matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVED MODE OF MAKING AND FASTENING TOGETHER BEDSTEADS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Moon, Isaac Hunter
Donaldson, and Samuel James Harris at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 12th October
1868.
We, JAMES MOON, ISAAC HUNTER DONALDSON, and SAMUEL JAMES
HARRIS, all of No. 176, Oxford St., in the County of Middlesex,
trading with James Carter Moon, of the same Place, under the style
or name of Gillow & Co., Cabinet Makers and Upholsterers, do hereby_
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE
OF MAKING AND FASTENING TOGETHER BEDSTEADS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object an improved mode of making and
fastening together bedsteads, and consists in a new and simple method of
fixing bedsteads by means of dovetail joints in metal, or slots in metal
placed either at the sides and ends of bedsteads or between the ends of
bedsteads, so that the latter can be completely fixed or taken apart in a
speedy manner; this is effected by means of the slots or dovetail joints
being so formed as to allow of the joint being raised sufficiently high, and

page_text: thus allowing the different parts to be connected or disconnected as
required. The advantages of this method of fixing bedsteads are extreme
simplicity of structure, portability, economy in price, and freedom from
dust or insects.
IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY GAS OR LIQUID METERS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederic Hudson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
September 1868.
I, FREDERIC HUDSON, of 227, Blackfriars Road, in the County of
Surrey, Manufacturer of Gas Meters, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY GAS OR LIQUID METERS," to be
as follows:-
That the said Invention relates to an improved diaphragm consisting
of a central dise surrounded by outer discs attached to leather, so that
it is allowed to work freely backwards and forwards, and by this applica-
tion of combining the outer discs with the central disc a perfect
shape is maintained at each vibration, which perfects the registration of
the meter, as the well-known defect of the present system of meter is in
having a great amount of loose leather, which cannot fail to deviate in
shape or form as the diaphragm vibrates. I claim to be the Inventor of
the central disc in combination with outer discs made of metal or any
other material suitable for the purpose; it can be applied to every kind
of dry meter, water or liquid meter.
AN IMPROVED MODE OF. DRESSING MILLSTONES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Vincent Newton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd November 1868.-A communication from abroad by David
Williams, of Peterborough, in the Province of Ontario, Dominion
of Canada.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF.
DRESSING MILLSTONES," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to economize the power required to:
drive millstones, and to increase their grinding capacity. To this end
instead of employing the ordinary arrangement of furrows they are each
made to lead from the eye, whereby the feed is facilitated.. The sides of-
the furrows are parallel for the greater portion of their length, and they
are formed by a combination of straight and curved lines.. Thus for one
side a straight line drawn tangentially from the eye of the stone and.
extending over nearly one half of the width of the grinding surface is
continued to the periphery in a curve, the radius of which is decreased

page_text: as it nears the periphery, and the other side being made parallel there-
with runs into the leading line of the next furrow. This distribution of
the furrows will give a peculiar form of grinding surfaces. Each furrow
running into the eye enables the stone to feed better, and the peculiar
direction and curves of the furrows enable it to clear itself more freely
than by the usual dress. Again, by reason of the furrows not branching
one from the other as in the ordinary dress there is no grinding surface
lost, and owing to the shape and direction of the furrows there is more
grinding surface, and that too where the grinding power is greatest, that
is towards the periphery of the stone. The grinding surface or "land"
being proportioned at every point to the grinding power at such point
there is an economy of power and greater grinding capacity than in a
stone with the usual "dress." Moreover the grinding surface being pro-
portioned to the requirement at each point the stone will wear more
evenly, and will remain longer in "dress" than with the usual dress.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF DOOR PLATES, NAME PLATES, STENCIL PLATES, AND SIGN PLATES, SUITABLE FOR SIGN BOARDS FOR THE FRONTS AND OTHER PARTS OF SHOPS AND OTHER BUILDINGS, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Hannart and Nicolas
Alphonse Aubertin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 14th July 1868.
We, LOUIS HANNART and NICOLAS ALPHONSE AUBERTIN, the younger,
both of King Street, Cheapside, in the City of London, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF DOOR PLATES, NAME PLATES, STENCIL PLATES, AND SIGN PLATES,
SUITABLE FOR SIGN BOARDS FOR THE FRONTS AND OTHER PARTS OF SHOPS AND OTHER
BUILDINGS, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, first, to the manufacture of stencil plates, door,
name, or sign plates, and other plates of a similar character; and,
secondly, to the manufacture of metal letters, numerals, words, and
parts of words; and the features of novelty which constitute these im-
provements consist in producing the aforesaid plates by mechanicle
means instead of by manual labour, as heretofore practised. For
example, to manufacture door or name plates, it is usual to cut or
engrave the letters by hand and fill with colored wax. These improve-
ments consist in taking a thin sheet of metal, and cutting the letters
entirely out by means of a rotating saw or other suitable cutting
instrument, the plate being moved on a table in the direction of the

page_text: shape of the letters, after which the plate so cut out is fixed to a plain
piece of metal or other suitable substance or material, either painted or
colored on one side, or a colored substance may be placed between the
two plates, or the letters may be filled with colored wax, as commonly
practised. Plates cut out as above described are suitable for stencil
plates, and can be made with any ornament or device by the above
means.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLOATING SALOON BATHS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Dixon, of 5, Abchurch Yard, in the City
of London, Contractor, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF FLOATING SALOON BATHS."
Sealed the 14th July 1868, and dated the 22nd January 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Dixon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd January 1868.
I, JOHN DIXON, of 5, Abchurch Yard, in the City of London,
Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLOATING SALOON BATHS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object the construction of a floating saloon
bath by the use of a tube or pontoon of metal, wood, cork, or any

page_text: other floating material, the sides, ends, & bottom of the saloon bath
being open or latticework to allow the free flow of the water through the
same. I also erect cabins or dressing rooms for the convenience of
bathers; likewise a deck or platform around the inside & outside of the
bath as a promenade..
IMPROVEMENTS IN HATS AND OTHER COVERINGS TO THE HEAD TO OBTAIN VENTILATION AND COMFORT IN WEAR
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Isaac Solly Lister at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 21st March 1868.-A communication from abroad by George
Deas, of the City of New York, State of New York, in the United
States of America.
I, ISAAC SOLLY LISTER, of No. 3, Laurence Pountney Hill, in the
City of London, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HATS AND OTHER COVERINGS TO THE HEAD TO OBTAIN
VENTILATION AND COMFORT IN WEAR," to be as follows (a communi-
cation) :-
The object of the improvements is to obtain comfort in wear of and
ventilation to hats and other coverings to the head. For this purpose
in the position of the ordinary lining fitting to the head of the wearer
I apply two rims or bands of flexible material, preferring for the
purpose a composition of india-rubber or gutta percha commonly called
"vulcanite." One of these bands is laid close to the inside of the hat
and connected thereto by sewing or otherwise, and the other is placed
just sufficient distance therefrom to leave an annular space for the
passage of air between them for ventilation. Each band is connected

page_text: at its ends by one or more buttons or studs or other fastenings to
one part passing into grooved or slotted openings to the other part.
The bands are connected together by one or more rigid parts and
by sliding springs or other elastic pieces.
By these means easy elastic adjustment to the head may be obtained,
and the same lining may be readily removed from one and applied
to different hats or other coverings for the head.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF. AND; APPARATUS FOR FASTENING SCARVES AND OTHER SIMILAR. ARTICLES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Gregory Culling Attree and
Thomas Dermer: at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,.
with their Petition, on the 15th October. 1868..
We, GREGORY CULLING ATTREE and THOMAS DERMER, both of Wood
Street, Cheapside, in the City of London,,do hereby declare. the nature:
of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF. AND; APPARATUS FOR
FASTENING SCARVES AND OTHER SIMILAR. ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
The objects of this Inventions are effected by tlie employment of an:
improved buckle or fastener, by means of which the band or tongue of.
the scarf or other article can be securely fixed and retained in position..
The buckle or fastener is constructed of any suitable metal; and.
consists of a plate in which is formed a slot, one edge of such slot being.
bent or curved so as to facilitate the entrance and passage of the band.
or tongue through the same. One edge of the buckle or fastener is:
provided with any desired number of curved points or. teeth. The buckle.

page_text: or fastener is attached in an oblique or other suitable position to the
body or foundation of the scarf or other article, and the band or tongue
passed through the slot in the buckle or fastener, the same being held in
position by the curved points or teeth.
AN IRREVERSIBLE PASSENGERS RAILWAY DANGER SIGNAL
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Manners at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th
December 1868.
I, WILLIAM MANNERS, of the Town and County of the Town of
Nottingham, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "AN IRREVERSIBLE PASSENGERS RAILWAY DANGER SIGNAL," to be
as follows:-
According to this Invention I employ a pulley in form somewhat
resembling a dolly peg which is placed in a flanged socket, and is let
through the top of a railway carriage into each compartment as required.
A rope, chain, or equivalent contrivance may pass through the signal
pulley to the engine driver, to the guard, or to the engine driver only,
and be attached to a bell or other alarm signal. These signal pulleys
are fitted on a shaft which passes through a socket placed in or near
the top of the carriage. A handle is screwed on this shaft inside. When
this handle is moved it becomes impossible for the passenger to cause
it to resume its former position, but it remains at the place to which
it was moved to shew the carriage in which the movement or alteration
had taken place. It at once gives a simultaneous and loud alarm
both to guard and engine driver. But the signal can be altered or

page_text: changed by the person in charge of the train, who can instantly place
it as previously ready for use. In addition to these pulleys I employ a
contrivance which is attached in order to throw up a flag or other
indicator caused to work by the use or motion of the signal pulley,
so that both guard and engine driver may see from their position
where it has been used.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR THE UTILIZATION OF WASTE STEAM FROM STEAM CYLINDERS FOR THE INCREASE OF POWER
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Meldrum at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th October
1868.
ROBERT MELDRUM, of Pittormie, Cupar, in the County of Fife,
North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AN APPARATUS FOR THE UTILIZATION OF WASTE STEAM FROM
STEAM CYLINDERS FOR THE INCREASE OF POWER," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to provide an apparatus for the
utilization of the waste steam which has done its work in the cylinder
without condensing it with cold water.
The apparatus consists of a chamber or chambers (which latter are
connected with each other by proper openings) in which fans are
mounted, and from which as well as the boiler cylinder and parts in
connection therewith common air has been extracted either through
displacement or by an air pump. The steam when allowed to bear on
these fans owing to their position will drive them round at a very great
speed, but in accordance with the power of the steam, and there being
a sufficiency of the above the steam will in its progress lose its power

page_text: until it has none, or in other words be received into a vacuum. These
chambers by their proper ducts will receive the condensed steam from
which or other suitable place it may be pumped back to the boiler, thus
forming a continuous revolution of the motive power. The fans herein-
before described should be made to fit closely at the tops and sides of the
chambers. The openings communicating between one chamber and
another I prefer to make as one large orifice at the top for the steam
and a smaller one at the bottom for any water formed to pass through,
and in the first chamber this bottom orifice should be very small in
order that as little steam as possible may pass through it. In succeeding
chambers the holes may increase in size according to the size requisite
for removing the water formed. There may be sets of chambers ranged
in order side by side, or otherwise, which may be connected by tubing
according to requirement for condensation.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VESSELS OR CHAMBERS FOR COOLING AND PRESERVING EDIBLES AND LIQUIDS, AND FOR OTHER COOLING PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Roberts at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th July
1868.
I, JOHN ROBERTS, of No. 49, King William Street, in the City of
London, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VESSELS OR CHAMBERS FOR COOLING
AND PRESERVING EDIBLES AND LIQUIDS, AND FOR OTHER COOLING PURPOSES," to be
as follows:
The novelty of this Invention consists in constructing cooling or
refrigerating vessels or chambers of perforated metal or other material
in combination with any absorbent substance, by preference French
stone or gypsum; this substance I use as a lining by placing it between
two pieces of perforated metal or other material, the shape of which
will depend on the purpose for which it is required. It will be found
well adapted for wine coolers, butter coolers, meat covers, and safes.
Large rooms or chambers may also be made on the above principle and
used for storing and preserving provisions in.
The following is an example of the manner of constructing cooling
vessels according to this Invention, that is to say, take a dish cover

page_text: for example. I take two shaped pieces of perforated material fitting
one within the other, and connect them together so as to leave space
between them, which I fill with gypsum or other absorbent substance
or material, the gypsum being poured in in a semi-fluid state; the
vessel thus made is now ready for use, and has simply to be immersed
in or saturated with water before placing it over the article or substance
to be cooled, the cooling effect being produced by the evaporation of
the water absorbed by the gypsum lining; and I would here remark
that if desirable I employ thin sheet metal solid for the inside of the
cooling vessel or chamber, and make the outside of purforated metal,
filling between the two metals with gypsum as before stated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES FOR SPINNING, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE CONDENSER CARDER
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Jessop and Ben Senior
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 10th February 1868.
We, GEORGE JESSOP and BEN SENIOR, of Batley, in the County of
York, Overlookers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING WOOL AND OTHER FIBROUS
SUBSTANCES FOR SPINNING, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE CONDENSER CARDER,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the double doffer condensers, that is, where
the carded wool or other fibre is stripped or removed in slivers, strips,
or belts from the card surface of the doffer cylinder at two separate
places, one half being stripped by a series of rings of cards fixed at
suitable distances apart on a rotary shaft and the remainder by a card
roller. Now in this process it is desirable that the said slivers or strips
of fibre should be equal in breadth, or so that each roving to be formed
of them may be of the same weight or thickness as the others, but in
practice it is found that in the preparation of some kinds or qualities
of wool the said card rings sometimes take more or less of the fibre
from the surface of the doffer than ought to be taken by reason of

page_text: the fibres being entangled or interlocked thercon, so that the rovings
made thereof are not equal in thickness. Also grease or dirty oil
attaches to the shields of the card rings, to which the loose fibre
adheres and accumulates, which is objectionable in the working of
these machines. To remedy these evils we apply a small roller without
axes, and (by preference) made of india-rubber or other elastic material,
at the top angle betwixt each of the stripper card rings supported
upon or by the shaft thereof and in contact with the card surface
of the doffer, by the action of which thereon at the point of division
on the said doffer cylinder we find that the slivers or strips are pro-
duced more equal in thickness than heretofore. To prevent grease
attaching to the shields of the card rings we apply a cleaner or scraper
betwixt each ring.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Menzies Holland at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th February 1868.
I, CHARLES MENZIES HOLLAND, of Tan-y-Bwlch, in the County of
Merionethshire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS
AND TRAMWAYS," to be as follows!-
The object of my Invention is to form a road more equable, durable,
and elastic than has hitherto been obtained. For this purpose I construct
a longitudinal wrought-iron sleeper or bearing plate of such a breadth,
thickness, and form as to rest conveniently upon the ballast and to
support the rail which rests or is affixed upon it. The upper side of
the said bearing plate is formed with a longitudinal groove or socket
in which the rail rests. This rail I prefer to make of steel although
iron or iron steelified may be used. In the said socket or groove I place
some clastic material, such as indian-rubber, felt, leather, wood, or other
elastic material so as to form a bed for the rail. The said rail may be
of any convenient form, but it is so constructed as to fit in the said
socket, and it is held in position upon the said bearing plate by means

page_text: of chairs or clips resting upon or affixed to the bearing plates. I prefer
the shape of the rail to be such that the inner angles between the beam
of the rail, and the head or base shall form a right angle so that the
fish plate joints may have a better hold and not be liable to slip out as
is the case with the fish plates hitherto in use. My fish plates are also
made to fit more closely by the form adopted being concave towards
the rail, and thereby allowing an expansion of the plates when drawn
together by the bolts. At convenient distances I have tie bars of any
desired form to keep the rails at the proper guage, and also to assist in
supporting the position of the rails. The tie bars may be connected
either solely to the rails or solely to the bearing plates or to both rails
and bearing plates.
In order that the nature of my Invention may be clearly understood
I have annexed hereto a Sheet of Drawings as an illustration of my
Invention, the delineated details of which may be varied without
departing from the principle of my Invention.
Fig. I. is a general plan; Figs. II., III., and IV. are enlarged
sections.
a is the rail preferred of steel; b, the bearing plate; c, the chairs or
clips which may rest upon the plate 6 or be bolted thereto; d is the
tie bar shewn also in Fig. I.; e, the fish plates; f shews the right angle
referred to by which the fish plates will bind more closely to the rail.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FORCING AND RAISING WATER FOR FEEDING BOILERS AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Francis Ommanney
and Edward Scott at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 8th January 1868.
We, FREDERICK FRANCIS OMMANNEY, of Salford, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, and EDWARD SCOTT, of the City of Manchester, in
the said County, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FORCING AND RAISING WATER FOR FEEDING
BOILERS AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to pumps for feeding boilers and forcing and
raising water from low to high elevations, and consists in exhausting
the exhaust steam from the steam cylinder which drives the pump into
the water main from the pump to the boiler. We also when desired
deliver the steam from the steam cylinder of the pump into the suction
main.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAPS OR APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING SEWAGE MATTERS AND SEPARATING THE SOLID FROM THE LIQUID PORTION THEREOF
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Court at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th May 1868.
I, JOHN COURT, of Sheerness, in the County of Kent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAPS
OR APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING SEWAGE MATTERS AND SEPARATING THE SOLID
FROM THE LIQUID PORTION THEREOF," to be as follows:-
My Invention is particularly intended for sea coast and other low-lying
towns and places, and the object is to receive all kinds of sewage matters,
to intercept the solid portion so that it may be removed from time to
time, to prevent return of the sewage through the trap, and to carry off
all evolved gases.
The sewage enters a chamber or receiver supported on lugs or trun.
nions at its upper part, while its lower part forms a portion of a circle
struck from the lugs or trunnions as a centre. The back part of
the chamber or receiver is formed with perforations, preferably per-
pendicular, to allow the liquid to pass out of it, while the straw, sand,
and other solid matters are arrested by a bridge or check below the level
of the perforations. The liquid after leaving the chamber passes through

page_text: a flap valve, and thence through pipes or outlets to the sea or river.
Should the liquid be carried back by the rise of the tide or otherwise the
valve closes and prevents the liquid re-entering the trap. The chamber
before mentioned is placed in an outer box on the sides of which the
trunnions or lugs rest; one half of the top surface of the chamber fills
the opening in the top of the box through which the chamber is intro-
duced; another portion of the top of the box is permanently covered,
while a third portion is closed by an air-tight lid which may be removed
when required to get at the flap valve which is fitted in the box. When
it is required to take out and empty the chamber it is tilted or raised on
its lugs and then lifted out. The box may have house drain pipes and
a stench pipe or shaft attached thereto at convenient parts, the stench
pipe being provided with a valve if desired, and in some cases I fit an
additional grating in the outer box beyond the flap valve.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WORKING RAILWAY SWITCHES, POINTS, AND SIGNALS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James John Stevens at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th December 1868.
I, JAMES JOHN STEVENS, of Darlington Works, Southwark, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WORKING RAILWAY
SWITCHES, POINTS, AND SIGNALS," to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention relates to a reversible switch lever, and
consists in the mode of fixing to the lever the weight which holds the
switches in their places. The weight is suspended to the lever above
the fulcrum and vibrates on a pin, so that the position of the weight can
be easily and quickly altered from one side of the lever to the other,
which alteration changes the normal state of the points, but does not fix
them immovably in this position. In crowded goods yards and sorting
sidings where many trains have to be made up and pulled apart, and
where the switch handles which work the numerous points are widely
distributed about the yard or siding, it is sometimes necessary to alter the
positions of several points to admit of one shunting operation, this

page_text: requires many men to hold the handles while the train of waggons is
passing over, perhaps, two, three, or more pairs of points which have to
be changed for its admission. Now with my reversible levers one man,
on knowing into what part of the goods yard the train is about to
proceed, can reverse the position of the weights on the several levers
required, and so set the necessary points, but leave them so that if he
neglected to put them back to their original state any engine or train
running through from another direction would not break or damage the
switches, the lever always being free to be acted upon by a passing train.
Not only in large goods yards or sidings but everywhere where the
present kind of switch handles are used my reversible lever may be
worked with great saving of both time and labor.
The second part of my Invention consists in introducing a double bolt
lock in the rod connection between-the-levers working and the signals
representing the facing-points at a junction. When, say, the main up
signal is given a bolt connected with the signal rod is drawn through an
aperture in the point rod, holding it firmly in its position for the train to
pass, and in this position of the point rod the up branch signal cannot be
given, because a bolt connected with the_rod_of_this-signal-is unable to
enter the point rod; but when the bolt connected with the main up
signal is withdrawn and the facing points are set right for the up branch
the up branch signal can be given, because the bolt connected therewith
can then pass through the point rod and hold it firmly for the train to
pass. By this arrangement it is impossible for the signal and point to be
conflictive.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Emile Prévost at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
September 1868.
I, EMILE PRÉVOST, of Notting Hill, in the County of Middlesex,
Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-MAGNETS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in electro-magnets
suitable for electro-magnetic machines, electro-telegraphic apparatus,
and other purposes where electro-magnets are required, and has for
its object the production of electro-magnets having considerably
greater attractive and repulsive powers than equal sized electro-magnets
constructed in the ordinary manner.
In making an electro-magnet according to this Invention I take
a bar of iron of the best quality and of the requisite diameter
according to the surface desired; when forging or bending this bar
into the form of a horse-shoe (which form I find to answer best)
care must be taken not to overwork or burn the metal. In lieu of
allowing the bar to cool in the open air after each heat I imme-
diately immerse it in a bath of molten lead or fusible metal, wherein

page_text: it is allowed to cool very slowly and a uniform temperature may be
obtained. Care should be taken to prevent the said bar from floating on
the surface of the bath and so coming in contact with the air. These
operations of reheating and subsequent cooling in a bath of melted
lead should be repeated six or seven times. During the last reheating of
the bar the temperature of the lead must be kept down to the melting
point only, and flour of sulphur must be added from time to time to the
bath until the bar bends with ease. The bar of iron having been pre-
pared as above described and well polished is plunged into a bath of
alcohol at an elevated temperature until the metal assumes a yellowish
color, whereupon finely divided salammoniac is to be added to the
alcoholic bath, and the whole is allowed to cool as slowly as possible.
After this it will be found that the bar or horse-shoe when under the
influence of an electric current will become powerfully attractive and
repulsive. In lapping the improved electro-magnet I take a three-
strand copper wire, that is to say, three copper wires twisted together,
and with these combined wires I lap the horse-shoe shaped metal bar
herein-before referred to. For electro-magnets of comparatively small
power six coils or layers of the wire will be sufficient, but for powerful
magnets I employ ten of such coils or layers. The diameter of the
copper wire for lapping small magnets should be about one-sixteenth of
an inch, but for large and powerful magnets one-eighth of an inch copper
wire should be employed. One of the three twisted wires may be applied
if required to an induction coil, whereby a return current towards the
battery will be obtained at the moment of the production of the spark on
the commutator.
Im- PROVEMENTS IN ALARUMS OF THE KIND KNOWN AS DETONATING ALARUMS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Fitter at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th April
1868.
I, JAMES FITTER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN ALARUMS OF THE KIND KNOWN AS DETONATING ALARUMS," as
follows:-
My Invention consists of the arrangement or combination herein-after
described of the parts of alarums to be fixed to doors, or fixed or placed
elsewhere for the purpose of giving an alarm in cases of attempted
burglary, and to be used for giving alarms generally, whether indoors
or out of doors.
My improved alarum consists of a short barrel to be charged with
gunpowder, the said barrel having a nipple on its end, on which nipple
a percussion cap is placed, and a hammer or lever pressed towards the
nipple by means of a strong spring. On the end of the barrel is a
bracket, which carries a cross piece having four or other number of
arms, which cross piece turns upon a centre pin in the said bracket.
When the alarum has to be charged the cross piece is turned in such

page_text: a position that the hammer can be raised from the nipple. The said
hammer being raised the cross piece is turned until one of its arms
made shorter than the others is brought under the hammer, the said
hammer being allowed to rest upon the said short arm while the barrel
of the alarum is being charged. A spring catch takes into a slot in
one of the arms of the cross piece when the parts are in the position
last described, and holds the cross piece firmly in its position, and thus
prevents the accidental discharge of the alarum. After the percussion
cap has been placed on the nipple and the different arms of the cross
piece have been connected by wires or chains to the doors or windows
to be protected the spring catch described is removed from the slot by
which it fixed the cross piece, the said spring catch being kept back
by a cross pin. The alarum is now properly set for use, and on either
of the wires or chains being pulled by the opening of a door or window,
or otherwise, the arm supporting the hammer is removed from under
the said hammer, which falls upon the percussion cap and discharges
the alarum. The alarum may be fixed either on a door or in any other
convenient position. In fixing it I prefer to employ a staple screwed
to the door or other surface, in which staple a spring bracket is inserted,
the arm of the bracket taking into a hole in the framing of the alarum.
When the alarum is not in use it is removed from the said spring
bracket, and the bracket is removed from the staple described.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE PRINTING OR EMBOSSING PRESSES, AND IN APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Josiah Wright at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th
October 1868.
I, JOSIAH WRIGHT, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Printers'
Reader, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE PRINTING OR EMBOSSING PRESSES, AND IN APPLIANCES
CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists principally of an improved printing or
embossing press which is worked by means of a lever with eccentric
action, on a piston at the bottom of which is a pad of vulcanized india-
rubber or other suitable material. Beneath this piston is a metal bed on
the face of which are dovetailed slides to receive the dies, which latter
being made of a size to move freely therein may be changed at will.
At the back of this bed (in a rack in which are cut diagonal slots) are
placed one or more rollers of suitable thickness, on which is wound
carbonized paper or other material of such color as may be desired, the
slots permitting the rollers to be at once changed, and other colored rollers

page_text: substituted. When the press is in use the carbonized paper or other
material is drawn over the face of the die. A gauge or slide is fixed to
the slide or other suitable part of the press for the accurate adjustment
of the paper or other article to be stamped or printed upon.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL, METAL BOLTS, AND SHIPS' SHEATHING
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Betteley at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
March 1868.
I, JOSEPH BETTELEY, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Iron
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEET METAL, METAL BOLTS, AND
SHIPS' SHEATHING," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of making sheets of soft metal stiffer or
more rigid by means of introducing a small portion of hard metal
(such as zinc) in the centre of a sheet of soft metal or metal com-
posed of lead or lead and its alloys, and which I perform by having
a casting box that will admit the hard metal being placed in the
centre, I then take the soft metal in a molten state and pour into
the mould or casting box so as to completely cover the hard metal,
and after taking it from the mould I pass it through rollers, reducing
its thickness, and so form sheets of metal.
I also make metal bolts:-I first obtain a piece of zinc in such
length as I may require, and I place the same in a mould and cast
on or over it composite metal composed of tin or tin and its alloys.

page_text: Ship Sheathing. I form suitable sheets of the aforesaid metal, and
I also make such sheets of harder metal on one side than the other, which
sheets I fasten to the ship by means of nails made from copper or
tin, or from copper or tin and their alloys, or nails coated with tin
and its alloys, and I place the soft side of these sheets next the ship.
I temper the hard metal by means of heat until it is malleable.
I also coat the sheathing metal with soap or soap alloyed with
metallic poison.
A NEW OR IMPROVED AERIAL MACHINE OR APPARATUS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Hammant at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st May 1868.
I, WILLIAM HAMMANT, of Colchester Street, Pimlico, in the County
of Middlesex, Book Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED AERIAL MACHINE OR APPARATUS," to
be as follows, that is to say:-
The apparatus which constitutes this Invention consists of a frame
of hollow cylinders, formed of very thin copper or other metal, and
charged with hydrogen gas, and fitted with an elevating and supporting
apparatus, and a propelling and steering apparatus.
The elevating or ascending apparatus consists of rotating fans, fitted
at the sides and near the top of the frame; the blades of these fans
are made and geared so as to feather, descending flatways, and
ascending edgeways; motion being given thereto by wheels, pulleys,
and bands, or by light multiple gearing.
The supporting apparatus consists of two horizontal side flaps, wings,
or frames, the spaces within which are fitted with feathering blades, which

page_text: are set in a vertical position as the apparatus ascends, and in a
horizontal position when stationary or descending.
The steering and propelling apparatus consists of a horizontal centre
shaft, to which short end shafts carrying screw blades are jointed,
so as to be set and rotate at a greater or less angle with the centre
shaft.
The power for working the machine I propose to obtain from an
engine to be driven by steam, compressed air, or vapour, the latter
being heated by means of gas jets obtained from suitable gas bags or
holders, with which the apparatus is provided.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO- MAGNETS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Agusto Albini and Joseph
Vaglica at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 17th August 1868.
We, AGUSTO ALBINI, Captain in the Royal Italian Navy, and JOSEPH
VAGLICA, both of Broad Street, in the City of London, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRO-
MAGNETS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in electro-magnets
whereby their power is considerably increased, or a considerable re-
duction in the number of cells of the battery may be effected for any
given amount of power.
According to our Invention in lieu of simply connecting the end of
the wire of one coil of the electro-magnet directly with the corresponding
end of the adjoining coil as heretofore, we connect the negative end
of one coil with the negative end of the adjoining coil, and the positive
of the one coil with the positive end of the other, by which means
the current from one end of the battery enters both coils simultaneously
and leaves them also simultaneously, in lieu of, as heretofore, such
current having to pass into and from the two coils in succession. It will

page_text: thus be seen that the resistance is considerably reduced, and that many
attendant advantages, well understood by electricians, will be obtained.
These improved electro-magnets are applicable to electric telegraphic
purposes, and to all kinds of instruments or machinery wherein electro-
magnetic or magneto-electric currents are employed.
IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE PURIFICATION OF GAS USED FOR ILLUMINATION
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Spence, of Newton Heath, Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturing Chemist, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE PURIFICATION OF GAS
USED FOR ILLUMINATION."
Scaled the 17th October 1868, and dated the 25th April 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Spence at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th April 1868.
I, PETER SPENCE, of Newton Heath, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE PURIFICATION OF GAS
USED FOR ILLUMINATION," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to the application of a certain material or
materials for purifying gas whereby it is deprived of sulphuretted
hydrogen. For this
For this purpose I employ proto-silicates and proto-

page_text: carbonates of iron in a native state or as they arise from manufacturing
processes. The substance I especially use is the slag which rises from
regulus during the process of smelting copper ores, and which is the
silicate of iron required. The slag also which arises from the puddling
of iron and commonly called tap cinder is a similar substance, and
will answer the purpose of my Invention. The proto-carbonates I use
may be defined by the Cleveland and black band ironstone. In
conducting my process I grind the material into small particles and
diffuse it in the purifier ordinarily used in the manufacture of gas for
illumination.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO PIPES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Andrew Kane at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd
July 1868.
I, ANDREW KANE, of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO PIPES," to be as
follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to an improved arrangement of mechanism to
be used for making tobacco pipes.
To effect the object of the Invention the mould of the pipe is made
in halves and held in a cramp which is attached to the workman's
bench. The two creeks of the mould are pressed together by a screw
working in the jaws of the cramp, and the piece of clay of which the
pipe is to be formed is placed in the part of the mould where the head
or bowl of the pipe is formed. Immediately behind the cramp a bracket
or standard is fixed to the bench and constitutes a fulcrum to a lever,
which is placed over and extends to the front of the cramp in which
the mould is placed.

page_text: To the lever herein-before mentioned a stopper or piston is attached,
so that when the lever is pressed downwards the stopper or piston enters
the part of the mould where the head or bowl of the pipe is formed, and
forces the clay which has been placed therein into all of the moulds.
The bore or tube in the "staple" of the pipe is formed by a wire which
is fixed to a guide block actuated by a rod connected to the end of the
lever next to the workman. The rod is placed at an angle to the lever,
so that when the lever is depressed the guide may be pushed forwards
and the wire which is fixed to the guide enters the end of the mould in
which the "staple " if formed, and moves forward until it meets the piston
above mentioned. The lever is then raised, and the stopper or piston is
withdrawn from the mould, the wire being forced back at the same time
by a spring which is attached to the lever acting upon the rod which
connects the lever to the guide. The cramp is now released and the
pipe is removed from the mould ready for the finisher.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ORNAMENTING LACE AND OTHER FABRICS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Lambert at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th June
1868.
I, JOHN LAMBERT, of the Firm of Messieurs J. and W. Lambert and
Company, of the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ORNAMENTING LACE AND OTHER FABRICS," to be as follows:-
I first form a design upon the lace or fabric to be ornamented; I
then prepare an adhesive substance or liquid, composed of gum, starch,
gelatine, shellac, or other agent, which I transfer to the lace or other
fabric so as to cause adhesion between the lace or other fabric and those
parts or ornaments intended to form the design thereon. When having
prepared or arranged the various objects to be used in forming the design

page_text: I use forceps or other agents to select from amongst the objects those
best suited to carry out the design.
In carrying out my Invention I employ (amongst other objects for
ornamenting) metallic substances with or without other material.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING THE INTERIOR FRICTIONAL SURFACES OF STEAM OR OTHER MOTIVE POWER CYLINDERS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Carling and Thomas
Carling at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition on the 20th January 1868.
We, ROBERT CARLING, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Agent, and THOMAS CARLING, of Bolton, in the said County, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATING THE INTERIOR FRICTIONAL SURFACES
OF STEAM OR OTHER MOTIVE POWER CYLINDERS," to be as follows:-
Our Invention is designed for the purpose of conducting the lubricant
thrown or injected into vertical steam or other cylinders on to the
frictional surfaces thereof, and the improvements consist in arranging
or applying a disc or plate of metal to cover the whole area of the top
of the cylinder; this disc encircles the piston rod so as to leave a
slight space between it and the rod, a flange being formed on the disc
by which it is secured to the cylinder cover; from this point round
the piston rod the ring is slightly inclined outwards towards its
periphery, the edge being slightly turned up forming a surface to be
in contact with the sides of the cylinder. At the angle formed by
the turning up of the edges small perforations or slots are provided,

page_text: and the upper surface of the disc may also be provided with annular
ridges or undulations, so that when the lubricant is injected into the
cylinder from the oil cup it falls upon the upper surface of the inclined
disc, down which it flows and constantly percolates through the per-
foration on to the internal frictional surface of the cylinder, whereby an
equal distribution of the lubricant is effected over the entire frictional
surface of the cylinder.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Frederick Spencer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st January 1868.
JOHN FREDERICK SPENCER, of Sunderland, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
BOILERS," to be as follows:
My present Invention refers to boilers in which vertical water tubes
are partially or entirely used.
The first of my improvements consists of the combination of vertical
water tubes with horizontal flame tubes in the same boiler in such a
manner that the flame from the furnace can either traverse among the
water tubes and through the flame tubes simultaneously, or, if preferred,
the flame from the furnace can traverse each set of tubes successively.
My second improvement consists of two tiers or sets of vertical water
tubes in the same boiler, and of such different diameters that the lower
set or tier of tubes can be passed through the tubes above them in the
case of renewal or repair. By this second arrangement an efficient
boiler is formed suitable for high pressures.