matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVED MEANS OF SUPPORTING OR TRAINING PLANTS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David George Foster at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th September
1855.
I, DAVID GEORGE FOSTER, of Pentonville, in the County of Middlesex, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS OF
SUPPORTING OR TRAINING PLANTS" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of a means of supporting plants without the necessity
of tying or otherwise fastening them. The improved support consists of a
cast-iron tripod or foot, in the centre of which is secured an iron rod, fastened
by a key or cottar to the foot. One or more pieces of iron are made to slide
loosely up and down the rod. These sliding pieces may be held at any desired
part of the upright rod by means of keys or cottars.
Two holes are drilled lengthwise in each of the sliding pieces, and these
holes are to receive the ends of a metal ring, which is intended to encircle the
plant. One or more of these rings varying in size may be placed round a
plant, which will thus be supported without requiring tying or otherwise
securing. These rings may be made of one, two, or more pieces of metal. I
reserve a right to vary the details of my Invention.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IM- PROVEMENTS IN CURRY COMBS
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Tildesley, of Willenhall, in the County of
Stafford, Manufacturer, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IM-
PROVEMENTS IN CURRY COMBS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said James Tildesley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declaration, on
the 21st July 1855, pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent Law
Amendment Act, 1852.
1, JAMES TILDESLEY, of Willenhall, in the County of Stafford, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT OR
IMPROVEMENTS IN CURRY COMBS," and the manuer in which the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, (reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon,) that is to say :-
My improvements consist in making metal handles to curry combs, and
attaching them to the combs in a position better adapted to suit the hand
when in use, and also more convenient for packing than in the ordinary curry
combs now employed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is an end elevation, Figure 2 a side elevation, and Figure 3 a
plan, of one of my improved curry combs with a fixed handle; Figure 4 is an

page_text: end elevation, Figure 5 a side elevation, and Figure 6 a plan, of a curry
comb with a drop or moveable handle.
I will now proceed to describe the manufacture of the comb shewn in
Figures 1, 2, 3. The body of the comb (a) is made in the ordinary manner;
but instead of attaching to it a handle in a line with the rows of teeth, as in
the common curry comb, I make a handle of any suitable metal, and of the
form shown at (b), or of any other similar and suitable form that may be as
convenient for the hand, and rivet or otherwise secure this handle on the back
of the comb in a line transversely with, instead of parallel to, the lines of the
teeth; this position I find far more convenient in use and more compact for
packing. (Figures 4, 5, & 6) shew a similar comb, in which the handle,
instead of being a fixed one, is a drop handle, attached in any suitable manner
to the back of the curry comb, so that it will fall into the position shewn in
the dotted lines (Figure 6) when not in use.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be clearly understood that I do not
confine myself to these precise details, nor to the exact forms of handle shewn
in the Drawings; but that which I claim is, the improvements described in
curry combs, by making the handles of any suitable metal, and attaching them
to the backs of curry combs in a line transversely with the lines of the teeth,
in manner herein fully set forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Tildesley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
JAMES (L.S.)
(L.S.) TILDESLEY.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN SCREW PROPELLERS
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Warren at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th January
1855.
I, DAVID WARREN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SCREW PROPELLERS" to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to an improvement or improvements in the shape or
form to be given to screw propellers for ships or vessels, whereby a better pro-
pelling effect may be obtained than by such propellers as hitherto constructed.
If a common screw propeller blade is sectioned or cut through by a plane at
right angles to the axial line of the shaft, the propelling surface will present a
straight sectional line standing out at right angles from the shaft. According
to the present Invention, however, the blade is shaped so that a similar section
at right angles to the axial line of the shaft will present an outline consisting
of a portion of a parabola, having the quicker part of the curve towards the
centre, and being drawn tangentially to the screw boss.
Another portion of the Invention consists in making the screw blade with
a flange on the extreme outer edge of the acting surface, such flange
standing backwards from and meeting the surface at right angles. The pro-
portionate depth of this flange will vary with the diameter of the propeller,
being less in proportion as the propeller increases in diameter. It is also

page_text: proposed, according to the present Invention, to make the blades of screw
propellers to consist of portions of a convolution different to those ordinarily
adopted. Thus, for example, the blade is to be made in some cases to
measure one-ninth of the pitch at the boss, being one-twelfth of the pitch
only at the outside, the proportion the width of the blade bears to the pitch
being gradually-diminished--towards the outside. These-proportions should
vary with the size or, diameter of the screw; in other words, the width on the
face of the blades of screw propellers should not increase in the same propor-
tion as the diameter. Thus, the propeller of the larger diameter should have
a less proportionate width on the face of the blade. The number of blades will
depend upon various circumstances, but as a general rule, propellers of larger
diameter should have more blades to make up for the proportionately diminished
width on the face of the blade. The several peculiarities and improvements
herein-before described may be adopted in combination with each other, but
the anti-centrifugal flange may also be applied to screw propellers of the
ordinary kind, and the same remark applies to the "system of proportioning
the width on the face of the blades.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SWIMMING BELTS
Year: 1855

page_text: yeven
preserwea
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas William Willett at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
March 1855.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM WILLETT, of 25, Belsize Road, St. John's Wood, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SWIMMING BELTS" to be as follows,
that is to say:-
My Invention is applicable only to that class of portable swimming belts in
which the waterproof tube forming the belt is, when properly attached to the
person of the swimmer, kept wholly or in part distended as to its circum-
ference by suitable mechanical means, as a spiral wire or a series of rings, and
in which the air is inhaled into the interior of the tube by extending it in the
direction of its length. I may mention the "nautilus swimming belt" as an
example of this class. Now, my Invention consists in certain improved
methods of admitting the air into the interior of the tube and retaining it
therein.
Improvement No. 1 consists in a certain peculiar arrangement of a con-
tinuous channel for the admission of the air into the interior of the tube, this
continuous channel being so arranged that when the belt is properly attached
to the person of the swimmer and immersed in the water, the air in the

page_text: interior of the tube is retained without the employment of any valve in or
covering to the continuous air channel, the air being retained solely by its
form and arrangement.
Improvement No. 2. In this arrangement the ends terminating the belt
are made of some rigid substance, and in one or both of these ends suitable
openings are made for the admission of the air into the interior of the belt.
This belt is fastened round the person of the swimmer by bringing these rigid
ends together, and properly securing them in that position; and this part of
my Invention consists in so constructing these rigid ends, that when they are
brought together and properly secured in that position, the openings herein-
before named for the admission of the air into the interior of the tube shall be
sealed, and all connexion with the external air shall be cut off.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FLAT PURSES (PORTE MONNAIES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Barthelemy Louis François Xavier
Flechelle at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 8th March 1855.
I, BARTHELEMY LOUIS FRANÇOIS XAVIER FLECHELLE, Gentleman, of Paris,
Empire of France, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FLAT PURSES (PORTE MONNAIES)" to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in applying to one or both of the outer sides of the
flat purse (porte monnaie) a small box provided with a lid, which box can be
used as a snuff-box or for other purposes, whereas the flat purse continues for
containing money, and both parts together form one single object.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES FOR WARMING APARTMENTS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Myers and John Wright
Potter at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 27th April 1855.
We, EDWARD MYERS, of Rotherham, in the County of York, Engineer, and
JOHN WRIGHT POTTER, of the same Place, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES FOR WARMING
APARTMENTS" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved construction and arrangement of
stoves for warming apartments, whether such stoves be heated by gas or other
means, whereby the heat from the stove is more advantageously developed and
distributed over the apartment than by existing stoves. The stove, according
to the improved construction, is composed of two chambers, namely, a com-
bustion chamber, which may be heated by gas or other means, & a heat
chamber, which is placed immediately above the combustion chamber. Within
the heat chamber is fitted a conical reflector, having its apex downwards; and
this reflector may be composed of glass, steel, brass, tin, or any other reflecting
material, by which means a portion of the heat from the chamber below will
be thrown down on to the floor of the apartment, the sides of the heat chamber
being perforated or formed with openings for that purpose. A talc or other
partition or diaphragm separates the heat chamber from the combustion
chamber, and a series of vertical tubes fitted inside the heat chamber conduct
a portion of the heat from the combustion chamber, into which they open at

page_text: their lower ends into an ornamental perforated chamber or cup formed on the
top of the stove. The bottom of the combustion chamber immediately below
the gas jets or heating medium is fitted with a conical, convex, concave, flat, or
other reflector, which throws the heat upwards against the conical reflector in
the heat chamber, before referred to. The air for supplying combustion is
admitted through a perforated -bottom in the combustion chamber placed
beneath the reflector. A door may be fitted to the combustion chamber, and
the sides may be perforated or formed with openings, which are covered with
talc or other suitable transparent material.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CAST IRON
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederic Prince at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th November
1855.
I, FREDERIC PRINCE, of No. 4, Trafalgar Square, (Office for Patents,)
Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CAST IRON " to
be as follows:-
These improvements consist in combining with cast iron certain proportions
of other metals not heretofore employed in combination, more particularly in
the manufacture of ordnance and fire-arms; said improvements being designed
for the purpose of giving to cast iron greater tenacity, and rendering the same
more homogeneous throughout than heretofore.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN COMBING THE NOIL OF SILK WASTE
Year: 1855

page_text: 2100.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Cunliffe Lister at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th March
1855.
I, SAMUEL CUNLIFFE LISTER, of Manningham, near Bradford, in the County
of York, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT
IN COMBING THE NOIL OF SILK WASTE" to be as follows:-
In combing the noil of silk waste, as heretofore practised, the same has
only been drawn from the combs in each machine in a single sliver. Now, I
have discovered that the fibres in the noil in silk waste have considerable
differences of length, and for the purpose of better spinning the same it is
desirable that the noil should be separated into two or more slivers, so that
there shall not be great differences of length in the fibres in a sliver. For
this purpose I apply two or more drawing apparatus to a comb used for
combing the noil of silk waste, the succeeding drawing rollers being nearer
and nearer to the teeth of the comb than the preceding rollers.
IMPROVEMENTS IN GENERATING HEAT IN STEAM BOILER FURNACES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the exc.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Deas Thomson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th
September 1855.
I, EDWARD DEAS THOMSON, of Duke Street, St. James', do hereby declare
the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GENERATING HEAT IN STEAM
BOILER FURNACES" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object a peculiar combination of the parts of a
furnace of a steam boiler, and apparatus applied thereto, that steam may, after
it has been used in the engine or engines, be conducted through the apparatus
heated by the furnace, and thereby be decomposed, and the hydrogen be con-
ducted together with atmospheric air into the furnace, so as to be burned, and
thereby aid in generating heat in the furnace. For this purpose, the form and
arrangement of the decomposing apparatus may be varied; but it is preferred
to have copper tubes through the fire box or furnace above the fire bars, in
such manner that the tubes may be heated by the fire. On the interior of the
copper tubes are placed loosely tubes of iron. The steam is conducted in at
one end of these tubes, and is decomposed by the heated iron therein, and the
hydrogen from the interior is conducted by suitable nozzles or tubes into the
upper part of the furnace, provision being made to introduce atmospheric air
with the hydrogen into the furnace.
PREPARING GUTTA PERCHA IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS PURPOSES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Antoine Latta at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th December
1855.
I, ANTOINE LATTA, Merchant, of Metz, in the Empire of France, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "PREPARING GUTTA
PERCHA IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS PURPOSES"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the mixing of gutta percha with certain other
substances for obtaining various useful products. The substances to be mixed
with gutta percha are cotton, coals, flour of brimstone, and gum-lac. I obtain
at pleasure gutta percha in a hardened or softened state. The mixtures are
the following:-
Mixture No. 1.-Gutta percha, flour of brimstone, coal, gum-lac. This
mixture is to be vulcanized in a boiler heated at 4 atmospheres, to be left
there as for hardened gutta percha for 5 hours, and for softened gutta percha
only 2 hours.
Mixture No. 2.-Gutta percha, flour of brimstone, cotton. This mixture is
to be vulcanized in a boiler heated at 4½ atmospheres, to be left there as for.

page_text: hardened gutta percha for 5 hours, and for softened gutta percha only
2 hours.
In the mixture No. 1, peat may be substituted for coal; in the mixture
No. 2, cotton may be replaced by macereed, paper pulp, or any other cottonous
or silky material.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BARROWS, HAND TRUCKS, AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ramsay Richard Reinagle at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th
October 1855.
I, RAMSAY RICHARD REINAGLE, of No. 12, King William Street, Strand,
London, County of Middlesex, Artist, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BARROWS, HAND TRUCKS, AND OTHER SIMILAR
VEHICLES," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in so constructing barrows and other similar
vehicles, as to allow of heavy weights or loads being more easily transported
by them than by the ordinary barrows and other similar vehicles now in use;
and this is effected by inclining the front and sides of the vehicles to a centre,
to meet in the centre of the axle of the wheels, by placing the axle of the
wheels to the rear of the centre of the floor of the barrow or other similar
vehicles, and by extending the arms of said vehicles considerably beyond the
length of those of barrows and such like vehicles now in use. The wheels are
barrelled together, and the barrels varied in diameter to meet the necessities
of different surfaces over which it may be required to travel.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLOUGHS
Year: 1855

page_text: I, JAMES HOWARD, of Bedford, Ironfounder, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLOUGHS "
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the mounting of the wheels of ploughs, the object
being to facilitate their vertical and lateral adjustment to suit varying widths
and depths of furrows. This I attain by mounting the wheel stalks or
standards in horizontal sliding frames, which fit on the plough beam, and are
traversed by means of an adjusting screw, with which they are severally pro-
vided. These screws pass through the plough beam, and on being turned will
move the wheel stalk nearer to or farther from it, to suit the width of furrow
required to be made.
The vertical adjustment of the wheel stalk or standard which slides in socket
holes in its frame I propose to effect by dropping over the stalk a threaded
collar or hollow screw, which I key at any required elevation to the stalk.
Upon this screw works a threaded nut provided with two shoulders, which
embrace-the-frame-and prevent-the-threaded collar and stalk from slipping in
the frame. When-it-is-required-to-depress-or-raise-the-wheel-or-wheels,-it-is-
only necessary to turn the nut, and the adjustment to suit a deep or shallow

page_text: furrow will be readily effected. The vertical adjustment of the wheels may
also be effected by threading the stalks or standards, and so fitting them to
receive the nuts, but the threaded collar admits of the position of the wheels
being altered to a greater extent.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIP-BUILDING
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Scott Russell, of Millwall, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIP-BUILDING."
Sealed the 18th May 1855, and dated the 22nd March 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Scott Russell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd March 1855.
I, JOHN SCOTT RUSSELL, of Millwall, do hereby declare the nature of the
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIP-BUILDING" to be as follows:-
It has lately been proposed to construct wood-built ships for war purposes
so as to be proof against cannon balls and shells, by clothing the upper parts
with large and thick masses of iron fixed to the timbers of the ship by spikes
or nails, and some ships for war purposes have been so built. Now, the
object of my Invention is to construct iron-built ships in such manner as to
apply at the upper parts large and thick plates or masses of iron, so that iron-
built ships for war purposes may be thereby rendered ball and shell proof.
And my Invention also consists of various improvements in the construction
of an iron ship for war purposes, in order that this desirable result should be
more advantageously obtained than when wood-built ships are constructed
with a like object. For this purpose, in building an iron ship I construct at

page_text: intervals transverse frames, each frame being an open frame or skeleton of a
bulkhead made with horizontal beams to support the deck or decks, which
frames may, when bulkheads are required in the localities where they are used,
be plated and made close. Such frames or skeletons are connected at all parts,
so as to be capable of standing alone, and of offering great strength to the body
of the ship. These transverse frames are connected together by means of angle
iron bars running in a direction fore and aft of the ship. On the outside
(from the keel nearly up to the line of floatation) of the frame of a ship thus
constructed the plates of iron are to be rivetted to each other; then, in place of
continuing the plating on the outside, the frame of the ship is constructed in
such manner that the plates are rivetted to each other, and to the inside of the
horizontal bars of the framing, so that the horizontal frames are outside of the
plating of the ship, and there will thus be formed recesses to receive the large
sheets or masses of iron which are introduced into the same, and retained there
by suitable fastenings; but it is preferred that these masses should not be rigidly
fastened to the ship, but have wood or elastic material behind them, and thus
each mass or plate may, so to speak, act as an anvil to receive the shock of a
ball or shell.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING ICE
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent 'was 'not' given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alexandre Tolhausen at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th November
1855. A communication.
I, ALEXANDRE TOLHAUSEN, of No. 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Sworn Interpreter at the Imperial Court of Paris, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN PRODUCING ICE," being a communication from Louis Joseph Frédéric Mar-
gueritte. of Paris, in the Empire of France, to be as follows:-
The principle on which rests the artificial production & storing of ice, consists
in introducing into the ice cellars the required water for the quantity of ice to
be obtained. In introducing it into that place, according to requirements by
given doses or quantities, I cause a rapid & powerful current of air, taken from
without, to pass over the surface to be frozen up, but only at the moment when
the temperature gets down to the freezing point. Several means exist for
admitting those currents of air at all depths.
1º. A ventilator placed at the upper part of the ice stores produces a
draught of air, which it withdraws & expels from the cellar; pipes or other
openings bring in the air from without, & by this continual renewal bring the
air to the liquid surface, & cool it down to congelation.
2°. Another means resulting from the use of the ventilator consists in
introducing into the ice cellar, by means of movable pipes, a given quantity of

page_text: air taken from without, still in the same & indispensable atmospheric conditions;
openings at the upper part of the ice cellar allow the air to be constantly
renewed till the water freezes.
3°. A third means consists in provoking that current of air by lighting, at
the foot of a draught chimney, a fire near the upper part of the ice cellar, in
order to accelerate, according to the intensity of the fire, the passage of the air
through the openings or movable pipes, which are to bring the air from the
exterior to the liquid surface.
The advantages derived from that system consist in allowing the required
quantities of water for freezing to be introduced into the ice cellars themselves
at the very instant when the temperature is getting down, to congeal there,
either in entire masses or by successive layers, according to its being more or
less cold, & to store the ice on the spot itself, an economy being gained thereby
both in space of ground & water as well as in management, since in a much
more restricted space I succeed in storing & producing more quickly greater
quantities of ice; in short, in producing & storing constantly & on the spot
itself frozen water.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXING ARTIFICIAL TEETH."
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eugène Gillet, of Rue des Aperonniers, 65, Bruxelles,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXING ARTIFICIAL TEETH."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eugene Gillet at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th July
1855.
I, EUGENE GILLET, of Rue des Aperouniers, 65, Bruxelles, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXING ARTIFICIAL
TEETH" to be as follows:-
According to my Invention, I fix the front single teeth by soldering a pin
on to the base plate; this pin slides into a groove in the back of the tooth.
The groove and pin are dovetailed; the tooth is sliden on to the pin, and then
fixed by a fine screw, which enters at the back of the pin into the tooth. To
fix the back teeth, I make an oval hole in the base of the tooth, which enters
about three quarters up the tooth, and at the top of the oval hole is a circular
recess. Two small hooks are soldered on to the base plate; these hooks, which
are forced apart by a pin which passes between them, enter the oval hole in
the tooth, and the tooth is fixed by being turned a quarter round, the ends
of the hooks entering the circular groove at the end of the oval hole.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BALL CARTRIDGES FOR FACILITATING THE LOADING AND LUBRICATING OF FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Harcourt Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
20th February 1855.
I, JOHN HARCOURT BROWN, of No. 4, Trafalgar Square (Office for Patents),
Charing Cross, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BALL CARTRIDGES FOR FACILITATING THE
LOADING AND LUBRICATING OF FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
These improvements consist, firstly, in constructing the bullet, so that the
lubricating material is placed in a groove compressed or cast in its formation
so as to form a belt around its cylindrical base.
Secondly, the cartridge or cup (whether composed of paper or other material)
which receives the bullet is so formed that it terminates just above the groove
containing the lubricating material, the cartridge or cup being first rendered
impervious to grease or any similar composition employed in lubricating
fire-arms.
Thirdly, in the construction of cases composed of paper, metal, or other
suitable material either separately or in combination with each other, namely,
as paper & metal, or entirely of metal, or metal combined with any other
suitable material; the interior case being closed in a certain manner at the
bottom, so as to contain the charge of powder and the bullet; the whole being
so arranged as to fit on to the mouth of the rifle or of the fire-arm, whereby
the whole charge of powder & bullet is in a position to be rammed home.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING REPRESENTATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES OF ARTICLES FOR SALE
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by André Orange at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th June 1855..
I, ANDRE ORANGE, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid-Lothian, North
Britain, Artist, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING REPRESENTATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES OF ARTICLES
FOR SALE" to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to the obtainment of the representations of articles
intended for sale, such representations being used in lieu of samples in
negotiating with purchasers: such representations are produced by any of the
well-known photographic processes either on paper, glass, or other material,
when the articles to be represented are in their finished condition, varnished,
polished, burnished, or otherwise treated, so as to reflect the light. It is pre-
ferred to take the representations of them before the final finishing stage, or
when they present a dull appearance, or such as is suitable for producing
well-defined outline in the camera; or the finished articles may be washed
over or prepared in some suitable manner, so as to present the required
dull appearance.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Dunn at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th December
1855.
I, THOMAS DUNN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain,
Stationer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS" to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to the manufacture or construction of fire-arms of
various classes, but more especially heavy cannon, and large guns and mortars
for land and marine artillery, in such manner as to insure great strength and
consequent freedom from fracture in firing. In making a mortar according to
this Invention, the mortar is first. cast in iron or other metal with a strong
thick breech, but with a thinner central and front end or barrel portion. Both
the breech and muzzle have a deep flange cast on solid, to retain a thick or
deep coil of wire or rod metal, which is added for giving strength to the arm.
The wire is preferred to be comparatively fine in guage, and it is wound or
coiled upon the barrel of the mortar from end to end within the retaining
flanges as tightly as possible, so as to bind the arm with the greatest firmness
and solidity. Mortars thus made are extremely strong and well suited for
withstanding the sudden and tremendous force of the explosion of the gun-
powder charge in firing, whilst the central metal casting may be very light,
thus saving weight, and affording a better chance of obtaining it free from

page_text: flaws. Instead of casting the mortars, the body or main shell may be made
up of pieces of wrough or cast iron or other metal, but it is preferred to cast
the shell or actual mortar as herein-before described. The same process
answers in making guns and fire-arms of all kinds.
AN IMPROVED SHADE OR REFLECTOR FOR LAMPS
Year: 1855

page_text: This Invention received Provisional Protection,
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Murdoch at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th March
1855. A communication.
I, JAMES MURDOCH, of 7, Staple Inn, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVED
SHADE OR REFLECTOR FOR LAMPS " to be as follows:-
The conical shades, which are employed principally in "moderateur "lamps
for the purpose of reflecting the light downwards over a certain extent of
surface, have the inconvenience of darkening the walls and even the ceiling,
which latter is only lighted by the hole in the shade through which the
chimney passes. On the other hand, if the reflectors formed as truncated cones,
and employed chiefly in "carcel " lamps, throw more light on to the ceiling,
owing to their being more open at top, the circle of light thrown downwards is
much more circumscribed. The object of the present Invention is to unite the
advantages and avoid the defects of these two classes of shades or reflectors.
For this purpose, an interior conical shade is surmounted or surrounded by a
straight or nearly straight sided or cylindrical shade. The "interior" shade
must be formed of a diaphonous or partially transparent material, as silk
paper, gauze, ground glass, &c.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF PIANOFORTES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Desirée Milligan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with her Petition, on the 23rd October
1855.
I, DESIREE MILLIGAN, of Upper Seymour Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Wife of Thomas Milligan, of Lima, South America, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
PIANOFORTES," to be as follows:—
My Invention has for object the rendering of pianos easy of transport, a
very great desideratum in the exportation thereof to such countries as South
America, where land carriage is effected upon the backs of mules.
My Invention consists in constructing pianos in such manner that they may
be separated into two parts, which, when united together with tho keyboard and
case for the same, form a perfect instrument. I construct the sounding-board,
bars, braces, rest plank, bridge, and all the casing for the same, in two halves;
and in order to suit the wires to such construction, I cause the wires in one
half to diverge at an angle to the right, and in the other half to diverge at an
angle to the left, from the rest plank to the tuning keys, in lieu of carrying
them at an angle in the same direction entirely across the instrument, as in

page_text: ordinary pianos. I provide suitable screws, bolts, or hinges in order to unite
and sever the two halves when required. After the halves have been united,
the front frame, together with the keyboard, cover, and legs, have simply to be
adapted, when the instrument will be complete.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SUN BLINDS OR SOLAR SCREENS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Julius Jeffreys at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th May 1855.
I, JULIUS JEFFREYS, of Kingston, in the County of Surrey, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUN BLINDS OR
SOLAR SCREENS" to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in constructing cloth "blinds," in such a manner
as to screen off the solar rays without acting as "blinds" to the view.
I use a succession of light wire or wooden frames suspended horizontally
one above the other, from a few inches to a foot or more apart, and each
consisting of an inner rod next the window, and an outer one, say, six inches
to a foot from the former, connected by two or more cross and diagonal pieces.
From along the inner bar of each frame a breadth of cloth is stretched to the
outer bar of the frame next below, and the cloth at each end of the frame is
brought round to enclose the sides. Thus, while each frame is horizontal,
each breadth of cloth stretching from one to the other is inclined, like a fixed
venetian, and the whole are parallel to each other from top to bottom. The
frames are suspended by vertical tapes stitched to each. The whole, forming
a venetian curtain, is drawn up and lowererd down thus:-
At the top and bottom of the window space are fixed two pairs of short
bars of wood, each having morticed in it an outer pulley and one or two
inner ones side by side; the outer being in a vertical line with the outer
bars of the frames, and the inner pulley in a line with their inner bars.
An endless cord runs round the outer and one of the inner pullies at top

page_text: and bottom. This cord is fixed only to the outer bar of the lowest curtain
frame. Another endless cord runs round the other inner, upper, and lower
pulley, and is fixed only to the inner bar of the lowest frame. A long rod of
iron, equal in weight to the frames and curtains, is suspended horizontally
across to the innermost pairs of cords next the window, and thus balances the
weight of the whole. When the rod is raised the curtain descends, and when
it is depressed the curtain rises.
While the above I consider to be the best construction, the frames may
each be covered with its own curtain separately, and in that case the frames
themselves will require to hang inclined, but be gathered up flat on the lowest
frame; also the weight may hang at the side of the window, the cords
being guided to it by extra pulleys.
BORDER PADDLES FOR STEAM-BOAT WHEELS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ferdinand Wilhelmy at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th April
1855.
I, FERDINAND WILHELMY, Engineer, in Dusseldorf, in the Kingdom of
Prussia, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "BORDER
PADDLES FOR STEAM-BOAT WHEELS" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in providing the paddles of steam boat wheels with
borders adapted to both sides of the paddles; in modifying these paddles by
substituting on both long sides a concave surface instead of a level one, and
in applying two borders to their short sides. The concave surface can be
replaced by an angular surface. The back of the paddle can be made in
convex surface. Borders can be placed on both sides of the paddle in front or
behind, above or below. The principle, of which this Invention is a very
simple and usufel application, is as follows:-Concave surfaces, being hollow
or angular, offer a greater resistance by their movements in the water than
level surfaces. This augmentation of resistance obtained, the result of the
actual Invention will be a stronger support to the boat, a greater power
of the steam engine, and consequently an economy in fuel; and, lastly, an

page_text: augmentation of rapidity. These borders can be made of iron or wood, or
any material used in the construction of objects which are to work in or come
in contact with the water. They can also be made applicable to all kinds of
paddle wheels for steam boats, moveable or immoveable, old or new.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CAMERAS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Mawson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th November
1855.
I, JOHN MAWSON, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the County of Northumber-
land, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CAMERAS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHIC PICTURES" to be as
follows:-
My improvements in cameras consist in forming them in such a manner
that they are capable of being closed up so as to occupy less space than
ordinary, and also in so arranging the front of the camera, or bracket
carrying the lens, that a readier method is afforded for focussing or setting
the instrument. I also place at the back of the camera a shutter or screen,
which serves as a permanent focussing cloth, which, when not in use, folds
down and fits into the body of the camera. I form the
I form the body part of
body part of my im-
proved camera of cloth, the ordinary grooves for the reception of the focussing
glass and dark chamber being made in the framework of the camera.
front of the body of the camera I place a conical tube of pliant or flexible
cloth. This tube is connected to the back of the bracket carrying the lens by
means of an elastic neck, which fits into a deep groove in the bracket. The
bracket carrying the lens is fixed to a slide, which fits into a groove or sheath in
the framework of the camera, and is pushed out or drawn in by a regulating screw.
In

page_text: The sheath or base of the camera is fitted with a slotted plate, by means of which
the main frame of the camera may be turned square upon the base, or other-
wise adjusted without detachment therefrom. Where it is desired to render
the camera more portable 1 dispense with the ordinary tubing or casing of the
lens, and fix the lens permanently in the bracket, before mentioned, and attach
in the front thereof a flexible tube, fitted with a coiled spring, which can be
drawn out to any required extent, and when not in use fits flat against the
bracket, thereby also serving as a covering or protection to the lens.
AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF INVALID BED
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Walter Cawley Wren at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
March 1855.
I, JOHN WALTER CAWLEY WREN, of Totttenham Court Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Iron Bedstead Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF INVALID BED" to be as
follows:-
The object of this Invention is to permit of the bed of an invalid being made
up, and of a bed pan being applied and removed, without disturbing the
recumbent position of the patient. This I effect by attaching to the ordinary
bedstead frame a rectangular frame of a corresponding size, which carries
a loose sacking, and is provided with a suitable opening to admit of the
application of the pan. This frame I attach to the bedstead by two or
more pairs of parallel levers jointed to the sides of the frames. The levers
at the foot end of the bed I extend downwards, and connect together by a
cross bar, which serves as a treadle to raise the sacking frame. In order
to raise the patient, and permit of the removal of the feather bed or mattress
from beneath the sacking frame, or the application of the bed pan, it will
only be necessary for the nurse to press with her foot upon the treadle,
and the sacking frame will rise. When the levers which carry this frame

page_text: have moved past a vertical line, a stop or stops applied to the main frame of
the bedstead will arrest their movement, and thus the sacking frame with the
patient upon it will be suspended about 18 inches, more or less, above the
bedstead frame. The bed may then be arranged, or the bed pan may be
applied and removed, and when this is done the sacking frame is lowered by
gently pressing against the foot end thereof, the nurse resting her foot at the
same time on the treadle to prevent the frame falling with a jerk.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING WELDED IRON TUBES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Pritchard at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
November 1855.
I, THOMAS PRITCHARD, of Walsall, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING WELDED IRON TUBES "
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of improvements in manufacturing welded iron
tubes. For this purpose a peculiar form of die is employed, by which the
tube as it is formed and passes through the die receives a succession of
pressures, by which the diameter of the tube is reduced progressively, and the
weld most effectually produced by once heating the iron. The die is formed
with a bell mouth at its entrance, then it has a chamber or space of larger
diameter than the contracted end of the bell mouth, such chamber or space
being made with lateral holes for the passage away of scale or scoria. The
die is then again contracted to a diameter somewhat less than the first con-
traction; there is then again another enlargement or chamber, having holes
therein for the passage away of scale or scoria. The die is then again contracted
to a somewhat less diameter than the second contraction; hence the tube in
passing receives three pressures, and is contracted in diameter three times.
It is preferred that the die should be in one piece, but this is not essential.
In making welded iron tubes by means of such a die, the strip or narrow

page_text: plate of iron is to be heated to a welding heat from end to end, and is then to
be welded on or tacked while in the furnace to a round bar of iron, of a
diameter somewhat less than the smallest diameter of the die. The die is then
put on to the round bar of iron which is at the front of the furnace, and is
then slipped down till it comes in contact with the end of the strip by the bell-
mouth end of the die, when by pulling the round bar of iron so attached to the
strip by means of a chain or otherwise the strip is drawn through the die, and
forms a tube.
AN IMPROVED CHAFF-CUTTING MACHINE
Year: 1855

page_text: now.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bell-
ford at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 25th April 1855.-A communication.
I, AUGUSTE EDOUARD LORADOUX BELLFORD, of 32, Essex Street, Strand,
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED CHAFF-CUTTING MACHINE," a communication, to be as
follows; and consists in the employment or use of two or more rotating cutters
operating in connection with a vibrating bed which is connected to a shaft.
The under surface of the bed is slightly convex, & just touches the edges of
the cutters when in a vertical position.
At the front end of the framework, and about in line with the bottom of the
box in which is placed the material to be cut, is a shaft, having two or more
wings or flanches attached to its periphery, & which extend the whole length
of the shaft, or at least are equal in length to the width of the front end of the
box. Cutters are attached to the wings by set screws or other suitable con-
trivance. At one end of the shaft and adjoining the flanches are two arms,
which cross the cutters at one side. The under surface of the bed is provided
with a layer of suitable material to prevent the edges of the cutters being
injured by coming in contact with the bed.
The inner end of an adjustable throat piece is attached to the bottom of the
box by a hinge joint, so as to allow the outer end to be raised or lowered to

page_text: govern the length of cut. One end of a lever which works on a pivot under-
neath the box bears against the under side of the throat piece, & the opposite
end is provided with a weight. The return motion of the bed is given by a
spring, one end of which is attached to the framing and the other is wound
round a shaft.
The cutters and bed, by their operation, give the proper feed motion to the
straw or other substance to be cut. The feed motion may be modified so
that the substance may be cut longer-or shorter by adjusting the weight on the
lever, thereby elevating or depressing the throat piece, and enlarging or
contracting the mouth of the box through which the substance to be cut
passes.