matthewleechen/300YearsOfBritishPatents huggingface dataset:
IMPROVEMENTS IN COVERINGS FOR THE FEET OF BIPEDS AND QUADRUPEDS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Pidding at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th January
1855.
I, WILLIAM PIDDING, of Putney, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COVERINGS FOR THE
FEET OF BIPEDS AND QUADRUPEDS" to be as follows:-
I manufacture the soles and heels of boots, shoes, galoshes, and slippers, and
also horse-shoes, of caoutchouc, or compound thereof, having cells in it of various
sizes connected together; the cells are each to have enclosed in them air, gas,
or liquids. It may be desirable sometimes to have the external surfaces of the
soles and horse-shoes corrugated, and thus rendered greater than if they were
perfectly flat, and which I effect in the following manner, namely:-I leave
the cells open or incomplete on one side of the caoutchouc forming the sole ;
I then stretch such incomplete fabric equally in every direction of its length
and breadth, and after filling such cells with air, gas, or a liquid, I adhere a
sheet of caoutchouc or compound to the cellular surface of the incomplete
fabric just described, and which, on being allowed to contract, will cause the
sheet of caoutchouc forming one external surface of the complete sole or heel,
or horse-shoe, to be corrugated, and thus by increasing its superficial surface it
will cause it to last much longer than if it were flat. It will be sometimes
desirable to form some portions of the external surfaces of soles, heels, and
horse-shoes with a fabric composed of hardened steel studs and sheet caout-
chouc, and secured in perforations of the latter. One mode of manufacturing

page_text: the cells is to cast vulcanised caoutchouc in moulds to form cells, so that one
side of an incomplete sole, heel, or horse-shoe may have the cells open in
them, and then, after filling the cells with air, gas, or a liquid, I adhere a sheet
of caoutchouc or compound to the cellular substance, of the caoutchouc, as
before described. Uppers for horse-shoes I also form of caoutchouc, and
which are to extend as high as the hoofs of horses. The horse-shoes and their
uppers are to be connected to the feet of horses by adhering them to their
hoofs, assisted by tying them with cords passed through holes or eyelet holes
inserted in the caoutchouc or compound at the back of each hoof. For an
interior sole or sock for a boot or shoe to be ventilating, I form it of horse-
hair, intermixed or interwoven with a web of caoutchouc.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY ADAPTED FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF STEAM ENGINE AND OTHER POWER
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Ezra Washington Burrows at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th
July 1855.
I, EZRA WASHINGTON BURROWS, of Clerkenwell, in the County of Middle-
sex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY ADAPTED FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF STEAM
ENGINE AND OTHER POWER" to be as follows:-
The principle of my said Invention depends on a peculiar application of
the gravitating power of a rotatory weight or weights to the driving wheel of
any engine whatever.
One method which I adopt when required for locomotive or marine engines
is to provide one or more cylindrical weights, having a central shaft, and the
said shaft also carrying a drum wheel, which drum wheel rests on the top edge
or periphery of the engine driving wheel, and is there retained by resting on
another wheel opposite to it on the same side, corresponding in dimensions
with the driving wheel, but in such case acting only as a guide or rest to
the gravitating power of the rotatory or rolling cylindrical weight or
govern
weights.
For stationary engines I omit employing the large guide wheel, and instead
thereof apply to the framework a drum wheel of the same or about the same

page_text: size as the drum wheel on the shaft of the rolling weight or weights, which
latter drum wheel rests on the top edge of the drum wheel attached to the
framing. But although I thus dispense with the large guide wheel, it may
sometimes be desirable to employ it conjointly with the others.
The action of the rotating or rolling weight or weights is in proportion to
the weight and to the angle the axis bears to the axis of the driving wheel,
and is applicable to increasing by gravitating power the efficiency of all engines
and machines dependant on rotatory motion.
A MACHINE AND APPARATUS FOR CRUSHING, PULVERISEING METALG, METALLIC ORES, METALLIFEROUS MATTERS OR SUBSTANCES WHATEVER, AND FOR OBTAINING, WASHING, DIVIDING, AMALGAMATING METALS, AND OTHER MATTERS OR SUBSTANCES CONTAINED THEREIN
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Josiah Harris at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th June 1855.-
A communication.
I, JOSIAH HARRIS, of Clogwyn Hyfryd, in the Parish of Dolgelley, in the
County of Mericneth, North Wales, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "A MACHINE AND APPARATUS FOR CRUSHING, PULVERISEING
METALG, METALLIC ORES, METALLIFEROUS MATTERS OR SUBSTANCES WHATEVER, AND
FOR OBTAINING, WASHING, DIVIDING, AMALGAMATING METALS, AND OTHER MATTERS
OR SUBSTANCES CONTAINED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
A machine made of cast and wrought iron, parts of which are moveable and
can be replaced when necessary, and is worked by either steam, water, horse,
or manual power. The apparatus for obtaining, washing, divideing, amal-
gamating metals and other matters or substances contained therein, is made of
glass, india-rubber, gutta percha, iron, copper, zinc, or brass, or one or the
other combined, the diameter from one to four feet, about fifteen feet in length
more or less; at the top is a chamber, wherein is a ball; at the bottom there
is an excentric with or without a slide, which allows a motion diagonal or
perpendicular, or both. Attached to this apparatus is a machine in the form of
an alembick, to hold mercury for amalgamation, and can be used with or with-

page_text: out the apparatus. The metals, metallic ores, and metalliferous matter or
substances are broken to å less size than three inches; they are then placed
with water into the crushing and pulveriseing machine, and after being reduced
to powder it is put into the apparatus, the apparatus being previously filled
with water, and after be agitated is allowed to divide and settle, after which it
is drawn off by either a slide valve or cock, or either of them. The apparatus
can be worked by either steam, water, horse, or manual labor.
IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPLYING DETONATING OR EXPLODING SIGNALS ON THE RAILS OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Hallen Cottam at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st
December 1855.
I, GEORGE HALLEN COTTAM, of the St. Pancras Iron Works, Old St. Pancras
Road, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPLYING DETONATING OR EXPLODING SIGNALS ON THE RAILS OF
RAILWAYS" to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in applying detonating or
exploding signals on the rails of railways. For which purpose, the detonating
or exploding signals are made with an inclined end, in order that they may be
raised at their other ends when the wheels of a locomotive or of a railway
carriage pass over them, and such other ends of the detonating or exploding
signals are made suitably for a slide to receive and hold them. An upright
trunk or holder is employed at the side of a railway, in which several detonating
or exploding signals are piled one over the other in such manner that they may
be taken from the trunk or holder separately by a slide or suitable instrument.
At the lower part of such trunk or holder there is a slide, with an opening
in its end suitable for receiving the outer end of a detonating or exploding
signal, which by sliding moves the signal over the rail and retains it pro-
perly in position to be run on and exploded by the passing wheels; or the

page_text: separate signals may be taken and placed on the rails by other suitable form
of instrument. The slide or other instrument is arranged to be moved by a
wire, cord, or otherwise, from a distance, so as to put a detonating or exploding
signal on to a rail.
This apparatus may be combined with and worked by other or seen signals
on a line of railway, or the apparatus for acting on the exploding or detonating
signals may be used separate from the seen signals on a line of railway.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING AND PROTECTING THE BOTTOMS AND SIDES OF IRON SHIPS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Michael Greenhow at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 25th
May 1855.
I, THOMAS MICHAEL GREENHOW, of the Borough of Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
in the County of Northumberland, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTING AND PROTECTING THE BOTTOMS
AND SIDES OF IRON SHIPS" to be as follows:-
I apply a glassy or siliceous coating, covering, or varnish to the bottoms and
sides of iron ships. This coating is composed of ground glass, borax, and soda,
or other vitreous mixture capable of being fused upon the surface of the iron.
I cover the plates used in the construction of iron ships with thin plates of
iron, coated with the siliceous or glassy surface in such manner as to include
the rivet heads, and protect the whole of the bottoms and sides of such ships
up to the water mark, or to a greater or less extent, as may be required;
the bottoms and sides are thus protected from barnacles and other injuries.
THE MANUFACTURE OF A NEW BLACK PAINT
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Mary Staite at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with her Petition, on the 4th June 1855.
I, MARY STAITE, of Liscard, in the County of Chester, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "THE MANUFACTURE OF A NEW BLACK
PAINT" to be as follows (that is to say):-
My Invention, which consists in manufacturing from gas carbon or other
carbon a certain description of black paint, which possesses among other advan-
tages that of not being injuriously acted upon by any acids whatever; and
the mode in which I propose to carry out the said Invention is as follows:--I
take a suitable quantity of gas retort or other carbon, and subject it to a rough
trituration by means of hammers, weights, or crushing rollers. I then pass it
through grindstones, either edge runners or flat grindstones similar to those in
corn mills, but of these I prefer the flat stones. I then take the dust and pass
it through sieves of, say, 3,000 holes to one inch, or it can be subjected to three
or more successive washings in large tubs. When a sufficiently fine dust or
sediment is procured, I mix it with linseed oil in the proportion of about
6 gallons to a ton, and re-grind it to a fine soluble paste, which will then be
ready for use.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN CUTTING AND PLANING WOOD
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George F. Woolston at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st October
1855.
I, GEORGE F. WOOLSTON, of the City of Washington, in the United States
of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CUTTING AND PLANING WOOD" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of the use of knives or cutters formed in or placed
on the periphery or edge of circular or reciprocating saws, and bent at an angle
so as to plane off a thin shaving at each revolution or stroke of the saw, and
protected by guard plates of metal of such thickness that the outer surface of
the plate is in an exact line with the cutting edge of the knife, which being
between the saw & the wood, the formation of ridges by vibration is obviated.
AN IMPROVED FOLDING BOAT
Year: 1855

page_text: rotection,
application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Samuel Griswold Flagg at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th
July 1855. A communication.
I, SAMUEL GRISWOLD FLAGG, of Philadelphia, in the United States of
America, but now of 17, Cornhill, London, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED FOLDING BOAT," a communication from
Abijah R. Tewksbury, of Boston, in the United States of America, to be as
follows:-
The Invention consists in an improved method of constructing a boat, viz.,
by attaching its sides and ends to its bottom by water-tight hinges, in com-
bination with connecting the edges of the sides and ends by water-tight flexible
gores of india-rubber cloth or other suitable material of such size & shape
that the boat may be unfolded, or the sides and ends may be turned down into
the same plane with the bottom, as may be desired.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PURIFICATION OF MINERAL, VEGETABLE, AND ANIMAL MATTERS CONTAINING OILY, BITUMINOUS, RESINOUS, AMMONIACAL, AND AQUEOUS QUALITIES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Benjamin Fullwood at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 28th May
1855.
I, BENJAMIN FULLWOOD, of No. 6, Kirbey Street, East India Road, Poplar,
in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturing Chemist, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PURIFICATION OF
MINERAL, VEGETABLE, AND ANIMAL MATTERS CONTAINING OILY, BITUMINOUS,
RESINOUS, AMMONIACAL, AND AQUEOUS QUALITIES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the purification of such mineral, vegetable, and
animal matters as contain oily, bituminous, resinous, ammoniacal, and aqueous
qualities by certain chemical and mechanical means in lieu of by distillation,
as ordinarily practised, in order to extract therefrom their rancid or empy-
reumatic qualities, and to separate the spirituous or oleaginous from the crude
materials and other component parts.
The chemical means which I employ for the above purpose are alum,
alumina, or aluminous or argillaceous clays, in connection with soapstones,
ochres, or clayey oxides, or carbonates of magnesia or lime; or alum, alumina,
or aluminous or argillaceous clays, in connection with oxide of copper, oxide of
iron, chloride of lime, potash, or alkaline or calcareous earths. The method
of proceeding for the purification of any of the above-named matters is

page_text: similar in all cases. For example: to purify one hundred gallons of turpen-
tine, or crude mineral or coal naptha, I take about twenty-five pounds of
alumina, or aluminous or argillaceous clay, and agitate or mix well therewith
in a suitable vessel for about half an hour by any convenient mechanical
means; I then add thereto about seven pounds of carbonate of lime, oxide of
copper, or other material above specified; the mixture is then left to subside,
after which the supernatant oil or spirit is drawn off into another vessel and
again treated in the same manner with the aluminous and alkaline materials.
After the residuum has subsided, the oil or spirit is again drawn off, and
passed through a filter containing any (or a mixture of any two or more) of
the above-named materials. The purification is then complete, and the oil or
spirit is fit for use.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CLEANING KNIVES
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Toplis Frost at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 15th January
1855.
I, WILLIAM TOPLIS FROST, of Shottle, near Belper, in the County of Derby,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CLEANING KNIVES" to be as follows:-
The object of the Invention is to construct knife-cleaning machines in such
a manner that the knives to be cleaned are placed between two elastic beds,
covered, by preference, with buff leather.
These elastic beds are affixed to sliders, and the sliders held together and
regulated as to distance apart at the ends by screws or other means. A frame-
work of metal or other material contains the sliders, and the knives are held
stationary by the framework while the sliders are passed backwards and
forwards over the blades of the knives. To effect the necessary polish, I
sometimes employ strips of leather placed edgewise, instead of the elastic bed.
AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY SIGNAL APPARATUS
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Page at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th November
1855.
I, CHARLES PAGE, of Ware, in the County of Herts, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY
SIGNAL APPARATUS" to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to actuate by the passage of the train over
the line of railway signal apparatus, which will warn the engine driver that
he is approaching a station, and at the same time apprize the attendants
at the nearest station that a train is approaching. For this purpose I sink in
the earth, in close proximity to the rails, a box, in which a weighted cam is
mounted, and through the cover of this box projects a vertical sliding stop
piece, which rests upon the edge of the weighted snail cam.
This stop piece
is intended to meet the wheel, or an arm, or other projection of an advancing
locomotive engine, and to be depressed thereby for the purpose of rocking the
cam. To one extremity of this cam is attached a draw rod, which is connected
to visible or audible signal apparatus at hand and at a distance, and on the
rocking of the cam this signal apparatus is set in motion, and the advance of
a train will be signalled. The vertical stop piece is provided with an antifriction
roller, which bears upon the cam, and springs are provided in the cam box to
return the depressed stop piece to its elevated position and independently of
the action of the cam.
IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE PRODUCTION OF VARIOUS FABRICS IN WHICH BOBBINS ARE USED
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Lamb and Francis Best
Fawcett at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 9th January 1855.
We, JOHN LAMB, Machinist, & FRANCIS BEST FAWCETT, Carpet Manu-
facturer, both of Kidderminster, in the County of Worcester, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CERTAIN PARTS
OF THE MACHINERY EMPLOYED IN THE PRODUCTION OF VARIOUS FABRICS IN WHICH
BOBBINS ARE USED" to be as follows (that is to say):-
Our Invention, having reference to the construction and arrangement of
certain mechanical contrivances to be used in connection with the bobbin
weight and frame in machinery for weaving Brussels carpets and other fabrics
in which bobbins are employed, has for its objects, firstly, to secure the
above-mentioned machinery from the derangement and injury to which it has
hitherto been subject from the weights being liable to fall to the ground upon
the breaking of a warp thread; and in order to remedy this defect, we cause the
weight to be fastened or secured by suitable means to the frame or creel of
the machinery, instead of being detached, according to the manner adopted in
Wood's, Crossley's, & Prentice's Patents; the effect of which arrangement is,
that on the breaking of a warp thread the weight does not fall to the ground,

page_text: but is kept in suspension on the end of the cord or thread when the latter has
run down to its utmost length.
Our said improvements having for their object, secondly, to release the warp
thread from the increase of tension to which it has been hitherto subject during
the descent of the weight, for the purpose of enabling it to work regularly
from the beginning to the end of the bobbin, is performed by having the
weight connected with the escapement of the machinery in such manner that
the said escapement may move therewith, and produce an equable motion
in the bobbin thread.
IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY BREAKS OR BRAKES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Lazare François Vaudelin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
June 1855.
I, LAZARE FRANÇOIS VAUDELIN, of Upper Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square,
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY BREAKS OR BRAKES" to be as follows; and
consists in a simple and more effectual mode of braking engine and carriage
wheels by means of screw brakes, which press on the wheels horizontally,
giving more power to the brakesman, and thereby more speedily stopping
the engine or carriage, and also a contrivance for one man to brake two or
more carriages.
The brakes are of the usual shape, but having rigidly attached to them
square bars of iron, which are fixed horizontally and supported by suitable
bearings; these bars are made to move in a horizontal direction by means of
a shaft, having a right-handed screw cut on one end, and a left-handed screw
on the other end. These screws work in holes in the square bars, having
threads cut therein, and by the revolving of the shaft either way, the wheels are
braked or unbraked.
In the centre of the said shaft there is fixed a cog wheel which gears to
another cog wheel, or an endless screw attached to another shaft of the length
of the carriage, and on one end of the last-mentioned shaft there is fastened

page_text: another cog wheel; this last cog wheel is made to revolve by the action of an
endless screw, which is turned in the usual manner by the guard in the
carriage or by the engineer on the engine, and by so doing the shaft on which
the right and left handed screw is cut revolves, and brakes or unbrakes the
wheels. The endless screw which puts the brakes in motion may be applied
to work the cog wheel on the screw shaft, instead of as in the manner before
stated.
For one man to brake two carriages, the shaft, which is of the length of the
carriage, is made square and hollow at its end for a similar shaft to fit therein,
making, however, the square hole of sufficient length to allow for the com-
pression of the buffers; and when the endless screw is turned, the shaft of the
second carriage revolves with the shaft of the first, giving a similar action to
its brake, as before mentioned, and in the same manner the whole train of
carriages may be braked by one man. The screw brakes may be operated
upon by levers, screws, or cog wheels.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE KNOWN AS GOLD WIRE' AND 'GOLD PLATE, FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GOLD THREAD OR GOLD LACE
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Noah Turner at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th September
1855.
I, NOAH TURNER, of Chorley, in the County of Lancaster, Gold Thread and
Plate Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE KNOWN AS GOLD WIRE' AND 'GOLD
PLATE, FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GOLD THREAD OR GOLD LACE," to be as follows:-
Hitherto "gold wire" and "gold plate" (so called) have been manufactured
by coating or plating silver wire with thin gold as a covering during the
process of drawing and manufacturing to economize the cost of the pro-
duction. My Invention consists in substituting the metal called or known as
" aluminium in place of the silver wire in this manufacture, which bas
exactly the same effect in the "gold wire" or "gold plate" produced, and
tends also much further to economize the cost of the article.
IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR EFFECTING THE CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Knapton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd July
1855.
I, WILLIAM KNAPTON, of Albion Foundry, York, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR
EFFECTING THE CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the employment in furnaces of. two fire-places, or
one fire-place divided lengthwise in the centre from the fire bars to the top of
the furnace, with passages at each end, leading from one fire-place into the
other, or from one side of the partition to the other. These passages are com-
manded by dampers or valves. After the fires have been lighted, I charge
the fire-places alternately, and by means of the valves cause the smoke and
products of combustion generated from the fresh supply of fuel in one to pass
through the other, in which the fuel is in an incandescent state, whereby all
the consumable products of combustion are consumed prior to their passing
off into the chimney.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO PUMPS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Rhodes and John Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the
10th September 1855.
We, JOHN RHODES and JOHN JOHNSON, both of the City of Manchester,
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE TO PUMPS," to be
as follows:-
Our Invention consists in an improved mode of constructing pistons. The
packing rings of our improved pistons are held in contact with the interior of
the cylinder by admitting steam to the inner circumference of the said rings,
the action of which causes them to expand, thereby preventing the passage of
steam between the piston and the cylinder. When these improved pistons are
applied to pumps, the action of the water on the packing rings has the same
effect in making the piston fit in the pump as the steam in the cylinder, above
described. When pistons work in a horizontal position, we propose to increase
the surface of the piston in such wise that the action of the steam on this
increased surface neutralises the injurious effect upon the bottom of the
cylinder arising from the gravity of the piston.
Our Invention also relates to expansive governors, consisting of cams
actuated by centrifugal force in such a manner as to open the induction valve
into the steam cylinder in variable periods of time, for the purpose of admitting

page_text: such portions of steam into the steam cylinder as may be required, according
to the varying work to be done. This apparatus may be used either in
combination with or independently of the usual governor balls.
Another part of our Invention relates to slide valves for excluding the
steam from the back of the same. The face of these slide valves is made in
the usual way, with ports for admitting and exhausting the steam into and
from the steam cylinder, and with an annular space at the back for the
reception of hemp or other suitable packing, also a metallic ring to work
stean-tight against the interior of the cover of the slide valve casing; this
packing and ring are adjusted by screws actuated by wheels working into
each other, or by other suitable mechanism.
Our improved slide valve for compound engines has one portion of the face
made in such a manner as to admit and exhaust steam to and from the high-
pressure cylinder, and the other portion of the face of the valve is made hollow,
in such a manner as to conduct the steam after it has raised, or depressed the
piston of the, high-pressure cylinder into the low-pressure cylinder, for the
purpose of raising and depressing the piston thereof simultaneously with
the elevation and depression of the piston of the high-pressure cylinder.
IMPROVEMENTS IN BANDS OR STRAPS FOR CONFINING OR HOLDING PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS AND OTHER ARTICLES WHERE INDIA-RUBBER IS USED
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Goodyear at the Office of
tho Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd July 1855.
I, CHARLES GOODYEAR, of 25, Avenue Road, St. John's Wood, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BANDS OR STRAPS FOR CONFINING OR HOLDING PAPERS OR
DOCUMENTS AND OTHER ARTICLES WHERE INDIA-RUBBER IS USED" to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists of making bands or straps for confining or holding
papers or documents, or other articles, partly of vulcanized india-rubber,
where it is desired that the bands or straps should be elastic, the other parts
of the bands or straps being composed of india-rubber combined with fibrous
material; or such other parts may be made of the hard compounds of india-
rubber.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN SPATTERDASHES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Walter Sellwood at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd January
1855.
I, WALTER SELLWOOD, of Cheapside, in the City of London, Draper, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN
SPATTERDASHES" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in constructing spatterdashes used in walking or
riding in such manner that they may be readily portable; and for this purpose
I make the metal rods which are attached to each side of the spatterdash with
a hinge at or about that part of such rods which comes midway between the
ankle and knee of the wearer. One rod has affixed to it a stud at bottom, a
hook at top, and another near the joint, while the other rod has corresponding
slots which fit over the stud at bottom, and the hooks at middle and top. The
fastening is effected by turning the hooks partially round.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND AMALGAMATING ORES AND OTHER MATTERS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Mitchell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st October
1855.
I, JOHN MITCHELL, of Dunning's Alley, Bishopgate Street Without, do
hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR WASHING AND AMALGAMATING ORES AND OTHER MATTERS " to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of apparatus which cause the pulverized ores, and
matters which are to be washed or amalgamated, to be moved together with
the fluid in troughs by screws. For this purpose, two troughs are formed
side by side, parallel to each other. These troughs are divided by a par-
tition of such a height that the current of fluid and matters under process
may pass from trough to trough. In the two troughs are two screws
revolving in opposite directions; or they are otherwise so made, that the fluid
and matters under process in one trough may be moved in an opposite direction
to the fluid and matters under process in the other trough.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN FURNACES
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edmund Alfred Pontifex at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 1st
December 1855.
I, EDMUND ALFRED PONTIFEX, of Shoe Lane, in the City of London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FURNACES" to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the insertion of a hollow bridge or hollow screen,
open at bottom, which descends from the top of the furnace, and in connecting
therewith air tubes or passages open at one end to the external atmosphere,
and fitted or not with valves, as may be required. I use this hollow screen as
well as the ordinary fire bridge, and place it upon suitable supports, or other-
wise fix it at a point between the ordinary bridge and the furnace door. I fix
it in such manner as to prevent any of the products of combustion passing,
except between the bottom thereof and the furnace bars.
AN IMPROVED MODE OF HANGING WINDOWS AND SHUTTERS
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Frederick Russell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th June
1855.
I, FREDERICK RUSSELL, Mechanic, of 13, Cumberland Market, Regent's
Park, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF HANGING WINDOWS AND SHUTTERS" to
be as follows:-
This Invention, which relates chiefly to the windows and shutter blinds of
carriages, is intended to facilitate the raising and lowering of such windows
and shutter blinds, and to maintain them at any required elevation. For this
purpose, a strap or band is attached to the bottom of the sliding window or
shutter frame, and passed over an anti-friction roller, and thence to a spring
barrel mounted in bearings at the lower part of the door. A spring presser
bears upon the periphery of this barrel, to prevent the window from rising or
falling, except when required. The strength of the coiled spring in the barrel
is determined according to the weight it is intended to sustain. This arrange-
ment is applicable also to shop and other windows and shutters.
IMPROVEMENTS IN SHUTTLE TONGUES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left. by James Hamnett at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 7th August.
1855.
I, JAMES HAMNETT, of Broadbottom, in the County of Chester, Overlooker,.
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SHUTTLE TONGUES" to be as follows:-
Instead of the spring forming a bow on the tongue, whether in or out of the
shuttle, I arrange it so that when it is out of the shuttle (that is, in a position.
to put on the cop,) the spring is flat to the tongue, and will thus enter the cop.
without breaking or injuring the interior thereof; but when the tongue with
the cop on it is put into the shuttle the spring bows out, thus securing the cop
and enabling the weaver to use it up almost to the last thread, and prevent
waste by having large cop bottoms. I accomplish this object by making the
spring long enough to go through the tumble quite up to the stud or pivot, and
by cutting a recess in the stud or pivot, the end of the spring will enter it when
out of the shuttle, and thus be flat with the tongue, but when let down into the
shuttle, the end of the spring avoids the recess, and comes in direct contact
with the stud or pivot, by which it becomes bowed.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WORKING OR CULTIVATING LAND
Year: 1855

page_text: Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th June 1855.
I, WILLIAM HEAPS, of Forton, in the County of Lancaster, Smith, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS FOR WORKING OR CULTIVATING LAND" to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved construction and arrangement of
apparatus for harrowing land, whereby a better harrowing or disintegration
of the soil is effected. The improvements consist in imparting a lateral
vibrating or reciprocating motion to the teeth of the harrow during the forward
movement or traverse of the machine. This is effected by means of two
side levers attached at one end by chains to the harrow, and connected at
their opposite ends to a crank lever in front of the axle of the carrying wheels.
A suitable lever is employed for raising the harrow from the ground when
requisite, and suitable disengaging levers are employed for throwing the
machine out of gear when found desirable. When two horses are used, instead
of having a separate back band for each horse one band alone is used, the
band passing over the back of each horse, and under a pulley on the middle
shaft, being thereby adjustable to the height or level of each horse, according
to the irregularities of the ground.
IMPROVED MACHINERY FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER PROM RUNNING WATERS
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Augustus Huddart at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th April 1855.
I, GEORGE AUGUSTUS HUDDART, of Brynkir, in the County of Caernarvon,
Esquire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
MACHINERY FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER PROM RUNNING WATERS" to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to the employment of a system of buckets attached to
endless chains, set up vertically, or nearly so, and working over suitable guide
rollers, for the purpose of receiving an over shot stream of water, whereby the
downward pressure of the water will be caused to act more effectually than if
the same buckets were arranged radially around a wheel.
AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MILLS FOR GRINDING MALT AND OTHER ARTICLES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Riley at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th July 1855.
J, GEORGE RILEY, of No. 12, Portland Place North, Clapham Road, in
the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF MILLS FOR GRINDING MALT AND OTHER
ARTICLES" to be as follows:-
The present mode of grinding malt is by crushing it between rollers, by
which means the malt is merely flattened into comparatively large picces,
which are in a great measure protected by the husk from the action of the
water in brewing; and I find that in order to obtain the whole of the soluable
matter contained in the malt, that it is necessary that it should be cut up into
very small particles; & for this purpose I have constructed a mill of cast
iron, the working parts of which are in the shape of frustrums of cones; one
fixed or stationary, the other moving, the inner face of the fixed frustrum and
the outer face of the movable one coming in nearly close contact with each
other, & being covered with movable plates of cast iron or of steel which
contain the cutting surfaces, & which plates when worn out are readily
replaced with new ones. These plates are chill cast, by which they are
rendered much harder & more durable.
What I intend to claim in the construction of this mill is, the movable
cutting faces made of chill-cast iron or of steel.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR WINDING UP WATCHES
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Louis Antoine Nicole at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
1st November 1855..
I, DAVID LOUIS ANTOINE NICOLE, of 16, Chichester Place, King's Cross,
do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
FOR WINDING UP WATCHES" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of applying a toothed wheel to the inner case, or
cap, or plate of a watch, in such manner that it may be inade to rotate by a
toothed wheel fixed on the stem of the knob, or on a spindle passing through
the knob. And by another wheel, which gears into the toothed wheel carried
by the inner case, motion is given to wind up the watch; and in addition
thereto, when desired, motion may, by another toothed wheel gearing into the
one carried by the inner case, be caused to be given to the hands to set them
correctly, such last-mentioned gearing being kept out of action, except when
it is required to set the hands of the watch.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SIZING, DRESSING, AND WARPING YARN
Year: 1855

page_text: by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Caunce at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th June 1855.
I, ROBERT CAUNCE, of Bolton-le-Moors, in the County of Lancaster, Cashier,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY FOR SIZING, DRESSING, AND WARPING YARN," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in causing the yarn as it comes from the bobbins of a
creel to pass through a row of hecks and then between rollers, one of which
revolves in a trough containing size. The yarns thus sized are operated upon
by a brush and fan to dress and dry them; they then pass through another row
of hecks and between a set of runners, from whence they go through guides,
and between a pair of rollers of the required width; the yarn is then wound on
a fly or reel, and is ready to be balled off by hand, or to be wound on the
weaver's beam. The length of the warp is measured and marked by an
expanding and contracting wheel, and by a brush put in motion by one of the
rollers, by which it is delivered to the reel or fly. This fly or reel has a lateral
motion on its axis_to_bring each compartment.in_a.linc_with the rollers,-and-
the number of revolutions it performs is indicated by a counter. The leeses
are taken at the beginning and end of the warp in the ordinary manner.
CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING VESSELS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Joseph Revell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th April
1855.
.
I, JOSEPH REVELL, of Dukinfield, in the County of Chester, Plasterer,
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING VESSELS" to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to maintain a perfect parallel motion of all
the floats of a paddle wheel throughout its entire revolutions, and this I
effect by employing two or more rings or rims of metal, for the pur-
pose of supporting floats or paddles,) revolving in the same plane with each
other, particular rings having different centres from the others of these
rings or rims. One or more is secured to the main or driving shaft of the
paddle wheel; the remaining ring or rings revolve upon circular discs, which
form a centre above or below the main shaft at such a height as shall be
regulated by the distance between the crank pin of the disc rim and the
centre of the axle of the paddle or float. Each float is mounted upon an
axle working loosely in its journals, but is governed and kept in its original
position by having secured at one or both ends a crank, which in its turn is
governed by a ring or rim revolving on the central disc. Suppose the fixed
centre to be above the main shaft, and the floats to be vertical) by means of
the connection of the crank between the ring or rings of the wheel, the ring

page_text: revolving on the central disc is governed and has motion imparted to it by the
ring secured upon the main or driving shaft, and thus by the continuous and
simultaneous motion of the rings a perfectly vertical position or slightly
inclined position (if required) of all the floats or paddles will be produced,
and each float be placed parallel with the others, and maintained in such
position throughout the whole revolution or operation of the paddle wheel, or
whilst entering, propelling the vessel upon, or leaving the water.
IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF VELVETS, VELVETEENS, CORDS, AND OTHER WOVEN FABRICS IN WHICH FLOATED THREADS OR LOOPS ARE FORMED FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING CUT
Year: 1855

page_text: application for Letters Patent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Slack at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 17th January
1855.
I, the said JoHN SLACK, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Manager, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF VELVETS, VELVETEENS, CORDS, AND OTHER WOVEN
FABRICS IN WHICH FLOATED THREADS OR LOOPS ARE FORMED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
BEING CUT," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in so regulating the shedding of the warp and the
throwing of the weft as to produce floated threads or loops on both sides of
the cloth, which, being cut by the ordinary process, will constitute a piled
surface of similar character on either side. The "draft" will be regulated
according to the desire of the manufacturer, but the purpose of my Invention
will be attained by doubling the number to the round; if desired, however, a
smaller number of sheds may be opened for one side, in which case the general
effect will be the same, although both sides will not be of exactly similar
quality.
NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SEWING CLOTH, LEATHER, OR OTHER MATERIAL
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Lowell Fowle at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 5th March
1855. A communication from Edwin A. Forbrish, of the State of
Massachusetts.
I, CHARLES LOWELL FOWLE, of the State of Massachusetts, of the United
States of America, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "NEW
AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SEWING CLOTH, LEATHER, OR OTHER
MATERIAL," to be as follows:-
It consists in a combination of mechanism for drawing the needle through
the cloth or material with a set of pincers, which grasp the thread between
the work and the needle, and draw such thread into the cloth, thus relieving the
needle from such a strain of the thread as would tend to cut or wear the
thread in the eye of the needle. The thread is drawn through the work with
a proper tension, notwithstanding the length of that part of the thread which
extends from the needle to the work, gradually decreases in length as the
sewing progresses, and this is done by means of the nippers which hold the
threads, together with their carriage, a vibrating arm, and spring bolt, so that
not only is the thread drawn into the work with sufficient tension, but these
parts accommodate for any change of length of the thread.
It further consists in holding the needle and drawing it through the work;
and turning it around end for end or in a semicircle, in order to present
its point again towards the work, so that it may be passed through the work in

page_text: an opposite direction point forwards, thus allowing of the use of an ordinary
needle, with the eye at one end and a point at the other. The needle is
directed into the work and propelled or forced through the same by a forcer,
far enough to enable it to be seized by the mechanism by which it is drawn
through the work.
It further consists in a peculiar combination of machinery for holding,
releasing, and reversing a needle, or turning it around in a semicircle.
It further consists in a combination of machinery for taking up the thread
and preventing its entanglement, (when the needle is moved towards the
work,) consisting of spring nippers and a mechanism for preventing the weight
of such machinery from being thrown upon the thread, so as break the needle
or derange it during its revolution in a semicircle, as above mentioned.
The machine embracing the said Invention is intended to perform the
operation of sewing cloth or leather by means of two needles (each carrying a
thread) passed through the same in opposite directions, or by means of one
needle passed alternately backwards and forwards through the material to be
sewed. The said machine is intended to stitch or sew into leather either
a wax or unwaxed thread, and it is equally applicable for light and heavy
work.
A NEW MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1855

page_text: pucation for Letters Latent was not given within the time prescribed
by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Michel Pierre Alexis Gilardeau
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th November 1855.
I, MICHEL PIERRE ALEXIS GILARDEAU, of 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris,
and No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, do hereby declare the nature
of my said Invention of "A NEW MOTIVE POWER" to be as follows, that is
to say:-
The Invention consists, first, in using a certain quantity of liquid, equal to a
weight of at least three atmospheres, to compress the air alternately into two
parallel pumps, thereby obtaining a power equal to the weight employed;
secondly, to make use of the compressed air for propelling a horizontal
cylinder in which a vacuum is produced; and, lastly, to compel the weight
employed for compressing the air to pass from one side of the apparatus to
the other.
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR CLEANING AND CUTTING TURNIPS AND OTHER ROOTS
Year: 1855

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Jephson Rowley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
November 1855.
1, JOHN JEPHSON ROWLEY, of Rowthorn, near Chesterfield, do hereby
declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR
CLEANING AND CUTTING TURNIPS AND OTHER ROOTS" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in arranging machines for cutting roots in such a
manner that the roots are screened before being cut. The roots are fed into
a hopper or trough, from which they pass into a rotating cylinder of wire-
work, or otherwise placed in an inclined position, through which the dirt falls,
while the root passes to the knife or cutter.