matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
PROVEMENTS IN THRASHING MACHINES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Marshall at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st January 1878.
JAMES MARSHALL, of Gainsborough, in the County of Lincoln, Engineer.
PROVEMENTS IN THRASHING MACHINES."
"IM-
The object of this Invention is to simplify the mode of working straw shakers in
thrashing machines, and thereby reduce the number of wearing parts.
In lieu of giving motion to the straw shakers by means of cranks or other
separate mechanism, the shakers, according to my improvements are connected to
the dressing shoe, and worked therefrom in the following manner :-
:-The shaker
boxes (which may be made in any number to suit the width of the machine) are
attached, alternately or otherwise, to a cross bar (which may be of wood, iron, or
other suitable material), passing under the shaker boxes at a suitable distance from
each end of same. At alternate ends of each set of boxes, one of the above-named
cross bars, is attached to the riddling shoe, and the cross bar carrying the opposite
end of the same set of boxes is suspended on spring rods of wood, iron, or other
suitable material (or links may be used in lieu of spring rods working on pivots on
one or both extremities) attached to the machine frame."
The second set of boxes working between the first set are similarly connected,
but at reverse ends. From the foregoing description, it is obvious that the recipro-
cating motion of the riddling shoe imparts a rocking motion to each set of shaker
boxes alternately, and by fixing the spring rods or links at an angle, the necessary
lead is given to the boxes in an outward direction from the thrashing drum, thus
forming a straw shaker with the requisite movement for effectually carrying the
straw from the drum as thrashed.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HANDLES FOR BUTCHERS' KNIVES, TABLE CUTLERY, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Charles Friston at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th November 1878.
SAMUEL CHARLES FRISTON, of Sheffield, in the County of York, Manufacturer of
Cutlery. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HANDLES FOR BUTCHERS' KNIVES, TABLE CUTLERY,
AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
This Invention relates to the handles of butchers' knives, table knives & forks,
daggers, and other similar articles of cutlery, and consists in forming the outside of
the handle of metal tubing of any desired section and of any material, such as brass
or German silver, and has for its object producing a strong and durable handle of
handsome appearance. In carrying out my Invention as applied to a butcher's
knife, for example, I forge or otherwise form the blade with a flat parallel tang,
the edges of which fit tightly against the inside of the piece of tube which is
intended to form the handle. The open ends are either filled up with molten
metal, which is caused to solder or adhere to both the blade and to the tube by the
usual means, or the end next the blade may be soldered and the other end filled
with wood, but any substance may be used to fill up the hollow handle that is
suitable. It is obvious that handles made according to my Invention may be either
left plain or ornamented to suit the market.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN THE CARBONS EMPLOYED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHT
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Benjamin Freeman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th December 1878.
JOSEPH BENJAMIN FREEMAN, of Tottenham, in the County of Middlesex. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CARBONS EMPLOYED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE ELECTRIC
LIGHT."
My Invention relates to improvements in the carbons used in producing the
electric light, and consists in making them of such form that while the light may
be maintained for a great length of time without changing the carbons, these,
although of considerably greater length than the ordinary straight carbons, are
contained within a more convenient compass so that the level of the light varies
but slightly as the carbons are consumed, and the other objections to long straight
carbons are avoided.
My Invention consists in making the carbons in the form of a helix of consider-
able diameter. Both the helices may be right or left handed, or the one may be
right and the other left. In either case they are arranged near together with their
points or extremities opposite one another, and in sufficiently close proximity to
admit of the formation of the electric arc, and they are mounted to rotate on axes
in order to constantly feed the points together as the carbons are consumed, the
rotation being in the same or different directions, according as the helices are both
right or left handed or not. The carbons may be rotated by any suitable arrange-
ment of clockwork or by mechanism actuated by the electric current itself or
otherwise, and the carbons and their holders may be acted on by springs or coun-
terweights, so as to be raised as the carbons are consumed, in order to maintain the
light always at exactly the same level.
The carbons are moulded or otherwise made of the helical form described.
NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR 'LASTING' CLOG TOPs
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION loft by Ephraim Walker at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th August 1878.
EPHRAIM WALKER, of Lindley, near Huddersfield, in the County of York. "NEW
OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR 'LASTING' CLOG TOPs."
The object of this Invention is to "last" the tops or uppers of clogs more readily
than can be done by the present method of "Insting." This I accomplish by placing
an ordinary "last on suitable framework, and on the last I place the upper or top
of the clog. The bottom part of the upper is taken hold of by a suitable number of
pincers or tongs. These tongs are attached to a lever, which on being moved down-
wards draws or tightens the "upper on the last, and is held there by catches until
the operation of "lasting" is accomplished.
"
The toe part of the upper is also held by a pair of pincers or tongs working in
conjunction with or separately from the lever perviously mentioned.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAY AND RAILWAY BRAKES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Morgan-Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th November 1878. A com-
munication from abroad by Henry Harrison Doty, of 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 1, Rue Laffitte,
Paris. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAY AND RAILWAY BRAKES." [A communication
from abroad by Henry Harrison Doty, of 1, Rue Laffitte, Paris.]
These improvements have reference to brakes, which are brought down to act
and to produce friction on the rail itself, with the view of arresting or of stopping
entirely the motion of a vehicle or of a train of vehicles; they consist mainly:
Firstly. In giving such a form to the brake that on its descent on the rail it
causes friction on the lateral inner or outer face of the rail as well as on its upper
surface.
Secondly. In providing such brake at its lower extremity with a detachable
shoe which comes in contact with the rail, and which is manufactured of a softer
metal than that of the rail.
Thirdly. In interposing between such shoe and the brake or brake head an
elliptic or elliptic springs, preferably of steel.
Fourthly. In mounting the said shoe on a central pivot, so that it is free to
oscillate horizontally in order to conform to the irregularities of the track and to
the curves of the line.
Fifthly. For the purpose of bringing the brake down on the rail, in constructing
it in two main parts united by a toggle joint and arranged in such a manner that
the traction on a rod produces the descent of the brake whilst it is raised by
pressure on such rod.
Sixthly. In locating such brake or brakes between the wheels of the carriages,
but in no case centrally between such wheels, that is to say, in locating them in
relative proximity to one or the other of these wheels.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATORS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Isidor Fürstenhagen and Hermann
Wildt at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th September
1878.
ISIDOR FÜRSTENHAGEN and HERMANN WILDT, Agents, of Bradford, in the County
of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LUBRICATORS."
Our Invention relates to lubricators used in supplying oil to the frictional surfaces
of revolving shafts and other moving or sliding parts of machinery.
For this purpose we employ a thick glass reservoir of a suitable shape, but by
preference made oblong; the reservoir is made with a somewhat narrow orifice, in
which a screw thread may be formed to receive a metal ferrule or collar, or the
collar may be cemented to the orifice or neck of the reservoir; the ferrule or collar
is made with a flange which is cut with an opening and screw thread in which
screws a stopper which hermetically closes the reservoir by means of a leather or
india-rubber washer. The stopper receives in its centre a small tube made adherent
by solder or other means; the upper part of the small tube passes slightly in the
inside of the reservoir and is closed by a small cap, which is pierced with a small
hole of the diameter of a rather fine needle; the oil or fluid cannot issue from the
reservoir but by the small hole of the cap into the inside of the small tube; this
tube is made of sufficient length to be inserted in a hole bored in the bearing, and
the bottom end of the tube is fitted with a plug having a small hole similar to the
one pierced in the small cap; the plug is made taper so that it may rest upon the
shaft or surface to be lubricated. The oil or fluid will not flow out of this lubricator
when it is inverted in consequence of the small diameter of the holes, there being
no free admission of air to the upper part of the oil receiver, but the moving surface
being in contact with the plug draws the oil through the small tube as it is required
as a partial vacuum is formed.
We thus lubricate in a self-acting, regular, and continuous manner all the rubbing
parts of machines or mechanical apparatuses.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING ELECTRIC LIGHT
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Gye at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 5th November 1878.
FREDERICK GYE, of Springfield House, Wandsworth Road, in the County of
Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING ELECTRIC LIGHT."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for obtaining electric
light.
For this purpose I employ for one of the electrodes of the apparatus a disc of
carbon mounted on an axis, which can be revolved slowly at the same time that it
is caused to move vertically, or it might be horizontally in a straight line. The
other electrode may be an ordinary carbon stick, the point of which is held stationary
at a slight distance from the face of the disc. As the disc electrode revolves and
shifts its position, a fresh portion of its surface will continuously be brought opposite
to the carbon point; thus, as any part of the face of the carbon disc is consumed
by the passing current another portion of the disc comes opposite to the point and
is in turn consumed.
By this means the face of the carbon disc will be eaten away in a long spiral
line, and the distance between the carbon point and the portion of the disc opposite
to it will remain uniform during the whole time, so that a steady light is main-
tained.
The carbon disc is mounted upon the axis, which is to carry it in the following
manner: On the end of the axis is a circular plate, against the face of which the
back of the carbon disc is placed. The carbon disc is clamped to the plate by a
.coned ring, which overlaps and embraces a portion of the circumference of the disc
which is correspondingly coned.
The face of the disc is made to project somewhat in front of the ring, so that when
the whole of the face of the disc has once been used, the disc may be put into a
lathe and have a thin layer removed from its face so as to produce a new flat
surface upon the face to be again acted upon.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN GARDEN CHAIRS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Horatio Myer at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd May 1878.
HORATIO MYER, of the Firm H. Myer and Company, of 124, Vauxhall Walk,
in the County of Surrey, Bedstead and Garden Chair Manufacturers. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN GARDEN CHAIRS."
This Invention relates to improvements in garden chairs, in which, by a simple
movement of the back and of the seat, the whole can be folded up almost flat, and
occupy little space.
According to my Invention I joint the legs at about the middle of their length,
and form the front upper portion to receive a tie or stay bar, upon which the two
side rails of the seat are hung. The rear part of each of the seat side rails is
formed with a hook to take over a back stay or tie bar, which regulates the width
of the back part of the chair. The outer ends of the back stay bar projects beyond
the upper part of the legs, and carry the lower end of the chair back, this being
jointed to them as to fall forward and lodge upon the seat when the chair has to
be folded up. The side rails of the chair back have each a hook to engage under
the back portions of the front legs, where they form an abutment to prevent the
back falling too far when it is thrown up. The front tie or stay bar also carries &
number of slats, either as separate slats hung upon the bar, or fastened to a piece of
tubing, the slats being carried to the back (as a seat proper) with their back ends
secured to a cross lath, which not only strengthens the seat at that part, but
regulates the distance the back portions of the two side rails shall be from each
other.
The Invention is applicable to metallic folding chairs, or to those made partly of
metal and partly of wood, the seat and the back being of cane, wirework, or open
slats of metal or wood, as desired.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO LAMPS FOR BURNING HYDRO- CARBON AND OTHER OILS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alban Edward Ragg at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th July 1878.
ALBAN EDWARD RAGG, of Bebington, in the County of Chester, Clerk in Holy
Orders. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO LAMPS FOR BURNING HYDRO-
CARBON AND OTHER OILS."
In flat or curved wick lamps as ordinarily constructed the wicks have to be very
carefully trimmed, and the flame is apt to be higher at the ends of the wick than
at other points, necessitating the flame being lowered to prevent smoking or
cracking the glass.
Now by my Invention I obviate this evil and get a much broader flame. At the
ends of the wick tubos I attach or form a continuation or ear projecting outwards
and upwards. The flame travels up these ears until it is (in my experimental
lamp) at least one-third broader than previously; ears in this way can be attached
at other points, but they are chiefly valuable at the ends only. One object in
putting on these cars is to prevent the flame running down the wick at the ends to
the exact line of the brass, and of course my object will be partially accomplished
by slightly increasing the height of the tube at that point, or attaching to the lamp
baffle plates or the like to guard off the air from these points.
It is not absolutely necessary that the cars should form a part of the wick tube,
so long as they shield the air from the ends, and form a guide along which the
flame can travel.
To obviate the difficulties attending the filling of lamps I make the bottom of the
burner conical. It can be lined with cork or other suitable elastic impervious
material. It is hinged on to the conical socket fastened on the font or oil holder,
and is fastened by two pegs. These pegs can be so arranged that either will act as
a hinge when the other is out. The lining of cork can be on this portion of the
lamp instead of on the burner bottom.
AN IMPROVED COVER OR BINDING FOR STITCHED Books
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Clayton Mewburn at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th May 1878. [A communication
from abroad by Hermann Grünbaum, of Paris, France.]
"
JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of 169, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent and Consulting Engineer. AN IMPROVED COVER OR BINDING FOR STITCHED
Books." [A communication from abroad by Hermann Grünbaum, of Paris, France.]
The object of this Invention is to make a cover or binding for stitched books in
order to preserve the outside sheets or cover from getting creased or otherwise
injured, and which said cover or binding can be easily removed from one book and
applied to another.
The improved cover is made of morocco, cloth, or other suitable material, and
has formed on the inside thereof two pockets sufficiently large to receive the two
outer sheets of the book. On the inside of the cover there is also an india-rubber
band or cord extending across the middle from top to bottom, and secured at each
end. One or more markers are likewise attached to the top of the cover, and a
loop or strap may be attached to the outside of one of the pockets to receive a
paper knife.
In order to place a book in the cover, the book is opened at about its middle and
passed under the india-rubber band or cord; then the two outside sheets of the
book are inserted into the respective pockets of the cover. The cover is thus
doubly secured to the book, viz., by the sheets held in the pockets, and by the
india-rubber band, and the appearance is that of a bound volume. The outside
sheets of the book being concealed in the pockets are quite protected from injury.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPLIANCES TO GAS STOVES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Stafford Ellery at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th December 1878.
CHARLES STAFFORD ELLERY, of Neath, in the County of Glamorgan.
" IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPLIANCES TO GAS STOVES."
This Invention has for its object the more complete and convenient utilization of
the heat generated in gas stoves than is ordinarily the case.
The Invention consists in forming a hood or cover of a variety of sizes, so that
by a slight adjustment they may be made to fit the tops of existing gas stoves.
The hood may be made of tin plate, sheet iron, or copper, open in front, but closed
at its top and sides. The top may be made to open if thought desirable. Within
the hood are fixed ledges for one or more shelves to slide and rest upon, the said
shelves being perforated or otherwise. On the top a vessel may be fitted for
warming water.
This appliance can be fixed to either cooking or heating stoves. In the former
case advantage would be taken of the surplus heat from the broiling or boiling
burners to heat additional food or to warm plates, and in the latter the heat
radiated from the top would be utilized by the warming of food, airing of linen,
and other purposes, and with this view the hood may have a door to open in front,
and be provided with a ventilator at top.
IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY SIGNALLING
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Stringer and Henry Ivey at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th October 1878.
WILLIAM STRINGER, Coal Merchant, and HENRY IVEY, Engineer, both of Kilburn,
in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY SIGNALLING."
This Invention relates to improvements in railway signalling, and, firstly, to
superseding the ordinary method or means of fog signalling.
According to our Invention we place on the ground parallel with the rails, and
either between each pair of rails or on either side as may be preferred, a lever or
series of levers, which may be raised from a given position to one more elevated,
and vice versa, at the pleasure of those in charge of the signalling. They may be
operated either from the signal box or by an ordinary hand lever placed wherever
desired. When raised they are in the position to give the necessary signal. The
locomotive (and if desired also the guard's brake) of the train passing over the line
is provided with a lever, so placed that it will come in contact with the said raised
levers, and in passing over them will be operated thereby, that is, have motion
imparted to it; and this lever when so moved is made to strike a gong, or sound or
operate some other signal suitably placed on the locomotive. It may sound the
steam whistle by momentarily turning on the steam, the steam being afterwards
shut off by the action of a counterweight or spring. According to the number of
such signals at a given place (as with ordinary fog signals) the desired instructions
may be imparted to the driver and guard. The lever to operate the said signals
may either pull the signal on or off, the reverse action being effected by a counter-
weight as with ordinary signals.
This method of signalling by sound may be used to supplement or supersede the
ordinary signalling by semaphores and lights.
IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO DRESS FOR MILLSTONES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Halliwell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th March 1878.
WILLIAM HALLIWELL, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND RELATING TO DRESS FOR MILLSTONES."
In millstone dresses as ordinarily constructed one furrow has more work than
another; they have different draft, and consequently grind the flour unevenly; the
amount of land is also too great and is unevenly distributed.
Now my Invention granulates instead of grinds the wheat, and does it perfectly
evenly all round, not more in one furrow than another. It consists in making
every furrow go the entire distance from the eye to the skirt. Each furrow has
three or more drafts, the draft increasing as one goes towards the periphery.
I prefer the furrows in the draft near the eye to be considerably wider than the
land, and widening very slightly in width, but not so much so as the land, till
at the circumference they are about equal in width to the land, the main point
being that every furrow should be of the same dimensions the same distance from
the eye, but I vary the general dimensions with the character of the work to be
done. The produce from the stone will be found to produce more uniform granu-
lation of the flour, and at the same time broader and cleaner bran than the ordinary
dress.
STRIPPING THE VANES OR BEARDS FROM QUILLS BY MECHANICAL MEANS, AND APPLYING THE FEATHERS OR DOWN THUS OBTAINED TO WOVEN FABRICS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Gedge at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th February 1878. A communi-
cation from abroad by François Clement Bourguignon, of Donchery, Ardennes,
France, Manufacturer.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent.
"STRIPPING THE VANES OR BEARDS FROM
QUILLS BY MECHANICAL MEANS, AND APPLYING THE FEATHERS OR DOWN THUS
OBTAINED TO WOVEN FABRICS." A communication from abroad by François
Clement Bourguignon, of Donchery, Ardennes, France, Manufacturer.
Many endeavours have been made to find a practical means of utilizing feathers in
the manufacture of woven fabrics, but hitherto without success, and no fabric woven
with feathers has formed an article of trade. This negative result may be taken as
an incontestable proof of the difficulties to be overcome.
The feather properly so called cannot be spun, and it has therefore been sought to
obviate this difficulty by using the down, but other obstacles have then been met
with and the attempts have failed. This material, the price of which is firstly very
high, cannot undergo any preparation or dressing from its want of strength; and
assuming the manufacture to be successful to the point of producing a fabric, it
would be of little value because a woven fabric composed of down would possess
very little strength or cohesion and would be constantly lodging disagreable traces
of its origin upon the other clothes. The use of this material in a really practicable
manner has thus been deemed impossible.
With a view to the utilization of the feathers hitherto deemed useless my
informant has made successful experiments, resulting in the transformation of the
feathers stripped from the quill into a down, having sufficient consistency to be
utilized in the manufacture of woven fabrics.
The means employed are as follows:-Valueless feathers from the kitchen or
the poulterers are passed through a carding engine, a devilling or willowing
machine, a cutting machine, preference being given to this latter or any other similar
D031

page_text: machine, which thus becomes the quill stripper or parer, detaching from the tubes,
stems, or barrels all the vanes, feathers, or beards of the quill, and making them
into a down suitable for making eider down quilts, and at the same time sufficiently
strong, supple, and cohesive to be spun with an admixture of wool or of other material
and woven into cloths or fabrics of various kinds, which may be easily dyed and
make up into very warm clothing of extremely light weight.
This Invention may be summed up as consisting in the manufacture of an
artificial down by mechanical means, and its utilization by weaving generally into
all kinds of woven fabrics.
AN IMPROVED EGG TESTER
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Dodds at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 25th September 1878.
FRANCIS DODDS, of 42, Rainey Street, Belfast. "AN IMPROVED EGG TESTER."
This Invention consists of a box or receptacle provided or not with a handle, and
having in its top surface a round hole for the reception of an egg.
A mirror is placed inside the box at an angle of, say, 45 degrees, secured at the
top, and resting on the bottom of the box. Opposite the mirror and in the side of
the box is a hole.
'
When using the egg tester the egg to be tested is placed in the round hole in the
top of the tester, which it fits closely, so that no light enters the tester except
through the egg. On looking through the hole opposite the mirror the egg is seen
reflected; a fresh egg appearing semi-transparent, a stale one dark, and a rotten one
black.
AN IMPROVED TRANSVERSE SLEEPER FOR PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Purser at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 19th June 1878,
EDWARD PURSER, of Smyrna, in Turkey, Civil Engineer, at present residing at
19, Cecil Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED TRANSVERSE
SLEEPER FOR PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS."
My Invention relates to an improved and novel construction of wrought-iron
sleepers for securing the rails of railways, whereby, owing to the nature of the
material used, the same are rendered far more durable than the wooden transverse
sleepers hitherto used; at the same time from the form of construction great
elasticity and freedom from rigidity is secured, the rails being also more firmly held,
less liable to get loose, or otherwise out of repair.
In carrying out this my Invention I propose making the sleepers of three distinct
plates of iron or steel; one plate being shaped in the form of a gutter or trough of
suitable length forms the body of the sleeper. The two upper pieces or bridge
plates, bent in a somewhat similar form, are then secured by means of rivets or
otherwise in an inverted position within the former or body plate. Upon these
latter bridge plates at the outer end are secured suitable iron clips, which serve to
hold the outer and lower flange of each rail, whilst a screw dog bolt, arranged and
provided on the inner side, secures the same; or I may construct the sleeper of two
plates only, the two bridge plates being made in one continuous length in lieu of as
above described.
By omitting the iron clips and dog bolts the bridge plates may be adapted so as
to receive the ordinary chairs, if desirable, at any time.
The plates forming the sleeper may be of iron, steel, or other suitable material,
the upper portion consisting of two distinct pieces, whereas the lower or body piece
is in one, extending the full length of an ordinary transverse sleeper; or I may
make the upper portion in one length, as described.

page_text: Upon the accompanying Sheet of Drawings Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal
section through the sleeper, Fig. 2 being an end or cross section through the same;
Fig. 3 is a plan of the above.
A is the lower or body plate; B, B, the upper or bridge plates; C, C, the rails;
D, D, clips for holding same; E, E, dog bolts for securing rails.
A modification of the above is shewn in the plan, Fig. 4, in which one continuous
plate F is shewn in lieu of the two upper bridge plates B, B.
IMPROVEMENTS IN REVERSING GEAR FOR STEAM AND OTHER ENGINES."
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Logan and Christopher Coats
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th July 1878.
"
WILLIAM LOGAN and CHRISTOPHER COATS, both of Langley Park, in the County
of Durham. IMPROVEMENTS IN REVERSING GEAR FOR STEAM AND OTHER
ENGINES."
The motive power of the engine may be steam, water, air, gas, or other motive
power.
The Invention consists in substituting for the present link motion of engines a
toothed or friction wheel alongside one eccentric on the main shaft, or other shaft
on which the eccentric is fixed, whereby with a lever and a segment of a toothed
or friction wheel the action of the engine is reversed.
The teeth of the wheel and segment of the wheel may be of various forms; or a
friction wheel and segment of a friction wheel may be used to effect the object of
the toothed wheel and segment of a toothed wheel; or other suitable means may be
employed for reversing the position of the eccentric, whereby the whole of the
link motion and one eccentric wheel of the engine is done away with, and a cheaper
and equally certain method of reversing an engine is obtained.
AN IMPROVED EMERY COMPOUND TO FORM GLAZERS FOR GRINDING WITH EMERY
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Gustave Dittmar at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th June 1878. A communication
from Hermann Wiechert, of Berlin, Prussia.
GUSTAVE DITTMAR, of Berlin, Prussia. "AN IMPROVED EMERY COMPOUND TO
FORM GLAZERS FOR GRINDING WITH EMERY." [A communication from Hermann
Wiechert, of Berlin, Prussia.]
The various applications of steel in machinery, and the necessarily fine and yet
cheap polish of the parts, has considerably increased the use of emery glazers.
The requisites of good glazers for grinding purposes are as follows:-
1. The wear of the glazer should be as slight as possible, but it must be hard and
still working.
2. It should not break under the action of centrifugal power while rapidly
rovolving.
3. The forming of dust being so unhealthy for the operator must be avoided.
The best glazers known do not answer these requirements; they show a fast
wearing out, have but little hardness and firmness, make a great deal of dust, and
dissolve when water is applied.
The glazers formed of the new compound invented by me answer fully the above
requisites. In this compound the particles form among one and other a close coin-
bination and produce a firm porous mass, which neither dissolves in water nor loses
its ability of working at a higher temperature.
To produce this compound I take a certain quantity of coarse or fine emery
powder, mix it with powdered glass or the powder of any vitreous mass, as combi-
nations of silicic acid with lime, oxide of lead, or other metals, then I add clay and
water in order to form a plastic mass, which is pressed into moulds to form glazers
of all sizes and kinds. When sufficiently dry they are exposed to a heat at which
the glass is melting, whereby all the emery particles are firmly united.
The objects produced in this way become so hard that the best file has no effect
on them; and, besides, they are porous enough so as to be fit for grinding hardened
steel objects.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COVERINGS APPLICABLE TO STEAM PIPES, BOILERS, HOT AIR BLASTS, AND ALL ARTICLES FROM WHICH THE ESCAPE OF HEAT IS TO BE PREVENTED, ALSO TO WATER PIPES AND ALL ARTICLES TO BE PROTECTED FROM FREEZING, AND TO REFRIGERATORS OR OTHER ARTICLES IN WHICH AN EVEN TEMPERATURE IS DESIRED
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Russell Kelso Carter at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th July 1878.
RUSSELL KELSO CARTER, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Professor of
Chemistry. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COVERINGS APPLICABLE TO STEAM PIPES, BOILERS,
HOT AIR BLASTS, AND ALL ARTICLES FROM WHICH THE ESCAPE OF HEAT IS TO BE
PREVENTED, ALSO TO WATER PIPES AND ALL ARTICLES TO BE PROTECTED FROM
FREEZING, AND TO REFRIGERATORS OR OTHER ARTICLES IN WHICH AN EVEN
TEMPERATURE IS DESIRED."
This Invention relates to those coverings in which a dead air space is provided
by means of lugs (or in any other suitable manner) between the pipe or other article
to be protected or covered and the outside jacket or casing acting as the cover.
The improvements consist :-
Firstly. In forming the outside casing or jacket of plaster of Paris mixed with
silicate and sawdust, or of plaster of Paris and sawdust alone.
And, Secondly. In casting the casing or jacket formed of plaster of Paris, silicate,
and sawdust, or plaster of Paris and sawdust alone, in a mould, the core of which
has an exterior polished brass surface, so as to give a polish to the interior surface
of the casing or jacket, and thus increase its reflecting power. The casing or jacket
is then covered with an envelope of paper coated with a paint which is both fire-
proof and water-proof.
AND APPERTAINING TO APPARATUS FOR ROASTING FOOD."
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Godfrey Croft at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd August 1878.
JOHN GODFREY CROFT, of Richmond, in the County of York.
IN AND APPERTAINING TO APPARATUS FOR ROASTING FOOD."
"IMPROVEMENTS
As roasting jacks are at present constructed the meat or fowl, whilst being roasted,
require to be watched and basted by hand.
My Invention is designed to obviate this defect, and consists in a roller attached
to the spindle of an ordinary roasting jack, round which a chain passes, the ends
being continued over two pulleys rigidly suspended. To each end of this chain is
attached a tipping spoon hung in a stirrup and quite free; the ends of these spoons
pass clear of the edge of a sieve or strainer secured to the hook above the meat, but
touch the wheel, which is made larger than on the ordinary jack. The jack, which
turns say 4 times in one direction, then stops, and turns the same in the opposite
direction, will elevato and lower the spoons alternately, which spoons lifting the
gravy out of the wells in the "dripping pan" will, on coming in contact with the
wheel, pour it through the sieve continuously upon the "joint," etcetera, in the
roaster.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SPINNING AND DOUBLING FIBRES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Slater at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 18th November 1878.
EDWARD SLATER, of Burnley, in the County of Lancaster, Spinning Master. “IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SPINNING AND DOUBLING FIBRES."
This Invention relates, firstly, to improved apparatus to be employed for building
or forming cops; secondly, to improvements in hollow spindles and bearings for
the same.
In the building or forming of cops according to this Invention I employ two
lifter or traversing rails, the spindle being mounted upon the lower of the two rails,
the ring and flyer upon the upper rail. The two rails are caused to traverse by
"heart" motion or other like device, the lower rail traversing the spindle, so as the
latter receives the successive layers, which constitute the body or cylindrical
portion of the cop; the upper rail traversing the ring and flyer, so as to build or
form the conical end of the cop. Hollow spindles constructed according to this
Invention have a hole through the upper end, through which the stationary
spindle's point slightly protrudes for the purpose of giving greater steadiness to the
rotating spindle, and facilitating the application of oil to the inner spindle.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Knowles at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1878.
WILLIAM KNOWLES, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON."
The object of my Invention is to collect the loose fibres, commonly termed
"clearer waste," that accumulate on the rollers of drawing rollers of all machines
used in preparing and spinning cotton.
In performing my Invention I employ a revolving clearer, which rests upon and
is turned round by the top rollers; this clearer, instead of being covered with
Hannel alone as usual, is now covered with flannel and an outside covering of
leather, with the fleshy side of the leather outside to obtain a spongy surface. The
clearer is provided with a longitudinal brush and a small taking-up roller. When
the apparatus is at work the loose fibres on the top rollers are deposited on and
adhere to the clearer; the fibres are loosened by the action of the brush, and are
thus prepared for the small roller, which is covered with rough friezy cloth to collect
and roll up the fibres which had been previously loosened by the brush. By this
means the surface of the clearer is made perfectly clean, and the evils arising from
the accumulation of rolled up fibres, commonly called "grubs," or lumps of clearer
waste falling on the sliver, roving, or yarn passing between the drawing rollers are
avoided.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LOCKING THE NUTS OF RAILWAY FISH PLATES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Somes Story and Francis
Gascoigne Lynde at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
17th October 1878.
JOHN SOMES STORY, of Derby, in the County of Derby, and FRANCIS GASCOIGNE
LYNDE, of Hawes, in the County of York, Civil Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR LOCKING THE NUTS OF RAILWAY FISH PLATES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
In carrying out this Invention we employ a thin strip of wrought iron or other
metal punched with two or more holes or slots to fit on the bolts. The plate is
placed under the nuts and is of sufficient length to be turned up at the the ends
against the nuts to lock them after they have been tightened. The portion bent
up must be turned down again by hammering or otherwise before the nuts cau be
unscrewed.
Our Invention may be applied to the cylinders of steam engines, to the pedestals
of shafting, to spear rods of pumping engines, and to various other purposes where
two or more bolts are placed near each other; it may also be applied to single bolts
by securing one end of the plate by a steady pin or otherwise.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN EASELS FOR ARTISTS' USE, AND FOR OTHER 5 PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Harmau at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 4th November 1878.
ALFRED HARMAN, of 4, Singapore Villas, Ealing Dean, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Artist. "AN IMPROVEMENT IN EASELS FOR ARTISTS' USE, AND FOR OTHER
5 PURPOSES."
In place of the usual screw, pegs, or ratchet work for raising and supporting the
picture or other object I apply to each end of the supporting tray a spiral or other
suitable form of spring to act as a clip, thus enabling the person using this easel to
regulate the tray to a convenient height with the greatest ease.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Bywater, William Spurr,
Theophilus Spivey, and Richard Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 8th November 1879.
JAMES BYWATER, WILLIAM SPURR, THEOPHILUS SPIVEY, and RICHARD SMITH,
all of Birstal, near Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR
WEAVING."
This Invention relates to the pickers employed in looms for propelling the
shuttle across the loom, so that when the shuttle is sent home it shall not rebound;
and also to the method of securing the picking strap to the picking arm.
Our improvements in the picker consist in dispensing with the ordinary india-
rubber cushion hitherto placed within the barrel of the picker and substituting
therefor a square stud, across the head of which is a dovetailed slot or recess for
the reception of a piece of buffalo hide or similar material.
The stud passes
through the barrel of the picker, and is secured by a nut or cotter pin, and
between the head of the stud and the barrel is a spiral spring, which renders the
picker more elastic, and so prevents any tendency on the part of the shuttle and
picking stick to rebound, thereby preventing the weft from slipping off the bobbin,
which is now the case when the shuttle is brought to a sudden stop. Or instead
of the spring being placed in the picker it may be placed in connection with the
picking plate or lever and rod.
Our improvements in relation to the picking strap consist in attaching the same
to the picking arm by means of a pin passing through the strap and through a
bracket or Ing fixed to the picking arm, so as to form a loose hinge joint without
putting any strain upon the strap or twisting the same.
By our Invention we dispense with check straps and check tappits, and greatly
reduce the friction on the picker spindles and other parts.
There is less liability to breakage of picking levers, picking plates, and arms, and
the shuttle is retained in its proper position in the box. The buffalo hide or other
material can be readily replaced. Our improvements may be applied with equal
facility to either new or old looms.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND POLISHING RICE, COFFEE, AND OTHER GRAIN
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Edwards at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 17th April 1879.
EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 40, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AND POLISHING RICE,
COFFEE, AND OTHER GRAIN." [A communication from abroad by Archille Henri
Leytens, of Antwerp, in the Kingdom of Belgium.]
The ordinary method of cleaning and polishing rice, coffee, and other grain is by
means of vertical apparatus, which is found frequently to injure or destroy the
grain by breaking it up in pieces, and never succeeds in imparting to the said grain
the brilliant polish which is requisite to give it a better appearance and ensure its
preservation.
The present Invention has for its object a new and improved combination of
machinery and materials to be employed for the said purpose.
The machine works horizontally, and is composed of a framework of any suitable
form, on which is mounted the principal shaft imparting movement to the machine,
and driven by any convenient power. On the said frame is mounted a fixed grind-
stone, made preferably of stone known as Italian talc, or of any other suitable
material.
The stone is surrounded at its upper surface by a metallic sieve or screen, in
which are disposed four openings, by which the rice is conducted to the descending
delivery tubes. Above the stone is affixed a revolving ventilator or fan provided
with a brush which has for its object the discharging of the dust (arising from the
friction of the rice) between the polishing plate and the grindstone. This plate,
which is formed first of an iron disc, secondly of a wooden disc affixed to the
former, thirdly of a covering of sheep's skin, forms part of the ventilator or fan
performing the same rotatory movement.
This plate, which can be raised or lowered at will, forces the rice against the
grindstone, and thus combines with the latter to give it the necessary polish without
causing any fracture of the grain.
The dust and other detritus which are thrown out during the polishing
operation are carried towards the metallic vertical screen surrounding the polishing
plate and the ventilator, and are thrown off in the ordinary manner.

page_text: The working of my improved system is as follows:-The rice is fed into the
receiver (the machine being in motion), and from thence it passes in a regulated
supply on the top of the principal shaft, from which it passes on the grindstone
and under the polishing plate, which can be raised or lowered according to circum-
stances, and which is set in motion by the principal shaft working at a suitable
rate, preferably about 250 revolutions per minute. The rice or grain after being
thus polished falls of its own accord through the descending tubes, and is collected
at their lower extremity in any convenient manner.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT WAY OF TRAMWAYS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jacob Scott Matthews, Clifford
Etches Winby, and John Holmes Winby at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents on the 21st August 1879.
JACOB SCOTT MATTHEWS, Gentleman, CLIFFORD ETCHES WINBY, Engineer, and
JOHN HOLMES WINBY, Engineer, all of Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT WAY
OF TRAMWAYS."
This Invention relates to certain improvements in or applicable to the permanent
way of tramways, the object being to construct the chairs of such section that they
will support and raise the rail to any required height and act as a foot for the rail,
and thus according to such section of the chairs the head of the rail will be higher
or lower so as to accomodate the height of the "sets," i.c., the blocks of which the
surface of the road is covered or metalled.
In carrying the Invention into practice, the rail is rolled of T shape with the
ordinary grooved head and with a central under web. The chairs are constructed
in two parts, such as will form for each "half" one half of the foot of the chair and
one side of the chair plate, and the side of the chair portion where the parts or
halves will come together is rolled or formed with a joggle or depression corre-
sponding to half the section of the web of the rail. Now when the two halves or
sections of the chairs are placed together in juxtaposition a recess will be formed
by the joggles between them to receive the web of the T shaped rail, the foot of
which will rest and take its bearing on the joggle. These chairs will also act as
fish plates for jointing the rail ends and sleeper plate and bolts, cotters or rivets
will be passed through the chairs and the web of the rail, whereby the web of the
rail will be tightly compressed, rigidly held, and supported by the joggle, the chairs
thus forming the foot of the rails.
For different heights of the rail the chairs will be provided with the joggle at
different heights, and in some cases there is to be provided a sleeper or foot plato
longitudinally of the rail or otherwise to which the foot of the chairs may be
bolted or rivetted.
PENHOLDERS AND PENS
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Wheeler at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 25th July 1879.
JAMES WHEELER, of Southend in the County of Essex.
PENHOLDERS AND PENS."
in use.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The object of my Invention is to construct penholders in such manner that the
pens placed therein will not only hold a larger supply of ink, but also shall not be
liable, no matter what their form may be, to run their point into the paper when
For this purpose I make the penholder so that the front portion thereof,
or that part which holds the pen, forms with the remainder of the holder an obtuse
angle on the upper side; thus the pen when in use more or less approaches the
horizontal position and the point will not enter the paper while at the same time
this position enables the pen to hold more ink. Or instead of making the holder
with an angle as described, I form a straight holder with a slot or hole which
receives the pen at an obtuse angle.
as
I also for the same purposes make those pens which form their own holder, such
magnum bonums," with an obtuse angle in the pipe or body thereof. I also
make ordinary pens with an obtuse angle at or about the middle of their length.