matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ACTUATING THE POINTS OR SWITCHES OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Thomson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th December
1866.
I, WILLIAM THOMSON, of the Railway Foundry and Ironworks, Normanton,
in the County of York, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ACTUATING THE POINTS OR SWITCHES OF
RAILWAYS," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for actuating
the points or switches of railways. For these purposes one end of a rod
which is connected at its other end to the tongue rail of a switch is attached
by a pin joint to the end of one arm of a bell-crank lever; to the end of the
other arm of the bell-crank lever is suspended a weight which retains the
tongue rail of the switch in a desired position. The weight works in
the centre of the box, and is connected to the lever handle which reverses the
position of the switches by links or otherwise. By this arrangement the lever
handle may be made to work in any direction by a universal joint, or it may
be made to work in two ways only at right angles to or parallel with the
switches. The lever handle carries a signal plate or disc which indicates the
position of the tongue rails of the switch. The lever handle turns on' an axis
in lugs at the top of the box, or it may turn on a universal joint, and the
weight is attached to the lever, so that when at liberty the lever and the
tongue rail of the switch will be brought to and and retained in the desired
position.
IMPROVED MEANS OF ASCERTAINING. THE WEIGHT AND POSTAGE OF LETTERS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henri Adrien Bonneville at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents with his Petition, on the 12th
March 1866. A communication from Hippolyte Adeon Depierris,
residing at Rue d'Alger, Paris, in the Empire of France.
I, HENRI ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices,.
24, Rue du Mont Thabor, Paris, in the Empire of France, and 38, Porchester
Terrace, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS OF ASCERTAINING.
THE WEIGHT AND POSTAGE OF LETTERS," communicated to me by Hippolyte
Adeon Depierris, a person residing at Rue d'Alger, Paris, in the Empire of
France aforesaid, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in improved means of ascertaining the weight and
postage of letters by the use of sheets of paper and envelopes, each of which is
marked with its own weight, in combination with a penholder, showing the
postage corresponding to the said weight or weights.
The accompanying Drawing shows this penholder; Fig. I open and in
action; Fig. 2 closed. In these Figures, a is the handle of the penholder;
b, the clasp or mechanism intended for holding the letter, on the branches of
which are marked divisions corresponding to the different postal weights. By
pushing out this clasp more or less the heavier end of the penholder will
counterbalance the different weights and show the postage due on them;

page_text: c, sheath placed on the end of the handle in order to close the apparatus;
d, hook terminating the sheath c; e, small cross piece at the end of the handle
for receiving the hook; f, longitudinal opening formed in the handle in
which a rod provided with a stud 9 slides in order to move the clasp. In
this opening the hook of the sheath is placed when the apparatus is
closed.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN PARALLEL RULERS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Davies at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th December
1866.
I, JAMES DAVIES, of Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, Rule and
Mathematical Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN PARALLEL RULERS," to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to construct what I term a proportional
parallel ruler, that is to say, a ruler for ruling parallel lines at given distances
without the aid of dividers or scales.
My Invention consists in fitting in the ruler at about the middle of its
length, and by preference near the ruling edge, a rolling drum divided at
different portions of its periphery into different proportions by small holes ;
also in fitting a small plate free to slide on a rod parallel with the rolling
drum; this plate carries a pin or catch, which, as the drum revolves, takes
successively into the holes which are in the plane to which the plate is set.
While the ruler is in use the plate is pressed upon by the finger to cause the
pin to take into the holes, and a spring fitted beneath the plate raises it when
the pressure is removed. A button may be fitted to the plate for the finger
to press upon; the pressure is removed each time a line has been ruled, and
the ruler then moves on until the pin takes into the next following hole.
My rolling drum and catch may be used in conjunction with the rolling
drums now sometimes fitted to parallel rulers:
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Francis Herbert Wenham at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
June 1866.
I, FRANCIS HERBERT WENHAM, of Union Road, Clapham, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to a novel arrangement of surfaces placed one above
the other, and kept in parallel planes by means of cords, or rods, or webs of
woven fabric. Each of these surfaces is made of silk, canvas, or other light
material stretched in a frame or by means of wooden rods or ribs of steel.
If the length of the surface exceeds the breadth I prefer placing the long
edges foremost in the direction of motion. The number of these surfaces
may be increased from two upwards according to the amount of weight to be
raised or carried. This system of surfaces is arranged above a framework or
car, or other suitable structure for containing the motive power. If manual
power is employed I prefer placing the body in a horizontal position.
The arms or legs work a slide or treadle from which connecting cords convey
a reciprocating motion to oars or propellers which are hinged above the back
of the person working them. The oars extend out sideways, each consisting
of a spar at the end of which is a fabric stretched by ribs resembling the
wing of a bat. Several persons may be placed side by side and work the
treadles together. If the machine is held against the wind with the planes
slightly inclining upwards it will be raised. The treadles are then to be

page_text: worked in order to continue the motion. If there is no wind a start may be
obtained by lowering the legs beneath the machine and running down hill ;
or the machine may be laid on a carriage running down an incline or drawn
forward by some temporary motive force; if a steam engine or other motive
power is employed one or more screws or rotary vanes may be applied for
propelling the machine.
Ax IMPROVED WRENCH AND CUTTER
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Dakin Grimshaw at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
January 1866.
I, WILLIAM DAKIN GRIMSHAW, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Ax
IMPROVED WRENCH AND CUTTER," to be as follows:-
This Invention is intended to supply in one instrument a wrench, such as
is used by the worker in tubes and rods of metal, and a cutter for severing
such tubes or rods; and for this purpose I remove a portion of the serrated end
of the jaw (a) Figure 1 (and Figure 2 of the annexed Drawings, and sink a
socket for the reception of a plug formed upon a tooth or cutter shewn in its
various views in the remaining Drawings. This cutter when removed in no
way interferes with the use of the tool as a wrench, but may be carried in
the pocket of the workman, and when a cutting tool is wanted, by simply
inserting the tool in his wrench all filing or other laborious mode of
cutting is avoided, one turn of the wrench being sufficient to sever the tube
or rod.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TURNING OVER OR CLOSING THE ENDS OF CARTRIDGES
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Erskine at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th May
1866.
I, JAMES ERSKINE, of Newton Stewart, in the County of Wigton, North
Britain, Gunmaker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TURNING OVER OR CLOSING THE ENDS OF
CARTRIDGES," to be as follows:-
Apparatus for turning in or closing the ends of cartridges has hitherto
consisted of a long tube or socket to receive the full length of the cartridge,
and with a slot in the side to receive the pin of pin cartridges, which pin has
acted as a stop to prevent the cartridge rotating with the action of the rotating
instrument operating on the ends of the case within the tube or socket, as well
understood, to turn the end down and close the cartridge. So far this instru-
ment answers the purpose passably, but it is some little trouble to withdraw
and insert the cartridge, while for central-fire cartridges which have no pin
projecting from the side the instrument has been almost useless, and numerous
contrivances have been added to hold such cartridges and prevent them
turning round, which are all more or less troublesome and inconvenient for
operating quickly.
Now according to my Invention I make the socket which receives the
cartridge short, and so as to contain a short length of the cartridge only and
without any slot for the pin of pin cartridges. In operating to turn in and
close cartridges, whether pin cartridges or otherwise, I hold the cartridge in

page_text: the hand all the time (the greater part of its length being exposed offers
facilities for so doing), and thereby prevent its rotating (there being no stop
whatever), and at the same time press it up to the instrument operating the
turning in. By this means I am enabled to turn in and close cartridges with
greater facility and rapidity than by the ordinary machine or apparatus.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN ANCHORS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Denison Chauncey Pierce at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th
October 1866..
I, DENISON CHAUNCEY PIERCE, of Clayton, Jefferson County, State of New
York, at present residing at 31, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex,
Captain, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ANCHORS," to be as follows:-
The following description of the improvements I introduce in the
construction of anchors, together with the advantages over the present system,
will be readily understood, and consist, 1st, in the adaptation of a bow or arc
of iron formed of two movable bars, the upper and lower ends of each are
respectively connected by any suitable and known means to the ends of the
arms of the stock and to the crown on either side thereof, and in order to give
an additional support to the stock I place two extra bars, one on either side of
the shank and reaching upwards to the point of junction of the first named
bars and the ends of the arms of the stock, at an angle of about 45 degrees.
The object of this bow is to insure the anchor's canting on its flukes or palms
on striking the ground, and serves the double purpose of strengthening the
stock and shank, while effectually preventing the chain or tackle from fouling
the former.

page_text: 2ndly, in causing the arms bearing the flukes to be jointed to the crown
by means of strong hinges to the inside thereof, while the lower part is
strengthened by inserting arched bars of iron into the flukes; the said bars
working in openings made in the crown in such a manner that supposing the
anchor to have struck the ground on one of its palms, the opposite one would
at once fall forward by its own weight, drawing out with it the bar; by this it
will be seen that the unused palm or fluke would be kept out of reach of the
tackle, and the bar would form a barrier to its entering the joint; these bars
may be made fixed or movable in the flukes.
8rdly, I make the crown and arms of the anchor hollow; by this I mean
that instead of being one solid mass, as at present, I cause openings to be made
through the parts above named, giving the head the appearance of a frame-
work of iron; the size of the openings would be regulated according to the
dimensions of the anchor, care being taken that the parts most likely to be
tested as to strength shall be of sufficient solidity to bear the same. I must
here observe that I do not confine myself to making all anchors with an open
crown and arms, as the other parts of my Invention are equally applicable to
anchors of a solid form.
By this simple method anchors can be constructed at a less cost, with an
increase of strength to those parts most subject to strain or breakage.
In adapting my principle of the bow to anchors as at present in use I
cause the ends of the bars forming the arc to be attached to the outer edges
of the flukes instead of to the crown; this insures protection to the flukes as
well as the stock from the chains or tackle fouling the same.
Im- PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEGMENT SHELLS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Andrew Noble at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd July
1866.
I, ANDREW NOBLE, of Newcastle upon Tyne, Engineer, late Captain in the
Royal Artillery, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEGMENT SHELLS," to be as follows:-
The improvements have especial reference to that description of shrapnel
shell known as the Armstrong segment shell, although they may also be
applied to other rifled shrapnel shell.
The Armstrong segment shells for heavy ordnance are arranged for large
bursting charges, these shells being chiefly intended for use against ships
where a great and violent dispersion of the fragments on the fighting side is
requisite, or against casemate or other batteries when the same conditions
apply. When however these shells are required to be used against troops,
especially in column, great dispersion is a disadvantage, and the modifications.
by which a more effective action against troops in column is attained constitute
the present Invention.
The improvements are as follows:-I arrange, as has already been done, the
bursting charge of the shell in rear of the segments, or segments and bullets,
or bullets constituting the contents of the shell, but the charge is lodged in
that part of the shell which is known as the back end or plug, it being cast
with a cavity to receive the bursting charge, and being screwed into the shell
instead of being attached by lead run into grooves in the ordinary manner.

page_text: in
In lieu of having the front part of the shell made in a separate piece and
attached to the body by pins or other contrivances, I cast the front part
one piece with the body of the shell. To the front end of the shell I cast or
attach studs or pieces inside to keep the contents in the body until the bursting
charge is ignited, but they are of such a strength as to allow of their being
sheared by the ignition of the bursting charge; the contents are then thrown
forward and act as a wedge to assist the bursting charge in fracturing the
shell and releasing its contents without much dispersion. I also arrange the
interior row of segments in such a manner as to form the communication for
conveying the ignition of the fuze to the bursting charge.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Warren Roberton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
October 1866.
I, JAMES WARBEN ROBERTON, of 14, St. James Square, in the County
5 of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows :-
I
This Invention has for its object improvements in breech-loading fire-arms.
arrange at the breech end of the barrel a body of a trough-like form open
at the top for the introduction of the cartridge, and at the rear end of the
body is a ring with a screw thread cut within it, a portion of the screw thread
is, however, removed by filing or forming three longitudinal grooves through
the ring. In order to close the breech a plug or bolt is used which slides
longitudinally in the trough-like body and through the ring at the back
thereof; this plug or bolt also has a screw thread cut at its rear end which
also has longitudinal grooves filed in it. When the plug or bolt is thrust
forward to close the breech the screw threads upon it pass through the
grooves formed in the ring at the back of the body, but when the plug or
bolt is turned partly round the screw threads upon it lock with the screw
threads in the ring on the body, and so the plug or bolt is securely held.
The plug or bolt has a lever handle upon it by which it is worked. The
plug or bolt is hollow, and has within it a spiral spring which acts on a
striker in such manner as-to-throw-it-forward-to-explode: the cartridge when=
the trigger is pulled. The closing of the breech causes the spiral spring

page_text: which acts on the striker to be compressed ready for action. The fore part
of the plug or bolt carries a hook or extractor to withdraw the cartridge case,
and is so arranged that the main portion of the plug or bolt may turn
independently of it in locking and unlocking.
So far the arrangement has no substantial novelty; according to my
Invention, however, I employ within the hollow plug or bolt a sliding rod, at
the fore end of which there is formed a needle or striker for exploding a
central-fire cartridge. On the sliding rod a spring arm is fixed which projects
out through a slot in the side of the plug or bolt. When the plug or bolt
is slidden forward to close the breech a catch at the end of the spring arm
lays hold of the ring at the back of the body, and the sliding rod is thus
retained while the plug or bolt is thrust home, the spiral spring is thus compressed
between the back of the plug or bolt and a collar on the sliding rod. The trigger
when pressed upon presses up the catch on the spring arm clear of the ring
at the back of the body; the sliding rod then flies forward in consequence of
the action of the spring and the striker at its fore end explodes the cartridge.
In converting muzzle-loading guns into breech-loaders on this system it is
sometimes convenient in place of employing a separate trough-like body into
which the barrel is fixed to produce a similar trough-like form in the substance
of the barrel itself.
A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE OF PRINTING PATTERNS ON DYED SILKS AND ALL KINDS OF DYED Goods
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Brabason Legge at the
Office of the Commissioners of. Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th April 1866.-A communication from abroad by Pierre Courmons,
of Rue St. Chatrine, No. 24, Malines, Belgium.
I, RICHARD BRABASON LEGGE, of Elmfield House, Kilburn Square, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE OF PRINTING PATTERNS ON DYED SILKS AND ALL
KINDS OF DYED Goods," (a communication), to be as follows:-
The material to be printed is stretched on a padded board and secured at
both ends. A second padded board covered with oilcloth is coated with
flatted paint; varnish is laid on over the paint. A block formed of carved
wood and metallic pins of any design is then coated with the paint and
varnish. When equally covered the block is pressed by hand upon the
material, after which a careful slow drying by means of stoves to prevent the
pattern spreading. When dry the material must be passed through a cylinder
for the purpose of pressing. The paint used for coating the blocks may be
mixed with any color by means of the ordinary tints used in dyeing, all of
which are in a liquid form. The blocks or designs used are of every pattern,
namely, flowers, stripes, bars, stars, leaves, or any design used in the manu-
facture of new materials. No rain, damp, nor any moisture whatever can
efface or effect the printing, it being protected by the varnish heretofore
mentioned, which also gives brilliancy to the designs.
A NEW METHOD OF ADVERTISING
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henri Aux Cousteaux at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 21st April
1866.
I, HENRI AUX COUSTEAUX, of Rue du Faubourg, St. Honoré, No. 195, in
Paris, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "A
NEW METHOD OF ADVERTISING," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of a new method of advertising in connection with
newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals and publications.
It is printed
The Invention consists in what I call an "advertising note."
upon one page or portion of a page of the publication for the purpose here-
after described, such page or portion being readily separated when required
from the remainder of the publication in a similar manner to that employed
in separating cheques from their counterfoils or otherwise. This page or
advertising note is printed with the name of the publication, the date, and any
other convenient indication. It also bears a notification that it will be
received as cash or money equal to the whole or a portion of the price of the
publication by any of the tradesmen or manufacturers whose names, addresses,.
and businesses are contained in a list printed on another page or portion of
the publication, or on the advertising note itself; this list may also be
printed separately and delivered to the purchasers of the publication. This
method advertises not only the publication, but all the tradesmen and manu--
facturers whose names are in the list, as every purchaser of a copy of the
publication becomes possessed of a note or piece of paper representing a
certain amount, and which will be received as money by such tradesmen,, he

page_text: is naturally induced to deal with them. Besides, the purchaser of the publi-
cation being in this manner refunded, the money paid by him, or part thereof,
the publication costs him little or nothing, and the circulation of the news-
papers, magazines, and other publications in which my new method is adopted
will therefore be largely increased.
The proprietors of the publications and the tradesmen and manufacturers
whose names are in the list can make any arrangements between themselves
which may be found mutually advantageous.
AN IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHIC LENS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Henry Dallimeyer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th February 1866.
I, JOHN HENRY DALLMEYER, of 19, Bloomsbury Street, in the County
of Middlesex, Optician, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for an "AN IMPROVED PHOTOGRAPHIC LENS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists of an improved photographic lens embracing a
very large angle of view, say 100° or more, upon a plane surface, with
freedom from distortion and chromatic and sypherical aberration. It
is composed of three lenses, two of crown glass and one of flint glass,
making a triple combination, and similar in this respect to the triple achro-
matic lens already manufactured by me, embracing an angle of about 60° or
70°; but, instead of being composed of three combinations, each achromatic
or nearly so in itself, it consists of three single non-achromatic lenses,
which, however, when acting in unison, form an achromatic whole. By
the use of these single lenses, cach very thin, I secure better correction of
the more oblique or excentrical pencils, the essential requisite for greater
width of angle.
The construction is as follows:-I form two crown lenses, wrought to
a sharp edge of suitable focal length, either identical or otherwise in this
respect, the latter by preference, but of different or unsymmetrical forms or
unequal ratio of radii, i.e., the anterior crown lens (No. 1) may be a plano-

page_text: convex, or nearly so, convex side outside, and the posterior lens (No. 2)
a deep concave meniscus, also convex outside. Between these two lenses,
separated at a certain definite distance, I place a diaphragm, which divides
the space between these two crown lenses in the ratio of their foci, and
almost immediately in contact with this diaphragm I place a flint glass
lens, plano-concave by preference, and of such focal length as with the two
crown lenses above named will form an achromatic whole.
IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF CHLORIDE OF LIME OR BLEACHING POWDER, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Neill and Philip. Smith
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the
25th September 1866.
We, WILLIAM NEILL, the younger, of Bold, near St. Helen's, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineer, and PHILIP SMITH, of Liverpool, in the said County,
Alkali Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF CHLORIDE OF LIME OR
BLEACHING POWDER, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as
follows:-
Our Invention consists in the employment of an exhauster for transferring
chlorine gas used in the manufacture of chloride of lime or bleaching powder-
from one chamber to another, or from the stills in which the gas is produced
to the chambers or receivers. By these means the gas not taken up by the
lime is economized by being brought into contact with a fresh quantity of lime,
and the nuisance arising from its escape is avoided. Any suitable exhauster
may be employed, but at present we propose to use a hydraulic apparatus
constructed after the manner of two gasometers, which by vibrating upon a
centre act as pumps. The apparatus we propose to employ for the exhauster
is upon the hydraulic principle, and constructed as follows:-There are two

page_text: vessels constructed after the manner of gasometers, and sealed like them by
being immersed in a fluid. These vessels being caused to vibrate upon a
centre of motion alternately draw in the gas and discharge it through valves to
the chambers or receivers. One vessel, however, may it is evident be used
if a single action only is required.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF PROJECTILES FOR ORDNANCE AND FIRE-ARMS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Palmer Evelyn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
2nd March 1866.
I, GEORGE PALMER EVELYN, of the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall, in
the County of Middlesex, Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF PROJECTILES FOR ORDNANCE AND FIRE-ARMS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of
elongated projectiles to be used for ordnance as well as small arms, the
object being to cause the rotation of the projectile during its flight,
although such projectile may be fired from a smooth-bored gun.
I propose to cut, cast, or otherwise form on the periphery of the projec-
tile a helical groove or grooves extending from the base to the head
thereof; the groove or grooves may be of any section desired, but one
side or edge of such grooves or channels must be bevelled away to a
rounded surface so as to offer little or no resistance to the rotary motion,
which motion is caused by the opposite edges of the grooves being formed
with a surface corresponding or nearly so to radii drawn from the central
horizontal line or the centre of the transverse vertical section of the pro-
jectile. The groove may be made constant or varying so far as regards

page_text: dimension and depth, but I prefer the varying groove, especially in projec-
tiles for small arms, in which the groove should commence with a deep
channel at the base of the projectile and continually decrease towards the
head. The explosive force acts with the greatest power therefore upon
the vertical edges of the grooves at the base of the projectiles, and thus
causes rotation during the passage of the shot along the bore at the
instant of discharge. The air during the flight of the projectile offers little
or no resistance to its rotation by reason of the shape of the grooves or
channels.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN ILLUSORY EXHIBITIONS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Stoddart at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
March 1866.
I, ALFRED STODDART, of Brook Street, Kennington Road, in the
County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN ILLUSORY EXHIBITIONS," to
be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the construction and arrangement of apparatus
by means of which certain illusory effects are produced, and is mainly
applicable to the performance of an illusion whereby the effect is obtained
of a living person or other object being suspended in the air without any
means of support being visible to the spectators. This effect is produced
by employing a pillar or column, the lower end of which, as usually
arranged, rests upon the floor or stage, or is otherwise suitably secured.
The pillar or column is constructed of an angular form, the several surfaces
thereof being made of polished metal, or other polished and reflecting
material or materials which will admit of the angles formed by the inter-
section of the planes of the faces or surfaces of the pillar or column con-
stituting sharp edges. The pillar or column is so placed that one of the
angles thereof shall be presented towards the spectators. The result of
this arrangement is that if the draperies or other objects with which the
stage is furnished are so arranged that the portions thereof reflected on the

page_text: polished faces or surfaces of the pillar or column correspond in colour and
form with the draperies or objects behind the same the pillar or column is
absolutely invisible to the spectators, and any person or other object placed
on the top thereof, or supported thereby, appears to be suspended in mid
air without any visible means of support. By the aid of mechanical con-
trivances which are well known to and understood by persons conversant
with such matters, and which separately and by themselves form no part of
this Invention, the pillar or column may be raised or lowered and also
moved laterally in either direction, and backward and forward, without the
same becoming perceptible to the spectators, thus producing the illusory
effect of the person or other object so placed on the top of the pillar or
column, or supported thereby as before mentioned, floating in the air with-
out being in any manner supported or suspended. Instead of arranging
the pillar or column so as to stand upon or be secured to the stage or floor,
the same may be suspended from above the stage and provided with such
arrangements as will enable a living person or other object to be supported
thereby or suspended therefrom, the pillar or column being itself invisible
to the spectators. The pillar or column may also be placed horizontally or
in an inclined position with similar results, but in all cases the angles formed
by the intersection of the planes of the faces or surfaces thereof must con-
stitute sharp edges in order to avoid reflections which would destroy the
illusory character of the apparatus.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Francis Bradbury at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 9th
October 1866.-A communication from abroad by Thomas Antoney
Macaulay, of the City and State of New York, United States of America.
I, GEORGE FRANCIS BRADBURY, of the Firm of "Bradbury and Company,"
of Wellington Iron Works, Oldham, in the County of Lancaster, Sewing
Machine Makers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SEWING MACHINES," a communication from Thomas Antoney
Macaulay, of the City and State of New York, United States of America, to
be as follows:
This Invention applies to the "lock stitch" class of sewing machines, or
to such of that class as pass the thread from the needle piercing the cloth
over a thread carrier by a hook or similar device, as in the machine known
as the "Wheeler and Wilson," and "Sloat" or "Elliptic" lock stitch machine,
and the object of the Invention is an application to such machines which will
render them at pleasure capable of producing an embroidery stitch, or a
stitch similar to that produced by the machine known as the "Lancashire
Sewing Machine," and also an embroidery stitch formed by three threads,
producing a combined "Lancashire sewing machine stitch," and a lock
stitch, so that the same machine can be made to produce three different
kinds of stitches; and the Invention consists in-applying a needle or thread
carrier to the cloth plate or table of the machine which by movements.
imparted to it will carry its thread through the loop formed by the rotating

page_text: or elliptic hook or other device of lock stitch mechanism, and when it with-
draws from the loop it will leave the loop of its own thread upon the
piercing needle. The said needle or thread carrier is actuated by a lever or
levers and springs from the cam or cams giving the feeding movement,
springs being used to keep the lever in contact with the cam or cams.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE GAME OF CRICKET
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Coles Fuller and John
Margetts at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,. with their
Petition, on the 16th. March 1866..
We, WILLIAM COLES FULLER,. of No. 1, Ironmonger Lane, Cheapside, and
JOHN MARGETTS, of 29, Aske St., Hoxton, in the County of Middlesex, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN
PARTS OF THE APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE GAME OF CRICKET," to be as
follows:-
This improvement relating to the game of cricket consists in a new base
plate for the wicket which may be formed. of brass,, zinc,, or other suitable
metal of an oblong form with rounded ends, and into which base plate are inserted.
at the proper intervals three sunken. rings or collars of vulcanized india-rubber
designed to receive the stumps of the wicket instead of driving them,, as at.
present, into the ground.
The base plate may also be made wholly of india-rubber moulded into
a suitable form.
By the rules of the game a wicket should be exactly 8 inches wide,
as any deviation gives an unfair advantage to one side or the other. But as
the wicket may be displaced many scores of times in a day the ground
becomes worn and broken, so as to render it difficult to replace the stumps
with accuracy. By the arrangement now specified all uncertainty is avoided.

page_text: The base plate with its india-rubber sockets is let into the ground and
securely fix'd by 2 or more pins of suitable length, and when so fixed need
not be removed through the whole game, or many games, if necessary.
The distance of each stump is preserved with unfailing accuracy, and the
upright position secured by the elasticity of the india-rubber collars, see Figures!
A, B, C, by which the intended arrangement will be shewn.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN SHIPS' RUDDERS AND PARTS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Frederic Henwood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th
May 1866.
I, CHARLES FREDERIC HENWOOD, of 4, East India Avenue, in the City of
London, do bereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SHIPS' RUDDERS AND PARTS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in ships' rudders and parts
connected therewith. When balanced rudders are employed, or rudders which
in order to facilitate the steering are made to project in front of as well as
behind the rudder spindle, difficulty is experienced in obtaining sufficient
strength; such rudders are usually of large size and supported with only two
bearings, the upper or main bearing in the counter or hull of the vessel, and
the lower bearing or step on a horn projecting beneath the rudder.
Now according to my Invention I give additional support to the spindle of
al alanced rudder, and I relieve the strain on the step or lower bearing thereof
by introducing a bearing or bearings intermediate of those above mentioned
as heretofore employed; in this way I form an intermediate bearing midway
or thereabout of the height of the rudder, and for this purpose
I cut away
the rudder at the point where the centre bearing comes from its leading edge
back as far as the spindle, and in this way room is obtained for the bearing,

page_text: which is carried on a horn or projection forged or formed on a rudder post;
I also introduce an intermediate bearing just over the top of the rudder, and
this bearing is carried in the same way by a horn or projection forged or
formed on the rudder post. In most cases I employ both these intermediate
bearings, but in vessels of shallow draft one of them may be omitted.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WHITE LEAD, AND IN THE VESSELS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henri Adrien Bonneville at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th
December 1866.-A communication from John Harvey Hebert, residing
at Brooklyn City, State of New York, in the United States of America.
I, HENRI ADRIEN BONNEVILLE, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices,
38, Porchester Terrace, Bayswater, in the County of Middlesex, and 24, Rue
du Mont Thabor, Paris, in the Empire of France, Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF WHITE LEAD, AND IN THE VESSELS CONNECTED THEREWITH," a communication
from John Harvey Hebert, a person resident at Brooklyn City, State of
New York, in the United States of America, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in a new and improved method of making white
lead, including also an improvement in the vessel in which the process is
carried on..
In carrying out this Invention litharge, the ores of lead, crushed or roasted
in the usual way, or metal lead reduced to a fine condition or poured melting
hot into cold water are used, so as to render the lead porous and bulky in
order to increase as much as possible its surfaces, and either of these is
submitted to the dissolving action of the nitric or sulfuric acids, or their
equivalents, after which the sulfate of lead thus obtained is treated with
pyroligneous or oxalic acids, or such like acids, combined or not with tincal

page_text: or borax, or its equivalent dissolved in water, and next dried over the fire on
trays or plates. The vessel or the vessels employed may be made of stone,
resisting the action of the acids, but if wood or iron is used the inside of the
vessel or vessels is lined with lead, which acquires a preservative covering of
sulfate of lead, and which in dissolving under the action of the acids adds to
the mass of white lead being manufactured.
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEREOSCOPES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO INSTRUMENTS FOR EXHIBITING SINGLE VIEWS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Philippe William Gengembre at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
17th April 1866.
I, PHILIPPE WILLIAM GENGEMBRE, of the City, County, and State of New
York, United States of America, now of No. 10, Gloucester Terrace, Ken-
sington, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEREOSCOPES, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO
APPLICABLE TO INSTRUMENTS FOR EXHIBITING SINGLE VIEWS," to be as follows:-
The nature of the said Invention chiefly consists, first, in the mode of
arrangeing stereoscopic or other views or slides around a roller; second, in
the device for securing the views or slides to the said roller; third, in making
the roller reversible; fourth, in the mode of adjusting the lenses of the
instrument; fifth, in the manner of regulating the movement of the views
or slides.
The stereoscopic box is constructed in two parts, and the bearings of the
roller which carries the views or slides rest in notches formed in the sides of
the lower balf of the said box. Corresponding notches are formed in the
sides of the upper half, so that when the box is shut the bearings of the said
roller are held in the apertures formed by said notches. When the box is
open, however, the said roller may be readily raised and reversed, or changed
end for end. Outside the box on each end of the roller are fixed knobs by
which it may be turned, and inside the box are two rings fixed to the roller,
the distance between the said rings being somewhat less than the length of

page_text: the views or slides. Around the circumference of each of these rings are
elastic loops, one of which is drawn over each end of every view or slide, thus
securing the said slides or views parallel to the said rollers, and thereby
forming a circular revolving album. If desirable two views or slides may be
placed back to back in each pair of loops, by which means the number of the
views may be doubled. Both sets of views may be exhibited without changing
their position in the loops, by simply turning the roller end for end. In the
upper part of the stereoscopic box is a door in which are placed the lenses,
and the reflector is secured upon the inside of the cover above the lenses.
By opening the door more or less the distance between the lenses and the
views may be changed as desired. For cartes de visite or single pictures the
box may be made narrower and only one lens is used. The said roller is rotated
by means of the knobs on the ends of the same, thus bringing the views in
regular succession before the lenses, in which position they are retained while
being exhibited by means of a small spring, one end of which is fixed to the
top of the box. As each view escapes the spring it falls forward and gives
place to the succeeding one. The roller is prevented from turning backward
by means of a small ratchet wheel or other suitable device.
AN IMPROVED PRE- PARATION OR COMPOSITION FOR REMOVING AND PREVENTING INCRUSTATION IN STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Feasey at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd May
1866.
I, GEORGE FEASEY, of Camberwell, in the County of Surrey, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED PRE-
PARATION OR COMPOSITION FOR REMOVING AND PREVENTING INCRUSTATION IN STEAM
BOILERS," to be as follows:-
My improved preparation for removing and preventing incrustation in
steam boilers consists mainly of carbonate of soda and common salt, to which.
may be added a small quantity of borax and under some circumstances.
sal ammoniac or hydrochlorate of ammonia; these substances when well
intermingled are to be mixed with soft soap and either made up into a paste
or boiled up with water. As an example of the proportions in which they
may be mixed I will mention that a good result may be effected by taking
about 80 lbs. of carbonate of soda and 14 lbs. of salt, to which may be added
2 lbs. of borax. These materials are to be well mixed with about 14 lbs. of
soft soap, and if required for immediate use may be boiled in from 10. to 20
gallons of water, according to the strength desired. A small quantity of this
mixture added from time to time in the boiler will effectually prevent
incrustation, and in fact will remove it if formed previous to using the

page_text: preparation; but for removing any incrustation already formed I find it
advisable to add to the other ingredients about 10 lbs. of sal ammoniac. When
the boiler is cleaned of the incrustation the use of the sal ammoniac may be
discontinued.
IMPROVEMENTS IN LAMPS FOR AND IN THE MODE OF BURNING VOLATILE OILS, SPIRITS, AND OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Starr at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th September
1866. A communication from abroad by Henry Arthur Gadsden, of the
City, County, and State of New York, United States of America,
temporarily residing at Havre, in the Empire of France.
I, HENRY STARR, of No. 145, Cheapside, in the City of London, Merchant,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LAMPS FOR AND IN THE MODE OF BURNING VOLATILE OILS, SPIRITS, AND OTHER
FLUIDS," to be as follows:-
The nature of the said Invention consists in the peculiar construction of a
lamp for burning volatile oils, spirits, and other fluids, and in the absorption
and retention within the lamp of the illuminating material by means of cotton,
wool, or other substances, whereby a safer, better, and more economical light
is produced. The body of the lamp or pot which contains the illuminating
material is constructed of glass, metal, or other suitable substances, its form
and size being varied to adapt the lamp to various purposes. Around
the interior of the body of the lamp at suitable intervals, and at a short
distance from the side, are fixed strips of metal or other material; these
strips may be retained in their respective places either by securing them to
the interior surface of the body of the lamp, or the tops may be united by a

page_text: ring in any suitable manner; the space between these strips and the interior
surface of the body is filled with and the bottom covered by cotton or other
substance capable of absorbing the illuminating material. A cover is secured
into the top of the lamp pot, which cover is constructed in the form of a box
or hollow chamber closed on all sides, but provided with holes or perforations
for the admission of air to the wick. The said cover supports the wick tube,
which is made by preference about three inches long, the said tube passes
through the hollow cover, being secured to the bottom thereof and communi-
cating with the interior of the lamp pot. Around the exterior of the said
wick tube a second tube is placed, an annular space being left, through which
the air entering the hollow cover passes up to the burning portion of the wick,
a second series of small holes or perforations being formed in the exterior
tube near the upper end thereof to assist in the production of the necessary
current of air through the annular space. The said wick tube is provided
with a rack and pinion, or other suitable device for elevating and lowering
the wick. The wick is inserted through the interior of the two tubes into the
lamp pot, and light being communicated to its upper end projecting through
the top of the said tube a bright and steady flame will be produced. The
lamp can be conveniently carried from room to room as no chimney is required,
and in case it is broken the illuminating material will not run as it is retained
in the cotton or other filling of the lamp pot.