matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
A NEW OR IMPROVED INSTRUMENT FOR DRAWING CORKS FROM BOTTLES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Law at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd June
1868.
I, JAMES LAW, of Edinburgh, Dental Instrument Maker, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED
INSTRUMENT FOR DRAWING CORKS FROM BOTTLES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of an instrument for drawing corks from
bottles constructed in the manner herein-after described, whereby the
corks are drawn in less time and with greater ease than by the use of the
ordinary corkscrew, and the corks so drawn are not disfigured or injured
by the withdrawing instrument. The said instrument consists of a taper
stem or rod provided at the top or thick end with the ordinary cross handle
or other handle, and at the bottom or thin end with a blade or lifting
piece having a nearly semicircular edge at bottom, the said bottom edge
being made very thin. The said blade or lifting piece is situated on one side
of the stem and is made of a curved or convex figure, the curve having
nearly the same radius as that of an ordinary wine bottle cork. I prefer
to make the said blade or lifting piece as thin as is compatible with the
strength required. The top edge of the blade or lifting piece may either
be plain or be provided with one or more teeth or points.

page_text: In using the instrument it is grasped by the handle at the top of the
stem and the blade or lifting piece at the bottom of the said stem is in-
serted between the cork and the inner side of the neck of the bottle, the
concave face of the blade or lifting piece being presented to the said
cork. By pressing down the blade or lifting piece of the instrument
it is forced between the cork and neck of the bottle until the top edge
of the blade or lifting piece is situated below the bottom of the cork.
By then turning the handle at right angles the blade or lifting piece
engages under the bottom of the cork and the said cork may be readily
lifted or withdrawn from the bottle by exerting the necessary force.
When the upper edge of the blade or lifting piece is provided with a
tooth or point or teeth or points the said teeth or points enter the cork
and ensure the adhesion of the cork to the withdrawing instrument. I
prefer to employ the teeth or points described, but the top of the blade
or lifting piece may be made plain. In the latter case the cork on being
withdrawn from the bottle is liable to become detached from the
withdrawing instrument.
A NEW OR IMPROVED PRESERVATIVE PAINT OR COM- POSITION FOR PROTECTING SHIPS' BOTTOMS, PRESERVING SUBMARINE WOODWORK, UBEFUL PURPOSES,
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry John Broughton Kendall
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 23rd September 1868.-A communication from abroad by
William F. Babcock, residing at San Francisco, California, in the
United States of America.
I, HENRY JOHN BROUGHTON KENDALL, of Great Winchester Street,
in the City of London, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED PRESERVATIVE PAINT OR COM-
POSITION FOR PROTECTING SHIPS' BOTTOMS, PRESERVING SUBMARINE WOODWORK,
UBEFUL PURPOSES," communicated to me from abroad by
William F. Babcock, a person resident at San Francisco, California, in
the United States of America, to be as follows:-
The improved paint or composition is applicable for various pre-
servative purposes, such as protecting the bottoms of wood and iron
ships from fouling, preventing corrosion or oxidation of metals, and
protecting wood structures from insects.

page_text: The composition consists of the following ingredients :---Arseniate of
copper, oxide of iron, carbonate of lime, crystallized strychnine, con-
centrated anhydrous extract of tobacco, crystallized borax. To these
ingredients coal tar or other base or medium, or coal tar with other
base or medium is added according to the color required, and the whole
is ground.
Sometimes, when to be used as a liquid, linseed oil and turpentine are
employed in the composition.
The following proportions are recommended in certain cases:-20 lbs.
arseniate of copper, 18 lbs. oxide of iron, 6 lbs. carbonate of lime,
4 drachms crystallized strychnine, 4 ounces concentrated anhydrous
extract of tobacco, 4 lbs. crystallized borax, 12 gallons coal tar, 2 parts
of linseed oil, and 1 part turpentine.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PENCIL CASES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Bennett Johns Heywood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th January 1868.
I, BENNETT JOHNS HEYWOOD, of Colmar, in the Empire of France,
but now residing at Loraine Road, Holloway, in the County of Middle-
sex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PENCIL CASES," to be as
follows:-
The object of this Invention is to remove the inconveniences attendant
on the use of the pencil case for which I obtained Letters Patent, dated
June 2nd 1856, No. 1301. This pencil case consisted of a pointed
hollow cylinder of ivory or other material, the bore of which was made
to correspond to the diameter of lead required to be used therein, and
the propulsion of the lead towards the point was effected by a loose
propeller, which when the pencil case was jerked endwise was caused
to strike the inner end of the lead and drive it down so as to project it
beyond the point. The difficulties attendant on this plan were, first,
that the wear of the dies used for forming the leads caused great
variations in the size of the leads, and consequently a good fit of the

page_text: leads to the case (which was very important in this class of pencil case)
could not be ensured; and, secondly, the propeller which struck the
lead to drive it forward was liable in overcoming the requisite friction
between the lead and the case to crush the lead by its direct blows.
These defects are removed by the present Invention, which allows of
the friction maintained between the lead and the case being materially
diminished. To this end I propose to provide a means for sustaining the
pressure put on the point of the lead when in use other than the friction
caused by the contact of the lead with the case. Thus I fit in the case
(in rear of the inserted lead) a plunger which carries a spring that will
press against the sides of the bore of the case or nip a rod pendent from
the top of the case and will tend to retain the plunger in the desired
position; behind this plunger I insert a loose propeller, which when
jerked into contact with the rear end of the plunger will drive it forward
causing it to advance the lead as required.
As a modification of this contrivance I make the propeller tubular
and fit it loosely on the plunger, confining its race between a shoulder
(which it is ntended to strike) to drive the plunger forward and the
spring which produces the required friction; or instead of a metal
spring for counteracting the pressure on the lead point a lining of soft
vulcanized rubber may be used either to create friction between the
propeller and the case or between the lead and the case..
AN APPARATUS FOR DAY OR NIGHT ADVERTISING ON LANDA OR AFLOAT
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Howes at the Office.
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
September 1868.
JOSEPH HEWES, of 434, Upper Manor Street, Chelsea, in the County.
of Middlesex, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN APPARATUS FOR DAY OR NIGHT ADVERTISING ON LANDA
OR AFLOAT," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the construction of an apparatus forming:
a new system of advertising applicable for railway stations, carriages,.,
and other vehicles, theatres, hotels, public buildings and places.of resort,.
vessels afloat, viz., steamboats, rafts, piers, platforms, flag poles on buoys,
and other available positions. This apparatus has the advantage of
containing a considerable number of advertisements arranged in different
classes according to their objects; great numbers are constantly before
the eye, either in large or small space, and elegant in appearance and.
distinct at night.
The construction consists of two sets of cylinders or frames,, rectangular.
or polygonal in form, all telescopically arranged with lantern top, the

page_text: whole revolving on fixed spindles or masts placed at suitable distances
apart, coiling on and off diagonally; on their circumferences is a long
broad band with advertisements conspicuously written or printed upon each
side and in constant self-acting motion. Each lantern is constructed
with four leaves or arms supporting two interior cylinders which receive
a band written or printed on one side; this band coils on and off, and
passing over guide rollers to the flat surfaces of the leaves is in constant
self-action. Sheets of glass fitted into the arms enclose the band, which
is illuminated by a light and reflector. The spindle or mast passing
through the lantern is designed to carry a number of framed transparent
canvas vanes or signs having advertisements written or printed on the
inside, revolving loosely or swinging like a signboard.
In advertising afloat the apparatus is designed to meet any emergency
relative to high winds; in this case the telescopic cylinders are lowered
between decks; the illuminated lantern and vanes are now brought into
requisition, the vanes pointing to windward lessen the resistance. An
observer by this method is able to read at a great distance a number of
advertisements, which are constantly before the eye day or night.
The mechanism giving motion to this advertising apparatus is by
hand or power. The telescopic cylinders revolving on the fixed verticle
spindles or masts, the printed band is coiled on and off their circum-
ferences by means of a reversing motion. The coiling motion to the
lantern cylinders is from a fixed spur wheel on the spindles or masts
with reversing action, and the vanes also have a coiling and back action.
The mechanical application and construction of these vanes are novel
and a most essential part of this Invention.
A NEW TOY IN THE SHAPE OF A MORTAR OR SPRING GUN
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Jewitt at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th June
1868. A communication from abroad by William Rose, of New
York, United States of America.
I, HENRY JEWITT, of Heighton Road, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW TOY
IN THE SHAPE OF A MORTAR OR SPRING GUN," a communication to, me..
from abroad by William Rose, of New York, United States of America,
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a new toy in the shape of a mortar or
spring gun, and consists in constructing the said mortar or gun so.
that on pulling a string attached to the mortar and by turning a central
spindle passing through the gun a ball or other article is projected
at a great velocity from the muzzle of the said mortar or gun. This.
new toy may be of any size and constructed of any suitable material..
The mortar is supported in trunnions on a stand, and has a central
spindle passing through it surrounded by a spiral spring, one end of
which bears against the breech of the mortar, and the other end against.
a projection on the said spindle which is cup shaped at the muzzle..
end to admit a part of the ball or other article to be projected. A

page_text: groove or recess is formed in the said projection, into which on pulling
back the said spindle a catch drops. The spring is then in tension,
and is kept so by the catch, but on pulling a string the said catch
is disengaged, and the ball which has been previously put into the
mortar is projected at a great velocity from the muzzle, but may be
restrained and brought back again by another string fastened to an
elastie band attached to the mortar. The gun is worked on the same
principle, but is not supported on a stand, and instead of pulling a
string to disengage the catch, the central spindle is turned partially
round and the same object is attained..
A NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF ORNAMENTING ARTICLES OF PLATE, JEWELLERY, WATCH CASES, STUDS, BUTTONS, AND OTHER ORNAMENTAL OR USEFUL OBJECTS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Angell Green at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th November 1868.
I, RICHARD ANGELL GREEN, of 82, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A
NEW OR IMPROVED METHOD OF ORNAMENTING ARTICLES OF PLATE, JEWELLERY,
WATCH CASES, STUDS, BUTTONS, AND OTHER ORNAMENTAL OR USEFUL OBJECTS," to
be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in the method of ornamenting
various articles of jewellery, studs, buttons, solitaires, and other such
like objects, by the application thereto of raised or convex devices or
designs in gold, silver, platinum, aluminium, or its alloys, or other metal
produced by the electrotype process.
By this Invention it will be easy to reproduce impressions in metal
from an engraved device or design cut in the stones of rings, or
otherwise, and to apply the same in relief to any article of utility or
ornament, so also from original designs or devices in relief similar
metallic representations can be produced and applied. In each case the
process of reproduction is well known, it being only necessary to prepare

page_text: copies of the device in plastic materials until the requisite impressed or
concave device is obtained, when the electrotype is easily produced in
relief. This may either be solid or with a surface of gold or silver, for
other metals or alloys, and a base of copper or other metal produced by
subjecting the impression to the action of a cyanide solution of gold or
silver, or other metals or alloys entirely, or first to such solution, and
secondly, to a solution of sulphate of copper, or otherwise; or the copper
or other basic deposit may first be made, and the article afterwards gilt
or plated or coated by the cyanide solution. When these metallic reliefs
are produced they may be applied and fixed to the surface of buttons,
studs, and other articles by any suitable means, either on to the base
plate, a foundation of the button or stud, or direct to the stem of the stud
or link of a solitaire; or may be embedded in a ring after the manner of
a stone, thus presenting the true crest, motto, or monogram in relief.
For earrings, the Invention may be rendered very applicable, and there
are many other objects of use or ornament, which may be treated with
devices or designs thus produced. The necessity and expense of cutting
a die will therefore be avoided, together with the trouble of stamping or
embossing, which in most cases could not be practised; and the devices
will be obtained in the purest metals with a great saving of time.
The Invention may also be applied to ornamenting inkstands, walking
canes, and intaglio work, and wherever crests and coats of arms in a
raised or relief form are required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PACKING FOR THE STUFFING BOXES OF STEAM ENGINES AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Pomeroy Dodge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on tho
19th February 1868.
I, GEORGE POMEROY DODGE, of No. 79, Upper Thames Street, in the
City of London, India-rubber Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PACKING FOR THE STUFFING
BOXES OF STEAM ENGINES AND FOR OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to clastic packing, consisting of india-rubber
combined with fibrous material, either with or without an elastic core,
which packing is usually manufactured by rolling or twisting hemp,
jute, or other fibrous material or woven fabric into ropes or strands of
suitable diameter.
I form my improved packing substantially in the manner above
described, but instead of finishing off at the exterior of such ropes or
strands with the hemp, jute, or other cheap material forming the body
of the packing, I put on over the same a coating of good sound cotton,

page_text: canvass, or duck. By this means I obtain all the advantages of a
steam packing made entirely of cotton, canvass, or duck at a cost
not greatly exceeding that of ordinary packing formed entirely of
hemp, jute, or other similarly cheap material.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLIPPING HORSES, SHEEP, OR OTHER ANIMALS, OR THE WOOL OR HAIR PROM THE SKINS OF ANIMALS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Davis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
July 1868.
I, SAMUEL DAVIS, of the Strand, in the County of Middlesex, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CLIPPING HORSES, SHEEP, OR OTHER ANIMALS, OR THE WOOL
OR HAIR PROM THE SKINS OF ANIMALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of
apparatus for clipping horses, sheep, or other animals, or for clipping
the wool or hair from the skins of animals.
Several attempts have been previously made to arrange apparatus
having comb teeth for being inserted amongst and gathering the hair
(upon the skin) to be cut between them into a position to be cut by
means of a reciprocating or other cutter or cutters moving over the
surface of the collecting comb, but such apparatus has necessitated the
use of both hands of the operator.
Now the object of my improvements is so to arrange apparatus of
this character that it may be readily used for clipping animals or skins
with one hand only. For this purpose I form a series of comb teeth

page_text: upon the front end of a plate or frame, which teeth serve to collect
the hair or wool to be cut between them, the edges of the teeth acting
as blades, against which the hair or wool is cut when the moveable
cutter (mounted upon a centre at the back part of the comb blade
or frame) is moved across the surface of the comb by the operator.
The moveable cutter is simply a lever actuated by the thumb, fingers,
or one hand of the operator so as to move it over the face of the cutting
edges of the comb and thus shave or cut off the hair or wool projecting
upwards between the teeth of the comb. A spring is employed to
move the upper blade or cutter back to its normal position. The upper
cutter may be arranged to act as a slide in place of a lever if desired,
and it may be formed with one or several cutting edges without
departing from the nature of my Invention, but I prefer that the
moveable cutter should be provided with one or at most two cutting
edges..
IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERPROOF SHOOTING. AND WALKING BOOTS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by. Thomas Toms at the Office-
of the Commissioners of, Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
September 1868.
I, THOMAS TOMS, of 58, York Road, Lambeth, S.E., in the County of
Surrey, Boot and Shoe Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERPROOF SHOOTING. AND WALKING BOOTS,".-
to be as follows:-
The boot is made with a front blocked or compressed into shape out of
one piece of leather,. covering the whole of the front part of the foot from
the ancle to the toe.. The back part of the boot is made out of one piece
of leather, also compressed into shape, covering from the ancle the whole
of the back. part. of the foot, the front, and.back.being placed together and
joined at the bottom underneath.the ancle, thus having an opening cach
side of the boot for the foot to pass. through freely and to prevent water
or damp.from. passing through the opening. On either side of the boot
there is a waterproof gusset (or tongue) made of soft waterproof leather, ..
and is secured to the back and front by means of sewing (or stitching),.
and so forms-a-flap each side of the boot, covering the ancle and edge;.
of backs.. The boot. is secured to the foot by means of. a leather. strap..

page_text: joined on to the flap of front underneath the ancle joint on the outside
of the boot, and passing around over the heel and under the ancle
through a loop cut out of the inside flap of front, and passing across the
front and through a loop made in the outside flap over the top of ancle
around the back part of the leg, and secured by means of a buckle
inserted in the edge of inside flap over the ancle. The golosh being cut
in one piece of leather is brought into shape, then placed over the uppers,
covering the joint of back and front underneath the flaps, which makes
the boot perfectly seamless and requires no lining or stiffening inside,
therefore being perfectly smooth never chafes or injures the foot.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLOSING CASES, AND FILLING AND DRAWING OFF LIQUID THEREFROM
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Eldridge and Isaac
Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 26th December 1868.
We, GEORGE ELDRIDGE, of No. 1, Essex Place, Grange Road, Dalston,
and ISAAC SMITH, of No. 4, Almorah Road, Downham Road, Islington,
both in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLOSING CASES, AND
FILLING AND DRAWING OFF LIQUID THEREFROM," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for
closing casks, and for filling and drawing off liquid therefrom. For
these purposes we screw into the bung hole or into the tap hole of a
cask, as the case may be, a metal ring or bushing with a flange or collar
upon it, which in screwing the apparatus into its place is drawn tightly
up against the cask, so as to ensure a good joint. This ring or bushing
is prolonged so as to form a hollow cone, which projects into the cask,
and the sides of the cone are perforated. Into this cone another similar
cone is fitted, and is secured in its place by a screw passed into its end
through a disc applied at the extremity of the first cone. When the per-

page_text: forations in the two cones coincide free passage is provided for the liquid
into or out of the cask, but by turning the inner cone partly round the
passages are closed. When it is desired to draw off liquid from the cask
a short bent pipe is fitted into the inner cone, and it serves both as a key
to turn the inner cone partly round to open or close the passages and as
a delivery pipe or nozzle to direct the liquid as it escapes. When it is
desired to fill the cask a suitable funnel is applied to the inner cone in
a similar manner, and the liquid is run through it and through the cones
into the cask.
IMPROVEMENTS METHOD OF AND MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING SHIPS OR VESSELS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Taylor and James
Mathew Henry Taylor at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 14th July 1868.
We, JAMES TAYLOR and JAMES MATHEW HENRY TAYLOR, both of
Britannia Works, Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
METHOD OF AND MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING SHIPS OR VESSELS,"
to be as follows:-
"
Our Invention has for its object to provide a ready and simple means
of applying auxiliary propelling power to sailing ships. For this purpose
we provide portable paddle wheels or screw propellers, arranged to be
lowered in grooves fixed against the sides of the ship, and capable of
being adjusted to any draught of water that the ship may be taking,
which paddle wheels or screw propellers have combined therewith appa-
ratus or recipients of motive power, such as turbines, or rotary or recipro-
cating cylinders and pistons, or other similar suitable apparatus, worked
by either water pressure, steam, or air, and so arranged as to impart
their motion to the paddle wheels or screw propellers. The requisite
water, steam, or atmospheric power is supplied to the turbines or other

page_text: recipients of motive power through flexible or jointed tubing passing
from the apparatus on board ship in or by which the motive power is
generated, over the side of the ship, and down to such turbine or other
apparatus; and the requisite motive power may consist either of water
or air under pressure supplied by means of a force pump or other appa-
ratus worked by hand, or by a steam winch or donkey engine on board
the ship, or it may consist of steam conveyed direct from a steam boiler
through the said tubing to the turbine or other recipient of motive power;
or again, it may consist of a vacuum produced by an exhaust pump or
fan, or by the condensation of steam.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTH- ING, AND POLISHING GLASS, MARBLE, AND OTHER SIMILAR SUBSTANCES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Thomas Hughes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th September 1868.-A communication from abroad by the In-
corporated Society of Mirror and Glass Workers, of Hainault, in the
Kingdom of Belgium.
I, EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent
Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GRINDING, SMOOTH-
ING, AND POLISHING GLASS, MARBLE, AND OTHER SIMILAR SUBSTANCES," a com-
munication to me from abroad by the Incorporated Society of Mirror
and Glass Workers, of Hainault, in the Kingdom of Belgium, to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for grinding,
smoothing, and polishing glass, marble, and other substances, and con-
sists of a truck constructed of wood or other suitable material mounted
on wheels and carrying a circular or other shaped horizontal table free
to revolve on a shaft passing through the centre of the said, truck, and
resting in a footstep at the base thereof. The plate of glass, marble, or
other substance is placed on the said
wooden frames supported by pillars.
table and passed under two
Through bearings on the said

page_text: frames pass two vertical shafts carrying at their lower ends the grinding,
smoothing, or polishing wheels, which are caused to revolve by means
of pullies driven by straps from any suitable motive power. Connected
to the upper ends of the said vertical shafts are levers having their ful-
crums fixed to the wooden frames, their other ends being actuated by
´a screw turned by a hand wheel, by which means the revolving, grinding,
smoothing, or polishing wheels may be lifted from or lowered down to
the plate of glass or marble as required. The said wooden frames meet
at or near the centre of their joint length and are swung back on
hinges fixed to their supporting pillars when required. After the plate
of glass, marble, or other substance has been sufficiently ground it is
conveyed on the truck under smoothing and polishing apparatuses,
both similar to the above-described grinding apparatus, thus completing
the various operations without the necessity of taking the glass or
marble from the table, and without the danger of chipping or breaking
it thereby.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING AND ABSORBING OR CHECKING THE RECOIL OF ORDNANCE
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Nelson Hutchinson at
the Offico of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, ou
the 25th April 1868.
I, WILLIAM NELSON HUTCHINSON, of Wellesbourne, near Bideford,
in the County of Devon, a Lieutenant-General in Her Majesty's Army,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING AND ABSORBING OR CHECKING THE RECOIL OF
ORDNANCE," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the employment for receiving and absorbing
or checking the recoil of one or more cylinders or reservoirs containing
air which the recoil compresses in such cylinders or reservoirs.
In carrying out my Invention when a gun is mounted on any ordinary
carriage I connect to the trunnions or to some convenient part of the
carriage one end of one or more rods, the other end of each of which
carries a piston working in a fixed cylinder containing air. When the
gun recoils the pistons are driven back in the cylinders and compress
the air therein whereby the recoil is absorbed or checked. At the end
of the recoil a catch retains the gun in its back position until loaded,

page_text: then when the catch is released the power of the compressed air will
assist in running out the gun to firing position. The cylinders will in
most cases be nearly parallel with the axis of the gun.
To aid in checking the recoil of guns mounted on ordinary carriages,
or on carriages but slightly deviating from the ordinary form, I some-
times employ as an assistant to the compressed air to act as cushions
sections of cylinders of vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable clastic
substance, all sections being of the same length and the same external
diameter, but of successively increased internal diameter. These
cylinders or sections lie side by side in the same plane, the least clastic
being the first acted on by the recoil, and the most elastic the last
acted on. By this arrangement every cylinder or cushion will take a
part in checking the recoil.
In applying my Invention in cases where the gun in order to be fired
from above the crest of a parapet is mounted in a manner known as
Captain A. Moncrieff's, on a pair of toothed segments, the trunnions of
the gun being near the upper ends of the segments when in firing
position, I connect the piston rods with the upper and also with the
lower ends of the segments. The recoil of the gun causes the upper or
trunnion ends of the segments to roll inwards with the gun and sink
below the crest of the parapet; the too sudden depression of those ends
and elevation of the other ends being resisted by the compression or
increased density of the air in the cylinders. It will probably be found
desirable to supply the cylinders with air of a greater pressure than that
of the ordinary atmosphere, or instead of air any other suitable elastic
fluid may be used. Instead of pistons any other appliances which will
act upon the cylinders or reservoirs so as to compress the fluid therein
may be employed.
This Invention is applicable to mortars and would be very serviceable
IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR DYEING TEXTILE FABRICS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Philip Kean at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
September 1868.
I, PHILIP KEAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britian, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR DYEING TEXTILE FABRICS," to be as follows, that
is to say:
This Invention which has for its object certain improvements in
apparatus used for dyeing textile fabrics, whereby the process of dyeing
may be performed at one operation instead of several as at present
practised, consists as follows:-The dye stuff is placed in a tank or
cistern which is divided into any suitable number of water-tight com-
partments, so that if several dyes require to be used in producing
the colour in which the yarn, cloth, or other textile fabrics are to
be finished, the different dyes may be arranged separately in the
compartments of the cistern, and the fabrics, which are carried upon a
beam or roller placed at or near one end of the cistern or tank, are led
through the different compartments of the cistern in which the different
dyes are placed by means of sinking and press rollers; after which the

page_text: fabrics may be led through the starching cistern, or they may be led
round heated cylinders and wound upon a beam or roller. The tank or
(cistern, herein-before mentioned, is constructed with a double bottom,
which is divided into compartments, each of which compartments is in
communication with a steam pipe running along one side of the tank or
cistern, and with an exhaust pipe running along the other side, so that
any number of the compartments may be heated up as may be desired.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ARM PROTECTORS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Daniel Samuel Merry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th November 1868.
I, DANIEL SAMUEL MERRY, of Mare Street, Hackney, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ARM PROTECTORS," to be as follows:-
The Invention has for its object improvements in arm protectors. For
this purpose I form a covering for the arm of leather or other suitable
waterproof or fireproof material or combination of materials, to fit closely
round the wrist by means of an elastic gusset or by buttons, hooks,
buckles, or other suitable means applied at that part. These protectors
may extend from the elbow to the wrist, or they may be made long
enough to protect the arm from the shoulder downwards to the wrist, in
which case when made of rigid or comparitively rigid material, it will
be made in two parts connected together at the elbow by means of a
suitable elastic or flexible tube or connection.
AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANSING FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Tragheim at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th
September 1868.
I, SAMUEL TRAGHEIM, of Swinton Street, Gray's Inn Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Interpreter, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANSING
FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
The chief object of this Invention is to cause a rapid circulation of
water in coppers or boilers used for washing clothes, and to give at the
same time an automatic motion to the clothes contained in the boilers.
The Invention also applies to the washing of other fibrous materials
without hand labour. To this end I place in the boiler which is to
contain the water and soap or other detergent substance an apparatus
formed, say, of copper or other suitable metal, and consisting of an
inverted pan or flanged disc supported on hollow feet, and pierced with
holes to facilitate the circulation of the water amongst the clothes.
This pan or disc is fitted at its centre with a vertical tube open at
bottom, but closed at top. Projecting from the top of this tube are
hollow taper arms inclined at any suitable angle or angles, through

page_text: which the water when sufficiently heated is intended to be discharged in
continuous streams. This apparatus I place in the copper charged with
water and soap, and lay the clothes or other fibrous materials required to
be washed upon the pan or disc. The water in which the soap has been
dissolved being now kept boiling will rise up the central tube and
discharge itself upon the clothes, returning to the bottom of the boiler
to be re-heated and forced upwards as before. The apparatus, together
with the clothes or fibrous material lying thereon, will while the heat
is kept up receive a slow rotary motion in the detergent solution,
which motion will greatly assist in cleansing the clothes or fibrous
material.
Im- PROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Kerr at the Office of
"the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th July
1868.
I, THOMAS KERR, of Paisley, in the County of Renfrew, North
Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention, which relates to improvements in breech-loading fire-
arms, consists in providing a hollow socket which projects rerewards
from the breech end of the barrel; the reremost end of the socket is
made completely circular whilst the intermediate part is cut away,
leaving a semicircular cavity. Through the circular extremity a sliding
breech-piece passes which can be forced by the hand close against the
end of the barrel and withdrawn therefrom with great rapidity.
Towards the reremost end of the sliding breech-piece an encircling
collar is fitted, this having a handle or lever formed on it, so that in
turning the collar by applying the hand to the handle or lever that
part of the handle or lever as well as a projection on the opposite
side of the collar enter inclined slots cut in the circular part of the
socket, so that by depressing the handle or lever firmly therein the

page_text: breech-piece is forced against the breech end of the barrel. The front
end of the breech piece is formed with a projection on it having a
groove formed therein into which the projecting rim at the rere end
of the cartridge fits and when the breech piece is drawn back to enable
the fire-arm to be reloaded the cartridge is placed in the semicircular
part of the cavity herein-before referred to with its circular rim resting
in the groove and in which it remains until the spent cartridge case
is extracted, this being effected by the withdrawal of the breech piece,
which retaining the cartridge case by means of the projection causes
it to be effectually pulled out of the barrel and the breech is withdrawn,
thus leaving the arm ready to be recharged. For the purpose of
carrying the lock, which is of special construction, a bracket or plate
projects from the rere end of the breech socket. To this the hammer
is fitted and moveable on a stud or centre in a vertical plane imme-
diately behind a needle or bolt which passes through the centre of the
breech piece; the part of the hammer situated at the extremity of the
lock has two notches formed in it, one for "full" and the other for
"half cock," and by pulling the trigger the retaining catch is released,
when the mainspring throws the hammer forcibly against the needle or
bolt, which striking on the "ignition" of the cartridge fires and explodes
it. By this arrangement as the breech piece is drawn back the hammer
is brought to "half cock."
IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR ARTICLES OF DRESS AND JEWELLERY
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Hawkes Ryland.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 22nd February 1868.
I, WILLIAM HAWKES RYLAND, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer and Factor, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR ARTICLES
OF DRESS AND JEWELLERY," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of the arrangement or combination herein-
after described of the parts of a fastening for articles of dress and
jewellery, such, for example, as glove fastenings, and fastenings for
brooches and sleeve links.
I will describe my Invention in connection with a fastening for
gloves. To one side or edge of the ornamental body of the fastening
a bow is jointed, the free end of the said bow being provided with a
notch or depression on its under side. On the edge of the body
opposite that to which the bow is jointed a small chamber is fixed,
in which chamber a sliding snap works. In the said chamber is a
hole through which, when the jointed bow is shut down, its free end
passes and engages with the edge of a hole made in the sliding snap

page_text: which works in the said chamber. The outer end of the sliding snap
projects through a hole in the outer edge of the said chamber, the
projecting part being turned up nearly at right angles to the other
part of the said snap. The inner edge of the snap is serrated or
toothed, and between the said serrated edge and the inner end of
the chamber a small block of vulcanized india-rubber is placed. The
said india-rubber by its elasticity presses the snap outwards and
thereby causes it to engage with the notch in the end of the bow
when the latter is pressed down upon the body of the fastening. In
using the glove fastening the bow is passed through the portions of
the glove to be fastened together, and the body of the fastening is
turned down upon the said bow, and the said body and bow are pressed
together. The end of the bow is thereby made to enter the hole in
the snap, the edge of which hole engages with the notch in the end
of the bow by the elasticity of the india-rubber, and thereby fastens
the said bow to the body. In order to disengage the glove fastening
from the glove it is only necessary to press upon the projecting and
turned up end of the snap, when the free end of the bow is liberated
and the said bow may be withdrawn from the glove.
A NEW SYSTEM OF GEERING WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO LATHES, DRILLING, SHAPING, AND SCREWING MACHINES, AND ALSO APPLICABLE IN ALL CASES WHERE AN EXTRA PURCHASE OR CONCENTRATION OF MECHANICAL POWER IS REQUIRED
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joshua Heap at the Office.
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th
September 1868.
I, JOSHUA HEAP, of Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of Lancaster,
Tool Maker and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "A NEW SYSTEM OF GEERING WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO LATHES,
DRILLING, SHAPING, AND SCREWING MACHINES, AND ALSO APPLICABLE IN ALL
CASES WHERE AN EXTRA PURCHASE OR CONCENTRATION OF MECHANICAL POWER
IS REQUIRED," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to a new mode of obtaining a slow motion, and
consequently a corresponding increase of purchase or mechanical power
applicable to lathes, drilling, shaping, and screwing machines, and also
to other machines in which such increase of mechanical power is.
required.
It consists in the application, adaptation, and combination of certain
parts or mechanism, the construction of which is as follows:-The wheel,
or drum, or speed pulley is made hollow and runs loose on the shaft,
spindle, or axis to which the slow motion is to be communicated. In

page_text: the interior of this wheel, drum, or speed pulley is placed an internal
toothed spur wheel which is keyed on to the shaft, spindle, or axis to
which the slow motion is to be communicated. Into this internal
toothed spur wheel is geered an exterior toothed spur wheel, which last
has one, two, or more teeth less in its circumference than the internal
toothed spur wheel. The external toothed spur wheel is attached to a
cross slide which allows it to move to a certain extent in every direction,
but not to turn round except as the cross slide itself turns round. The
cross slide is arranged so as to turn round with the shaft, spindle, or axis
to which the slow motion is to be communicated, but I sometimes
arrange it so as to be supported from the framework of the machine or
apparatus. On an internal boss on the wheel, drum, or speed pulley is
keyed an eccentric which acts in a circular hole or recess in the external
toothed spur wheel before mentioned, and with the outside circumference
of which it is concentric. Motion being communicated to the wheel,
drum, or speed pulley it acts on the external toothed spur wheel by
means of the eccentric, and the external toothed spur wheel moving
round (but not with a rotatory motion except as before mentioned) acts
upon the internal toothed spur wheel to which it communicates motion
(according to the difference of the number of the teeth in the two
wheels) and consequently to the shaft, spindle, or axis before mentioned.
When what is called single speed or single purchase is to be used, this is
effected by simply sliding a pin or stud, which by acting on the internal
toothed spur wheel locks it to the wheel, drum, or speed pulley, and
the whole revolves together at single speed without any extra purchase.
AN IMPROVED DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING THE ENDS OF ROLLERS FOR BLINDS, MAPS, AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Fisher at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
October 1868.
I, THOMAS FISHER, of Little Ilford, in the County of Essex, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING THE ENDS OF ROLLERS FOR BLINDS, MAPS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
My improvements relate to means for facilitating the adjustment or
operation of window blinds, maps, pictures, or other articles or materials
which are attached to rollers and require to be rolled upon or unrolled
from the same.
The said improvements consist chiefly in the peculiar construction of a
device which is used instead of the ordinary pulleys and blanks for
carrying the pivots of the roller, by which device the said roller is
supported excentrically to the axis whereon it turns or rotates.
I construct the said device with a centre pin or pivot on one side,
which is fitted to turn in a suitable bracket or bearing of any convenient
form. The other side of the said device is provided with a socket to

page_text: receive the end of the roller, the centre of the said socket being made
excentric to the centre pin or pivot. If desired, instead of the socket the
pulley may be provided with other means for holding the roller excen-
trically to the pivots. Each end of the roller is provided with one of the
said devices, which must be arranged with their pivots in one axial line,
so that when the said pivots are properly fitted in their bearings the
preponderating weight of the roller throughout its length will be on one
side of the centres whereon it turns; then when the blind, map, or
other article is attached to the roller and wound or coiled upon the same
the said blind or other article will hang or rest in any position in which
it may be adjusted. The device on one end of the roller is provided with
deep flanges, and forms a pulley to receive the cord, whereby the roller is
operated to raise the blind or other article. This cord is so arranged
that it is coiled or wound upon the pulley when the blind or other
article is lowered, the latter movement being preferably effected by
means of another cord attached to the lower part of such blind or other
article. When each end of the roller is thus provided with one of my
improved devices, with their pivots properly fitted into their bearings
and the cords arranged as above described, the raising of the blind is
effected by pulling the cord attached to the pulley. The excentricity of
the roller causes its weight to act in such a manner that though the
roller is easily turned by pulling either of the cords yet the said roller
will not, as is the case with ordinary rollers, move from a state of rest
and let the blind or other article run down.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLICES FOR CONNECTING THE ENDS OF RAILS ON RAILWAYS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Philos Blake Tyler at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th November 1808.
I, PHILOS BLAKE TYLER, Engineer, of 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, Empire
of France, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLICES FOR CONNECTING THE ENDS OF RAILS ON RAILWAYS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, firstly, in confining the plates or cheeks of a
splice to the rails by means of bolts passing through the said checks
or plates and the rails, the said bolts being provided, where they pass
through the cheeks, with differential threads corresponding with the
tapped holes of the cheeks, the pitch of the threads being calculated so
that on turning the bolts they penetrate in the cheeks at different speeds,
which causes these latter to approach one another and to clasp the rail
placed between them with a force proportionate to the difference of
rapidity of the two screws on the bolt.
Secondly (when it is desirable to make this splice more stiff and firm
than can be done, with the ordinary fish plates) in connecting the two

page_text: cheeks in one piece by means of a strap passing under the rails at such
a distance from their bottom surface as to admit the introduction of a
wedge-shaped plate or bar along their under edge and across the joint, in
such manner as to draw the cheeks or plates down firmly upon the lower
shoulders of the rails.