matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-GALVANIC APPARATUS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE- MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ELECTRO-GALVANIC APPARATUS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Puls at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th June 1854.
I, FRANCIS PULS, of Whitechapel Road, Philosophical Instrument Maker.
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ELECTRO-GALVANIC APPARATUS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER ELECTRO-GALVANIC APPARATUS," to be as
follows, that is to say:-
My said improvements have especial reference to the construction of a
pocket electro-galvanic apparatus for medical purposes, by which a more
powerful and beneficial action on the human body may be obtained than from
any hitherto in use. My said apparatus is comprised in an oblong box of
convenient size, divided into two longitudinal compartments, one of which
contains the battery, in a tray of gutta percha, or other suitable insulating
material; & the other, which is divided breadthways, the conductors & the
apparatus for the induced current. The battery is constructed of plates of any
metals at present in use for the purpose, but so arranged that each plate,
whether of negative or positive metal, shall be rigidly connected with the next
plate but two before (or after it, in the battery, or with the next plate but one
of the opposite quality to itself,) by an extension of either of the plates along
the side of the battery to meet the other plate, the only exception being
with the second plate from one end of the pile, which is detached. And in

page_text: the apparatus for the induced current, I causo a piece of hard steel to be
soldered over one end of the electric wire, which is wound over a bunch of soft
iron wire, of a thin rolled iron plate, & at the end of the said hard steel I
place a small plate of platina, flat or rounded; and I place, in connection
with the said plate, a platina or platinised spring, which I connect with one
pole of the galvanic battery. The piece of hard steel is adjustable, & by
beng pressed more or less against the spring, will increase or decrease the
intensity of the shocks, at the operator's pleasure. To the spring is attached a
piece of metal suspended by the centre, upon the lower end of which is
fastened a small plate of soft iron, by means of which the contact is broken.
I employ at the place of interruption no points, but flat or rounded plates,
which prove less liable to oxidation by the electric spark, & cause it to
spread further. This arrangement also produces a more agreeable sensation
than when the electricity springs from a point to a plate, or the reverse, at
the place of interruption. The parts of the abovo improvements which refer
to the arrangement of the plates in the battery, & the flat or rounded plates
employed at the place where contact is broken, are applicable to other electro-
galvanic apparatus than those used for medical purposes, in order to give
greater intensity to the action & to obviate oxidation.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SELF-ADJUSTING GLOVES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Bennett Foulkes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
January 1854.
1, THOMAS BENNETT FOULKES, of the Firm of Abel and Thomas Bennett
Foulkes, of the City of Chester, in the County of Chester, Glove Manufac-
turers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SELF-ADJUSTING GLOVES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in manufacturing gloves with a gore of clastic
material inserted at the wrist part thereof. The mode hitherto practised of
rendering gloves self-adjusting at the wrist of the wearer has been to affix to
such part of the glove strips or short lengths of elastic material upon the
surface of the material of which the glove is made. The objection to which is,
that gloves thus made soon become loose at such part, by reason of the ends of
the elastic either tearing away from those parts of the gloves to which they
are affixed, or from the material losing its clasticity, or from other causes.
This Invention proposes therefore to remedy this objection by the employment
of gores of elastic material securely fixed into the wrist part of the glove, at
which part the material of which the glove is made is cut or divided, to receive
the above-mentioned elastic gore, which thus forms a part of the glove; and
this Invention applies to gloves made with or without gauntlets, and to washing
gloves, as well as to gloves made from kid or leather.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN DYEING TEXTILE MATERIALS OR FABRICS
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Greenwood, of Irwell Springs, near Bacup, in
the County of Lancaster, Turkey Red Dyer, for the Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN DYEING TEXTILE MATERIALS OR FABRICS."
Sealed the 13th April 1854, and dated the 13th February 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Greenwood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
February 1854.
I, JOHN GREENWOOD, of Irwell Springs, near Bacup, in the County of Lan-
caster, Turkey Red Dyer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN DYEING TEXTILE MATERIALS OR FABRICS to be
as follows:-
My Invention consists in the employment, application, or use of the
mucilaginous matter of linseed or lintseed, that is, the seed of the common
flax, along with the coloring matter.
The mucilage mixed and used with the coloring matter has the effect/ of
adding brilliancy to the dye, and heightening the color, more especially when
employed in madder dyeing.
Im- PROVEMENTS IN PRINTING FABRICS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.).
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PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Cyprien Poisson and Louis
Jacques Martin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 16th March 1854.-Partly a communication.
We, CYPRIEN Poisson, Gentleman, of Paris, and LOUIS JACQUES MARTIN,
Engineer, of Paris, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN PRINTING FABRICS" (being partly a communication from Henri
Louis Talle, of Paris,) to be as follows:-
The object of our Invention is to fix colour on fabrics.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS.
1st. Preparation of the fabrics.-1°, in a pint & three quarters (un litre)
of water mixed with a pint & three quarters (un litre) of liquid ammonia or
volatile alkali, we steep the fabrics for ten minutes, & then dry them, after
which we imprint with colour, as follows:-
2d. Preparation of the said colour.-2°, we take five parts of baked linseed
oil, & one part of liquid ammonia; we saponify the five parts of oil with the
one part of liquid ammonia; we grind the colour, & then imprint the fabrics,
either in the manner used by lithographers or with the ordinary machines of
cotton printers.
3°, when the fabrics have been prepared and printed as above directed,
two days after the printing we make two separate baths, one composed of four

page_text: ounces & a half (125 grammes) of rock alum dissolved in a pint & three
quarters (1 litre) of water, & the other composed of a pint & three quarters
(1 litre) of liquid ammonia mixed in a pint & three quarters (1 litre) of
water.
4°, the fabrics when printed are passed through the alum bath, & immediately
afterwards through the alkali bath, in order to obtain a precipitate of alumina
upon the fabrics, which perfectly fixes the colour.
We reserve the right of using all the alkalies, either in crystal or liquid,
either in the preparation of the colours, or for saponifying, or for steeping the
fabrics.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN MANUMOTIVE CARRIAGES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Eugène König at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st August 1854.
I, EUGÈNE KÖNIG, of 72, Rue du Temple, Paris, in the Empire of France,
Upholsterer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MANUMOTIVE CARRIAGES" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of wheeled
carriages in such manner that the occupants thereof may propel them from
within by a simple action of one hand. The wheels and framework of such
vehicles may be variously arranged, but a preferable form is that of an elegant
arm chair, resting at its hinder part upon the axle of a pair of large discon-
nected running wheels. The front portion of the frame projects forward at a
descending angle from the carriage seat, and it terminates in a horizontal
piece cut out to allow of the swivelling action of a small front supporting and
steering wheel. On one side of this extreme projection is an upwardly curved
arm fitted with a loose swivel bearing, for the reception of one end of the short
stud spindle of the front wheel. This front steering wheel is thus held entirely
from one side, leaving the other side clear for the manual crank action. This
free side of the wheel has in its rim, or in one side of its arms, a laterally pro-
jecting crank stud pin, for the reception of the jointed end of the occupant or

page_text: driver's hand rod. The jointed end of this rod is slightly cranked, to enable it
to work clear of the wheel and framing, and its opposite end, fitted with a cross
handle, projects back into the carriage, so that the occupant, by drawing the rod
back and forward, can act upon the crank pin and turn the wheel, which
by its adhesion to the ground thus draws forward the carriage in the manner
of an ordinary locomotive engine. At the same time any diverging of the
handle to the right or left necessarily swivels round the front wheel, and steers
the carriage in the desired path.
AN IMPROVED AMALGAMATOR
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Brokenshar at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th March
1854.
I, BENJAMIN BROKENSHAR, of Saint Austell, in the County of Cornwall,
Mining Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED AMALGAMATOR" to be as follows, viz. :-
I construct a chamber or cistern (into which
(into which I convey ore that has been
already crushed or pulverized) by a launder or duct connected with the
stamping or crushing machines; and at the lower end of this cistern I provide
a pipe which descends therefrom, and is connected to the bottom of the amal-
gamating chamber, which is a vessel wherein are vertical teeth set in a frame
or in arms, which receive motion from a suitable shaft or spindle, so as to
agitate the contents of the said amalgamating chamber.
In the cistern aforesaid there is a ball or float which is connected by gearing
to a stop-cock, situate near the point where the pipe aforesaid opens into the
amalgamating chamber, and in case more than one pipe or branches open into
the amalgamating chamber, then the gearing connects the float with more
than one stop-cock, whereby the said stop-cock or stop-cocks will be actuated
according to the rise in the cistern, which will always secure a proper supply
of ore to the amalgamating chamber.

page_text: The amalgamating chamber is always to be kept supplied with mercury as
desired, and this chamber is provided with a suitable outlet for the sand and
water.
It might in some cases be desirable to multiply some of the above parts in
regard to the others.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING SHIPS AND VESSELS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard James Morrison at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th December 1854.
I, RICHARD JAMES MORRISON, of Old Brompton, in the County of Middlesex,
Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING SHIPS AND VESSELS" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in placing screw propellers in the fore part of the
vessel between a false cutwater, which I construct in front of the actual cut-
water of the vessel, and in which the fore end of the screw shaft has its
bearing. My Invention also consists in the employment of two propellers in
such fore part of the vessel, one placed over the other.
IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAINING, AND IMITATING MARBLE, FANCY AND OTHER WOODS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Bellamy at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th November
1854.
I, JOHN BELLAMY, of Upper St., Islington, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAINING, AND IMITATING MARBLE,
FANCY AND OTHER WOODS," to be as follows:-
My Invention of improvements in imitating ornamental woods & marbles
consists of a method of graining or marbling the natural surface of deal or
other ordinary wood or material, thus dispensing with the three or four coats
of oil colour usually applied before the grainer begins his work.
I stain the panel or other surface with a colour made to imitate the natural
wood. This ground colour is to be laid on with a sash tool, in the ordinary
manner of preparing a panel for graining. The "lights" or veins are to be
"taken out" by passing a cylinder over the surface. The cylinder is made to
imitate the veining and natural appearance of the wood, as described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to Edmund Barber, and enrolled in
the Court of Chancery on or about the 11th day of April 1846, of which
Letters Patent I am the sole assignee. The wood, being imitated thus far,
-may,-where-required,-be-" overgrained" in the usual manner, or other "veins
put in, or additions made to the-work, according to the nature of the material
to be imitated. By the foregoing method of graining, many woods of inferior

page_text: quality may be made equal to the finest specimens in appearance. When the
marbling or graining is finished, the work may be varnished or French polished,
as desired. Although I prefer to use the tools, &c. described in Barber's
Specification, I do not confine myself to the use of those alone; in some cases
it may be of advantage to use the ordinary graining tools. I reserve a right to
vary the details of my method of graining and decorating the natural surface of
wood and other surfaces.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FACILITATING A REFERENCE TO BOOKS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Duncan Forbes at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st April 1854.
I, DUNCAN FORBES, of Edinburgh, Scotland, Student of Divinity, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FACILITATING
A REFERENCE TO BOOKS " to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in combining the insertion- at suitable parts of the
volume of a projecting index, shewing at a glance the different books or
divisions of the contents of the said volume, with the formation of an index to
the contents of each leaf between each of such books or divisions on the margin
of the said volume.
The projecting indexes may be fixed in any convenient manner to the
volume, and when the latter is closed will point out the several books or
divisions of its contents.
The leaves between each book or division of the volume are intended to be
cut on the margin, so as to display at the front of each division the contents of
each leaf therein, somewhat in the manner in which it is usual to form an index
of letters at the front part of an account book.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS FOR ARRESTING OR CHECKING THE PROGRESS OF TRAINS ON RAILWAYS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Gustave Emile Bernard Collasson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th July 1854.-A communication.
I, GUSTAVE EMILE BERNARD COLLASSON, of Paris, in the French Empire,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS FOR ARRESTING OR CHECKING THE PROGRESS OF
TRAINS ON RAILWAYS" to be as follows:-
I construct and arrange the brakes of railway carriages in such manner that
they are capable of being put in operation either by steam or by hand at plea-
For this purpose I affix a steam cylinder to each brake carriage, and I
connect this steam cylinder with a steam pipe extending the length of the
carriage, and united by means of flexible or jointed pipes, and suitable stuffing
boxes with the similar pipes on the adjoining carriages, so as to form one long
steam pipe extending the whole length of the train. The steam cylinder on
each carriage is provided with a piston and a piston rod, passing through
stuffing boxes at both ends of the cylinder. One end of the piston rod is con-
nected with a lever or levers for putting on the brakes, and the other end is
connected to a lever capable of being worked by hand, by means of a screw or
otherwise; a spring is provided for drawing the brakes away from the wheels.
By this arrangement the brakes may be put on either by hand or by intro-

page_text: ducing steam into the cylinders. A three-way cock is placed on the steam
pipe close to each cylinder, by means of which the steam pipe may be placed
in communication with the corresponding pipe on the next carriage, or with
another pipe communicating with the atmosphere. When the carriages are
all connected together in the train, all the cocks are adjusted, so as to effect a
communication through the whole length of pipe.
so as to allow of a limited communication with the atmosphere, and a slight
current of steam from the boiler of the locomotive engine, or from the waste
steam of the engine, is allowed to flow through the pipes to keep them hot.
The last cock is adjusted
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF CONSUMING SMOKE
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joshua Brown at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd August 1854.
I, the said JOSHUA BROWN, of Stockport, in the County of Chester, Superin-
tendent of Police, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF CONSUMING SMOKE " to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in effecting a consumption of smoke arising from
furnaces or other such apparatus, by causing the products of combustion to
return to the fire after they are evolved by the agency of the draft of air used for
keeping up the combustion; to this end, I close the front of the fire-place and
ash pit as nearly as possible, so that no air, or but a small quantity, can there
enter, and I open a communication between the flue or chimney and the fire at
any convenient situation (in addition to the usual opening to the chimney), by
which arrangement the air necessary for the support of combustion must come
from the flue or chimney, and will carry with it the smoke, so as to submit it
to the heat of the fire. In order to prevent access of air during firing, the fuel
may be supplied by a hopper in any suitable position. A small door accurately
fitted may be adapted for the purpose of stoking, and other accurately fitting
doors to the ash pit.
A MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR USING UP ALL THE SMOKE OF FURNACES AND OTHER FIRE-PLACES
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Flowerdew Sadler at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th September 1854.
I, WILLIAM FLOWERDEW SADLER, of 96, Tooley Street, Southwark, in the
County of Surrey, Millwright, Engineer, and Manufacturer to the Government
of Submarine Apparatus for the Recovery of Sunken Property, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "A MACHINE OR APPARATUS FOR
USING UP ALL THE SMOKE OF FURNACES AND OTHER FIRE-PLACES" to be as
follows:-
By the application of a screw, fan, pump, or other ventilator, in a channel
constructed to communicate with the furnace or fire-place at one or both
ends, to concentrate and direct all the smoke, caloric, and other draughty
matter arising from the furnace or other fire-place; and by rotation or similar
or other movement, cause the same to return through the said channel into
the fire again for consumption of the whole of the smoke from the furnace or
fire-place; the machine or apparatus thus constructed to be worked by
animal, mechanical, or its own power. The end and object are the creation of
a draught from the end of the furnace or fire-place through a channel into the
fire again, and that thereby the escape of all caloric, smoke, and other draughty
matter of furnaces and other fire-places may be prevented, and the smoke
consumed.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN PURIFYING COAL NAPTHA AND TURPENTINE
Year: 1854

page_text: was
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Augustin Godefroy at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th July 1854.
I, PETER AUGUSTIN GODEFROY, of 3, Kings Mead Cottages, New North
Road, Islington, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PURIFYING COAL NAPTHA AND TURPENTINE" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in treating and distilling
coal naptha and turpentine, and consists of the employment of a suitable
stirring apparatus, to stir in strong acid and then water, and to distil the same
with free steam.
For this purpose the crude coal naptha or turpentine is placed in a vat or
vessel, having a vertical shaft or axis, with several horizontal arms or pro-
jections; strong sulphuric acid is poured in, and the stirring is conducted for
a time, then a quantity of water is introduced and stirred in; the whole is
then to be distilled by the aid of free steam.
AN IMPROVED SHACKLE HOOK
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Blake at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd May 1854.
I, JOHN BLAKE, of Greenock, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED SHACKLE HOOK" to be as follows:-
My improved shackle hook is constructed so as to support the point of the
hook, and thus to prevent the hook from unbending when exposed to a great
strain or weight. This I effect by means of a loop link or tie-rod, which forms
part of the shackle, and is so placed that when the hook is in the position
which it assumes when the strain is upon it, the point of the hook enters the
loop or link, and is thus supported. When the strain is removed, the point
of the hook may be readily withdrawn from the loop or link, so as to allow of
its being hooked and unhooked. My improved shackle hook is thus self-
acting, as the strain upon it causes it to assume the proper position.
The shackle may be. variously formed, according to the purpose for which it
is required. Thus it may be formed as a loop or link of a chain when it is
required to be attached to a chain for a crane or other purpose; or the
shackle may form the end of the draw bar of a railway carriage when the
hook is employed for the purpose of attaching the draw links or chains.

page_text: Various other forms may be given to the shackle, but in all cases the aforesaid
loop link or tie-rod is fixed to or forms part of it, and is placed in such a
position that the point of the hook is supported by it when the strain is on
the hook.
A NEW AND IMPROVED MODE OF ATTACHING PROPELLERS TO SHIPS AND VESSELS OF ALL CLASSES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Lewis Cruger at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th April
1854. A communication.
I, LEWIS CRUGER, of the City of Washington, District of Columbia, United
States of America, now residing at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, West-
minster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW AND
IMPROVED MODE OF ATTACHING PROPELLERS TO SHIPS AND VESSELS OF ALL CLASSES"
to be as follows, viz. :-
The driving shaft of propellers is by this improvement made in two parts,
united outboard of the ship (or other vessel) by a universal joint placed
between the vessel and the rudder (or rudder post), the outer short piece of
the shaft passing through boxes in the rudder and projecting a sufficient length
to receive the propeller. By means of the universal joint the helmsman has
control over the propeller as well as over the rudder, and is enabled to turn
the vessel in a much smaller circle and with less helm than can be done with
the ordinary rudder alone. The propeller can also be used by this improve-
ment as a steering apparatus of great power without a regular rudder, by
hanging it on a swinging crane or swinging post without a rudder, and
attaching the wheel (or tiller) ropes to it. By this Invention or improvement,
the universal joint itself is not claimed as an original Invention; but what is
claimed as new, and sought to be secured by Letters Patent, is, the use and
application of the universal joint (or its equivalent, such as bevil gearing, or
the like,) to and its combination with the driving shaft, upon which the

page_text: propeller is fastened, and using the propeller itself as a powerful steering
as well as a driving or forcing apparatus, when used either with a rudder or
with a swinging post or crane. And there is also hereby claimed as new,
the Invention or improvement of placing the propeller abaft the rudder; all
which can be more fully shown and explained by Drawings and a model in
the possession of this Petitioner, when necessary to produce them, for the
issuing of the Letters Patent hereby prayed for.
EFFECTING CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF LAYING, DIRECTING, AND AIMING WITH ORDNANCE, SHIP, GARRISON, AND BATTERING GUNS, AND FIELD PIECES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Higginson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th August
1854.
I, FRANCIS HIGGINSON, of No. 65, King William Street, in the City of
London and County of Middlesex, Esquire, do hereby declaro the nature of
the said Invention for "EFFECTING CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
LAYING, DIRECTING, AND AIMING WITH ORDNANCE, SHIP, GARRISON, AND BATTERING
GUNS, AND FIELD PIECES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION," to be as follows:-
Into the centre of the cascable or breech knob of any gun or cannon, a short
steel index pin or pointer is inserted, which will therefore always stand parallel
to and show the precise direction of the centre of the gun's bore, without
reference to its external surface, angle, or line of metal; practically, this
index pointer will have precisely the same advantages, as regards showing
the direction of the centre of the gun's bore, that would be derived from
aiming at any object, by means of a hole pierced through the centre of the
gun's breech, as is sometimes practised by learners with wooden guns or
quakers bored through the cascable, for the purposes of instruction; and the
use of this index pin will therefore do away with the necessity of disparting the
guns externally to show the level of the bore. Attached to the bed of the gun,
properly levelled and secured, or to any part of its carriage abaft or behind
the centre of the cascable index pin, a graduated metal arc or sweep (which
serves also as an upright centre sight) is fixed or fitted in a brass plate and

page_text: socket with a square tenant, to ship and unship, as desired. Upon this sweep
or arc, which will show a section of the circle that the gun describes with its
breech when elevated or depressed, the degrees of that circle must be clearly
marked and numbered, point blank being the nonius or horizontal level of the
centre of the gun's bore, and each degree above or below that point blank
mark will be degrees of depression or elevation, as indicated on the arc by the
cascable index pin. Thus, the distance of any object at sea being first ascer-
tained with a sextant, the gun's bore could be instantly laid at the degree of
elevation required for the shot to strike that object. Or, when battering to
breach walls, if the precise position in which the carriage of any gun stands
be marked or squared off upon a battery, platform, or deck, and the degree of
elevation on the arc at which the shot strikes any mark is accurately noted,
then, after every discharge, if_the_carriage be replaced in the same precise
position, and the gun adjusted to the same degree of elevation, it follows that
the object aimed at could be hit or stricken as often as might be required, and
this too with equal accuracy by night as by day if the mark is immoveable,
so that intervals of darkness need not suspend the prosecution of siege or other
opperations..
AN IMPROVED MODE OF OBTAINING ALCOHOL
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jules Joseph Louis Fournier at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th
January 1854.
I, JULES JOSEPH LOUIS FOURNIER, Gentleman, of Montpellier, in the
Empire of France, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED MODE OF OBTAINING ALCOHOL" to be as follows:-
The Invention forming the subject of the present application consists in
utilizing for the production of alcohol a substance not heretofore employed for
that purpose. This substance may be termed brewers' waste, and is a pasty
residuum after the brewing operation has been performed, such residuum
being generally thrown away or sold at a low price as food for cattle.
In order to extract the alcohol from this residuum I pour the same into
proper receptacles. When these receptacles are sufficiently charged with
liquid I add thereto barm or yeast. The whole is slightly stirred after the
yeast has been added, in order to spread this latter as uniformly as possible
throughout the mass; the slow fermentation is thus produced, which acts
gently upon the liquid during about three days. The liquor produced is now
to be distilled in the ordinary manner. I also make use of the refuse of beer

page_text: in general, and even of spoilt or sour beer, to obtain alcohol. In this case the
beer which is already fermented need not be submitted to the first-mentioned
operation, but must be carried direct to the still, or it may be mixed with the
liquor obtained as above described, and the mixture submitted to distillation.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CHUCKS FOR LATHES
Year: 1854

page_text: Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th June 1854.
I, PIERRE JOURNET, of No. 16, Ruc de Belzunce, Paris, do hereby declare
the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHUCKS FOR LATHES" to be.
as follows:-
My Invention consists in arranging lathe chucks in such a manner that the
article to be fixed in the lathe is held between three or other number of
sliders, placed in a circle equidistant from one another, and which slide to
and from the centre., These sliders are operated on by inclined surfaces, in
such a manner that the sliders are at all times equidistant from the centre.
In this manner the article to be fixed in the lathe, whatever be its size, is
always held truly in the centre, and is there fixed by a suitable clamp.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES EMPLOYED IN AND FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SPIKES AND NAILS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Adams Lander at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th October
1854.
I, JOHN ADAMS LANDER, of the Southwark Bridge Road, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINES EMPLOYED IN AND FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SPIKES AND NAILS" to
be as follows:-
The mode hitherto practised of constructing machines for the above purposes
has been to make each of the shears or cutting parts thereof of chilled metal,
and of one solid piece of metal, the objection to which is that they are
continually out of order, and do not therefore perform their office properly.
And the object and intention of this Invention is to obviate the above objections
by constructing such parts in the following manner:-Instead of forming the
shears of one solid piece of metal, I propose forming the same in two parts,
that is to say, I form the cutting edges of cast steel, properly hardened and
tempered, and the other part of the said shears I form of cast iron or other cast
metal, and I securely connect the steel cutting edge to the other part of the
shear by screws, by which I am enabled to adjust the cutting edge indepen-
dent of the other part of the shears, or to remove it for repairing or sharpening
the same, or to substitute an entirely new one. Another part of my improve-

page_text: ments relates to the cutting surfaces and other surfaces of steel shears, or those
parts which are employed for cutting into strips the plate of which the nails
are to be made, and afterwards shaping the same, and consists in separating
the cutting surfaces from the rolling surfaces, which give to the nail the taper
form; and further, in making such said rollers work in a steel box, of which
two sides are solid, and the other two sides moveable, instead of forming all of
the sides moveable and of cast iron, as heretofore practised, by which I render
the same more durable and efficient, and diminish the tendency of the nail
to form "fins" or burrs upon its edges during the process of rolling or
tapering. And it is the above-mentioned improved mode of constructing
certain parts of spike and nail making machines, firstly, by facing the shears
with steel; secondly, by separating the cutting surfaces from the rolling
surfaces; and, thirdly and lastly, in making the rollers to work in a steel box
instead of a cast-iron box, as heretofore practised, which constitutes the
features of novelty of this Invention, without regard to the mechanical arrange-
ments employed for imparting motion to such several parts, which may be
effected in the manner usually practised, or by any other suitable mechanical
contrivance.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING CARRIAGES WHEN ATMOSPHERIC AIR IS USED
Year: 1854

page_text: ATION fert by Inomas Spiller at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th June 1854.
I, THOMAS SPILLER, of 5, Red Lion Square, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PROPELLING CARRIAGES WHEN ATMOSPHERIC AIR IS USED" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object a combination of apparatus to collect and
condense atmospheric air into a suitable vessel by the movement of a locomotive
carriage, and the using of such condensed air, when heated, as a means of
obtaining power, by causing it to act on the piston or pistons of an engine.
For this purpose, a fan or wheel, with vanes or blades of compatively large
diameter, is employed to give motion to an axis, on which are fixed excentrics
or apparatus to give motion to pump rods, and each of the pumps communicates
with a chamber with a trumpet or enlarged mouth. By these means air is
collected into the chamber with the enlarged or trumpet mouth by the pro-
gress of the carriage, and the fan or wheel with vanes is put in motion by
the force of the air, against which the vanes are are pressed by the movement
of the carriage. The air is by the pumps forced into the receiver, which I
prefer to have lined with a gutta percha or other air-tight flexible bag or
vessel, which is pressed on to the degree desired. The condensed air from the
receiving vessel is by a pipe conducted to a heating apparatus, and thence

page_text: it passes to the engine to act on the piston or pistons. The engine is enclosed
in a chamber, which is kept heated by a fire, and the heated air, after having
acted on the piston or pistons, passes from the engine to the fire, so as to aid
in keeping up a good combustion of the fuel..
IM- PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF NEEDLES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Smith Bartleet at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 2nd June 1853.
1, ROBERT SMITH BARTLEET, of Redditch, in the County of Wor-
cester, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF NEEDLES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of improvements in needles used in machi-
nery, with a view to render them serviceable for sewing sails and other
strong materials, and is effected by making needles with a triangular
point or with a semicircular or flat point, either with or without a
cutting edge, with an eye at a given distance from the point, above or
below which eye the body of the needle may be grooved to admit the
thread, or otherwise reduced in size, or made flat on the sides coming
in contact with the thread.
AN IMPROVED MODE OF CAULKING SHIPS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO THE RENDERING OF ROOFS WATERPROOF
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Franklin Cooke at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th October 1854.
I, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN COOKE, of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts
and United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF CAULKING SHIPS, APPLICABLE
ALSO TO THE RENDERING OF ROOFS WATERPROOF," to be as follows:-
The chief object of this Invention is to render ships' seams water-tight in
all latitudes; this I effect by the use of an elastic caulking material, which
is tightly compressed between the planks of the ship, and, having always a
tendency to expand, it will, when, for example, the deck planks shrink under the
heat of a tropical sun, keep the seams water-tight, and when by the action of
water they are caused to swell, will yield to the lateral pressure of the planks.
The elastic material which I propose to employ is a compound known as
sponge gum. This material is usually made by introducing alum into the
ingredients of vulcanized india-rubber, whereby the compound is rendered
cellular after it has been subjected to heat in the well-known manner. To
reduce the cost of the india-rubber or other gum used in this elastic compound,

page_text: I find it advisable to mix therewith fibrous materials or cork cuttings, in
quantity not sufficient seriously to impair its persistent and elastic qualities.
In applying the compound, I form a longitudinal groove in the edges of the
planks, and insert a strip, a quarter of an inch thick (more or less), between
the planks when they are being laid; or I fold the strip, or groove it on
its edge, to permit of its opening laterally when the planks shrink, and yet
presenting a water-tight joint. This mode of caulking is also appliccable to the
roofs of buildings, for preventing the passage of water through skylights, &c.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HARBOUR AND RIVER BOATS AND OTHER FLOATING VESSELS, ALSO IN PADDLE-BOX BOATS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Kent at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st May 1854.
I, JOHN KENT, of St. James' Square, Notting Hill, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HARBOUR AND RIVER BOATS AND OTHER FLOATING VESSELS, ALSO
IN PADDLE-BOX BOATS," to be as follows, that is to say:-
My Invention consists in the under-mentioned forms for the sides, bottom,
and ends of harbour and river boats, and other floating vessels, and also for
paddle-box boats, viz. :-I make the bottom and ends of the said vessels flat,
with a slight angle along the centre, or otherwise with a curve longitudinally.
I make the middle part of the bottom straight, and form the ends in curves
tangent therewith, by continuing the flat bottom up to the gunwale at each
end. The sides of the said vessels I also make flat, straight, and parallel with
each other at the bottom, and curved at the gunwale. The curved line at the
gunwale dies in to the straight line at the bottom where the sides are parallel.
CERTAIN IMPROVED MEANS OF ORNAMENTING METALLIC BEDSTEADS, CHAIRS, AND COUCHES; WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENT IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR ORNAMENTING STANDARDS FOR GLASS FRAMES, TABLES, AND FIRE SCREENS, CORNICE POLES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OP FURNITURE
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Cook at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th June 1854.
I, BENJAMIN COOK, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVED MEANS OF ORNAMENTING METALLIC BEDSTEADS, CHAIRS, AND COUCHES;
WHICH SAID IMPROVEMENT IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR ORNAMENTING STANDARDS FOR
GLASS FRAMES, TABLES, AND FIRE SCREENS, CORNICE POLES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OP
FURNITURE," to be as follows (that is to say):-
My Invention consists in ornamenting the posts, legs, and other parts of
metal bedsteads, chairs, and couches, by passing over the iron or brass bars or
tubes, of which the posts or legs of such articles may be composed, a glass or
china tube, which may be moulded in any desired form, and put together in any
number of parts, and cut and ornamented as may be desired; and in like
I propose to ornament the stands.for swing or other looking glasses;
as also the pillars for tables, fancy stands, fire screens, and such like articles;
as also curtain poles for windows; and in some instances, where such outer
tube is divided, I'may use some parts of china and some of glass.
AN IMPROVED MODE OF SIGNALIZING BETWEEN THE GUARD AND DRIVER OF A RAILWAY TRAIN
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry King at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st February
1854.
I, HENRY KING, of No. 36, Gilbert Street, Oxford Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Wholesale Perfumer, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF SIGNALIZING BETWEEN THE GUARD AND DRIVER
OF A RAILWAY TRAIN" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in an improved mode of signalizing, by means of which
the guard of a railway train is enabled to signal or communicate with the driver
of the same at any time, whether the railway train is in motion or otherwise, and
even though by accident the guard's carriage should become detached from the
remainder of the train. The apparatus which I employ to effect the' said
object is to be attached to the guard's carriage, and is constructed as follows:-
From the roof of the guard's carriage a pair of powerful bellows, are to be
suspended, by means of suitable supports, the bottom board of the said bellows
being affixed to the said supports. To the bottom board of the bellows, in the
interior of the same, springs are affixed by one end, the loose or unfixed ends
of which by acting against the under side of the upper board keep the bellows
always distended and ready for use. To the larger end of the upper board of
the bellows a lever is attached, and from this lever a ring or small handle is

page_text: suspended by means of a cord or chain. To the nozzle of the bellows a small
tube is attached, which tube passes upwards and through the roof of the
carriage, and is provided with a hollow ball or sphere to which a whistle is
connected. Small balls of cork or other light substance may be placed in
the above mentioned hollow ball, which by intercepting the current of air
will render the tone of the whistle more shrill. When the guard of the train
desires to signalize the engine driver, he pulls down the small handle or ring,
and thus by compressing the bellows causes them to sound the whistle, the
springs returning the bellows into their original working position as soon as
the ring or handle is released.
I would here observe, that any required signal may be thus readily
transmitted by altering the number, rapidity, or duration of the sounds.
AN INSTRUMENT FOR READILY ASCERTAINING THE WEAR OF THE BEARINGS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Pead and Cornelius Wyatt
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the
15th March 1854.
We, GEORGE PEAD and CORNELIUS WYATT, both of Conduit Street, Regent
Street, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN INSTRUMENT FOR READILY ASCERTAINING THE WEAR OF THE
BEARINGS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the use and employment of an instrument for the
purpose of gauging the amount of wear which has taken place in the bearing
brasses, or those parts which bear upon the axles upon which the running
wheels are fixed, and by which the weight of the carriages is supported; and
the object and intention of this Invention is to supersede the present uncertain
mode employed for such purpose, and to present a ready, inexpensive, and
efficient mode of effecting the same, which may be accomplished in the following
manner, and by the following means:---Through a circular hole formed in a flat
piece of metal I pass a cylindrical-shaped piece of metal, upon which I inscribe
scribe or form marks or divisions representing inches and parts of inches; and
in using this instrument for the purposes of this Invention I insert the lower
end or point of the before-mentioned cylindrical-shaped piece of metal into that
hole or one of those boles in the bearing brasses through which the grease

page_text: passes for lubricating the said bearings and journals upon which they rest, and
I press down the aforesaid piece until it touches the journals, and then observe
which of the divisions the upper part of the piece of metal through which said
divided piece comes opposite to, and by knowing the average thickness of the
bearings when new I am thus enabled from time to time to ascertain and
measure to a nicety the amount of wear which has taken place therein.