matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES, USUALLY TERMED VESUVIANS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Barker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th May
1863.
I, ROBERT BARKER, of Grafton Road, Upper Holloway, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MATCHES, USUALLY TERMED VESUVIANS,"
to be as follows:-
My invention consists, first, in making the splints or stems of vesuvians of
pipe-clay or other argilaceous material, which may be fired or kilned and at
same time retain sufficient strength in itself for the purposes of the match or
vesuvian. I mould stems or splints of pipe-clay in suitable moulds and of
the proper length for two lights, that is to say, they are furnished with the
igniting material at each end. Instead of moulding them singly, they may be
moulded a number at a time, and united end to end in sticks, so to speak, a
partial severance being made between each, so that they may be readily broken
asunder after kilning or burning, or they may be moulded by expressing them
through holes in a box or chamber. I sometimes make the splints with enlarged
or bulbous ends to receive the igniting material, which thus readily attains the
necessary size without much dipping, and with just sufficient of the igniting
material for the purpose for which the match is intended. Vesuvian matches
thus made retain the ignited material better than wood, and cannot be burnt as
the wood splint is when the match is ignited. Instead of firing the argilaceous

page_text: material, it may attain sufficient strength and consistency by compression and
drying alone.
I am aware that vesuvian splints or stems have been before made of incom-
bustible material, such as metal and glass, and that wood splints have been
partially protected from combustion by clay, but which are all more or less
imperfect as compared with stems or splints made entirely of argilaceous
material according to my Invention.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CARDING WOOL OR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Eastwood and Benjamin
Matthews at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 8th December 1868.
We, HENRY EASTWOOD, of Elland, in the County of York, Machine Maker,
and BENJAMIN MATTHEWS, of the same Place, Mechanic, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR CARDING WOOL OR OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, firstly, to the feed apparatus, and consists in the
application of an endless spirally grooved roller for traversing the slivers on
the feed apron, instead of the belt heretofore used for that purpose, by which
a certain or positive action or motion thereof is produced, thereby obtaining
greater regularity of feed.
Secondly, it relates to the doffer, and consists in the employment of thin
rings of steel or other suitable material, placed betwixt the rings of cards on
the doffer projecting beyond the surface or points of the card teeth, and
entering grooves formed on the swift or betwixt the card teeth thereon, so as
to divide the wool or other fibre into strips as it is transferred to the doffer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES OR COMMON ROAD LOCOMOTIVES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Faulds at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st January
1868.
I, ROBERT FAULDS, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Waggon Builder and Smith, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRACTION ENGINES OR COMMON ROAD LOCOMOTIVES,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention of improvements in traction engines or common road loco-
motives has principally for object the propelling and steering or manoeuvring
thereof in a more efficient manner than has been hitherto attained. The
Invention consists, in the first place, in applying the propelling power (which
may be obtained by steam-engine details arranged in any convenient way),
two or more pairs of wheels, whereby the necessary "bite" of the ground
will be obtained without excessive weight and other inconvenience, whilst the
ascending of inclined roads or the drawing of extra loads will thereby be
greatly facilitated.
In carrying out this improvement according to one modification the driving
wheels are actuated by means of worms gearing with worm wheels attached
thereto or fixed on the axles thereof. These worms are, by preference, upon
two parallel shafts disposed horizontally and longitudinally, and driven by
means of bevil gearing from a transverse shaft, or by spur gearing from a
central longitudinal shaft worked by the engine at a comparatively quick
speed. Clutches, by preference of the frictional kind, are arranged in con-

page_text: venient positions for throwing the wheels on either side into or out of gear,
and the engine or carriage can be steered or manoeuvred by these means, as
the driving of the wheels on one side only will cause it to turn towards the
opposite side. Or the steering may be effected by means of a separate pair of
wheels upon a bogie or swivelling frame, in connection with which provision
may be made for causing the load to bear more or less upon them.
According to other modifications the driving wheels may be actuated by
spur or bevil gearing with clutches for throwing them separately into or
out of gear; or the propelling power may be applied to one pair and be
transmitted to the other pair or pairs by connecting rods, as in railway
locomotives.
The improved arrangements herein-before described are advantageously
applicable in making a common road locomotive to carry a heavy load instead
of or as well as drawing it upon another vehicle.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CIGARS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Harry Farncombe Hodson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th November 1863.
I, HARRY FARNCOMBE HODSON, of No. 179, Western Road, Brighton, in
the County of Sussex, Agricultural Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CIGARS," to be as follows:-
With the view of preserving intact during smoking the "point" or finished
top of a cigar, and affording a fuller and easier draught than is now obtained
by biting off the "tip" (which causes the "wrapper" to become unrolled and
the tobacco unduly saturated with saliva). I form, by punching, drilling, or
otherwise, one or more lateral perforations or holes through the top of the
cigar, at a suitable distance from the "point," either during manufacture, or
subsequently after the cigar is made and dried, preferring in the former case
the operation of punching, and in the latter that of drilling, or any other more
convenient process, whereby in the one case as in the other a thorough and
permanent perforation or hole may be effected by the actual removal of a portion
of the cigar, corresponding in size and shape with the said perforation or hole.
I also obtain the same object by boring or cutting out one or more lateral
holes partially into instead of wholly through the top of the cigar, say, as far
as or near the centre at a suitable distance from the "point," and likewise by
boring or cutting out a vertical hole in the top of the cigar down through the
"point," and making good the said "point" round the said hole, or by leaving
such a hole or space in the top of the cigar at the time of manufacture, and

page_text: finishing the "point" round the same further by lining a lateral hole or holes
made through the top of the cigar with a suitable tube or tubes (split, per-
forated, or otherwise, to maintain a through draught) and returning or
otherwise securing the ends or edges of the said tube or tubes to the sides of
the cigar; and, finally, by inserting a plain tube of suitable material in a
vertical hole or space made or left in the "point" of the cigar, and finishing
the "point" round the outer end or edge of the said tube.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR FINISHING TEXTILE FABRICS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Moxon Kirk at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
January 1863.
I, JOSEPH MOXON KIRK, of Halifax and Bradford, in the County of York,
Dyer and Finisher, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OF AND MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR FINISHING TEXTILE
FABRICS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that part or process in the finishing of textile
fabrics known as hot-pressing, and the improvements consist, firstly, in the
employment of thin metal plates instead of press papers for placing betwixt
the cutles or folds of the textile fabrics to be pressed, which plates are heated
by any suitable means previous to the placing of them in the folds.
Secondly, in the employment of a series of hollow metal plates arranged so
as to form a tier of shelves, leaving spaces betwixt in which to place the thin
metal plates to be heated by means of steam or other heating media being
passed through the said hollow plates. Such hollow plates may or may not
be enclosed by a casing and doors or otherwise so as to form an oven.
Thirdly, in the employment of a hand press for each piece or fabric by each
person engaged in folding and placing the hot plates in the fabrics.
By means of these improvements the process of hot-pressing can be effected
with greater facility and a better finish or gloss thereon can be produced than
heretofore.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HAY-MAKING MACHINES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Ryder and Matthew
Gutteridge at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 9th November 1863.
We, GEORGE RYDER, of the Church Gate Engine Works, and MATTHEW
GUTTERIDGE, of East Street, both in the Borough of Leicester, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HAY-MAKING
MACHINES," to be as follows:-
The following is our improved mode of constructing hay-making machines.
We have a double crank or excentric shaft which crosses the front of the
machine, said shaft having a connecting rod on each side of the machine
attached to flat sliding plates, in each of which a suitable angular groove or
slot is cut across for the purpose of acting in a wedge-like form on the reversing
fork, and by these means forcing said fork either backward or forward as
required. The motion to the said sliding plates may be given thereto by
turning partially round the before-named crank or excentric shafts by means
of a winch handle or otherwise, the last-mentioned fork sliding in a slot or
groove cast in the heads of the machine parallel with the solid main axle
which carries the aforesaid heads.
Another improvement in hay-making machines relates to the levers
employed to raise the heads, and consists in connecting said levers to the
crank shaft for the purpose of preserving the relative position of the grooved
sliding plates before mentioned with the heads of the machine as they are
raised or lowered.
IMPROVED FASTENINGS FOR SCARFS, RIBBONS, NECKTIES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF DRESS BY MEANS OF A RING WITH A SPRING CLASP OR CHAIN BAND OR PLIABLE SHANK
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Fulford Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st December 1863.
I, WILLIAM FULFORD BROWN, of No. 5, Westgate St., Gloucester, in the
County of Gloucestershire, Goldsmith, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVED FASTENINGS FOR SCARFS, RIBBONS, NECKTIES, AND
OTHER ARTICLES OF DRESS BY MEANS OF A RING WITH A SPRING CLASP OR CHAIN
BAND OR PLIABLE SHANK," to be as follows:-
Firstly, the half (or front segment) of a ring of suitable shape and design is
attached by means of a joint or pin to a straight or otherwise shaped back,
and being placed on the article to be fastened, is sbut or secured by means of
a spring snap, which is undone when required by means of lifting or pushing
a pin or other part connected with the latch spring, or acting in connection
with it or upon it.
Secondly, by means of a ring or band composed of several parts, jointed or
otherwise connected together, so as to form a kind of flat chain, which is
fastened in front by means of a spring or clasp, as shown in accompanying
Drawing.
Thirdly, by means of a ring with a suitable front and a pliable metal
back.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN STEEL SWORD HILTS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Burchley Watts at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th April
1863.
I, JOHN BURCHLEY WATTS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Sword Cutler, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVEMENT IN STEEL SWORD HILTS," to be as follows:-
Steel sword hilts have hitherto been made from a plate of steel of uniform
thickness, in which the part known as the "oval centre" (which bears the
devico or emblem of the regiment or corps) is formed in one piece with
the body of the hilt, by which the relief imparted to the device or emblem and
surrounding rim is limited to the thickness of the plate itself.
Now, my Invention consists in forming the "oval centre" for steel sword
hilts of a separate piece of any suitable metal, at the same time removing that
portion of the metal of the hilt where the "oval centre" requires to be situated,
and then fixing the separate piece of metal in such place in the sword hilt,
either by soldering, rivetting, or by any other suitable means. By this
arrangement I am enabled to make the "oval centre" of any suitable thickness
for forming the device or emblem and oval rim of the same, with such
an amount of relief as may be desired, thereby greatly improving its appear-
I prefer to make the separate "oval centre" of malleable cast iron, on
account of cheapness and facility in working the same, but I in no way limit
myself to the application of this metal only.

page_text: Although I have described my Invention as particularly applicable to the
"oval centre," yet it is obvious that the same process may be applied to any
other ornamental portion of the hilt to which it may be desired to impart a
greater amount of relief than is attainable by the thickness of the plate forming
the same.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF FABRICS BY LACE MACHINERY, AND IN MEANS OR. APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Crofts at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th June
1863.
I, WILLIAM CROFTS, of New Lenton, near Nottingham, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PRODUCTION OF FABRICS BY LACE MACHINERY, AND IN MEANS OR. APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to methods of applying hollow pile looping in
combination with transverse woven net and other weavings in lace machinery.
The pile threads to form the loops are obtained from extra warp threads by
the aid of extra instruments, and the loops produced may be in clusters in
rows or otherwise, or between pillars of plaited, twisted, or crossed work, and
between rows of transverse weft, or upon such transverse weaving, and some-
times I use two or more warp threads to each bobbin thread, and I cause some
of such warp threads to cross at the ends of the meshes or between the weft of
such meshes. These pile loops may be cut if desired. I also produce a flat
back to such terry or cut pile by causing the pile threads to pass and go round
several bobbin threads, and also around some of the piling instruments, by
this means I am able to make ridge and furrow fabric which may be cut in the
machine or afterwards. By these means I am enabled to obtain peculiar effects
in weaving by lace machinery applicable to the manufacture of curtains and
such like goods, dress fabrics and trimming. I also produce similar piled and
looped effects running longitudinally of the fabric, by causing narrow weavings
to run in that direction side by side with lace, or the stripes may be all in

page_text: narrow weavings joined together by varying kinds in suitable order, such as
tabby weaving or twisted crossed weaving, and I cause some or all of them to
be piled.
The Drawings shew instruments which I employ in connection with ordinary
working parts of twist lace machinery. By the use of the arrangement of
parts shewn by Figure 1 the instrument a is formed open at its upper part a¹
to admit of the end of the instrument b working therein. The pile thread in
forming pile is laid over or around the end of the instrument 6, the instrument
a with the front points serving to guide such threads into position.
Figure 2 is a modification of Figure 1, the same letters being used to
indicate corresponding parts, but in this case both back and front points may
operate in laying thread.
Figure 3 is another modification, in which a recess a² is formed in the
instrument a in place of a¹. In Figure 4 instruments c are operated to aid in
placing the pile thread over and around the instruments 6 for the formation of
loops. In Figure 5 the instruments & are for the purpose of holding out the
loops to the extent desired. In Figure 6 instruments e act on the pile thread
to draw the quantity required for the desired loops.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND DECORTICATING GRAIN
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL
Tert
wson Ager
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th March
1863.
I, WILSON AGER, of the City of New York, in the United States of America,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND DECORTICATING GRAIN," to
be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction, arrangement, and com-
bination of apparatus for cleaning rice and other grain, and decorticating or
removing the inner pelicle therefrom.
According to this Invention it is proposed to employ, for the purpose above
referred to, a modification of the well-known barley mill, but to adopt an
arrangement whereby a current or currents of air may be directed through the
rice or other grain during the operation of cleaning the grain and removing
the inner cuticle. For the better action of the currents of air upon the rice or
other grain a number of ledges or projections are fitted longitudinally to the
interior of the revolving screen or outer casing, which ledges serve to carry up
the grain and allow it to descend again to the bottom of the casing, the current
or currents of air being directed through the falling grain, and carrying off
the dust or flour produced by the action of the decorticating stones, thus
leaving the rice or other grain perfectly clean and free from the inner pelicle.
Various means may be employed for introducing the air, which will readily
suggest themselves to a mechanic, but the arrangement which I have found to

page_text: answer sufficiently well is to make the shaft which carries the stones of a
tubular or hollow form, and to perforate it with air holes, some of which
perforations may be made in the stones themselves. The currents of air serve
not only to carry off the dust, but also to keep down the temperature of the
stones, and thereby prevent the "glazing" or "gumming" of the surface of
the stones, which has hitherto been found to be a great objection in the
ordinary barley mills.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLSTER BOXES, OR BOXES FOR SCREWS OR PINS TO WORK IN, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Dennis Tivnann at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th
February 1868.
I, RICHARD DENNIS TIVNANN, of Wordsley Brass Foundry, in the County
of Stafford, Brassfounder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HOLSTER BOXES, OR BOXES FOR SCREWS OR PINS TO WORK
IN, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE THEREOF," to be as follows:-
Instead of the boxes for screws or pins to work in (that is tubular pieces
with internal screws corresponding with screws on the screws or pins to work
therein) such as what are termed holster boxes, used in forge machinery for
screwing down the rolls or mechanism, which, as now made, have both the
boxes and the screws, or screwed pins of iron, I use boxes of brass, gun-
metal, or copper for the iron or hard metal screws or pins to work in, and I
make such boxes by casting the same on to the screws or screwed pins intended
to work in the same with the threads thereon. The pattern of the outside
shape of these boxes being prepared in the usual manner, my design being to
save wear and tear and produce an article which shall, when useless for its
original purpose, be valuable as old metal.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS, COCKS, OR VALVES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Montgomerie Neilson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th October 1863.-A communication from abroad by Henri Jerimie
Cristen, of Paris, France.
I, WALTER MONTGOMERIE NEILSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engineer, do bereby declare the nature of the said Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS, COCKS, OR VALVES" communicated to me from
abroad by Henri Jeremie Cristen, of Paris, France, to be as follows, that is
to say:
This Invention of improvements in taps, cocks, or valves consists principally
in making the plugs or equivalent details thereof of leather or other similar
material, such as gutta percha or rubber, the body or plug seat or its lining
being of brass or other metal or material different from the material of the plug
or valve piece; and the object of the improvements is to render the tap, cock,
or valve less liable to grip, to leak internally, or to drip externally.
When the improved plug or valve piece is made of leather, it is built up of
washers or separate pieces which are put upon a spindle of a square or
equivalent form, being compressed into a sufficiently close and solid condition,
being retained by screws. The passage is formed by cutting away a
portion of the plug at one or both sides, or the passage may be formed through
and

page_text: the central spindle if this is made of a suitable size and form. When the
plug or valve piece is formed of gutta percha or rubber, a metal spindle may
or may not be used, and the passage may be formed in any convenient way.
Various more or less manufactured kinds of gutta percha or rubber may be
employed.
AN IMPROVED PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR FUMIGATING PURPOSES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Abraham Senior Coronel at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th
October 1863.
I, ABRAHAM SENIOR CORONEL, of No. 256, High Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR FUMIGATING PURPOSES," to be as
follows:-
This preparation of tobacco is intended principally to be used for the pur-
poses of fumigating plants in greenhouses and other places, for the purpose of
effecting the entire destruction of the small flies or other insects infesting the
same, without in any way injuring the plants themselves, and without leaving
any nauseous or disagreeable odour; but the same preparation may also be
employed for fumigating rooms or apartments for disinfecting or other similar
purposes.
In carrying this Invention into effect, I take leaf tobacco, divested of the
stalks, and place it in a wire or other seive, and agitate the same well, by
which means I extract all the sand and saltpetre and other impurities
therefrom. I then mix therewith a small quantity of pure powdered cascarilla
bark, and sprinkle over it a very small portion of the essence of valerian root,
and the tobacco so prepared may then be packed in parcels or canisters, and
is ready for use either by means of the ordinary fumigating apparatus or
otherwise. The addition of the valerian root to the tobocco attracts all the

page_text: insects and ensures their destruction, and the cascarilla bark imparts a
fragrant odour thereto, and removes or prevents the unpleasant odour arising.
from burning the tobacco by itself.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MASHING MACHINERY USED IN MAKING FERMENTED LIQUORS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Fry at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th February
1863.
I, JAMES FRY, of Chesham, in the County of Buckingham, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MASHING MACHINERY USED IN MAKING FERMENTED LIQUORS," to be as follows:-
My improvements consists, first, in regulating and indicating the supply of
malt in and to mashing machinery, so that the mashing shall be effected in a
better manner than heretofore. This regulating and indicating I effect by the
use of a fluted, corrugated, or ribbed roller, or a roller with boards, projections,
or rakes. This roller works in a box or case which has hinged thereto a
regulating flap or board, which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting
screw or mechanism, so as to regulate the amount of malt to be delivered to
the mashing machinery, and by marking the adjusting screw the indicating
will be attained, or this may be effected through the intervention of gearing
acting on an indicating dial. At the bottom (or near to the bottom) of this
regulating mechanism a slanting piece may be provided to be inserted into the
mouth of the mashing machinery to prevent back action of the malt and
liquor.
The mashing machinery I prefer to make with a longer tube than as
ordinarily practised, and placed perpendicularly (though the horizontal position
could be adopted) with the revolving rake working therein, and instead of one
tube and rake I can connect several tubes and rakes, so as to communicate
with each other and form a complete and compact system of mashing

page_text: machinery, and I also purpose jacketting these tubes with steam or hot air,
gas, or vapour jacketting, using a thermometer or other indicator for the
convenience of the operator. I also prefer to use an octagonal instead of a
square shaft or spindle revolving within the tubes provided with blades instead
of rakes, and this will enable rakes or blades to be fixed inside the tube to 5
act as cleaners.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE EXTRACTION OF SCENTS FROM PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND OTHER ODORIFEROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Richard Southby at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th
May 1863.
I, EDMUND RICHARD SOUTHBY, of Wareham, in the County of Dorset,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE EXTRACTION OF SCENTS FROM PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND OTHER ODORIFEROUS
SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
I extract the odoriferous part of plants, flowers, and other scent-yielding
substances by dissolving the same in the light spirit derived from pertroleum.
and other native oils, or from coal shale and other analagous substances by
destructive distillation, and commonly known as etherene.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REEFING AND FURLING SHIP'S SQUARE SAILS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Lapthorn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th.
February 1863.
I, WILLIAM HENRY LAPTHORN, of Broad Street, Portsmouth, in the County
of Hants, Ship Chandler, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REEFING AND FURLING SHIP'S SQUARE SAILS," to be as
follows:-
My improvements in reefing square sails consist in the application of cords
or ropes to the upper part of the sail, which descend from the yard, and are
rove through thimble loops worked on to the reef bands. I usually employ two
of these reefing lines toward each end of the yard, one being beyond the breadth
of the sail, and the other some distance within its limits, that beyond the
breadth of the sail being rove through thimbles carried by short tabs or loops
of rope projecting from the roping of the sail; the lower end of these outside
lines leads and is secured to the side ropes of the sail, the tabs above, through
which it leads, being of a length according to their position on the sail, to
make up for its decreasing breadth upwards, and to lead the line in a vertical
direction, and parallel with the other line or lines. The lines are carried over
pullies in the yard, and conducted toward the mast, and carried over other
pullies on the yard near to a mast up to the fixed point to which they lead ;
or instead of this being a fixed point at the mast, the cords may turn over
sheaves or pulleys, and thence deseend to the deck. After passing over the
first pullies near the end of the yard, the two cords may be united and pass
towards the mast as one; reef points may be applied to the reef bands as

page_text: usual, to make a snug reef, but this is not essential, as the lines described will
effect that object. To take in a reef, it is simply necessary to lower the yard
to the required extent, when the sail puckers or gathers up on the reefing lines
before described, they being held fast at the point on the mast, as described.
In addition to the two lines at the end of the yard mentioned, I apply
another one in the middle of the sail, and conduct it to a fixed point on the
mast; other intermediate reefing lines may be adopted between this centre one
and the extreme pairs before described, but I prefer five only, as it admits of
a closer and neater furling of the sail while close reefed.
In furling under such circumstances, the clews are hauled up as usual, and
while tension is exerted thereon, I slack out the reefing lines near the sides of
the sail, which allows the bulk of the furled sail to approach the middle of the
yard, and take up the same position as though the sail had been fully spread
at the time of furling.
AN IMPROVED WAGON BREAK
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th Sep-
tember 1863.
I, THOMAS SMITH, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Merchant,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED WAGON
BREAK," to be as follows:-
This Invention has particular reference to the breaks manufactured for
export, and so generally used in wagons at the Cape of Good Hope and other
places. It has been customary for the handle by which the break is worked
to consist of a straight bar of iron, similar to the handle or lever used in a
common bench vice. Now, by my Invention, in place of the straight bar or
lever, I construct a wheel, having a handle attached thereto; the boss of the
said wheel is then welded or otherwise attached to the upper end of the rod
which works the lever of the break, and when it is desired to apply the break,
the wheel is turned (by means of the handle), when pressure can be much
more easily and quickly applied, and in a much more effectual manner than
has hitherto been accomplished. The wheel by which motion is communi-
cated is, by preference, constructed of iron, and either of wrought or cast
metal, and may be of any convenient shape or size; when more power is
needed the size of the wheel must be increased, and the leverage obtained is
thereby increased in proportion. Two handles may also be employed instead
of one if required, though this Invention has particular reference to the kind
of wagons referred to it is obvious that it may be applied to other kinds of
railway cars and carriages.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING THE AXLES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Augustus Torrey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
October 1863. A communication from abroad by Joseph Wood, residing
at Red Bank, New Jersey, in the United States of America.
I, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS TORREY, of 65, Beaver Street, New York, in
the United States of America, at present residing at 17, Water Street,
Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of the
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING THE AXLES OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in lubricating the axles of
railway carriages. Heretofore, in some cases, the axles of railway carriages
have been lubricated by making the lower box a receptacle, which has been
filled with cotton waste saturated with oil, and the cotton waste coming in
contact with the portion of the axle which is in the bearing keeps it con-
stantly oiled, the capillary action of the cotton ensuring the bringing up of
the oil to the axle.
This arrangement is disadvantageous, however, as the cotton after a time
becomes charred, and it is then unfit for further use. Now, according to this
Invention, wood shavings, by preference, those of pine, are employed in place
of cotton waste, the lower box is made larger than when cotton is used, and at
starting as much oil is poured into it as it will hold in addition to the shavings.
It will be found that the pine shavings are not liable to cbar, and have sufficient
capillary power to bring up the oil as it is required, so that the box of a rail-
way axle when thus arranged and lubricated will frequently run for months.
without requiring any attention.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING T AND OTHER LIKE FASTENINGS AND ARTICLES TO WHICH THEY ARE APPLIED
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Herbert William Hart at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th
October 1863.
I, HERBERT WILLIAM HART, of Fleet Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUSPENDING T AND OTHER LIKE FASTENINGS AND ARTICLES
TO WHICH THEY ARE APPLIED," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing suspenders of a plate or piece of metal
or other suitable material in which a slot is formed, through which the legs of
the T-fastener are passed, and which is provided at the upper part with one or
two means of attachment in the form of a hole for passing over a nail, and of
a hook for hooking on to a cord, rail, or otherwise.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR PRESSING AND IRONING GARMENTS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Tait, of Limerick, Ireland, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR PRESSING AND IRONING
GARMENTS."
Sealed the 3rd May 1864, and dated the 24th November 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION filed by the said Peter Tait at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
November 1863.
I, PETER TAIT, of Limerick, Ireland, do hereby declare the nature of the
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR PRESSING AND IRONING
GARMENTS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus used for
pressing and ironing garments. For these purposes each iron is made hollow,
and of the size, weight, and shape desired, according to the nature of the
work to be performed; a handle is also to be applied at the upper part as
heretofore. To the upper part of the hollow iron one end of a flexible tube
is applied, the other end of which is in connection with a steam boiler. The
flexible steam pipe has a cock or valve, by which the supply of steam may be
shut off or regulated in its flow from the steam boiler or generator, or fixed
steam pipe communicating therewith, to which the flexible pipe is attached.
At the lower part of the hollow iron another flexible tube is attached, and in

page_text: such position as to carry off any water which may result from the condensation
of steam within the iron; the outer end of this flexible tube is connected
with a fixed pipe, by which the water is conveyed away. On this flexible
tube a cock or valve is also used to shut off or regulate the outgoing steam
and water from the iron.
AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY ENGINE
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hyde Bateman at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th September
1868.
I, HYDE BATEMAN, of Castlenau, Barnes, in the County of Surrey,
Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF ROTARY ENGINE," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a novel arrangement of rotary engine in which
steam may be made to work expansively. The engine shaft, which carries the
rotating piston, is mounted concentrically in the cylinder, and it is made
hollow, having two longitudinal passages, the one for admitting and the other
for exhausting the steam. The piston, which projects radially from the shaft,
sweeps round the cylinder, and in its course forces back into suitable recesses a
pair of hinged stops, which serve alternately to separate the supply from the
exhaust steam in the cylinder. The engine shaft rotates in two steam boxes
which respectively connect with the steam boiler and the condenser, or it may
be with the atmosphere, and the supply and exhaust passages within the shaft
communicate with these boxes respectively, so as to provide for the proper
supply of steam to the engine, and for the proper exhaust. The supply face
of the piston is grooved from end to end to form an inlet channel for the
steam, and for which purpose it communicates with the inlet passage of the
shaft, and the exhaust face of the piston is also grooved to form, with a lateral
opening in the shaft, a suitable exhaust outlet. The hinged stops have a ten-
dency to press inwards, which is produced by springs or otherwise, and thus

page_text: they will not only bear against the shaft when that is presented to them, but
also against the faces of the piston, thereby dividing the supply and exhaust
steam in the cylinder, the continued rotation of the piston throwing the supply
steam alternately on to the opposite sides of the stops. The piston is fitted
with elastic packing to ensure its fitting tightly against the periphery and
ends of the cylinder, and suitable provision is also made for the lateral
expansion of the hinged stops. The hinge preferred for the stops is a barrel
hinge working in an adjustable bearing. To facilitate the passing of the
stops by the rotating piston, a curved projecting piece is fitted to the piston to
slide over the face of the stops, and press them back into their recesses.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THRASHING MACHINES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Audinwood at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th November
1863.
I, WILLIAM AUDINWOOD, of Castle Donington, in the County of Leicester,
Proprietor of Steam Thrashing Machines, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THRASHING MACHINES," to be as
follows:-
My improvements consist in the employment of a plate, or of a contrivance
equivalent thereto, which encircles, surrounds, or extends round the thrashing
drum of the machine on or for a portion of its circumference; the amount of
circumference so surrounded or encircled may be regulated by the character
of grain to be thrashed. This plate or its equivalent I place between
the thrashing drum and the concave grate and screen, which grate partly
surrounds the drum in a thrashing machine. The plate or its equivalent may
be of any required character, and may either wholly or partially cover the said
concave grate and screen, and I secure it in such manner as to allow of its
being adjusted at any required distance from the drum.
The employment of a plate or similar contrivance, as above described,
prevents the splitting and dispersion of the matters while being thrashed, and
it also prevents the clogging of the grate or grid, as the plate will carry the
straw direct through the machine.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING STOVES AND APPARATUS
Year: 1863

page_text: October 1863.
I, LOUIS NAPOLEON LE GRAS, of Rathbone Place, Oxford Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING STOVES AND APPARATUS," to be
as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing cooking stoves and apparatus in
manner hereafter described, that is to say:-
I make a double case, by preference round or oval, closed at top except to
two pipes, as bereafter stated, and connected at bottom by a continuation of
the case with a central aperture for the adınission of air; this case is
intended to hold water or other liquid to be heated. Near the bottom of the
inner wall of the case, and over the aperture for the admission of air, I place
a grating for containing charcoal or other fuel, or I fit gas burners; I drop into
the case, but leaving space all round at top between it and the liquid holder, a
vessel with conical sides divided into various compartments suited for baking
and cooking any articles of food placed therein. A pipe leads from the top of
the liquid holder into the bottom of another case for the purpose of conveying
steam to other vessels placed therein, the bottom or sides or both of which are
perforated, and are intended to contain such articles of food as can be cooked
by steam. A second pipe leads from another part of the top of the liquid holder
into the bottom of a pan with a cover, which may be used for cooking eggs and
other articles.
IMPROVEMENTS IN DRIVING SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Lewis at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th February
1863.
I, JAMES LEWIS, of No. 5, Wych Street, Strand, in the County of Middle-
sex, Engineer and Model Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRIVING SEWING MACHINES," to be as
follows:-
These improvements consist principally in driving sewing machines by
means of coiled springs, or by coiled cords (or chains) and weights, instead of
driving them by means of a treadle worked by the foot, or by steam, or other
similar power, as hitherto invariably practised.
In carrying out this Invention for portable machines, I prefer to employ
spring mechanism, somewhat similar to ordinary clockwork, with this variation,
that the springs must be much stronger, and multiplying wheels must be used
to increase the speed, so as to give the requisite number of revolutions to the
driving shaft of the sewing machine for each turn of the spring barrel.
Any ordinary arrangement for stopping and starting the machine when
wound up may be employed, but I prefer to use a friction break pressing
against the periphery of a drum or pulley on the driving shaft, and brought to
bear by means of a treadle worked by the foot, so that upon pressing down
the treadle the machine is stopped instantaneously, and upon releasing the
same it is set in action again. If it is required to stop the machine a length

page_text: of time, a locking pin may be inserted in the drum or other part of the
machine.
For driving fixed sewing machines coiled cords or chains and weights may
be employed either to drive separate machines direct, or to drive shafting from
which the machines are driven by bands and pullies. In both cases instead
of applying the key for winding up the springs or weights direct to the axle
of the drum, in or on which the springs or cords are coiled, I employ a sepa-
rate winding shaft or stud connected to the drum shaft by gearing so as to
get increased power.
IMPROVEMENTS IN METAL SCREENS AND SIEVES FOR SCREENING AND SIPTING, APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER OPENWORK ARTICLES
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Hicklin at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th June
1863.
I, WILLIAM HICKLIN, of Balls Pond, in the County of Middlesex, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN METAL
SCREENS AND SIEVES FOR SCREENING AND SIPTING, APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER
OPENWORK ARTICLES, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in substituting for the ordinary interwoven or
interlace wirework for screens, and sieves. used for screening and sifting for
building purposes, for coal screening, corn sifting, and other purposes, and for
other openwork. articles, such as openwork fencing, gates, and so forth. My
new arrangement of wires or rods consists of wires or rods driven or let into
cross bars, which bars should be closed upon the said rods or wires to hold the
whole firmly together; and I can make the side pieces with screw holes or
otherwise, whereby the whole may be secured to wooden frames, posts, or
otherwise, or I can dispense with this part of the arrangement if necessary.
By these arrangements I obtain screens or openwork of of greater strength and
durability than has hitherto been obtained.
AN IMPROVED HOISTING AND LOWERING APPARATUS
Year: 1863

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Stevens at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th November
1863. A communication from abroad by Jean Robin and Pierre
Dumas, both of No. 18, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of
France.
I, CHARLES STEVENS, of the Firm of Stevens and Henderson, of 31,
Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED HOISTING AND LOWERING
APPARATUS," & that it has been communicated to me from abroad by Jean
Robin and Pierre Dumas, both of No. 18, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the
Empire of France, to be as follows:-
The object of the present Invention is a machine for raising and lowering
heavy objects of all descriptions, and from the combination of the various
parts the force of two men can effect what with other machines would require
twelve, fourteen, and even sixteen men. The apparatus consists of a wheel
formed of two discs, united by iron bars at equal distances, which are acted
upon by two toothed racks so arched as to gear with the iron bars; to the
bottom of each rack is attached the end of a lever which oscillates on a pivot
a short distance from the rack; the other end of the lever is attached to a
jointed connecting rod, by which it is connected with the crank; each rack is
furnished with a spring, which presses it against the iron bars, causing it to
gear with them. Thus when the crank is put in motion the levers are raised,
each in turn, and so bring down the rack, which, gearing with the teeth or

page_text: iron bars on the discs, causes the wheel and windlass connected with it to
revolve and raise the object. When used for lowering weights iron rods.
which are attached to the upper ends of the racks are connected with two
elbow irons, turning on a pivot and put in motion by cams fixed on the shaft
of the crank, and so in turn drawing back each rack, which the levers above
mentioned lower.