matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
AN IMPROVED METER FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Almgill at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th December
1854.
J, THOMAS ALMGILL, of Busby, near Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Engraver, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED METER FOR MEASURING WATER AND OTHER FLUIDS" to be
as follows:-
My Invention consists in the general combination and arrangement of the
parts herein-after described. There is a scale beam duly mounted on a pivot
and standard, on which scale beam are fixed two receivers for water or other
fluids, one on each side of the said pivot. Between the two receivers is a four-
way cock, from which a pipe communicates with each receiver, so that water
or other fluid may be capable of passing to & from the receivers through the
cock. There is a spring lever connected with each receiver and the cock, in
such a manner as to be capable of reversing the water ways of the cock at
the required intervals, and thereby regulating the distance through which the
receivers respectively move. This effect, however, may be produced by other
means. To the pivot of the scale beam is fixed a pall, which takes into a
ratchet wheel, which is turned the space of a tooth by each descent of the
scale beam with the pall, and is thereby made to indicate the quantity of fluid
passed at each change of the cock.

page_text: This apparatus is so combined with the inlet and outlet pipes as that the
receivers may be alternately filled & emptied by the passing of the water or
other fluid from the inlet pipe through the cock to each receiver alternately,
and from the same through the cock with its waterways reversed to the outlet
pipe, to which the water or other fluid is by this means supplied in a constant
stream.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF WATER- PROOF HAT BANDS TO THE MANUFACTURE OF HATS
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Spill at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd March 1854.
1, GEORGE SPILL, of Old Farm House, Stepney, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF WATER-
PROOF HAT BANDS TO THE MANUFACTURE OF HATS" to be as follows, that is to
say:-
My said improvements consist in constructing a hat (which I call the
adiantum hat), to which a hat band, rendered waterproof by any suitable
waterproofing composition, is immoveably united by the said waterproofing
composition, or by some other suitable adhesive composition, so as to secure
the junction of the felts of the hat body and hat brim from the moisture
which is liable to penetrate therethrough, and from other injuries that may
occur where the hat band is applied in the ordinary manner; at the same time
that the rigid adhesion of the band prevents the possibility of its slipping round
the circumference of the hat, when brushed or otherwise put in order, so as to
give the wearer a much greater security for the neatness of its appearance.
And in order that the hat band & the adjoining parts of the hat may be
more effectually united and rendered waterproof, I prefer to construct the hat
in such manner that the felt on the hat brim may extend a little way over the
hat body, while the felt of the hat body may terminate at or near the same
line, so as to meet the said felt of the hat brim at its termination, where the

page_text: edges of both will be covered by the middle of the hat band; one of these
edges may also, if thought fit, somewhat overlap the other.
I claim, firstly, the application to hats of hat bands, waterproofed in any
suitable manner.
Secondly, the application of hat bands rigidly adhering to the hats, whether 5
they be cemented by a waterproofing or other adhesive composition.
Thirdly, the arrangement of the felts of the hat body and hat brim, in
connection with the application of the hat,band, in the manner and for the
purposes described and set forth.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPOONS, TABLE FORKS, AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Newman and Henry Jenkins
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the
14th January 1854.
We, JAMES NEWMAN, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Jeweller,
and HENRY JENKINS, of Birmingham, aforesaid, Die Sinker, Stamper, and
Piercer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention of " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPOONS, TABLE FORKS, AND OTHER ARTICLES," to be
as follows, namely:-
A new and improved method of forming the blanks for spoons, table forks,
and other articles from sheets or plates of metal suitably prepared, so as to
obviate the necessity of beating out, or cross-rolling those parts of the blanks
which are intended for the bowls and handles of such articles. In the ordinary
mode of making spoons, table forks, fish slices, tea-caddy shells, and similar
articles from German silver and other metals, the blanks for such articles are
cut out of plates of metal, of parallel thickness from end to end, by means of a
press and suitable cutting tools, and those parts of the blanks intended for the
bowl (or prongs) and the end of the handle (which in the finished article are
thinner than the other part of the article) are afterwards made thinner by
hammering out to a suitable thinness, or are so made by passing those parts
under rollers properly constructed for that purpose, and which operation is,
by spoon makers, commonly called cross-rolling, whereas, by our Invention,

page_text: the blanks for such articles are cut out of sheets or plates of metal
previously rolled, taper on each side of the plate of metal to a suitable thick-
ness by rollers suitably formed, and in such manner that so much of the sides
of the plates of metal which are to constitute the bowls, prongs, or ends of the
handles of such articles are to be of one dimension and tapering, whilst the
middle of the plate from which the other part of the article is produced is to
be of another dimension, and parallel, by which invention the present method
of beating out or cross-rolling such parts of such articles may be entirely
dispensed with.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN PROJECTILES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Perceval Moses Parsons at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
14th November 1854.
the
I, PERCEVAL MOSES PARSONS, of No. 6, Duke Street, Adelphi, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROJECTILES " to be as follows:-
I construct projectiles in such a manner that a rotatory motion on their
axis is imparted to them by the escape of the gaseous products of a charge of
gunpowder or other explosive compound contained within them, or of a part
of the gaseous products of the charge of the piece from which they are
discharged through suitably arranged passages and apertures in them.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER-CLOSETS.
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to. George Williams; of No.-16, Cannon Street, Saint
George in the East, in the County of Middlesex, Plumber, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER-CLOSETS.".
A)
Sealed the 27th June 1854, and dated the 24th January 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Williams at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
January 1854.
I, GEORGE WILLIAMS, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER-CLOSETS" to be as follows:-
My Invention is called an improved self-acting water-closet, and consists in
the application to the ordinary water-closet of a lever acted on by the feet to
supply the place of the usual handle, which is liable to get out of order when
frequently used. This tread lever is connected with a valve to a basin, and
with a supply valve for water for the basin. My Invention also consists in the
use of a clearing valve for removing from the receiver any lodgment that may
be made therein, and of an after supply pipe to convey water into the basin
when the supply valve is closed. The operation of my Invention will be
understood by a reference to the accompanying diagram. And although my
improvements are applicable to water-closets for houses, I consider them more

page_text: especially adapted to ships, and particularly to emigrant vessels. Thus cach
passenger when entering the water-closet will step upon the tread lever F, which
will be constructed so as to appear like the ordinary floor. This lever then
acts upon the valve at I, and produces an immediate supply of water, and also
opens the soil valve, which is joined to lever at E. B is the receiver, which
retains the water and prevents the stoppage of the soil pipe; and C is the
clearing valve, which may be opened in case of necessity for removing any
obstruction. Thus the inconvenience of. the usual handle is avoided, which
with the numbers using. the water-closet. in emigrant vessels, where the
majority are of the poorer order and unaccustomed to a water-closet, is liable
frequently to get out of order, and anything thrown down the closet (which
often happens on board these vessels) may also be readily removed, as before-
mentioned, at C.
A NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1854

page_text: at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd December 1854.-A communication.
I, AUGUSTE EDOUARD LORADOUX BELLFORD, Patent Agent, of 16, Castle
Street, Holborn (City), London, and now of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris,
in the Empire of France, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "A NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be
as follows; and consists in the simple and effective construction and appli-
cation of a chambered breech, fitting to the barrel with a male and female
cone, and capable of receiving two motions; viz., one a short distance back
and forth in line with the barrel, the other to raise the mouth of the chamber
above the barrel. By my improvements in the manufacture and arrangement
of said breech, the required movements are obtained by a single movement of
a lever under the stock.
The chambered breech is of quadrangular form in its transverse section,
with longitudinally parallel sides to fit in an opening in the stock, that part of
which is of metal. The back of the breech is connected by a hinge or knuckle
joint, with a lever which forms the trigger guard, and which is also connected
by another hinge or knuckle joint a short distance behind the first-mentioned
hinge or knuckle joint to a sliding piece, fitting on each side by a tongue,

page_text: and groove in the opening in the stock, so that it may slide up and down
therein. The lever and the sliding piece are of the same width as the breech
to fill the opening in the stock. A stud, secured to one side of the breech
above the first-named hinge or knuckle joint, and fitting in a slot in one
side of the stock, confines the breech lever and sliding piece.
At a certain part of the operation of charging or loading, the lever and the
breech form parts of the same lever, with the second-mentioned knuckle joint
as its fulcrum, and the further drawing down of the lever causes the front end
of the breech to be raised to receive the charge, causing at the same time an
extended portion of the upper part of the breech to move over the sliding
piece. After loading, the breech is returned by moving the lever upwards,
during the early part of which the second knuckle joint is kept stationary by
the extended portion of the breech, preventing the ascent of the sliding piece.
By the time the breech reaches the position opposite the barrel, the further
descent of the front of the breech is prevented by a resting piece in the front
part of the opening in the stock, and the extended portion of the breech,
having worked clear of the sliding piece, allows the latter to move upwards,
and the upward movement of the second knuckle joint drives the breech
forward, and the male cone hard up into the female cone of the barrel.
In a modification of this improvement, the sliding piece may be dispensed
with, and its place supplied by a link, the front end of which forms part of
the second knuckle joint; and the back end is connected by another knuckle
joint with the stock, so that the lever and link form a toggle joint.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Bittleston at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
December 1854.
I, WILLIAM BITTLESTON, sent, of No. 26, Mary Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Architectural & Engineering Draughtsman, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PLOUGHS" to be as
follows:-
The object of this Invention is to facilitate and to cause the plough to glide
or slip through the land or soil when it is being used for ploughing. To accom-
plish this, I lubricate or anti-attritionate the implement, and so diminish the
drag or friction of it with the soil, on the same principle as metals, woods, &
other substances with lubricating substances have their friction reduced; and
by similar means applied to the plough, I believe, to accomplish a considerable
saving of steam, horse, or other power consumed in dragging the plough
through the ground, and particularly when several ploughs are to be usea
together. To effect this, I have apertures of suitable shapes or forms, as cir-
cumstances may require, in the plough, protected from external obstructions
from the soil by flaps or valves, fixed in a suitable manner, and connected with
a supplying or feeding apparatus by the means of channels, pipes, reservoirs,
pumps, forcing pumps, columns of pressure, or elastic pressure, or by all or by
any of these means, as may be found necessary, for conveying the lubricating

page_text: or anti-attritional matters to the surfaces of friction of the implement; and
these anti-frictional matters may be water, liquid manure, or soapy water, soap
softened a little with water; or in some cases farinaceous, mucilaginous, gela-
inous, or oleaginous, or any or all of these, as may best suit the nature of the
soil & circumstances; and in some cases I use hollow coultures with apertures,
as before named, protected & fed by a special apparatus with the anti-
frictional or lubricating matters. The pump or pumps or forcing pumps I
work in the usual way, attached to the power that draws the plough or
ploughs, and the same with any part of the feeding apparatus and forcing appa-
ratus; and without altering the essensial forms of the plough, I adapt its con-
struction in any way I may think necessary to the above purposes of lubri-
cating its frictional surfaces to receive the necessary alterations and apparatus
to effect the objects of my Invention, namely, the reducing its friction, and
enabling it to glide through the soil.
AN IMPROVED RAFT OR APPARATUS FOR SAVING LIFE AT SEA
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Augustus Thomas John Bullock
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
"6th December 1854.
I, AUGUSTUS THOMAS JOHN BULLOCK, of Woolwich, in the County of Kent,
Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "AN IMPROVED RAFT OR APPARATUS FOR SAVING LIFE AT SEA" to be
as follows:-
My Invention consists in a sliding raft, which I fit to all ships, whether
sailing vessels or paddle wheel or screw steamers, in such manner that it can
be readily launched, or that it will float off in the case of the ship foundering.
In paddle wheel steamers I make use of the upper part of the paddle boxes
or covers, and connect them firmly together by means of two bridges or planks,
which extend across the ship. I also employ two rails, one to each bridge,
extending across the vessel from the outside of one paddle box to the outside
of the other, and I fit into the bridges friction rollers, which run upon the
rails, whereby the raft or apparatus can be readily launched into the sea.
Should the ship founder, then the raft, being buoyant, will float off. For the
purpose of rendering my raft more buoyant, I apply tubes or air cases to the
bridges and covers of the paddle boxes in such manner and at such parts as I
may find.it.expedient-to-do-so.-In-sailing-vessels-and-screw-steamers,-I-then-
make use of-the-upper part of-the-bulwarks, and in men-of-war, of the upper-

page_text: part of the hammock nettings, instead of the upper part of the covers of the
paddle wheel or paddle box. It will generally be found that my raft will be
heavy enough to keep its position, but where this is not the case it may
be retained by a pin or bolt, which could be instantly released in case of
danger.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN RENDERING SHIPS AND BATTERIES SHOT PROOF
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Dudgeon at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 26th October 1854.
I, JOHN DUDGEON, of 151, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN RENDERING
SHIPS AND BATTERIES SHOT PROOF," that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object the so constructing ships and batteries with
curved surfaces of iron as to cause shot to be deflected off' therefrom. For this
purpose, in constructing a ship or the face of a battery, the same is cased with
or formed of iron with curved forms, such as will deflect off shot; and the
parts which are subject to shot being also made double, so as to contain water
under compression, caused by the employment of a hydraulic pump.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SCOURING OR BLEACHING
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Adam Guild and John Pendlebury
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on
the 28th July 1854.
We, ADAM GUILD, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, and
JOHN PENDLEBURY the younger, of Manchester, in the same County, Bleacher,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR SCOURING OR BLEACHING" to be as follows, namely:-
Our Invention relates to a novel and improved arrangement or modi-
fication of apparatus used for scouring or bowking textile fabrics, fibrous.
materials, or other substances. The object of this process is thoroughly to
cleanse the fabrics or inaterials, and remove therefrom every particle of
grease or dirt, which would otherwise counteract or weaken the subsequent
action of the bleaching liquor. The chief features of these improvements
are, that the scouring liquid is heated in a vessel or boiler distinct from
the bowking kier, but connected therewith by a pipe leading from the top
of the boiler to the upper end of the kier, and another pipe from the
lower end of the kier to the bottom of the boiler. After the fabrics or
materials to be scoured are deposited in the kier it is hermetically closed, and
heat is applied to the boiler.
The expansion of the liquid necessarily causes it to rise through the upper
pipe and pass through the kier, whence it returns to the boiler by the lower
pipe. By this arrangement a constant circulation of the liquid through the

page_text: fabrics or materials in the kier is kept up, while at the same time they are
subjected to a higher temperature and a greater degree of pressure than is
now attainable, and the inmost fibres are thereby exposed to the action of the
scouring liquid and speedily searched and cleansed. We do not limit our-
selves to any particular form or arrangement of the boiler or kier, but may
adopt such particular plans as on trial will be found to produce the most
efficient results; but we claim the combination of apparatus, on the principle
or plan before described, to maintain a constant circulation of the scouring
liquid through the kier or kiers at a high temperature and pressure.
AN AURIFEROUS 5 QUARTZ WASHING, PULVERIZING, CRUSHING, SEPERATING, AND AMALGAMATING MA- CHINE
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Moss at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th April 1854.
I, HENRY Moss, of 19, Mansfield Street, Cavendish Square, Middlesex,
Gent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN AURIFEROUS
5 QUARTZ WASHING, PULVERIZING, CRUSHING, SEPERATING, AND AMALGAMATING MA-
CHINE," to be as follows, being a crusher, driven by steam or water power, in
a stationery pan, the crusher having a revolling, oscillating, twisting, &
wabbling motion. This motion is given from an upright shaft through an
eccentric crank & an universal joint.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN BOOTS, SHOES, AND OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE FEET
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Howarth at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th November
1854.
I, JAMES HOWARTH, of Poplar, in the County of Middlesex, Steward, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN
BOOTS, SHOES, AND OTHER COVERINGS FOR THE FEET," to be as follows:-
My said Invention consists of the introduction of sheets or plates of any
flexible metal or metallic alloy, between the leathers of which the soles or
bottoms of boots, shoes, and other coverings for the feet are made; the object
of the said plates of metal being to arrest the passage of moisture from the
exterior to the interior of the said boots, shoes, or other coverings for the feet.
Although I do not limit myself to the use of any particular metal or alloy in
carrying my Invention into effect, yet I prefer to use sheets of the alloy, for
which Letters Patent, bearing date Twenty-second of December, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-one, were granted to John Davie Morries Stirling,
of Black Grange, North Britain, Esquire, which said alloy is known in com-
merce as "Stirling's patent britannia metal." The flexibility, non-liability to
corrosion, and cheapness of the said alloy render it more suitable for the
purpose of carrying my Invention into effect than any metal or any other alloy
with which I am acquainted.
AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF JOINTING PIPES, TUBES, AND CONDUITS IN GENERAL
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Louis Alexandre Farjon at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th November 1854.
I, LOUIS ALEXANDRE FARJON, Mechanic, of Paris, in the French Empire, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM
OF JOINTING PIPES, TUBES, AND CONDUITS IN GENERAL," to be as follows:-
My method of jointing dispenses entirely with screws in the joining
together of the ends of pipes, and is effected by means of a clip, which takes
into a rim or collar on one pipe, and into an inclined ring on the end of
the other pipe which is to be joined to it, an india-rubber or other like
suitably elastic washer being interposed between the two pipes. This elastic
washer fits into a channel in the end of one pipe, while a projection from the
end of the opposite pipe abuts against it. The tightening of the joint is
effected by turning the clip towards the inclination in the inclined ring, while
the pipes may be detached by turning the clip the reverse way. The clip
fixes on to and is detachable from the collar and inclined ring by a bayonet
fastening. Should the pipe itself not admit of a rim or collar being cast
on or forming body with it, then I fix a supplementary joint piece into the end
thereof, having the necessary rim or collar thereon.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CARDING ENGINES FOR CARDING COTTON, WOOL, AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Taylor, Miles Wrigley, and
Samuel Greaves at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 4th January 1854.
We, JOHN TAYLOR, of Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Cotton Spinner,
MILES WRIGLEY, of the same place, Carder, and SAMUEL GREAVES, also of the
same place, Carder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CARDING ENGINES FOR CARDING COTTON, WOOL, AND
OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES" to be as follows:-
Our improvements consist in applying one, two, or more revolving "clearers"
or card rollers to act as dirt extractors, placed in contact with or below or
underneath the "licker-in" or "taker in" roller, and which revolve with it, and
thus acts in contradistinction to all other fixed applications of combs, plates,
cards, or any quiescent means hitherto adopted for the purpose of cleaning the
said "licker in" roller; by this new arrangement the dirt, motes, seeds, and
other impurities are more completely removed from the cotton, &c., falling
freely as they become detached from the cotton, wool, or other fibrous sub-
stances, from and beneath the said "clearers." These "clearers"
may be
covered with cards of different qualities, or varying in the number or fineness
of wires or teeth contained in each, and are carried or supported by means of
an inverted "bend" to which the said "clearers" are fixed, and are readily

page_text: adjusted or placed at any relative distance either from the "licker in " or from
each other by means of adjusting screws, as in the ordinary method of adjusting
the top or main cylinder clearers, and they may be driven or caused to revolve
as required from any convenient part of the "carding engine."
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING OR GOVERNING THE SUPPLY OR PRESSURE OF GAS AS IT IS CONDUCTED FROM THE MAIN TO THE BURNERS
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Mills Dix, of Salford, in the County of
Lancaster, Brewer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
REGULATING OR GOVERNING THE SUPPLY OR PRESSURE OF GAS AS IT IS CONDUCTED
FROM THE MAIN TO THE BURNERS."
Sealed the 27th October 1854, and dated the 29th April 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Mills Dix at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
29th April 1854.
I, ALEXANDER MILLS DIX, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Brewer,
do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR REGULATING OR GOVERNING THE SUPPLY OR PRESSURE OF GAS AS IT IS
CONDUCTED FROM THE MAIN TO THE BURNERS" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of appa-
ratus for obtaining an equal pressure of gas whilst passing from the main to.
the burners for consumption, and consequently an equality of light, however
variable the pressure of gas in the street main may be.
My improved method of governing or regulating the supply or pressure of
gas in its transit from the main to the burners is effected by the use or

page_text: employment of the following description of apparatus, consisting principally
of two small inverted vessels, or air chambers, or gas- holders, or gasometers,
one of which is enclosed by a vessel through which the gas passes; the gas
acting upon the upper surface of this gasometer or inverted vessel causes it to
be depressed or elevated, according to the variableness of the pressure of the
gas, and as it is depressed or elevated, so is the valve (to which it is attached
and through which the gas has to pass) opened or closed, the valve for this
purpose being of any suitable description; and in order to facilitate the
action of the inner or enclosed gasometer or vessel, a suitable communication
is formed for the air to pass from the interior of the enclosed chamber or
gasometer to the interior of the gasometer which is not inclosed, and conse-
quently not exposed externally or influenced by the pressure of the gas: Thus
it will be seen, that when the inner gas-holder or air chamber is depressed by
the gas, the outer air chamber is elevated, and vice versâ; and in proportion
as this air chamber is moved up or down, so is the valve closed or opened
through which the gas passes, and thus the pressure. of gas after it has.passed
the valve is. régulated in its course or, transit from the main to the burners.
It may be stated,. that in place of the inverted air chamber, which is made
air-tight by floating on a liquid, as an ordinary gasometer, the, same purpose
might be effected by the use of bags or vessels made of silk or other suitable
collapsible material.
IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CRUSHING OR TRITURATING HARD SUBSTANCES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Hanham Collyer at the
Office of, the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st
April 1854.
I, ROBERT HANHAM COLLYER, of Norfolk Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, Doctor of Medicine, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR CRUSHING OR TRITURATING HARD
SUBSTANCES" to be as follows:-
This improved machinery for crushing or triturating substances consists
principally of one or more heavy rollers, cylinders, or segments of cylinders,
either plain or fluted on their surfaces, and made to vibrate or oscillate in a
concave bed. This vibrating, undulating, oscillating, or partly rolling motion
is communicated to the rollers, cylinders, or segments of cylinders by means of
arms, adapted in any convenient and suitable manner thereto, and actuated by
a cránk or otherwise.
The material to be operated upon is placed in the concave bed or vessel in
which the first roller, cylinder, or segment is made to work, and by the motion
of this latter is quickly reduced to powder, and is well triturated or rubbed to
a very fine state, so that when it leaves the machine it will be in an almost
impalpable state.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BEDSTEADS AND PACKING CASES OR BOXES TO CONTAIN THE SAME AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Willoughby Theobald Monzani, of St. James's
Terrace, Bermondsey, in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BEDSTEADS AND PACKING CASES OR BOXES TO
CONTAIN THE SAME AND OTHER ARTICLES."
Sealed the 16th May 1854, and dated the 11th March 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Willoughby Theobald
Monzani at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Peti-
tion, on the 11th March 1854.
I, WILLOUGHBY THEOBALD MONZANI, of St. James's Terrace, Bermondsey,
in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BEDSTEADS AND PACKING CASES OR BOXES TO
CONTAIN THE SAME AND OTHER ARTICLES" to be as follows:-
The chief object of this Invention is so to arrangé parts that a bedstead
shall be partly constructed of the box or case, which, when the bedstead is
packed and out of use, contains it. For this purpose a box or packing case
is constructed in two parts; one part is fitted up as a portmanteau or box for
carrying garments and other articles; the other part of the box or case is
arranged for receiving the parts constituting the bedstead, which is formed in
the following manner :-The two parts of the box or case are connected at the

page_text: ends of a strong fabric or sacking, suitable when stretched out to receive the
bedding, and the two parts of the box or case are also connected by means of
straps or cords, which, when the bedstead is stretched out and formed, come
near the ground. And in order to keep the two parts of the box or caso sepa-
rated, and the sacking or fabric distended for use as a bedstead, stretching bars
are used on either side, which enter grooves or sockets formed at either end of
the parts of the box or case, and by means of keys or wedges, these parts are
more completely separated and held secure. It is not essential that the two
parts constituting the head and foot of the bedstead should be parts of a box
or case, as only one or neither may be so. There is provision made for a head
to the bedstead for preventing the pillow falling out. When the whole is
packed for carriage, the parts assume the exterior. character. of a simple box
or case.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Woodbridge, of 3, Greens Terrace, Lower
Road, Rotherhithe, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES."
Sealed the 10th October 1854, and dated the 27th April 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Woodbridge
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
27th April 1854.
I, FREDERICK WOODBRIDGE, of 3, Greens Terrace, Lower Road, Rotherhithe,
in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in arranging the fire bars of a furnace in such
manner that the fuel may be agitated from time to time in order that it may
be moved towards the back of the furnace as it is consumed. For this purpose
I employ. a series of fixed bars which rest on cross bars or supports at the
front and back of the furnace, and between each of the fixed bars I place a
bar or several bars connected together, so as to form a grating, which are
capable of moving or rocking on axes formed in the cross bars at the front
and back of the furnace. The fixed and moveable fire bars are placed at an
angle to form an incline towards the back of the furnace, so that when-a
rocking movement is given to the intermediate bars, the fuel will be caused

page_text: to move or slide down the inclined bars towards the back of the furnace. In
order to give a rocking. motion to the intermediate bars, each bar has a
projection from below, which passes between studs carried by two horizontal
bars, which have racks formed on one end of each bar, into the teeth of which
a pinion carried by an upright axis takes, and by means of a lever gives a
reciprocating movement to the bars, and the studs or projections acting on the
bars cause them to move to and fro on their axes; or this may be accomplished
in any other convenient manner. The fuel is supplied from a hopper fixed
in front of the-furnace. -
IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING BAGS AND TUBULAR FABRICS
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Levey at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th November 1854.
I, CHARLES LEVEY, of Red Lion Street, Holborn, do hereby declare the
nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WEAVING BAGS AND TUBULAR
FABRICS" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of simultaneously working two shuttles when weav-
ing bags and other tubular fabrics. For this purpose, the loom is constructed
and the harness arranged in such manner as to open two sheds in the two
warps at the same time, and the two shuttles are simultaneously thrown
through the two sheds so opened. The shuttle boxes are arranged to rise and
fall in such manner as to bring the respective shuttles into position for passing
through the upper and under sheds alternately, so that, a shuttle having been
thrown across through the upper shed at one movement, it is in its next move-
ment caused to fall through the lower shed. The ends of the bags or fabrics
may be closed at intervals, and all the warps woven solid, or the ends may be
sewed after the fabrics come out of the loom.
THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, EITHER SOLID, MOULDED, OR PERFORATED, BY IMPROVED MACHINERY
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Cowley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th March
1854.
I, HENRY COWLEY, of the Parish of Saint Giles, in the City of Oxford,
Builder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "THE
MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS, EITHER SOLID, MOULDED, OR PERFORATED, BY IMPROVED
MACHINERY," to be as follows:-
The first portion of the machinery consists of a mill for grinding or pugging
the clay, and crushing any stones that may be mixed with it, thereby rendering
the clay more plastic. The bottom of the mill is of a cylindrical shape, the
upper surface being an incline, and fluted diagonally to receive fluted conical
rollers of a screw shape, revolving on their axis and carried round by a cylinder
fixed to a central vertical shaft, causing a rotary motion to the rollers, a knife
being fixed in an inclined position centrically before rollers, striking the clay
and drawing it under the rollers; the clay is pressed through perforations made
in the bottom into a receiving box. Under the mill there is fixed a piston to
the revolving cylinder, which presses the clay into the mould. A stop is made
to rise by means of a cam or slotted wheel, with inclines in the slot from the
under side of the bed of the machine, thereby retarding the passage of the clay in
the receiver, and causing a greater pressure of clay into the mould. The mould

page_text: being filled, the stop in the passage is withdrawn, and lets the piston proceed
and strike off the clay from the upper side of the brick; the mould will be
forced forward by means of a cam set over an aperture made in the bottom
bed, and the brick forced out of the hold by a piston, which is worked up and
down in a parallel frame by means of levers worked in slotted wheels fixed on
top of central vertical shaft on to rollers, to which will be fixed an endless
webbing, the rollers being forced forward by means of a rack working on a
cogged wheel fixed to the end of the roller. Moveable plates will be made to
fit in the bed under the moulds. To make solid bricks the plate will be made
to fit close. In making bricks with mouldings the plate will be made to the
width necessary to admit the dies. In making perforated bricks the plate will
be perforated to receive the necessary cores or projections; the die will be
fixed on a piston under the bed of the machine, working on a parallel frame,
which will be forced up and down by a cam or slotted wheel.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARPETS, HEARTH RUGS, AND OTHER LIKE FABRICS
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Brinton and Richard.
Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 1st November 1854.
We, HENRY BRINTON, Jr., of Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester,
Carpet Manufacturer, and RICHARD SMITH, Weaver, of the same Borough and
County, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CARPETS, HEARTH RUGS, AND OTHER LIKE FABRICS," to be
as follows:-
Our Invention consists in the use of two or more beams of warp, one of
which revolves faster than the other or others, the objects being to form a
double back, and bring up a top shute.
The tufts or takes (of whatever material the surface of the fabric desired to
be produced may be formed) are set and bound upon the bottom shute; the
top shute is then brought up between the rows of the tufts or takes, thereby
supporting them both back and front; the warp thread or threads that work or
pass over the upper shute support the tufts or takes on either side. Although we
prefer binding the surface on the bottom shute, as before described, we do not
confine ourselves to that method only, but in some fabrics make use of a fine

page_text: shute or weft instead of binding by the warp. By these improvements we
have succeeded in producing an article of superior quality, with a saving of
materials equal to 20 per cent., and an economy of structure not hitherto
attained.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BLEACHING OR SCOURING SILK
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frédéric Chambon and Alfred Meyniac, of Chaylard
(Ardéche), France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLEACHING OR
SCOURING SILK."
Sealed the 2nd June 1854, and dated the 28th March 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frédéric Chambon and
Alfred Meyniac at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 28th March 1854.
We, Messieurs FRÉDÉRIC CHAMBON and ALFRED MEYNIAC, of Chaylard
(Ardéche), France, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BLEACHING OR SCOURING SILK" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of bleaching or scouring silk by the use of tartarlees
or scobs (cendres gravelées) dissolved in water, which is boiled and then
allowed to settle. The clear liquid is combined with urine and the compound
is warmed. The silk is immersed in this bath for some hours, then rinsed and
steamed, and then subjected to the action of a bath of diluted sulphuric acid,
to which some tartarlees or scobs and crystals of soda are added.
IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE HOES
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Revell at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th June 1854.
I, JOHN REVELL, of Newark, in the County of Nottingham, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HORSE HOES "
to be as follows, that is to say:
My said improvements, which have for their object a more convenient &
effectual construction & arrangement of horse hoes or machines for horse
hoeing land, whereby the workman may have a more entire & immediate con-
trol over the steering or turning of the same, while the steadiness of its
passage over a field may not be affected by the irregularities of the soil, & the
whole or a certain portion of the blades or hoes may be taken out of work
when required to suit the position of the drills; and the mode in which I
propose to carry into effect the aforesaid objects is as follows:-I cause a con-
venient number of hoes or blades to be secured to the underneath surface of a
strong bar or pole, working vertically & laterally in bearings connected with a
framework, secured to the axles of the machine; this bar or pole, together
with the hoes attached, receives motion from levers or handles united at the front
extremity, working in sockets or on a bearing pin connected with the frame-
work, for the vertical & lateral movements respectively, & acting upon the
steerage wheels through the intervention of a steerage lover connected with
their axles, in such manner as to givo the said steerage wheels a lateral

page_text: movement, corresponding to that of the hoes or blades. The hind wheels of
the machine likewise move sideways, & the horse is harnessed to a rack which
works on a centre in the fore part of the machine. The hoes or blades when
taken out of work are supported by catches. I employ one detached hoe or
blade, working in bearings in the pole, so that it can be lifted out of work
independantly of the others, as is often required when the outside drills are too
close to admit the hoe or blade between them. The above-described arrange-
ment of the levers, handles, & other parts, in connection with the bar support-
ing the hoes & with the steerage wheels, secures to the workman the direct &
immediate control of the steering or guiding of the machine, while the mode of
raising the connected & the detached hoes or blades secures the steady action
of the machine in passing over the inequalities of the said, & the means of
accomodating the same to-the-position of the drill.,
IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING BLOCKS FOR PRINTING ORNAMENTAL OR DECORATIVE PAPER
Year: 1854

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles White at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th August 1854.
I, CHARLES WHITE, of 99, Tatchbrook Street, Pimlico, in the County of
Middlesex, Paper Stainer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTING BLOCKS FOR PRINTING ORNAMENTAL OR
DECORATIVE PAPER" to be as follows:-
Whereas the printing blocks have, as hitherto used, been formed of three
or more thicknesses of wood, one placed on another, and glued or otherwise
fastened together to prevent the block from warping, it being generally 21
inches square, or sometimes 21 inches by 10 inches. I propose in making
my block to use one piece of wood only in thickness, and instead of the block
being one square piece or surface, by having several narrow or broader slips
(according to the size of the pattern to be printed), attached together in any
simple manner, so that the several slips, or any one of them, can be removed,
or transposed and re-arranged, to form different patterns; thus, instead of by
one large block printing one pattern over the whole surface of paper, I have
by my arrangement each slip forming a pattern, and a much smaller surface
of wood is required to be cut in one pattern, thus effecting a considerable
saving in the expense of the printing blocks, both in the wood and the cost of
the patterns.
AN IMPROVED MODE OF PROTECTING IRON FROM OXIDATION
Year: 1854

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Vincent Newton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th
February 1854.-A communication.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF PROTECTING IRON FROM
OXIDATION" to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to effect a combination of solid carbonaceous
matter with the surface of plate iron, or other iron, for the purpose of forming
a permanent coating thereupon, which will preserve the metal from oxidation,
and will maintain its place under any of the processes of manufacture into
articles for use to which sheet iron is ordinarily subjected.
In carrying out this Invention, a paint is produced by grinding plumbago,
pulverized charcoal, and the black soot formed by the burning of bituminous
coal or other bituminous matter, along with ivory black, or bone or lamp black,
either with water, weak spirits, vinegar, or any acetous preparations until the
mixture is very fine. A paint thus produced, or with the addition of other
analogous substances, or subtraction of some of those above enumerated, is then
applied by a soft brush to the surface of the iron to be coated, which iron has
been previously cleansed by any of the modes in common use. When the
surface is completely covered, the iron is ready for the next process, which

page_text: consists in heating it and passing it between rollers similar to those used in
reducing common sheet iron.
The coating thus obtained is susceptible of a high degree of polish, which
may be obtained by passing the coated metal between rolls with planished
surfaces, or by the use of the ordinary planishing roll.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- PACTURE OF BREAD
Year: 1854

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Heloise Guyon at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with her Petition, on the 19th January
1854.
I, HELOISE GUYON, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Widow, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
PACTURE OF BREAD" to be as follows:-
In the manufacture of bread, as hitherto conducted, acid fermentation only
has been employed, which, however, it has been found does not develope all the
gluten contained in the flour.
Now this Invention consists in effecting this object more perfectly by the
addition of vinous fermentation, by which means the gluten will be more
completely developed, and a great advantage thereby obtained, as this latter
substance is the most wholesome and nutritious portion of the flour.
This vinous fermentation is produced by the employment of sugar in com-
bination either with brandy at from 32 to 36 degrees, or with seltzer water
powders. In order to impart whiteness to the bread, a small quantity of rice
flour is added to these substances.
These ingredients may be employed in any suitable proportions, but those
which I prefer are as follows:-
To 100 lbs. of wheat flour I add 1 lb. of sugar, one-third of a quart of
brandy, or twelve small packets of seltzer water powders, and 3 lbs. of rice
flour.