matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Bell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th December
1858.
I, HENRY BELL, of Belfast, in the County of Antrim, Ireland, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS," to be as follows, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to the improvements of the tone and expressive
power of violins and other musical instruments of various kinds by the intro-
duction therein or addition to of what is here termed a "bell harmonica,"
as applied to a violin; this consists of a flattened tube or elliptical chamber
of glass placed in the interior of the body of the violin, the two ends of this
glass piece being carried by two end blocks of wood. These blocks are
supported from the ends of the instrument by means of a light pole or bar of
wood fastened to the ends of the instrument, and passing along the interior
of the glass shell. A bow-shaped or semi-elliptically formed bar of lancewood
is placed transversely across the body of the instrument above the glass shell
to support a sound post, the top of which carries the breast of the instrument.
Violins formed and fitted in this way give a very superior tone, and the same
system of structure and arrangement is also applicable to other instruments of
various kinds. The glass shell or internal chamber may also be made flat or
of other forms with a generally similar result.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1858

page_text: This Invention received Provisional Protection, out notice proceed
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Morris at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd February 1858.
I, JOHN MORRIS, of Red House, Great Bridge, in the County of Stafford,
Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOTS AND SHOES," to be as
follows:-
My said Invention consists in the application of a covering of sheet iron or
other suitable metal or alloy, to the bottoms of boots and shoes, as herein-after
explained.
In carrying my Invention into effect, I apply sheet iron to the under side
both of the sole and heel of the boot or shoe, attaching the said sheet iron by
nails or other fastenings. The said sheet iron covers and defends the leather
of the sole and heel. Boots and shoes made according to my Invention are
especially suitable for puddlers, shinglers, and other workmen employed in
iron works, or in other places where the boots or shoes are liable to be exposed
to heat or to chemical agents injurious to leather.
Although I prefer to use sheet iron in carrying my Invention into effect,
yet any other hard infusible and cheap metal or alloy may be used instead of
sheet iron.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES ACTUATED BY AIR
Year: 1858

page_text: (This Invention received Provisional Protection, but notice to proceed with the
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Julius Wittenberg at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th May
1858.
J, JULIUS WITTENBERG, of Cambridge Villas, Notting Hill, in the County
of Middlesex, Doctor of Philosophy, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MOTIVE-POWER ENGINES ACTUATED BY
AIR," to be as follows:-
I employ two cylinders similar to steam engine cylinders, each of which is
furnished with two pistons and piston rods, the one rod being projected from
the one end of the cylinder, and the other from the other end. The two
pistons of each cylinder are connected together by springs, which allow freedom
of motion in the separation or approach of the two pistons, yet at the same
time are capable of transmitting considerable power from the one piston to
the other. The two piston rods projecting from similar ends of the cylinders
are connected one to either end of a beam like the beam of an ordinary
engine, while the other piston rods are connected with the cranks and shafts
to which the power is to be communicated. Two double-acting air pumps
are connected and worked by the beam, each placed as close as possible to its
respective working cylinder. Motion is communicated to the air pumps
by the beam. The pumps have suitable air passages of communication
with their respective cylinders. The effect of each air pump is, that air is

page_text: exhausted from between the one piston and the cover or end of the cylinder,
while at the same time air is being forced in between the other piston and
the opposite end of the cylinder, the effect of which is that motion is trans-
mitted from the piston connected with the crank to the crank and shaft, thus
producing the motive power required. The same motion is induced in both
the working cylinders, and thus driving two crank shafts, which are coupled or
connected in such manner as to render their motion uniform. This motive
power may be applied for marine, locomotive, or stationary purposes, the
engine being varied in its arrangement according to the purpose required.
Motion may be given to the engine to start it by manual power, by horse, or
by small steam power, where the air engine is of large power.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH CABLES
Year: 1858

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Crispin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
August 1858.
I, WILLIAM HENRY CRISPIN, of Marsh Gate Lane, Stratford, in the County
of Essex, Copper Smelter, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH CABLES," to be
as follows:-
This Invention consists of certain improvements in the construction of
cables or ropes for the purposes of electric telegraphs, and especially where
submersion in water is necessary.
In constructing cables or ropes for these purposes, I make use of any of the
ordinary arrangements of wires for the transmission of telegraphic commu-
nications, surrounding the same with an external coating of gutta percha or
other insulating substance, but I altogether dispense with the use of metallic
wires as a covering or protection (except in the case of subaqueous telegraphs,
when it may be desirable to use a metallic covering for the cable near the
respective shores), and in lieu thereof I adopt one or other of the following
methods:-
The telegraphic wires having received an external coating of gutta percha
or other analogous and equivalent insulating material, another coating of the
like material combined with hempen fibre, intermixed therewith in the course

page_text: of construction so as to form one body, is given to the same, the whole being
then surrounded with an external covering of ordinary rope, made in one or
other of the usual methods of rope making of any suitable number of strands,
or plaited rope may be used for the same purpose, the same being rendered
impervious to water and protected from the effects of other injurious influences
by the use of tar or any analogous preservative substance or material.
Instead of the method of construction lastly described the following may be
used: The coating of gutta percha or other insulating material in com-
bination with hempen fibre may be dispensed with, the telegraphic wires being
surrounded with the insulating material alone of a desirable thickness, and the
same being then externally covered with hemp or rope.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ARRANGEMENTS AND MECHANISM OR APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING BY SOUND
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Jennings Hoyle and
Richard Howson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition; on the 14th September 1858.
We; WILLIAM JENNINGS HOYLE, of Huddersfield, in the County of York,
and RICHARD Howson, of the Town and County of Lancaster, Engineers,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ARRANGEMENTS AND MECHANISM OR APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING BY SOUND," to be
as follows:-
Our Invention relates to that system of sound signals produced by an
instrument or apparatus having the character of the whistle, and consists,―
Firstly, in applying to the ordinary steam whistle reflectors of a nature
similar to those used in reflecting light, for the purpose of concentrating and
throwing out the sound vibrations produced by the whistle all round in an
horizontal plane.
Secondly, in applying to the ordinary steam whistle a reflector for concen-
trating and throwing out the sound vibrations in one direction; the
reflector being arranged on a vertical axis so that it can be rotated at pleasure
by hand or by self-acting mechanism.
Thirdly, our Invention relates to self-acting arrangements for producing.
sounds or signals by a whistle of any given duration and at any given intervals.
This we accomplish either by clockwork, operating to open and shut the
valve in the passage conveying the steam or other medium causing sound in
the whistle, or by mechanisin or apparatus which is impelled by the force of

page_text: the medium giving sound to the whistle; the impelling motion being governed
or regulated by gravity, operating directly or through a pendulum or weighted
lever, or by inertia and momentum as it acts in a spring balanced wheel, or
the passage of a fluid through an aperture, or the combined action of gravity
and a fluid flowing through an aperture. For example, the steam or other
medium may be caused to act on a piston or vane, which gives motion to a
pendulum or weighted lever, producing oscillations in it which regulate the
opening and closing of the valve, and thus the immission and emission of the
steam or other medium to and from the piston or vane; and also act upon
wheelwork, rotating a cam that opens and shuts a valve placed in the steam
passage leading to the whistle. Or, the steam or other medium is caused to
act on the surface of water or other liquid in a cylinder which communicates
with one in which a ram is fitted, which is thus forced outwards and acts to
open the valve in the steam whistle, which is held open when thus acted upon
by a catch that releases and allows it to close when the ram descends, the
movement of the ram operating the valve which regulates the immission and
emission of the steam or other medium that acts on the surface of the liquid,
the ram being caused to descend by a weight forcing the liquid out of the
ram cylinder through an aperture or valve partly closed. The extent of this
aperture or passage regulating the time or intervals between the signals
produced by the whistle.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Theodore Knauth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
November 1858.-A communication.
I, THEODORE KNAUTH, of New York, in the United States of America,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE-ARMS AND ORDNANCE," to be as follows:-
This Invention of improvements in fire-arms and ordnance consists in
providing the ordinary barrel of the piece, whether smooth bored or rifled,
with a smaller barrel or tube, fixed in and projecting inward from the centre
of the bottom or breech of the ordinary barrel, and not only opening at its
exterior end into the chamber of the piece, but at or towards its other end
opening into or communicating with the touch-hole or vent of the nipple in
such a manner that the fire communicated through the nipple or touch-hole
can enter the chamber of the piece only through the smaller barrel or tube.
The smaller barrel or tube is to be so proportioned in length and diameter that
the charge of powder shall lay a part of it within and a part of it around the
small additional barrel, and that the projectile or charge of shot shall rest upon
and cover the exterior end of it, thus completely separating the powder into
two parts, one being within the smaller barrel or tube, and the other outside
and around it.
The inner barrel or tube is to be of a capacity to hold a quantity of powder,
sufficient when exploded to overcome the "vis inertia" of the projectile, or
the charge of shot, and put it in motion.

page_text: The projecting end of the smaller barrel or tube may have a flat surface to
receive the wad when a charge of small shot is used, or it may be made with a
concave edge to receive the round ball, or it may be made conical, so as to
enter, fit, and press expandingly against the inner wall of the chamber of the
Minié or elongated hollow projectile, and thereby act as a speader to force out!
the sides of the projectile, so as to make them fit the grooves or bore of the
arm. This secondary barrel may also be made with a sharp edge, either plain or
serrated, for the purpose of cutting and breaking the lower end of the cartridge
when that is used in loading.
This Invention also further embraces an arrangement of the touch-hole of
the small additional barrel, viz., in the breech screw, and so that when the said
breech screw is in place in the main barrel, not only shall its touch-hole
communicate with that of the main barrel, but the breech screw shall interrupt
all communication of the touch-hole of the main barrel with the bore of the
said main barrel, except through the touch-hole of the tige or secondary
barrel.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN MULES FOR SPINNING
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Platt at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th December
1858.
I, JOHN PLATT, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Mechanical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MULES FOR SPINNING," to be as follows:-
My Invention refers to that part of the mule used for putting up the
carriage, and consists in the application of an elastic part between the source
of power and the carriage. Thus supposing a scroll employed over which
the band passes, I attach the said band to the carriage by an elastic
connexion.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING TAN, AND TANNING REFUSE TO OBTAIN VALUABLE PRODUCTS THEREFROM
Year: 1858

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed.
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Lichtenstädt and Charles
Duff at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 17th August 1858.-A communication.
We, DAVID LICHTENSTADT, of Surrey Square, Old Kent Road, in the County
of Surrey, Chemist, and CHARLES DUFF, of Hill Street, Peckham, in the same
County, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING TAN, AND TANNING REFUSE TO OBTAIN VALUABLE
PRODUCTS THEREFROM," (being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad,)
to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to bring into use the refuse material of tan
oak bark, its properties having been exhausted, and which, after passing
through the process hereafter described, is converted into, 1, charcoal for the
manufacture of gunpowder and pyrotechnic purposes; 2, charcoal for filtering
processes, sugar refining, deodorizing, bleaching, and to destroy bitters in
spirits and other liquids. After the above process there remains, 1, ligneous
acid for different chemical and technical processes; 2, wood tar; 3, the hydro-
carbonic gas, which we use in the distillery processes by burning under the.
apparatus, which greatly reduces the expenditure of fuel..
PROCESS. After the tan has been dried by the air, I distil it in close iron
cylinders, generally used for distillation of coal, and which cylinders are in
communication with iron pipes so constructed that the ligneous acid and the
tar runs into a lower cistern, and the hydro-carbonic gas from thence is con-

page_text: ducted under the fire-place of the above-mentioned distilling apparatus to be
consumed. After this process charcoal remains in the cylinders, which is
removed and prepared in two different ways; (1), for gunpowder and pyro-
technic purposes; (2), for filtering, sugar refining, deodorizing, bleaching
liquids, &c. For the first process I take the charcoal when hot from the
cylinder, empty it into a cistern which contains a liquid composed of one
hundred pounds of water and five pounds nitric acid; after the charcoal is
well stirred for about half an hour, it is taken out and properly dried ; when
ground it is fit for gunpowder and pyrotechnic purposes. To prepare the
charcoal for filtering, sugar refining, deodorizing, bleaching of spirits, and other
liquids, &c., I take the charcoal when hot from the cylinder, put it in a cistern
which contains a liquid composed of one hundred pounds of water and five
pounds of muriatic acid; stir well for about half an hour, take it out, dry it
in a warm place, and it is fit for use ground fine or in-small pieces.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN ANNEALING METALS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ralph Heaton and George Heaton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 26th January 1858.
We, RALPH HEATON. the younger, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, and GEORGE HEATON, of Birmingham, aforesaid,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN ANNEALING METALS," to be as follows:-
Our said Invention consists of the method or methods herein-after described
of conducting that stage of the process of annealing metals which consists in
the cooling of the said metals.
In the ordinary process of annealing metals the said metals oxidize during
cooling, but by the use of our Invention the said oxidation is prevented or
diminished.
In carrying our Invention into effect, we place the vessel containing the
heated articles in a second vessel, the said second vessel having by preference
a raised stand or support on the middle of its bottom, on which stand or
support the annealing vessel is placed. Water is poured in the larger vessel
so as nearly to fill the annular space between the stand and the sides of the
vessel. A third vessel, which may be bell-shaped, is inverted over the
annealing vessel, the edge of the said bell-shaped vessel dipping in tho water
and thus forming a water joint between the interior of the said bell-shaped
vessel and the atmosphere. The annealing vessel and its contents are allowed

page_text: to cool under the bell-shaped vessel exposed to the action of only the small
quantity of oxygen contained in the air of the bell-shaped vessel.
Instead of water, oil or other liquid may be used for effecting the isolation
of the annealing vessel from the atmosphere while cooling.
IMPROVED APPARATUSES FOR EXHIBITING ADVERTISEMENTS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Autra at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th August
1858.
I, LOUIS AUTRA, of Wardour Street, in the County of Middlesex, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
APPARATUSES FOR EXHIBITING ADVERTISEMENTS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in fitting up the fronts of houses with, or in placing
against walls, frames containing glass, each frame being set at an angle so as
to obtain an extended surface within a comparatively small space, and in
writing or applying thereon the announcement desired to be published. By
fitting gas or other lights at the back of the frames, the apparatuses would
attract attention, and serve the purpose of the advertisers by night as well as
by day.
IMPROVEMENTS IN UTILIZING THE HEAT OF SLAGS OF IRON AND OTHER WORKS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hugh Lee Pattinson, of Stotes Hall, Jesmond,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN UTILIZING
THE HEAT OF SLAGS OF IRON AND OTHER WORKS."
Sealed the 10th May 1859, and dated the 27th November 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hugh Lee Pattinson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th November 1858.
I, HUGH LEE PATTINSON, of Stotes Hall, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN UTILIZING
THE HEAT OF SLAGS OF IRON AND OTHER WORKS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in utilizing the heat of slags
of iron and other works.
In iron and other manufactures large quantities of heat are carried off and
wasted in the slags tapped from the blast and other furnaces. Now, my
Invention consists in employing, by the aid of suitable apparatus, such waste
heat in the heating of æriform and other fluids. The arrangement of
apparatus for these purposes may be varied, but it is preferred that the
hot slags should be caused to move through suitable channels, whilst the
air or other fluid is contained in other contiguous channels, and, by preference,
caused to move in an opposite direction to that in which the slags move.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SWITCHES AND CROSSINGS FOR RAILWAYS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Perceval Moses Parsons and
William Dempsey at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 20th March 1858.
We, PERCEVAL MOSES PARSONS, of Duke Street, Adelphi, London, and
WILLIAM DEMPSEY, of Great George Street, Westminster, Civil Engineers,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF SWITCHES AND CROSSINGS FOR RAILWAYS," to be as follows:-
In the construction of switches from rails known as the flat bottom rail,
that is, a rail having a flat base and a vertical web, surmounted by a head upon
which the wheels run, we connect the heel of the tongue to the ordinary rails
of the line by means of fishing plates, and we taper the point off, and house it
under the main rail. In the construction of crossings from similar rails to those
above described, we apply rails, bars, or plates between the wing rails and the
wing and point rails for the flanges of the wheels to run upon. In the con-
struction of crossings applicable to other forms of rails as well as the
above, we construct the point and wing rails of rolled or forged steel, or
steel iron, and of such a form that the flanges of the wheels can run upon them.
And we construct crossings by cutting bars of suitable sections in two diagonally,
reversing the two parts, and uniting them firmly together by bolts, rivets, or
otherwise; the bars may be of such sections that when thus treated they will
form either the point rail or the point and wing rails together, and so that the
flanges of the wheels may run upon them or not.

page_text: And to connect the wing and point rails of crossings to the ordinary rails of
the line, we employ three fishing plates in connection to secure the two joints,
namely, one double plate in between the two lines of rails across the two
joints against the adjoining sides of the rails, and two single plates against
the other sides.
A CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT APPLICABLE TO SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1858

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed by
the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Macbeth at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th January
1858.
I, GEORGE MACBETH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Tailor and
Woollen Draper, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for.
"A CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT APPLICABLE TO SEWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
My Invention is applicable to sewing machines as employed for covering
and securing, or "binding" the edges of wearing apparel, &c., and is designed
for the purpose of fixing or placing and retaining the covering "braid " or
ribbon in its proper position whilst it is "fed" or passed under the vertical
needle, and the operation of sewing the edges is performed. The apparatus
by which this is effected consists in a conveniently formed or curved guide,
which is adjustable upon the framing of the machine, and placed immediately
before the vertical needle, so as to deliver the fabric thereto; this guide is
curved, the end farthest from the needle being of a width to admit the full
width of the binding "braid" or ribbon, and gradually tapered towards the
needle to about half the width. The edges of the guide being turned inwards
to retain the edges of the "braid," it will be evident that by the braid passing
through this guide it will be gradually doubled or folded round the edge of

page_text: the fabric, which also passes between the grooved or tapered end of the guide,
and as the fabric is delivered from the guide with the "braid" properly fixed
around or enclosing its edge, the needle descends through the "braid" and
fabric, and thus secures the "braid" thereupon, and produces a covered or
"bound" edge by self-acting means as required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING FATTY AND OILY MATTERS FROM WASH WATERS, OR WATERS CONTAINING SOAP
Year: 1858

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Charles Theodore Schaeffer
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th February 1858.
I, WILLIAM CHARLES THEODORE SCHAEFFER, of Stanningley, near Leeds, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING
FATTY AND OILY MATTERS FROM WASH WATERS, OR WATERS CONTAINING SOAP," to
be as follows:-'
This Invention consists in separating fatty and oily matters from wash
waters, or waters containing soap, by adding to such waters a liquor obtained
in the manufacture of magnesia and its salts, and which contains chloride of
calcium, the liquor being obtained by acting with hydrochloric acid on
magnesian limestone, so as to dissolve the lime and leave the magnesia in a
separate state. When this liquor is added to waters containing soap, an.
insoluble soap of lime is formed, which is easily separated from the liquid
containing it, and it is put into a suitable vessel and decomposed by hydro-
chloric or other acid; the mixture is then put into bags of strong woven fabric,
and by submitting these bags to a considerable pressure, and at the same time
heating them by steam or otherwise, the fatty and oily matters contained in
the wash waters, or waters containing soap, are recovered.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Mould at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd March
1858.
I, WILLIAM MOULD, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, Dresser, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING FIBROUS MATERIALS,"
to be as follows:-
Instead of passing the slivers through the slubbing frame to the roving
frame, and from thence to the throstle or mule, I pass them at once to
bobbins placed in horizontal positions, and having two motions, one turning
bodily, parallel with their axes, for the purpose of giving twist to the sliver,
and the other turning at right angles with their axes, for the purpose of
winding on; the said bobbins rest on drums or cylinders which revolve at an
uniform speed. The bobbins and drums are placed in standards connected to
plates at the top of vertical shafts, upon which are fixed worms driven by
worm wheels on the driving shaft of the machine, by which I obtain the
twisting motion. I also place upon the vertical shafts toothed wheels attached
to worms, to which motion is given by means of worm wheels on the hori-
zontal countershaft, the speed of which is regulated as desired by means of
change wheels. The aforesaid toothed wheels gear into other wheels on
vertical shafts, giving motion to bevil wheels which gear into other bevil
wheels on the shafts of the drums or cylinders, thereby obtaining the winding-
on motion.

page_text: It will be evident to all persons conversant with spinning machinery that
by this improved machine I give twist to the sliver, sufficient for some coarse
materials, without passing it to the mule or throstle, but for fine materials it
will be necessary to adopt the mule or throstle, as may be desired; but in any
case I give it a certain amount of permanent twist, which has not been
hitherto accomplished without the use of the spinning machines.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Loomes at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th December
1858.
I, EDWARD LOOMES, of Whittlesea, in the Isle of Ely and County of
Cambridge, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM ENGINES," to be as
follows:-
The object of this Invention is to get the benefit of the reactionary power
of high-pressure steam supplied to a reciprocating steam engine, by causing
the steam to enter the cylinder through a moving instead of through a fixed
body. To this end I use a hollow piston rod, which I bring into communi-
cation (either through a telescopic arrangement of tubes or otherwise) with
the steam supply pipe; and I also make the piston hollow, and furnish it with
steam ways opening out to opposite sides of the piston. Within the piston I
mount the cut-off valve, the rod of which passes through the centre of the
hollow piston rod and out of the end thereof, which is closed by a stuffing box.
By connecting this rod with a crank excentric or its equivalent worked by the
engine, the valve may be readily made to cut off the supply of steam alter-
nately from one end of the cylinder, and open a communication between the
supply pipe and the other end of the cylinder.
Instead of using the piston rod as the supply pipe, a hollow guide rod con-

page_text: nected with the piston at the same or its opposite side, and working through a
stuffing box at the end or head of the cylinder may be employed for this
purpose, steam communication being made between it and the boiler. The
valve will then be worked by a rod outside the piston rods.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR BORING AND SINKING
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Allison at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
September 1858.
I, RICHARD ALLISON, of Gravesend, in the County of Kent, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUSES FOR BORING AND SINKING," to be as follows:-
My boring head or tool is hollow, and of wrought or cast iron furnished at
bottom with a series of chisels or cutters; inside the tool and near the end
where the cutters are fixed is a valve of india-rubber, gutta percha, or other
like material, the edges of which rest upon a ledge fixed on the inside of the
tool. I fit a door or trap to the side of the tool, the bottom of which is in a
line with the valve seat. The top of the tube carries an ordinary bow-sling
whereby to connect it to the rope or chain, for communicating the necessary
motion to the tool; wooden blocks are fitted to the outside of the tool to act
as fenders, and prevent injury from the sides of the well or shaft.
For the purpose of raising and emptying the debris from a well or shaft,
in the course of being sunk, I employ a pump or vessel consisting of two
cylinders, one over the other, and the upper cylinder capable of sliding inside
that under it; the bottom cylinder is proved with a valve opening inwards, and
over the top of the upper cylinder there is a similar valve. The cylinders are
held in a suitable frame and are connected to a rope er chain; upon the pump
being lowered, the upper cylinder will fall within the lower, then, upon the
upper cylinder being raised, a partial vacuum will be formed, whereupon the

page_text: debris, slush, &c. will flow into the lower cylinder, and be there retained by
the bottom valve falling back upon its seat, and closing egress from the bottom
of the cylinder. A joint in the frame permits of the lower cylinder being
tilted in order to empty its contents.
My last apparatus consists of a hollow vessel of lead, gutta percha, or other
suitable material furnished with valves connected to a valve rod; this vessel is
intended to contain muriatic or other acid, for burning out or removing chalk
or other matter in a shaft or well. Upon the vessel being lowered, charged to
the spot where the acid is to operate, the valve rod is raised to let out the
contents of the vessel.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN WET GAS METERS
Year: 1858

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Phelps at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st September
1858. A communication from H. P. Gengembre, of Rock Island,
Illinois, in the United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHELPS, of Red Lion Square, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WET GAS METERS," a communication from H. P. Gengembre, of
Rock Island, Illinois, in the United States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the preparation and use of a peculiar liquid
suitable for wet gas meters of any construction, and intended as a substitute
for the water hitherto employed, whereby the working of the meter is not
interfered with by changes of temperature, as the liquid employed is not
affected by frost.
The Invention consists in the employment in wet gas meters of an aqueous
solution of deliquescent, metallic, and earthy salt or salts, and in keeping the
salt or salts employed constantly neutral by the presence of a base or
carbonate of such salt or salts. In preparing this solution I prefer to use
hydrochlorate of lime in the proportion of about sixty parts of salt to one
hundred parts of water; to this solution are added two parts of hydrochlorate
of iron, and one part of hydrochlorate of zinc, and a small excess of lime.

page_text: The liquor having been allowed to settle, the clear part is drawn off and
filtered, when it is ready to be introduced into the meter. A small piece of
lime or of carbonate of lime is then placed in the meter so as to be in contact
with the solution, whereby the salt or salts are always maintained neutral.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING A MORE OR LESS PERFECT VACUUM, AND APPLYING THE SAME TO INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by François Chapusot and Victor Avril
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the
14th July 1858.
We, FRANÇOIS CHAPUSOT, of Turin (Sardinia), Gentleman, and VICTOR AVRIL,.
of Paris (France), Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING A MORE OR LESS PERFECT VACUUM,
AND APPLYING THE SAME TO INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in an improved mode of producing a more or less
perfect vacuum, and applying the same to various useful purposes; the Inven-
tion is based on the industrial application of what is called in natural philosophy:
the vacuum of Torricelli, viz., the equilibrium existing in a barometric tube.
between the chamber and the column of liquid, making use of a larger-
barometric chamber or vessel, say of some cub. feet, and filling the same with
water or other suitable liquid, then drawing off this liquid through a suitable
outlet pipe with proper stop-cock, so as to produce a more or less perfect:
vacuum in the said vessel, after which this latter may be applied, at once to
various useful purposes, such for instance as the emptying of privies or
cesspools, and sewers; the cleaning of harbours in combination with proper
hydro-pneumatic bells with agitators; the ventilation of buildings or mines; the
filtration or distillation of liquids; the drying or dyeing of fabrics and textile
materials; the preserving of animal or vegetable matter; to brewing, melting or
casting of metals; the manufacture of paper, and the drying of impressions;
tho preparation of pharmaceutical products, or other similar purposes. The

page_text: barometric vessel we prefer is made from sheet iron with cast-iron top and
bottom; the stop-cock is constructed in such manner as to allow of a very
gradual opening of the pipe, and we use an articulated hose for putting the
vessel in communication with the matter to be acted upon by the vacuum, so
that the entire operation consists in filling the barometric vessel with water or
any other suitable liquid, open the stop-cock in order to let the liquid run out
of the vessel, turn the cock, and close the vessel, in order to retain the vacuum
thus formed in the vessel; and, finally, bring this latter, by means of the hose,
in direct communication with the liquid matter to be acted upon, or with any
other vessel in which a vacuum is wished to be obtained.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SLIDING WINDOW SASHES, SHUTTERS, AND DOORS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Phillips at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th December
1858.
I, SAMUEL PHILLIPS, of Moseley, near Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SLIDING WINDOW SASHES, SHUTTERS, AND DOORS," to be
as follows, that is to say:-
I propose to dispense with the usual pulleys, lines, and weights employed
for raising and lowering or sliding sashes, shutters, and doors, and substituting
for the same a curved or bow-shaped spring, which is secured to the edge of
the sash, so that in use the spring will be compressed between the sash and
the sash frame. At both ends of this spring are mounted small rollers, partly
toothed and partly plain, forming a ratchet, the ratchet part being furnished
with a spring pawl attached to the long spring, to prevent the revolution of
the roller in more than one direction. These rollers, which thus assist the
raising of the sash by running smoothly up the sash frame, will in some
measure retard its downward movement by being locked in that direction by
the action of the ratchet and pawl, which will thus overcome the tendency of
the sash to fall by its own weight. In cases where the large spring may not
be necessary on both sides of a sash, the ratchet rollers and pawls mounted in
small metal plates or carriers may be used on one side. The action of the
spring on one side only being in most cases sufficient.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS FOR DIGGING UP POTATOES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Lemuel Don Owen at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd
October 1858.-A communication.
I, LEMUEL DON OWEN, of No. 192, Tottenham Court Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS FOR DIGGING UP POTATOES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
The improvements consist in having the support or standard of the beam of
the plough shaped so as to form a coulter with a pointed or other conveniently
shaped foot, and on or to the point or front part of such foot the share is fixed
by screws or other convenient means, and on or to the back part of the foot,
which usually forms the mould plate or board, prongs or arms are fixed or
placed in a kind of conical form at a convenient distance apart; the centre
prong or arm, or that which is the top from the ground, is supported by or on
a projection on the standard, made or cast thereon for the purpose, and is
fastened to the standard or to the mould or frame plate as may be desired.
In some cases I have rollers conveniently fixed under or at the end of the
prongs or arms to remove the mould which may accumulate on the prongs or
arms, or mould plate, and in some cases I have an additional coulter placed in
front or in advance of the standard; and in some cases also I have an addi-
tional share placed above or in advance of that previously mentioned to act
more conveniently on the surface of the ground. In some cases I have the

page_text: share, mould plate, and prongs cast in one piece; the standard and other parts
may be of wrought iron, or other suitable metal or material.
The ploughs constructed according to the principle of this Invention will be
found of great advantage in digging up potatoes, but they may also be used for
turning over or breaking up ground. These improvements may be applied to 5
wheel and swing ploughs.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ROASTING COFFEE AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William King at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th December
1858.
I, WILLIAM KING, the younger, of Guildford, in the County of Surrey,
Grocer and Tea Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ROASTING COFFEE AND OTHER SUBSTANCES,"
to be as follows:-
Hitherto the berries have been enclosed in a cylinder formed of sheet iron,
and heat has been applied thereto. Now, my Invention consists in forming a
cylinder of wire gauze or metal net work, or perforated plate, and in fitting
through one of the axles or arms on which the cylinder rotates a sampling or
testing tube, through which a sample of the berries may be taken during the
roasting without stopping the cylinder for that purpose. The operation is
more quickly and efficiently performed in these openwork cylinders than in-
the closed cylinders, as they allow of immediate evaporation of the: moisture
driven off from the berries. Heat is applied to my cylinders in. the manner
ordinarily followed in the roasting of coffee."
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND WINDING STRIPS OR SHREDS OF STEEL, SILVER, OR OTHER METAL USED FOR LADIES' DRESSES, MEASURING TAPES, AND OTHER PURPOSES IN WHICH THE USE OF STRIPS OR SHREDS OF METAL ARE REQUIRED
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Nicholson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th October
1858.
I, JOHN NICHOLSON, the younger, of Meadow Street Works, Sheffield, in
the County of York, Steel Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING AND WINDING
STRIPS OR SHREDS OF STEEL, SILVER, OR OTHER METAL USED FOR LADIES' DRESSES,
MEASURING TAPES, AND OTHER PURPOSES IN WHICH THE USE OF STRIPS OR SHREDS
OF METAL ARE REQUIRED," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in certain mechanical arrangements by means of
which strips of steel or other metal can be cut to any desired width in a more
simple and efficient manner than heretofore. I employ a strong framing of a
suitable height either of iron or wood, upon one end of which I place a feeding
roller, and above it on the upper surface of the frame I place guide rollers
and cutter guides for the purpose of delivering the sheet of metal (to be cut
into strips) direct to the cutters. The cutters are circular, and are mounted
on axles one above the other, the cutters being male and female. It is
obvious that as the axles rotate, and the sheet is drawn between them, the
pressure (which is similar in action to shearing) causes the sheet to be cut
into strips. The cutters are made of various widths, and can be taken off tlie
axles, and other ones of the required width substituted. A pair of parallel

page_text: plates or cutter clearers are placed in front of the rollers to receive the
strips of metal after being cut, and prevent them from wrapping round the
cutters, a pair of regulating screws being placed above the ends of the axles
to allow for the different thicknesses of the metals to be cut. Near the
cutters, and mounted on the same or separate frame, is placed a small frame
to take in the ends of the strips of metal, and which on passing through said
frame are cleared of the "harridge" or rough edges. A bearing roller is next
introduced to regulate the pressure on the metal during the process of taking
off the "harridge." I propose employing a cross shaft on the extreme end of
the machine, having metallic discs or guide pins fastened in the frame, and
placed at certain distances apart to correspond with the width of the strips of
metal being cut. Said shaft is caused to revolve at the same speed as the
cutters by means of bevilled wheels and a horizontal shaft, so that after the
strips of metal have been cleared of the "barridge," they are wound on to the
cross shaft, and obtain a circular form.
The frame of the machine may be made of any required width, as if more
strips should be required to be cut, so must the shaft (upon which the cutters
are placed) be made longer to carry the extra cutters.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUSES FOR THE RECEPTION OF FECAL AND SEWAGE MATTERS, AND IN THE TREATMENT OF FECAL MATTERS
Year: 1858

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Archibald Brooman at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th July 1858.-A communication.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, E.C., Editor of the Mechanics' Magazine and Patent Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUSES FOR THE RECEPTION OF FECAL AND SEWAGE MATTERS, AND IN THE
TREATMENT OF FECAL MATTERS," (a communication from a foreigner residing
abroad), to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in fixing an out-flow pipe leading to a drain or
sewer or other outlet in or near the upper part of a barrel or vessel intended
for the reception of fecal and sewage matters; in causing the precipitation
An
therein of all solid matters; and in preparing such matters for manure.
empty barrel or reservoir is filled with lime water, or water with muriate or
other soluble salt of lime, and placed in the required situation. The barrel is
closed at top, and the outside tubes leading the matters into, and liquid from it
are packed and luted. The matters and liquids entering the barrel become
decomposed under the action of the lime, and the heavy and. solid matters are
precipitated, and as they enter they drive out an equal. quantity of water from
the out-flow pipe. Easy separation of the solid from the liquid substances
will be obtained, and the precipitated matters being covered with water do not
ferment, and consequently admit no bad odours.. To treat these matters to be

page_text: employed as manure, they are extracted from the barrels or reservoirs, and
have added quicklime and a salt of lime, preference being given to sulphate
of lime recently converted by baking into plaster, and the whole stirred until
thoroughly mixed. Thus prepared, the substance is made into blocks in an
ordinary brick machine, and then dried and reduced to powder, which may be
used as manure, or fresh stuff from the. barrels or reservoirs may be mixed
with it, to obtain a manure of the richness desired.