matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH WIRES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William O'Shaughnessy Brooke
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd February 1861.
I, WILLIAM O'SHAUGHNESSY BROOKE, of Parliament Street, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH WIRES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for suspending
electric telegraph wires. For these purposes in order that electric telegraph
wires may be insulated where they are supported, the apparatus is formed in
the following manner:-An inverted cup or hollow vessel, by preference of
cast iron, and of a rectangular form is used, the upper end of which is closed,
and has formed on it a recess suitable for receiving and having a wire fixed
therein by solder. The edges of the sides, at their lower ends, are turned up
into a trough or gutter-like form. On the interior of this inverted cup or
hollow vessel is fixed another hollow inverted cup or vessel composed of the
hard compound produced by combining india-rubber and sulphur, and sub-
mitting the same to high temperatures till converted or changed into what is
known as the hard compound of india-rubber. This inuer cup or hollow
vessel is of like section to the outer cup or vessel above mentioned, but of less
dimensions, so as to leave a space in all directions between the inner and
outer cups or hollow vessels, and such space is filled up with melted sulphur.

page_text: This apparatus is placed on an upright pin or support, by preference of
wrought iron, though other material may be used, and such pin or projection
is of like section to the interior of the inner inverted cup or vessel, but of
different dimensions, so as to leave a space in all directions between the pin
or support and the interior of the cup or vessel, which is filled with melted
sulphur. The pin or support is carried by a bracket or post, or other suitable
means.
INCREASING THE PRODUCTION OF WOOL
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Gedge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
November 1861.-A communication from abroad by Casimir Maistre, of
Villeneuvette (Hérault), France, Cloth Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of the Firm of John Gedge and Son, of
No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "INCREASING THE
PRODUCTION OF WOOL," (a communication to me from abroad by Casimir
Maistre, of Villeneuvette (Hérault), France, Cloth Manufacturer), to be as
follows:
Hitherto sheep have never been shorn more than once a year in any climate,
and in some countries, Chili and Perou for example, the shearing takes place.
but once every two years. I propose to shear sheep twice a year, once in the
Spring and once in the Autumn. It would appear, at first sight, that the two
fleeces would not be more than equivalent to the one obtained by shearing
once a year, but reasoning and experience will prove the contrary. All animal
hair or wool grows the faster the more it is cut; and if sheep were shorn four
times a year, not perhaps four but certainly three times more wool would be
obtained than now; but as the wool would not then be long enough for every
use, I propose, as above stated, to shear but twice a year, by which means I
shall obtain a fleece of sufficient length and strength, and in the proportion
of seven or seven and a half to four as compared with the quantity of wool
now obtained from a sheep in one year.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CLARIONETS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Tyler at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th November
1861.
I, JOSEPH TYLER, of 62, Pratt Street, Camden Town, in the County of
Middlesex, Professor of Music, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CLARIONETS," to be as
follows:-
Hitherto in clarionets the C sharp in the third space, and the F sharp on
the third ledger line below have been produced by a closed key on the left
side of the instrument when held to the mouth.
I change the key which produces these notes from the left side to the right
side, and make it an open key, which is closed by the fourth finger of the
right hand.
In the ordinary clarionet on the right side there is an open key from
which the notes D on the fourth line, and G under the second ledger line
below issue.
The head or finger end of the lever of the latter key I place under the head
or finger end of my new C sharp key; I press down both by the fourth finger
of the right hand when required. I pass a projection from the long lever B
natural key under the heel of the D key. On the long lever B natural key
being pressed down (by the fourth finger of the left hand) the D key is

page_text: closed, the new key stands open and produces the notes C sharp on the third
space, and F sharp in the third ledger line below.
The advantage is that the C sharp in the third space, and the F sharp on
the third ledger line below are produced by one finger of the left hand, instead
of being produced, as hitherto, by the fourth finger of the left hand and the 5
fourth finger of the right hand together..
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR PREVENTING Loco- MOTIVE ENGINES & CARRIAGES LEAVING THE RAILS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Roessler, at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th March
1861.
I, FREDERICK ROESSLER, of Bird Street, St. George's in the East, in the
County of Middlesex, Schoolmaster, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR PREVENTING Loco-
MOTIVE ENGINES & CARRIAGES LEAVING THE RAILS," to be as follows:-
The means or apparatus for preventing carriages leaving the lines of rails
consists in the application of an extra line or extra lines of rails placed
parallel with the ordinary rails of a suitable form, so that guard clips secured
to the carriages will pass along such rails without, however, being in contact
therewith. These extra rails, if there are two, are placed by preference just
inside the ordinary rails but they may be outside if desired. The clipping or
holding parts of the rails are disposed in opposite directions to each other so
as to embrace the clips on the carriages, or the reverse may be the case, and the
carriage clips arranged to embrace the rails. In either case the carriage clips
consist of strong rigid iron supports depending from the carriage or engine
framework, the terminations of which are furnished with parts to clip or pass
underneath the flange or rib of the extra safety rail, these supports are also
furnished with shoe pieces or surfaces which are adapted to slide on the rail
and support the carriage in the event of a wheel coming off or breaking. Both
this shoe and the clip embracing the safety rail flange are so adjusted that
they travel in close proximity to the rail, but without touching. Instead of

page_text: two safety rails one only need be applied and placed midway between the
ordinary rails. The head of such mid-rail I make of a T-form, each side of
which the carriage clip embraces. These clipping pieces also form safety
supports for the carriages from the mid-rail. With two safety rails I employ
four (or more) clips, one at each angle of the carriage, while for the mid-rail
one double one at each end of the carriage is sufficient. According to this
arrangement it is impossible that the engine or carriages can run off the line
unless the embracing or safety clips are torn away, which must be sufficiently
strong to afford necessary resistance. In using the mid-safety rail to prevent
the engine or carriages getting off the line I furnish the carriages with
struts & shoes adapted to take a bearing on the ordinary rails in the event
of a wheel or wheels coming off a carriage or breaking.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO FURNACES, PREVENTING OR CONSUMING SMOKE, AND ECONO- MIZING FUEL
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Weller at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th June 1861.
I, WILLIAM WELLER, of Mile End, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR SUPPLYING FUEL TO FURNACES, PREVENTING OR CONSUMING SMOKE, AND ECONO-
MIZING FUEL," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of a chamber, box, or carriage placed upon wheels
formed to run on a tramway or otherwise. In the interior of the chamber
there is a plate or plunger fastened to a long screw fitting a nut fixed in
the boss of a toothed wheel which works in bearings connected to or forming
part of the chamber or carriage, so that when the wheel and nut are turned
one way, the screw and plunger move forward, and when they are turned the
reverse way the screw and plunger move backward, motion being given to the
toothed wheel by a pinion and handle or other suitable contrivance. In order
to feed the furnace the plunger is drawn back to its full extent, and the
chamber filled with fuel, and then by turning the wheel and nut a forward
motion is given to the plunger, which forces the fuel out of the chamber into
the furnace. The chamber containing the fuel is furnished with a cover, and
is nearly air-tight, and when it is pushed up close to the furnace door or doors
the admission of cold air is prevented, which thus maintains the heat required
for consuming the smoke, and thereby economizing the fuel. One or more
racks may be substituted for the screw before mentioned, and motion given to
them by pinions or worms; but in any case the apparatus may be worked by
hand or power.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE, APPLICATION, AND COMBUSTION OF GASES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joshua Kidd at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th July
1861.
I, JOSHUA KIDD, of 289, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE, APPLICATION, AND COMBUSTION OF GASES, AND IN APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
From the centre of the interior of a gas holder, dipping into a tank or well
in the usual way, I suspend a piece of zinc, iron, or other proper material.
The tank is partially filled with acid or other proper liquid. As the gas is
generated by the action of the acid or liquid on the suspended zinc, iron, or
other material, it rises through the acid or liquid and forces the holder upwards.
Proper means are used for permitting the escape of gas for use. If the gas is
generated quicker than it escapes out of the holder its pressure forces the
holder to rise higher out of the tank, thus lifting the suspended zinc, iron, or
other material out of the acid or liquid, and thereby stopping the generation
of the gas till sufficient has escaped to allow the holder to fall, and the sus-
pended zinc, iron, or other material to again come into contact with the acid
or liquid. The gas thus generated is carburetted, when requisite, by bringing
it, by proper means, into contact, near the point of combustion, with the vapour
of naptha or benzole. I can also make the holder fixed, and then the pressure
of the gas forces the portion of the acid or liquid which is inside the holder

page_text: below the suspended zinc, iron, or other material, thus stopping the generation
of the gas till sufficient has escaped to allow the acid or liquid to rise and
again come into contact with the suspended zinc, iron, or other material.
In the combustion of the gas I use a burner of a novel shape, the peculiarity
of which is that there is a hollow chamber in the centre of its top, so that the
point or points of the escape of the gas is or are materially below the level of
the top of the burner. This burner has in its interior a fish-tail nib, but it can
also be used as a cap to fit on the usual fish-tail or bat's-wing burner, and
when so used it may or may not have such internal nib. This burner or
cap may also be used in the consumption and for the better combustion of
coal gas.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS ON RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Alfred Ward at the Offico
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th March
1861.
I, HENRY ALFRED WARD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS ON RAILWAY TRAINS,"
to be as follows, that is to say:
My Invention consists in attaching to the side or bottom of railway carriages
a tube containing a rod, or wire, or wire rope, which is kept in a state of tension
by coiled or other suitable springs contained within the tube, so that the
action of a lever applied at any part of the length of the rod, wire, or rope,
produces a certain effect at the extremities.
The rod, wire, or rope of each carriage is connected to those of the adjoining
carriages by a spring swivel hook, and upon the guard's van a drum or reel is.
fixed round which a rope or chain is self-coiled by the action of a spring. This
rope or chain is connected to the rod, wire, or rope travelling the entire length
of the train, and thus the guard can instantly communicate with the engine
driver. If necessary a lever pulling only one way, if desirable, may be attached
to every carriage so that the passengers may on an emergency signal the
guard.
The tubes are each the length of the carriage to which they are attached,
and in coupling the signal rod of two carriages there would be a length to
make up equal to the distance between the carriages. To provide for this a

page_text: short length of wire rod or ropes at the end of each tube is made double, one
length sliding over another; this extra length makes up the length required
when the signal is set for use, and is carried home into the tube in company
with the rod upon which it slides as soon as the signal is disconnected.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR AMALGAMATING AND FOR EFFECTING THE SEPARATION OF GOLD FROM EARTHY AND OTHER MATTERS CONTAINING THE SAME
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Bevan George Sloper at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th
July 1861.
I, BEVAN GEORGE SLOPER, of Hackney, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR AMALGAMATING AND FOR EFFECTING
THE SEPARATION OF GOLD FROM EARTHY AND OTHER MATTERS CONTAINING THE SAME,"
to be as follows:-
My Invention is intended to effect the separation of particles of gold from
earths and quartz after being crushed or reduced to small particles or pul-
verized by bringing mercury in contact therewith, as hereafter stated. My
machinery consists of a hopper, opening at bottom into a cylinder placed
horizontally, or nearly so, and fitted with agitators secured to a vertical shaft
made to revolve in the hopper. Inside the horizontal cylinder I place and cause
to revolve an archimedean screw, and crushed rock or auriferous earths are
introduced, together with mercury, into the hopper. At the opposite end of
the cylinder to that at which the charge is admitted there is an outlet into a
vessel furnished with sieves of different degrees of fineness, and containing a
set of channels or passages communicating at one end with a fan or blower,
while they are open at the other to receive the mercury and gold in the state
of amalgam, the air driven through them preventing the entrance of all
matters of less specific gravity; the action of the vessel is assisted by a shaking

page_text: or jogging motion being imparted to it. From the lower part of this vessel
the amalgam falls into a cylinder, in which an agitator is caused to rotate,
whereby the globules of amalgam are beaten into one mass, and until this
mass is sufficiently rich in gold it is pumped back to the hopper with fresh
crushed quartz or auriferous earth to act and be acted upon as before.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES, PARTI- CULARLY APPLICABLE TO QUILTING AND BRAIDING
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Mabson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th July
1861.
I, JOHN MABSON, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES, PARTI-
CULARLY APPLICABLE TO QUILTING AND BRAIDING," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to apply to sewing machines certain
mechanism, by the means of which various articles of apparel or other articles
may be quilted or braided in a more speedy and even manner than is possible
to be done by hand. I propose attaching to sewing machines a bent arm or
cloth presser, in which is a hole for the needle to pass through, and close to
this hole is an opening or loop which serves as a guide for the braid. Upon
the end of the cloth presser is attached a cross piece which can be adjusted
by sliding feet to any desired width for quilting, and thus acts as a gauge,
preventing any irregularity in the width to be quilted. The foot slides travel
on the quilting gauge, and are secured thereon at the required distance apart
by small thumbscrews. By these means braiding, however narrow, may
be done evenly, which hitherto has been found tedious and difficult work by
hand.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACTUAL MODE OF SCOURING WOOLS BEFORE AND AFTER THE COMBING OF THE SAME
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Comte and Edward Prevost
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the
8th March 1861.
We, EDWARD COMTE and EDWARD PREVOST, of Chantilly, Department
of the Oise, in the Empire of France, Owners of Spinning Mills, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACTUAL
MODE OF SCOURING WOOLS BEFORE AND AFTER THE COMBING OF THE SAME," to be as
follows:-
In scouring and cleansing wools we propose to use three very large wooden
troughs capable of containing 400 gallons at the least. These troughs will
be furnished with presses so disposed that the wool on leaving one trough
passes under the press, then passes through another trough, is again pressed,
and so on to the third. After undergoing these three operations the wool will
be quite scoured. The first bath (trough No. 1) is renewed and becomes the
last. The second receives a new addition of soap as hereafter mentioned. We
propose to charge the scouring baths, 1st, with a mixture of about 60 gallons
of water at 70% about thirty pounds soft soap, spirit of turpentine, or its
succedaneum about one ounce, and volatile alcali at 22%, about two ounces.
2d bath water about 60 gallons, soap two pounds, turpentine and alcali as
mentioned for the first bath. For the first bath of 400 gallons take ninety
quarts of mixture No. 1, after the first passage of the wool add as refresher
about thirty-four quarts of the first mixture, and for the second bath take
about thirty quarts of No. 2 mixture.
A SELF-ACTING SOCKET FOR TAPS, FIRE-PLUGS, AND SUCH LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Clayton, James Breedon,
and Alfred Schneider at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 18th March 1861.
We, CHARLES CLAYTON, JAMES BREEDON, and ALFRED SCHNEIDER, all of
Deptford, in the County of Kent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A SELF-ACTING SOCKET FOR TAPS, FIRE-PLUGS, AND SUCH LIKE
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in so forming sockets for taps or fire-plugs, in such
a manner that when the tap or plug is withdrawn the liquor or water is
prevented escaping. When used for casks or vats, they also prevent the
rush of atmospheric air into the vessel when empty, thereby keeping the
vessel sweet until again required for use. We propose forming the socket
of a piece of metal tubing of suitable size and length, with a circular nozzle
on its front end, the other end being closed by a metal plug; within this tube
is a spiral or other spring, which forces a piston within the tube up to the
interior of the nozzle; this socket has a female screw cut in the interior of
its nozzle for the reception of the threaded end of the tap. The socket
having been inserted in the vessel, the tap has but to be screwed into the
nozzle, by which means the piston is driven back, and the liquor flows through
a hole or holes made at about the centre of the socket, a corresponding hole
being cut in the threaded part of the tap. As the tap is unscrewed the
piston follows it, so that by the time the tap is quite out the piston is in
close contact with the interior of the nozzle, thus preventing the passing of

page_text: atmospheric air into the vessel, or if any liquor is still left within, it is so far
prevented being injured by atmospheric influence. These sockets are
especially adapted for fire-plugs, as by this means the socket may be opened
in an instant without the attendance of a turncock.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Fell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th June
1861.
I, RICHARD FELL, of No. 94, Great Saint Helens, in the City of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN,"
to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in obtaining motive power by means of compressed
air acting upon water in manner hereafter stated. I proceed to describe the
manner in which I obtain motive power, and apply it to propelling carriages.
I provide a pair of dished wheels fitted on each end of a cylinder axle, with
chambers and valves for the outlet and inlet of the water employed to work a
pair of driving cylinders, which are in connection with the crank axle of other
wheels. I introduce collapsing and expanding cylinders or bags between the
dises of the dished wheels within a few inches of the circumference thereof,
and provide a flanged ring with a channel on the interior thereof for the
wheels to revolve in. When put in motion, the weight of the engine and load
on its truck or carriage will force the circumference of the dished wheels as
they revolve into the grooved rings, thus compressing the collapsing bags
between the discs, and forcing them to discharge the water held in them into
a vessel containing compressed air, from thence the water passes to driving
cylinders; the exhausted water from the driving cylinders is conveyed to a
cistern, from thence through the axle of the dished wheels into the high-

page_text: pressure vessel, and so on. As long as the wheels are allowed to revolve, the
high-pressure vessel must be kept supplied. To put the machine in motion,
the high-pressure vessel must be supplied with water up to a certain level;
then force in air so compressed as to obtain the required pressure on the
water; then open communication with the cylinders, whereby the wheels will
be made to revolve on the rails or road. The wheels, in revolving, cause the
bags to collapse, whereby the water is forced from them, as before stated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES FOR CARDING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William McConnel at the Office of;
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th April:
1861.
I, WILLIAM MCCONNEL, of the City of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Cotton Spinner, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ENGINES FOR CARDING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS
MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
In ordinary carding engines a certain portion of the cotton or other fibrous
material operated upon accumulates in the card surfaces of the cylinders, and
as this accumulation increases, the carding action becomes less effective;
therefore, to prevent the carding action from being effected to a prejudicial
extent, it is necessary to stop the engine periodically, and strip the accumulated
fibrous material from the card surfaces of the cylinders, the material so stripped
being much injured and deteriorated in value, so that by this necessity for
stripping the card surfaces of the cylinders there is not only a loss of material,
but of time and labor, and a break in the continuity of the carded sliver.
The object of my Invention is to dispense with the ordinary "stripping
operation," and my Invention consists in the application of surfaces which
continually strip or remove the fibrous material from the card cylinders, (not
only that fibrous material on the surface or points of the card teeth, but a
considerable portion of that which tends to accumulate below the points of the
card teeth,) and which surfaces give the fibrous material so stripped back to

page_text: the points of the teeth of the card cylinders. I accomplish this by a rotating
brush or card surface, which "strips" the cylinder from the greater part of
the fibrous material left by the doffer, and delivers the material to a card
roller, which gives the material back to the points or surfaces of the cards of
the cylinder. By this means all objectionable accumulation of fibrous material
in the card surfaces of the cylinders is prevented, and that small portion which
does accumulate can be removed when the cards are necessarily stopped for
the purpose of being ground or sharpened, so that there is not only no loss of
time nor labour in the operation of stripping, but the card surface of the
cylinder being kept comparatively free from accumulated material does its
work much better, and the material which would accumulate in the ordinary
carding engine and become deteriorated in value, is, by my improvements,
passed forward uninjured along with the other material to the doffer. If
thought advisable not to give back the stripped material to the card cylinder,
it may be stripped from the card roller by a self-acting doffing comb into a
suitable receptacle, and thus the advantage of a card cylinder comparatively
free from fibrous material would be obtained, and the stripped material not
having been allowed to accumulate in the card cylinder before being removed
would be but slightly deteriorated in value.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTORS AND ADJUSTERS FOR CONNECTING AND ADJUSTING CRINOLINES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Stevens at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th October
1861.
I, JAMES STEVENS, Wholesale Haberdasher and Fancy Trimming Ware-
houseman, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTORS AND
ADJUSTERS FOR CONNECTING AND ADJUSTING CRINOLINES," to be as follows (that is
to say):
My improvements consist in so bending sheet metal that it shall partially or
entirely clip the material of the crinoline, whether of steel, whalebone, cane,
or other material, and by so cutting and dividing such metal clip that springs
shall be formed for pressing the material forming the crinoline compactly
together, such spring or springs being suitably barbed or toothed as to admit
of the material of the crinoline being readily passed in, but to offer a sufficient
resistance as to prevent the crinoline voluntarily expanding without the spring
or springs being liberated for that purpose. In some instances, instead of
forming springs in the metal clips, I construct the clip that it shall have a
tendency for the edges or part of the edges where they join together to bear
against the inside of the front plate, the front plate being roughed, sufficient
pressure will be obtained to prevent the crinoline from readily separating
without being properly relieved for that purpose; and, further, I purpose,

page_text: when required, using an additional plate, also roughed, the ends of the crinoline
forming the joint being held between the roughed surfaces of the inside of the
clip and the additional plate, or the additional plate in some instances may be
so curved as to form a spring without the spring being formed in the clip; or
the spring or springs may be formed of wire similar to what are called mouse-
trap springs, in all cases means being provided for relieving the spring or
springs so as to permit the crinoline being readily drawn out or adjusted to
the clip.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF OBTAINING & PRODUCING PRINTING SURFACES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Clark at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th October
1861. A communication from abroad by Alphonse Edouard Aufray,
Merchant, and François Germain Léopold Tabar, Artist, of 29, Boulevart
St. Martin, Paris.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 58, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer & Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF OBTAINING & PRODUCING PRINTING SURFACES,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to printing blocks for typographic and other purposes
in which the characters or designs are obtained in relief, and also to copper-
plates in which the designs are sunk in the surface for printing either paper or
fabrics. The blocks or plates are formed as follows:-A slab of slate is first
suitably prepared and polished, on which surface is engraved or sunk any
suitable design with an ordinary graving tool. The sunk design being com-
pleted the slate slab is then prepared by the ordinary means, and submitted to
a galvanic bath of salts of copper, which causes a layer of copper to be deposited
on the slate, which penetrates into all the hollows of the designs, and becomes
solidified, the copper on being detached from the slate furnishes a surface or
block in relief, which is then mounted and employed as usual. Instead of
engraving directly on the slate, it may be first coated with paint, on which the
artist or engraver first draws, and then engraves or produces the design. The
copper block in relief being thus obtained, another block may be obtained

page_text: from it similar to the original design on the slate. The chief merit of this
Invention is the facility of obtaining the blocks, and also of reproducing the
original design from the same block. Instead of slate, any other schist of a
slaty or silicious nature may be employed not acting on by the galvanic bath,
and sufficiently soft to bear the action of a graver. Plates of bitumen,
asphalte, or similar material, may also be employed. The present Invention
thus consists in the processes for obtaining blocks & printing surfaces sunk or
in relief by the means herein-before described.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WEIGHING MACHINES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Gedge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th
January 1861. A communication from abroad by J. Charles Maag, fils,
of Lyons (Rhone), in the Empire of France.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of the Firm of John Gedge and Son, of No.
11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
WEIGHING MACHINES," communicated to me from abroad by J. Charles Maag,
fils, of Lyons (Rhone), in the Empire of France, to be as follows:-
The mechanism of the weighing machines in ordinary use at railway stations
and other places where laden trucks or waggons are weighed is usually beneath
the table or platform upon which the truck is placed, where besides the oxida-
tion which rapidly affects its precision, it is subject to many other objections.
The object of this Invention is to place the whole of the mechanism above the
weighing platform, and by using only straight and simple levers to decrease the
cost of the machine. It is proposed to effect this in the following manner :-
A certain number of cast-iron columns (of greater height than any object likely
to be weighed) will support beams or a platform on which will be erected the
weighing apparatus to consist of six levers, four of which will have their ful-
crum at the four opposite corners of the platform on double supports with axles
and bearings, and from each lever near their fulcrum will descend iron rods with
moveable rings which connect the levers with the weighing platform; beneath
these levers extend from each corner along the sides of the upper platform to its
centre, where the two other levers cross at right angles to the four first-men-

page_text: tioned, having similar supports at the side of the platform and meeting in its
centre; but one of the two last-mentioned levers will extend over the edge of
the upper platform, and from this extremity will be connected with a demon-
strative apparatus beneath, or, the levers may be connected with a demonstra-
tive apparatus above the columns, and the weighing take place on the upper
platform. The rods connecting the four first-mentioned levers with the plat-
form beneath may descend within or without the columns, and will be secured
by nuts beneath the weighing table. This system of straight horizontal levers
may also be placed beneath the weighing table in connection with a demon-
strative apparatus as usually fixed; but the arrangement first described will, it
is presumed, be found the most desirable.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN HOOPED PETTICOATS OR CRINOLINES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Griffith at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th April
1861.
I, WILLIAM GRIFFITH, of Upper Sydenham, in the County of Kent,
Builder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN HOOPED PETTICOATS OR CRINOLINES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing crinolines with the steel wires or other
materials of which the hoops are usually formed arranged as herein-after
stated, for the purpose of obtaining fullness at the bustle part, and flatness in
the fore part of the body.
Again, my Invention consists in providing means of raising the lower part
of the petticoat at back, to enable the wearer to sit down without sitting
upon the hoops, to enter carriages and pass through narrow places with
facility.
And, lastly, it consists in ready means of increasing and decreasing, within
certain limits, the circumference of the crinoline.
In carrying my. Invention into effect, I use what I term a brace steel, that
is to say, I carry one steel from the bottom of the petticoat in front, pass it
up round the back of the petticoat, and bring it down on the opposite side
again to the bottom of the petticoat in front. With the exception of about
three hoops, more or less, I cause the ends of the steels to terminate at or
against my diagonal brace steel. I prefer that my crinoline should be open

page_text: in front; and I form the attachment of the two sides in front by means of
buttons and loops, hooks and eyes, or other like fastenings. By shifting the
loops from one set of buttons to another the circumference of the lower part
of the crinoline may be increased or diminished. For the purpose of raising
the steels at the lower part of the back of the petticoat, I carry on each side,
through holes or eyelets in the upper part of the front, a silk tape or cord,
pass it through a runner on the lower part at back, and fasten it to the
bottom steel. In the runners I place a spring, which on the cords being
released will assist in forcing down the steels. On drawing the cords, the
lower steels at back will be raised. In order to improve the "set outwards"
of the brace steel at back, I connect what I term an inside skeleton bustle
by means of tapes both to the brace steel and to the waistband. By drawing
in or letting out the connecting tapes the set of the bustle part of the brace
steel is altered at will.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO GLOVES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hubert Allen at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th May
1861.
I, HUBERT ALLEN, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT OR
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO GLOVES," to be as follows, that is to
say:―
My Invention consists in making gloves with a small pocket or pockets in
some part of the glove, either in the palm or the back, by preference, for the
purpose of holding a railway ticket, money, or small article of any kind
required to be readily accessible; or the same result may be gained by
stitching on to any suitable part of the glove a band, elastic or not, which
band would retain the ticket or other article sufficiently for the purpose; or
two slits may be cut in the glove, and the ticket may be sprung in between
them, so that it would be always ready to exhibit.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CORKING OR STOPPERING BOTTLES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Clark at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th May
1861. A communication from abroad by Messrs. Edmond Armand
Louis D'Argy, Manufacturer, and Joseph Jean Pierre Leonce de
Chalret du Rieu, both of Paris, in the Empire of France.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer & Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CORKING OR STOPPERING BOTTLES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in closing or stoppering bottles for
containing wine or other liquors. This system, which I term D'Argy's
stoppering apparatus, possesses the advantage of hermetically closing the neck
of the bottle, while it is also solid, and does not impart the disagreeable taste
to wines known as the flavor of the cork; the same stopper may also be
used several times. This obturator is composed of soft wood, and consists, first,
of a cylindrical or slightly conical plug of white wood or cork, having a
cylindrical or slightly conical hole through the centre. This hollow plug is
forced into the neck of the bottle, and the opening then closed by a small plug
of white wood or otherwise, the whole being made of suitable length, and
sealed if required. The closure is made hermetical by reason of the
elasticity of the hollow plug, which adapts itself to the form of the interior of
the bottle.

page_text: The stopper is withdrawn from the bottle by means of peculiar-shaped
nippers, one arrangement of which has an end similar to an extinguisher in
form, in two parts jointed together, while the other end has projecting nibs
formed on it. For drawing,, the cork or plug has a projecting rim resting on
the lip of the bottle neck; the curved edges of the cupped ends of the nippers
be
are lodged between the rim of the plug and the bottle, when the cork may
easily withdrawn. When the plug has no projecting. rim it may be with-
drawn by simply nipping it between the jaws of the instrument; or the plug
may be withdrawn by inserting the nibs of the ends of the nippers in the hole
in the centre of the plug after the internal or centre cork has been with-
drawn. The nibs of the nippers may be also inserted in a circular groove
extending partly round the soft wood plug for the purpose of withdrawing it
from the bottle.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN SHOW CASES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Treble at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th July
1861.
I, GEORGE TREBLE, the younger, of Aldersgate Street, in the City of
London, Artizan, in the employment of Messieurs S. Maw and Son, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN SHOW
CASES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing cases for showing jewelry, chemists'
articles, specimens, and articles generally, with a sliding cover of glass bent
into the segment of a circle fitted in a correspondingly-shaped frame, and free
to be worked from the back or front of the case. The frame carrying the
glass moves in grooves in the side of the case.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER BY AERO- HYDRAULIC MEANS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas. Charles Boutet at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
May 1861.
I, THOMAS CHARLES BOUTET, Civil Engineer, of 1, John's Place, Brunswick
Road, Camberwell, London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING AND APPLYING MOTIVE POWER BY AERO-
HYDRAULIC MEANS," to be as follows:-
This motor, which I call the aero-hydraulic motor, has for its basis the
employment of air & water in their natural condition, and its principles are,
1st, the pressure exercised from the lower to the upper part by the fluid, in
accordance with Pascal's principle; 2nd, the application of the hydraulic
paradox; & 3rd, new principles discovered by myself.
The apparatus consists of a certain number of impervious air chambers fixed
on a movable axis in the centre of a tank full of water. The air chambers
communicate with each other by means of tubes, which allow the air to
circulate when the fastenings fixed to the tubes or air chambers are open.
Suppose, for example, only two air chambers of the same size fixed vertically
upon an horizontal & movable axis; the air chamber which is at the bottom
of the water is full of air, while the one on the surface is empty. If the
fastening is opened, the air pressed by the body of water remounts imme-
diately from the lower into the upper air chamber, & lifts up a piston rod with
a force in proportion to the size, or rather, to the surface of the air chamber.

page_text: The piston rod, upon the axis of which is fixed a fly wheel, transmits the
motion to the axis from the tank, either by means of toothed wheels or galls,
chains, or a connecting rod with an excentric, so that every turn of the piston
forces down the chamber filled with air to the bottom of the tank, whilst the
other ascends, & so on in succession, & thus a continual motion is obtained.
If a greater number of air chambers be placed on a wheel or diaphragm, &
the pressure of several air chambers is applied to fill a single one, incalculable
force may be obtained. The fastenings are opened & shut successively by
the motion of the apparatus, by means of pins or projections fixed in the inside
of the tank.
This motor is applicable to all branches of industry, & may be employed in
scales, cranes, & presses; it would be useless to explain the innumerable
advantages of this machine, it is sufficient to say that the construction is both
simple & easy, it costs very little, it requires no combustible or other
expansible substance, & produces neither noise, dust, smell, or smoke; it may
be placed in the centre of towns, & on every floor of a house without incon-
venience to any one. In applying it to railroads & navigation, its speed
may be increased to any extent without fear of fire, explosion, or any other
danger.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CANDLESTICKS AND LAMPS, IN ORDER TO RENDER THEM SELF- EXTINGUISHING
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Daniel Fryer at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th March
1861.
I, DANIEL FRYEB, of Carlton Square, Old Kent Road, County of Surrey,
Tanner, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CANDLESTICKS AND LAMPS, IN ORDER TO RENDER THEM SELF-
EXTINGUISHING," to be as follows:-
I propose to construct my lamp or candlestick, which is intended to be
chiefly used as a candle lamp for bed rooms, in such a way that after any given
time the candle will be extinguished by the lamp. I effect this as follows:-
Over my candle I place a bell-mouthed glass shade, on the top or mouth of
which there is a lid, which when closed fits accurately, and turns on a hinge;
on the back, or what may be called the outer face of this lid, I arrange a
small tube having a bulb at each end with a stop-cock in the middle. In the
upper bulb I place mercury or other liquid; when the lid is open and the
liquid is within the upper bulb, it is balanced or inclined to stand open, but by
opening the cock and allowing the liquid to fall into the lower bulb, as soon as
it has all fallen down, the equilibrium of the lid is disturbed, and it falls over
the mouth of the shade and extinguishes the lamp. By opening the screw or
cock to a greater or less degree, the time of running off the liquid is diminished
or increased, and the light may be extinguished in any time that may be
wished by the regulation of the cock.
IMPROVEMENTS IN DOOR SPRINGS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Coulter at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th June
1861. A communication from abroad by John Oliver Blythe, of German
Town, Philadelphia, in the United States of America.
I, HENRY COULTER, of Philadelphia, in the United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DOOR
SPRINGS," (communicated to me from abroad by John Oliver Blythe, of German
Town, Philadelphia, in the United States of America) to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved arrangement of mechanism consti-
tuting a door spring possessing the properties of more uniform resistance, and
also of keeping a door either partially or entirely open or closed, as desired.
To effect this I employ a casting of metal having a long slot or opening formed
through the face thereof, in which is fitted a bent lever or arm connected
thereto by a pin, which is the fulcrum thereof; the back of this lever is formed
of a cam shape at one end, and the opposite end of said lever is cranked or
bent downwards, such bent part being intended to fit in a long slot or mortice
made in the top edge of a door; the casting containing the aforesaid lever or
arm is fitted into the top part of the framework (to which the door is hinged),
and flush therewith on the face, so that when the door is closed the aforesaid
bent lever is concealed in the slot in the casting and mortice in the top edge
of the door. To the back of the aforesaid casting I affix a long flat wedge-
shaped steel spring, the thinner part of which presses upon the edge of the
before-mentioned cam of the aforesaid bent lever, and thus presses this shorter
arm of the lever outwards, and the other arm, which is considerably longer

page_text: inwards, and thus the door may be kept closed;- but upon opening the door,
say, half way, for
for example, the highest point of the cam having been brought
at right angles to the flat spring against which the cam presses, as before-
mentioned, the door will be kept open, and can only be allowed to close by
pushing or pulling the door inwards. By thus constructing a door spring and
connecting same to a door, the leverage of the door on the spring increases, as
the resistance offered by the spring increases and decreases in the same ratio,
by which a spring of nearly uniform resistance is obtained. I propose, if
desirable, to form the cam of such shape as to keep the door open at several
different angles instead of only at one angle.