matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC BEDSTEADS AND COUCHES FOR THE USE OF INVALIDS, APPLICABLE TO BEDSTEADS AND COUCHES MADE FROM ANY OTHER MATERIAL
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Augustus Barnett at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
March 1855.
I, FRANCIS AUGUSTUS BARNETT, of Nelson Street, in the City of Bristol, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF METALLIC BEDSTEADS AND COUCHES FOR THE USE OF INVALIDS,
APPLICABLE TO BEDSTEADS AND COUCHES MADE FROM ANY OTHER MATERIAL," to be
as follows:-
My Invention consists of a method of administering to the comforts and
necessities of wounded and bedridden persons, by means of an extra and upper
frame, which is connected with the bedstead beneath by cranks placed at each
side, attached at each end by means of iron or metal pins to the sides of the
bedstead and the upper frame, which latter can be raised up sufficiently high
in an horizontal manner from the bedstead beneath for the introduction of a
bed pan, or for re-arranging the bed or mattrass upon the under bedstead, or
for any other purpose, which is done by means of a handle placed at the foot
of the bedstead, which being pulled downwards causes the cranks aforesaid to
rise up together with the upper frame, as aforesaid. A canvas or other sacking
is strained upon the aforesaid upper frame with an hole in the centre to
receive the bed pan from beneath. The sick person lays upon the aforesaid

page_text: sacking and upper frame, which can be gradually and horizontally lowered
down upon the mattrass or bed placed upon the under bedstead, as aforesaid,
by pulling down the handle placed as aforesaid at the foot of the bedstead.
I claim to myself the Invention of raising sick persons up horizontally from
the bed upon which they lay without disturbing them by the means as
described aforesaid.
IMPROVEMENTS IN VICES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VICES."-A communication.
Sealed the 25th September 1855, and dated the 16th July 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
16th July 1855.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VICES" to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to a peculiar method of maintaining
the jaws in a parallel position while the moving parts of the vico are being
operated, and consists in connecting the jaws together by means of jointed or
parallel links. The links are jointed, or turn on a pivot at the middle, and at
their ends the links are provided with buttons or studs, which work in vertical
grooves made in the body of the jaws as the latter are moved farther from or
nearer to each other.

page_text: The second part of the Invention consists in securing the vice to the bench
by means of a ball and socket joint, so as to admit of the vice being turned
in any required position, to enable the workman to operate upon articles of
various forms, and upon all sides thereof.
THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER, CARD, AND MILLBOARD FROM CERTAIN VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS
Year: 1855

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 John Louis Jullion at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 81st May
1855.
'I, JOHN LOUIS JULLION, of Combe House, Tovil, in the County of Kent,
Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"THE MANUFACTURE OF PAPER, CARD, AND MILLBOARD FROM CERTAIN VEGETABLE
PRODUCTIONS" to be as follows (that is to say):-
The vegetable substances from which I propose to manufacture paper, card,
& millboard, are the fibres of the banana and plantain plants, of waste or
pressed sugar canes, and of the various water flags that abound in warm
countries; & the mode in which I carry out the said Invention is by dusting
the said substances in the machine called a devil, cutting them in a common
chaff-cutting box, boiling in a dilute solution of caustic alkali, with or without
steam pressure, & bleaching in the usual way with hypochloride of lime.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTILES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Hervey Deming at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
October 1855.-A communication from Oliver R. Burnham, of New York.
I, JAMES HERVEY DEMING, of New York, United States of America, now
residing at Paris, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTILES" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the forms of projectiles;
for which purpose each projectile is formed at its hinder part of a conical and
hollow form, so that when discharged, the projectile may, by expanding or
spreading the hollow part, cause it to fit the barrel, which, however, alone is not
new; but combined therewith, and at a more forward part of a projectile, is
formed a cylindrical belt or band, which stands off from the central portion or
body of the projectile, such band being connected to the central or body part
of the projectile by curved or screw-like arms, so that the projectile in passing
through the air will be caused to rotate. The projectiles may be made of lead
and zinc, or of one metal, or combined of other different metals.
AN IMPROVED MECHA- NICAL ARRANGEMENT FOR LIFTING WEIGHTS AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Rowett at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th December
1855.
I, WILLIAM ROWETT, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Merchant,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MECHA-
NICAL ARRANGEMENT FOR LIFTING WEIGHTS AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES" to be as
followes (that is to say):-
This Invention mainly consists in the use of a vertical lever, weighted at its
lower end, and having its fulcrum on suitable bearings at or near its upper
end. This lever has a pendulous (or backwards and forwards swinging)
motion given to it by force applied thereto by hand or otherwise. The power
applied to the pendulous lever is given out at the upper end by the axle, upon
which it swings to and fro, or by the short upper arm of the lever. When the
power is given out from the axis, the axle is made fast to the swinging lever,
the rocking motion of the axle being made available for the working of pumps
and other purposes. The upper end of the lever it is proposed to fit with
apparatus for punching and cutting metal plates, a suitable bed being con-
structed to support the plates during the operation. The power applied to the
lower end of the swinging weighted lever may be given off from the upper end
in various ways, so as to work windlesses or other like machines, where
accumilated power is required to be given off.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TEMPLES FOR POWER LOOMS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Lord at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th April 1855.
I, JOHN LORD, of Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TEMPLES
FOR POWER LOOMS" to be as follows:-
My improvements relate to well-known instruments employed in power
looms called "temples," which are employed for the purpose of distending and
retaining the woven fabric as it is continuously woven, and are situated between
the slay and the breast beam of the loom.
My improvements consist in the employment of three small rollers or
cylinders, through or between which the woven fabric passes, being placed at
each side of the loom, each set being arranged so that two of the rollers may
be below the upper one; the surface of each roller has a screw or scroll turned
upon it at a slight angle to its axis, in such a manner that the whole three
whilst the cloth passes between them may revolve, the surfaces of each slightly
interlapping with the other. To each set of rollers or "temple" one end of an
arm or lever is attached, which at its extremity carries a small heart wheel,
cam, or other mechanical equivalent, the other end of the lever acting loosely
on a centre secured to the breast beam of the loom. On the slay is mounted
two small bowls, which as the slay advances or beats up come in contact with

page_text: the heart wheel, causing a slight expansion of the arms, and consequently of
the rollers or "temples," at each vibration of the slay, by which means a slight
extra distension is given to the fabric at each advance of the slay, besides the
retention of the cloth by the peculiar surfaces of the three small rollers, which
arrangement of apparatus constitutes a self-acting "temple" applied to each
side of selvage of the cloth.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THRESHING AND DRESSING MACHINES
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Hart, of Wantage, in the County of Berk-
shire, Agricultural Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THRESHING AND DRESSING MACHINES."
Sealed the 12th January 1856, and dated the 7th November 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Hart at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
November 1855.
I, CHARLES HART, of Wantage, in the County of Berkshire, Agricultural
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THRESHING AND DRESSING MACHINES" to be as follows:-
These improvements relate, firstly, to a method of constructing the drum of
threshing machines, by forming a cylinder with eight or other convenient
number of beating blocks or bars arranged around its periphery. On the
outer surface of these bars a series of grooves or indents are cut in a spiral
direction from end to end; a strong metal wire is then coiled round the
drum in the indents or grooves in a continuous spiral, by which means the
beater blocks are secured and bound strongly together; metal beaters of an
inclined form are then mounted upon the beater bars, the highest part of

page_text: the beater being placed at the back. The corn is first acted upon by the edges
of the beater bars, next by the lowest edges of the beaters, and finally by the
highest edge thereof, producing more perfect work with less injury to the corn
than heretofore.
Secondly, in the addition to threshing and dressing machines, whether
portable or fixed, of a separating apparatus, containing a revolving fan and
archimedean sieve, placed on either side of the machine, through which the
corn after being threshed, dressed, and delivered in the ordinary way, is caused
to pass.
For this purpose the corn is elevated by a chain of buckets into a
hummeler, along which it is urged by a horizontal revolving shaft equipped
with projecting arms placed in an inclined direction. On issuing from the
hummeler, the corn falls upon a dividing plate, and is subjected to the action
of a fan blower, which effectually removes any chaff that may have passed
over from the first dressing. The corn then falls into a horizontal cylindrical
sieve, to the inner surface of which is affixed a helix. A revolving motion
being given to this cylindrical sieve, the helix causes the corn to advance and
pass over every portion of the sieve. The 'sieve covering is divided length-
wise into three or more compartments, each one having larger meshes than
the preceding. In consequence of this arrangement the corn becomes?
separated into five portions, viz., blighted and defective corn, small seeds and
rubbish, tail (or small) wheat, best wheat; and husks, which 'escape' at the end
of the cylinder. These separate products pass out at spouts placed at the
side of the machine, and may be received in sacks properly placed for their
reception.
A NEW OR IMPROVED TAP OR STOP-COCK FOR LIQUIDS AND GASES
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Joyner at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th August 1855.
I, CHARLES JOYNER, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Brass-
founder, do hereby declare the nature of the said, Invention for "A NEW OR
IMPROVED TAP OR STOP-COCK FOR LIQUIDS AND GASES" to be as follows:-
My said Invention consists of a tap or stop-cock for regulating the flow
of liquids and gases, constructed in the following manner:-The body of the
stop-cock consists of a chamber, divided by a horizontal diaphragm into two
compartments; a hole in the said diaphragm effects a communication between
the said compartments. A vertical axis working in the upper compartment
carries on its upper end, external to the said compartment, a handle, whereby
the said axis may be turned, and the said axis carries at its lower end a disc
or plate, which works upon the before-mentioned fixed diaphragm. The said
disc or plate has two holes made in it at opposite points. When the axis is
turned, so as to bring one of the holes in the disc or plate over the hole
in the diaphragm, there is a free communication between the upper and lower
compartments; but when neither of the holes in the disc or plate coincides
with the hole in the diaphragm, the communication between the two compart-
ments is closed. A leather washer fixed on the diaphragm causes the disc or
plate to work tightly thereon. The supply pipe opens into the upper com-

page_text: partment of the tap, and the delivery pipe is connected with the lower
compartment of the said tap; the pressure of the liquid when the water way
is closed keeps the disc to its bearing on the diaphragm. In making stop-
cocks for gas, according to my Invention, I make the moving parts much
smaller than in the tap for liquids, and I otherwise vary the details; but the
tap for liquids and that for gases are the same in all essential respects.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OF CARBONATE OF SODA
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given want me armes pr
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Louis Stott at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd October
1855.
I, GEORGE LOUIS STOTT, of St. Georges, in the County of Gloucester, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF CARBONATE OF SODA" to be as follows:-
These improvements apply to the conversion of the alkaline liquor, known
amongst alkali manufacturers under the name of "vat liquor," which is chiefly
a solution of the sulphuret of soda, into a solution of carbonate of soda.
Different processes are in use for this purpose.
My improvement consists in a new mode of applying carbonic acid
is as follows:-
gas, and
I generate carbonic acid gas in a separate vessel in any convenient way, or
obtain it from any of its known sources; and the "vat liquor" or solution of
sulphuret of soda being placed in a strong close vessel of metal, wood, or any
other substance, I force or pump or otherwise compel the carbonic acid gas
under pressure to enter into and become combined with the sulphuretted
alkaline liquor, in the saine manner and with similar machinery and apparatus
to that employed in the manufacture of the so-called ærated waters, or soda
water of commerce, whereby the carbonic acid combines with the alkali, the

page_text: solution is freed from its sulphur which is precipitated, and the liquor converted
into a solution of carbonate of soda. The carbonizing vessel may be circular,
furnished with pipes for admitting the sulphuretted solution, and also the
carbonic acid, and others for letting off the carbonized liquor and the preci
pitated sulphur and impurities, with cocks for closing the same. This, vessel
may also contain a central shaft, furnished with arms for keeping the liquor in
agitation, being connected on the outside with suitable gearing, and con-
nected with power for keeping the same in motion. The effect of carbonic
acid in decomposing alkaline sulphurets has been long known to chemists,
and I make no claim to its exclusive employment; but the peculiarity of
the Invention consists in forcing or pumping, or otherwise compelling under
pressure, the carbonic acid gas to enter into the alkaline sulphuretted solution,
contained in a close vessel, whereby the gas is economized and brought in a
much shorter time into intimate contact with the soda in the alkaline solution,
whilst the sulphur in the same is displaced or precipitated, so that by being
thus treated, the so-called "vat liquor," or solution of sulphuret of soda, may
at once, after being filtered, be evaporated down to the proper strength, and
set aside in suitable vessels to form crystals of soda; or may be evaporated
down into the alkaline salt, known as soda ash; or, after being deprived of its
carbonic acid by the usual means, may be applied and used at once in the
liquid state in the manufacture of soap.
A NEW SPRING HINGE FOR SWING DOORS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Rimington, jun", at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 81st
May 1855.
I, WILLIAM RIMINGTON, jun', of the firm of Rimington and Son, of Skipton
in Craven, Yorkshire, Whitesmiths and Bell-hangers, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "A NEW SPRING HINGE FOR SWING DOORS "
to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in a novel arrangement of mechanism constituting a
spring hinge to be applied to swing doors for the purpose of rendering them
self-closing; said Invention being designed for the purpose of obviating the
objections attending spring hinges as heretofore constructed and applied to
doors, namely, the tendency such doors have to be blown open by the wind
in consequence of the spring or springs employed being at their weakest point
when the doors are closed, and the difficulty of opening such doors and
keeping them wide open when required, in consequence of such aforesaid
spring or springs being at their strongest point when the doors are opened to
their uttermost.
-
The means which I employ for effecting the objects of this Invention are
as follows: I employ the levers of the third order, each acting upon a
powerful tempered steel spring. To the aforesaid levers hooked pieces are
connected and placed in opposite directions with respect to each other; said

page_text: hooked pieces embrace a pin fixed into a wrought-iron arm or lever fixed to or
formed upon the pivot upon which the hinge turns or moves in a step, said
arm being enclosed in a box with the other mechanism, and covered with a
lid. The part to which the door is to be affixed is securely attached to the
pivot of the hinge in the manner usually practised. I also employ set screws
for increasing and diminishing the power of the springs when necessary,
and other set screws for adjusting the doors to the required position when
closed.
By the above novel arrangement of mechanism the pressure of the springs
is at its maximum when the doors are closed, by which they are securely held
and prevented from being easily blown open, as heretofore, and the pressure
of said springs is at its minimum when the doors are wide open, by which
they may be easily kept open, if required. The effort necessary for opening
doors with spring hinges of the above construction applied thereto is also con-
siderably less than when spring hinges as heretofore constructed are employed;
and hinges thus constructed, being more substantial and simple, are less liable
to disarrangement than other spring hinges.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING PAPER, PASTEBOARD, AND PULP
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hippolyte Victor Pinondel de la
Bertoche, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 3rd February 1855.
I, HIPPOLYTE VICTOR PINONDEL DE LA BERTOCHE, Gentleman, of Paris,
in the French Empire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING PAPER, PASTEBOARD, AND PULP,"
to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, first, in the employment of the root of the asphodel
plant, and the remains of such root after distillation, for the manufacture of
paper, card, and pasteboard, pulp for paper, for mouldings, &c., either alone
or mixed with other ingredients used for such purposes; and, second, in the
treatment of the asphodel root, or its remains after distillation, in order to
form it into pulp, paper, cardboard, pasteboard, &c.
TREATMENT OF THE ROOT.
After the root has been freed from the plant and leaves it is carefully
washed, then cut and bruised, rasped, or crushed, according to the use to
which it is intended to be applied.. The root is next submitted to pressure, in
order to deprive it of its moisture, and for this purpose I prefer hydraulic
pressure. The fibrous or pulpy remains are gathered from the pulp, and
undergo further preparation, as hereafter stated.
The asphodel root in a dry state, whether after distillation, or whether

page_text: moisture has been otherwise extracted from it, or when it has been reduced
to the state of a filamentous and ligneous pulp, is prepared as follows:-
First preparation. The asphodel root, in the state last described, is washed
in cold water, in order to separate all foreign matters from it; it is next
placed in a tepid bath, to which is added a dose of some alkali, such as potass,
soda, or other more or less active alkali, and in quantities varying with the
intended use of the pulp, and the quality-of-the paper, &c. to be manufac-
tured. The pulpy mass remains in this alkaline bath until the fibres separate
readily from each other; but rupture in the fibres themselves must, as far as
possible, be prevented.
In order to make grey or brown paper, cardboard, pasteboard, and the like,
no further chemical treatment is necessary, it being only requisite to cause
the pulp to undergo the ordinary mechanical processes followed in making
such papers and boards.
Second preparation.-For the finer descriptions of paper and products, the
fibrous pulp of the asphodel, must be more completely bleached, either by
chlorine or by other means followed for the bleaching of pulp in the manu-
facture of paper, after which it is treated 'as ordinary pulp, in order to form it
into paper, cardboard, &c.
AN IMPROVED RAILWAY BREAK
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Leuthner Lóránd at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th May 1855.
I, JOHN LEUTHNER LÓRÁND, of 11, William Street, Hampstead Road, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED RAILWAY BREAK" to be as follows:-
My improved railway break consists in the application of the resisting force
of air or other elastic fluid to compression, which I oppose to the further
revolution of the wheels of a railway carriage or carriages when it is desired
to stop the train.
I fix on the axle a toothed wheel, which rotates continually therewith during
the motion of the carriage; a second toothed wheel is geared with the first,
which second wheel is mounted on a separate shaft, and fitted to run loose
thereon. A friction clutch is placed in connection with this second wheel, one
part being on the wheel, while the other part is fitted to slide lengthways
of the shaft. This part of the clutch is under control of and actuated by the
guard or breaksman, and by means of a lever is brought forcibly up against
the other part of the clutch on the wheel, and is thereby carried round with it.
On this sliding part of the clutch a crank pin is placed, having a connect-
ing rod communicating with the piston rod and piston of an air cylinder.

page_text: When the piston is thus set in motion, the air in the cylinder is driven out
at exit valves into a chamber, in which it is forcibly condensed. At the return
stroke the cylinder again fills through inlet valves from the external atmo-
sphere, which is again forcibly compressed within the receiving chamber; and
according to the size of this chamber, in comparison with the capacity of the
cylinder, so will the resistance more or less rapidly increase. The receiving
chamber has a safety valve loaded to the extreme pressure required. By this
means a gradually increasing and powerful resisting force will be opposed to
the further revolution of the wheels. The cylinder may be rendered double-
acting, and steam may be admitted from the waste steam of the engine
instead of the air with similar effect.
Instead of throwing the cylinder in and out of gear the piston may continue
its motion with the train, but with the air passages so regulated as not to
obstruct the motion of the piston; other methods may also be devised for
giving motion to the piston of air cylinder, and attended with like effect.
IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CLEANING AND DRESSING RICE AND OTHER GRAIN
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Graham at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th October
1855.
I, JOHN GRAHAM, of Aughton, in the County of Lancaster, of the firm of
Kay and Hilton, Liverpool, Millstone Manufacturers, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CLEANING AND
DRESSING RICE AND OTHER GRAIN " to be as follows:-
In cleaning and dressing rice and other grain by my improved machinery,
the grain passes over a succession of continuously rotating millstones or
grinding or polishing surfaces, enclosed in a case, and mounted one above the
other on a central vertical shaft, instead of passing (as in the ordinary way)
between stones or surfaces working vertically and confined in a case, which
must be opened and closed for feeding in the grain after it has been cleaned.
The necessity for thus opening the case to fill and empty it, as is usually
the case with ordinary barley or rice mills, prevents the cleaning operation
from being continuous, and occasions a considerable loss of time in the
cleaning operation. The case which encloses the stones or polishers I prefer
to make of a conical form, and to construct it of wirework or perforated
metal.
The grain in passing from the upper to the lower stones or polishers is
conducted to near the centre of the lower stone or polisher by a conical

page_text: hopper, and it then passes between the top face of that stone or polisher and
a fixed wire frame, and then between the periphery of the polisher and the
case, whence it falls to the next polisher, and so on throughout the series,
until it makes its exit from the machine as cleaned or dressed grain.
I would observe, in reference to my improved machinery, that I do not
intend to confine myself to the use of stones, but propose to use either real or
artificial millstones, or other material for the dressing or polishing surfaces,
according to circumstances. For the purpose of giving the grain a final
polish after it has been roughly dressed, I mount on the same spindle below
the dressing surfaces a disc of cork or wood, covered with sheepskin or
other suitable material, which will polish the surface of the grain, and greatly
improve its appearance.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING SIGNAL LANTERNS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Sir William Burnett and John
Weir Draper Brown at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 16th March 1855.
We, Sir WILLIAM BURNETT, Knight, of Somerset House, and JoHN WEIR
DRAPER BROWN, R.N., of Haslar Hospital, Gosport, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING SIGNAL LANTERNS '
to be as follows:-
"
This Invention consists of constructing signal lanterns in the following
manner :-
When it is wished to have a lantern consisting of four plain convex lenses,
a hollow glass sphere is employed with a portion of the upper and lower parts
removed, so as to admit of the introduction of a rectangular tube of glass,
which will divide the remainder of the sphere into four hollow compartments,
each being convex outwards and plain inwards. Into these compartments a
colored fluid is introduced, and the light of a suitable burner is placed in the
interior of the rectangular glass tube which is fixed in the interior of the
sphere, and thus will a combined lantern with four colored lenses be produced,
which is fixed for use in an iron frame on gimbles, so as to retain its correct
position when raised and lowered. When it is desired to make a lantern with
four double convex lenses, then two half spheres of glass are used, and a

page_text: sphere of glass, which, after being blown into form, is afterwards indented at
four points of its circumference, and this second or indented sphere is intro-
duced into the sphere composed of the two halves, by which four hollow
compartments are made, each convex on the outer as well as the inner side,
and these compartments are to be filled with a colored fluid. The upper and
under parts of such compound lense thus formed is to have openings through,
so as to receive a suitable burner, and the whole is to be carried by a frame,
as above explained. When it is desired to have more lenses than four, then
the glass spheres employed may be indented from their spherical forms to a
greater extent than at four places.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE METERS FOR WATER, GAS, OR ANY OTHER FLUID
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Teague at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th June 1855.
I, HENRY TEAGUE, of the City of Lincoln, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE
METERS FOR WATER, GAS, OR ANY OTHER FLUID," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention consists in placing between two hemispherical segments
an elastic diaphragm, composed of india-rubber or any other suitable elastic
material. When the two hemispherical segments are bolted together with the
diaphragm between them, they form a spherical chamber or vessel, into which
chamber the water, gas, or fluid to be measured is admitted, and discharged
by a four-way cock or cocks, slide or valve.
This cock is connected with a weight attached to a fork, which is actuated
by a rod working through a stuffing box in the spherical vessel and connected
with the diaphragm. This rod raises and carries the weight on the cock
beyond a vertical position, when it falls by its own gravity and reverses the
position of the cock, thus admitting the fluid alternately on each side of the
diaphragm. This same rod also works a register, which indicates the quantity
of fluid that passes through the meter.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW SASHES
Year: 1855

page_text: us 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 Thomas Metcalfe at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd March 1855.
I, THOMAS METCALFE, of High Street, Camden Town, in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW SASHES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in forming the upper and lower sashes of an ordinary
window as hereafter stated; that is to say, the lower sash has a groove at each
of the two vertical (or side) edges, and at the bottom, and where it is connected
at one vertical (or side) edge, by hinges to the sliding piece, works in the
ordinary groove of the window frame; this groove being formed into a dove-
tail groove, so as to allow the said sliding piece, which is dovetailed, to work
therein; the grooves in the sash fit on to tongues, one on the sliding piece to
which the sash is commonly hinged, one on the inner sill of the window frame,
and one on another sliding piece (of the same form as that above stated),
which sliding piece is in the groove of the window frame opposite that to which
the sash is hinged. The upper sash is the same as the lower one, except that
instead of the groove at the bottom it has a groove at the top, fitting on to a
tongue at top of the window frame. The sliding pieces are connected as usual
to the usual sash line, and actuated thereby. The sashes are fastened by pins
or otherwise, as usual, to the non-hinged sliding pieces, when not intended to

page_text: be opened upon their hinges, that method of opening being in practice for
special use only, as for cleaning and mending the windows, &c. These non-
hinged sliding pieces are held at the bottom of the groove by a pin, and then
the sash can be forced up on the top of this non-hinged slide, by which it will
be freed from the tongue and open on its hinges.
The lower sash is secured weather-tight to the upper one by a moveable
tongue taking into a groove. The lower sash when opened upon its hinges
may be let down by a notch cut .in the .inner sill of the window frame for
allowing the upper sash to open on its hinges over the top of the lower sash.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILER FURNACES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Hirst Whitehead at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th
July 1855.
I, JAMES HIRST WHITEHEAD, of Mowville, in the Township of Burley, and
Parish of Otley, in the County of York, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM
BOILER FURNACES" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, firstly, to the placing an arched or other shaped
covering over the fire-place, so as to prevent or modify to a greater or less
extent the direct action of the flame upon the boiler.
This covering or screen I propose to build up from the grate, enclosing the
fire at the sides, and forming a roof over it, generally, but not necessarily, to
the whole extent of the grate. The screen will be perforated with or contain
openings through its thickness, which, when the improvements are applied to
existing boilers where the fire is altogether inside or under the boiler, are to
be arranged in shape, size, and number with reference to the space which the
boiler will allow to be left between its bottom and the upper side of the screen,
the object being, where room will admit of it, to produce a slight current of
hot gases through this space, which is open at the end next the flues or tubes.

page_text: This structure I propose to build of fire brick or fire tiles, so arranged as to
leave suitable interstices between them for the passage upwards of the heated
gases.
The Invention relates, secondly, to the building of one or more walls across
the whole space leading from the furnace to the tubes or flues. For this
purpose fire-brick tiles, earthenware tubes, or other suitable materials are
employed, and openings or apertures are made through the thickness of the
wall sufficient in the aggregate for the passage to the flues of the heated gases
proceeding from the furnace. These apertures or passages may be of various
shapes and sizes, but their direction should, preferably, be oblique to that
of the current.
The principal objects of this arrangement are to mix the different gases
more intimately, by their passing through the apertures, to insure their more
perfect combustion by this admixture and the heat derived from the brick-
work, and also to arrest any dust from the furnace or smoke which may have
escaped combustion before they reach the tubes or flues.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN SIGNALLING BETWEEN THE ENGINE DRIVERS AND THE GUARDS OF RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Godfrey Sinclair at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th June 1855.
I, GODFREY SINCLAIR, of Regent Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SIGNALLING BETWEEN THE ENGINE DRIVERS AND THE GUARDS OF RAILWAY
TRAINS" to be as follows:-
My said improvements consist mainly in so arranging a metal bar hori-
zontally under each vehicle of a railway train, that the same can be connected
at their ends to form a continuous line of communication throughout an entire
railway train, and be employed for actuating a lever or other means for
striking a bell, gong, or other suitable alarum.
The metal rod or rods may be variously attached to the bottoms or other
convenient parts of railway vehicles, and be supplied with friction rollers,
springs, and other like means of securing them in their places, and aiding their
free motion when required for use. Sometimes tubes may be used instead of solid
metal rods, or be conjoined, and their ends may be coupled by means of screws,
chains, hooks, or, similar attachments.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING OIL WITH OTHER MATTERS FOR PAINTING
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Juilus Clero de Clerville
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 26th November 1855.-A communication from Felix Abate, of
Paris..
I, JOHN JULIUS CLERO DE CLERVILLE, of Newman Street, Oxford Street, in
the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PREPARING OIL WITH OTHER MATTERS FOR PAINTING " to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists of preparing drying oils with other matters, so as to
obtain a compound more suitable than ordinary drying oils and compounds
thereof for painting. For these purposes, the oil (linseed oil) is first boiled
with peroxide of lead and sulphate of zinc; then a quantity of rosin and
bees-wax is dissolved therein; next a quantity of caustic alkaline solution is
added, say, about twice as much as there is oil, and the whole compound or
mixture is boiled for a time; after which some essence of thyme is stirred
in, and the whole is allowed to stand, and is afterwards filtered.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MODERATOR LAMPS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Auguste l'ouget at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th August
1855.
I, LOUIS AUGUSTE POUGET, Lamp Manufacturer, of Paris (France), do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MODERATOR LAMPS " to be as follows:-
These improvements consist in establishing in the oil vessel of the lamp a
sort of pouch or diaphragm, formed by any suitable flexible, elastic, impervious
material, and of sufficient strength, in order that on being pressed on the sur-
face of the oil this latter is forced up through the ascending tube towards the
burner. The oil is introduced under the said diaphragm by means of a valve,
the oil having no other communication with the outside but by this valve
and the ascending tube. A coiled spring tends to keep down the diaphragm.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING BUTTONS, NAILS, AND METALLIC AND PLASTIC ARTICLES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Isidore Honoré Parent at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th May 1855.
I, ALFRED ISIDORE HONORÉ PARENT, Manufacturer, of Paris, Town of the
French Empire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING BUTTONS, NAILS, AND METALLIC AND
PLASTIC ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in shaping such articles by drawing under
pressure.
I first cut out a blank in metal or in a plastic substance, as the case may
be, of the weight of the article to be produced, and place this blank in a
hollow mould to rough shape the article, and then in a second mould to form it
into its finished shape. The mould with the blank in it is subjected to strong
pressure by a stamping press or otherwise, whereby it is drawn out under
pressure, and made to assume the internal configuration of the mould. The
shank in buttons is afterwards pierced by a punch or otherwise.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING BALLS OR PROJECTILES FOR SMALL ARMS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Murdoch Napier at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th March
1855.
I, JAMES MURDOCH NAPIER, of York Road, Lambeth, in the County of
Surrey, do. hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING BALLS OR PROJECTILES FOR SMALL ARMS" to be
as follows:-
This Invention has for its object a combination of mechanism and dies, for
the forming conically pointed balls or projectiles for small arms, each such
ball when desired having a groove or grooves formed around it. The machine
has two dies, one for obtaining the metal in a preparatory form, and the other
for finishing the ball or projectile. The machine is arranged to act upon
cylindrical rods of lead or soft metal, which are in succession cut into the
proper sizes. Each piece by the working of the machine enters the first die,
which is of a hollow form partly cylindrical and partly conical, there being a
small opening out through the conical end; a plunger enters and fits the
cylindrical portion of the die; hence when a piece of metal has been introduced
into the first mould, it will be forced into the same, and any excess of metal
will pass through the hole at the smaller end, and produce a short cylindrical

page_text: end. A forcer, which acts on this smaller end, then presses the partially formed
ball out of the die, and the ball is moved by the machine to the next die,
which consists (when the balls or projectiles are to be grooved) of two parts
internally formed to the shape of the desired ball or projectile, and for some
forms of balls or projectiles the ram or plunger to this die is recessed or
hollow, so that the excess of metal may pass off at a distance from the ends
of a ball or projectile.
The partially formed ball is by the ram or plunger forced into the die which
is closed at all parts, and any excess of metal will be pressed out between the
ram or plunger and the die, and as the plunger at all times comes to a defining
position in respect to the die, uniformity of sizes and weights will be ensured.
The parts of the die separate and release the formed ball.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MANUFACTURING HATS, CAPS, AND BONNETS
Year: 1855

page_text: Tolection,
notice to proceed with
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Simon Martin Allaire at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd February
1855.
I, SIMON MARTIN ALLAIRE, Hatter, of Paris, in the French Empire, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN MANUFACTURING HATS, CAPS, AND BONNETS," to be as follows:—
My Invention consists in forming the body of hats, caps, and bonnets of a
knitted fabric of cotton, linen, wool, silk, or other material.
In making use of a body of knitted fabric in one piece, instead of a cloth
body composed of several pieces cemented or glued together as heretofore,
a yielding and elastic body is obtained in contradistinction to a hard and
rigid one.
The knitted fabric being capable of extension in every direction adapts itself
to every shaped head, and allows the shape of the hat, cap, or bonnet to be
varied. Made upon a particular loom, the knitted body will assume any
shape of hat, cap, bonnet, or head dress, civil as well as military, for men,
women, and children. After being prepared it is covered with silk plush
or other required covering.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING LOOP FABRICS
Year: 1855

page_text: Sealed the 30th October 1855, and dated the 1st August 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Clarke at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st August
1855.
I, JOHN CLARKE, of Leicester, do hereby declare the nature of the Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING LOOP FABRICS" to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object a peculiar combination of mechanical
parts for manufacturing loop fabrics. For this purpose a series of hooks are
employed side by side on a bar, similarly to needles in warp machinery, but the
hooks may be caused to slide back separately and to exchange positions.
Guides on a guide bar or bars are also used, and a bar having bent points
suitably arranged to take the work off the hooks, and either to pass them
simply over the heads of the hooks or to pass them on to the guides, so that

page_text: for a time the work may be sustained by the guides, whilst the guides loop
their threads on to the hooks. The work passes between two bars, which
are arranged to work under the hooks and under the guides, so that in moving
from under the guides, in order to be under needles, they may aid in passing
the work from the guides on to the hooks.
AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING ALCOHOL FROM THE STEM AND EAR OF MAIZE
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Armand Gilbee at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
February 1855.-A communication.
I, WILLIAM ARMAND GILBEE, of 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, and
39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
the Invention of "AN IMPROVED PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING ALCOHOL FROM THE
STEM AND EAR OF MAIZE" to be as follows, that is to say:-
The Invention communicated to me consists in the following process of
treating maize for the manufacture of alcohol:-
The maize is cut when a few or many inches above ground, and either when
the ear is commencing to form or when completely formed. 1 then cut the
plant into small pieces and crush them so as to form a kind of pulp, which
is submitted to fermenting and distilling processes for obtaining alcohol
therefrom.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SIGHTS OF FIRE-ARMS AND CANNON
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Gray Lawrie at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th January
1855.
I, JAMES GRAY LAWRIE, of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SIGHTS OF FIRE-ARMS AND CANNON
to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is so to arrange the apparatus constituting
the sight of a fire-arm or gun that the seeing of the object correctly through
the hole in the sight shall insure the elevation of the barrel or gun being the
correct one for the distance. For this purpose, the sight is constructed
and arranged in such manner that the hole or passage in the sight through
which is seen the object to be fired at shall be caused to vary, as the barrel
or gun is elevated or depressed, the vertical passage being decreased or
reduced as the object to be fired at is more and more distant. The form and
arrangement of the sight may be varied, in order thus to vary the opening or
passage in the sight through which the object is to be seen; but it is preferred
to cause the sight to move on a hinge or axis, so that, when in the act of
varying the position and height of the opening or passage in the sight, the fore
part of the barrel or gun will be elevated or depressed, till the position and
height of the passage is such, that the object, whatever be its distance, is seen

page_text: correctly through the hole or passage in the sight; and in some cases, in
place of attaching the variable sight of rifles on the top of the barrels near the
breech, the same is attached at the side near the fore part of the barrel,
and the portion of the sight near the breech is made constant at the side of
the barrel.