matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Arthur Veal at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th October 1854.
I, ARTHUR VEAL, of the City of Oxford, Bootmaker, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BOOTS" to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to construct Wellington boots and other boots
of that class so that they shall be capable of expanding while being drawn on
to the foot of the wearer, and afterwards contracting to their original size. This
I effect by introducing lengths of elastic webbing into the boot at opposite
sides of the leg, extending down to the galoche or counter, and also a central
piece at the instep. When, therefore, the boot is being drawn on to the foot
it will expand as required, and thus permit of persons, whether possessing high
insteps, or long heels, or low insteps, wearing Wellington boots or other boots of
that class with comfort.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING SHIPS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jules Frédéric Bouneau at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
August 1854.
I, JULES FREDERIC BOUNEAU, of Paris, in the Empire of France, and of 16,
Castle Street, Holborn (City), London, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING SHIPS" to be as follows, viz. :-
My improvements consist of a system of paddles, which move in a direction
parallel to the line of flotation, and hence with an uniform speed throughout the
length of their travel, and so that the surface of the paddles act perpendicularly
to the resisting column of water.
For this purpose I place at each side of the vessel two rollers, whose axes aro
in a plane parallel to the water line, and turned by any suitable means; on each
couple of rollers travels an endless chain, cable, or system of chains, cables, and
similar parts carrying paddles of suitable surface fixed perpendicularly to it.
The said rollers being placed at suitable distances, a proper propelling travel
is obtained for the paddles to act perpendicularly to the resisting water column,
as set forth.
One or the other side of the propeller may be thrown out of gear by dis-
engaging apparatus; also by means of spur gear. The motion of each paddle

page_text: gears may be reversed with respect to the other, for the purpose of turning the
ship about more effectually. The number of paddles is indefinite, but in some
cases it is more convenient to use them in such number as to have only one or
two paddles in the water at a time.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHIP'S ANCHORS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Edward Boyd at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th April
1854.
I, JAMES EDWARD BOYD, of Lewisham, in the County of Kent, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF SHIP'S ANCHORS," to be as follows:-
This object is to be accomplished by constructing the anchor in two or more
parts, and so uniting them together with a moveable bolt fitting into a recess
or chamber loaded with combustible matter, that the bolt may be suddenly
expelled or removed by the explosion of such combustible matter, thereby
causing the parts to be disunited at their junction, and releasing the ship from
her anchorage.
The explosion of the combustible matter is to be occasioned by electric,
galvanic, magnetic, or other agencies, to be conveyed to the anchor by means
of the ship's cable, or a chain, wire, rope, or other appliance, either attached
thereto or seperate and apart therefrom. Or the dismemberment of the anchor
may be effected without combustible matter by the employment of mechanical
agency. The several parts of the anchor, although disunited at the junction,
are still held together by means of chains, whereby they are recovered and
re-adjusted as often as required.
AN IMPROVED MACHINE POR PLOUGHING OR WORKING LAND
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Lamb Hancock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th October 1854.
I, JAMES LAMB HANCOCK, of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MACHINE POR
PLOUGHING OR WORKING LAND" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of fixing knives to a metal plate which is placed
edgewise. The said knife or knives are fixed so as to cut the land, as it were,
into slices latterally on both sides of the plate, and to act one after and below
the other; the first knife or knives to cut the land near to the surface, the
second to cut below the first, and the third to cut below the second. In
some cases I use a "share" on the front of the plate. The said plate must
be fixed to a suitable frame or "beam," and to the said frame or beam I
fix one or more wheels, as in the case of the common plough. I do not
confine myself to any particular shaped knife, nor to any particular number of
knives; but I do claim for so arranging knives one below the other, or after
and below the other, in such a way as to cut, slice, or divide the land laterally
into fragments. I do not confine myself to any particular kind of power
for working or drawing my said
my said improved machine for ploughing or
working land."
BURNING OR CONSUMING SMOKE IN FURNACES AND FIRES FOR ENGINE BOILERS
Year: 1854

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, but notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Carr and William Crossby
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 16th August 1854.
We, ROBERT CARR, Chemist, Shrewsbury Road, and WILLIAM CROSSBY,
Miller, Division Street, both of Sheffield, in the County of York, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "BURNING OR CONSUMING SMOKE IN
FURNACES AND FIRES FOR ENGINE BOILERS " to be as follows:-
By the use of a revolving fan fixed in a flue composed of metalic pipes or
brick, by which the whole volume of smoke and heat is conducted from the
fire in a hot temperature into the fire again and again, until the whole of the
smoke is entirely consumed. By this method a sufficient quantity of air is
drawn into the fire to cause the ignition of the smoke and the fire to burn
briskly, while the whole of the heat is continuously applied to the purposes for
which it is desired, and a large amount of fuel will be saved. Thus the smoke
nuisance will be compleatly removed and prevented.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINERY
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Brown at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th January 1854.
I, WILLIAM BROWN, of the Parish of St. George, Camberwell, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING MACHINERY" to be as follows:-
My said Invention relates to an arrangement of printing machinery, by
means of which I can execute letter-press and other like printing in two or
more colours, without the sheet of paper being detached from the printing
cylinder, which performs one revolution to each colour produced.
I do not alter the frame work or arrangements for inking, common to
ordinary printing machines, but I use a smaller cylinder making a number of
revolutions, one for each colour; and the tables, of which there is likewise one
to each colour, are placed equidistant from the same point on the cylinder.
The mode of holding the sheet of paper is by the common gripper motion, and
to this I apply a cam worked by a rod connected to a crank, whereby the cam
is thrown up to engage the sheet of paper on the cylinder at the proper time,
and after the proper number of revolutions of the cylinder, the cam is thrown

page_text: down to disengage it, and during the time the sheet of paper is in its
the cam lies between the engaging and disengaging points.
progress
The novelty of my said Invention, therefore, consists in the peculiar con-
struction described for printing two or more colours on the same sheet of paper
without disengagement from the cylinder until completed.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN FIRE-PLACES AND FLUES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Welch at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th November
1854.
I, EDWARD WELCH, of No. 50, George Street, Portman Square, London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE-PLACES AND FLUES, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be
as follows:-
To increase the power of a fire to warm the air in or for the use of any
room or rooms, I propose attaching to the sides of the grates or around it a
wrought-iron box (with or without a syphon); or a series of boxes, into which
the smoke or hot air from the fire may be admitted, or hot water produced, or
gas, for the purpose of aiding the fire in warming the air brought into contact
with the said box or syphon, as illustrated in the Drawing No. 1.
To increase the power of the fire for cooking, and to enlarge the oven
much beyond its ordinary size, I propose forming the back of the fire in the
oven as shewn on the plan No 2.
To increase the draught of the fire and prevent downward currents of
smoke, I propose to make a circular flue, and to apply at its top a wind guard,
of the form and construction shewn on the Drawing No. 3.
MENTS IN THE TREATMENT OR REDUCTION OF METALLIC ORES AND SALTS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Johnson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st April
1854. A communication.
I, WILLIAM JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE TREATMENT OR REDUCTION OF METALLIC ORES AND SALTS," a com-
munication from abroad, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the employment and use of the metallic vapours of
cadmium, zinc, and mercury, in the reduction of the ores and salts of magne-
sium, aluminum, sodium, potassium, and other earthy and alkaline metals. By
the adoption of this system of reduction, very great economy is secured in the
process, whilst the routine is capable of being easily worked out on the large
manufacturing scale.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE ACQUIREMENT OF THE ART OF READING
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th February
1854. A communication.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING
THE ACQUIREMENT OF THE ART OF READING," a communication from Messieurs
Nicolas Chéron and Florimond Nicolas Tallempin, of Paris, in the Empire of
France, Manufacturers, to be as follows:-
This apparatus consists of a flat box or case containing a series of endless
paper bands, which are passed round rollers and kept distended by a simple
arrangement. On these bands are printed a number of letters, syllables, sounds,
and words, which are successively brought behind suitable openings in the
box front by turning small buttons on the outer ends of the herein-before
mentioned rollers round which the bands are passed. By this means any com-
bination may be made either of letters or of words, and the advantage obtained
is that the pupil is not confused by seeing surrounding letters or words, thereby
greatly facilitating the instruction of pupils and others.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILER AND OTHER FURNACES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Webster Rammell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th October 1854.
I, THOMAS WEBSTER RAMMELL, of Trafalgar Square, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM BOILER AND OTHER FURNACES" to be as follows:-
This Invention is more particularly applicable to steam boiler furnaces
where internal fires and flues are employed, though the improvements may be
applied in other constructions of furnaces.
In constructing the furnace of a steam boiler with an internal flue, the lower
portion of the flue is lined with fire clay, on which is formed of fire clay an
upright enclosed air channel, of a length equal to the length of the furnace;
this air channel is perforated at its sides. The fuel is placed externally of
this air channel on the fire clay lining of the flue, and the fuel will be burned
thereon, the requisite air for supporting combustion passing laterally out of the
perforated sides of the air channel. In applying these improvements to other
forms of furnaces, the air channel is formed on a fire clay heartl, there being
in these forms of furnaces no ash-pit. It should be stated that it is not
essential that there should be a lining of fire clay to the internal flue of a
boiler, as the lower surface of the flue may itself become the bottom of the
furnace; the peculiarity of the Invention consisting of burning fuel on a close
surface, the air for supporting combustion being introduced through perforated
air channels or passages of fire clay.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON POSTS OR UPRIGHTS FOR FENCES AND HURDLES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Hunter Meriwether at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th November 1854.
I, WILLIAM HUNTER MERIWETHER, of Comal County, State of Texas, in the
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON POSTS OR UPRIGHTS
FOR FENCES AND HURDLES " to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in rolling iron suitable for making hurdles or other
iron fencing, by causing the posts or uprights to be rolled with inclined sides,
in place of parallel sides. For which purpose I use rollers grooved with
suitable forms of grooves, according to the inclination desired to be given to
the sides of wrought-iron posts or uprights, both in regard to the parts which
enter the ground and the parts which stand above the ground; and each post,
it is preferred, should be perforated with a slot in that part which enters the
ground, to receive a cross piece or plate, which enters the ground to give
additional stability to the fence or hurdle.
AN IMPROVED RAILWAY SIGNAL, ESPECIALLY ADAPTED AS A DANGER SIGNAL
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Joseph Curtis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th February
1854.
I, WILLIAM JOSEPH CURTIS, of 23, Birchin Lane, in the City of London,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED RAILWAY SIGNAL, ESPECIALLY ADAPTED AS A DANGER SIGNAL," to be as
follows, viz.
In attaching to the ordinary fog or exploding signal, (or a case containing a
detonating mixture,) placed upon the rail (so as to be exploded in the ordinary
way by a wheel of the train passing over it.) a slow match or communicator of
ignition connecting the same with a Roman candle or firework elevated upon a
stem or staff, so that it may be stuck in the ground by the side of the rail;
the said firework to continue burning a determinate definite period, in order to
signalize the danger to other trains.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STOOLS, CUSHIONS, AND HASSOCKS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Cox at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th August 1854.
I, THOMAS Cox, of 29, Southampton St., Strand, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Church Warehouseman, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOOLS, CUSHIONS, AND HASSOCKS" to be as
follows:-
By this Invention stools, hassocks, and cushions are rendered more con-
venient than heretofore.
The first part of my Invention consists in providing stools with moveable
covers made to protect an upper surface from dirt when it is not in use. The
cover is provided in several ways, including the following:-According to one
method, a flap of about half the size of the top of the stool is attached to it,
and capable of being folded back or turned upon the top, so as to cover either
half alternately. By another, method, a flap of about the same size as the top
of the stool is attached to it, so that the flap can be alternately turned on and
off the top of the stool. By another method, one flap is attached at its edge
to a second, which is attached to the stool moveably, so that the first flap can
be alternately turned under or over the second flap. By another method, the
cover is capable of turning about an axis, which is capable of sliding along

page_text: grooves or guides at the top of the stool, so that either side of the cover may
be uppermost alternately.
The second part of my Invention consists in making kneeling stools, cushions,
and hassocks with recesses or receptacles in front, into which the feet can
be inserted for warmth and support, and which are lined with fur or other
suitable substance as a protection against cold.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Constant Costard and George
Philip Collas at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 6th December 1854.
We, CONSTANT COSTARD and GEORGE PHILIP COLLAS, both of the Island of
Jersey, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PROJECTILES " to be as follows:-
Our Invention of Improvements in Projectiles consists in making them with
pieces of metal projecting from the sides of the shot or projectile, the projec-
tions being acted upon by a spring, so as to give them a certain amount of
elasticity. This kind of projectile is adapted for the rifle-grooved cannon, and
is made of a cylindro-conoidal form; the base or after part of the shot is
hollowed out, and a hole or aperture is made through the shot in a direction
transversely to its length, and a recess is cast in each side opposite the aperture.
In these recesses are fitted pieces of metal, connected together by slotted pins,
through which a wire is passed; a spiral spring is inserted in the central
aperture before-fitting in the side pieces, against which the spring presses; the
slotted pins give to the side pieces a sufficient degree of play. When these pro-

page_text: jectiles are put into a gun, the projecting pieces fit the grooves, and by their
elasticity readily follow the twist, a rapid rotary motion being given to the
projectile when the gun is fired. We do not confine ourselves to any particular
number of the projecting spring. pieces of metal before described, or to the
precise arrangement of the same.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PORTLAND CEMENT
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Newton Lamb at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th August 1854.
I, GEORGE NEWTON LAMB, of Saint Helens, in the County of Lancaster,
Cement Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PORTLAND CEMENT" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the use and employment of the wasto arising from
the manufacture of soda ash, known as chemical waste, in and for the manu-
facture of cement to resemble Portland stone. And for the purposes of this
Invention I calcine such said chemical waste in furnaces suitably prepared for
that purpose, and afterwards grind and pulverize the same to a moderately fine
powder between revolving stones or edge runners of the ordinary kind; and.
with the above-mentioned calcined waste I mix calcined lime, ground and
pulverized as before stated, and I mix and incorporate these two ingre-
dients well together, and pass them between a pair of revolving stones or edge
runners, as above stated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR SPINNING AND DOUBLING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Chapman and John
Miller at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 30th December 1854.
We, ROBERT CHAPMAN, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, and
JOHN MILLER, of Stalybridge, in the aforesaid County, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR SPINNING AND DOUBLING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS" to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to that apparatus used in spinning and doubling
cotton and other fibrous materials, which is commonly known as the "ring and
traveller" method, and is an improvement upon a Patent granted to William
MacLardy, bearing date the 12th day of June 1850. On referring to the
above Patent it will be seen that the flyer is used to give a positive and uni-
form motion to a traveller of the ordinary construction, instead of which we
use the flyer to give a positive and uniform motion to a revolving ring, having
formed upon it an eye or loop, through which the thread or yarn is passed on
its being wound on to the bobbin. This travelling ring revolves in a circular
recess or groove, formed upon the copping rail in any suitable manner. But in

page_text: order to describe our Invention more clearly, we will suppose the copping rail
in a spinning machine to be constructed in two separate portions, and having
around each spindle a circular opening of sufficient diameter to allow the flyer
to revolve freely; between the top and bottom portions of the copping rail
there is a groove or recess formed, for the reception of the ring aforesaid, upon
which there is a suitable loop or eye formed, to guide the yarn or thread on to
the bobbin. This ring is driven by the leg of the flyer being in contact with
a part of the projection just mentioned, and the passage for the thread or yarn
to the loop or eye, in case of breakage, &c., is obtained by an opening being
cut or formed in the copping rail. It will be readily understood that the
arrangement above described will, with slight modifications, be also applicable
to doubling machinery.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Peters at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th November
1854.
I, RICHARD PETERS, of No. 89, Union Street, Borough, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES" to be as follows:-
I arrange the cylinder and crank of an engine worked by steam or other
force so that the said cylinder may by its rotation, either on a fixed or a move-
able axis, cause the crank with its shaft to make one revolution for each
single stroke of the piston, thereby producing two revolutions of the crank
for each double stroke of the piston, during which time the cylinder has made
one complete rotation on its axis. And this I effect by poising the cylinder
(or cylinders when I use more than one) on an axis, which I place at right
angles to its motion, and parallel to the. axis of the crank, and I cause it to
rotate freely thereon by the action of the piston rod or rods upon a sliding
block or bush with which the crank pin is connected, such block or bush
being guided in grooves or slides on the outside of the cylinder in the direction
of its length. To fulfil these conditions, I make the stroke of the piston equal
to four times the radius of of the crank, and by the foregoing means obtain
double the number of revolutions of the crank as is obtained in ordinary
engines, and a considerable advantage in the more extended use of the
expansive action of the steam in the cylinder.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PULVERIZING, WASHING, AND AMALGAMATING QUARTZ AND MATTERS CONTAINING GOLD AND OTHER METALS
Year: 1854

page_text: I acen
not given
the
prescrived
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Locock Webb at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
March 1854.
I, WILLIAM LOCOCK WEBB, of 11, New Broad Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PULVERIZING, WASHING, AND AMALGAMATING QUARTZ AND
MATTERS CONTAINING GOLD AND OTHER METALS" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of constructing a barrel or cylinder with two or more
hollow channels, each for the reception of a ball or balls, or other form of
rolling surfaces. The barrel or cylinder is supported at both ends by fixed
hollow bearings, and turns on such bearings, there being friction rollers around
the bearings to receive the open ends of the cylinder or barrel, so as much as
may be to reduce friction. Motion is given to the barrel or cylinder by
having cogs or teeth formed on the ends thereof, and driven by cog wheels on
a suitable shaft or axis. In each of the channels is a passage at the lower
part, which, when the machine is at work, is stopped by a plug or screw, but
which is removed when it is desired to draw off the amalgamated metals; and
at a proper height above the bottom of each of the channels there are openings
for the passage away of water and matters suspended therein, such openings

page_text: being closed with fine wire cloth. Water is allowed to flow through the
hollow bearings at one end of the barrel or cylinder; and the broken quartz or
other matters are introduced-through. the. hollow fixed axle or bearing at the
other end of the barrel or cylinder, by means of a long semi-cylindrical shovel
or trough with a handle, which, when full of broken ore or matters, is moved
into the interior of the cylinder barrel and turned over, thus supplying matters
to be pulverized, washed, and amalgamated into each channel of the barrel or
cylinder.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CANNONS AND FIELD PIECES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Jex Crickmer and
Frederick William Crickmer at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 21st April 1854.
We, RICHARD JEX CRICKMER and FREDERICK WILLIAM CRICKMER, of
Bermondsey, in the County of Surrey, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CANNONS AND FIELD PIECES
to be as follows:-
.
Our Invention consists in constructing cannons and other large guns with
two or more barrels arranged round an axis, or when there are only two
barrels, then one on each side of an axis, which are made to revolve after being
discharged, and are mounted upon a carriage in a frame free to revolve upon
or around a centre. Each barrel can be fired at any elevation, and can be
readily cleaned and loaded from the side of the carriage opposite that from
which the shot was fired.
THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR ILLUMINATION AND HEATING FROM MATERIALS NOT HITHERTO EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PURPOSE
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Charlton Forster at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
August 1854.
I, WILLIAM CHARLTON FORSTER, of No. 84, Hatton Garden, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "THE
MANUFACTURE OF GAS FOR ILLUMINATION AND HEATING FROM MATERIALS NOT
HITHERTO EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PURPOSE" to be as follows:-
I burn the refuse bark, called tan, after it has been used for tanning, and
hops, after they have been used for brewing beer, and sawdust, in a retort,
such as is used for making coal gas, in equal parts or seperately, 'till they
are reduced to charcoal, so as to produce gas; and this is my said Invention.
AN ECONOMICAL RAILWAY FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF PASSENGERS, GOODS, AND LETTERS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Sir James Caleb Anderson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th November 1854.
I, Sir JAMES CALEB ANDERSON, of Fermoy, in the County of Cork, Baronet,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN ECONOMICAL
RAILWAY FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF PASSENGERS, GOODS, AND LETTERS," to be as
follows:-
After the rails are fixed, they are to be enclosed in a chamber made of wood
or other materials. To work the line, I fix high-pressure engines at such
distances as may be found requisite. On the top of the chamber which
encloses the rails the chimneys of the engines are to be placed. The exit
steam of each engine is to be permitted to escape at a good pressure into
its chimney. By. this arrangement, the air in the chamber will be drawn up
the chimney, and thus a strong current of air will be caused to rush into the
chamber at the opposite end to that at which the engine is at work, and in
the direction of the working engine.
On the rail I place a carriage, the back of which is to be nearly equal.
to the square of the vertical section of the chamber. The air in the front
of the carriage being drawn by the exit steam up the chimney or chimneys-of
the working engine or engines, the incoming air, by pressing on the back of

page_text: the carriage, will force it forward at a velocity equal to that at which the air
in the chamber moves, minus the friction.
As the exit steam will create the current of air required to give the motive
power, the engine power can be let at a profit, and thus passengers, goods, and
letters can be conveyed continually to the principal towns of the kingdom
without any cost for power. It will be necessary to put windows to light
the chamber when passengers are to be conveyed.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR AFFIXING POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS TO ENVELOPES, LETTERS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Bennett Johns Heywood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
21st October 1854.
I, BENNETT JOHNS HEYWOOD, of Green Mount Cottage, Dalkey, near Dublin,
in the Kingdom of Ireland, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR AFFIXING POSTAGE AND OTHER
STAMPS TO ENVELOPES, LETTERS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to facilitate the attachment of postage and
other stamps to envelopes, letters, and other documents. The damping of the
letter or other document, I effect by any one of the ordinary plans, or by the
following contrivance:-Mounted on a pillar or other support is a pad kept
damp by capillary attraction, and over this pillar slides a frame which carries a
flat pressing piece, and is supported by bearing springs. The paper to be
damped is laid on the pad, and the pressing piece being brought down upon it
by the hand of the operator, moisture from the pad is imparted to the paper.
The stamps are piled up with the gummed face upwards in a rectangular box
open at both ends, and capable of sliding up and down upon a pillar which
contains a spring for pressing the box upwards. Surrounding this box is a
sliding rectangular frame, which is borne upwards by bearing springs. This
frame carries a pressing piece covered on its under face with some elastic
substance, and is intended to be pressed down upon the letter or other
document to be stamped.

page_text: The letter with the damped part downwards is placed over the pile of stamps,
and the sliding frame is depressed by the hand of the operator, whereby the
letter is brought into close contact with the gummed surface of the stamp.
and the adhesion of the stamp thereto is effected. The damping may also be
effected by fitting a box containing a sponge on the top of the pressing piece;
or the under face of the pressing piece may be covered by a piece of cotton
tape, which is kept damp by capillary attraction, one end of the tape being
immersed in water in a box adjoining.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN KEELS OF SHIPS AND VESSELS
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given
by the Act.)
the time prescrived
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jean Marie Rabier at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th May
1854.
I, JEAN MARIE RABIER, Architect, of Paris, (Empire of France,) and of
16, Castle Street, Holborn, City, London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN KEELS OF SHIPS AND VESSELS" to
be as follows:-
My improvements consist in building ships and vessels with a flat bottom,
along which runs a keel, which is hinged longitudinally to the bottom. By
means of some suitable apparatus placed inside the vessel, this moveable keel
is placed either vertical to the flat surface of the ship's bottom, or it is turned
down upon the same and laid parallel or flat on it. The keel is kept firm on
the ship's bottom, in the vertical or parallel position to it, by means of another
apparatus placed inside the vessel. Thus, without altering the cargo and
stowage of the vessel, it may be made to sail in both deep and shallow water,
the keel being, for instance, removed from the vertical to the parallel position
when a seafaring vessel enters a shallow river. Moreover, I fix in different
places of the vessel tubes, each containing a float; this float is intended to
indicate, by means of a rod acting on a dial hand, or shewing on a straight
scale, the draught and load of the vessel. I call this apparatus baronometer.
The vessel is of course capable of being put in motion by any motive power.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Barthélemy Martin Giroux at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd December 1854.
I, BARTHÉLEMY MARTIN GIROUX, of Liege, in the Kingdom of Belgium,
Locksmith and Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS" to be as
follows:-
My Invention relates to such door locks as are provided with latches, that
is to say, with bolts or levers which on the closing of a door engage in a staple
fixed in the door frame, which said latches are disengaged from the said staples
by the turning of the knob of the door. The said bolts or latches are usually
withdrawn or lifted by giving a rotatory motion to the door handle. My
Invention consists in withdrawing the said bolts or lifting the said latches by
pushing or pulling the said door knob instead of turning the same; this I
effect by attaching an inclined plane or planes to the axis of the door knob,
and causing the same to act on a roller or rollers placed in a slot in the bolt,
or by causing the axis to act upon a cranked lever, and thereby raise the latch.
By pulling the door knob on one side of the door or pushing it on the
other, the bolt may be withdrawn or the latch raised; the return motion of
the latch or bolt may be effected.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS AND ROOFING TILES
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Savage at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th April 1854.
I, GEORGE SAVAGE, of Stoke-Bruen, in the County of Northampton, Brick
and Tile Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS AND ROOFING TILES" to be as follows:-
As regards that part of this Invention which relates to improvements in the
manufacture of bricks, it consists, firstly, in forming at one of the ends
thereof a recess, and at the other and opposite end a projection, so that
in using bricks thus formed, by placing the projecting part of one brick
into the recessed part of the next and adjoining brick, the work becomes
better bonded and more securely tied together than when built of bricks
of the ordinary shape, the courses of the work being connected together by
mortar or cement in the manner usually practised. And an important feature
in this Invention consists in an improved mode of indurating bricks to render
them impervious to moisture, which I effect by the use and employment of a
mixture composed of―
2 parts of the resin or rosin of commerce.
2 ditto of pitch.
2 ditto of size.
2
resin or rosin oil.
"
2
30
دو
common oil.
gas tar.
The whole being well mixed together and boiled; the bricks are then immersed
therein.

page_text: And, secondly, as regards that part of this Invention which has reference to
improvements in the manufacture of roofing tiles, it consists, first, in so form-
ing those descriptions of tiles known and distinguished as "pan tiles," as that
they shall retain their shape after they are moulded, whereas by the modes
heretofore practised they lose their original shape either before or during the
time they are in the kiln, by reason of the middle portion of the tile being
unsupported, and I remedy this defect by forming a ridge or projection across
such unsupported part. Another part of this Invention, as connected with the
manufacture of roofing tiles, consists. in forming flat tiles with holes or openings
through the same in the direction of their length, and by these means to effect
important improvements in the manufacture of flat tiles, namely, the com-
bining of lightness with strength, and the prevention of the tiles from distor-
tion whilst in the kiln, thereby rendering flat tiles particularly applicable for
covering roofs; but such tiles may also be used with equal advantage for floors,
and will be found cheaper and better than tiles as heretofore manufactured
and employed for that purpose.
A METHOD OF COMPRESSING AIR IN AIR GUNS, AND AN IMPROVED AIR GUN
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frank James Wilson Packman at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th November 1854.
I, FRANK JAMES WILSON PACKMAN, of Puckeridge, in the County of Herts,
Doctor of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"A METHOD OF COMPRESSING AIR IN AIR GUNS, AND AN IMPROVED AIR GUN," to be
as follows:-
My method consists in subjecting air after it has been compressed by an
ordinary air pump to hydraulic pressure, whereby I obtain air of far greater
power than has hitherto been employed in air guns.
My improved air gun consists in adapting a revolving breech or apparatus
to cause bullets to present themselves to the gun barrel, so as to form with
my method of compression a "hydro-pneumàtic revolver."
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CULTIVATION OF THE POTATOE PLANT
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Sykes at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th January 1854.
I, JAMES SYKES, of Helm, near Huddersfield, in the County of York,
Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CULTIVATION OF THE POTATOE PLANT" to be as follows:-
The improvements in the cultivation of the potatoe plant relate to means
for avoiding or greatly mitigating the disease now so prevalent and commonly
called the "potatoe disease," and the Invention or discovery consists in laying
the stalks or stems of the plant at a certain period of their growth in a
horizontal direction or nearly so.
My mode of operation is as follows:-
With the flowering kinds of plants I operate when the first flowers are in
blossom on or rather dying away from the plant, or about that time. With
those plants that do not flower, I operate at about the same period of their
age. I at such times bend over the stalks at the ground into a horizontal
direction, or nearly so, avoiding as much as possible breaking of the stem, and
I keep them in that position to prevent them rising up again by laying on the
parts near the bends, earth, ashes, clay, sub-soil, or other matters.
Should any symptoms of the disorder appear at an earlier stage of the
growth of the plant, then the stalks should be immediately laid and earthed
down as above explained.

page_text: I cover the stalks thus laid to a depth of 3 inches, and to about seven inches
from the bend at the root end of the stalk, to make the stalks lie as required;
but this may be varied.
By thus laying the stalks of the plants I find the moisture does not run so
much to the roots, and disease is prevented or greatly mitigated.
I prefer to "set" the potatoes in rows, with a sufficient space between the
rows to provide earth to keep the stalks down... I also. prefer that the stems of
the plants be laid when practicable to the south side of the ridge.
AN IMPROVED REED FOR LOOMS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Keirby at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd March
1854.
I, EDWARD KEIRBY, Manufacturer, Radcliffe Close, Lancashire, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED REED FOR LOOMS"
to be as follows:-
My improvements in reeds for looms consist in making the reed of move-
able dents or teeth of steel, brass, iron, or any other suitable material, and of
such breadth or thickness as may be thought requisite, with holes at the top
and bottom, and of separating those dents or teeth by washers, made of metal
or other suitable material, and of such thicknesses and gauge as the cloth,
fabric, or other material requires, and screwing or fasting them together
through the holes above referred to, or to be fastened or attached in a
groove in the slay of the loom by screw, wedge, or any other mechanical
equivalent.
I therefore claim as of my Invention the above described method of con-
structing a reed of moveable dents or teeth, and the mode of separating and
attaching the same together on rods or bolts, or by any other mechanical
Invention, or with screws, wedge, or other mechanical Invention, to the slays
of the loom, so as to form one complete reed, as before described.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE WINCHES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Fox Logan at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd June 1854.
I, GEORGE Fox LOGAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Boiler Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE WINCHES" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the so arranging and constructing ordinary crab
or similar winches, in such a manner that they may be fixed in any position,
and may be adjusted with facility to the work to be performed. To this end the
winch is formed with a sole plate of malleable iron or other suitable material,
and is fitted upon an under sole plate, upon which it turns by means of a
swivel joint. The under sole plate is formed with clamps or bent ends, by
which it can be hung upon any fixture, as the frames, plates, or other part of a
ship, or of a boiler or other structure.
The whole apparatus can be carried by one man, and can be moved along
the plates or other part on which it is hung, at pleasure. The two sole plates
are formed with regularly pitched holes, those in one plate fairly opposite
those in the other; and on the winch being adjusted it can be fixed in position
by means of pins passed through the holes in the two plates. This apparatus
will be of great utility in the construction of iron ships, boilers, and all other
structures in which heavy weights have to be lifted and moved about. Thus

page_text: the winch can always be conveniently placed, and the tackle can be fixed
immediately over the plate, frame, or other article to be lifted, whilst it is im-
material in what position the winch is fixed, as the swivel joint arrangement
gives it the power of accurately adjusting itself to the work it has to
perform.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CHENILLE FABRICS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Greenshields at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th January
1854.
I, WALTER GREENSHIELDS, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid-Lothian,
North Britain, Manager, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHENILLE FABRICS" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the manufacture of ornamental fringes for various
purposes, as already generally applied in different branches of textile works,
such fringes having ornamental patterns or figures upon them. The fringes
are woven or manufactured in the ordinary manner, with the exception that
yarns of various colors are woven or worked into them according to the usual
system of manufacturing figured or parti-colored fabrics in the loom. By the
adoption of this system of manufacture the fringes produced by weaving are
capable of presenting in themselves any desired ornamental figures, just as if
they were a portion of an ornamental body fabric, instead of being merely of a
single tint or a graduated shade, as heretofore. It is obvious that the same
system of producing figured fringes is applicable where figured or parti-colored
chenille is worked up by a sewing process.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WET GAS-METERS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frédéric Margueritte at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
June 1854.
I, FRÉDÉRIC MARGUERITTE, of Paris, in the Empire of France, and of 16,
Castle Street, Holborn (City), London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WET GAS-METERS" to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in certain contrivances to maintain a constant
lovel of water in the cistern of gas-meters. It is a well-known objection to
wet gas-meters, that the water in them sinking below its original level, causes
the partitions or buckets in the drum to hold more gas than when the water
or other liquid is at the proper level, thus causing the meter to indicate the
passage of less gas than has really passed through it. To obviate this defect,
I place above the cistern at a suitable height a reservoir of suitable contents;
this reservoir communicates with the cistern by means of a pipe descending
into it to the level required. The communication between the reservoir and
cistern can be shut off by a stop-cock or other suitablo means, and the
reservoir is capable of being closed by a stop-cock or other suitable contri-
The water in the meter being at the proper level, the open orifice
of the pipe will just touch the surface of the water also; the reservoir, being
closed at the bottom, is supposed to have been filled from above; after which
it is shut air-tight above and opened below, thus forming a column of water
resting on the surface of the level in the cistern, on account of the pressure of

page_text: gas in the cistern, and the vacuum in the reservoir above. Supposing then
the level of the water in the cistern to sink by evaporation a little below the
orifice of the above said pipe, the column of water will immediately descend
and supply the water evaporated. To shut off the escape of gas, both in caso
the reservoir should not be closed air-tight, and therefore let the water i
descend in too great a quantity, and in case the level of the reservoir should
sink unusually low, from want of water in the reservoir, I have contrived a
double-acting stop valve, which is acted upon by a float in the cistern.