matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVE- MENTS IN REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Dunn at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd August 1861.
I, JOSEPH DUNN, of Alnwick, in the County of Northumberland, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVE-
MENTS IN REAPING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
My improvement or improvements in reaping machines consist in actu-
ating the knives or cutters in the following manner :-From a bracket fixed
on the side frame of the carriage is suspended a bent oscillating lever, the
lower end of which is connected with the cutters; the said lever carries two
pulleys placed at equal distances, one above and the other below the centre
pin on which the lever moves and is suspended. To the spokes of the carriage
wheel on its inner side is fixed a circular rack, into which the said pullies gear.
As the wheel revolves, these traverse the teeth or projections on the said rack,
and thus communicate to the said lever and the said teeth a reciprocating
motion. By means of an ordinary slide lever the said pulleys may be put out
of gear when the knives are not required to be in use.
AN IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE SHELL
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Herman James Sillem at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th
May 1861.
I, HERMAN JAMES SILLEM, of the Firm of Fawcett, Preston, & Co., of Liver-
pool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED EXPLOSIVE SHELL," to be as follows (that
is to say):-
This Invention consists in a combined iron shell arranged in such a manner
that the powder measure for holding the bursting charge forms the corc.
This core is made with numerous projections and indentations, so disposed
that when the shell is cast round about it corresponding indentations and pro-
jections are formed within the outside covering. By this arrangement the shell
and core both burst into a great number of small fragments of tolerably uniform
size and shape. This arrangement of shell is applicable to any form, although
it is preferred to use it with a lead coating at the base, and is adapted specially
for muzzle-loading rifled guns. The lead is attached by tinning the rear end
of the shell before casting the lead round about it, or by making the end of
the shell in form of an outside screw, having such a direction that when the
shell is used in rifle guns the tendency shall be to set the lead covering more
firmly upon the shell.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CHIMNEY Tops
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Gurney Mason at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th January
1861.
I, JOHN GURNEY MASON, of Ironmonger Street, Stamford, in the County of
Lincoln, Ironmonger, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CHIMNEY Tops," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the manufacture of a peculiar kind of chimney
top in terra cotta, earthenware, or other similar material, the top being so
constructed as to prevent the wind from descending the chimney, thereby
causing down smoke, and impeding the upward draught of the fire in the
apartment. The entire chimney top is made in two or more parts, which are
subsequently fitted together to form the complete top. The sides of the shaft
or barrel have a number of inclined grooves or channels made in them, sepa-
rated by vertical T-shaped divisions, and opening at the upper end into the
interior of the chimney top. At this point a truncated hollow cone is fitted
inside the top, which serves as a guide for the wind which enters through and
is accumulated by the channels above referred to. A number of vertical
partitions divide the upper surface of the cone, and serve as supports to the
upper part of the chimney top, and also as accumulators. Behind this cone
is another series of openings, forming a second inlet for the wind, and above
the cone are placed horizontally two rings, one of larger diameter than the
other, and placed one above the other, so as to direct and divide any down-
ward current.

page_text: Another form of chimney top which it is proposed to manufacture in terra
cotta or earthenware consists of a slight modification of the one last described.
In this second modification the two horizontal rings are dispensed with, and an
annular deflecting lip is placed inside the barrel at the point where the several
mouths of the vertical channels open into the barrel, suitable notches or cuts
being made in the top of the barrel to form such mouths. A conical dia-
phragm plate is also connected to the bottom lip of the truncated cone with
the top edge of the barrel, so as to direct the wind laterally or in an upward
converging direction inside the chimney top.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING YEAST, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AMMONIACAL SALTS, AND A SUBSTITUTE FOR ANIMAL CHARCOAL
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Patrick Robertson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd September
1861.
I, PATRICK ROBERTSON, of Sun Court, Cornhill, in the City of London, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING
YEAST, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AMMONIACAL SALTS, AND A SUBSTITUTE FOR
ANIMAL CHARCOAL," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in treating yeast, and in the
manufacture of ammoniacal salts, and a substitute for animal charcoal. For
these purposes, in order to obtain dry yeast which may be kept for a consi-
derable time without prejudice to its quality, I first separate as much of the
moisture as possible by subjecting the yeast to the action of a centrifugal
machine to pressure or otherwise, as is well understood, and then finally dry
it in a chamber or vessel, having shelves or supports on which are placed trays
containing sulphuric acid, chloride of calcium, carbonate of potash, Canadian
potash, or lime in such manner as to be surrounded with the shelves or
supports, having thereon the yeast to be dried. A vacuum is obtained in the
chamber or vessel by exhausting pumps or otherwise, and in time the yeast
will be completely dried; the yeast is then reduced to powder, and is fit for
The powder may be stored in bottles or other close vessels.
In using yeast, in order to manufacture ammoniacal salts and a substitute
for animal charcoal, the yeast in a moist state is mixed with clay and carbonate

page_text: of lime or chalk; the mixture is to be dried, and then calcined. It is pre-
ferred that the mixture of the matters above mentioned should be such that
the calcined product may contain at the rate of ten parts of carbon, eighty
parts of clay, and ten parts of chalk, but these proportions may be varied.
When the substitute for animal charcoal is to be used for filtering acids, the
chalk may be left out, and only yeast and clay employed.
In calcining the above mixture in order to obtain the substitute for animal
charcoal, water, carbonate of ammonia, oils, and gases are evolved; these are
subjected to the action of a suitable condenser by which the water, oils, and
carbonate of ammonia are obtained in a suitable receiver. The oils float on
the water, which is charged with the carbonate of ammonia, and which salt of
ammonia is changed into muriate or sulphate of ammonia in the ordinary
manner.
IMPROVE MENTS IN VENTILATORS FOR RAILWAY AND OTHER CARRIAGES, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Henry Minchin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th November 1861.
I, CHARLES HENRY MINCHIN, of the City of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE
MENTS IN VENTILATORS FOR RAILWAY AND OTHER CARRIAGES, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
At the top of the aperture for the window sash, and behind the grooves in
which the sash slides, I place one or more strips of wire or silk gauze, jointed
together so that they can be folded or opened out, the top strip being held by
pivots working in bearings fixed to the frame. The bottom strip of gauze is
mounted with a bevilled strip of wood or other material, to which the top of
the sash is made to correspond, and the strips are made to unfold or expand
by means of weights or pulleys. At each or either end of the lower strip or
parts connected with it, there is a cord or chain passing over a guide pulley
at the top, between other guide pulleys in the frame, and fastened to the
lower part of the sash or to weights and rods; or levers are employed for the
same purpose. When the sash is placed in its lowest position, the strips of
gauze are closely folded together to allow the aperture to be of the largest
dimensions, but as the sash is being raised the strips gradually unfold until
they meet the sash and cause the bevilled edges of the sash and bottom strip
of the folds to be in contact. As the sash is still further raised it lifts the

page_text: strips, closing them one after the other, by which means any amount of
ventilation can be obtained.
In order to procure the required friction for the proper sliding of the sash,
I employ tubing of india-rubber or other material in contact with plates of
metal or other suitable contrivance.
AN IMPROVED INDELIBLE ANTI-CORROSIVE INK
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Stevens, of 31, Charing Cross, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
INDELIBLE ANTI-CORROSIVE INK."-A communication from abroad by.Louis
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Stevens at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th November 1861.
I, CHARLES STEVENS, of 31, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED INDELIBLE ANTI-CORROSIVE INK," & that it has been communicated
to me from abroad by Louis Croc, of 42, Rue Laffitte, Paris, in the Empire
of France, to be as follows:-
The coloring matter used in the preparation of the ink is obtained from
the new alkaloid known under the name of aniline, which is made from coal
tar, and whose formula is C, HI³, A*.
Three colors are at present known, viz., violet, red, and blue. These colors
I employ separately or combined with other coloring matters, according to the
shade I wish to give to the ink.
For black or violet ink the following are the proportions of the ingredients

page_text: ingredients above mentioned as being used with the aniline in the formation
of ink, as many other acids and glutinous matters can be used with the same
effect in their place...
In witness whereof; I, the said Charles Stevens, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
.:
CHARLES, STEVENS. (L.S.)
IMPROVEMENTS IN WET GAS METERS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Smith at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th June
1861.
I, EDMUND SMITH, of Hamburg, Gas Meter Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WET GAS
METERS," to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to a combination of means by which what are
commonly called wet gas meters are improved.
Upon the axis of the measuring drum or series of chambers is placed the
usual worm wheel to give motion to a toothed wheel, the axis of which com-
municates motion to registering apparatus. Upon this or other suitable axis
is affixed an arm of form suitable by acting upon another arm or part of a
water scoop or elevator to cause one end thereof to be raised and depressed to
take up water or other fluid from a reservoir provided for the purpose, and
allow such water or other fluid to fall into the measuring part or main body of
the meter. There is also an overflow at the required height to admit of
any excess of fluid falling back again into the reservoir. The gas entering
the meter passes into a chamber, the lower end of which opens into
the reservoir some distance below the ordinary water line thereof, and this
chamber contains a float also below the water line, connected by a spindle with
a valve in such manner that when there is a deficiency of water or other fluid
in the reservoir the float will fall and close the valve and prevent the gas
passing in; the cylinder and float being so deep under water prevents a very

page_text: strong pressure from closing the valve. A pipe from this chamber below the
valve therein dips down to near the bottom of the reservoir to allow the water
or other fluid to escape therefrom when required, and also by an arm or
passage therefrom serves to convey gas into the centre of the measuring wheel
or series of chambers. The meter is supplied with water or other fluid by a
pipe with a screw cap, and the surplus is removed by an inverted syphon pipe
from the reservoir. There is also another valve with float in the body of the
meter adapted, when there is a deficiency of water or other fluid in that part,' or
the meter is tilted forward to close the outlet valve.
A NEW OR IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF CARRIAGES FOR CHILDREN, COMMONLY CALLED PERAMBULATORS, TO BE CALLED THE NOTTINGHAM DOUBLE PERAMBULATORS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Woodruff and Charles
Milnes at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 4th April 1861.
We, ROBERT WOODRUFF and CHARLES MILNES, of "the London Road Works"
Red Lion Square, in the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham,
Perambulator Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF CARRIAGES FOR CHILDREN,
COMMONLY CALLED PERAMBULATORS, TO BE CALLED THE NOTTINGHAM DOUBLE
PERAMBULATORS,'" to be as follows:-
In this our Invention double the number of children may be carried
on a perambulator of the same size as those heretofore made, and they are
fully protected from the frequently weakening and distressing power of the
sun's rays, or from the drenching caused by sudden showers; our perambulator
besides has a much lighter, neater, and more elegant appearance than those
in present use.
Our improved Nottingham double perambulator consists of a plain or orna-
mental body capable of holding two children in the same width as the per-
ambulators heretofore made to carry one child. There are two seats placed
back to back, the front seat facing the fore wheel or wheels, and the back seat
facing the handle by which the carriage is propelled. From the centre of
the handle a light rod springs, the opposite end terminating in a hook or clasp,
to which is suspended a light frame composed of four pieces preferably of

page_text: cane or steel, which, being covered with any suitable light material, forms an
umbrella, sunshade, or canopy of an oblong or other shape, the body being
supported by springs.
We also propose to manufacture perambulators of such form that the
child or children may sit with one side facing the fore wheel and the other
facing the handle, that is to say, the back of the seats forms one side of the
carriage, and a footboard is formed of the other side. We also propose
to construct them of double the width, so that they may carry four children,
either sitting back to back, or knee to knee; that is to say, two children
are to face the handle, and two to face the front wheel, or the children may
sit sidewise with their backs to the sides of the perambulator, or sidewise
with their knees towards the sides of the carriage, there being in this con-
struction two foot-boards, one on each side of the carriage.
CERTAIN IMPROVED FILTERING AGENTS, ONE OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CRUCIBLES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Vaughan Morgan and
Julius Gustav Dahlke at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 27th April 1861.
We, THOMAS VAUGHAN MORGAN, of Battersea, in the County of Surrey,
Manufacturer, and JULIUS GUSTAV DAHLKE, also of Battersea, Chemist, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVED
FILTERING AGENTS, ONE OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CRUCIBLES," to be as follows:-
Our chief filtering agent, and which we also use in the composition of which
we make our crucibles, is the material remaining after the burning or destruc-
tive distillation of the substance known as boghead coal or Torbane Hill
mineral. We manufacture our composition for filtering by combining with
the said boghead material, animal charcoal, vegetable charcoal, or sand, all or
any one or more of them, and in some cases we employ the said material re-
maining after the distillation of the Torbane Hill mineral by itself in a granular
state as a filtering agent. We prepare our composition for the manufacture
of crucibles by mixing with the said boghead material oily or fatty matters."
AN IMPROVED DRESSING AND WRITING CASE
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Oliver Chapman at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th June
1861.
I, OLIVER CHAPMAN, of Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex, Dressing
and Writing Case Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED DRESSING AND WRITING CASE," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in combining in one both a dressing and writing
case, by making the upper part of the case fold down upon a binge, by which
the two parts are connected in such manner that it shall form an inclined.
slope or desk for writing upon, at the same time that it affords space for con--
taining paper. The dressing case proper contains a case for holding envelopes,
pens, ink, and other usual requisites, which, upon the case being opened, may,.
by means of a spring, be made to rise up and present the articles it contains
to the flap or desk part. Upon the closing of the case projections on the sides
of the flap come in contact with the paper-holding case, and depress it into.
its place.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- RATUS FOR DRESSING FLOUR
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Caldwell and John Young
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on
the 26th September 1861.
We, GEORGE CALDWELL, Engineer, of Kilmarnock, in the County of Ayr,
and JOHN YOUNG, Miller, of Milliken Mills, in the County of Renfrew, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR DRESSING FLOUR," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention of improvements in apparatus for dressing flour consists
in combining with the well-known silk dressing machine a fan or other
blowing apparatus, arranged so as to pass a blast or current of air against
or through the silk sieve or dressing material, whereby the flour is cooled
and a greater quantity and of a superior quality is obtained from the same
wheat than by apparatus hitherto in use.
The improvement is also applicable to dressing apparatus, having the
sieve or dressing material of wire or other material.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS SPECIALLY INTENDED TO BURN OILS AND OTHER INFLAMMABLE FLUIDS RICH IN CARBON
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Coulter at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th June
1861.
I, HENRY COULTER, of Philadelphia, in the United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS
SPECIALLY INTENDED TO BURN OILS AND OTHER INFLAMMABLE FLUIDS RICH IN CARBON,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention is designed for effecting combustion of the carbon contained
in oils and other inflammable fluids when burnt in lamps without the aid
of a chimney for that purpose, as heretofore commonly practised, and consists
in directing to the upper part of the flame a large supply of oxygen of the air,
which I propose to effect by enclosing the wick and lower part of the flame in
a cap, the sides whereof are pierced with small holes for the passage of atmos-
pheric air. One side of the aforesaid cap impinges against the flame, and at
the opposite side space is left between the wick holder or tube and the cap
for the purpose of creating a draught. The wick holder consists of a sliding
tube connected to the top of the cap, and fitted with a spring for raising and
lowering the same.
The above-mentioned cap may be formed with one or more sides, and
instead of being entirely open at top, may be partially closed..
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GUNS, AND IN LOADING AND FIRING THE SAME
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Newton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th
February 1861. A communication from abroad by William McCord,
Charles Foster Cox, and Robert Woodward, of New York, in the United
States of America.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GUNS, AND IN
LOADING AND FIRING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a novel mode of mounting and arranging gun
barrels, so that they may form a battery from which a rapid and continuous
discharge of balls may be kept up, and the loading of the barrels effected by
merely turning a winch handle. Two or more barrels are secured in a casing
so that they may be surrounded by water to keep them cool. The inner ends
of these barrels are secured in a stationary block or breech-piece. A moveable
breech-piece is accurately fitted at the back of this fixed breech-piece, and
has a reciprocating movement communicated to it by heart-shaped cams.
Openings are made in this moveable breech to receive cartridges from a
hopper placed above, and provided with channels down which the cartridges
pass, and are pushed forward therefrom into the openings in the moveable
breech by means of reciprocating pistons or plungers. The cartridges are
placed in steel cases, one end of which has a nipple made thereon to receive
a percussion cap. The moveable breech having received its supply of car-

page_text: tridges or cases is moved back again by the action of the cams into such a
position as will bring the cartridges opposite the open inner ends of the
barrels. A third block, which is fixed, is placed behind the moveable breech,
and is provided with spring pins or studs, which are in a line with the barrels.
Hammers are made to act on these spring pins at the proper moment, and
thereby explode the caps and ignite the charge, when the bullet or shot will
be propelled from the gun. Cams on the crank shaft lift and suddenly
release the hammers to explode the charge, and by means of suitable gearing
this crank shaft communicates motion to the heart cams which work the
reciprocating breech-piece, and also to the pistons which push forward the
By causing a current of cold water to flow
cartridge cases into the breech.
through the casing which surrounds the barrels, these latter will be kept
moderately cool.
A NEW OR IMPROVED ELEVATING RIFLE SIGHT
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Philip Webley and Thomas
.William Webley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 15th August 1861.
We, PHILIP WEBLEY, of Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Manufac-
turer, and THOMAS WILLIAM WEBLEY, of Birmingham aforesaid, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED
ELEVATING RIFLE SIGHT," to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists of a new or improved elevating rifle sight, in which
the slide is moved and the leaf or flap elevated by means of a rack and
pinion, instead of the direct application of the hand as in elevating rifle sights
of the ordinary construction. In carrying our Invention into effect we make
or insert a rack in the middle of the upper side of the leaf or flap, the said.
rack extending almost the whole length of the leaf or flap. In the slide of the
sight we insert an axis carrying a pinion. The said pinion engages with the
rack in the leaf or flap, and on one end of the axis is a button or milled head
by which the axis of the pinion may be turned. The ends of the slide bear.
upon inclines or elevations as in ordinary elevating rifle sights, excepting that
the said inclines are reversed. By turning the milled head in one or other
direction, the slide is moved up or down the elevations, and the sight adjusted..
The slide is kept to its bearing on the elevations by a spring as in ordinary
elevating rifle sights. Instead of making a rack on the leaf or flap, a rack.

page_text: may be made on each of the elevations and two pinions on the axis working
in the slide made to engage with the said racks respectively; but we prefer
the construction first described. Our Invention is applicable to elevating
rifle sights either with or without the wind gauge arrangement.
A MODE OF GREASING PISTONS AND SLIDE VALVES EVEN IN COURSE OF WORK, APPLICABLE TO ALL SORTS OF MACHINES HAVING THE SAME
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Juste Sebastien Larue at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th February 1861.
I, JUSTE SEBASTIEN LARUE, Engineer, of Paris, in the Department of the
Seine, in the Empire of France, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A MODE OF GREASING PISTONS AND SLIDE VALVES EVEN IN COURSE
OF WORK, APPLICABLE TO ALL SORTS OF MACHINES HAVING THE SAME," to be as
follows:-
It has long been desirable to secure an unintermitting lubrication of pistons
and slide valves while those parts of machinery are in motion.
My Invention will supply this want, and by its use pistons and slide valves
will be kept continually greased during a considerable period of time. I
propose to place a cup or reservoir in such position as to permit oil when
placed therein to descend by means of a capillary wick passing through a small
pipe or conduit communicating with a stuffing box. The end of the piston
rod will work in this box, and being made hollow and open at the end the oil
will pass into the rod, and thence to the piston. The piston rod may be
slightly enlarged in its proportionate diameter to compensate for its being
formed tubular.
This system applies, with some modification, to slide valves, and to the
pistons or slide valves of any machinery.
BREECH-LOADING CANNON
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Sir William George Armstrong at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th March 1861.
I, Sir WILLIAM GEORGE ARMSTRONG, of the Elswick Ordnance Works, in
the County of Northumberland, Knight, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVED BREECH-LOADING CANNON," to be as follows:-
In this Invention the apparatus for closing the breech differs from that used
in the gun commonly called the Armstrong gun, in having a wedge which
slides horizontally substituted for the breech screw. This wedge slides in
grooves to keep it in proper line, and is moved by means of a handle connected
with bars sliding within limits in grooves in the wedge, so that the handle and
bars together may be used not only for drawing up and pushing back the
wedge, but also as a hammer for tightening and slackening the wedge. The
breech is closed by a plug or stopper, which is analagous to the vent piece in
the Armstrong gun, and which slides horizontally in front of the wedge. This
stopper has a projection in front, which enters a short way into the bore, and
upon the face of this projection an expanding cup is affixed to prevent the
escape of the gas. The stopper slides in grooves to lead into the proper
position for entering the bore without injury to the cup. A lever is attached
to the stopper to press the cup into the bore preparatory to firing the gun,
and to withdraw it after the gun has been fired. The vent hole is in the body
of the gun, and in order to prevent the gun from being fired before the wedge

page_text: has been sufficiently advanced to secure the stopper, a slide is arranged to
work to and fro over the vent hole, and is so connected with the wedge by
means of a vibrating pin as to cover the vent hole until the wedge is in a
position to allow the gun to be fired with safety.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLATES AND SLABS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Harrison at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st August
1861.
I, ROBERT HARRISON, of Port Penrhyn, in the Parish of Llandegai, in the
County of Carnarvon, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLATES AND SLABS," to
be as follows:-
The novelty of this Invention consists in cutting slates or slate slabs laid
upon a rest or fixed knife bolted firm to a frame by means of knives or cutters
fixed to the arms, and placed in the plane of a wheel, and passing within a
prescribed distance of the rest or fixed knife, according to the width of
slate to be cut off. These rotating knives extend nearly from the boss to the
rim of the wheel. By giving a rotary motion to the wheel the different knives
cut off any or that portion of the slate held over or beyond the edge of the
rest or fixed knife. Attached to the face of the rest or fixed knife at right
angles is a gauge in which notches or projections are cut to suit all sizes of
the slates or slabs required, and by holding one end or side of the slate or slab
to any notch or projection on the gauge, that portion of the slate or slab
passing over the face or edge of the rest or fixed knife will be cut off by the
next revolving knife on the wheel.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF OILS OBTAINED BY THE DISTILLATION OF BONES AND OTHER ANIMAL MATTERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING MATTERS WHICH MAY BE USED AS PIGMENTS AND DYE STUFFS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Stuart at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th October
1861.
I, JAMES STUART, of 5, Vulcan Place, Castor Street, Poplar, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF OILS OBTAINED BY THE DISTILLATION OF BONES AND
OTHER ANIMAL MATTERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING MATTERS WHICH MAY BE
USED AS PIGMENTS AND DYE STUFFS," to be as follows:-
The process is to treat common bone oil with hydrochloric acid or a solution
of sulphuric acid; then to separate the dirty acid, and treat it with alkalis,
when a substance is deposited which forms a brown pigment. The oil so
treated is then placed in a retort with certain proportions of oxide of iron and
carbonate of potash; the whole is then distilled over until perfectly dry, the
product being refined bone oil, and the residuum left ferrocyanide of potash,
and may be used as such, or converted into Prussian blue. The proportions
used may be to each gallon of oil one pound of hydrochloric acid or dilute
sulphuric acid six ounces of oxide of iron, and eight ounces of carbonate of
potash, but I do not bind myself to the above proportions.
IMPROVED BEATING APPA- RATUS FOR PICKING AND CLEANING SUBSTANCES USED IN MAKING OR MANUFACTURING WOVEN OR TEXTILE FABRICS, MORE ESPECIALLY CASHMERES, ALPACAS, AND OTHER FINE MATERIALS, PREPARING THE SAME FOR SCOURING
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Gedge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
June 1861. A communication from abroad. by Michel Girrés, of
Bazeilles, near Sedan, the Ardennes, France, Spinner.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of the Firm of John Gedge and Son, of 11,
Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED BEATING APPA-
RATUS FOR PICKING AND CLEANING SUBSTANCES USED IN MAKING OR MANUFACTURING
WOVEN OR TEXTILE FABRICS, MORE ESPECIALLY CASHMERES, ALPACAS, AND OTHER
FINE MATERIALS, PREPARING THE SAME FOR SCOURING," communicated to me
from abroad by Michel Girrés, of Bazeilles, near Sedan, the Ardennes,
France, Spinner, to be as follows:―
The apparatus is mounted on a cast-iron framing (it may be of wood) and
is composed of two cylinders revolving in the same sense, and furnished with
teeth; these cross with shorter teeth, with which two fixed cylinders are
furnished. The two moveable cylinders, besides their circular motion, are
impelled to a come-and-go movement by means of an eccentric. A grating is
so placed as to allow impurities from the wools (or other matterial) to fall
through it into a receiver. An endless cloth motived by a pulley introduces
the substances to the cylinders. This apparatus is used in double, so that the
operation may be repeated to insure complete purification.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING BOILING SOAP AND FOR DIVIDING THE SAME INTO BARS WHEN CONGEALED
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Cowburn at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st November
1861.
I, THOMAS COWBURN, of the Safety Valve Works, Little Peter Street, in the
City of Manchester, Engineer, do bereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING BOILING SOAP AND FOR
DIVIDING THE SAME INTO BARS WHEN CONGEALED," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in elevating boiling soap from the vessel in which
it has been boiled to the required level by means of an endless chain of buckets
passing over two pulleys, one of which is placed in the vessel containing the
boiling soap, and the other being supported at the proper level in a frame by
two or more pipes which are screwed together in the ordinary manner of
connecting gas pipes. The endless chain is made of links of hoop iron bent
in a mould of the shape of the link required; the pulleys over which the chain
passes have projecting studs set to the pitch of the chain and acting on the
links.
My improvements in apparatus for dividing soap when congealed into bars
consists of a frame mounted on wheels with uprights to which the cutting
wires are attached at intervals according to the thickness of the bars required;
by moving the frame to and fro the wires are made to cut the mass or slabs
of soap to the thickness of the bars.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHIRT FRONTS, AND IN PRODUCING FABRICS OR MATERIALS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Michael Henry at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st May
1861. A communication from abroad by Jean Henri Albigès, of
33, Boulevard Saint Martin, Paris, France.
I, MICHAEL HENRY, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHIRT FRONTS, AND IN PRODUCING FABRICS OR MATERIALS
FOR THE SAME," communicated to me from abroad by Jean-Henry Albigès, of
33, Boulevard Saint Martin, Paris, France, to be as follows:-
Hitherto there has been a mode of manufacturing shirt fronts by hand, in
which three distinct operations have been required. First, a pattern, grouping,
or arrangement of plaits has to be marked out; second, the threads as indi-
cated by the marking out have to be withdrawn; third, the parts whence the
threads have been so removed have to be brought together to form the plaits.
The two first of these processes are very troublesome, oue being difficult, and
requiring a special or skilled hand, while the second is long and tiresome.
Now, the object of this Invention is to afford means for dispensing with
those two processes. For this purpose it is proposed to produce and employ
fabrics in which the intended pattern or arrangement of plaits is indicated by
coloured threads on white grounds, or white threads on coloured grounds, or
unbleached threads on bleached grounds, or threads differing in size or thick-
ness, preparation, treatment, or appearance from the other threads of the

page_text: fabric, these indicating threads can be introduced or inserted during the
weaving or manufacture of the fabric in the required position or arrangement,
so that the first or marking-out process ceases to be necessary. Or fabrics
may be produced and employed so woven or manufactured as to leave the
necessary spaces or absence of threads in the proper parts according as the
pattern or arrangement of plaits requires, whereby the second process is also
dispensed with. This can be done by leaving out a certain number of weft
threads when weaving, not throwing the shuttle at those parts. Or, the
aforesaid fabrics may have a number of coloured threads, or threads of two or
more different colours inserted, and arranged to produce white grounds with
coloured plaits, or coloured grounds with white plaits, or coloured grounds
with plaits of another colour, or white or coloured grounds with plaits of two
or more different colours.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- RATUS APPLICABLE TO WATERCLOSETS AND URINALS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Nicholas Common at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th August
1861.
I, NICHOLAS COMMON, of Brighton, in the County of Sussex, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS APPLICABLE TO WATERCLOSETS AND URINALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved arrangement of apparatus whereby
watercloset pans and urinals may be flushed with water under high pressure
without the possibility of any great loss of water taking place through care-
lessness, or the disarrangement of the apparatus.
In carrying out this Invention I use an air-tight vessel, in which water
sufficient for one discharge is collected. As the water accumulates air con-
tained in the vessel is compressed, so that when the discharge takes place the
water will rush out with a force due to the degree of compression of the con-
fined air:. The air vessel is brought into communication by means of a pipe
with the reservoir or other water supply apparatus, the vent of which pipe is..
capable of being closed by the rise of the spindle of the closet supply valve.
The spindle works through a stuffing box in an elbow discharge pipe,.and.
carries at its upper end a disc valve, which has its seat on the upper face
of the elbow. In the head of the spindle a deep cross cut is made, to form a
passage for the water from the supply pipe to the air vessel. The head of
the spindle is capable of sliding in an elbow or lip of the supply pipe, and

page_text: when in its lowest position (which will be when the valve is on its seat),
the small vent formed by the cross cut in the head of the spindle will allow
of water flowing in a small stream into the air vessel. When, however, the
valve is raised to discharge water into the closet pan, this supply will be cut
off. The spindle is jointed at its lower end to the ordinary lever of the closet,
so that when that lever is raised in the usual way, the valve will rise and
discharge the water. To guide this discharge over the surface of the pan,
and effectually to cleanse it, I propose to form the pan with a hollow rim
projecting inwards, which will guide round the water, and allow it to escape
close to the surface of the pans. When the lever is allowed to fall the
spindle will also fall, this tendency being increased by the pressure of the
supply water on the head of the vessel.. The valve being now again brought
to its seat, the discharge of water will be effectually cut off, and the supply
of the air chamber will recommence.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CARRIAGE WHEELS
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Carpenter at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th August
1861.
I, SAMUEL CARPENTER, of High Street, Banbury, Oxon, do hereby declare
the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CARRIAGE
WHEELS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the construction of
carriage wheels. For these purposes in constructing carriage wheels where
wood spokes and wood felleys are used in place of the end of each spoke
entering the felley as heretofore, a double metal socket is applied to the end
of each spoke in such manner that the end of the spoke which ordinarily comes
next the felley is received into the larger portion of the double socket, whilst
the smaller part of the wood, which ordinarily passes into the hole or recess
formed to receive it in the felley, enters the smaller portion of the double socket,
and that smaller portion of the double socket enters the hole or recess in the
felley, such hole or recess being made larger for the purpose of receiving the
smaller portion of the socket together with the part of the end of the wood
spoke which is therein; but it is preferred that the end of the spoke which
enters the smaller portion of the metal socket should be made less than it
ordinarily would be, and the smaller portion of the metal socket made exteriorly
of the same dimensions as the end of the spoke would be if no metal socket
were used. The double sockets may be made of any suitable metal, but it is

page_text: preferred that they should be made of malleable cast iron. In some cases in
addition to the smaller part of the socket entering the felley the same is fixed
thereto by a pin or screw passed through the felley into the spoke, the head of
such pin or screw being covered by the tyre.
IMPROVE- MENTS INMACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND REGISTERING THE LENGTHS OF WOOLLEN, FLAX, COTTON, AND OTHER FABRICS, APPLICABLE TO REGISTERING LENGTHS, DISTANCES, AND REVOLUTIONS GENERALLY
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Hore at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th January
1861.
I, WILLIAM HENRY HORE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Bookkeeper, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS INMACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND REGISTERING THE LENGTHS
OF WOOLLEN, FLAX, COTTON, AND OTHER FABRICS, APPLICABLE TO REGISTERING
LENGTHS, DISTANCES, AND REVOLUTIONS GENERALLY," to be as follows:-
The fabric to be measured is passed over, between, or around drums or
rollers, and gives motion to the same, as it is withdrawn, by being kept close
to the said drums or rollers by springs, blocks, or other suitable arrangement.
The motion thus imparted is communicated by suitable gearing to the
registering apparatus, which for warehouses, shops, and like places, I, by
preference, construct with two indices. On the spindle or shaft connected
with the drums or rollers, or on a continued line of shafting, I affix toothed
wheels which fit into pinions on an intermediate or a corresponding spindle or
shaft running on suitable bearings, by which any desired multiple of the
revolutions of the first shaft can be obtained. To the spindles or shafts just
mentioned, hands, pointers, indices, or divided scales are fastened, or a com-
pound arrangement with moveable and stationary indices and scales may be
used. Placed near to the divided scale, and capable of being geared with
one or both of the spindles, is a pull or handle to return the hands, pointers,

page_text: indices, or divided plates to their normal or any desired position, and this I
secure by having stud catches on the peripheries and sides of wheels or discs
secured to the shafts, and which are brought into action by a movement of the
pull or handle.
My apparatus is especially applicable to hackney and other carriages and
cabs in which the axle or boss of the wheel imparts the motion, the arrange-
ment enabling a passenger in the vehicle to adjust one or more of the indices
or plates before starting, and to know the correct distance travelled, whilst other
indices could be arranged for the driver's use, as also for the owners to
ascertain the distance passed over in a day, week, or other time.
It is also suitable for turnstiles, revolving shafts, and many other purposes
where correct registration and an easy system of setting or adjusting the
indices and plates is required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Wakefield at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st December
1861.
I, JOHN WAKEFIELD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Machinist,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SEWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
My Invention has for its object an improved mode of regulating the move-
ments of the needle in relation to the shuttle, so as to obtain an increased
facility in adjusting such movements to the action of the shuttle.
For this purpose, the crank pin on the driving shaft is made to work in a
slot in an oscillating rod connected by a link with the ordinary rocking shaft,
which acts on the needle bar. The slot in the said rod is so formed as to
impart to the needle bar, through the above connections, a slow motion when
the needle is passing through the material to be sewed, next to raise the needle
bar, so as to make a loop in the thread, then to allow the needle bar to rest
while the shuttle is passing through the loop, as required, to form the stitch,
and then raising the needle to take up the stitch. The rod has also a straight
slot at the lower part, so as to admit of its moving up and down, as required,
through which slot is passed an adjustable pivot for the rod to oscillate upon.
This pivot carrying a roller is adjustable by means of a screw passed through
a slot in the frame of the machine, so as to give greater facility for accurately
timing the movements of the needle in relation to the shuttle.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES
Year: 1861

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Johann Ernest Friedrich Lüdeko.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,, with bis Petition, on the
1st May 1861.
I, JOHANN ERNST FRIEDRICH LUDEKE, of Marke, in the Kingdom of
Hannover, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES," to be as follows:-
In carrying out my Invention I avail myself of the peculiar property which
I have discovered fluids to possess, and which consists in their exerting upon
bodies in the shape or form of plates, discs, or sheets when immersed in such
fluids, a repelling action causing the said bodies to emerge from, move, or
rise in such fluids with a force which increases with the increase of the super-
ficial area of such plates, discs, or sheets relatively to their volume, in other
words the more area such plates, discs, or sheets offer, in proportion to the
space they occupy, the greater will be the force with which they will emerge
from, move, or rise in the fluid.
Quicksilver or mercury is the fluid which I use in preference to all others as
producing the best results, and the substance of which the plates, discs, or
sheets are made must be such as will neither amalgamate nor combine nor
coalesce with the mercury. Now in order to develop power through the
instrumentality of the action of fluids upon bodies herein above referred to,
I place two or more thin plates, discs, or sheets together so as to form one
surface of two or more times the thickness of each separate plate, disc, or

page_text: sheet, and thus I immerse them in a vessel containing mercury, and whilst they
are so immersed I separate the said plates, discs, or sheets from each other,
whereby they will offer two or more times the area, and emerge or rise with a
correspondingly increased force. Or instead of placing two or more thin plates
together and then separating them as described I make use of a sheet of
caoutchouc or other suitable flexible material, immersing such sheet stretched
on a suitable frame, in its collapsed, or natural, or only slightly expanded state,
and then stretching or expanding it to twice its area or more or less. It is
evident that by increasing the number of and connecting such plates, discs, or
sheets, any desirable accumulation of force can be obtained, and that by the
application of levers or other well known mechanism they can be made to
produce rotary or reciprocating motion as in steam or other motive power
engines. I prefer to combine two series or sets of such plates, discs, or sheets
to act in concert, the one immerging whilst the other emerges, or receding
whilst the other advances.