matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN SECONDARY OR STORAGE BATTERIES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Rowan at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st January 1883.
THOMAS ROWAN of Palaco Chambers, in the city of Westminster, Consulting
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN SECONDARY OR STORAGE BATTERIES
•
"
This invention relates to improvements in secondary or storage batteries whereby
their weight is diminished, their cost reduced and their efficiency increased.
In carrying out my invention I employ plates, vessels or otherwise the surfaces
of which I cover with particles or grains of lead mixed with peroxyde of lend
or a combination of such mixture with strips of lead in the manner hereinafter
described.
-
I take sheets of paper, cloth or other fabric, thin sheet metal, or other suitable
material such as wood, gutta percha, or mixtures of suitable materials and the
surfaces of such fabrics or materials are thinly conted with any suitable adhesive
preparation such as a solution of rubber, and when the surfaces so conted are in a
sticky condition divided lead and peroxyde of lead are spread over them. In this
manner only those parts of the lead mixture come in contact with the adhesive
preparation that are necessary for adhesion.
The surfaces of compounds or mixtures which can be rendered plastic or sticky
by heat may also be covered by the lead mixture, when such plastic compounds
have been rendered sufficiently soft by heat without the addition of an adhesive
preparation, the mixture of lead and peroxyde of lead may then be subjected to
sufficient pressure until on becoming cool and set the mixture of lead adheres with
sufficient firmness. In addition to the divided lead and peroxyde of lead and
combined with them strips of lead may also be made to adhere, or in a similar
manner strips of lead and peroxyde of lead may be made to adhere.
It is manifest that strips of other metals, metals in a powdered state, or metallic
compounds may be similarly treated to form the storage plates of such batteries.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW PROPELLERS
Year: 1883

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Lewis Barstow at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1883.
LEWIS BARSTOW of Hazelbush, York, in the county of York Captain R.N.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SCREW PROPELLERS
My invention has for its object to obviate the loss of power and speed in driving
screw propellers, due to the fact that when a certain speed is obtained, the part of
the propeller blades near the boss, in impeding the free escape of the water, retards
the progress of the screw. To obviate this defect, I construct the propeller blades
with one or more openings or ports in the width of the blades near the boss, the
metal being thickened sufficiently on each side of such openings to afford the
requisite strength. By this means, a portion of the water pressed upon by the
blade near the boss will be enabled to escape through the opening or openings,
thereby greatly diminishing the resistance. Furthermore, I construct the after
edges of the metal on each side of the hole or holes with a driving face formed on
the thickness of the metal, so as to propel the water through the openings.
I prefer to construct such propellers with a width of blade equal to about one
fifth of a convolution, and I make the outer extremity of the blade of the same
length as the boss.
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL BORE RIFLE TUBES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Morris at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 28th April 1883.
RICHARD MORRIS of Cleopatra Grove Blackheath in the County of Kent
IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL BORE RIFLE TUBES
"
"AN
In the Specification to Letters Patent granted to me on the 25th April 1881
No 1773, I described the application to ordinary firo arms of small bore rifle tubes
so that rifle drill and practice might be carried on with very small charges and at
very short ranges. Owing to the length and small bore of these tubes, it is very
difficult to rifle them and make them with proper truth. My present invention
relates to a construction by which the manufacture of such tubes is greatly
facilitated. I take a rod or tube of metal the full length. of the tube but larger in
diameter than its finished size. I bore this rod for some distance down to a calibre
larger than the desired bore, and then for the rest of its length to the desired
calibre, the larger bore at the mouth enabling me to use a stronger drill than could
be used for the small bore if it extended the whole length. I then prepare a second
tube which is as long as the extent of the large bore, and is properly rifled. I
shrink, solder or braze this rifle tube into the enlarged part of the bore of the
main tube, and finally I turn the exterior of the tube true with its bore, or this
second tube may be rifled after being fixed.
A NEW OR IMPROVED FASTENER FOR GLOVES, BOOTS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Hugo Pataky at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th July 1883. A communication from
Charles Distel a person resident at Nuremberg (Kingdom of Bavaria German
Empire)
61
HUGO PATAKY, Engineer and Patent-Solicitor of 24 Annenstrasse Berlin,
Germany, A NEW OR IMPROVED FASTENER FOR GLOVES, BOOTS AND SIMILAR
ARTICLES, a communication to me from Charles Distel a person resident at
Nuremberg (Kingdom of Bavaria, German-Empire)
The fastener consists of a metallic tube closed at both ends, and provided on
the side, as far as the centro, with a slit in which moves a pin ending inside
the tube with a knob.
The modo of using the fastener is as follows:
-
The end of the tuho is pushed through the buttonhole and drawn through,
the fastener is then turned round and pushed back as far as the pin allows. For
securing the fastener, the pin may be provided with a buttonplate by means of
which the fastener is buttoned.
The samo object may be attained by making the pin to terminate with a clasp
provided with hooks, and stuck through a slit in the leather and bent back on
both sides, or the pin may be turned round so as to form an eyelet by means of
which it is fastened.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CHIMNEY TOPS OR COWLS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Alfred Julius Boult at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd August 1883. A communication
from Jean Wüstner, of Annery in the Republic of France.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN CHIMNEY TOPS OR COWLS [a communication from
Jean Wüstner, of Anuery in the Republic of France]
"
This invention relates to improvements in chimney tops or cowls which serve
to prevent that the smoke passing through a chimney be driven back by the wind.
According to this invention a top or cover is supported sono distance above the
chimney mouth. This cover is supported by rods attached to the chimney and is
lozenge shaped in cross section so that centrally to the chimney a bearing pivot cin
be fixed in the depressed underpart of the top. The bearing pivot is surrounded
by a sleeve exten-iing up to the raised upper part of the top where a suitable
bearing is fixed in the sleeve. The pivot and bearing support a spindle which is
moreover surrounded by a kind of inverted cup to keep the rain out of the bearing.
On the top of the spindle is fixed by a set screw and at a suitable inclination a
vane, preferably of the shape of an arrow, the "feather of the arrow being raised
above the "tip." Upon the "tip" of the arrow is fixed a piece of suitably shaped
sheet metal.
24
17
In operation the "feather" of the arrow will be caught by the wind so that the
tip with the plate it carries will be rought in such a position as to protect
the chimney mouth against the wind whilst the smoke freely escapes on the side
opposite to the plate.
IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE WRITERS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Herbert John Allison at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th October 1883. Communicated
to him from abroad by Warren Richmond Perce, of Providence, Rhode Island,
United States of America,
"
HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the firm of Allison Brothers, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE WRITERS" a com-
munication to me from abroad by Warren Richmond Perce, of Providence, Rhode
Island, United States of America,
My invention relates to type writing machines and consists first, of a pivoted
spring-actuated key board, at whose free end are mounted longitudinally a wheel
having a rubber type band on its periphery and an ink wheel engaging frictionally
therewith, said type wheel being revolved by a cord to any desired position,
indicated by a pointer, for the purpose of imprinting the selected letter of the
type band, and returned to its former position by a coiled spring; secondly, a
paper cylinder, mounted on a base, which moves longitudinally within guides upon
a platform and is advanced for letter-spacing by the force of a Spring-actuated
pawl, which is depressed by the descent of the key board and returned by the
spring, as said key board ascends, by which movement of the pawl, a feeding rod
engages with a rack-bar of the paper carriage to drive said carriage forward;
thirdly, a line-spacing device consisting of a ratchet wheel, mounted upon the hub
of said paper cylinder and turning the same by the force of a pivoted finger-piece,
normally elevated by a spring at its free end, and carrying a freely pivoted pawl,
adapted to engage with and partially rotate said ratchet wheel; fourthly, a font-
changing device consisting of said platform, whereon said type carriage moves
longitudinally and which is movable from front to rear upon the base of the
machine to the proper distances, by the pressure of stop-rods of suitable length,
and which is returned automatically by a spring from rear to front, when relieved
of said pressure, by which movement the paper cylinder is thrown into position to
receive either one of the several lines of types upon the type wheel, as. desired;
and fifthly, of an alarm signal to indicate approach to the end of a line, consisting
of a pivoted drop, carrying a flag and riding upon the top of the paper cylinder
[Price 1

page_text: and an extending bracket to the proper point, and falling or swinging free therefrom
at said point, thereby elevating in sight a flag or other signal.
A series of type pins are arranged in a circle on the rear face of the type wheel,
respectively set upon the radii of the transverse sets of types, and when the key
board is depressed by the pointer and carries with it the type wheel, the type pin
corresponding with the letter to be printed is brought into a V-shaped slot in a
bracket, and is accurately centred therein during the process of printing.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Abbott and Alexander Reid
Molison at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th March
1883.
HENRY ABBOTT,, of West Cross, near Swansea, in the county of Glamorgan,
Gentleman, and ALEXANDER REID MOLISON, of Swansea, aforesaid, Science
Teacher, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BOOTS AND SHOES
The object of our invention is to provide a ready and efficient means of attaching
the wearing soles and heels to Boots and shoes without sewing, revetting, nailing,
or pegging which has the effect of more or less damaging the welt each time the
boot or shoe is re-soled in the usual way; and of so bracing the sole that it does
not get out of shape from the stretching of the leather. To secure our end we
place a thin perforated metallic plate under the inuer sole of the boot or shoe so
that while sufficiently pliable and elastic to yield to the foot it braces the sole and
prevents it. stretching. Attached to this metallic plate are small knobs or
projections which are imbedded in and pass through the first sole and are of
sufficient substance to contain a female screw of sufficient strength.
The wearing sole is attached to the boot or shoe by means of screws which
project through the sole and enter the female screws or nuts just mentioned. A
similar arrangement is made for the heel which may be made without the metallic
plate in which case the nuts themselves are screwed directly into the leather of the
heel, and the remaining portion of the heel (the wearing portion) is put on with
screws which enter these nuts and so secure it.
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADVERTIZING TABLETS AND IN THE METHOD OF CONVEYING GAS TO THE SAME FOR THE PURPOSE OF ILLUMINATING THEM WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE IN PART APPLICABLE TO VESTIBULE OR HALL LAMPS AND OTHER LAMPS AND TO MIRRORS AND OTHER ARTICLES HAVING METALLIC FRAMES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Edgar Fisher at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th January 1883.
WILLIAM EDGAR FISHER of the Firm of James Barwell Son and Fisher of
" IMPROVE-
Birmingham in the County of Warwick Chandelier Manufacturers
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADVERTIZING TABLETS AND IN THE METHOD OF
CONVEYING GAS TO THE SAME FOR THE PURPOSE OF ILLUMINATING THEM WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE IN PART APPLICABLE TO VESTIBULE OR HALL LAMPS AND OTHER
LAMPS AND TO MIRRORS AND OTHER ARTICLES HAVING METALLIC FRAMES."
"
In constructing an advertisement tablet according to my invention I make the
same of a circular square or other shape sheet preferably of glass or other
On this
transparent or semi-transparent substance either plain or ornamented
sheet of transparent or semi-transparent material the advertisement is painted or
otherwise produced I support the said plate in a tubular frame the said frame
having spring clips between the ends of which the plate of glass or other material
is inserted and by which it is supported in the frame.
The hollow frame has one or more gas branches opening into it the said branches
being provided with jets and stopcocks. These branches and jets are fixed at the
back of the tablet and when the gas is burning the advertisement is displayed in a
vivid manner. The tablet may be made of opaque material In this case the gas
branches and jets are placed in front.
The tubular frame of the tablet may be supported on a pillar through which gas
is supplied to it and through it to the branches or the tubular frame may be
supported by a gas bracket with which it is in communication. By making the
frame of the tablet the means of conveying the gas by the burning of which the
tablet is illuminated economy in the manufacture of the said tablets is secured and
the unsightliness of the gas tubing required in the ordinary method of manufacture
is avoided.
The hollow or tubular framing for conducting the illuminating gas is applicable
to hall or vestibule lamps and other lamps and to mirrors and generally to articles
supported in frames and requiring illumination. In the case of mirrors the gas
flames are moved with the mirror and the mirror may be suspended by a sliding
or telescopic tube and counterbalanced by weights, and be raised and lowered
to any required height the gas jets being carried with it
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WADS FOR CARTRIDGES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Carl Günther at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 4th July 1883.
CARL GÜNTHER, trading under the firm of Carl Günther & Co of Lindenstrasse
93 Berlin S.W. Prussia, German Empire. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF WADS FOR CARTRIDGES
"
The wads heretofore employed to separate the charge of powder from the shot
in cartridges consist of a disc of felt which is soaked in grease in order to lubricate
its passage.
Wads of this description not being perfectly gas tight it is necessary
to insert a disc of card or tarred paper between the wad and the charge of powder;
this disc also serves to prevent the powder from coming in contact with the grease
in the wad and protects the latter from burning.
In a similar manner the wad requires to be separated from the charge of shot by
a disc of card in order to prevent the grains of shot adjacent to the wad from
becoming embedded in the felt and adhering to the wad in such a manner as to
cause the wad when thus loaded to travel like a ball faster than the shot and
scatter or disperse the latter in its flight
Two loose discs of card are consequently always inserted during the preparation
of the cartridge between the charges of powder and shot in addition to the felt
wad. This operation is performed with difficulty as the discs of card frequently
fall askew in the case and are not to be easily restored to the proper position.
Moreover the two discs fill up part of the space assigned to the powder and shot
so that it frequently happens that the cases of the usual dimensions are found to
be too small for the charge.
In order to obviate all these disadvantages I dispense with the loose discs of
card usually employed and cover both sides of the felt wad with saturated paper
or other gas tight materials thereby not only rendering the card discs unnecessary
but also materially simplifying the manufacture of the cartridge it being only
necessary to insert the one wad of felt the insertion of the two card discs being
dispensed with. This process enables extremely thin covers to be employed so that
the thickness of the improved wad but slightly exceeds that of the wads usually
employed.

page_text: The cover that is to be applied to the side of the wad adjacent to the powder
must be of a fire proof and gas tight material. I prefer to employ for this purpose
prepared cloth, asbestos paper and the like, stout paper or heavily sized fabric is
sufficient for the other side.
In order to manufacture these improved wads I proceed as follows. The fire
proof and gas tight material such as prepared cloth, asbestos paper and the like is
applied to one side of the sheet of felt from which the wads are to be prepared, the
paper or other material being cemented to the opposite side. After both coverings
have dried the wads are punched out and the cylindrical sides thereof are soaked
in grease.
AN IMPROVED AUTOMATIC STOPPER FOR BOTTLES OR OTHER VESSELS ALRATED WATERS OR LIQUIDS." CONTAINING
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Samson at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st August 1883.
WILLIAM SAMSON of Dundee, in the County of Forfar, North Britain-" AN
IMPROVED AUTOMATIC STOPPER FOR BOTTLES OR OTHER VESSELS
ALRATED WATERS OR LIQUIDS."
CONTAINING
This Invention which relates to an improved automatic stopper for bottles or
other vessels containing aerated waters or liquids has for its object to produce a
floating stopper with its smaller end at all times situated upwards so that the
pressure of the gas in the acrated water forces it up into the neck of the bottle or
other vessel to close the said neck.-The stopper is fitted with, or has attached to
it a piece of lignum vitae, glass, or other material of a specific gravity greater than
the specific gravity of the cork, but at the same time capable of floating when
attached to the stopper in the liquid so that the stopper at all times floats on the
liquid with its smaller end upwards and therefore when the bottle or other vessel
is upright, is always in the position to be forced into the neck of the bottle or
other vessel and will close it.-The stopper in its natural condition is necessarily
larger than the hole in the neck of the vessel and in order to get it thereinto it is
placed in hot water or otherwise made soft or compressed and in that state is
pushed sideways into the bottle.-The form of the stopper is that of a truncated
cone with its larger end downwards. In order to withdraw the aerated liquid from
the bottle or other vessel wherein it is contained it is necessary only to push the
stopper down into the liquid when the bottle or other vessel is immediately opened
for the discharge of its contents.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR SOUNDING BELLS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Porter at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 12th February 1883.
GEORGE PORTER, of Cullum Street, in the City of London, Engineer
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM FOR SOUNDING BELLS
"
My invention relates to mechanism for sounding bells, which mechanism is
chiefly designed to be employed in combination with the signalling apparatus
described in the specification of my former Letters Patent dated 12th August
A,D, 1882, N° 3855, but may be employed in combination with other kinds of
signalling apparatus and also for other purposes, for example it may be adapted
for use instead of the ordinary house-bella.
Mechanism of this kind has heretofore been usually constructed in combination
with pneumatic signalling apparatus in such a manner that the sounding of the
bell is caused by the pressure of the hand upon a push-knob or the like; with
mechanism so constructed an excessive pressure upon the push-knob causes the
hammer to strike the bell so rapidly that the proper tone of the bell is not
obtained. Moreover, a considerable pressure is required in order to operate the
said mechanism. But according to my present invention I obviate these defects by
so constructing the mechanism that its operation is the reverse of that of the
mechanism ordinarily employed and that while sounding the bell it will operate
independently of the rapidity with which the segment is moved by the pneumatic
apparatus or similar means.
In carrying my said invention into practice I construct the mechanism in the
following manner, that is to say, I provide a toothed segment which gears with a
pinion fixed to a ratchet-wheel; a pawl upon an escapement wheel is adapted to
engage with this ratchet-wheel when the latter is rotated in one direction, and
I combine with the said segment a spring or weight so that when the said segment
is moved in one direction by pressure upon a push-knob, for example, the ratchet-
wheel turns independently of the escapement wheel, and the spring or weight then
causes the segment to move in the opposite direction and the pawl engaging with
the ratchet wheel the escapement wheel is caused to turn therewith and will act
upon a hammer provided with an ordinary escapement lever and cause the said
hammer to strike the bell a number of times in regular succession.

page_text: To adapt my improved mechanism for use in a similar manner to an ordinary
call bell, I combine with the said mechanism a wire or cord arranged to be
operated by an ordinary bell-pull or crank, or by a push-knob or lever, but in
such a manner that the movement of the bell-pull, crank, or the like, which
generally causes the sounding of the bell, will set the mechanism so that the bell
will be afterwards sounded by the force of the spring or weight,
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CANTON CRAPE AND OTHER WOVEN GOODS "IMPROVE-
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Norinari Kumagaya at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th February 1883.
NORINARI KUMAGAYA of Blackburn in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CANTON CRAPE AND OTHER WOVEN GOODS
"IMPROVE-
"
The object of my Invention is to temporarily retain the hard twist in the weft
by the application of starch or size which enables ine to weave the weft without
snarls or knots when passing through the shed in the loom for the purpose of
weaving Canton Crape and other similar goods.
The manner of performing my Invention is as follows:-In weaving Canton
Crape I employ a drop box or circular box loom of two or more shuttles: one
shuttle for the right hand twisted weft and another for the left hand twisted
weft and as many more shuttles as there may be kinds of weft. In weaving
some kinds of crape a single shuttle may be used.
I prepare the weft previously while being twisted by passing it through a
trough containing size or any kind of suitable stiffening material and this size
prevents its untwisting while being woven. The weft may be wound on pirns in
the usual way for the convenience of placing in the shuttle
The size may be made of starch and water, flour and water, glue and water or in
any well known manner.
After the cloth is woven it is necessary to wash the size out when the cloth will
crimp up as required, after the cloth has been dried it is again sized or starched if
required and may be stretched to any width desired.
AN IMPROVED BOAT COVER RAFT
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Allan Hugh Bremner at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st December 1883.
ALLAN HUGH BREMNER of Thurso in the County of Caithness, North Britain,
"AN IMPROVED BOAT COVER RAFT
"
The Boat Cover Raft is made of waterproof canvas, supported round the sides,
in centre and across by compartments or divisions preferably of cork.-On the
upper side are two small oars and mast and sail,-round the side is a net fixed
on folding standards which can be hauled up so as to form bulwarks-The cover
may be hung to the davits by independent gearing, and when the boat is swung
out, the cover can be hauled up-turned on its side and lowered between the boat
and the ship then as the boat is lowered the Raft goes down too forming a
protection to the boat against the ships side-Should the boat be swamped the raft
is there as a life preserver and can at once be used as a raft-of course it can be
lowered independently of the boat should it be required-It can be made of any
size so as to fit as a cover for ships boats, takes up no room but just lies over the
boat as a canvas cover would do. It is slightly arched and made stiff by bows of
wood thus making it dry when in the water and also prevents water lying in it
when used as a boat cover.
Round the sides another compartment of cork can be placed if desired which
when the cover is on the boat will fall down round the boat's sides & give the raft
greater breadth when in the water.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE GYMNASTIC APPARATUS KNOWN AS A ROWING MACHINE
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Martin Richard Cobbett at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th December 1883. A communi-
cation from abroad by Frederick Howcroft of the Grand Central Hotel
Broadway New York United States of America
MARTIN RICHARD COBBETT of Park Hill House Ewell Surrey England
[Journalist] AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE GYMNASTIC APPARATUS KNOWN AS A
ROWING MACHINE [a communication from abroad by Frederick Howcroft of the
Grand Central Hotel Broadway New York United States of America]
1 My improvement consists in the application of a gripping lever or clutch
break Which occupies the position of a row lock on a common outrigger and is
fixed firmly to the extremity of the arm which takes the place of an outrigger in
a boat
2 The top part of this apparatus consists of a circular disc with a turned down
edge movable about a fixed axis and which slides round the top of a metal cylinder
Round the metal cylinder is a band which can be screwed round with varying
tightness, and in which the cylinder moves
3 From the top of this disc a flat hollow case projects, its upper and lower sides
being parallel to the upper and lower portions of the disc. Into this projection
enters a rod of metal which moves about an axis and causes pressure to be applied
by its extremity which is shaped in a curve pressing against the exterior of the
cylinder when the operator pulls the arm or oar fitting on the metal rod in one
direction and which releases the curved part from pressing against the cylinder
when the arm is moved in a contrary. This is a gripping lever or ordinary friction
clutch and the curved piece, may or may not be rigidly attached to the piece which
enters the metal projection
IMPROVEMENTS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Imray at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th September 1883. Communicated to
him from abroad by Junius Nagel of Vienna in the Austrian Empire
THE MANUFACTURE OF FIRE PROOF PLATES
"
JOHN IMRAY of N° 28 Southamptou Buildings, Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN
[communicated to him from abroad by Junius Nagel of Vienna in the Austrian
Empire]
In the Specification to Letters Patent granted to C. D. Abel on the 27th March
1882 N° 1468 for an invention communicated to him from abroad by Junius Nagel,
were described a composition and process for the manufacture of fireproof and
waterproof plates by pressing a mixture of asbestos and oxide of zinc on nets of
metallic wire and treating with chloride of zinc and other substances. The present
invention, communicated by the said Junius Nagel, relates to the manufacture of
plates of the kind referred to, by substituting for, or adding to the oxide of zinc
other materials and applying the mixture as will now be described.
The frame or support of the plate, instead of being a network entirely of metallic
wire, may consist of metallic wire in combination with other fibrous material, and
the mixture put thereon, instead of consisting of asbestos with oxide of zinc, may
consist of asbestos with magnesia, gypsum or lime. Also the liquid used for
impregnating the plates, instead of being solution of chloride of zinc, may be a
solution of other metallic chlorides or may be a solution of sulphate of alumina,
and this may be mixed with the materials mentioned above so as to form the
mixture into a paste before it is put on the network. When the plates are desired
to have glazed or coloured surfaces, powdered glass, borates or colouring matters
may be mixed with the composition or may be afterwards put on the plates.
The plates may be made by hand, but it is of advantage to effect their manufacture
by machinery in the following manner.
The asbestos, subdivided into fibres by a rag engine or such like apparatus, is
thoroughly mixed with the other materials pulverised. The mixture is then passed
through carding apparatus by means of which a layer of it is placed on both sides

page_text: of the supporting network. The network thus covered is passed between pressing
rollers round which pass endless webs that, dipping into a solution of a metallic
chloride or of sulphate of alumina, transmit the liquid to the composition. The
plates, after being thus pressed, are immersed in water to free them from surplus
of the solution, but this is not necessary in cases where the plates are treated
with soap solution or fatty matters and sulphate of alumina to render them
waterproof.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MERCURIAL BAROMETERS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Forrest Alexander at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1883.
HENRY FORREST ALEXANDER, of Glasgow in the County of Lanark North
Britain "IMPROVEMENTS IN MERCURIAL BAROMETERS,"
.
This Invention, which relates to Improvements in mercurial Barometers, has for
its object to enable the indications of the rise and fall of the mercurial column to
be more accurately read than at present, by causing those indications to be marked
by a scale of larger divisions than hitherto.
The Invention consists in using a barometer tube preferably of larger bore than
what is at present used; and in adding to it another or upper tube, springing from
the top of the usual vacuum chamber, but of a smaller bore than the lower tube.-
The vacuum chamber is thus transferred from its usual position,-the top of what
in this case, is the lower tube,-to the higher portion of what is here the upper, or
small bored tube; whilst the lower portion of said tube, and so much of the upper
portion of the lower tube,-representing the usual vacuum chamber,-is filled by
spirits of wine, or other suitable liquid, which floats upon, or is buoyed by the
mercury. Thus, as the mercury rises and falls, its vertical motion in its own tube
is multiplied any desired number of times by the rise and fall of the spirit, or
other liquid, in the small tube,
In place of forming that portion of the barometer tube, which contains the
mercury, of large diameter throughout its length, a short length of that tube, only
need be made of the enlarged diameter.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOXES OR CASES APPLICABLE FOR POSTAL OR OTHER PURPOSES.
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Jones Hamilton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th October 1883.
JAMES JONES HAMILTON of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOXES OR CASES APPLICABLE FOR POSTAL OR
OTHER PURPOSES.
"
It has been found necessary for postal and other purposes to make boxes or cases
for packing goods such that they can when not in use be folded so as to occupy but
little space, and can without trouble be erected into a case for the protection of the
goods to be placed therein.
In such boxes it is desirable that the ends and sides be so made as to be easily
placed in position, and when in position be securely held to prevent their being
displaced either by the pressure of tightly packed goods from the inside or by
persons tampering with them from the outside. It is chiefly to effect these ends
that this invention is designed.
Out of card-board or other suitable material I cut out the parts to form the top,
bottom, sides, and ends of the box; these may either be in one piece or in separate
pieces hinged or jointed at the places that form the angles of the box. The parts
forming the ends are jointed to the bottom, and to the parts forming the sides are
jointed at each end narrow flaps similar to what are usually placed round the edge
of the lid of an ordinary cardboard box. The sides of the box are turned up into
position before the ends and these flaps turned in preferably to the inside. The
ends are next turned up against these and are held in position by being fastened
thereto. In the simplest form I prefer to fasten the ends with a fastening such as
that commonly in use for fastening paper documents together, the ends being
secured in the inside of the box, but other methods could be adopted such as for
instance eyelets, rivets, stitching, et cetera.
The lid of the box is made with a rim or edge projecting in front and at the two
ends hinged to the centre piece ; to one or all of these edges I attach a gummed
tab or label which when the box is closed can be fastened down and hold it so.
The rim and tab at the ends cover over the fastenings placed there and thus
prevent any tampering therewith that could not be detected. The hinged joints
at the angles of the box I prefer to make by pasting a textile material over them,

page_text: and in this way is produced a box which is stronger and capable of resisting more
wear and tear than any of the rigid boxes at present in use made from similar
material.
Of course I do not confine myself to any particular material for making these
boxes or cases, as that all together will depend on the use for which they are
intended. If for postal purposes a light material such as mill-board or card-board
will be found most practicable. But if for use in storing goods in drapers' or other
shops, light wood may be employed.
PERAMBULATOR BODIES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Prince Lee at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th May 1883.
GEORGE PRINCE LEE of Vernon Works Longsight, and 62 Tib St [Street]
Manchester [both] in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer and Upholsterers
Warehouseman PERAMBULATOR BODIES
Hitherto the manufacturer of Oval Shaped Perambulator Bodies has consisted
of Basket or Wicker Work, (Wire woven) (Zinc perforated) lattice work or other
open material, all of which systems adinit of more or less draught or air passing
through the interior which as been found very objectionable, to obviate this
the usual method has been to line the inside of the Perambulator Body which is
both Costly and ineffectual
By the present invention this imperfection is entirely done away with.
The Invention Consists in constructing the Body of the Perambulator of pieces
of Wood moulded in Imitation of Wicker Work or other convenient design.
These pieces of wood are firstly Moulded by machine with the. desired
Configuration on the outside, afterwards bent to the necessary form and fastened
together by means of cement and further strengthened on the upper and, lower
outer edges with two pieces of straight grained timber bent to the necessary oval
form of the Body.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GUNPOWDER
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Owen Bowen at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 9th August 1883.
OWEN BOWEN of the Coal Exchange in the City of London, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GUNPOWDER."
The object of this invention is to produce a gunpowder suitable for use with
ordnance and other arms of precision which will have a greater projectile force
than the ordinary black gunpowder now used, without the risk of bursting the gun
or other arm and with the additional advantages of making less smoke and less
noise when exploded and of having less corrosive action on the interior of the gun.
In carring out my invention I use Lignite which I carbonize in any convenient
manner to remove the water it contains and I then ground it to powder.
The powdered lignite I mix with sulphur and nitre in the following proportions
vis Lignite 18 to 21 per cent. Sulphur 4 per cont. Nitre 74 to 77 per cent
adding about 1 per cent of water during mixing to ensure the coherence of the
particles Sulphur it is well known forms the chief corrosive element in gunpowder
and also the chief smoko generating element but by the use of the lignite I am
enabled materially to reduce the quantity of sulphur hitherto used. The proportion
of nitre is about the same as is usually employed but the proportion of lignite
which takes the place of the charcoal is considerably increased this proportion
(within the limits above mentioned) is regulated by the proportion of nitre used.
The powder thus produced is of slow combustion and the gun or other arm will
therefore not be subjected to the sudden strain as with ordinary black powder,
for the effect of the force is maintained and accelerated on the shot during its
passage towards the muzzle of the gun instead of being expended in the powder
chamber.
From the fact that less smoke is generated and less noise caused by the explosion
the use of the new powder will be of great advantage in turrets or other enclosed
spaces
The calcined lignite is less hygrometric than charcoal and thus the excess of the
lignite will not have the deleterious effect that an excess of charcoal usually has.
The materials are mixed in the usual way and the powder is granulated in any
well known manner.
AN IMPROVED TOY CANNON
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Herbert John Allison at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1883. Communicated to
him from abroad by Auguste Le Meunier and La Société A. Bain et Heude,
1 Boulevard St Denis, Paris, in the Republic of France
HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of the firm of Allison Brothers, Patent Agents, of
41 Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, "AN IMPROVED
TOY CANNON," a communication to me from abroad by Auguste Le Meunier and
La Société A. Bain et Heude, 1 Boulevard St Denis, Paris, in the Republic of
France,
The principle of this toy cannon is based upon the application of gases producing
with air a detonating or explosive mixture.
The cannon is mounted upon a hydrogen generator from which the gas escapes
by a small tube and enters the body of the cannon by passing through the trunnion
which forms a tap or revolving valve, so as only to allow the gas to pass when the
cannon is lowered. A spring fixed on the carriage of the cannon, raises it and
closes consequently, the opening for the admission of the gas. There is, therefore,
produced in the body of the cannon, a mixture of hydrogen and air, and when a
light is applied a loud explosion is produced similar to that of a Volta pistol.
The hydrogen generator is composed of a vessel containing diluted sulphuric acid,
into which a cylinder plunges, which cylinder is fixed to the cover that hermeti-
cally closes the generator. This cylinder contains a piece of zinc used for the
production of the gas which escapes by a small tube and enters the cannon by the
opening in the trunnion, when the cannon is lowered, A flat spring fixed on the
carriage of the cannon, brings the cannon back to its horizontal position, and the
body of the cannon will not be in communication with the gas generator, in
consequence of the opening of the trunnion being closed.
If the mixture of hydrogen and air is then ignited the explosion will
take place.
This toy cannon may be employed for firing shots or projectiles; in this case it
is provided with a chamber where the mixture of gas and air is effected, and a
79

page_text: tube in which the projectile is introduced. This projectile may be pierced for the
passage of the air, or the air may be admitted by any suitable opening.
This system is applicable also to marine and land artillery.
The cannon may be mounted upon a sockle representing a tower of a fortress or
on any other suitable frame; it may also be isolated from the generator and 5
mounted on a wheeled or other carriage; in this case the gas would be conducted
by any suitable means.
IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLA FASTENERS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Arthur Charles Henderson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th December 1883. Commu-
nicated to him from abroad by Jean Roy, Manufacturer resident of the city
of Paris in the Republic of France
ARTHUR CHARLES HENDERSON of 47 Museum Street, Oxford Street, in the
Parish of Bloomsbury and county of Middlesex "IMPROVEMENTS IN UMBRELLA
FASTENERS A communication to me from abroad by Jean Roy, Manufacturer
resident of the city of Paris in the Republic of France
"
The umbrella fastener the subject of the present invention is intended to secure
the folds of the silk when the umbrella is rolled up, and comprises a clasp and
book piece.
The former consists of two parts, the principal of which is a circular convex
metal plate provided with a peculiarly cut aperture for the reception of the hooked
piece, it is also cut or otherwise shaped top and bottom for the passage of the elastic
band and tassel,
In the centre of this plate is a projection or tongue which is pressed through the
elastic to secure this plate to it.
The second part of this clasp is a circular convex button head which is fixed
over the first part and forms the external portion, which may be ornamented as
required.
The hook is a flat metal piece with holes for stitching it to the umbrella; it is
provided with three or more projections or claws which are passed through the
elastic band at the upper end, and then bent down to fix it thereto: the lower end
of this piece terminates in a partly projecting and elliptical blade forming the hook
which when the umbrella is closed and the silk wound up, is inserted in the
aperture of the clasp
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VENETIAN BLINDS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Dreghorn at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 8th August 1883.
GEORGE DREGHORN, of the Town and County of Inverness, North Britain,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF VENETIAN BLINDS,"
This Invention which relates to Improvements in Venetian blinds has for its
object to render the same more durable and also to render the same more
economical to manufacture.
The Invention consists essentially in dispensing with the use of the ordinary
tapes in the suspension of the series of lathes and in liou thereof employing links
and bands of metal.
The metallic bands which take the place of the ordinary vertical bands of tape
are constructed of a number of flat strips of tin or other metal, the said strips being
jointed or hinged together.-Joints or hinges are formed in the bands in proximity
to the edges of the laths at the back and front thereof, and there are also joints in
the bands in a midway position between two laths.-I prefer to construct the
former joints of wire links to which are attached the cross-bars or supports upon
which the laths rest and I form the supports themselves preferably of wires or rods
which are hooked at the back and front of the blind to the wire links of the
metallic bands so that the said cross or supporting wires can move freely when the
blind is drawn up or adjusted.
The joints, in the metal bands, which are in a midway position between two
laths as herein before described are preferably constructed as an ordinary hinge
joint. In lieu of the ordinary "canting" tapes at the top of the blind for canting
and supporting the whole blind I also employ metal bands constructed with
joints. In using the blind thus constructed I operate the same with cords and in
a precisely similar manner as with blinds constructed of the ordinary tapes, the
joints of the metallic bands or links folding up and arranging themselves compactly
when the blind, is drawn up.
In lieu of employing flat strips of metal in the construction of the vertical bands
to which the cross or supporting pieces for the laths are attached, I may construct
the said bands of links of wire in the form of chains.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF TREATING FELT, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF FELT HATS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Isherwood at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1883.
JOSEPH ISHERWOOD of Denton in the County of Lancaster. Hat Manufacturer.
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OF TREATING FELT, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO THE
MANUFACTURE OF FELT HATS
"
The object of my Invention when applied to the manufacture of felt hats is to
economise steam and reduce labor in the stiffening process.
In treating felt hat bodies by the present method they are allowed to absorb
the requisite amount of stiffening material, the felt hat bodies are then dried in a
hot stove (known as stoving by the trade) and when sufficiently dry they are
taken out and cooled and placed in a box to be steamed (known as steaming).—
In many cases the felt hat bodies are subjected more than once to these processes
of stoving and steaming.
In performing ny Invention, after the stiffening material has been absorbed by
the felt hat bodies I leave them in a work room for about twelve hours or more or
less they are then placed in piles of nine, or more or less and enclosed in a
double cased or steam jacketted oven formed of metal and lined on the inside
with wood covered with soft felt; the outer case or steam jacket of the oven is
connected to a steam boiler
Steam is admitted to the jacket to raise the temperature of the oven to about
220 degrees Fahrenheit, more or less; this heat generates steam from the moisture
contained in the felt bodies: the combined action of the steam with the heat of
the oven produces the same effect as by the old methods of stoving and steaming
but in a far simpler manner and with better results.
IMPROVEMENTS IN ORNAMENTING CLOTHS
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Henry Hatt Cook and Henry
Hepworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd November
1883,
HENRY HATT Cook and HENRY HEPWORTH of the firm of Cook. Hepworth
and Company of Leeds, in the County of York "IMPROVEMENTS IN ORNAMENTING
CLOTHS
"
The object of our invention is to produce a fancy speck or spot in several colours
on a cloth with a black and white ground,
In performing our invention we weave an union cloth in which the warp is
cotton and the weft is formed of cotton and wool twisted together.
After the cloth is woven it is put through a dyeing process by which the wool
only is dyed black, and the cotton left white; by this means the ground of the
cloth is black covered with white specks, produced by the cotton not taking
the dye.
In order to obtain fancy specks on the cloth, we next put it through a printing
process in which there are as many printing rollers as there are colours to be
printed; the cotton readily takes the colours which form the specks, and leaves the
woolen ground black, or nearly so, thus producing the effect desired