matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VENTILATION OF MINES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Lang at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th March
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 THE VENTILATION OF MINES," to be as follows:-
My Invention is designed for the purpose of effecting the ventilation of
mines or subterranean passages by the removal of the impure air and gases
therefrom.
This
The improvements consist in extracting or exhausting the said impure air or
gases accumulating in the passages, and thereby causing pure air to become
supplied instead, thus effecting a thorough current and ventilation.
principle is in contradistinction to the principle of forcing pure air into such
passages, which does not effectually remove the impure air, but mixes pure air
therewith in a sufficient degree to sustain life. The application of the
principle may be effected by various mechanical means, one method being to
arrange pipes or tubes throughout the "workings" which at certain distances
and intervals are open by perforations or otherwise to receive the impure air.
These pipes are to be connected to an exhausting fan, or other exhausting
apparatus or extracting draught outside the mine, so that the impure air may
thus be extracted, and pure air will in natural course fill its place, thus
obviating the necessity of forcing air into mines, which is an imperfect method
of effecting the ventilation thereof.
IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Archibald Brooman at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
-
5th May 1864. A communication from abroad by Jean Marc Frainet,
of Marseilles, France.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of London,
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELS," to be as follows:-
This Invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
Drawings, Figure 1 is a view, partly in section, of part of a wheel constructed
according to this Invention; Figure 2 is a section through the line c, d, of
Figure 1. A is a ring similar to that of ordinary wheels. P is an iron shoe
first rivetted to the metal socket R, then to the ring after it has been shrunk
on. S is a projection on the shoe P, which fits with, and is rivetted to the
spoke C; under this shoe is a band of iron R, the sides of which being turned
down form a socket for the reception of a filling of wood, it also serves to
prevent the separation or spreading of the spokes, it is rivetted or bolted to
the shoe P, and ring A. B, is the wood filling, the spoke C is an oval tube
as shewn in plan at Figure 3, it fits with the projection in the shoe P at one
end, and the two parts are rivetted together at the other end; it is also rivetted
to another shoe P' resting upon the nave, and rivetted to the iron plates T
and U, Figure 4. The union of the plates T and U is peculiar, 1st, inasmuch
as the interior circular plate may be divided into three parts, Figure 1, with a

page_text: space m between them to allow of the projections on the box entering therein,
and thereby prevent the box O, Figure 4, from turning on its axis; and 2nd,
the box is formed with a groove, Figure 4, and the inner circular plate carries
the tongue. The box O is kept in the nave by reason of its conical shape, and
by a ring G, Figs. 4 and 7, bolted or rivetted to the plates T and U. Some-
times we substitute for the shoes the boxes V and X, Figure 5, rivetted or
bolted directly to the ring, and then the inner ends of the spokes are conneeted
to the nave as represented in Figures 6 and 7.
IMPROVED SIGNALLING OR COMMUNICATING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY CAR- RIAGES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Ross Bamber at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
December 1864.
I, CHARLES ROSS BAMBER, of the Island of Jersey, Commander in Her
Majesty's Royal Navy, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVED SIGNALLING OR COMMUNICATING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY CAR-
RIAGES," to be as follows:-
I provide a square box with a reflector on the inside (the side towards the
engine, for instance). The side that faces the reflector is made to move on a
pair of binges, and to this is fixed a small rod communicating with a crutch,
which is made to move up and down by means of a spring or springs affixed
to the outside of the box. On the crutch being brought down parallel to the
roof of the carriage, the rod fixed to the moveable side of the box closes it,
thereby excluding the light proceeding from the inside carriage lamp, (re-
flected through a red glass in the moveable side of the box,) a spring on the
roof of the carriage retaining the crutch in its place until relieved by some
person inside the carriage. To the crutch is attached a rattle or bell, which
sounds on being relieved as aforesaid, which is done by means of a handle or
bell-pull placed on a rod extending along the whole carriage, having arms
placed on it so as to plumb the holes made for the wire; one of the arms
being attached to a spring trigger. To prevent any person from trifling with
the officials, a tell-tale should be placed inside the carriage under the roof,
the same to become fixed on the release of the crutch, and this would point

page_text: out the seats from which the pulling was effected. One pull should be placed
between every two seats throughout the carriage (first class), or for second-
class carriages at greater intervals if deemed sufficient. A red light could be
used by night, and a red flag on a staff at top of the crutch by day.
By the above-described means the guard could at once ascertain the car-
riage where he is required, the rattle or bell would inform the guard that
something wrong has taken place. The reflector to be placed in the guard's
box indicating at once the exact position. The lamps now fitted to the car-
riages will answer with the trifling modification of a larger wick, and this in
the middle compartment only, thereby saving expense. All tampering with
the spring from the inside would be avoided, the whole of the apparatus being
in the centre of the roof inside.
Im- PROVEMENTS IN ROVING AND SPINNING FRAMES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Tomlinson Bousfield at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd June 1864.-A communication from abroad by Thomas Mayor,
residing at Pawtucket, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of
America.
I, GEORGE TOMLINSON BOUSFIELD, of Loughborough Park, Brixton, in the
County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN ROVING AND SPINNING FRAMES," to be as follows:-
The Invention consists, first, in so constructing the bolster or part that
forms the upper bearing to the spindles of roving frames, and connecting
it to the traverse rail which carries the bobbins longitudinally upon the
spindles as to place the upper bearing near the top of the spindle, and to
reciprocate the said bearing between the top of the spindle and the delivering
point of the flyer which delivers the roving to the winding bobbin, or between
the top of the spindle and the traverse rail, for the purpose of giving a firm
support and bearing to the top of the spindle, and to admit of its running
with uniform steadiness at the higher rates of speed.
Secondly, in forming the collar that carries and revolves the bobbin with
an annular lip at its periphery, which will enclose the lower end of the bobbin,
to keep it from revolving in contact with the enclosed portion of the bolster
and throwing off the lubricating liquid while it is revolving.

page_text: Thirdly, in arranging the "centrifugal presser" to turn on two inclined
bearings situated upon opposite sides of the delivering tube of the "flyer"
in such a manner that the weight of the presser and the parts by which it
is applied to the flyer by the action of the inclines cause the presser to
bear with the requisite force against the surface of the winding bobbin.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BIRD CAGES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Robotham at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th January
1864.
İ, SAMUEL ROBOTHAM, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BIRD CAGES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the manufacture of bird cages, whereby
their durability, strength, and beauty are materially improved. Heretofore
the metallic bottoms of bird cages have been constructed by the formation
of sheet metal which has been spun (or shaped on a block in a lathe by
burnishing or rubbing), and sometimes by stamping or pressing in a die, but
when so constructed the sharpness or clearness of the design or figures is not.
well defined, and the inside of the bottom is not level when a pattern or
design is required to be shewn in relief.
Now my improvement is to cast or mould the bird cage bottoms so as to.
present an embossed appearance on the under or outer surface, and a smooth
appearance on the inside, and I prefer to cast them from a suitable pattern in
sand which admits of the hooks or catches (which connect the wire or cage
work), being cast or moulded with or connected to the bottom at the time
of running the metal into the mould. These catches have hitherto been
soldered or rivetted to the bottom, the bottoms, may be cast of any suitable
metal, but I prefer cast iron, either malleable or common, the said bottoms.

page_text: may be either painted, japanned, enamelled, or bronzed to suit the taste.
Though I prefer casting the bottoms in sand, I claim to cast them by any of
the methods that may be suitable for the different metals I may wish to use,
and also to cast them of any pattern inside as the case may require.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING AND APPLYING GATES TO DOCKS, LOCKS, AND OTHER LIKE STRUCTURES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Crozier at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
June 1864.
I, WILLIAM CROZIER, of the City of Durham, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING
AND APPLYING GATES TO DOCKS, LOCKS, AND OTHER LIKE STRUCTURES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in constructing and applying
gates to docks, locks, and other like structures. For these purposes a gate
for the entrance of a dock or lock or like structure is constructed and the
entrance to the dock or lock or similar structure is arranged in such manner
that the gate may be hung or turn on horizontal axes or hinges at its lower
part and shut against the entrance of the dock lock or like structure; the gate
in opening outwards will be caused to sink and when open will be wholly im-
mersed in a horizontal position. It is preferred that the gate should be
constructed of iron and be hollow in order to obtain as much buoyancy as
possible. When the gate is to be opened it is filled with water and the
upper part is moved outwards so as to cause it to sink. When the gate is to
be closed the water is pumped out and the gate is raised and closed by suitable
gearing or tackle aided by the buoyancy of the gate.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FLUTED ROLLERS FOR PREPARING AND SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Gee at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st January
1864.
I, JANES GEE, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Mechanical
Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FLUTED ROLLERS FOR PREPARING AND
SPINNING COTTON AND OTHER FIBROUS SUBSTANCES," to be as follows:-
In manufacturing fluted rollers it has heretofore been customary to cut the
flutes in cylindrical bars of iron or other metal by a cutting tool, or to produce
them by milling. Now my Invention consists in producing the flutes by
drawing or forcing cylindrical bars of metal through suitably-shaped dies, by
which means flutes of the requisite size and of the desired finish are
obtained.
Another part of my Invention consists in producing the flutes by pressure.
For this purpose an instrument of the shape of one or more of the flutes is
pressed on the cylindrical bar of metal, to which an intermittent rotary motion
is imparted; or the flutes may be pressed into the cylindrical bar in a mould
made in two or more parts.
The last part of my Invention consists in casting fluted rollers in chilled
moulds, after which the surfaces of the rollers are polished up to give the
requisite finish.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN POWER LOOMS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITE
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Enoch Fielding at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th December
1864.
I, ENOCH FIELDING, of Wellington Road, Todmorden, in the County of
York, Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN POWER LOOMS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITE,"
to be as follows:-
My first improvement relates to apparatus for preventing the shuttle when
it misses the box from flying about amongst the machinery, or otherwise
committing bodily injury to the attendants. On or above the spindle studs of
the slay I fix a guard of sheet metal or other suitable material. This guard pro-
jects upwards from the stud, and is of such a breadh and height as to receive
the shuttle when it misses the box. My second improvement relates to a
further shuttle guard which is supported from the framework of the loom.
This guard may be of any suitable form, and fixed from the loom side so as
just to clear the end of the slay when the loom is at work. It may be
constructed of sheet metal, or wood, or wire grating, or other suitable material.
My third improvement consists in the use or application of a hook or loop of
a peculiar construction, for the purpose of enabling the attendant to apply the

page_text: cleaning material to remove the sediment or black mud which accumulates
on the picker spindle. This book or loop is of such a form as to pass betwixt
the spindle and the picker, and thus enable the attendant to apply effectually
the cleaning material.
AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING SIGNALS IN RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Burstow at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th July
1864.
I, EDWARD BURSTOW, of Horsham, in the County of Sussex, Architect, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS
FOR COMMUNICATING SIGNALS IN RAILWAY TRAINS," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to enable any person or persons travelling in
a railway train to communicate signals to the guard or engine driver, and
also to enable the guard and engine driver to communicate with each other.
In order to enable the guard to communicate with the engine driver, and
vice versa, I attach in a suitable manner, upon bearers or otherwise, along the
roof of each carriage a bar bent at an angle at each extremity, and capable
of rotating in such a manner that the bent portion of one bar shall be caused
to press or operate upon the bent portion of the bar next in order on the
adjoining carriage, and by doing so shall give or carry on a motion of rotation
to the horizontal series of bars from one end of the train to the other, and
shall act with effect at whatever distance the carriages may be from each
other within the limits of the coupling irons or chains. I also provide that
the passengers may be able to rotate the above or an additional series of bars
by lever, or crank, or other suitable apparatus fixed to the inside of each
carriage and communicating with the bars before-mentioned.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHOD OF DYEING OR COLORING LOOPED CUT PILE OR RAISED FABRICS COMPOSED OF COTTON AND SILK
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Mayo Worrall at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th March
1864.
I, JOHN MAYO WORRALL, of Ordsall, in the County of Lancaster, Dyer
and Finisher, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVEMENT IN THE METHOD OF DYEING OR COLORING LOOPED CUT PILE OR
RAISED FABRICS COMPOSED OF COTTON AND SILK," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to a novel method of dyeing or coloring such fabrics
as are composed of cotton and silk, and commonly made into looped, cut
pile, and "raised" fabrics.
The improvement consist in first dyeing or coloring the cotton warp a "fast
color," by the use of turkey red, indigo, or other fast color, and by any
ordinary means or process; when thus dyed the silk is to be interwoven with
it, and when so combined the mixed fabric produced is to be dyed in any of
the usual manners.
The chief feature of the Invention being the dyeing of the cotton a "fast"
or "foundation color" previous to weaving, so that when the woven cotton
and silk is submitted to the second process of dyeing to color the silk, the
cotton (being already colored), will take up a second amount of color, and
become dyed the same color as the silk, which would not otherwise be so,

page_text: inasmuch as the cotton has not as great an affinity for coloring matter as
silk.
I would remark that I am aware that cotton warp to be used with silk
weft has been treated with mordants previous: to weaving, but not hitherto
dyed or colored before weaving.
AN IMPROVED SACK HOLDER AND A COMBINED SACK HOLDER AND CART OR TRUCK COMBINED
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Beaumont at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st October 1864.
I, WILLIAM HENRY BEAUMONT, of Reading, in the County of Berks,
Traveller to the Reading Iron Works, Limited, do hereby declare the nature
of the Invention for "AN IMPROVED SACK HOLDER AND A COMBINED SACK HOLDER
AND CART OR TRUCK COMBINED," to be as follows:-
The first part of my Invention relates to the mode of arranging the inner
bar of the sack holder, which is brought up so as to clasp the sack, acting
independently on the cross bar, and in place of side spring handles a spring
clip is used at the top to clip the two bars together. A chain is employed in
place of a bar to connect the front and hind legs together.
The second part of my Invention consists in arranging the improved sack
holder above described in combination with a sack, cart, or truck. In
carrying out this part of my Invention the sack holder is mounted upon an
ordinary sack truck, from which it can be readily separated by removing two
pins or bolts or other simple fastening by which it is secured to the truck.
My improved form of sack holder may also be readily adapted and applied
to any ordinary wood. sack truck, thrashing or other grain or flour dressing
machine or apparatus where sacks are used.
AN IMPROVED MEANS OF COM- MUNICATION BETWEEN RAILWAY GUARDS OR OTHER ATTENDANTS AND PASSENGERS IN RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Dicey, at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th July 1864.
I, WILLIAM DICEY, of Waltham Abbey, in the County of Essex, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invenion for "AN IMPROVED MEANS OF COM-
MUNICATION BETWEEN RAILWAY GUARDS OR OTHER ATTENDANTS AND PASSENGERS
IN RAILWAY TRAINS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in fixing with clamps or other means two double
flange rails of iron or other material parallel to each other on the roofs of
railway carriages either in the centre or on the side, these rails to extend with
an eye an inch or more beyond the roof of the carriage. A connecting rail,
being a detached piece of the same form as the rail secured to the roof, as
described above, and of the same length as the distance between any two car-
riages, with a hook or shackle at each end, is to connect the fixed rails on the
carriage roofs, and so form a continuous rail from one end of the train to the
other. This connecting rail is formed by two or more pieces of metal sliding one
within the other, as the slide in a Gunter's scale or carpenter's rule, so as to allow
its length to be extended or shortened as the distance between the carriage is
increased or diminished when the train is in motion. On this railway I place
a truck or short platform resting on four or more wheels which is intended to
traverse from one end of the train to the other, the axles of the wheels to be
above the truck or platform so as to allow it to be as near the carriage as pos-
sible. From the ends of the axles outside the wheels downwards, iron guides
are to be fixed with the lower end bent inwards to take the upper flanges of

page_text: the rails; this will allow the truck or platform to move back wards or forwards,
but will prevent it being lifted off the rails by any sudden movement of the
carriages. A trap door or window is to be placed in a convenient position in
the roof of each compartment of the carriages through which the guard or
attendant may communicate verbally or otherwise with the passenger making
a signal. At the fore part of the truck or platform a thick plate of glass in
a metal frame is to be placed as a protection to the guard from wind and
weather.
The use of the Invention is that the guard or attendant, placed at some con-
venient and commanding position on any part of the train, on seeing a signal
made by any passenger in the train may at once lie down on the truck or
platform and pull himself along the train by means of a rope extending
along the top of the carriages or otherwise to the carriage from which the
signal is made, and enquire the cause of such signal; or the Invention may be
applied to any other purpose where the guard or, attendant may wish to com-
municate with the passengers, such as collecting tickets or other business
while the train is in motion.
A NEW METHOD OF PRODUCING LUMINOUS PLACARDS, SIGNALS, AND ADVERTISE- MENTS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Archibald Brooman at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th August 1864.-A communication from abroad by Jean Baptiste
Trouillot, of Lons le Saunier, and Alexandre Chavet, of Paris,
France.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"A NEW METHOD OF PRODUCING LUMINOUS PLACARDS, SIGNALS, AND ADVERTISE-
MENTS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in the special application to a new method of
producing placards of the processes of lighting and optics in use for the
projection at a distance of luminous images. For example, I take a magic -
lantern or dark chamber and introduce glass slides bearing the signs and
characters of the announcement or placard desired. I project the inscriptions.
and signs repelled by the lighted optical apparatus at a long distance in a.
luminous form upon a screen, wall, or other fixed or moving surface. These
inscriptions are permanent or fugitive according to whether the apparatus is
fixed or not. By this new application a new mode of advertising is constituted
applicable to commercial wants, whether in theatres, upon walls and public
monuments, or elsewhere. The brilliancy of the luminous inscription will
depend upon the intensity of the light used in the apparatus. By electric

page_text: light or the Drummond light, and concentrating several focuses, a light may be
passed on a given point nearly equivalent to that of the sun. The sharpness
of the inscription projected may be obtained by means of converging lenses
moved by a rack.
AN IMPROVED KNIFE FOR CUTTING THE CLAMPS OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Lang at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, witli his Petition, on the 11th August
1864.
I, PETER LANG, of Tuilerie Street, Hackney Road, Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
KNIFE FOR CUTTING THE CLAMPS OF BOOTS AND SHOES," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to effect an economy in time and material in
forming the clamps of boots and shoes.
My Invention consists in the employment of a knife so formed as to cut
from the centre or body of the clamp a piece of leather of such form as to be
adapted to the formation of the side of another clamp.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate my Invention.
Figure 1 represents a knife for cutting a clamp and a half at one operation
of the knife. Figure 2 a modification of the same, whereby two clamps are
cut at one operation of the knife. At each operation the knife is reversed,
whereby the piece of leather which has been cut from the centre or body of
the clamp is brought into position with the knife for forming the side of
another clamp.
ȧ, a, are spaces or depressions in the face of the knife for the purpose of
leaving small portions of the material forming the clamp, in order to hold the
clamps together until it is desired to separate them.
IMPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FOR SECURING THROWSER STRAPS TO BOOTS, OVERBOOTS, SHOES, OR SUCH LIKE COVERINGS FOR THE FEET, PARTICULARLY ADAPTED TO BE USED FOR RIDING PURPOSES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Mainstone at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th January
1864.
I, EDWARD MAINSTONE, of Saint Paneras, in the County of Middlesex,.
Boot Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
ARRANGEMENTS FOR SECURING THROWSER STRAPS TO BOOTS, OVERBOOTS, SHOES, OR
SUCH LIKE COVERINGS FOR THE FEET, PARTICULARLY ADAPTED TO BE USED FOR RIDING
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
In or near what is termed the "waist" (that is the part under the instep
of the boot or similar article, I construct an opening from one side to the
other, and protect this opening by brass or other metal plate or plates firmly
screwed or secured to the leather or material of the boot or article, and so
that the trowser strap may be passed through the same and there remain,
even when cleaning the boot or similar article, always ready for use.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Amherst Hawker Renton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th
December 1864.
I, AMHERST HAWKER RENTON, of 5, Whitehall, in the City of Westminster,
5 in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in the combination of a modification of the
ordinary rifle and musket lock and movement, and movable breech piece
and seating, so as to produce an efficient breech-loading musket, carbine, or
O fowling-piece, either with rifled or smooth bore; at the same, if desirable,
combining with it the muzzle-loading appliances.
The modifications of the ordinary rifle and musket lock and movement'
consists in substituting a curved hammer for that ordinarily used, so that it
may be made to strike on the end of the cartridge at a point excentric to the
I line of sight, so as to offer no impediment to the aim of the gun. The
thumb-piece of the hammer is also curved so as to admit of the free insertion
of the cartridge into the breech of the barrel. I prefer the hammer to strike
the breech end of the cartridge at or about an angle of 45 degrees from the
vertical line, which will admit of the hammer and thumb-piece being removed
sufficiently from the line of sight when the hammer is at full cock. I also
substitute a form of bridle for that now used to the tumbler, so as to admit
of the seating piece for the breech being hollowed sufficiently to give free
passage to the cartridge on loading. The movable breech piece, which I

page_text: combine with the above lock is that employed by Strong, Crosswell, and others
in their breech-loaders; the seating for which I firmly attach to the barrel by
a screw cut on the breech, a lip being formed at the end of the barrel to
facilitate the withdrawal of the spent cartridge case by means of a spring cam
on the joint of the breech piece. By these means I preserve the strength of
the stock, and effect a combination, which particularly adapts itself to the
economical conversion of muzzle-loading fire-arms at the same time that
it facilitates the economical manufacture of new arms.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BLAST AND OTHER FURNACES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Archibald Brooman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th October 1864.-A communication from abroad by Auguste de
Bergue, of Madrid, Spain.
I, RICHARD ARCHIBALD BROOMAN, of 166, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLAST AND OTHER FURNACES," to be as follows:-
In this Invention the fuel is placed in a space separated from that which
receives the ore. The air for supporting combustion is directed by blast or
suction upon the fuel. The feed of fuel is effected without the vessel which
contains it communicating with the outer air. A pipe draws the inflamed
gases to melt the ore.
Figure 1 is a vertical section, and Figure 2 a horizontal section of a blast
furnace constructed according to this Invention.
A is a pipe, vertical or inclined with regard to the crucible C; it may be
plain, as in Fig. 1, or formed as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It enters more or
less into the crucible, and communicates at top with the cylinder O. The
crucible C takes the form of a basin D, and receives the fuel. It is strengthened
by a metal frame I, and is surmounted by a platform K, on the top of which
the outlets from pipes M, M, from a fan or blower are fixed, the air driven
through these pipes comes in contact with the fuel in the crucible, an drives
the flame and lighted gases from the fuel into the pipe A. The feed vessel
for the ores and fluxes is in the shape of a funnel; it consists of a mouth H

page_text: and a conical tube E, terminating in a cylinder O. It is supported by an
entablature upon pillars P. The feed of fuel to the basin D takes place
without the interior thereof communicating with the outside. The platform K
is formed with openings S all round, over which openings boxes U, Figure 5,
are free to slide. Each box is open at bottom and is furnished with a cover V
which is only opened to fill the boxes with fuel. When the boxes are drawn
over the openings S their contents are discharged into the basin D. On
being drawn back the openings S are closed by plates connected to the boxes.
In some cases a draught from a shaft may be substituted for the blast from
a fan or blower.
Working of the apparatus.-The fuel is introduced into the basin D; the
ore and fluxes are introduced through the funnel H; the fuel is lighted, and
the air for supporting combustion is driven in through the pipes M, M. Heat
is soon developed, and the flame and gases are driven upwards into the pipe A,
and the intensity of the gases causes fusion of the ore. The fused ore runs
into and occupies the bottom of the crucible C:
IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR DRIVING PILES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Laurent Bovy at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th January
1864.
I, LAURENT BOVY, of Liège, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Mechancian, do
I hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY
FOR DRIVING PILES," to be as follows:-
The peculiar feature of novelty in this Invention is the use of a lever for
lifting the weight, whereby the pile is driven into the ground. The pile is
secured in a vertical or the required position in the ordinary manner, and the
frame of the driving apparatus is adapted to the upper end of the pile, so that
it will descend with it. The driving weight is made to move in vertical guides,
and is provided with two side arms or bars, which are connected together at
their upper ends by a cross piece. The actuating lever is made of any con-
venient length, and one end is inserted under the cross piece of the side arms
or bars, while to the opposite end are connected any number of hauling ropes,
according to the weight to be lifted. The lever is also provided with a
counterbalance pendulum weight, whereby it may be brought back into the
proper position for making a second stroke when the driving weight has been
released.
The action of the machine is as follows:-The lifting end of the lever
is allowed to descend and pass under the cross piece of the side arms of the
weight, the labourers then will pull down the other end of the lever, and
thereby raise the weight until the cross piece, whereby it is lifted, escapes from

page_text: the end of the actuating lever, when the weight will descend with great force
on to the head of the pile, and drive it into the earth by repeated blows. The
labourers then slacken their ropes, and allow the lifting end of the lever to
descend again and catch a second time under the cross piece, when the weight
may be again lifted, and so on, until the pile is driven far enough into the
ground. The driving apparatus is then removed from the head of the pile,
and adapted to another pile, which may be driven in the same manner.
AN IMPROVED SPRING HOOK OR FASTENING FOR SUSPENDING OR SECURING CURTAINS, GARMENTS, FABRICS, JEWELLERY, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE, UPHOLSTERY, ORNAMENT, OR APPAREL
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William George Williams and
John Fraser at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 23rd June 1864.
We, WILLIAM GEORGE WILLIAMS, of 8, Ockendon Road, Islington, in the
County of Middlesex, and JOHN FRASER, of 73, Mildmay Road, Islington,
aforesaid, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN
IMPROVED SPRING HOOK OR FASTENING FOR SUSPENDING OR SECURING CURTAINS,
GARMENTS, FABRICS, JEWELLERY, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF FURNITURE, UPHOLSTERY,
ORNAMENT, OR APPAREL," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of an improved method of suspending or securing
curtains, garments, fabrics, jewellery, and other articles of furniture, uphol-
stery, ornament, or apparel without sewing, and is effected by means of a
hook or fastening, which we make of wire or steel (with metal or other
coating where necessary), in an irregular, hooked, circular, elliptical, or other
form, so as to adapt it to the purpose for which it is required, and having ono
end sharpened; the sides of the portions of the wire or steel, which are near
the ends, being curved and carried along each other in reverse directions for
a necessary distance from the ends, and in such a manner as to cause such
sides of the portions of the wire or steel as are near the ends to press or
spring against each other, so that when any article which has been passed
through either of the ends of the hook or fastening and along and past the

page_text: spring portion thereof, and by that means become attached to the hook or
fastening, may not become detached threfrom until required, which may be
easily done by opening the hook or fastening and passing the article over
either of the ends.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS' SAFETY LAMPS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Hammerton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th May 1864.
I, BENJAMIN HAMMERTON, of Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, Safety
Lamp Manufacturer and Brassfounder, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MINERS' SAFETY LAMPS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists in applying to miners' safety lamps a self-acting
apparatus by which the light is extinguished as soon as the top of the lamp is
attempted to be removed from the bottom part thereof.
A convenient mode of carrying my Invention into operation is as follows:-
Near the top of the tube, through which the wick passes from the oil chamber
in the bottom of the lamp, is fixed a horizontal plate or guard, and at the other
side of the wick is a moveable plate or guard fixed to a wire passing through
a tube fixed to the bottom part of the lamp; this wire is bent below and fits in
a slot in a spring, which has a catch projecting from a round plate of the
diameter of the inside of the screw connecting the upper and lower parts of
the lamp; this catch, when the lamp is unscrewed, is acted upon by a stud
projecting from the interior of the upper part of the lamp and the slot in the
spring acting on the bent wire, to which the moveable plate or guard above
referred to is fixed, presses the wick against the stationary one, and extin-
guishes the light before the top can be removed. The above details may be
considerably varied.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WADDING, FELT, AND WATERPROOF FABRICS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Shepherd at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th September
1864.
I, JAMES SHEPHERD of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Broker, do
hereby declare the nature of tho said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WADDING, FELT, AND WATERPROOF
FABRICS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of a feeding roller working in a trough, the cotton
or other fibres of which the wadding, felt, or waterproof fabric is to be made
is supplied by hand or in the form of a thick fleece to a feeding table com-
municating with the trough, over which the fibres are drawn by the feed
roller. In front of the feeding trough is a vibrating knife or comb, or a pair
of knives or combs, which strike the fibres over the edge of the trough, and
deposit them in a loose and open state upon an endless apron, above which
are a series of working rollers to consolidate the loose fibres on the apron;
the number of and the pressure given to these rollers depends upon the
tickness of wadding, felt, or waterproof fabric required; on leaving the
apron the fleece of fibres is taken over a roller, and either sized or rendered
waterproof by the application of adhesive or water repellent substances in
the ordinary manner. The wadding, felt, or waterproof fabric is then con-
veyed to the drying stove, or taken over drying tables constructed with a
portion supplied with heated air and another portion supplied with steam.
AN IMPROVED COMBINED WATERCLOSET AND URINAL
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Dence at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th February.
1864.
I, JOHN DENCE, of New Weston Street, Bermondsey, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVED COMBINED WATERCLOSET AND URINAL," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to add to the convenience and cleanliness of
public and domestic buildings and sea-going vessels by providing a closet so
constructed as to serve the distinct purpose of either a watercloset or an urinal
without incurring the great inconvenience and annoyance generally caused by
the use of a watercloset as an urinal in consequence of the wet condition in
which the seat in that case is usually left. My Invention has the further
advantage of economising space, as by its adoption the necessity for a separate
urinal is avoided, and the space it would occupy is available for other purposes,
which is often an important consideration, more especially on ship-board.
In carrying out my Invention I adopt various methods, the principal feature
in each case being, however, that the seat of my combined watercloset and
urinal is attached by a pivot hinge or joint, so constructed and arranged by
self-acting mechanical means that a person cannot approach it without finding
the seat in a vertical position, the closet being then ready for use as a urinal,
and if he requires to use it as a seat he can with ease close the lid or seat and
use it for that purpose.
I will now proceed to describe more particularly the methods I adopt in
carrying out my Invention.

page_text: First, I employ a seat that works on a pivot hinge or joint at the back or
sides with an arm or lever, having a counterbalance weight attached, so
adjusted that the weight shall be just sufficiently in excess of the weight of
the seat as to keep it in a vertical position, and yet not so much so but that the
seat may be easily pressed down for use.
Second, in some cases I secure the same object by means of a spring instead
of a weight.
Third, in some cases I adopt a mechanical arrangement in connection with
the door of the closet, so constructed that any person opening the door
sufficiently wide to enter, by so doing raises the seat to a vertical position, in
which it remains ready for use as an urinal unless lowered by hand for use as
a seat.
Fourth, in other cases I employ a platform in front of the seat on which
any person must tread who comes near enough to make use of the closet.
This platform is connected by a simple mechanical arrangement to the seat,
so that any person treading on it thereby raises the seat to a vertical position,
but can easily press it down if requiring to sit on it. . .
My Invention, in one or other of the forms herein described, can be adapted
to any existing form of closet.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HAMMERS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Jonathan Armstrong at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st April
1864.
I, JONATHON ARMSTRONG, of Sheffield, in the County of York, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
HAMMERS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in steam hammers, by which I avoid
turning the slab or block on the anvil during the shaping, and by which I am
also enabled to regulate the force of the blow of the hammer, instead or
depending only on the weight of the hammer.
In the first place, the iron to be shaped is placed on the anvil, and after
being struck by the top hammer it is acted upon by two side hammers adapted
for that purpose, and which, when the blow is struck, slide back and allow the
top hammer to operate, and so on in succession till the work is completed.
In the second place I regulate the force of the blow in the following
manner-The hammer, as in ordinary cases, consists of a cylinder with tool
attached to it, the cylinder or hammer having two hollow piston rods or stalks,
one of which acts on the bottom of the cylinder, the other lifting it; thus, if a
light blow is to be struck only, a little steam is admitted into the top of the
cylinder, retaining it by means of a second rod in communication with the
exhaust valve, and letting it out according to the force of the blow I wish to

page_text: strike; if a heavy blow is to be struck, a sufficient quantity of steam must be
let into the botton of the cylinder to force it against the metal on the anvil.
The above described improvements are applicable to hammers employed in
chain making, and also to compressed air hammers.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BEDSTEADS
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Elizabeth John at the Office of
the Commissioners of. Patents, with her Petition, on the 27th August
1864.
I, ELIZABETH JOHN, of the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham,
Widow, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BEDSTEADS," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in making the four corner posts or pillars of bed-
steads to fold at any suitable part above the place where are the mortice holes
for the head, side, and foot rails, the side rails, and also if required the head
and foot rails, may be divided into two lengths joined by hinges on the under
side, so that the ends which carry the hinges abut against each other when a
mattress or other weight is placed upon them. The top sides of the rails are
furnished with studs, which take into rings attached to or eyelet holes pro-
vided in the bed sacking, or its equivalent, which is preferably in one length.
The ends of the several rails have holes on their under side, into which holes
take hooks secured to or upon the sides of the four bed posts or pillars, or in
lieu of holes and hooks, other convenient contrivances may be employed for
attaching the rails to the posts or pillars. Bedsteads thus constructed may
be readily taken down and folded up to be out of the way until again
required, and hence are well adapted for emigrants and travellers.
5 IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FEET CASTS AND LASTS FOR BOOT AND SHOE MAKING
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION-left by John Brownhill-at-the- Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th October
1864.
I, JOHN BROWNHILL, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in the County of Northumber
land, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
5 IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FEET CASTS AND LASTS FOR BOOT AND SHOE MAKING," to
be as follows :—
I take a piece of wood fashioned nearly like the sole of a clog, furnished
with a spring at the heel, which can be elevated or depressed according as a
high or low heel is required, and I place round this sole of wood a rim of
leather, tin, or lead. This hollow space I fill with ordinary clay or other
plastic material which will easily receive and retain an impression. I next
take a thin strip of lead or tin and spread over it a layer of clay or other
plastic material. The aforesaid thin strip of lead or tin should be of such a
length and width that it will go entirely round the heel to the requisite
height. I now place the foot, whose cast I wish to take, on the clay bottom,
allowing it to sink sufficiently to form a good impression of the under side of
the foot, and while in that position I bend closely round the heel the above-
named thin strip of lead or tin covered with a layer of clay or plastic material,
so as to take an impression of the heel. The top part of the foot from the
toes to the ankle-joint I take with .ordinary modelling plaster, but to prevent
the plaster from spreading when poured on the foot I take a piece of thin
lead, say, for instance, about one inch and a half in width, and bend it round
the fore part of the foot, but at the distance, say, of one inch from the foot

page_text: all round, so as to rest firmly on the clay sole. Having thus obtained a cast
of the foot, I pour ordinary modelling plaster into it, and so obtain a model
of the foot, from which I make a strong [plaster cast in any number of pieces
to suit my purpose, or the peculiar form of the foot. This cast I put into a
screw press or other apparatus, whereby it may be firmly held together, and press
into it, so as to fill all the interstices gutta percha previously softened in boiling
water, or I may use gutta percha mixed with wood sawdust, cork, or sal-
-ammoniac. I thus get a perfect copy of the foot or last, with any corns,
bunnions, or other protuberances or inequalities, from which boots-or-shoes--
can be made more readily than from the old wooden lasts. To allow for the
prolongation of the foot in walking, I add-a-little gutta percha to the toes,
and to facilitate the getting out of the gutta percha last when the boot or
shoe is made, I cut in it a block, and when the foot is much deformed it may
require to be cut or divided into three pieces:
AN IMPROVEMENT IN LADIES' DRESSES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Needham at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th November
1864.
I, GEORGE NEEDHAM, of the Firm of W. and G. Needham and Company,
of Old Change, in the City of London, Mantle Manufacturers, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN LADIES'
DRESSES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing dresses in one length from top to
bottom, both at back and front, and in providing buttons and button holes, or
hooks and eyes, or other like attachments, from the neck to the bottom of
the skirt in front. Being in one continuous length there is no jointing or
separation between the body and skirt. The pieces or gores are shaped to fit
the body and to afford fulness to the skirt.