matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN FOUNDATIONS FOR HEAVY STRUCTURES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jeremiah Head at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th April
1864.
I, JEREMIAH HEAD, junior, of Stockton-on-Tees, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOUNDATIONS FOR HEAVY
STRUCTURES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the attainment of secure foundations for
heavy structures (where the same does not already exist at or near the
surfaces upon which the structures are to be erected) at a less cost than would
be necessary in any other way under certain circumstances, these circumstances
being that when a stratum of clay, sand, rock, or other firm substance exists at
some depth below the surface greater than six feet, by which it is necessary
the weight of the structure should be borne, and where the slag or refuse
from blast furnaces for smelting. iron is obtainable without excessive cost. To
make the foundation a number of wells are dug down to the firm stratum and
filled up to within 6 feet or more from the base of the proposed structure with
a concrete made of blast furnace slag, lime, and a mixture of other similar
material. The wells are then from this point widened out on all sides in the
form of the top of a column carrying a groined roof. The soil between the
columns is cut so as to form the soffits or centerings of these groined arches;
concrete, as above, is then put in, not only up to the soffits of these arches, but
for a depth of four feet, more or less, besides and up to the level of the
foundation of the structure. When the concrete has become set it will have a

page_text: similar effect to being cast in a mould, and will have assumed the form of
the excavations, that is, the form of a thick slab or platform, the under
side of which consists of a series of groined arches resting upon massive
columns.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN ORGANS AND OTHER WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WHICH ARE PLAYED WITH FINGER KEYS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Wesley Goundry, at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
May 1864.
I, JOHN WESLEY GOUNDRY, of Old Shildon, near Darlington, in the County
of Durham, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ORGANS AND OTHER WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WHICH ARE PLAYED
WITH FINGER KEYS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, firstly, of an attachment to the keyboards of wind
instruments for the purpose of relieving the hands of the player in holding
notes, and acts by placing a wedge into a correspondingly shaped recess offered
by the descent of the finger keys, so that all the keys which are down at the
moment of its action are held down as long as required by a slight effort of
the knee or other part of the performer.
Secondly, it consists of further improvements in the method of applying
electro-magnets for working the pallets of organs (proposed in a former Patent
granted to me, and dated the 10th October 1863, No. 2490,) which is, first,
by a combination of the flexible diaphragm and the pneumatic bellows
principles; and, secondly, by the employment of water-power for opening the
pallets governed by the electro-magnet, either directly or by intervening parts
as the pneumatic bellows.
Thirdly, this Invention contains an application of the pneumatic bellows to

page_text: the swell shutters for the purposes of accentuation in music, the apparatus
being self-acting by a combination of electro-magnets governed by wheelwork
from a metronome.
A NEW MODE OF ATTACHING AND APPLYING AN ALKANACK OR A THERMOMETER TO THE HANDLES OR OTHER PARTS OF WALKING-STICKS, AND TO THE HANDLES OR STICKS OF UMBRELLAS, SUNSHADES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Manilias Kurts at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31th March
1864.
I, MANILIAS KURTS, of 177, City Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Umbrella and Fancy Stick Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "A NEW MODE OF ATTACHING AND APPLYING AN ALKANACK OR
A THERMOMETER TO THE HANDLES OR OTHER PARTS OF WALKING-STICKS, AND TO THE
HANDLES OR STICKS OF UMBRELLAS, SUNSHADES, AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES," to
as follows:-
This Invention consists in making an almanack of any convenient size,
which is attached to two spindles, these spindles are placed in receptacles
made in the stick, at the end of each spindle is fixed a small toothed wheel,
these toothed wheels are actuated or worked by a screw, which is made to fit
in the teeth of the wheels; the head of the screw slightly projects from the stick
for the purpose of being turned by the hand, which causes the spindle to
revolve, thereby changing the date as desired. Instead of this almanack an
ordinary thermometer can be made and applied by inserting it in a space
grooved or cut out of the stick, only instead of revolving by the means
described for the almanack the thermometer is a fixture.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING, DOUBLING, OR TWISTING COTTON, WOOL, OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Suckow, at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
June 1864.
I, EDMUND SUCKOW, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR PREPARING, DOUBLING, OR TWISTING COTTON, WOOL, OR
OTHER FIBROUS MATERIALS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in machinery for preparing,
doubling, and twisting cotton, wool, hemp, flax, silk, and other fibrous
materials, and consists in the novel employment and use of a peculiar arrange-
ment of mechanism, whereby the sliver of cotton as it is delivered from the
drawing rollers is prepared for spinning.
The arrangement of this improved mechanism is as follows:-The sliver of
cotton or other fibrous material when delivered from the drawing rollers is
passed into a rapidly revolving tube, and is delivered therefrom through a hole
formed at right angles to the bore of the tube, and is then received by a flyer
which is secured to and revolves with the aforesaid tube. To the centre of
this flyer, and in a line with the axis of the tube is attached a spindle or
stud, upon which is mounted a cone or cylinder, the lower half of which is
weighted for the purpose of causing it to remain stationary upon the revolving
stud or spindle passing through its centre, the end of such stud or spindle is
formed or provided with a "curl" which revolves with the spindle, flyer, and

page_text: tube, so that as the cotton after leaving the tube is received by the flyer and
delivered on to the cone or cylinder, it is passed through the said "curl" in a
twisted state, and received by the bobbin, the periphery of which is by
suitable mechanism kept at an equal distance from the "curl" at the apex of
the cone.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS FOR WEAVING
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPFCIFICATION left by. Samuel Shaw at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th October
1864.
I, SAMUEL SHAW, of Droylsden, in the County of Lancaster, Overlooker, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOOMS
FOR WEAVING," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, first, in an improved shedding motion adapted for
working any required number of healds. From tho tappet shaft of the loom
I give motion to a vibrating lever for giving movement to a set or scries of
bowls or rollers at each side of the motion, which bowls act upon the heald
levers, according to the pattern, by means of inclined levers jointed to the
aforesaid heald levers, the inclined levers being acted upon by fingers or levers
worked by the pattern cylinder or chain, so that when a bowl is at one side of
the incline it moves the heald lever one way, and when at the other side the
reverse way, there being in the heald levers other inclines for enabling the
bowls to place all the levers level and close the shed after the shuttle has
passed through it. These arrangements give the up-and-down movements to
the healds in a positive manner without the use of the ordinary springs
attached to the tops or bottoms of the healds, and therefore there is greater
certainty of action and less wear and tear. This improved shedding motion
can be worked by jacquard apparatus or other arrangements for giving the
pattern; but when lags are employed on a pattern cylinder or chain I form
each lag of a metallic plate and place upon it a number of bent springs to act

page_text: as pegs, the plates being punched or their edges bent for the purpose of
holding the springs. This improved chain or lattice being all of metal is not
affected by changes of temperature, and is therefore not liable to be out of
order.
Secondly, I employ improved arrangements for regulating the action of
shuttle-box motions, I use one or more metal or other plates, bars, or levers,
having blanks or holes similar to the cards of the jacquard apparatus. The
said plates move to and fro on a moveable frame or carrier, and also slide to
and fro in a reverse direction, according to the pattern, the blanks giving
motion to the rods and levers which change the positions of the shuttle box
and shuttles, and the holes preventing any action.
For giving the sliding motion to the plates for the purpose of changing the
positions of the blanks I connect them to any of the levers of the shedding
motion, the movements of which are regulated by the pattern cylinder or
chain; or I employ a blank plate or bar moving to and fro, and raise or lower
the rods connected with the shuttle-box motion according to the pattern, by
connecting them to any of the levers of the shedding motion; thus, when the
rods are placed so that the plate or bar can act upon them, the position of the
shuttle box is changed, but when the rods are above or below the plate or bar
no change takes place.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SMOKE- CONSUMING APPARATUS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard North at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd April
1864.
I, RICHARD NORTH, of Birstal, near Leeds, in the County of York, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SMOKE-
CONSUMING APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
My Invention has for its object the more perfect combustion of fuel in the
fires of steam and other boilers, and the consequent economy obtained thereby.
I effect this by placing at the mouth of the furnace or flue, upon the "dead
plate," a tube by preference square in section, and provided with small
apertures on that side which is presented to the fire; this tube may be
curved on its outer edge to the radius of the flue (when applied to boilers
fired internally) and form in fact, in conjunction with the dead plate and the
door, the front part of the furnace fittings. Holes cut in the dead plate
corresponding in size and position with that of the tube admit the outer air,
the supply being regulated by a valve being placed at each end of the tube,
the said valves being connected by suitable mechanism, and opened or closed
at the will of the attendant. By means of the above-named apparatus jets of
air are thrown in at the front part of and equally all round the furnace
through the small apertures before named, a principle which experience proves
to be superior to those in common use, inasmuch as the combustion of the fuel
is more perfect.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN UMBRELLAS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Gillum Haig at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
9th May 1864.
I, WILLIAM GILLUM HAIG, of Stoke Newington, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN UMBRELLAS," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to construct an umbrella which may be
removed from and placed on a stick at will, in order that the user may at
pleasure use the stick as an ordinary stick or as the stick of an umbrella.
My Invention consists in making the umbrella proper, or ribs and covering,
separate from the stick, yet capable of being combined when desired. I make
one or both of the ferrules or collars, that is to say, those parts to which the
stretchers and ribs are connected, of india-rubber; or I make the collars
of metal, and drill holes in the stick for the reception of pins passing through,
under, or over the collars and through the holes in the stick for the purpose of
retaining the collars in their desired places. When the upper collar is of
metal, I fit to the lower part of it an india-rubber washer. When I make
the collars of india-rubber, I cause them to be retained at the parts of the
stick desired by enlargements or projections fixed or formed on the stick. * Or
I make the collars with springs inside, which catch into small recesses made
in the stick; or I place the springs on the stick to catch into the collars.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FUEL
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Francis Fairlie at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
12th September 1864.
I, ROBERT FRANCIS FAIRLIE, of Gracechurch Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FUEL," to be as follows:-
I take peat and form it into blocks (either compressed or otherwise)
suitable for fuel; these blocks I place in an air-tight receiver, and exhaust
the air and aqueous matter from the peat by an air pump or other suitable
means. Having produced the desired vacuum in the receiver, I admit
petroleum thereto, which enters the pores of the peat and occupies the space
voided by the air and aqueous matter previously abstracted. If necessary I
force the petroleum into the receiver under pressure. The blocks are then
withdrawn from the receiver, and if necessary separately pressed in moulds, or
sprinkled with sawdust or other matter in powder to face them; they are then
allowed to dry, and stored for use. Instead of peat, which, however, I prefer,
I use wood or other combustible material, and treat it in like manner, that is
to say, introduce and condense petroleum into it as before, or it may be nor...
combustible material, but should be extremely porous, so that when the air is
abstracted it will absorb the petroleum largely.

page_text: Artificial fuel so prepared is applicable for use as a substitute for and to
be used in the manner of coal; and, in fact, when using peat, will possess all
the constituent properties of that material, and may therefore be termed
artificial coal.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF UNITING METALLIC SURFACES, APPLICABLE TO SHEATHING OR LINING VESSELS, AND TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Brainard Barnard at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th
January 1864.
I, WILLIAM BRAINARD BARNARD, of Waterbury, State of Connecticut,
United States of America, now of No. 12, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF UNITING METALLIC SURFACES, APPLICABLE TO
SHEATHING OR LINING VESSELS, AND TO OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
These improvements relate chiefly to the manner of forming the holes in
the surface of metallic vessels or plates into which the rivets are driven, and
to the mode of preparing uneven surfaces to receive the sheathing or lining.
When metallic surfaces are united by means of rivets, suitable holes are
formed in the under or thicker surface. For contracting the outer ends of
these holes a taper punch is employed. By blows upon this punch a counter-
sink is produced in the mouth of the holes, while they are interiorly enlarged.
When rivets are driven in the holes thus prepared they completely fill the
interiorly enlarged cavities, and are thereby firmly secured in the under
surface.
In joining metallic plates to form the sides of vessels or other extended
surfaces the edges are usually lapped, or the plates are joined together by
means of bats secured over the joints, thereby producing broken or uneven
surfaces. The angular spaces formed by the lapping of the plates, or the

page_text: batting of the joints are filled with beveled or wedge-shaped pieces. The
principal object of these pieces is to secure a surface for sheathing or lining
free from corners or sharp angles, though these pieces may be formed of or
coated with a suitable adhesive substance, for the purpose of keeping them in
position, and effectually preventing any leakage of the joints.
NEW AND IMPROVED HYGIENIC DRAWERS FOR FEMALES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Florestan Rochette at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st May
1864.
I, FLORESTAN ROCHETTE, junior, of Paris, 39, Faubourg St. Martin (France),
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "NEW AND IMPROVED
HYGIENIC DRAWERS FOR FEMALES," to be as follows:-
These hygienic drawers for ladies, which much resemble men's bathing drawers,
differ therefrom in a looseness, giving entire freedom to the abdomen and loins;
also in this peculiarity, that the drawers are slit on one side in their entire
length, the slit fastening by buttons and buttonholes, so that when required, one
of the thighs may be entirely uncovered, which will permit the wearer to urine
without taking off the drawers. Strings or a band fasten the drawers round
the waist; and lastly, between the thighs is a pocket, so made that a sponge,
intended to receive the menstrual discharges, is held separated from the lips
by a space of about two inches, in order to avoid all inflammatory friction. The
sponge is placed in an oval pocket made of caoutchouc, which pocket is then
placed in that first mentioned, and fastened thereto by buttons or otherwise, so
that it may be removed at pleasure. It must retain its position in front of the
vagina, whether the female wearing the drawers be seated, standing, or
reclining.
It will be readily understood that ladies will find much advantage in the
use of these drawers. Firstly, on the score of health, in an exemption from
bad exhalations, which will be absorbed by the wet sponge contained in the

page_text: caoutchouc pocket, which may instantly receive a thorough purification without
removing the drawers; secondly, a greater cleanliness than hitherto attain-
able; thirdly, saving of washing; fourthly, a certain preservative against the
breakings out or inflamed chaps occasioned by the pellets of linen rag hitherto
used,
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HORSE-SHOE NAILS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Parkes at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th January
1864.
I, FRANCIS PARKES, of Sutton Coldfield, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HORSE-SHOE NAILS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists in making horse-shoe nails from strips or bars of
mild cast steel or homogeneous iron or steel, the said strips or bars being
rolled and annealed and cut transversely in the manner herein-after
explained, and the nails thus produced afterwards annealed. In making the
said bars I take plain or other bars of the kinds of steel or iron described,
having a breadth equal to the length of the horse-shoe nails to be made, and
I roll the said plain or other bars between rolls, having such a figure as will
give to the bars the form in transverse section of the nails to be made, that
is, I roll the said bars so that on one edge they have a thickness equal to the
longest diameter of the head of the nail to be made, and on the other edge
are sufficiently thin to form the point of the nail; the portion of the strip or
bar intermediate between the two edges tapering from the thick to the thin
edge. The rolled strips or bars are then annealed. I afterwards cut up the
said annealed strips or bars by transverse cuts, and thereby form horse-
shoe nails. The said nails are then annealed to reduce them to the proper
temper and pliability for use.

page_text: Instead of rolling the bars into a shape resembling in cross section one
horse-shoe nail, bars having a breadth equal to the length of two of the horse-
shoe nails to be made may be employed, and the said bars rolled so as to
have in cross section the figure of two of the horse-shoe nails to be made
joined point to point. The bars are next annealed and cut up into nails by
transverse cuts and the joined nails separated from each other. The nails
are then annealed, and the points of the nails perfected. The rolls which I
employ for rolling the bars, and the cutting tools and machinery which I
employ for cutting up the bars into horse-shoe nails differ in no essential
respect from rolls and cutting tools and machinery used for other like
purposes.
The essence of my Invention consists in making horse-shoe nails by cutting
or dividing by transverse cuts rolled and annealed strips or bars of mild cast
steel or homogeneous iron or steel; the said rolled and annealed strips or bars
having in transverse section the form of the nails to be made, and afterwards
subjecting the nails thus made to the ordinary annealing process to reduce
their hardness, and to render them pliable and fit for use.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CHAPP-CUTTING MACHINES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Barford, Edward Pope,
and Samuel Bradford, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 12th July 1864.
We, WILLIAM BARFORD and EDWARD POPE, of Peterborough, and SAMUEL
BRADFORD, of Farcet, in the County of Huntingdon, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHAPP-CUTTING MACHINES," to
be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in chaff-cutting machines.
For these purposes an ordinary chaff-cutting machine (consisting of a mouth-
piece through which the straw and hay or clover is fed and cut into the proper
lengths by a knife or knives) has combined with it a fan and elevating or
carrying tube in order that the chaff as it is cut and falls from the mouth-
piece may be directly received into the eye or central opening of the fan
case, and be projected therefrom through an elevating or carrying tube to a
distant point of delivery by the centrifugal and propelling or blowing action of
the fan. It is preferred that the axis of the fan, which is below or at a lower
level than the axis of the chaff-cutter, should be geared with and driven from
the axis of the chaff-cutter either by a band and pulleys or drums on the
respective axes or otherwise. As the chaff is cut it descends in the ordinary
manner from the mouth-piece where the cutting takes place down a suitable
shoot to the eye or opening at the side of the fan case within which the fan is

page_text: driven at a high velocity, and the chaff, together with the air admitted there-
with into the fan case, is blown and driven to any desired distance from the
chaff-cutter into a suitable receiver situated at the requisite elevation or other
position.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SOAPS AND SAPONACEOUS COMPOUNDS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Hill Snell at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th June
1864.
I, CHARLES HILL SNELL, of Bow Common, in the County of Middlesex,
Soap Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SOAPS AND SAPONACEOUS COMPOUNDS," to
be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the employment in the manufacture of soaps and
saponaceous compounds of British gum prepared from the flour of corn,
potatoes, chesnuts, or other vegetable mixed with the soap after being made
in the usual way of soap making. The soap is crutched in the frames after
being well mixed with the gum.
In the preparation of the gum I add to, say, 8 lbs. of flour obtained from
corn, potatoes, chesnuts, or other vegetable, about 4 lbs. of cold water, more
or less, and when well incorporated together I add thereto about 21 lbs., more
or less, of boiling water. I boil the mixture for about half an hour, whereby
I obtain a thick substance called British gum. I do not limit myself to any
particular proportions of gum and soap, but I consider about 4 cwt. of gum
to every ton of soap a suitable quantity.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN CASTING IRON, BRASS, OR COPPER OVER OR AROUND HOLLOW CYLINDERS OF STEEL, IRON, OR OTHER METAL, USING AIR, WATER, OR OTHER FLUID FOR COOLING THE CASTING
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Sorrel Claxton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
February 1864.
I, FRANCIS SORREL CLAXTON, now attached to the Imperial Foundry of
Cannon at Ruelle, Departement of Charante, France, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN CASTING IRON, BRASS,
OR COPPER OVER OR AROUND HOLLOW CYLINDERS OF STEEL, IRON, OR OTHER
METAL, USING AIR, WATER, OR OTHER FLUID FOR COOLING THE CASTING," to be as
follows:-
My Invention relates to a method of casting iron, brass, copper, or other
metal over or around hollow cylinders of steel, iron, or other metal; the said
cylinders may be open at both ends, or closed or partially closed at one end,
they may be made all in one piece, or built up by enveloping the exterior with
steel or iron wire, or steel or iron ribbon, so as to obtain greater resistance at
certain points.
The manner in which I propose to accomplish this object may be stated in
general terms to consist in passing through or down and up the said cylinders
a current of air, water, or other fluid, which will carry off from the interior of
said cylinders the caloric contained in the metal in fusion which envelopes
them, thereby preventing injurious expansion on the part of the cylinders, and
insuring the contraction of the metal in contact with them towards the axis of

page_text: the system. The air, water, or other fluid may be introduced directly into
one end of the cylinder and discharged at the other, or conducted by an
interior pipe to near the bottom or closed end, and made to ascend to the
opposite end, when it can be discharged through a pipe let into the cylinder.
The flask may be heated from the outside.
In- PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ernest Swinarski at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 19th December
1864.
I, ERNEST SWINARSKI, of Kreuszewo, in the Grand Duchy of Posen,
Prussia, but temporarily residing at Hanover Square, in the County of Middle-
sex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of tho said Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows, that is to say:-
The Invention consists of improvements in opening and closing the breech
ends of breech-loading fire-arms which have fixed barrels, and in which the
cartridge is exploded by means of a horizontal needle, the said improvements
being also applicable to muzzle-loading fire-arms. I make the breech end
of the barrel, in which is placed the cartridge, externally of a conical form,
provided with three projections, and the open end of the brcech piece is made
in the shape of a female cone, so as to fit on the conical end of the barrel,
and is also, like it, provided with three projections. The breech piece is
provided with a lever or handle, by which it can be drawn back from the
open end of the barrel when the gun is to be charged, and when it is desired
to close the breech after charging, the said lever is pushed forward and carries
with it the breech piece, the open end of which passes over the conical end of
the barrel, the said lever and consequently the breech piece is then turned
through about a sixth of a circle, by which means the aforesaid projections in
the open end of the breech piece are caused to pass behind the projections on
the end of the barrel, thus holding firmly to it the breech piece.

page_text: At the bottom of the breech piece is a small cylinder, provided with two
pointed pivots for tearing or piercing the cartridge, so as to prevent the con-
cussion of the gases produced by the explosion against the breech, that is to
say, where the breech piece fits on to the barrel. In the rifling of the barrel
the depth of the short angles of the cuts is determined by the size of the bore
and by the number of the cuts or rifles.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING MANUFACTURED AND LEAF TOBACCOS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Butterworth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th January
1864.
I, THOMAS BUTTERWORTH, of Yorkshire Street, Mumps, Oldham, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CUTTING MANUFACTURED AND
LEAF TOBACCOS," to be as follows:-
My improvements in machinery for cutting manufactured and leaf tobaccos
are as follows:-Upon the main or first motion shaft of the machine is fixed
a crank to which a connecting rod and the knife for cutting the tobacco is
attached; on rotary motion being communicated to the main shaft it gives an
alternate rectilinear motion to the knife. The cutting side of the knife is set
at an angle to the direction of its motion in order that the whole of the
cutting edge may not be in operation at once; the power required to drive the
machine is thus materially lessened. Upon the main shaft is a tappet or a
cam which gives an intermittent motion to a lever vibrating upon a fixed
centre, and at one end of this lever is a rod carrying a ratchet resting upon a
ratchet wheel, thus at every revolution of the main shaft the ratchet wheel
receives an intermittent rotary motion. The ratchet wheel gives motion to
feed rollers which move the tobacco forward to the knife. The distance the

page_text: tobacco is moved forward at each stroke of the knife is regulated by means
of a screw on the rod carrying the ratchet that varies the length of the
stroke made by the ratchet. Machines constructed according to this Inven-
tion may be worked by hand or power.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR PUMPING WATER OUT OF MINES AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by. Thomas Briggs at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th April
1864. A communication from abroad by Edward Jones, of Bombay,
in the East Indies.
I, THOMAS BRIGGS, junior, of the City of Manchester, Canvas Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR PUMPING WATER OUT OF MINES AND OTHER
PLACES," being a communication to me from abroad by Edward Jones, of
Bombay, in the East Indies, to be as follows:-
This Invention is particularly applicable in pumping water out of mines, and
it consists in the application of two series of pipes for conveying the water
from the bottom to the top of the mine, these two series of pipes are con-
nected to the force pumps in such wise that the columns of water in each
series of pipes are alternately assisting each other in raising the water from
the bottom of the mine.
In performing this Invention the steam or other power is applied to give
reciprocating motion to a rod, on which two pistons are fixed, these pistons
work in suitable cylinders or barrels, one is an equilibrium cylinder, and the
other is a double-acting working pump barrel, the equilibrium cylinder is in
communication with the two columns of water in the pipes above referred to,
and the working barrel is in communication with the said columns of water,
and with the cistern or pit containing the water to be raised. When the
pump is in operation, the columns of water in each series of pipes counter-

page_text: balance each other, and the pump piston forces a supply of water, equal to
the contents of the working barrel, alternately into each of the series of pipes;
or a single series of pipes divided by a partition to separate the columns of
water may be employed; or the two pipes from the working barrel, and the
equilibrium cylinder may be united in a single series of pipes reaching to the
top of the mine or other level to be attained; or in some cases an equilibrium
cylinder with two separate working pump barrels may be employed.
AN IMPROVED GUNPOWDER
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Henry Gustavus Ehrhardt,
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 8th July 1864.
I, LOUIS HENRY GUSTAVUS EHRHARDT, of Richmond Road, Bayswater,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED GUNPOWDER," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the use of tannic gallic acid or the resin of
commerce, but I prefer the former, and chlorate or nitrate of potash, in the
manufacture of an improved explosive compound, suitable as a substitute for
gunpowder and for blasting rocks and stone in mines, quarries, and other
situations.
The following is an example of the mode of manufacturing gunpowder
according to this Invention :-Take about equal parts of tannic gallic acid or
resin and chlorate or nitrate of potash finely powdered; these ingredients
when mixed together form a highly explosive compound, but taken separately
are perfectly inexplosive and harmless. The above mixture will be found well
adapted for blasting purposes.
To adapt the aforesaid ingredients to the purposes of warfare and for the
use of sportsmen, the powder has simply to be granulated, which may be
effected by the means commonly employed in the manufacture of gunpowder,
or other suitable means. The proportions of the above-mentioned ingredients
and degree of granulation will vary according to the effect desired.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PIPES FOR SMOKING
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Timothy Bush Laws at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th November
1864.
I, TIMOTHY BUSH LAWS, of 19, Wellclose Square, St. George's in the East,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PIPES FOR SMOKING," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the constructing pipes for smoking in such
manner that the oil arising from the tobacco may not pass into the mouth of
the person using the pipe. For this purpose a small disc or plate is caused to
rest on a ledge formed on the inside of the bowl of the pipe at a short distance
from its bottom, so that the tobacco in the bowl may rest upon the disc or
plate; small holes are formed through the plate in order that the smoke from
the tobacco in the bowl may pass through to the passage through the stem of
the pipe, and in order that any fluid or oil which may pass from the tobacco
through the holes may not enter the stem of the pipe, and so pass into the
mouth of the person smoking, a small pipe which forms a continuation of the
passage through the stem is caused to rise up a short distance into the bowl;
the top of this pipe comes within a short distance of the centre of the bottom
of the disc, and as the holes through the disc are formed around its edge any
oil which may pass through them will fall to the bottom of the bowl, and
will not be able to enter the passage through the stem, there will, however,
be à free passage for the smoke.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF VELVETS OR CUT PILE FABRICS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edward Newton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
March 1864. A communication from abroad by Jean Luc Hock, of
Rue St. Sebastien, Paris, in the Empire of France.
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 THE MANUFACTURE OF VELVETS
OR CUT PILE FABRICS," to be as follows:-
The improvements which form the subject of the present Invention relate
to the manufacture of velvet, ribbons, or fabrics of different widths, and
consist in the employment for that purpose of raw or undressed and undyed
substances, such as raw or floss silk and cotton, instead of using for that
purpose fibrous substances previously dyed, as is ordinarily practised. By this
means ribbons may be produced which may be afterwards dyed of any desired
color.
The advantages which result from this mode of operation are, in the firs
place, considerable economy in the employment of the raw silk instead of
dressed silk, viz., from about 20 to 25 per cent. upon the cost price, and
further economy in the processes of winding, warping, and weaving, for the
simple reason that the manipulation of raw materials is easier, and con-
sequently less costly. There is no additional expense attending the machinery
for the manufacture of these velvet ribbons, as the looms at present employed
will answer the purpose.
It may be also observed that the manufacturer may keep in stock large

page_text: quantities of velvet ribbons in the raw state, which may be dyed as required
of any desired colors. By this means the loss arising from the unsaleableness
of previously dyed goods is avoided, and the same-advantage is obtained as for
raw satins.
The ribbon is first woven double, and then cut asunder, the warp for the
pile being a raw material as well as the two ground warps, which may be of
cotton.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Lang at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th July 1864.
I, JOSEPH LANG, of Bolton-le-Moors, in the County of Lancaster, Manager,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates, first, to signalling by means of the whistle on the
engine so as to warn the driver of the position of a train before him, which
is especially applicable in entering tunnels or approaching stations. This part
of the Invention consists in the arrangement of a vertical post, from which a
rod extends at right angles carrying a broad flat plate, which, when vertical,
comes in contact with a vertical rod on the engine, which opens the whistle,
and when horizontal allows the train to pass beneath; two of these rods are
placed at distances of about and a mile respectively from the station
or tunnel. The position of the 4-mile plate is governed by means of a lever,
against which the "fender" in front of the engine strikes in passing; this
lever turns a wheel and pulls a wire which places the plate vertical; the
second or half-mile signal is acted upon and placed in a vertical position when
the train has arrived at the station by a lever in connection with such signal
worked by hand, thus both are turned so as to open the whistle of a train
approaching behind, and thus the train may stop at the station with safety
at the distance of about one hundred yards; after it leaves the station the
"fender" strikes a second lever, which releases the wheel at the signals and
turns the plate horizontal, which would not open the whistle, the line being
clear before.

page_text: A second part of the Invention is designed for communicating from guard
to driver, and vice versa, by the compression of air, and consists in the appli-
cation of elastic balls connected with whistles and tubing, one in the guard's
van, and the other on the engine connecting the two passing along the
carriages, the connections or joints being made by simply inserting a tapered
nozzle of one tube into the other, which is retained therein by a latch.
A third part of the Invention consists in the use of a cushion of air enclosed
in each carriage communicating with whistles, the compression of the air
cushion by means of a rod and handle or knob causing the whistles to sound,
and also raising arms or signals to shew at which carriage the alarm was
raised.
AN IMPROVED MODE OF ORNAMENTING PAPER, CARDBOARD, AND OTHER SURFACES WITH SYMBOLICAL AND OTHER DEVICES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Stevens at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd January
1864.
I, THOMAS STEVENS, of Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE
OF ORNAMENTING PAPER, CARDBOARD, AND OTHER SURFACES WITH SYMBOLICAL AND
OTHER DEVICES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates chiefly to the ornamenting of letter paper, note
paper, and envelopes with colored devices, but it applies also to the orna-
menting of the title pages and covers of books, and a variety of other surfaces
to which symbolical and other devices may be appropriately applied. In
order to produce the device, say, in colors, I employ a jacquard or figure-
weaving loom, operating the same by the well-known means for obtaining the
device required. In this way I obtain in silk or other fibrous material repeats
of any required symbolical or other device with speed and economy, and the
device thus obtained I cut out in the form of a medallion, lozenge, or other
figure, and apply it to the paper or other substance to be ornamented. The
paper or other substance I submit to a stamping press, stamping out so
much of the paper or other substance as is to be occupied by the device.
then insert the woven device at the back, and fix it in place by backing it with
paper. To complete the ornamentation I emboss by means of a stamping
I

page_text: press a border round the device. This plan will apply when ornamenting
thin fabrics like paper; but when applying the Invention to ornamenting
book covers or cases, I lay the device thereon and cover the edges with a ring
of leather or its equivalent, and then finish by embossing round the applied
device.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING STEAM SHIPS AND SAILING VESSELS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Lockwood and James
Wetherill at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 5th March 1864.
We, JOHN LOCKWOOD, of Batley, in the County of York, Engineer, and
JAMES WETHERILL, of the same Place, Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING STEAM SHIPS AND
SAILING VESSELS," to be as follows:-
It consists in forcing air through tubes or cylinders by means of air pumps
or other machinery through port holes or outlets in the bottom of ships and
vessels below the surface of the water, so as to cause the pressure and force
of air to act against that of the water, and thereby to propel the vessel for-
wards or backwards as may be required.
The ordinary machinery in use for propelling steam vessels by means of
screws and paddles can be adapted to this Invention and made to work the
necessary air pumps. In case of there being two port holes or outlets, one on
the starboard and the other on the larboard sides of the vessel, each stroke of
the piston can be made to open one and close another valve through which
the air will be alternately received and forced. The object is to dispense with
paddles, screws, and such like machinery in propelling vessels.
IMPROVED MEANS OF CONNECTING RAILS FOR RAILWAYS, WHICH MEANS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE FOR CONNECTING BEAMS AND GIRDERS, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PUR- POSES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Earnshaw at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th April
1864.
I, ALFRED EARNSHAW, of Sheffield Park, Sheffield, in the County of York,
Commercial Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVED MEANS OF CONNECTING RAILS FOR RAILWAYS, WHICH MEANS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR CONNECTING BEAMS AND GIRDERS, AND FOR OTHER SIMILAR PUR-
POSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists principally in an improved kind of joint for connecting
together the ends of the rails for railways, whereby bolts are entirely dispensed
with (except at intervals) and the rails are kept perfectly level at the joint, at
the same time that the greatest facility is allowed for the expansion and con-
traction of the rails according to the variations of temperature.
In carrying out this Invention, I employ a double-locking plate or "fish"
formed of two plates connected together in the centre by a web, so that the
transverse section thereof would resemble in form the letter H, the inner side
of each plate being formed to fit the sides of the rail. The web which con-
nects the two plates together may be of the same length as the plates, but I
prefer to make it shorter than the latter, and I cut or form a corresponding
notch or slot in the web of each rail at the end thereof so as to fit the web of
the locking plate.
The joint is made by merely placing the double-locking plate upon the end
of one rail and sliding the other rail thereon endwise. At certain intervals I

page_text: make the locking plate with the web only at one end of the plates, and I
lengthen the slot in the web of the rail, and I pass a bolt through that part of
the plates where there is no web, and also through the web of the rail, so that
upon removing this bolt the locking plate can be slidden endwise entirely on
to the end of one rail, so as to allow the rail to be lifted straight up without
sliding it endwise. This kind of joint is necessary at intervals to allow of
the ready taking up and relaying of the rails when required for repairs or
otherwise.
It will be evident that a slight modification of this Invention may be
employed for connecting together the ends of beams and girders, or for other
similar purposes.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS OR GENERATORS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Davies at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th August
1864. A communication from abroad by Hippolyte Jean Adrien Hola-
gray, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Iron Manufacturer.
I, GEORGE DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County
of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow,
Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS OR GENERATORS," (a com-
munication to me from abroad by Hippolyte Jean Adrien Holagray, of Paris,
in the Empire of France, Iron Manufacturer,) to be as follows:-
The improvements which constitute the present Invention relate to a
system which is equally applicable to the construction of steam boilers or
generators of any form and of any suitable metal, whether the same may be
horizontal or vertical, and whatever may be the purpose for which they are
employed or the nature of the combustible used. The arrangement of the
apparatus, besides its other numerous advantages, has the effect of causing
the consumption of the smoke. This system of generator is composed prin-
cipally of a central boiler surrounded by one or more annular water spaces,
either eccentric or concentric, and put in communication with the former as
well as with the main body of the boiler which surrounds the whole. The
flame and heated gases pass in the intervals or spaces which exist between the
annular water spaces, either directly as in ordinary furnaces, or by describing
one or several helices or spiral coils around the central boiler and the annular

page_text: water spaces. When circumstances require it the central boiler may be dis-
pensed with, and there will then only remain a series of annular water spaces,
between which the flame and heated gases pass through flues or passages of
a helical form.