page_text: The cylinders at each end of the carriage are connected together by a
pipe, and the carriages composing a train are also connected together by
one or more pipes (two pipes being preferred) so that there is a
continuous connection through all the brake cylinders in the train, thus
enabling all the brakes throughout the train to be instantaneously
applied.
The compressed air is supplied to the brake apparatus from a reservoir
or auxiliary engine for actuating an air pump on the locomotive.
An essential feature of this Invention is the arrangement or con-
struction of the coupling by which the air pipes are connected to the
cylinders. Each cylinder is provided with one or more openings, the
face of which is composed of elastic material, such as caoutchouc or
asbestos. A bridge bracket having a screw passing through the centre
of the bridge projects from the face of the opening, and the flexible
coupling pipe is formed with a metallic elbow at each end, having also a
flat face, which being placed against the elastic surface of the opening is
pressed and readily secured in position against that face by means of the
screw.
When it is desired to uncouple a train it is merely necessary
to withdraw the screw and the coupling of the brake apparatus is
released.
In place of using a cylinder at each end of each carriage, a larger one
may be placed at the centre of each carriage, the piston rod of which
passes down through the division lining of the carriage to the brake
levers, in which arrangement the coupling herein-before described is
attached to a chamber or passage at the end of each carriage, com-
municating with the central cylinder.
The coupling herein-before described, besides being applicable to the
brake apparatus comprised under this Invention, is also applicable to
other brake apparatus actuated by compressed air, and wherein hori-
zontal cylinders are applied.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEEL RAILS
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Franz Wirth at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th March
1873. A communication from Friederich Asthoewer, of Witten,
(Prussia) Engineer.
I, FRANZ WIRTH, of the Firm of Wirth & Comp³., Patent Agency,
residing at Frankfurt o Maine (Germany), do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEEL
RAILS," (a communication to me from Friederich Asthoewer, of Witten
(Prussia) Engineer) to be as follows:-
This Invention is designed for the purpose of manufacturing rails for
the permanent way of railways that will not be so liable to break and
fracture as the steel rails hitherto employed, and that will also possess
great properties of durability.
It is well known that soft steel or metal rails are not so liable to
fracture, but their property of duration is extremely limited, and on the
other hand hardened steel rails though very durable as to wear and tear
are subject to be easily fractured; to overcome the difficulties experienced
in these the two class of rails at present in use is the object of my

page_text: Invention, the novelty of which consists in combining hard steel with
wrought iron or soft steel in the manner following:-The steel from
which the rails are subsequently rolled is (whilst undergoing the process
of casting) furnished with one or several internal layers of wrought iron
or soft steel, around which the molten metal is run so as thoroughly to
surround and become combined with the same far more intimately than
by the ordinary manner of welding. By this process of combining
metals of different qualities the layers of soft metal form a portion of
the interior section of the steel rail when rolled, thus allowing of the
construction of a rail in which the hard steel will form the surface
subject to the greatest wear, and the soft steel will offer a yielding
resistance to the whole section that will prevent fracture or breakage.
THE CLARIFICATION AND PURIFICATION OF THE POLLUTED DISCHARGES FROM PAPER MILLS, PRINTING WORKS, DYE WORKS, AND FACTORIES, BY MEANS OF PRE- CIPITATION.
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Jacobsen, of No. 1, India Buildings,
Victoria Street, Edinburgh (Merchant), for the Invention of "THE
CLARIFICATION AND PURIFICATION OF THE POLLUTED DISCHARGES FROM PAPER
MILLS, PRINTING WORKS, DYE WORKS, AND FACTORIES, BY MEANS OF PRE-
CIPITATION.
39
Sealed the 13th January 1874, and dated the 16th July 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Jacobsen at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 16th July 1873.
I, FREDERICK JACOBSEN, of No. 1, India Buildings, Victoria Street,
Edinburgh (Merchant), do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "THE CLARIFICATION AND PURIFICATION OF THE POLLUTED DISCHARGES
FROM PAPER MILLS, PRINTING WORKS, DYE WORKS, AND FACTORIES, BY MEANS OF
PRECIPITATION," to be as follows:-

page_text: dissolved in water until it attains a thick creamy condition in certain
proportions of so many grains per gallon, according to the chemical
constituents contained in the polluted liquids, or the more or less impure
state of same. After the precipitant has been thoroughly mixed with
the liquids to be treated the mixture thus formed is discharged into
properly constructed settling ponds; here a heavy clotty floculent will
soon be formed, which gradually will subside to the bottom of the tank
or pond forming a sludge, which after the supernatent water has been
drained off can be reapplied for precipitating fresh supplies of polluted
discharges.
In order to accelerate and facilitate the subsidence the following
ingredients may be used with advantage, namely, common salt, sulphate
of zinc, chloride of iron, perchloride of iron; and these ingredients may
be added either singly or jointly in a solid or soluble state to the pre-
cipitant.
IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY SWITCHES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Henry Cowins at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th December 1873.
I, RICHARD HENRY COWINS, of Bishopwearmouth, in the County of
Durham, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY SWITCHES," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to ensure the proper working of the
switches of railways. To this end I provide a means for the locking of
the points of the switches to the main rails when they are required to
be brought into use, and I thus prevent the carriages from leaving the
metals at the points.
One mode or carrying out this Invention is by rivetting a T piece to
the inside of the permanent rails and slotting the tapered ends of the
switches so as to admit of their receiving in the first instance the head
of the adjacent T piece (when a lateral movement is imparted to them),
and then by a slight endway motion of locking with their respective
T pieces behind the head thereof. The switches I severally connect at
their rear ends with a horizontal bell-crank lever, and the bell-crank levers

page_text: I couple together to provide for their simultaneous action. One of these
bell-crank levers I connect by a pair of link bars to a fixed stud, and a
coupling pin of the link bars I cause to slide in a segment groove. The
rod leading to the signal box I joint to one of the link bars. The end-
way motion therefore of the rod will impart a slight endway motion to
the switches. The lateral motion of the switch points I effect by causing
a projection on the rod to work a bell-crank lever which is jointed to a
transverse tie rod that couples the switch rails together.
The lateral
and endway movements of the switch rails are so timed with respect to
each other that the broad portions of the slots in these rails will first be
brought opposite the T pieces, then the switches will be shogged laterally
to allow of the entrance of the T head into the slot of the switch rail
that is to be locked, and lastly they will receive a back endway motion
to complete the locking of the one rail and bring the narrow portion of
the slot of the other rail opposite its T picce, which will thus form a
stop for that rail.
A modification of this Invention is to slot the webs of the permanent
rails to receive lugs projecting laterally from the switch rails or points,
and to provide sliding bolts on the outer side of the fixed rails to enter
the openings in the lugs and thereby to lock the points in position.
The sliding of these bolts and the shifting of the switches laterally may
be effected by substantially the same means as that explained above for
operating the switches.
A NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINE FOR THINNING TURNIPS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Balfour, of Mutton Hall, Kirkcaldy, in
the County of Fife, North Britain, Farmer, for the Invention of
"A NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINE FOR THINNING TURNIPS."
Sealed the 29th July 1873, and dated the 5th June 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Balfour at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th June 1873.
I, ROBERT BALFOUR, of Mutton Hall, Kirkcaldy, in the County of
Fife, North Britain, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINE FOR THINNING TURNIPS," to be
as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to the thinning of turnips by machinery,
operated by horse-power in lieu of hand labour as commonly practised.
The machine to be employed for this purpose is composed of a frame-
work of wood or iron mounted upon two main driving wheels and one

page_text: guide wheel, the driving wheels being fixed upon their axle, and upon
this axle is also fixed the wheel or drum for communicating motion to
the hoes. This wheel or drum is made with a zig-zag ridge upon its
outer circumference (or a zig-zag groove may be adopted in lieu of the
ridge); and as the wheel or drum revolves this ridge (or groove) gives a
reciprocating motion to a rod or bar swivelled upon the framework.
Upon or to the front end of this bar the cross bar carrying the hoes is
fixed loosely by a pin passing through a hole in the cross bar and a slot
in the other, so as to allow of a slightly curvilinear motion to the front
end of the swivelled bar. When the drum has a ridge upon it two
prongs extend downwards from the reciprocating bar, one on each side
of the ridge, to act as guides, and when a groove is used one prong
moving therein would suffice, and the reciprocating bar may be
operated either from the upper or under surface of the drum.
The cross bar carrying the hoes reciprocates through side guides
depending from the framing, and this bar with the hocs attached thereto
are kept in place by a pin passing down through a hole in the framing
and through holes in the guide plates below. Between the faces of the
guide plates may also be placed a roller through which the pin passes,
and which, revolving, lessens the friction on the cross bar when the
machine is in operation. This mode of fixing the cross bar carrying the
hoes enables it and them to be readily taken out for repairs when
necessary. The hoes are fixed one at each end of the cross bar, so that
two drills of turnips may be thinned at one operation, and it is preferred
to construct the hoes with a "miche or section cut out of the lower
edge so as to leave a plant growing while those on each side are forced
out by the hoe. The position of the hoes can be regulated by raising or
lowering the position of the framework upon the leading wheel by
means of a pinching screw.
"
If desired the machine may be constructed so as to operate upon more
than two drills, and implements or cutters may be affixed to the framing
AN IMPROVED FLOWER POT
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Calver at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th
August 1873.
I, FRANCIS CALVER, of Ludlow, Shropshire, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED FLOWER POT," to be as
follows:-
In constructing flower pots according to this Invention I take a pot of
the ordinary kind and place it within another sufficiently larger to leave
an annular space between them at all parts. The pots are united at
their bottoms previous to being burnt, and are provided with a through
drain hole to prevent excessive moisture. The outer pot is glazed or
painted on its exterior so as to be capable of resisting the exudation of
water, but the inner pot being of the ordinary kind is left porous as
usual. The annular space is filled with water which can only find exit.
through the porous inner pot and then only in sufficient quantity to keep
the soil therein moistened to the requisite degree. If desired the
annular space may be covered over, leaving a small perforation or hole
through which the water may be poured. The envelope of water
prevents the rapid drying and solidifying of the soil in the inner pot

page_text: and gives the plant at all times the necessary degree of moisture to
flourish healthily, it also prevents the heat of the sun from drying up or
otherwise injuring the young roots.
The employment of flower pots constructed thus will materially lessen
the labour and time necessary to perform the frequent watering of the 5
plants with the present porous pots, and will also promote a healthier
growth of the foliage and bloom of all pot growing plants, and prevent
the necessity of removing plants, growing at windows and other similar
places when required to water them.