matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVEMENT IN STRAPS FOR SHARPENING RAZORS, SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND OTHER LIKE ÅARTICLES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles William Ramié at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd November 1854.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM RAMIE, of Jersey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN STRAPS FOR SHARPENING
RAZORS, SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND OTHER LIKE ÅARTICLES," to be as follows:--
Razors are almost always, if not always, ground in such manner as to
produce a curve between the cutting edge and the back of the blade, and
straps as hitherto formed present a flat surface. Now, my Invention consists
in assimilating the shape of the strap as nearly as may be to that of the curve
existing between the back and edge of the razor, and for this purpose I form
my strap of the shape of an ellipse, or segment of a circle, in the direction of
its length.
The most ready and simple means consists in shaping a piece of wood or
other suitable foundation in the form of an ellipse, or segment of a circle, and
then covering it with leather. In order, however, to form a more portable
strap, I take two flat blades of steel, or other suitable material, and cover them
with leather on the outside; I connect them to two end pieces, one of which
-is-fixed, while the other is capable of being drawn towards the fixed piece, by
means of a rod connected at one end to the moveable end piece, and passing

page_text: through the fixed piece; the other end of the rod being screw-threaded, and
working into a nut fixed in the handle of the strap. By turning the handle,
the moveable end piece will be drawn nearer, to the other, and the steel blades
will assume the form of an ellipse, or of a segment of a circle, and may be.
bowed out, according to the will of the user. On turning the handle in the
reverse direction, the blades will resume their original form, and the strap may
be placed in an ordinary case or cover.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSER FLYERS FOR PREPARING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES FOR SPINNING
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Shorrocks at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th July
1854.
I, the said WILLIAM SHORROCKS, of Farnworth, in the County of Lan-
caster, Spindle and Fly Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSER FLYERS FOR PREPARING COTTON
AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES FOR SPINNING" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in a method of adapting a spring for the purpose of
causing the presser finger or fingers to bear against the bobbin, and in-so con-
structing the springs employed for that purpose that they shall be capable of
keeping the presser fingers outward when moved beyond a certain point, so as
to facilitate the operation of "doffing." The presser finger is provided with
an upright pin, turning in bearings attached to the flyer leg. This pin has
a short projecting lever, the outward end of which carries a roller, bearing
against a curved spring, attached at one end to the flyer leg; the outward
motion of the presser is therefore resisted by the spring, and the required pres-
suro is thereby effected. I so form or arrange the spring, that by the time the
bobbin is full, the force will be in such a direction as to keep the presser finger
outward, or it may be turned upon its centre by hand, until in a suitable
position for being so acted upon and retained. The finger may be prevented
from turning outward too far by a part which shall arrive in contact with the
flyer leg.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECTILES FOR FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE GENERALLY
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Palliser at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th July
1854.
I, WILLIAM PALLISER, of Comragh, in the County of Waterford, Esquire,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROJECTILES FOR FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE GENERALLY" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved mode of constructing projectiles, and
the features of novelty are, firstly, the combining together of wood and metal
for the purpose of getting the centre of gravity, or greater part of the weight of
the projectile at the fore part thereof.
And secondly, in constructing the above projectiles with helical or straight
projections or flanges, for the purpose of causing the projectile to rotate upon
its long axis during its flight. But in order to explain the nature of this
Invention more fully, I now proceed to describe the means by which the same
is to be and may be carried into practical effect. And I would observe, that
in order to get the centre of gravity at the fore part of the projectile I adopt
one or both of the following methods:-I either hollow out the back or rear
of the projectile, if formed wholly of metal, so as to get the greatest quantity of
metal at the fore part of the projectile; or I use a plug of wood, gutta percha,
or other suitable material, of about the same specific gravity as the aforesaid
materials, and to the said plug I attach the metallic portion of the projectile in

page_text: any convenient manner; and I prefer, for the purpose of this Invention, that
the shape of the projectile should be a long cone, somewhat similar to the well-
known Minié rifle ball, and I form the before-mentioned helical shaped or
straight flanges or projections either in the front of the projectile or in the rear
thereof, as may be found most desirable in practice. And as regards the con-
struction of a particular description of projectiles used with ordnance, and
which are well known by the designation of "shells," this Invention consists
in constructing the same in the following manner :-I first fill the shell with
gunpowder, and then connect a hollow pillar to the point of the shell and after-
wards place a copper percussion cap thereon, and I protect such said cap from
the action of the ramrod during the loading of the gun by screwing a metal
cap or cover over the same, which is broken when, the shell strikes the object
fired at, and thus allows the percussion cap to be struck and ignite the powder
in the shell, and in this manner and by these means I obtain a percussion
shell.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTTLES AND BOTTLE STOPPERS, AND IN STOPPING AND APPLYING THE SAME
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Mara Fell and William
Cooke at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 19th June 1854.
We, THOMAS MARA FELL, of 74, King William Street, in the City of
London, and WILLIAM COOKE, of Curzon Street, Saint George's Parish,
Hanover Square, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTTLES AND BOTTLE STOPPERS, AND
IN STOPPING AND APPLYING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
First, in manufacturing stoppers through which the contents of a bottle may
be poured without removing the same, this being accomplished by the stopper
being made hollow through its entire length and fitted with a plug transversely,
which plug is moved by means of a lever or spring.
Secondly, in manufacturing bottles having the above arrangements of a
portable plug, combined with and being portion of the bottle.
And, lastly, in manufacturing bottles to receive the cork transversely or
across the neck, insted of vertically or upright, as at present.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING ROPES AND CORDS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Wilkinson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th April
1854.
I, WILLIAM WILKINSON, of the Town and County of Nottingham, Frame-
work Knitter, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING ROPES AND CORDS"
to be as follows:-
My improvements in the method of manufacturing ropes consist in surround-
ing several wires previously twisted together with a fibrous substance of any
desired color, and in twisting over this fibrous substance other wires, and I
repeat these alternate layers of wires and fibres according to the size and
purpose for which the rope is intended; and I either make the last coating or
covering of wire so as to appear like a wire rope, or of some suitable fibre, so
as to give it the appearance of a rope made of some fibrous material.
Another improvement consists in forming a rope or cord, partly of wire and
partly of a fibrous material, in order to impart strength to the rope or cord. I
do not cover the wire with the fibre, as in the first-mentioned improvement, but
I employ the wire exactly in the same way that I use the fibrous thread, only
instead of all my threads being of a fibrous material, part of them are of
wire. The cord or rope may be produced of any color or variety of color by
using colored threads.

page_text: My improvements in machinery for manufacturing the metal and fibrous
ropes or cords consists of a revolving table with the required number of
bobbins, tubes, and register plates. The bobbins are filled with wire or with
thread, and by the revolution of the table are caused to give off their contents
as required. I employ cones or drums to take up the work as finished.
Another improvement in machinery for making plaited wire or other rope
consists in causing the bobbins upon which the wires or threads are wound to
partake of an alternate up and down and traversing motion, so that the threads
or wires forming the plait shall always remain flat.
AN ELASTIC BREECHING APPARATUS FOR CANNONS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Johnson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th March
1854.
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 ELASTIC BREECHING APPARATUS FOR
CANNONS," being a communication from George Morris Knevitt, of the City of
New York, in the United States of America, Gentleman, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in attaching cannons to ships or forts by means of a
strong elastic spring in connection with the breeching ropes. It is well known
that by the ordinary rope breeching much danger to life exists, owing to the
breaking or slipping of the ropes, and that it is difficult to get the gun quickly
to a position for reloading. By the use of the spring breeching the recoil of
the gun (when fired) can be regulated so as to run back to the proper distance
for loading, the danger to the men will be done away with, and the reloading
more expeditious. The spring is composed of india-rubber, contained in a
wrought iron frame. Four wrought iron bolts or rods pass through four plates,
and a series of discs of india-rubber are contained between metallic discs.
Through these india-rubber and metallic discs, and also through three of the
plates, runs a strong bolt which is secured on the outside of one of the plates
by a nut (or it may be fixed in any way to the plate itself); on the other end

page_text: of the bolt is a ring or hook. A ring or hook is attached to the end of the
frame. It will thus be seen that a pull on either end of the frame will com-
press the india-rubber springs, thereby giving an easy spring combined with
great strength; and this frame can easily be attached either to the gun carriage
or to the deck of the ship, and the length of the rope regulated so as to allow
the gun to recoil only a certain distance, the strain being taken off the rope by
the spring before mentioned. The principle of this Invention consists not in
the mode of making a spring of india-rubber and metallic discs, as that is
already patented, but in the mode of attaching cannons to ships or forts by
means of a strong elastic spring in connection with the breeching ropes,
and in the use of the wrought iron frame for containing the spring, as
described.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF DIES FOR PRODUCING PRINTING SURFACES FOR CALICO PRINTERS, APPLICABLE ALSO TO EMBOSSING
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Wilkinson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th January
1854.
I, JOHN WILKINSON, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Die Maker,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF DIES FOR PRODUCING PRINTING SURFACES FOR CALICO PRINTERS,
APPLICABLE ALSO TO EMBOSSING," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in a method of using the instrument called
the pantograph, for the purpose of etching designs upon surfaces of metal to
be used for impressing the said designs upon rollers or dies from which
printing or embossing surfaces are formed. The surface upon which the
design is to be produced is coated with the ordinary etching wax, and a part of
the pattern etched thereon. By passing the tracer of the pantograph over the
artist's design, the outline thus produced is bitten in in the usual manner, and
a print or tracing obtained therefrom, which is now transferred to the tracing
point of the pantograph, and the etched plate with another etching ground
returned to its former place. By now passing the tracing point over a ground
work or other second portion of the design taken on a transparent surface, and
placed upon the impression first obtained, that second portion of the design
will also be etched upon the metal surface first operated upon, the print or

page_text: Having
other impression obtained therefrom acting as a scale to register the several
portions of the design. Secondly, my Invention consists in a method of
making the roller dies or tools for impressing printing surfaces.
obtained the proper length of design to correspond to the periphery of the
roller to be impressed, I plane away or otherwise remove the metal surface at
each end of the said length of design, so as to leave it raised above the general
surface, by which means the plain part is prevented from pressing out the
pattern imparted to the roller, tool, or die.
CERTAIN IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles François Le Page at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
February 1854.
I, CHARLES FRANÇOIS LE PAGE, of Paris, in the French Empire, Literary
Man, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING" to be as follows:-
A vertical cylindrical pipe is employed to contain tallow or other solid fatty
matter, which is pressed upwards by means of a piston worked by a rack and
pinion. The pinion may be turned by hand or by a spring, or the piston may
be forced upwards by a spring applied directly to it. The upper part of the
pipe is traversed by a smaller tube open at both ends and fixed transversely in
the pipe, and another vertical tube rises from the centre of this transverse tube
and is surrounded by a cylindrical wick, which is again surrounded by another
tube perforated with holes. When the apparatus is in use the upper part
becomes hot and melts the tallow or other fatty matter forced up by the
piston. The melted fat passes through the perforated tube and supplies
the wick, which is supplied with air by means of the transverse and vertical
tubes above mentioned. This transverse tube, in combination with the

page_text: vertical tube, may be employed for supplying air to other descriptions of
lamps; the tallow or fatty matter may be introduced into the cylindrical
pipe in fragments, or it may be moulded into a cylindrical form somewhat like
a candle without a wick.
A CANDLE- STICK WORKING BY MACHINERY, SO AS TO KEEP THE CANDLE ALWAYS AT THE SAME HEIGHT IN A TUBE, WITH A SHADE OF PECULIAR CONSTRUCTION, SO AS TO AUGMENT GREATLY THE QUANTITY OF LIGHT
Year: 1854

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, out notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Marie Louise Lise Beaudeloux at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with her Petition, on the
21st January 1854.
I, MARIE LOUISE LISE BEAUDELOUX, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
Spinster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A CANDLE-
STICK WORKING BY MACHINERY, SO AS TO KEEP THE CANDLE ALWAYS AT THE SAME
HEIGHT IN A TUBE, WITH A SHADE OF PECULIAR CONSTRUCTION, SO AS TO AUGMENT
GREATLY THE QUANTITY OF LIGHT," to be as follows:-
I propose to use a tube (somewhat similar to that in common use with gas
burners) to be made of porcelain, or any substance which will effectually
imitate or resemble the color and appearance of a bougie or wax candle.
Into this tube a candle or bougie is placed, the upper part just above the tube,
but not confined at the top as in Palmer's expired Patent. In the body of
the candlestick there is to be a mechanism somewhat similar to that of a carcel
lamp, which will keep the candle always at the same height, so that when
nearly the whole of the candle, even to say half an inch, is burnt away, there
is still the effect of a whole bougie; or, in other words, the candles in a
candelabra or candlestick are always of one height, and appear as whole
candles.
AN IMPROVED MANGER OR TROUGH FOR HOLDING THE PROVENDER OF HORSES, CATTLE, AND OTHER ANIMALS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Cato at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th July 1854.
I, PETER CATO, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Shipbuilder, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MANGER OR
TROUGH FOR HOLDING THE PROVENDER OF HORSES, CATTLE, AND OTHER ANIMALS" to
be as follows:-
My Invention consists in making the troughs or mangers of horses, cattle,
or other animals of earthenware or stoneware, and so forming the inside that
the animal may be able without difficulty to gather up all the provender that
may be placed therein.
The advantages resulting from the use of earthen or stoneware are, first,
that the troughs may be moulded without internal angles or corners, wherein
small particles of the food are liable to accumulate, and turn sour or putrid, and
spoil any fresh food that may be afterwards placed therein. By the employ-
ment of earthen or stoneware, as aforesaid, the troughs or mangers may also
be kept cleaner than usual, and may be washed out with great facility. These
earthen or stoneware troughs or mangers may, if required, be mounted in an
iron, wooden, or other framing to support the same, or be built into the stable
wall, or simply secured to a shelf.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ORNAMENTING THE SURFACES OF VARIOUS ARTICLES AND FABRICS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edouard Auguste Desiré Guichard
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd July 1854.
I, EDOUARD AUGUSTE DESIRE GUICHARD, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
Designer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ORNAMENTING THE SURFACES OF VARIOUS ARTICLES AND FABRICS" to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, in the application to oil cloth, whether
employed as floor cloth, table covers, table mats, or for other domestic
purposes, of certain substances to be applied as a flock surface, either on the
under side thereof, as a substitute for the woollen surface ordinarily produced,
or for the production of ornainental designs on the upper side thereof.
Secondly, in the application of my improved flock to the manufacture of
toys or fancy articles or labels, whether made of wood, paper, cardboard, or
other substances.
And, thirdly, in its application to articles or fabrics composed wholly or
partially of caoutchouc or gutta percha.
The substances which I propose to employ for these purposes are the follow-
ing, viz. :-Sand, sawdust or powdered wood, pulverized leather, metals and
metallic salts, talc or mica, bone, ivory, or horn reduced to powder, flax, hemp,

page_text: cotton, moss, lichen, or any other textile plants, and generally all substances,
other than wool, capable of being reduced to powder, whether animal, vegetable,
or mineral, and either in their natural state or dyed or stained.
These substances may either be employed alone or in combination with
various other matters, according to the effects desired to be produced; and they
may be applied to the surfaces of the articles or fabrics, either by means of the
ordinary flocking varnish, or by means of solutions of caoutchouc or gutta
percha.
I also propose ornamenting surfaces of fabrics composed principally of
caoutchouc or gutta percha with the above-named materials or substances;
and these substances may also be applied for ornamenting the surfaces of
various articles, such as dolls, children's playthings, and other articles in
which a flocked surface may be required.
CON- STRUCTING THE SEVERAL PARTS OF VEHICLES OF HOLLOW METAL TUBING OR PIPES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Corrall at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th March
1854.
I, WILLIAM CORRALL, of No. 11, Albert Street, Mile End, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CON-
STRUCTING THE SEVERAL PARTS OF VEHICLES OF HOLLOW METAL TUBING OR PIPES"
to be as follows:-
I take metal tubing or pipes, of any proper size and substance, and unite the
same together by any convenient means, but chiefly by means of screwing and
tapping, and in the form in which I require to construct my vehicle, and where
practicable, in such a position respectively as to form a truss or trusses, by
which method of construction I gain a great advantage by reducing the weight
of my vehicle, both by using hollow metal tubing or pipes, and also by the
system of trussing, as is more clearly shown by the accompanying Drawing of
a van body for carrying a ton and a half weight of goods. Although it is
chiefly in the construction of the bodies of vehicles that my Invention will be
of service, yet I likewise claim for its applicability to other parts of vehicles,
such as the pole shafts and the spokes of the wheels, but I do not claim
for constructing the axle of hollow tubing, my object being in all cases to

page_text: diminish the weight without diminishing the strength of the vehicle. Neither
do I claim for any particular form or shape for constructing my vehicles, but
reserve to myself the right of constructing it in any convenient form as may
from time to time be required.
A NEW AND IMPROVED METHOD OF TRANSMITTING MOTION
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John William Wrey at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th January
1854.
I, JOHN Wм. WREY, of 16, Upper Berkeley Street West, in the Cy of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW
AND IMPROVED METHOD OF TRANSMITTING MOTION " to be as follows:-
The employment of rods or arms connected by hinges with the ends of levers
and with one another by ball and socket or other suitable hinges, so as to form
angles with the levers and with one another, which shall vary as the levers are
moved, by means of which rods or arms and hinges motion may be transmitted
from one lever to another.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE METHOD OF TREATING AND PRINTING SUCH FUSTIAN GOODS OR FABRICS AS ARE CALLED 'CORDS AND THICKSETS' OR 'VELVETEENS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Worrall at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th September
1854.
I, JAMES WORRALL, junior, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Dyer and
5 Finisher, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF TREATING AND PRINTING SUCH FUSTIAN GOODS OR FABRICS
AS ARE CALLED 'CORDS AND THICKSETS' OR 'VELVETEENS" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists simply in printing such goods or fabrics as are above
named immediately after the process of "cutting" them, in contradistinction
to any other method of treatment as hitherto employed or practised.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING POWDERS OF CHARCOAL, COKE, COAL, PEAT, AND GENERALLY ALL MATTERS OBTAINED BY THE CARBONIZATION OF MINERAL, VEGETABLE, AND ANIMAL SUBSTANCES, & IN APPLYING THE SAID POWDERS TO USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henri Adolphe Archereau at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
March 1854.
I, HENRY ADOLPHE ARCHEREAU, of Paris, in the Empire of France, & of
16, Castle Street, Holborn (City), London, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING POWDERS OF CHARCOAL,
COKE, COAL, PEAT, AND GENERALLY ALL MATTERS OBTAINED BY THE CARBONIZATION OF
MINERAL, VEGETABLE, AND ANIMAL SUBSTANCES, & IN APPLYING THE SAID POWDERS
TO USEFUL PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
Forming from the carbonaceous substances above mentioned a plastic
material of variable consistencies, and possessing many properties in common
with gutta percha. The powder is mixed in different proportions, according
to the use of the matter, with one or more of the following substances:
coal tar or natural "resin of Bastenner," residue of coal tar, pitch, resinous &
bituminous substances, gums, oils, varnishes, glues, fatty and ceramic sub-
stances; and is then subjected to a heat which renders the substance viscous
or liquid. To obtain a substance which can be laminated and drawn out
in a moderate temperature, I mix about 100 parts residue of coal tar or
"natural coal-tar of Bastenner," with 150 to 200 parts of coal powder, and

page_text: a little linseed oil, if required. The articles made of this substance may be
galvanised or covered with a film of metal. To produce a harder material,
I mix with the coal powder either tale or pulverised earth, silica, alimina, or
any other substance suitable for that purpose.
IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PLOUGHING AND GRUBBING
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Beaumont Cole at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th July
1854.
I, BEAUMONT COLE, the younger, of Deards End, Knebworth, in the County
Hertford, Engineer and Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of my said
Invention for "IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PLOUGHING
AND GRUBBING" to be as follows, viz. :-
This Invention has reference to a kind of rotary plough or grubber, that is,
a ploughing or grubbing instrument, such, for instance, as a body, mould
board, land side rist, share, coulter, &c., or any given number of these, is or
are to be fixed, fastened, or attached to or upon a revolving shaft or spindle of
such shape or construction as shall turn over the soil or carth in furrows
(which furrows will be cut in pieces) like as the present ploughs turn the top
soil to the bottom and the bottom soil to the top. If more than one ploughing
instrument, &c. is or are fixed upon the same shaft or spindle, it or they may
be made to revolve in the same line, similar to a wheel either of a cart or rail-
road carriage, and may be made to plough either deeper or thinner, or to stop
ploughing.
One or more of the said shafts or spindles thus equipped is to be attached to

page_text: and combined with suitable framing, which will connect it with a suitable
steam or other power engine, which will not only work the plough, but will
cause, by the aid of the wheels or rollers, the whole to travel over the field.
To the above framing, drills, dibbles, rollers, or other implements of tillage
might be attached.
AN IMPROVED CON- STRUCTION OF RAILWAY, AND CARRIAGES TO BE EMPLOYED THEREON, APPLICABLE CHIEFLY TO FARM PURPOSES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William King Westley at the
Office of the Commissioners, of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
May 1854.
اطفال
I, WILLIAM KING WESTLEY, of Leeds, in the County of York, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED CON-
STRUCTION OF RAILWAY, AND CARRIAGES TO BE EMPLOYED THEREON, APPLICABLE
CHIEFLY TO FARM PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
The chief object of this Invention is to produce a cheap temporary railway,
over which light carriages suitable for carrying farm and other produce might
The railway I propose to support upon a row of pillars, on opposite
sides of which the carriages are intended to run.
These pillars project through and serve to carry a line of wood planking, to
the sides of which iron rails are affixed. Upon these rails, which form a double
way, run the wheels of the carriages; and for a further support to the car-
riages and to keep them perpendicular, the pillars carry, at their upper ends
a similar arrangement of rails, against the inner face of which antifriction
rollers mounted on the top of the carriages bear. The carriages may be
transferred from one truck to the other by means of turntables, consisting of
a rotating frame mounted on a pillar for its centre of motion, and carrying
upper and lower rails corresponding to those of the main line. If thought
desirable, these may form part of the main line.

page_text: In this case it is kept fixed in a line with the railway by tumbling levers,
which are carried by the turntable, and drop into notches made at the ends
of the contiguous rails, but are capable of being raised to disengage the table
by means of a bar, which projects from the carriage, coming in contact with
and tripping up the tumbling lever. A stop is also provided for retaining the
carriage on the turntable, when the carriage is required to be shifted from one
line of rails to the other: The supporting pillars may sometimes be mounted
on moveable wheel carriages, or on floating boats or pontoons.
The carriages admit of great variety of form, and may be furnished with
four wheels to run on the ground, as well as the railway, and the wheels may
be supplied with swivels, to enable them to move in curves: Their main
weight may be borne by either rail on one or more wheels.
They may be moved on the railway by simple traction, with a rope pulled by
man or beast, or by an endless rope or chain supported on pullies, and worked
at one end of the line: by any convenient, power, wind, water, animal," or
steam...
j
IMPROVEMENTS IN REEFING AND FURLING THE SAILS OF SHIPS OR OTHER VESSELS
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Josiah Thompson Marshall at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
July 1854.
I, JOSIAH THOMPSON MARSHALL, of New York, in the United States of
America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REEFING AND FURLING THE SAILS OF SHIPS OR OTHER VESSELS"
to be as follows:-
In the case of a topsail (for instance), I propose to roll up the sail at its
foot or lower part, the roll to be made outwardly or inwardly, in the following
manner:
1st, to roll up the sail, I propose to have an iron or other metallic rod
placed beneath, or forward, or abaft the lower yard, at a suitable distance and
attached thereto.
2nd, upon each end of the said rod a wheel will be attached to communicate
(by cogs or chain or bolt) with the wheels on the axle.
3rd, each sheet or clew of the topsail will be attached to an axle or similar
contrivance, which axle or contrivance will be turned by communicating with
the wheels on the rod.
4th, to turn the rod mentioned in paragraph No. 1, a chain or belt or rōpe
passes from the deck up to a wheel upon the rod. This chain or belt or
rope to be set in motion by manual or steam power either from the deck or
"top."

page_text: 5th, I also propose to use a cap, made to open, to allow the parrel (or
attachment of the yard to the mast) of the topsail yard to pass down between
the head of the lower mast and the lower end of the topmast.
6. Instead of the axles named in paragraph 3, I propose to use, if found
preferable, a metallic roller the entire width of the foot of the sail; also, when
desirable, a wire foot-rope for the sail.
A POCKET PROTECTOR AND POCKET
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 Henry Stewart at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th May 1854.
I, HENRY STEWART, of 15, Baker Street, Bedford Square, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A POCKET
PROTECTOR AND POCKET" to be as follows:-
This instrument is made to apply to any kind of pocket, and can be easily
put to pockets already made, with very little trouble, and can be relied upon to
prevent the pocket being picked under any ordinary circumstances without
the knowledge of the wearer, unless it is cut away; but to obviate this, I
introduce a chain pocket to my protector, or a pocket made of any material,
with the insertion of a chain or wire, which will prevent its being cut away,
and in case any one attempted to pick it, the wearer would have a better
knowledge of the act.
The accompanying Drawings show the protector in different forms, with
springs, catches, slides, &c. The protector and pocket can be made of any
material.
AN IMPROVED MODE OF COMPENSATING FOR THE DEVIATION OF THE NEEDLE OF SHIPS' COMPASSES OCCASIONED BY LOCAL ATTRACTION
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Bassnett at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th March
1854.
I, THOMAS BASSNETT, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Optician
and Nautical Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF COMPENSATING FOR THE DEVIATION OF THE
NEEDLE OF SHIPS' COMPASSES OCCASIONED BY LOCAL ATTRACTION" to be as follows:-
In carrying out this Invention I first ascertain the amount of deviation of
the needle occasioned by local causes on board ships or vessels, and then correct
or compensate for such variation or deviation, so that the compass may indicate
with accuracy the true magnetic point.
-The amount of deviation-occasioned by local causes on board is ascertained
by means of what may be termed a standard compass, which must be used on
shore.
By means of this compass on shore the exact bearing of the head of the ship
or vessel is accurately ascertained, and the same is carefully noted; then the
exact bearing of the ship, as indicated by the compass on board in the binnacle
or other convenient part of the ship, is ascertained and carefully noted, and the
difference between the readings of the two compasses will be the amount of
deviation; or the deviation may be obtained by reciprocal bearings. Obser-

page_text: vations of this kind should be made at every point of the compass by swinging
the ship.
The amount of deviation having been ascertained it is carefully marked on
a plain card, and allowance having been made for the deviation, the card may
be divided all round into points or degrees. For instance, supposing the
standard compass on shore indicates N. 45 E., and the binnacle compass on
board N. 30 E, I, in adjusting or correcting the compass, mark N. 45 E.
on the plain card at the point corresponding to N. 30 E., and so on all round
the card.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Thompson and William
Wagstaff at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 29th December 1854.
We, FREDERICK THOMPSON and WILLIAM WAGSTAFF, of No. 12, Pall Mall
East, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PHOTOGRAPHY" to be as follows:-
The Invention consists in marking on the back of a glass plate on which a
picture or photograph has been taken, or upon one or more seperate glass,
metal, or other plates placed behind the same, the outline or form of the object
or objects in the picture or photograph, with any sort of varnish, cement, or
other material that can mark or define a line, or with paper, cloth, velvet, silk,
gutta percha, wood, or other suitable material, and filling the space or part
thereof within such outline with one or more coats of the above, or other
suitable material, thereby producing an appearance of relief or rotundity. And
the same effect may be produced by eating away with any acid or other
suitable material the whole or part of the said outline, or any part of the back
of the glass or picture, or upon any seperate plate of glass, metal, or other
suitable material, and coloring or coating the part affected by the said acid
or other suitable material, or with varnish or other material before described.
The Invention farther consists in producing a coloured background for
photographic pictures, by placing behind the plate on which the picture is
produced, or upon or behind one or more seperate plates of glass or other

page_text: suitable material, tinted paper, cloth, velvet, silk, gutta percha, wood, stained
glass, or other suitable material, and which background will add to or assist
the appearance of relief or rotundity, before described.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR LOWERING AND DISENGAGING SHIPS' BOATS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Rixon at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th March
1854.
I, FREDERICK RIXON, of Cockspur Street, in the City of Westminster,
Glass Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR LOWERING AND DISENGAGING SHIPS' BOATS" to be
as follows:-
This Invention relates to an arrangement of apparatus which will admit of
a boat suspended from the davits of a ship being lowered by one or more
of the boats crew, and of being disengaged from the ship immediately it
touches the water. To this end I cause the davits to work on a hinge joint,
and I connect their extremities together by a cross bar, thus forming a kind of
swing frame. At about the middle of the length of this cross bar I mount
pullies or blocks to receive a length of rope or chain, which passing also over
other blocks or pullies connected to or carried by a standard affixed to the
bulwarks of the ship, sustains the boat and the apparatus in its elevated
position. One end of this rope or chain is secured to the cross bar or swing
frame, and the other to a barrel mounted in brackets on the swing frame.
On the axle of this barrel is a winch handle for turning it, and winding up
or letting out the rope, and on the same axle is likewise a friction pulley for
IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING-STICK GUNS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Barnett Meyers at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th August
1854. A communication.
I, BARNETT MEYERS, of 25, Savage Gardens, Tower Hill, in the County of
Middlesex, Importer and Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WALKING-STICK GUNS" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of fire-arms of a
simple kind in the form of walking sticks, canes, or similar articles, so that
whilst they may be used simply as walking sticks of an efficient kind, they may
also be turned to satisfactory account as guns or explosive contrivances without
any inconvenient change. The main body of this walking-stick gun is bored
or cleared truly out from end to end, to form a traverse barrel for the dis-
charger. The head of the cane or stick is fitted with any suitable handle, and
its opposite or ground end has screwed into it a solid end ferrule, to be used
when adapted for walking purposes. The discharger is a cylindrical piece of
metal fitting pretty closely to the bore of the stick, and capable of traversing
freely therein, whilst it may be fixed in the head when out of use by a lateral
pinching screw. The muzzle end of the piece or the ground end of the stick
has screwed into it, inside the external solid ferrule, a short metal barrel or
rifled muzzle piece. This barrel is screwed out when the piece is to be loaded,
and the missile, as a bullet or other projectile, is then dropped in at the inner.
and slightly wider end. The explosive agent is a percussion cap, with or with-

page_text: out gunpowder, which is put in after the bullet, the open side of the percussion
cap being next the head of the stick. The barrel piece so charged is then
screwed in again.
Immediately in front of the charge, when thus secured in position, is a spring
"needle" action, of the kind adopted in what is known as the "Prussian
needle gun," and it is this needle action which effects the discharge of the
piece. When the piece is to be fired, the traverser is released from its screw
holder, and being still retained near the head or handle end, the party using
the piece blows from his mouth through a small hole in the head, and the
pressure thus produced impels the discharger with considerable momentum
along the barrel; until it strikes against the spring needle action and jerks for-
ward the needle, so as to perforate the cap and explode the detonating sub-
stance therein for the discharge of the bullet. Instead of this discharge by the
breath, the needle may be struck forward by a spring trigger action.
AN IMPROVED COUPLING JOINT OR CONNECTION FOR TUBING OR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ezra Miles at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th May 1854.
I, EZRA MILES, of Stoke Hammond, in the County of Bucks, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED COUPLING JOINT OR CONNECTION FOR TUBING OR OTHER PURPOSES" to
be as follows:-
My Invention consists of an improved coupling joint for connecting together
tubes or pipes used for conveying water, steam, air, or gas, and for other con-
nections. It consists of a hollow metal cylinder, the internal diameter of
which is contracted at a short distance from the mouth, similar to the ordinary
socket pipe. Near the end of the pipe which is to be connected with the
cylinder is cast a boss or shoulder, which is turned to fit the coupling
cylinder, and the outer portion or end of the pipe beyond the shoulder is made
of a conical form, terminating in a collar or flange; this part of the pipe
enters the contracted portion of the cylinder. Upon the conical end of the
pipe is placed a thick ring of vulcanized india-rubber, somewhat larger than
the diameter of the smaller part of the cylinder. A hole is made through
the socket of the cylinder, and through a solid part left in the shoulder of the
pipe for that purpose, in which is fitted a pin. When the end of the pipe
is pushed into the cylinder, the elastic ring is forced towards the base of
the cone, and tightly compressed against the sides of the coupling cylinder;

page_text: the pin is passed through the cylinder and pipe, which holds the two firmly
together. As the internal. pressure on the joint is increased, it forces the
elastic ring back on the enlarged portion of the cone, rendering the joint
tighter as the pressure is augmented. I propose to use other methods
of fastening the joints in addition to the foregoing, one of which is to have
a groove round the shoulder or boss of the pipe at the base of the cone,
and to fasten it by two pins, connected or separate, and fitting into the
groove; lugs and keys may also be used for the purpose, if preferred. To
attach this joint to flexible tubing, as between locomotives and tenders or
railway carriages, the end of one tube should be fitted with a hollow cone, the
shoulder or boss of which has a screw thread cut upon it; over the cone is
slipped the end of the other flexible tube, and over it another hollow cone; a
nut is screwed on to the boss, which binds the whole firmly together. The
above modes of joining pipes, and tubes are applicable to a variety of
purposes.
I claim the right to vary the details of my Invention, of which the foregoing
is an outline description.
Im- PROVEMENTS IN WICKETS FOR THE GAME OF CRICKET
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Chadwick Yates at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 22nd
June 1854.
I, THOMAS CHADWICK YATES, of Bolton le Moors, in the County of Lancaster,
Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN WICKETS FOR THE GAME OF CRICKET" to be as follows:-
The nature of my Invention consists in connecting the three stumps forming
part of the wicket to a cast-iron or other stand by means of springs of
vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable material, in such wise that
when the stand is fixed in the ground, and the stumps are struck by the
cricket ball or otherwise, they regain their perpendicular positions. The bales
or cross pieces forming the upper part of the wicket are required as before,
but they are attached to the stumps by a band of india-rubber or other
material. The object of my Invention is to save the time and labor required
to replace the stumps in the ground after they have been struck down, and to
ensure a uniform distance between the stumps; also to prevent the bales being
thrown to the ground.
AN IMPROVED TEMPLATE FOR FACILITATING THE BUILDING OF IRON SHIPS AND VESSELS
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Moore at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th March 1854.
I, HENRY MOORE, Foreman to Messrs. Charles and William Earle, of the
Junction Foundry, Hull, in the County of York, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED TEMPLATE FOR FACILITATING THE
BUILDING OF IRON SHIPS AND VESSELS" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the employment of a template, formed of strips
of sheet iron or copper, or of one sheet of iron or copper, or of any other pliable.
motorial thus
The middle cross bars corresponding with the ship's frames, and serving to
mark the holes contained therein, and the horizontal bars serve for the holes
on the next streak of plates. The size of the template may be adjusted by
the holes in the middle or cross bars, or separate templates may be used for
each breadth. In using this template it is placed on the part of the vessel
to which the plate is intended to be fitted, the requisite holes being marked
through with ordinary marking, and the template is then placed upon the
plate to be fitted, and the holes remarked off by a pair of common reversers.