matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR STORING COMPRESSED AIR FOR MOTIVE PUR- POSES
Year: 1877

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Sir Frederic Henry Sykes, Baronet,
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd March 1877.
SIR FREDERIC HENRY SYKES, Baronet, of Seaton, in the County of Devon.
*IMPROVEMENTS IN VESSELS FOR STORING COMPRESSED AIR FOR MOTIVE PUR-
POSES."
The improvements consist in the combination of machinery for generating air
and steam, the air machinery consisting of one or more cylindrical vessels for
receiving and storing compressed air, the steam machinery of a small engine, say
a donkey engine, furnished with air pumps for forcing in the air; the air vessels are
to be made of metal, strongly stayed and hooped, and when two or more are used,
may be arranged as desired, and connected with valved junctions. Sometimes the
air vessel may be made with or of several compartments.
It is intended, by a comparatively small expenditure of fuel, to make and store
compressed air, and use the air so compressed for motive purposes.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN PARTS OF PUDDLING FURNACES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Francis John Fisher at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd January 1877.
ALFRED FRANCIS JOHN FISHER, Civil Engineer, of Pelsall, in the County of
Stafford. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN PARTS OF PUDDLING
FURNACES."
My improvements in puddling furnaces apply to the bottom plate of the furnace,
which I purpose casting with a continuous hole or holes passing any suitable number
of times across the volume of the cast iron forming the plate, or divide the plate
into one, two, or more parts, each. being treated as before described, the said holes
being used as waterways, which may be fed from any convenient source, and allowed
to flow through active, or slowly, according to the heat imparted to the said plate
through the fettling of the furnace bottom. The said waterways may be made for
convenience by means of sand cores, and passed through from side to side of the
cast bottom, and stopped by plugs or by means of wrought-iron tubular elbows or
bends, or by so moulding the said plate with cross or connecting cores so as to
keep the waterway or ways entirely within the volume of the casting, but dividing
such waterways by as many inlets and outlets as may be necessary. Puddling
furnace bottoms thus produced are rendered more enduring by being left to expand
and contract without restraint by the unequal heat applied to them.
In some instances I lay in the mould, above or below the cores, rods of wrought
iron, which may be found necessary to strengthen the plate; or such additional tie
rods may be placed in addition across the plate in the direction of the waterways.
Furnace bottoms or plates thus constructed are protected in the usual way by the
ordinary fettling used in puddling furnaces.
IMPROVED DRESS HOLDER
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Green at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 21st September 1877.
"AN
THOMAS GREEN, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer.
IMPROVED DRESS HOLDER,'
"
This Invention refers to improvements in the construction of clips or suspenders
for holding ladies' dresses and suspending them securely and without injury.
I take a strip of metal and double it in the middle, forming at the bent end an
eye or loop, to which a cord may be attached; the shape of the metal then resembles
a pair of sugar tongs. About the centre of the width of each blade I pierce a long
slot, and in these slots I place a double-headed stud, the shank of which works in
the slots.
By the doubling of the metal strip, the tendency of the blades is to spring asunder,
but the distance to which they can separate is governed by the stud in the slots, a
peculiar curvature of the blades causing them to act as a spring which the position
of the stud can control, so that the holding power of the parts is strengthened or
released by sliding the stud upward or downward in the slots. The outer surface
of each blade is roughened or embossed in any suitable manner to afford a surer hold
for the heads of the stud and to guard against slipping.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Morton at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st May 1877.
JOHN MORTON, of Caistor, near Great Yarmouth, in the County of Norfolk,
Surgeon. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS."
The features of novelty of this Invention are as follows:-To turn the vessel (by
any means which may be considered necessary in certain places) bottom upwards, or
into such a position or angle so that the vessel will rise from the bottom of the water
upon air being forced into the hold or hull of the vessel; or, in the event of the
bottom of the vessel being too much damaged to be repaired, so as to retain the air
so forced in, the vessel is then to be raised by a number of casks or other vessels
filled with air; these vessels or casks are to be sunk filled with air or water; if
filled with the latter, air is then to be forced into them, the casks having been
placed in such a position as to allow them, when released, to rise up into the hold
or hull of the vessel.
A NEW APPARATUS OR SIGNAL FOR CALLING THE ATTENTION OF THE ATTENDANTS IN CAFÉS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND PRIVATE HOUSES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Magnus Volk at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 12th December 1877.
MAGNUS VOLK, of 51, Preston Street, Brighton, in the County of Sussex. "A
NEW APPARATUS OR SIGNAL FOR CALLING THE ATTENTION OF THE ATTENDANTS
IN CAFÉS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND PRIVATE HOUSES."
The object of my Invention is the construction of a better apparatus for calling
the attention of the attendants in cafés, restaurants, hotels, and private houses
than those hitherto constructed.
My new apparatus is constructed of a metal base or stand containing a bell;
projecting upwards from the stand is a tube of brass or other suitable metal; inside
of this tube another tube slides freely; this internal tube is surmounted by a bright
metal ball or other object that will readily attract attention; in the interior of the
tubes is a spiral spring, the action of which is to throw the inner tube upwards;
when the apparatus is in its normal position the inner tube is held down by a
suitable spring catch at the bottom of the tube, terminating in a lever which
projects horizontally beneath and just clear of the edge of the bell.
The action of this new apparatus when standing on a table or other suitable
place is as follows -The sliding tube is pressed down by the hand, and held in that
position by the spring catch before mentioned, this being the normal position of the
apparatus, when it is desired to call the attendant the lever beneath the bell is
piessed down, this action releases the tube, which immediately rises to its full
height, the ball or other object at the top forming a conspicuous object to attract
the attention of the attendant: on the lever being released by the finger it rises
and strikes the edge of the bell, thus giving an audible and visible signal at the
same time.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR KEEPING CASKS OR BARRELS AIR-TIGHT WHEN EMPTY
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Sherwin Clarke at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th November 1877.
JAMES SHERWIN CLARKE, of the Corn Market, Derby. "IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR KEEPING CASKS OR BARRELS AIR-TIGHT WHEN EMPTY."
My Invention is for the purpose of keeping casks or barrels air-tight when they
are empty and the tap withdrawn, dispensing with the requirement of inserting
a cork into the tap hole to prevent the air acting upon the surface of the inside of
the cask or barrel, causing it to become fusty or foul.
The Invention consists of a slide (similar to that of a window) working between
two guides and having at the end of the slide a tongue or inclined plane, which, by
coming in close contact into a similar internal shaped recess, holds the slide into its
position when closed. When the tap is withdrawn the slide is closed and prevents
the action of the air in the interior of the cask or barrel.
I also sometimes employ slides working in two parts, similar to the action of
sliding doors, and also sometimes a slide working with inclined slides, which, by
their action, secure the slide or door completely.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SACKS FOR CONTAINING COALS AND OTHER ARTICLES, AND IN THE METHOD OF CLOSING THE SAME
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Longdon at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 13th July 1877.
ROBERT LONGDON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SACKS FOR CONTAINING COALS AND OTHER ARTICLES,
AND IN THE METHOD OF CLOSING THE SAME."
The object of this Invention is principally to afford a ready means of closing the
mouths of sacks or bags containing coals or other articles of merchandize to prevent
their being tampered with, either as to quantity or quality, whilst in transit from
the depôt to their destination.
In the first place I make the sacks of such a length that the mouth can be readily
closed over the contents, the additional upper part being left unsewn at the sides, so
that it can be turned over whilst loading or filling; and to prevent the seam
from tearing I secure the upper end thereof at each side by means of a copper
rivet.
In making coal sacks, the tar is only applied to the lower part of the sack, the
upper part by these means being more flexible and more easily fastened.
In order to close the mouth of the sack when loaded or filled, I gather the mouth
together and carry a stout string or cord several times round the same, and I then
take the two ends of this string and place them between the folds of a soft metal clip
provided for the purpose, and I clench this clip on to the string so as to hold both
ends firmly by means of a pair of nippers, such nippers being provided with dies
which will impress any required design on the soft metal clip, which thus serves not
only to hold the ends of the string or cord firmly, but also as a metallic seal to
guarantee the quality and quantity of the material contained in the sack.
MANUFACTURE OF EFFERVESCING DRINKS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Bracq at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 27th February 1877.
HENRY BRACQ, of Bohain, in France, at present residing at Manchester, in the
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
County of Lancaster, Manufacturer of Mineral Waters.
MANUFACTURE OF EFFERVESCING DRINKS."
My Invention consists in combining seltzer or any other suitable gaseous water
or liquid with wine, syrup, or spirituous liquids, in order to produce a wholesome,
refreshing and tonic drink.
In performing my Invention I mix the gaseous water or liquid with the wine, syrup,
or spirituous liquids in the desired proportions according to the strength required,
and I add to the mixture sugar, spices, or any other suitable ingredients to flavour
the drink. These improved effervescing drinks are put by preference into small
bottles of the same description as those generally employed for holding seltzer or
other effervescing liquids, and by this means the public may have at a small cost a
pure, refreshing and agreeable drink.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN TEMPLES' EMPLOYED IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Turner, Swaine Blagbrough,
and William Hollingworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 3rd February 1877.
JOHN TURNER, Estate and Insurance Agent, SWAINE BLAGBROUGH, and WILLIAM
HOLLINGWORTH, Temple Makers, all of Bradford, in the County of York.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN TEMPLES' EMPLOYED IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING."
The object of this Invention is to render more durable the "temples" employed
in looms for weaving, for the purpose of keeping the fabric distended. To effect
this we construct the outer shell or wheel of brass as usual, and inside this we place
a disc of hard metal, such as steel, having a boss on the under sido. A steel or other
hardened screw is passed through the outer shell and inner disc, and forms the axis
upon which the temple works. Constructed in this manner the soft metal of the
temple is kept free from friction, whilst the disc of hard metal fitting closely inside
the outer shell holds the pins in position and prevents them from being forced
inwards.
INCREASING THE DEPTH OVER HARBOUR AND RIVER BARS, AND REDUCING THE LEVEL OF THE BED BOTTOM OF THE RIVER, THE CONTINGENT EFFECT OF WHICH IS ALSO TO REDUCE THE TENDENCY OF FLOODS."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Francis Knapp at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd November 1877.
HENRY FRANCIS KNAPP, of 70, Cornhill, in the City of London, Civil Engineer.
INCREASING THE DEPTH OVER HARBOUR AND RIVER BARS, AND REDUCING THE
LEVEL OF THE BED BOTTOM OF THE RIVER, THE CONTINGENT EFFECT OF WHICH IS
ALSO TO REDUCE THE TENDENCY OF FLOODS."
This Invention consists,-
Firstly. In building a barrier or obstruction directly across the mouth of a river
or harbour on the sea side of its bar, which barrier prevents the sea waves from
washing sand upon the bar, and leaves the outward flow of the river unimpeded to cut
away the bar. These barriers will be placed, according to local circumstances, some
hundreds or thousands of feet seaward outside the bar at quite a right angle with
the outward flow of the river current, and in a depth of water, say, from thirty to
sixty feet deep, and shall have an altitude or heighth of, say, from fifteen to forty
feet above the bed bottom, according to local circumstances, and the increased depth
to be acquired over the bar, but in all cases the apex of the barrier shall be con-
siderably below the depth or level of the bar to be cut down.
Secondly. Though these barriers may be built of stone or any of the usual methods
of marine construction, for economy I propose building them of a box, the cross
section of which will be triangular shaped, and into this box pump sand so as to
solidify the structure; also as a special mode I will build the box up from the
bottom, piece by piece, and fill it with sand either by pump or the help of the sea
waves as it is being built, by which method its destruction by the sea will be
obviated during its erection.
AN IMPROVED HORSE-SHOE
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry John Bowen at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th November 1877. A communication
from abroad by George Lagrave, of Paris, France.
HENRY JOHN BOWEN, of No. 110, Cannon Street, in the City of London, Wine
Merchant. "AN IMPROVED HORSE-SHOE." A communication from abroad by
George Lagrave, of Paris, France.
An important objection to the shoes by which the hoofs of horses, mules, and
other beasts of burthen are protected is, that of lessening the confidence of the
animal, from the facility with which it slides about and falls when the shoe is a
little worn, and the pain resulting from the violent shocks thus undergone..
The object of the improved horse-shoe, the subject of this Invention, is to pre-
vent slipping and sliding by giving a better adhesion of the foot of the animal
upon the ground, and preserving it from a too violent concussion upon any soil or
roadway.
This improved horse-shoe has the same outer form as those in ordinary use,
differing therefrom only on its outer surface, which has two or more small pieces or
knobs of india-rubber or other elastic substance inlaid and protruding above the
said outer surface.
MENTS IN SAFETY VALVES FOR STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Lees at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 4th January 1877.
WALTER LEES, of Sowerby Bridge, in the County of York, Engineer.
MENTS IN SAFETY VALVES FOR STEAM BOILERS."
"
IMPROVE.
This Invention relates to the safety valves of steam boilers, whether stationary,
locomotive, or marine, and the primary object of the Invention is to dispense with
a great part of the heavy weights now used to regulate the valves at present
in use.
The Invention consists in having two valves on an upright spindle connected
together by a branch pipe fixed to the top, or other part of a boiler, and having
direct communication with each other. Weights are attached to the bottom of this
spindle, and by preferenco the bottom valve is made larger in diameter, or of greater
area than the top valve, so that as the steam from the boiler acts underneath the
bottom or larger valve, and on the top of the top or smaller valve, the pressure
underneath the bottom valve, which is larger in diameter, will raise the spindle and
open both valves, and allow the steam to escape.
By employing steam to act on the top valve and forcing it down a great portion
of the weight on the bottom of the spindle is dispensed with.
In stationary boilers the usual float is employed for acting on the valve when the
water gets too low in the boiler.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Davies at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd February 1877.
SAMUEL DAVIES, of the Borough of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Manager.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING."
This Invention consists of a mode of laying that class of pavements composed of
wood and asphalte, or other like materials, and is an improvement upon a former
Invention, for which Letters Patent were granted to Edwin Guthrie, dated 31st
October 1874, No. 3762, and I perform this Invention by laying a thin bed of
cementing material upon the prepared foundation, into which I insert the laths,
strips, or pieces of wood in any desired position, either perpendicular or at an angle.
This thin bed may be made of any of the cements or mortars generally in use, and
may be either quick or slow setting, according to the nature of the work in hand,
the object being to hold the laths, strips, or pieces of wood in their right position
while the asphalte or other bituminous material is run or placed between them, and
with the further object of binding the foundation and pavement securely together,
and preventing movement by getting loose from its bed or travelling along in the
direction of the traffic.
The mode of proceedure is, first, to spread over the prepared ground or foundation
a thin layer of cement or mortar, of the nature before described, of sufficient thick-
ness that when about half-set will be strong enough to bear the weight and hold
(when inserted) the laths, strips, or pieces of wood, being first prepared by being
cut in any regular form, pointed at the bottom or blunt, bevilled, or square, as may
be deemed desirable. The laths, strips, or pieces of wood being fixed as aforesaid
the work may be allowed to rest for the further strengthening of the cementing
material before the asphalte or bituminous material is run or stamped in between
the pieces; or this asphalte or bituminous material may at once be used, the spaces
between the laths, strips, or pieces of wood being either wholly filled up, leaving a
smooth surface, or only partially filled up, leaving a rough surface. The surfaces
when thus prépared may be finished off immediately, or while the asphalte or
bituminous inaterial is in process of hardening by rolling or any other way, or
when hardened by dressing it over smooth or in furrows.
The pavement may be made thin, using very short pieces of wood, or may be

page_text: made of great thickness, using longer pieces of wood, these pieces being laid either
close together or far apart.
If thought desirable the layer of cementing material may be made the whole
height of the laths, strips, or pieces of wood, no asphalte or bituminous material
being used. Or the thickness of the said layer of cementing material may be made
so as to allow of a thin layer only of asphalte or bituminous material at the top,
or indeed any proportion of the two materials found' necessary to suit varying
circumstances.
A NEW OR IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF FRINGE FOR ORNAMENTING THE EDGING OF LACE, BRAIDS, AND OTHER FABRICS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Guy Wilson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 28th February 1877.-A communication from
abroad by Moritz Bauer, of Buchholz, Saxony.
16
JOHN GUY WILSON, of the City of Manchester, Mechanical Engineer and Patent
Agent. A NEW OR IMPROVED MANUFACTURE OF FRINGE FOR ORNAMENTING THE
EDGING OF LACE, BRAIDS, AND OTHER FABRICS."-A communication from abroad by
Moritz Bauer, of Buchholz, Saxony.
The object of this Invention is the manufacture of a lace with an ornamental
edging or fringe, which considerably improves the appearance of certain descriptions
of lace, and is also applicable for the same purpose to braids and other fabrics.
This lace may be wholly or partially made upon cushions in the ordinary manner,
or may be partially woven.
I take the necessary threads to form the fringe, and which threads may be all
of the same or of varying lengths, and doubling each of these threads in the
centre, I work the same into the edging of the lace in the course of its manufacture,
and thus produce a combined lace and fringe; or I produce the same edging or
fringe by taking a continuous length of one or more such threads, and laying the
same in a continuous zig-zag direction. I work such threads into the edges of the
lace, braid, or other fabric, and afterwards cut through the outer edges of such folded
threads to form the fringe.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FLY WHEELS, ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE TO WINCHES AND CAPSTANS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Sudron at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 19th September 1877.
THOMAS SUDRON, of Hull, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FLY
WHEELS, ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE TO WINCHES AND CAPSTANS."
The object of this Invention is to equalize the power applied to winches and other
lifting or hauling or other rotary power engines. For this purpose I fit the spokes
or arms of the fly wheel fitted to the driving shaft of, say, a winch, with weights
which can slide on the said arms, their movement thereon being governed by a cam
or cams placed around, but clear of the shuft, and guided in suitable guides on the
framing of the machine or engine; the said cam or cans are worked backwards
and forwards by one or more eccentrics or cranks fixed on the shaft.
The weights may be actuated by a cam and eccentric on one or on both sides of
the fly wheel. They are each in its turn moved away from the centre towards
the rim of the fly wheel, thus causing one side to be constantly heavier than the
other.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LADDER TAPES FOR VENETIAN BLINDS, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH.
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Sankey at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 11th June 1877.
HENRY SANKEY, of Manchester, in the_County_of Lancaster, Blind Maker.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF LADDER TAPES FOR VENETIAN BLINDS,
AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH.'
"3
My Invention refers to that known method of making tape ladders for Venetian
blinds in which the cross straps which support the laths are woven or partially
woven with the main tapes,. and consists firstly in a method of weaving the said
cross straps, and secondly in certain apparatus, my main object being to accomplish
the purposes of my Invention without the aid of the expensive jacquard apparatus.
With these views I employ an ordinary tape loom with two rows of shuttles, one of
which weaves the main tape, and the other the cross straps, ono of such series of
straps being on one side of the said main tape, and another series on the other side,
the two rows of shuttles working together with the warps to form the longitudinal
tape. By these means two series of short length of double cloth.are woven, and
these short lengths being cut at one end from the main tape afford loose portions to
be joined by sewing, or by other means, to another series woven as above described,
and thus the complete tape ladder is formed.
To work the sheds of the transverse or short tapes I turn the treadles into a
perpendicular position, or in like manner arrange them so as to adapt the acting
cord or other such part in or about the centre of the rise and fall, so that the said
connection will possess equal tension in each position, and make the shed the same
at top as at bottom.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PIRN WINDING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Whitehead at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th July 1877.
RICHARD WHITEHEAD, of Swinton, near Manchester, Mechanical Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PIRN WINDING MACHINES."
The object of this Invention is the construction of improved apparatus for
winding pins or "pirns" of cotton, silk, or other fibrous material, and consists of a
novel means of throwing each pin or "pirn" out of gear when an end breaks, this
motion being also useful as a means of equalising and regulating the tension of the
yarn or thread being wound. I set the pin or "pirn" spindle in a vertical position,
allowing it freedom to rise and fall as the "pirn" is built up. The bobbin is placed
on this spindle in the ordinary manner, and I prefer to weight it immediately on
the top of the bobbin. The pirn is driven by resting in rolling contact with a
conical "disc or roller, turned by a spindle set vertically, and carried by bearings
in the frame. The bottom end of this spindle is geared through a clutch box and
bevil or other gearing with the main driving shaft. The clutch box is fitted with
a fork lever and weight sufficiently heavy when free to throw the spindle out of
gear, and thus to stop the winding of the pin or "pirn.".
"
In piecing up the yarn or thread it is carried from the usual swift over a stationary
nail, thence under a glass or other roller or eye on the clutch fork lever, and thence to
the bobbin. The pull of the bobbin sustains the weighted clutch lever, which lies
as a tension weight on the yarn or thread so long as such thread remains intact; but
immediately such thread breaks the clutch lever falls, and throws the clutch out of
gear, so stopping the spindle and preventing the polishing of the yarn by the con-
tinuous action of the friction roller after the thread is broken.
APPARATUS FOR STOPPERING BOTTLES."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Pitts at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 17th May 1877.
JOHN PITTS, of Leeds, in the County of York.
APPARATUS FOR STOPPERING BOTTLES."
"IMPROVED MEANS OF AND
My Invention has reference to certain improvements in stoppering bottles, and
is applicable to those containing beer or other liquids, also bottles for soda water
and other aerated beverages. By this arrangement a simple and efficient stopper
is obtained, also it may be opened or closed with ease, and is not liable to get out of
repair; it is also a very cleanly arrangement of stopper.
The upper part of the stopper is made of metal or other suitable material and of
a flat, half round, or other convenient shape and size. Underneath this I form a
plug, by preference of metal, on which is placed a washer or packing of india-rubber.
This stopper is hinged upon a ring which has been firmly secured to the ordinary
lip at the mouth of the bottle. I provide on the ring a catch; over this a loop,
which is secured to the upper plate is passed, whereby the stopper is held firmly
within the bottle. The india-rubber ring or packing has the effect of preserving
the stopper perfectly air-tight, also it retains the loop of the metal plate over the
catch.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PAPER FASTENERS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Herbert John Haddan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th October 1877. A communication
from abroad by Parker H. Sweet, the younger, of Washington City, United
States of America.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents,
of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN
PAPER FASTENERS." [A communication from abroad by Parker H. Sweet, the
younger, of Washington City, United States of America.]
The Invention relates to an improved construction of paper fasteners; and it
consists of an elongated prong, split vertically through the center, from its point
to its juncture, with the central part of an enlarged portion, and bent at right
angles thereto, for adaptation to a concave-shaped head to form the complete
fastener.
By means of the improved construction the concave head can be made of an
inferior quality of sheet metal, and much thinner than that used in the construction
of the prongs, which necessarily requires a much stouter and superior quality of
metal to insure the effective action of the prongs in cutting their own way through
the papers or goods to be bound.
It will be observed that in the construction of the fasteners now in use, the
prongs are arranged flatwise to each other, which construction necessitates the
employment of a knife or other sharp pointed instrument to penetrate the papers
to be bound for the introduction of the fasteners, and also requiring the use
of a knife for splitting the prongs after they have passed through the papers for
binding the same.
In the present construction the double prong employed forms a single sharp-
cutting blade, which readily penetrates through the material to be bound (even
stout pasteboard), and is easily turned in reverse directions with the fingers,
to secure an efficient fastening without the aid of a knife or other instrument.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR WORKING RAILWAY BRAKES."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Chris Anderson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 16th January 1877.
"
CHRIS ANDERSON, of Leeds, in the County of York. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR WORKING RAILWAY BRAKES."
My Invention is applicable for a continuous brake system, and is also so arranged
that each carriage may be provided with a separate apparatus, and may be either
caused to operate alone or in conjunction with any number of carriages. On one
or both axles of each carriage is provided and fixed a worm, which gears into and
causes the rotation of a worm wheel mounted on a shaft carried in suitable bearings,
by preference underneath the carriage; on the same shaft is provided a friction disc
which is kept up to the face of another disc attached to the worm wheel by means
of adjustable springs, whereby it is caused to revolve when the worm wheel is in
motion. A loose rope or chain pulley or drum is provided on the friction disc shaft
and attached to the discs through which motion when required is conveyed by a
suitable arrangement of levers to the brake blocks.
In connection with the friction disc arrangement is applied a clutch which is by
preference made frictional, the clutch is always allowed to revolve when the carriage
is in motion; by a convenient lever appliance it may be thrown in or out of gear
with the frictional disc; thus the rope or chain pulley or drum may be caused to
revolve, by which means the brake blocks are brought to bear at a suitable pressure
upon the wheels, the motion of which being thereby arrested, and the carriage
brought to a standstill. When the arrangement is applied throughout a train to
form a continuous brake the connection is made between each apparatus by means
of ropes, rods, or their equivalents, which connection is extended to the guard's van
and engine, so that the whole of the brakes may be operated simultaneously by
either the driver or guard.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN BLEACHING
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Pendlebury at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st August 1877.
RICHARD PENDLEBURY, of Newton Heath, near Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Bleacher. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN BLEACHING."
My improved apparatus consists of a steam boiler combined with a bleaching
kier, the object being to ecomise fuel and labour in bleaching. The steam boiler
is made by preference vertical, but it may be of any other convenient shape, and the
upper end of the boiler is connected by pipes to the top of the kier. The lower
end of the kier is also connected by pipes to the lower end of the boiler; these
lower pipes are in communication with a blow-off cock. The top of the kier is
also connected to a cistern containing the bleaching liquor. When the fabrics to
be bleached have been put in the kier in the usual manner, the steam from the
boiler is admitted above to blow off the moisture; the blow-off cock is then shut,
and the bleaching liquor is turned on from the cistern. As the bleaching liquor
becomes heated it flows from the bottom of the kier into the boiler, and then rises
up the pipes from the boiler, and descends again into the kier, thus forming a con-
stant circulation, which is kept up as long as may be required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF METAL HOUSES OR BUILDINGS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Sharrock at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st November 1877.
SAMUEL SHARROCK, of South Bank, Oakleigh Park, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF METAL HOUSES OR BUILDINGS."
This Invention has for its object the making of metal houses or buildings of a
simpler, cheaper, and more reliable character, and much more readily fixed in place,
or moved and refixed elsewhere without deterioration than is usual.
The form of buildings I adopt are of triangular outline when viewed at the end
elevation, with sometimes the rafters curved; and whereas in ordinary buildings
covered with corrugated metal sheets the corrugations run parallel with the rafters,
and thereby necessitate special supports termed purlins, I arrange the corrugations
of a special form, and to run across or at right angles to the rafters, so that the
sheets need no purlins, but rest upon and are secured direct to the rafters.
Again in covering ordinary buildings with corrugated sheets the sheets require
rivetting the one to the other, whereas according to my Invention no rivetting
together of the sheets is required; each of the sheets resting at its ends direct upon
the rafters is continued in the same horizontal line by its next adjoining sheet
which overlaps it, and the ends of both are secured to the rafters by the same
screws, each screw passing through two sheets, so that not only rivetting is
dispensed with, but on taking down such buildings to remove them to any other
site only screws need taking out, and therefore no injury is done to the materials
by cutting out rivets.
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF FLOORS OR SURFACES FOR RINKING AND FOR SKATING ON WITH ROLLER OR WITH BLADE SKATES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Hollamby at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 17th January 1877.
CHARLES HOLLAMBY, of High Street, Hailsham, in the County of Sussex.
"IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF FLOORS OR SURFACES FOR RINKING AND FOR
SKATING ON WITH ROLLER OR WITH BLADE SKATES."
This Invention relates to an improved construction of floors or surfaces for skating
on with the ice or blade skates in the same manner as on ice, or for rinking on with
the roller skates.
The floor is made of any kind of hard durable wood, cut endways of the grain, in
lengths of one inch, more or less, of any mathematical shapes, and put together side
by side with strong glue or any other adhesive body in like manner as veneer on a
level, boarded, concrete, or any other floor. The top surface is then planed off, and
rendered uniform and smooth, after which it is coated with a composition of soap
and oil or any similar body, so that the wood, which stands endways of the grain,
may imbibe as much as possible, the surface being then cleaned off and brought into
a state fit for skating on.
The pieces of wood are placed endways to the grain on the floor, and can be made
of any shape, and be arranged simply to butt on, or to engage one into the other as
mortice and tenon to bind them more firmly together in combination with the glue
or any other adhesive substance.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS FOR STEAM, WATER, OR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: '
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION' left by William Low at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 18th January 1877.
WILLIAM LOW, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer.
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS OR COCKS FOR STEAM, WATER, OR OTHER
SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My Invention consists in the construction of a tap or cock upon the antifriction
or antipacking principle, and the object of my Invention is obtained by employing a
tapered plug working in a solid bottomed barrel, and kept in its place by a recessed
cover. Upon the upper part of the said tapered plug is an incline, and this traverses
up a corresponding incline on the cover; thus, with the action in one direction the
tap is secure or tight when desirous of shutting off, but with a contrary action it is
released or turned on. In the interior of the cover is placed an india-rubber washer
in the form of hydraulic packing, which tightens itself when pressure is applied, or
a solid india-rubber washer may be employed bearing upon the top of the tapered
plug, keeping it in its place, also tightening the spindle.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Neilson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th August 1877.
WALTER NEILSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Iron-
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF IRON."
master.
This Invention, which relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of iron,
has for its object to dispense with the blast furnace, and to produce iron direct from
the ores in the hearth of a gas furnace.
The Invention consists in reducing the ores, preferably in the raw state, to a
pulverized condition, and in the case of those ores which are deficient in carbonaceous
matter, mixing with them a proportion of carbon, the quantity of which is determined
in each case by the character of the ore dealt with. The pulverized carbonaceous
ores, or ores mixed with carbonaceous matter, are placed upon the hearth or equi-
valent receptacle of a gas furnace, through which an oxidising flame is passed.
The immediate effect of the oxidising flame is to raise the temperature of the ores
and carbonaceous matter, so that the oxygen of the ores is taken up both by the
combustion of the carbonic oxide and the carbon. The result of this treatment is to
leave in the hearth or other receptacle of the gas furnace a mass of malleable iron
which may be shingled and rolled in the ordinary manner.
Besides treating ores in the manner herein-before described, hammer or millscale
or other artificial oxides of iron may be similarly treated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SHUTTLES FOR WEAVING WIRE GAUZE
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Bolden and John Cassidy at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th January 1877
GEORGE BOLDEN, of Dukinfield, in the County of Chester, Manufacturer, and
JOHN CASSIDY, of Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of Lancaster, Draughtsman
and Overlooker "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHUTTLES FOR WEAVING WIRE GAUZE,"
Our Invention consists in a method of obtaining proper tension for the wire
during weaving We place the eye through which the wire passes opposite the end
of the wire cop, and we adapt a peculiar arrangement of roller pulleys The wire
from the quill passes from the eye over a guide 1oller, from thence over a second
roller, and between that and a thind As the shuttle traverses to and fro the wire
plays alternately upon the surface of the said third roller, and upon a fourth
The roller pulleys are so arranged that a greater tension is obtained when the
shuttle is travelling with the heel of the cop leading than when it is travelling in
the contrary direction
Another part of our Invention relates to a method of applying diag to the quill,
for which purpose we adapt bristles to the shuttle, and cause them to bear against
the wie
NEW OR IMPROVED HOOK OR TRAINER FOR SECURING FRUIT OR OTHER TREES OR PLANTS TO A WALL OR OTHER PLACE."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John William Hoffman at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th January 1877.
"A
JOHN WILLIAM HOFFMAN, of Holloway Road, in the County of Middlesex.
NEW OR IMPROVED HOOK OR TRAINER FOR SECURING FRUIT OR OTHER TREES OR
PLANTS TO A WALL OR OTHER PLACE."
Hitherto it has been the custom to secure all kinds of wall trees and plants in
the position required by means of pieces of list and nails. This method has many
objections; amongst others, these pieces of list are unsightly, and after a time become
rotten.
The object of this Invention is to provide a simple and ready means for securing
the branches or boughs of all kinds of wall trees in the position required, and is as
follows:-
According to one arrangement I provde a single or double hook made of any
kind of metal, but by preference such as can be bent, and secure the same to a nail
or spike preferably made of iron; this nail or spike is driven into the wall in the
place it is desired to have the branch or bough secured, the branch is then placed in
one of the hooks and left there; or the hook is bent over and the branch is thus
secured in the position required.
According to another arrangement the hook or hooks are made in one piece with
a frame, cast or otherwise secured. to the latter, the object of the frame being to
provide a convenient means of securing the trainer in the wall when the same is
being built, or the hooks might be cast or made in one with a strip or piece of
metal; in this case holes would be formed in the piece or strip for the purpose of
nailing the trainers to the wall.
I do not restrict myself to the form of the hook or hooks, or to the number of the
same cast on in one with or secured to a nail, spike, frame, or strip of metal, nor to
the description of the metal employed.
WOOD SPLITTER."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Eduard Grube at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 6th October 1877.
EDUARD GRUBE, Engineer, in the City of Hamburg, Germany.
WOOD SPLITTER."
"AN IMPROVED
This Invention relates to an improved wood splitting apparatus for domestic
purposes, and consists in its main parts of a cast-iron foundation plate, to which
two upright levers are attached, turning on a bolt and a hand lever, of which
one end is in connection with these levers, carries an axe or hatchet near to
this end. The axe may be in one part with the lever, or can be fastened to it by a
key or by bolts. The wood that has to be split is placed on the foundation plate
underneath the axe, and by pressing down the hand lever at its free end the wood
is split.
The upright levers are furnished with several holes to exchange the connection
with the hand lever, according the length of the wood that has to be split.
The hand lever can be detached from the machine, and may be formed in such
manner that it can be used at any time as a crow bar, hammer, or for other domestic
purposes.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE UTILIZATION OF THE SULPHUR CONTAINED IN VAT OR SODA WASTE,' AND IN RENDERING THE LATTER INODOROUS AND PREVENTING THE NUISANCE ARISING THEREFROM
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Basil Hewitt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th February 1877.
'
DAVID BASIL HEWITT, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE UTILIZATION OF THE SULPHUR CONTAINED IN VAT OR SODA WASTE,'
AND IN RENDERING THE LATTER INODOROUS AND PREVENTING THE NUISANCE
ARISING THEREFROM."
The objects of this Invention are to utilize the sulphur contained in the "vat or
soda waste" from alkali works, or in any other lime waste containing sulphur, and
at the same time to render the latter inodorous, and thus prevent the nuisance
usually arising from the accumulation of such waste.
I mix the soda or alkali waste (or other lime waste containing sulphur) with
silicic acid, which may be derived from waste products or otherwise. These
substances when mixed are then heated in a closed vessel or furnace, through which
a current of hot air is continually passing, the resulting action being that a silicate
of lime (or a mixture of silicate and lime) is formed, and either the whole or a very
large portion of the sulphur is driven off in the form either of sulphurous or
of sulphuric acid, which may then be absorbed or condensed by any of the various
known methods of treating or utilizing such vapours. The silicate of lime thus
produced may also be utilized in a variety of ways.
BEARINGS OF SHAFTS OR AXLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Andrew Handyside at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th May 1877.
ANDREW HANDYSIDE, of Derby, in the County of Derby.
BEARINGS OF SHAFTS OR AXLES."
"
IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to the bearings of shafts or axles, and consists in forming
the same of papier maché moulded under pressure to the desired shape, whereby a
considerable saving is effected in the cost of bearings, and the liability to the heating
of the rubbing surfaces is diminished, whilst at the same time great durability is
obtained.
APPARATUS FOR WORKING RAILWAY SIGNALS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Burn at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1877.
ROBERT BURN, junior, of Epsom, in the County of Surrey.
APPARATUS FOR WORKING RAILWAY SIGNALS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention relates to the apparatus employed on a railway signal post for the
purpose of working the ordinary semaphore signal, the object of my improvements
in such apparatus being to effect the locking of the semaphore in either its danger
or its safety attitude, so that it cannot be disturbed therefrom except in obedience
to the movement of the signal pull and counterweight worked thereby.
For this purpose I connect the vertical rod of the semaphore to one arm of a bell-
crank lever, the other arm of which is made with a peculiarly shaped hole to receive
a pin, which is on an arm of the loaded lever that is worked by the signal pull.
The peculiarity of the hole above mentioned consists in its presenting two inclined
sides, one of which becomes nearly tangential to the circular arc in which the pin
of the loaded lever moves when the semaphore is at "danger," and the other of
which becomes in like manner nearly tangential to the same circular are when the
semaphore is at "safety." In consequence of the bearing taken by these sides
respectively on the pin being nearly radial in each attitude of the semaphore no
force applied to the semaphore itself is effective to shift the parts from the position
into which they are moved by the action of the pull and counterweight, and con-
sequently the semaphore is locked in either of its attitudes against any force except
that which is applied by the pull and counterweight.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Keen at the Office of the Com-
missioners of Patents on the 18th October 1877.
JOHN KEEN, of No. 6, Falcon Terrace, Falcon Road, Battersea, in the County of
Surrey, Bicycle Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES."
By the abolition of the back fork and by the continuation of backbone to the
centre of the back wheel in one continuous steel tube without any join, either by
welding, brazing, riveting, soldering, or any other means whatsoever.
Also by making the axle or pin upon which the hind wheel revolves of a hollow
steel tube for the purpose of containing a sufficient quantity of oil to lubricate it for
a considerable time.
Also to make the front wheel axle of hollow metal for the purpose of increasing
the strength, and making the machine lighter.
Also to make the front fork of steel tubes, a section of which to be in shape half
round, oval, or elliptic; these particular shapes giving great strength in the direction
required.