matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVED ADJUSTABLE BRACKETS FOR SUPPORTING THE SHELVES OF BOOKCASES, WARDROBES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Blackburn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th July 1871.
I, WILLIAM BLACKBURN, of the City of Manchester, in the County
of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVED ADJUSTABLE BRACKETS FOR SUPPORTING THE SHELVES OF BOOKCASES,
WARDROBES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES," to be as follows:
-
In one arrangement at or about the middle of each side of the book-
case or other enclosure I fix a bar or strip of metal so as to leave a space
between the back of the bar and the inner side of the case, the bar being
perforated with holes at any required distances apart in a vertical
direction. On each bar I place a bracket capable of sliding up and
down, and having hinged to it an arm carrying a stud or pin, which can
be entered into any of the holes in the bar to keep the bracket firm, or
removed from them to allow the bracket to slide up or down, and thus
each bracket can be placed at any required position and held firm by
the stud, and thus enable the shelves to be at required distances apart

page_text: I modify this arrangement, when desired, by fixing pins on the bars and
forming holes in the hinged plates; or the bars may be formed with
ratchet or other shaped teeth and one or more teeth of a corresponding
shape formed on the hinged plates, and indentations may also be formed
in the bars.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILS FOR RAILWAYS
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Henry Ellis at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th February 1871.
I, GEORGE HENRY ELLIS, of 20, High Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILS FOR RAILWAYS," to be
as follows:-
1. My Invention has for its object to provide an efficient and econo-
mical method of constructing rails for railways having moveable tops or
heads.
2. For this purpose I' employ tops or heads made of steel or other
suitable material having dovetailed or undercut channels or cavities
formed within them.
3. The bodies of the rails are made in two parts, of similar shape,
the section being somewhat in the form of a letter L, but with the upper
portions set back at a slight angle. These upper portions being placed
within the channel of the head the latter is secured by drawing the

page_text: angle webs or bodies nearer together at the bottom. This can be done
by wedging them in chairs or by other means.
4. The rails may be fixed and the heads secured at the same time in
a similar manner to that now commonly employed without the use of
bolts or fish plates.
AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF APPLYING STEAM OR OTHER MOTIVE POWER FOR THE TRACTION OF IMPLEMENTS OR WHEELED CARRIAGES FOR THE CULTIVATION OF LAND
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Ogilvie Bennett at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th May 1871.
I, HENRY OGILVIE BENNETT, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF APPLYING STEAM OR OTHER MOTIVE
POWER FOR THE TRACTION OF IMPLEMENTS OR WHEELED CARRIAGES FOR THE
CULTIVATION OF LAND," to be as follows:-
:-
This Invention relates to the communicating of motive force from a
locomotive prime mover to moveable cultivating implements or wheeled
carriages.
Heretofore an expensive cumbrous engine with complicated winding
gear and great lengths of traction rope have been used for this purpose
Instead
(the motive-power engine being stationary while hauling).
of this stationary engine I make use of a light traction or locomotive
engine without winding gear, and by causing this engine to travel
to and fro on a headland, or even in an adjoining field, or a road or
lane contiguous to the land, I actuate the ploughs and cause them
to plough up the whole field, and in fact the land all round, without the

page_text: motive engine being allowed to leave its beaten track. By thus causing
the engine to travel and drag the cultivating implements to and fro
across the field, instead of the engine being stationary and hauling the
rope over a series of carrier pullies, all the cumbrous winding gear will
be dispensed with.
In the case where a single engine is employed as a prime mover, the
rope (both ends of which are attached to the engine) is carried round
all the sides of the area to be operated upon; the engine traverses to
and fro along one of the sides of the area, while the implement moves
along one of the other sides. The shifting pulleys or anchors are 1
moved along the headlands to correspond with the progress of the
implement.
When two engines are employed they draw the implement alternately
or together as may be arranged, and are made to travel to and fro on
opposite sides or the same side of the area to be cultivated, and in any 1
convenient direction.
In both cases, viz., either where one or two engines or prime movers
are employed, slack rope may occur, and this is taken up by a drum
or other contrivance attached either to the engine or to the implement,
or by means of one or more shifting anchors or pulleys so disposed as 2
to keep the length of rope required between the implement and engine
or engines always the same:
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SHUTTLES TO BE USED IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Whitworth at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th July 1871.
I, SAMUEL WHITWORTH, of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF SHUTTLES TO BE USED IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING," to be as
follows:-
This Invention applies principally to wheel shuttles used in what are
called "drop-box" looms employed for weaving woollen cloth, but it
may also be applied to slide shuttles used in these or other looms.
The objects of the Invention are, firstly, to hold up the weft thread
and prevent it from getting under the shuttle, and, secondly, to enable
any amount of "drag" to be put on the weft thread that may be required.
In the first place I form a groove along the upper edge of that side
of the shuttle through which the weft thread passes and in which it
lies. This groove is open at the top where it is narrower than it is at
the bottom. The groove is formed by cutting an angular rebate or
recess in the wood at the upper edge, the outer side of the groove being

page_text: formed of a metal plate screwed on the side of the shuttle, the ends
of the said plate being rounded or bevilled off at their upper edge so
as to allow the weft thread to pass over without catching.
In order to regulate the drag upon the weft thread I employ a spring
fixed inside the shuttle with its free end pressing on to the "whorl."
The weft thread passes through a loop or eye and then between the end
of the spring and the "whorl" to the opening through the side of the
shuttle. The spring is provided with a slot through which passes a
screw, and by turning the latter to the right or left, as the case may be,
the pressure of the spring against the "whorl" (and consequently the
drag upon the yarn) can be regulated.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SAFE, SPEEDY, AND EASY MODE IN FIXING, CONNECTING, AND DISCONNECTING GAS PENDANTS, BRackets, Pillars, AND GROUND CONNECTIONS, ALSO FOR CONNECTING AND SUPPLYING GAS TO RAILWAY CARRIAGES, ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR OUTSIDE REFLECTING LAMPS
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Robert Mathews at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th September 1871.
I, CHARLES ROBERT MATHEWS, of 52, High Street, Bloomsbury, in
the County of Middlesex, Gas Engineer and Gas Lantern and Lamp
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SAFE, SPEEDY, AND EASY MODE IN FIXING,
CONNECTING, AND DISCONNECTING GAS PENDANTS, BRackets, Pillars, AND GROUND
CONNECTIONS, ALSO FOR CONNECTING AND SUPPLYING GAS TO RAILWAY CARRIAGES,
ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR OUTSIDE REFLECTING LAMPS," to be as follows:-
1st. I insert a cast metal plate level with the facia, wall, or floor
having two or more slots, with a square or circular hole containing
indian-rubber washer or disc, through which the gas is directed, below
the slot fastenings.
2nd. The object is to obtain a very strong, steady, and secure fixing
without the use of screws, fly nuts, or loose fastenings, the washer or disc
receiving a regulated pressure, whereby the joint is made sound.

page_text: 3rd. I further lock or secure the connection in the plate by a simple
motion attached to same.
4th. The connections attached to reflecting lamps is similar to the
above, with the addition of an invisible tap or slide valve of great
durability and strength combined with artistic appearance.
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CIGARS, CHEROOTS, CIGARETTES, AND MANUFACTURED TOBACCO
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Jones at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
January 1871.
I, JAMES JONES, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Cigar
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR CUTTING CIGARS, CHEROOTS, CIGARETTES, AND MANUFACTURED
TOBACCO," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to that class of cutting apparatus for the
purpose named in which a lever knife fitted on or to a joint or hinge
at one end, and provided with a handle at its other or free end, is caused
to move by hand over or in contact with the face of a plate or piece
having an aperture through which the end of the cigar, cheroot, or
cigarette, or a portion of the manufactured tobacco to be cut is caused to
project, and consists in forming the outer edge of the said plate or piece,
or a groove therein of a curved form, and in fitting to or on the knife,
or constructing the knife with a guide piece, stud, or overhanging pro-
jection, whereby such knife when being used is caused to move in close
contact with the face of the said plate or piece, and hence act effectively

page_text: in making a clean cut, either when moving in one or in both directions,
according as the knife is formed with a single or double cutting edge.
When the said apparatus is to be employed in manufactories for
cutting off the ends of cigars and like articles, an adjustable piece is
used therewith to enable the operator to cut the articles of uniform
length. Stud or other stops are also provided to prevent the knife from
being moved too far in either direction..
When used for cutting cavendish and other manufactured tobacco, it
is preferred to attach propelling mechanism, consisting of pawl, ratchet,
threaded screw, and push piece, operated form the knife or its joint or
hinge; but it will be obvious the feeding forward of the tobacco may be
effected by hand.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF DOUBLE FURROW PLOUGHS
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Mackenzie at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
December 1871.
I, JAMES MACKENZIE, of Camden Quay, in the City of Cork, Ireland,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF DOUBLE FURROW PLOUGHS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in certain arrangements of mechanism
applicable to double furrow ploughs, by means of which the distance
between the ploughs can be varied and regulated in a simple and
effectual manner.
The parallel expansion which is requisite to obtain the desired result
is effected by screws passing transversely from one plough to the other
and working in suitable sockets, and which screws are worked by wheels
and pinions in connection with a bar or shaft. capable of being actuated
by the attendant by means of a winch or handle, so that according to
the direction in which the screws are turned the ploughs are separated
from or brought nearer to each other. By the same movement the

page_text: spindle which carries the travelling or steering wheel can be proportion-
ately acted upon, as will be well understood.
Instead of wheels and pinions worms or racks and pinions or right
and left handed screws in connection with either wheels and pinions,
worms and pinions, or racks and pinions, may be employed, or the
parallel movement capable of being obtained by arrangements similar
to those embraced by the ordinary parallel rule or any other analogous
or equivalent contrivances may be used to attain the desired result,
as will be well understood by persons conversant with mechanical
appliances.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING FURNACES
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Howson and John
James Thomas at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 27th October 1871.
We, RICHARD Howson, of Middlesborough-on-Tees in the County of
York, Engineer, and John JAMES THOMAS, of the same Place, Iron
Works Manager, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PUDDLING FURNACES," to be as follows:-
The principal object of our Invention is to combine an effective
automatic puddling arrangement with ordinary existing puddling furnaces,
though our Invention is equally applicable to other constructions of
furnaces, such as those where gas or forced blast is employed.
Our Invention consists in dispensing with the ordinary hearth, and
substituting therefor a casing or chamber of metal having two hollow
trunnica, and a door for introducing and removing the charge. This
casing or chamber is lined throughout with fire resisting material, or
'fettling," and it is arranged so that the mouth of one of its hollow
trunnions comes opposite the fire, and that of the other opposite the flue

page_text: leading to the chimney, thus the flame and hot gases from the fire-grate
pass through the chamber, which is mounted so as to be rotated or
oscillated on its trunnions or on suitable pivots.
An oscillating motion from side to side is the kind of motion which we
prefer to employ as constituting the puddling action, and in order to
render it more effectual a ridge is formed in the bottom of the chamber
dividing it into two hollows, into which the metal and slag is alternately
thrown as the casing rocks to and fro.
Those parts of the furnace which require to be protected from being
burnt away are so protected by means of water circulating in pipes, as is
well understood.
The shape of the casing is made to suit the shape and number of
puddle balls required, and it is mounted on a frame having wheels, so as
to be capable of being run out clear of the other parts of the furnace
when required.
The requisite action of the furnace is obtained by any of the well-known
mechanical appliances for producing rotary or oscillating motion, several
furnaces being worked by one engine, or each furnace by a separate'
engine, and in the latter case we prefer to use a steam cylinder the
piston rod of which acts directly on the casing without the intervention
of a crank or fly wheel shaft.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES FOR PRE- VENTING OR LESSENING SMOKE AND EFFECTING MORE PERFECT COMBUSTION OF THE FUEL EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Hydes and John Emil
Bennett at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 1st May 1871.
We, THOMAS HYDES and JOHN EMIL BENNETT, both of Sheffield,
in the County of York, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES FOR PRE-
VENTING OR LESSENING SMOKE AND EFFECTING MORE PERFECT COMBUSTION OF THE
FUEL EMPLOYED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
1
This Invention consists, first, in making the fire-bars of furnaces
self-sustaining, by forming them arched or curved, by which fixed
bearers are dispensed with, a larger amount of heating surface is thus
obtained and also a greater body of fire. The bars may be arranged
in the boiler tube, either transversely or longitudinally, in series of six
or more for the transverse bars, and in series of about eighteen bars,
more or less, for the longitudinal bars, or they may be placed singly
transverse. When the bars are arranged longitudinally the outside bars
are formed with short transverse bars which rest against the boiler tube
for supporting the series of bars therein.
DJ THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADWAYS, FOOTPATHS, AND SIMILAR SURFACES
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Harcourt Brown at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd November 1871.
I, JOHN HARCOURT BROWN, of Abbey Mills, Romsey, in the County
of Hants, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS DJ THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADWAYS, FOOTPATHS, AND
SIMILAR SURFACES," to be as follows:-
These improvements consist in mixing and combining by means of
heat, either fire or steam, the latter preferred, certain proportions of
pitch, tar, resin, asphalte, or other suitable bituminous substances, and
adding thereto in a granulated form carbonaceous materials and other
hard substances as igneous rock, slag, clinker, limestone, lime, coke, and
cement, in such proportions as the nature of the roads and paths may
require, so as to form a compact, durable, homogenous mass.
I also employ stone, gravel, grey lime, grit flint, in conjunction with
tar and sand, as a concrete for foundations.

page_text: In laying down this composition it may either be melted and pound
over the roadways of the thickness required or made into slabs or blocks
and heated on the under side and edges, and so made to conform to the
inequalities of the foundations by rollers or other suitable pressure.
AN IMPROVED STOPPER FOR BOTTLES FOR CONTAINING AERATED OR GASEOUS LIQUIDS
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Joseph Spear at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th
December 1871.
I, JOHN JOSEPH SPEAR, of No. 7, Cornhill, in the City of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED STOPPER FOR BOTTLES FOR CONTAINING AERATED OR GASEOUS
LIQUIDS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to stoppers of the kind described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to John Adams and Henry
Barrett, and bearing date 2nd September, in the year of our Lord
1868 (No. 2708). The stopper described in that Specification consists
of a plug around which a groove is formed, in which groove a washer of
india-rubber is fixed. The pressure of the gaseous liquid contained in
the bottle forces the said washer against the neck of the said bottle,
which is thus closed. In order to open the bottle the plug is forced
down by hand, considerable force having to be exerted to overcome the
pressure from within.

page_text: The
Now the object of my Invention is to remedy this defect. For this
purpose I make in the plug of the stopper an air passage or vent
in order to allow of the egress of the air or gases contained in or evolved
by the liquid in the bottle when it is required to open the same.
lower end of this passage opens into the interior of the bottle through
the lower shoulder of the groove around the stopper, and is therefore
immediately under the india-rubber washer, so that when the latter is
pressed against the neck of the bottle as herein-before explained the air
passage is closed by the said washer. The upper end of the air passage
communicates with the external atmosphere.
A slight downward pressure is sufficient to depress the plug to
the extent necessary to uncover the lower opening of the air passage,
and thereby allow the air or gases in the bottle to escape therefrom till
the internal pressure is so reduced that the stopper falls by gravity to
the bottom of the bottle.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Webb Thomas at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st March 1871.
I, SAMUEL WEBB THOMAS, of the Rectory, Southease, in the County
of Sussex, Clerk in Holy Orders, M.A., do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES," to be as follows:-
11
These improvements relate to certain means of lengthening and
shortening the throw of the cranks or pedals of bicycle axles for the
purpose of increasing or diminishing the power at the will of the rider
while travelling by the reverse pressure of the foot, whether he desires to
travel on a level roadway or up hill, and consists in fitting the pedal pin
in or to a plate, which is itself centred upon another pin or bolt, upon
which it is free to turn; the outer end of the plate is rounded and has
flat sides, which bear against a spring to hold it in the required position,
whether at the long or short stroke. The spring may be arranged upon
the face of the crank arm, or in some other position. The plate may,

page_text: have a stud or stop piece to form an abutment against the side of the
crank arm.
ני
The pedal pin or axle may be bent and formed with two foot plates
or pedals, and thus form a double crank upon each side of the wheel for
the same purpose. In this case the spring can be dispensed with.
5
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HAT PLUSH
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Crabb at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st June
1871.
I, WILLIAM CRABB, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF HAT PLUSH," to be as follows:-
In the ordinary manufacture of silk hat plush the warp of the fabric
is made entirely of thrown silk, and the weft of cotton, being woven in
the same manner as velvet, and the pile cut by hand, and then waxed and
finished in the usual manner.
In my improved manufacture I use a warp entirely of cotton and a
weft of floss or spun silk, each shoot passing alternately over three or
four warps, and then under one which forms a binding thread, each warp
becoming a binding thread in its turn. I then raise the nap or plush
from the weft by scribbling or carding the surface in the direction of
the warp, i.e., across the weft. I afterwards cut the pile or plush to the
required length by means of a revolving spiral knife, and wax and finish
the same in the usual way.

page_text: By this method of manufacturing hat plush from floss or spun silk,
and raising the pile by machinery, instead of cutting the same by hand,
I am enabled to effect a very considerable economy in such manufacture,
not only in regard to the cost of the material employed, but also in the
time and labor required in the production of the plush.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN A MACHINE FOR DIGGING OUT OF THE GROUND POTATOES AND SIMILAR ROOTS
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Dewar at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th July
1871.
I, WILLIAM DEWAR, of Kellis, in the County of Forfar, North
Britain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of “IMPROVE-
MENTS IN A MACHINE FOR DIGGING OUT OF THE GROUND POTATOES AND
SIMILAR ROOTS," to be as follows, that is to say :-
OTHER
in
The improvements which constitute this Invention consists
attaching a bracket to the rearward end of the digging machine, in
the lower part of which one end of a guiding lever is fixed. On the
said guiding lever, and immediately behind the digging apparatus,
another bracket is carried, to which a second lever is attached by
means of a pin or stud, and in the lower extremity of this lever a
wheel is (or wheels are) carried. The second lever is provided for
the purpose of raising and depressing the coulter and diggers of the
machine to suit the peculiarities of the field in which it is being
operated, and to prevent the coulter from cutting deeper into the
earth than is necessary for the efficient performance of its work,
and also for the purpose of raising the coulter and diggers from the

page_text: ground altogether when the machine is being removed from one place
to another, all of which objects are effected by raising or depressing
the upper end of the second lever, and adjusting its position by means
of a rack or graduated quadrant fixed to the upper end of the bracket
last referred to, and to the guiding lever.
When the upper end of the second lever is depressed it draws the
wheel or wheels carried in its lower extremity nearer to the digging
apparatus, and thus raising the guiding lever elevates the rearward
end of the machine to the extent required, the reverse motion being
the result when the second lever is raised.
Amongst other advantages resulting from this arrangement of digging
machine one is that the attendant is situated at the rearward end in
lieu of the forward end of the machine, as under the existing arrange-
ment, and is therefore in a position to guide and regulate it with greater
facility.
AN IMPROVED FRAMEWORK FOR SUPPORTING THE HOP BINE AND OTHER CLIMBING PLANTS
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Thomas Parlour at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th April 1871.
I, JOSEPH THOMAS PARLOUR, of Brooklyn, New York, United States
of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, Shipwright,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
FRAMEWORK FOR SUPPORTING THE HOP BINE AND OTHER CLIMBING PLANTS," to be
as follows:-
:-
The object of my said Invention is the construction of firm, durable,
light, convenient, and cheap framework for supporting hops and other
twining or climbing plants, which framework in addition to its other
advantages will entirely obviate all danger of the slipping or beating
down of the plant and the consequent loss to the hop grower.
In preparing my improved framing for a hop field, I construct a
number of upright tripod frames of wire, light tubing, or other suitable
material. These frames have an eye at the top, whereby they are
attached to wires which are extended across the field or ground wherein
the hops or other plants are growing. These wires which may be about

page_text: one-quarter of an inch in diameter are supported upon other wires which
are extended over the field crossing the first wires; these last-mentioned
wires are supported upon posts or uprights of iron tubing, wood, or other
suitable material which are placed at convenient intervals from end
to end of the field. These wires are attached to the posts at one end
and side of the field, and are drawn tight and made fast by means of
windlasses, screws, or other suitable contrivances attached to the posts
at the other end and side of the field. The intermediate posts merely
support the wires and may be taken up temporarily to allow the ground
to be ploughed.
The aforesaid tripod frames are made in parts or sections so that
they can be placed over hops or other plants and their lower ends
extended downward and forced into the ground, and they are provided
with clamping screws or other suitable devices whereby the parts are
secured when properly adjusted.
To afford a better support for the hops or other plants the legs of
these frames may be coiled, twisted, or corrugated, or may be formed
of straight rods or tubes with wire coiled around them, or may bo
otherwise formed to prevent the slipping of the plant. The eyes at
the top through which the wires pass may be formed in one piece
with the legs, or may be a separate piece consisting of an eye or ring
with three arms, to which the legs or bars of the frame are secured.
The supporting posts are made extensible so that they may be con-
veniently adjusted. I prefer to construct them with a socket with three
prongs to enter the ground. The post is fitted to slide in this socket
and is secured therein by a pinching screw. The tripod frames and
wires as well as the supporting posts must be protected from oxidation
and other injuries by being galvanized or painted, or by being otherwise
covered or coated with some protective substances.
AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN GUNS TO PREVENT OR DIMINISH INJURY FROM THE RECOIL
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Scott at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th June
1871.
I, WALTER SCOTT, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Gun
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS IN GUNS TO PREVENT OR DIMINISH INJURY
FROM THE RECOIL," to be as follows:-
My Invention has for its object to prevent or diminish the injury or
shock to the shoulder of the person discharging the gun which results
from the recoil or "kicking" of the gun, and my said Invention consists
in combining with or adapting to the heel of the butt end of the stock
of the gun or that part which bears against the shoulder in using the
gun an elastic heel cap or recoil block, which elastic heel cap or recoil
block on the discharge of the gun is compressed, and the force of the
recoil wholly or mainly destroyed, and injury or shock to the shoulder
thereby prevented or diminished. I make the said elastic heel cap or
recoil block by preference of vulcanized india-rubber, the said elastic
heel cap or recoil block having the same shape as the ordinary heel part
of the stock and forming a continuation of the wooden stock of the gun.

page_text: I attach the said clastic hecl cap or recoil block to the butt end of the
stock by screws. In order to fix the elastic heel cap or recoil block
very securely to the stock I make on the inner face of the said cap or
block projections which fit into recesses made in the face of the wooden
stock. The screws which are used to fix the elastic heel cap or recoil
block pass through the said cap or block and the projections on its inner
face and take into the wood of the stock. The heads of the screws are
situated below the outer face of the elastic cap or block, the holes
through which they are passed being filled with india-rubber.
The kind of vulcanized india-rubber which I prefer to employ for
making the elastic heel cap or recoil block is the kind called in
commerce junction india-rubber, that is, india-rubber elastic through the
greater part of its substance, but hard on one surface. In using the said
india-rubber I place the hard surface against the stock the soft side
being presented to the shoulder.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING AND COMPRESSING SILK OR OTHER. KIND OF FIBROUS MATERIAL OF SHORT OR Unequal LENGTH OF STAPLE
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Brocklehurst, of Macclesfield, in the
County of Chester, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING AND COMPRESSING SILK OR OTHER.
KIND OF FIBROUS MATERIAL OF SHORT OR Unequal LENGTH OF STAPLE."
Scaled the 22nd August 1871, and dated the 10th May 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Brocklehurst
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 10th May 1871.
I, CHARLES BROCKLEHURST, of Macclesfield, in the County of Chester,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING AND COMPRESSING SILK OR OTHER
KIND OF FIBROUS MATERIAL OF SHORT OR UNEQUAL LENGTH OF STAPLE," to be as
follows:-
This Invention is designed principally for drawing and compressing
silk previous to spinning, but it is also applicable to drawing and

page_text: compressing other fibrous materials of short or unequal length of
staple.
The improvements consist, firstly, in subjecting the silk or other
fibre to a "circle gill" to which a very close "nip" is obtained, the
sliver being presented to the action of the teeth by a pair of small
rollers. The sliver after passing partly round the said "circle gill"
is drawn out by another pair of small rollers revolving at an increased
speed.
Secondly. The sliver is then presented to a rotating box containing
three compressing rollers, over and under which it passes. The sliver in
passing through the said box receives a temporary twist, in which state
it passes through the axis of the rotating box a second time, which takes
out the temporary twist and presents the sliver to a pair of delivering
rollers, which deposits the same in a can. The material before passing
through the above described machine is prepared over an ordinary
carding engine, from which it is delivered in a light and spongy statė,
and cannot be properly compressed until the fibres are drawn out
parallel to each other.
The above machine is intended to prepare the material after carding,
and will produce from material of short or unequal length of staple
slivers having superior spinning qualities to what can be produced by
any other drawing process hitherto employed.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MAKING OF HAT BODIES
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Thomas Aldridge at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 12th April 1871.
I, FREDERICK THOMAS ALDRIDGE, of No. 70, Blackman Street, South-
wark, in the County of Surrey, Hat Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MAKING
OF HAT BODIES," to be as follows:-
The hat body to be made wholly or in part of a fabric composed chiefly
of horschair, and covered with a fine fabric cither of silk, cotton, linen,
or similar texture adhered together with a solution composed of shellac
dissolved in mythylated spirit, and by means of heat produced from
a hot iron passing over the same on blocks; then coated over with a
preparation of shellac dissolved in water and ammonia, and afterwards
varnished over with shellac dissolved in mythylated spirit.
By the above combination the body when covered with merino, plush,
velvet, or similar material will produce a hat which will possess a degree
of porosity, elasticity, and strength with extreme lightness, and give a
degree of comfort to the head not hitherto obtained, and prove to be of
great use and benefit to the public.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS TO PREVENT COLLISIONS ARISING FROM ONE TRAIN OVERTAKING AND RUNNING INTO ANOTHER, AND IN SIGNAL LIGHTS TO BE BURNED FOR THIS PURPOSE
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Steele at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
October 1871.
I, JOHN STEELE, of Witham, in the County of Essex, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING
ON RAILWAYS TO PREVENT COLLISIONS ARISING FROM ONE TRAIN OVERTAKING AND
RUNNING INTO ANOTHER, AND IN SIGNAL LIGHTS TO BE BURNED FOR THIS PURPOSE,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in signalling on
railways to prevent collisions arising from one train overtaking and
running into another, and in signal lights to be burned for this purpose.
For this purpose I employ signal lights which on being ignited will
burn, say, from 4 to 6 minutes as required, and which will shew different
colors in succession as the signal light continues to burn.
I prefer that the signal light should when first ignited show a red
light, afterwards a green light, and lastly a white light. A sufficient

page_text: number of these signals are to be supplied to the guards of railway
trains, and are to be put in use by them only in dark or foggy weather;
and when from any reason a train is behind its usual time and is
travelling at a slow rate, or in such like cases, the guard by lighting
these signals from time to time, and dropping them on to the ground
as required, can give warning to the engine driver of an approaching
train.
"
If the first light observed by the driver of the approaching train
showed a white light, he would know that a train was preceding him,
and if further along the line he came upon one burning a bright green,
he would know that he was gaining upon the train in front. If he came
upon one shewing a bright red or crimson light, it would denote-danger
not far ahead.
The signal light I form of an outer case by preference of paper, and of
an oblong form in section, so that when dropped on the ground it shall
not readily roll, and for the same reason the case is also made greater
length than width. The case is closed at the bottom, and a composition
suitable for shewing a bright white light is first filled into the case,
then a composition suitable for shewing a green light, and lastly a
composition for shewing a red light. The compositions I use are
those ordinarily used for signal lights. The case is closed at the top with
ordinary touch paper which smoulders when ignited. The length of time
for which each light burns is regulated by the quantity of the various
compositions used, and the form of the case. The signal light is ignited
by lighting this paper, and is deposited by the guard on to the line when a
it first shews a red light, then a green, and lastly a bright white light;
or the signal light might be made to yield two lights only if preferred.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Terrell, William
Bruce Gordon Hogg, and John Thomlinson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 17th November
1871.
We, THOMAS TERRELL, of Abbey Street, Carlisle, Associate of Arts,
Manufacturing Chemist, WILLIAM BRUCE GORDON HOGG, of Devonshire
Street, Carlisle, Doctor of Medicine, and JoHN THOMLINSON, of Abbey
Street, Carlisle, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID," to be
as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of
sulphuric acid.
The nature of our Invention consists in the use of pure oxygen in the
manufacture of sulphuric acid instead of atmospheric air as at present
In the first place we use a burner of peculiar construction, and
so formed that the sulphur or pyrites can be burned in oxygen gas
undiluted with nitrogen, and that the charges of sulphur or pyrites can
in use.

page_text: be introduced into the burner without the admission of atmospheric air.
Secondly, we introduce oxygen into the chamber otherwise than through
the burners at various points by means of jets in such a way as to be
enabled to regulate the amount so introduced to that required for the
steady and most effectual production of sulphuric acid. Thirdly, we
require no exit to our chamber, as by introducing pure oxygen we have
no uncondensable gases, and we produce the draught necessary for the
conveyance of the sulphureous fumes from the burners to the chamber
by means of the partial vacuum caused by the continuous condensation
of the gases within the chamber.
IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING RANGES
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Crichley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd
February 1871.
I, HENRY CRICHLEY, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Ironfounder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention - for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING RANGES," to be as follows, that is to say:
My Invention refers to improvements in fitting the draw plates of
ranges by which such ranges are capable of being adjusted to make
open or closed fire ranges; this I effect by suspending the draw plate
from the top edge of the same in suitably slotted bearings, and about
midway of its height I place upon each sido edge a quadrant guide
working in grooves on the corresponding edges of the back plate, thus
removing all bearing from the top plate of the range.
I also employ a drop down top bar with a slot or slots cut transversely
through its thickness, and having the appearance of louvres, serving to
conduct the draught of air downwards towards the middle of the fire, or
actual louvres may be formed in the bar capable of turning upon
centres in each end and thus forming a ventilator which can be opened
or closed.

page_text: My Invention also consists in constructing such ranges so that the
ovens may be capable of being heated either by fire or gas at will, one
range being fitted for both methods, and with this view I form the
lowest shelf of each oven double, a solid shelf for heating with coal and
a perforated one for gas; these shelves may slide or fold as may be
preferred, beneath this lower shelf I form a shallow chamber to receive
around it gas piping and burners, the supply pipe being fitted with
the usual stop-cock and jet; near to this stop-cock, but as far from the
burners as may be convenient, an opening is made in the supply pipe
for the admission of air which is consumed in the flame from the burners,
and by this means smoke and smell are avoided and great heat obtained
with considerable economy in gas. A range so constructed may be
treated by the ordinary fire in winter and by gas in summer.
•
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING TURNIPS AND OTHER ROOTS
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Perowne at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
December 1871.
I, BENJAMIN PEROWNE, of Great Snoring, in the County of Norfolk,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR CUTTING TURNIPS AND OTHER ROOTS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for
cutting turnips and other roots, and applies especially to machinery
in which the cutters are fixed on the periphery of a cylinder or barrel.
As the cylinder revolves the knives cut pieces from the roots which
lie up against the cylinder, and these pieces pass into the cylinder
and afterwards they fall out at the ends into a suitable receiver.
In machines of this class the last slice of each root escapes being
cut, and passes down out of the feeding hopper on to the outer side
of the cylinder. According to my Invention I place a rack under
the feed hopper and close to the cutting cylinder to catch these
slices. The front bars of this rack have sharp edges, and there are

page_text: rotating arms which pass between the bars of the rack, and coming
against the slice, which the rack contains, push it through between
the sharp bars. In this way the slice is divided into pieces of suitable
size
The pushing arms are mounted on a spindle which is driven by spur
gear from the axis of the cutting cylinder.
5
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN RAILWAY PASSENGERS AND THE GUARD AND DRIVER OF RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Broughton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th October 1871.
I, WILLIAM BROUGHTON, of the Grand Stand, Derby, in the County
of Derby, Mechanician, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN RAILWAY
PASSENGERS AND THE GUARD AND DRIVER OF RAILWAY TRAINS," to be as
follows: :-
My Invention consists of a small arm or signal about ten inches in
length and three inches in width, but I do not confine myself to the use
of this length or width, which is worked by a spring joint. It is fixed
on the side of the carriage, and when in an upright position it is held
there by a catch, which is used from the inside of the carriage by means
of a bell pull on the side thereof, or by means of one from the top of the
carriage, and may be employed with the same ease and facility as an
ordinary bell. As soon as the bell is pulled the arm will fly out, and by
the use of a short line from the end having an open link hanging on the

page_text: communicating line and working over a pulley it will give communi-
cation between the guard and driver in charge of the train, while the
arm or signal standing out shows from whence the signal was given.
The arm or signal will remain out from the side of the carriage until
it is replaced by the railway servants on the platform.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-CLOSING Gas Burners
Year: 1871

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Edward Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th October 1871.
I, GEORGE EDWARD SMITH, of New York City, State of New York,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for “IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-CLOSING Gas Burners,” to be as
follows:-
My Invention relates to a device for automatically shutting an extra
gas cock affixed to a gas burner when the gas is by accident or by
ignorance extinguished without closing the main gas cock.
My improvements consist in a hoop, supported at such a height as to
encircle the mouth of a gas burner at a slight distance above the burner,
say one-sixth of an inch more or less. This hoop is composed of an outer
rim of steel and an inner rim of brass, rivetted, soldered, or braced together,
and is fixed at one end or arm to the burner. The other end or arm moves
from one side to the other, being operated by the unequal expansion and
contraction of the metals, and moving at the same time a spring
connected with this arm, which spring terminates in a delicate catch or

page_text: detent. The office of this catch or detent is to take hold of a pin, placed
in and at right angles to the axis of the extra stop-cock. By the
expansion of the compound hoop this pin is transferred from the said
catch or detent to another catch or detent in moving the end or arm of
the compound hoop itself.
By the contraction of the metal of the hoop after the flame has
been by accident or by ignorance extinguished, this catch or detent is
withdrawn from the pin, which finding no support drops down, being
suffered to do so by a spiral spring surrounding the axis of the extra
stop-cock, one end of the said spring being fastened to the axis, and
the other end to the gas burner itself. The end of the axis of the extra
stop-cock is provided with a disc on which is placed a metal rod pivotted
at the end. Opposite to this pivot or screw is placed a pin, by means of
which and the metal rod the disc, and consequently the extra stop-cock,
are compelled to make the required turn for opening or shutting off the
gas.
On the main gas cock is fixed a lever which in turning the cock for
the purpose of letting on gas comes in contact with the metal rod above
referred to, by means of which the extra gas cock is also opened. It
will be readily seen that the hoop by cooling down and contracting after
the gas is accidentally extinguished, will release the pin attached to the
disc and thus shut off the extra gas cock.