coal. entire absence of smoke with the Benwell pit | to be levelled, and upon this large blocks are to be laid. With regard to the composition of these blocks, on the author's system, even when the mass of the block was composed of ordinary material, the face exposed to the sea would be hard and impenetrable, and yet the evil of a distinct line of demarcation between the face and the body of the block would be carefully avoided. As these blocks are deposited, the planking is to be removed, and the space between the face-work and the original rubble heart is to be carefully filled. There are some peculiarities in the method proposed by the author for setting these faceblocks. It may be stated generally, that the main objects in view are, first, to afford increased facilities for handling heavy masses, and secondly, as a considerable part of the faces must be built under water by divers, to place within easy reach of these men the power of moving the stone in every direction, without the necessity of communicating with any one above water. The steam is maintained at 60 lbs. per square inch above the atmosphere, and the engine is usually worked with the steam cut off at one-fifth of the stroke. The main slide, P, having always exactly the same mction, whatever be the degree of expansion, the opening of the exhaust and the amount of compression are constant. The usual speed of the engine is 24 revolutions per minute, or 192 feet per minute speed of piston; but it has been worked up to 40 revolutions, or 320 feet per minute of the piston. The pressure of water upon the pumps as indicated by a pressure gauge is 80 lbs. per square inch when standing, and rises to a mean of about 95 lbs. per square inch whilst working, equivalent to 186 lbs. per square inch effective pressure on the steam piston, or 57 horse power effective. Taking the coals consumed for 3 months, the consumption is 30 cwts. per day of 12 hours, including lighting fires, &c., or 5 lbs. of coals per effective horse power per hour, and 4 lbs. per indicated horse power per hour. It will thus be seen that the consumption of coals is not much more than if this engine had been a condensing one, whilst the first cost of the engine and building is much less, and the smooth and steady motion of the machine is much in its favour when compared with the beam engines. BREAKWATER AT THE PORT OF BLYTH. BY MICHAEL SCOTT, C. E. It has frequently been proposed to employ large concrete masses in the building of piers: one principal reason which suggests itself to the author for this idea not having been extensively put in practice, is the difficulty of handling such great weights. As has been stated, not only must the staging be of great strength, but the crane gear. ing to deal with say 25 tons must be cumbrous and expensive. As regards hydraulic machinery the difficulty is to arrange it, so that it shall not be still more so. Now as the author proposes to deal with masses weighing more than 25 tons, it is essential to devise some method of moving them, and the following is the result:-With the aid of bars, divers can do something with blocks weighing from 5 to 8 tons, as so much of the weight is neutralized when they are immersed but even with these, when laying a face course, it requires the signal-man to act in perfect unison with the diver, or time is lost. It will be observed that, in the case under consideration, the work account of the difficulty and expense of building consists only of face courses, and is composed of under water, but the author hopes to show, that blocks of such weight, that so far as any direct these need no longer be regarded as such formid-action on the mass is concerned, the divers would able objections. In the system hitherto adopted for building piers under water, the operations have been confined to one end of the work, and the progress has, consequently been very slow, the pier at Dover, for instance, advancing only at the rate of 100 feet per annum. THE author does not recommend the plan of depositing rubble up to low-water mark, and then erecting upon this a wall either of stone, or timber and stone, considering such an arrangement to be incorrect in principle; but he does recommend that the wall be built from the bottom, or from about 15 feet below low-water. No doubt the first-mentioned plan has been adopted, chiefly on This slow pro gress is mainly to be accounted for by two great obstacles to the operations of either helmet-divers, or of bells, which are current and ground swell; and with respect to the former, the further the pier projects the more rapid is the current past the end likely to become; indeed, in some cases, the scour might endanger the stability of the work. Now, it will be observed, that in facing an existing pier, the work might proceed with great rapidity, for it might be carried on at a number of places at once, and there would be little, if any, current to in terfere with the operations. To illustrate the advantages in these respects, the author will describe the method proposed by him for completing one form of the permanent work. Suppose the form of breakwater shown in Fig. 4 to be selected. Frames are sunk at intervals of 30 feet, and stand on the natural bottom. 5 feet. Rails being laid on balks of timber between these principals, rubble is tipped from waggons to form the bank, of the dimensions shown, up to a level of 17 feet below low-water; and the intermediate frames are then erected upon it, leaving spaces of On the outside of these frames, above low water, planks are attached, and are secured by pieces of timber bolted through to the frames. The object of placing them on the outside is to allow of their being easily removed afterwards. Below low-water, the spaces are filled in with panels, or vertical pieces, secured by the sliding ties, as shown in Fig. 5. The interior is then filled with rubble, up to 6 feet above high-water, and covered with an open flooring of timber. On the sea side, a parapet is carried up, and there is then a breakwater sufficient to last for many years. For the purpose of forming the permanent stone face, the projecting portion of the rubble bank is be nearly helpless. Hence arises the necessity of cmploying some new means by which the diver would be able to move the blocks in every required direction. This involves six distinct motions-down, the left. up, forward, backwards, to the right, and to proposes to employ may be briefly described The apparatus which the author with one end projecting over the side of the traversing frame, pier. This frame moves by means of wheels as follows:- There is a ; upon four lines of rails. Upon the inner end of the frame is placed an accumulator (which was patented by the author in 1851), which serves at once as a reservoir of power, and a back balance. Upon the front end of the frame, there is a cross ing a block is performed thus: the block is conframe carrying a crab. The operation of depositis over head, and instead of the chain being veyed on a waggon under the traveller; the crab attached directly to the mass, a cylinder containing a piston is interposed, the cylinder hanging from the chain, and the piston-rod being connected to the block. A flexible tube from the lower end to and then, the work on the and a stop-cock being opened, the water flowing of the cylinder communicates with the accumulator, from the reservoir under pressure forces up the piston, and lifts the block. When thus suspended the crab is moved, by means of a rack and pinion, with the aid of the break, near the end of the frame, men lower the block until it rests previous course. He then fixes the break, and the mass is consigned to the care of the divers. If the diver wishes to raise the block, he opens the communication between the accumulator and the cylinder, and the piston is forced up. block is raised far enough, he shuts the cock, and it remains suspended. When it is desired to lower the block, a second cock is opened in the When the same tube placed between the first and the cylinder which allows the water to flow out of the latter and the mass descends. If the block is to be moved laterally, the piston of a small cylinder fixed to the framing above is attached to the crab by means of a chain passing over a pulley, fixed on the opposite end of the frame. This cylinder is connected directly with the accumulator by means of a tube, and the communication being always open, the tendency is always to draw the crab to the left. Another cylinder is fixed in the opposite direction, and connected to the crab in the same manner. This cylinder also communicates with the accumulator, and being larger in diameter than the former one, when the communication is opened, it draws the crab from left to right, and the water in the first cylinder being forced back into the accumulator, there is no loss of power arising from the use of the first cylinder. The tube connecting the second cylinder with the accumulator passes down to the divers and up again When the crab is to return to the left, the communication between the second cylinder and the accumulator is shut, and another being opened, the water is allowed to flow out, the small cylinder pulling the crab back. The motion forward and backward is communicated in the same way. It will be seen that by means of three tubes within reach of the divers, motion in every direc tion is obtained, without the necessity of communicating with any one above water. It is thought that by the means now described the great difficulty of signalling is overcome; for that difficulty does not consist so much in indicating the direction in which the motion is required, as the amount of that motion. This becomes of more than ordinary importance in the case of large blocks, which men cannot easily swing from the perpendicular. For moving the great frame, a long cylinder, of small diameter, is fixed at each side of it; the piston-rods are hooked on to chains made fast to the forward end of the work, and the water being admitted as before, the frame is moved forward. When the piston reaches the end of the stroke, it is drawn out and is again hooked on to the chain; this can be easily effected by continuing downwards for a few feet the tube which empties the cylinder, as it tends to produce a partial vacuum. THE COMMISSIONERS' OF PATENTS THE Commissioners of Patents appointed under Vict. c. 83.) in compliance with the terms of the the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852, (15 & 16 third section of that Act, make the following Report of their proceedings under and in pur suance of the same for the year 1858, in continuance of their Report of proceedings for 1857. The number of applications for provisional protection recorded within the year 1858 was 3,007; the number of specifications filed in pursuance the number of patents passed thereon was 1,951; thereof was 1,880; the number of applications lapsed or forfeited, the applicants having neglected to proceed for their patents within the six months of provisional protection, was 1,047. Patent for inventions to be granted under the provisions of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852, shall be made subject to the condition that the same shall be void at the expiration of three years and seven years respectively from the date thereof, unless there be paid, before the expiration of the said three years and seven years respectively the stamp duties in the schedule thereunto annexed, viz., £50 at the expiration of the third year, and £100 at the expiration of the seventh year. The Act 16 Vict. c. 5. enacts that all Letters Two thousand and forty-four patents bear date between the 1st July 1855 and the 30th June 1856; the additional stamp duty of £50 has been paid on 568 of that number; and 1,476 have become void by reason of non-payment. Commissioners, &c., on Harbours of Refuge," vol. i.under the Act have been printed and published in All the provisional, complete, and final specifi• For drawings of this apparatus see "Report of the cations filed in the office upon the patents granted Plate 3. Folio. London. 1859.-M. s. continuation, with lithographie outline copies of the drawings accompanying the same, and within three weeks of the respective dates of filing, according to the provisions of the Act 16 and 17 Vict. c. 115. The provisional specifications filed in the office and lapsed and forfeited, have also been printed and published in continuation. pattern now in use in the Navy, near the Observatory at Greenwich, I have no hesitation in saying that in both instances the brilliancy of your light greatly excelled that of the other, more particularly so on the latter occasion, when the haze rendered it difficult to distinguish the Navy lamp with the aid of a glass, whilst yours was very distinct to the eye. Printed certified copies of the specifications I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, filed in the office, as also certified copies of patents, and of the record book of assignments of patents Mr. J. W. Brown, 25 Wickham-terrace, Deptford. E. J. P. PEARN, R.N., Master Attendant. and licences, with copies of such assignments and licences, have been sent, in continuation, to the office of the Director of Chancery in Edinburgh, and the enrolment office of the Court of Chancery in Dublin, pursuant to the Act of 1852 and the Act of 16 and 17 Vict. c. 115. The work of printing the specifications of patents under the old law, 12,977 in number, and dating from 1711 to 1852, having been completed, the Commissioners of Patents have directed short abstracts or abridgments of specifications, grouped under the different heads of invention, to be prepared and published; for example, abridgments of the specifications of patents relating to the propulsion of vessels, commencing in the year 1618 and ending 1857, comprising nearly 1,000 inventions, have been published in three parts, making one small volume. Abridgments relating to the following subjects of invention have also been published :-Drain tiles and pipes; manufacture of iron and steel, 3 parts; manures; sewing and embroidering; preservation of food; aids to locomotion; steam culture. Other series are in the press, and it is intended to publish at the rate of six or eight series in each year, completing the work in eight or ten years. These abridgments are sold at prices a little above the cost of printing and paper. To the above Report is appended the Report of the Commissioners of Patents on the subject of the building of a patent office and a public library which has been transmitted to Her Majesty's treasury, together with the annual financial papers of the office. IMPROVED SIGNAL LAMPS FOR THE NAVY. R.M.S.N. Company's ship Tamar, Southampton, 8th June, 1859. Captain Vincent, R.N., Superintendent. SIR,-I have much pleasure in being able to report most favourably of the mast-head lamp put on board Tamar previous to her last voyage. I have tested it against our own lamp, and although Dr. Brown's is smaller, yet the light is much more brilliant, and can be seen a considerable distance further in hazy or foggy weather. The lamp also wanted no trimming, and was as bright after eight or ten hours burning as when first lighted; so much pleased was I with it, that after leaving Lisbon I used it entirely, as I considered that by being seen so much further it might lessen the chance of collision. I hope I may be allowed to retain Dr. Brown's lamp. I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) JOHN H. JELLICOE, Commander. My new patent consists in constructing lamps, lighthouses, &c., out of tiers of lenses placed one above the other, the perpendicular edges of which are so mitred that they join their fellows like the key-stones of an arch, and according to the angle at which they are mitred so a circle or half circle of any extent can be formed. For the sake of illustration I take a lamp of lenses, each tier consisting of 10 plano-convex showing half a circle, constructed of three tiers lenses shaped on my plan, so that where they join their fellows lenses are formed. The interior will present a series of 45 distinct flat surfaces, 15 to each tier, without metal work separating them. The external appearance will be half spherical, the lenses of each tier being so blended one with the other that no depressions exist between the TO THE EDITORS OF THE "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." several lenses which can cause a break in the light. 17 Guildford-road, South-st., Greenwich, 2nd August, 1859. GENTLEMEN,-In 1856 I took out a patent for improvements in ship signal-lamps, pier-head lights, &c., and having on the 28th ult. taken out through you another patent for further improvements of the same, and lighthouses generally, I beg through your valuable journal to give a brief description of the merits of my new patent. I am, Gentlemen, yours obediently, Hospital. In the first place I beg to say a few words on Having as briefly as possible described the construction of the lamp, it will be seen that I get in contiguity forty-five distinct and direct powers of light, which all become, if I may use the expression, so amalgamated that the result is a more considerable increase of size, power, and brilliancy of the light than is possible to be obtained from a lamp or lighthouse constructed of one large lens or piece of glass, because the power of the light, although the lens may be well filled, becomes weakened from the centre or focal point having to supply so great an extent of glass. This point has been clearly HALL'S PATENT RAILWAY BRAKE APPARATUS. TO THE EDITORS OF THE "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." GENTLEMEN :-In a report lately addressed by Captain Galton, R. E., to the Lords' Committee of Privy Council for Trade, on the Accidents which occurred on Railways in the year 1858, that experienced officer says:-"Safety from collisions would be very largely increased if the guard or the engine-driver of a train were enabled to apply brakes to a sufficient number of carriages to enable it to be stopped in 300 or 400 yards. The application of brakes to several of the vehicles of a train, instead of only one to a heavy brake van at one end, and the road." And again, in the same report, causes far less wear and tear to the rolling stock Captain Galton says, that a certain gentleman's brakes "are efficient, but not perfect," and that brake blocks wear away," adding, "the efficient they require to be adjusted periodically as the action of a system of continuous brakes, no doubt, to some extent, depends upon the adoption of the system by all companies who interchange carriages or railways; but if the larger railway companies would adopt a system of continuous brakes for their own stock, the cases would be few where careful arrangements in making up the trains would not enable the system to be effectually applied." From these observations I am undoubtedly at liberty to conclude (1.) That if the railway companies would adopt an efficient system of brakes, the public would, Captain Galton believes, derive a large increase of safety. (2.) That Captain Galton considers the following conditions essential to a perfect (and therefore an efficient) system of brakes, viz., (a) that the system shall be applicable to numerous carriages of a train; (b) that it shall not require adjustment because of the wear afford no obstacle to the interchange of carriages of the brake blocks; (c) that it shall be such as will conditions, the able and gallant officer whom I among railway companies. In addition to these have quoted would, of course, further require that the system should be moderate in cost, simple in construction, ready and certain in its action, and unattended by any large amount of labour or trouble. Now, I am fully prepared to show to any railofficial person, that the system of railway brakes way other director, manager, engineer, or invented and patented by me in 1857, fairly and first place it was designed expressly for application In the entirely fulfils all these conditions. to any ordinary description of railway carriage, van, or truck, and its action is so immediate and powerful, that by its means a train of carriages 300 or 400 yards mentioned by Captain Galton. may be stopped in a much shorter distance than In the next place, the construction and arrangement of my apparatus is such, that it needs no adjustment whatever, however much the brakeblocks or frictional surfaces may wear. In the third place, my system is so devised, that carriages fitted with it may be interchanged, or turned round, the subject of my former patent, all the lamps/proved at the different trials of ships' lamps in any or every conceivable manner without in any manufactured under which are constructed of square lenses shaped in such a manner that at the edges where they join their fellows lenses are formed, so that the whole extent of glass consists of combined diffusing lenses, and when the lamps are lit many points of power are obtained, which causes the light to become larger, more powerful and brilliant, and thereby penetrates through a haze when the ordinary lights are invisible, which is the critical time when a light is of value for the prevention of collisions, loss of life and property at sea. The power of my lamps has been fully proved at trials ordered by the Board of Admiralty, Trinity, &c., &c., and I crave your indulgence by allowing the enclosed reports on their merits to be inserted : H.M. Victualling Yard, Deptford, 6th November, 1857. SIR,-Having on the 27th and 31st ultimo witnessed from this Yard the signal light in the lamp of your invention, when displayed with one of the small lamps on my principle having shown a much more brilliant light than the larger lamps tried against them. Take two lighthouse or pier-head lamps of the same size, and the one constructed under my new patent will give 20 or 30 times more light than is and which causes my light to be seen to advantage possible to be obtained from those in ordinary use, in hazy or foggy weather. Another great advantage which a lighthouse or lamp constructed on my principle would possess would be the regulating the power of the light. For example, so much power is not required on a clear as on a hazy or foggy night-on the former occasion, only the upper and lower tiers of lenses need be lighted; on the latter occasion, all the tiers of which the lamp is constructed. One of the new lighthouse lamps is, by order of the authorities of the Royal Yacht Squadron, about to be erected at Cowes. J. W. D. B. way offering an obstacle to the making up of a train. Lastly, my apparatus may unquestionably be cheaply fitted-is of a very simple character-acts with perfect readiness and certainty-and entails no considerable labour or trouble upon railway servants. These statements will not, of course, be accepted as true without proof. But I make them with all confidence, and am willing to furnish the proof when it is asked for. Meantime, I desire to urge the consideration of this question upon those to whom the limbs and lives of the travelling public are committed. If Captain Galton be correct in this matter-and who can doubt that he is ?—then the neglect of an invention which can accomplish all that I have said mine can effect, amounts to nothing less than the neglect of the public safety, and the wantou exposure of the public to peril. I have here endeavoured to state the matter fairly; and although in the absence of all adverse criticism I speak confidently of the merits of my apparatus, I believe I shall listen to such opinions | textile material in the manner described in the This apparatus consists of a square sliding bar,* suspended under each carriage, the connexion being made by a universal joint coupling,+ so as to render the break continuous throughout the train, thus making it possible to apply three or four brakes simultaneously. In making up a train, the brake-blocks of the brake-vans are screwed up close to the rims of the wheels, and then the coupling is effected so as to avoid the possibility of slack. The brake blocks are 80 arranged on the carriages that two operate in each direction, so that the carriages may be moved either backwards or forwards indiscriminately; but this is not the case with those attached to the tenders and the break-van. There is a wormwheel on the spindle of the handle from the van, working into a cog-wheel loose on the longitudinal shaft. On this shaft there is a screw working in a loose collar, to which are attached the ends of one pair of levers, working the arm of a lever, on a fixed shaft, also carrying the lever to which the blocks are attached.-(See Minutes of the institution of Civil Engineers, 23rd November, 1858; Mechanics' Magazine, 24th April, 1858; The Engineer, 10th Dec., 1858.) I am, gentlemen, yours obediently, Erith, 20th July, 1859. finished, will be the more interesting to the public who pay the cost. I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, J. NORTON. NOTE.-Mr. Lancaster has shown me a new compound metal of the bronze nature, which is very tensile, not corrodible, and is therefore well adapted for rifle cannon. Rosherville, 30th July, 1859. Law Case. COURT OF CHANCERY, Lincoln's-Inn, June 29.- CLARK'S PATENT BOAT-LOWERING BLOCKS. We cannot follow Mr. Hearder through such a multiplicity of ideas as to the construction of a cable under his patent, as it would be simply a waste of time. We find in page 221 the following ambiguous statement of carrying out his invention ::-"In all cases I recommend the employment of a soft, adhesive, insulating medium, which shall adhere to the fibrous material as well as to the surface of the more solid insulating subThis was a motion for an injunction to restrain stance used for the several coatings, in order to the defendants from manufacturing or selling any prevent the layers from sliding over each other." blocks made according to or in imitation of the We must confess that we are somewhat puzzled mode described in the plaintiff's specification, and to understand how this part of his invention is to from infringing the plaintiff's letters patent, and be accomplished, as Mr. Hearder does not explain. from using the invention of the defendant, James Does he mean wax of any sort? as we should very Nash, without the leave and license of the plaintiff, much like to know what he really intends to use, and from proceeding with an application for the for we are quite sure he cannot carry out his in- grant of letters patent to the defendant James vention if he is not in a position to state what the Nash. The plaintiff's case was that in April last "soft insulating medium" is, so as to adhere to he had obtained letters patent for an improved the "surface of the more solid insulating sub-safety block, to be used in lowering ships' boats stance." Perhaps it would be better to state for and other analogous purposes, and that before Mr. Hearder's information, that gutta-percha will filing his specification he had employed the defennot adhere to india-rubber or cotton to the exdants, Messrs. Ferguson, who were blockmakers tent required for submarine cables; the reasons at Millwall, to construct blocks for him according are obvious to those "practically acquainted" to his invention. In the progress of such manuwith the use of these gums. "I am aware," says facture the defendant, James Nash, who was the Mr. Hearder, "that wire has been coated with foreman of Messrs. Ferguson, invented an improvefibrous or textile substances to effect the adhesion ment on the plaintiff's invention, and the defenof the insulating materials, which would not ad- dants thereupon proposed that such improvement here sufficiently to the wire without them." How should be introduced into the specification which could Mr. Hearder, upon making this admiswas about to be filed, and that in consideration of sion, lay claim to it as his invention? We there- such improvement they should be allowed a share fore repudiate such a monstrous claim, as to of the profits to be derived from the plaintiff's whether it would assist the insulation or other. patent. The plaintiff not having acceded to the wise. defendants' proposal, he alleged that they thereupon threatened to manufacture blocks according to the alleged improved mode discovered by the defendant Nash, and thereupon he filed this bill, on the ground that Nash's block was only a colourable variation from his. The plaintiff's invention consists of a certain combination of mechanism, whereby, by means of an eccentric hook attached to the bottom of the lower blocks of a boat's tackle, the boat can be freed from the tackle by which it has been lowered immediately on touching the water. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH CABLES. TO THE EDITORS OF THE "MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." GENTLEMEN,-Having received several letters from Mr. J. Hearder, of Plymouth, in reference We beg, therefore, to state on public grounds, to his patent for constructing telegraph cables, that "no part" of Mr. Hearder's invention is eshe therein attempts to lay claim to that which the sential in constructing cables under our patent; public has a right, viz., the covering of copper wire in fact, we see not the least advantage to be dewith cotton or other fibre, previously to covering rived from it. We believe, as Mr. Hearder states, it with india-rubber or gutta-percha. We find that gutta-percha is not the best insulator for subin your journal of September the 4th, 1858, page marine cables; we are also of opinion, if he had 220, Mr. Hearder's specification of his patent. been in possession of the properties of "pure "First, he covers the conductor with cotton, silk, india-rubber" as an insulator, and had known the wool, hair, flax, or other porous substance or practical method of applying it for insulation, he substances, in any of their forms, in one or more would not have attempted to construct such a layers, previously to coating it with the insulating cable as his on theory" apart from all the "mematerial, which may be india-rubber, gutta-chanical difficulties" he would have to contend percha, or any of their compounds, or any other against. We are, Gentlemen, insulating composition; or, secondly, he coats the Yours most obediently, wire with the insulating material." We are prepared to show that this has been done at least ten years ago for telegraphic purposes, and as a proof we have sent him a specimen. Mr. Hearder's specification further states that he "then applies any of the before-mentioned porous or fibrous substances over the insulating material; or, thirdly, coats the conductor with the fibrous, porous, or This longitudinal bar enters the square sockets of the universal joints, fand is of such a length that when the train is extended to its greatest length, it will not be with drawn from its sockets. Upon this bar is placed a shoulder, which is set fast by a set-screw, and on either side of this shoulder is placed a helical spring, which bears against the plates that support the longitudinal bar, and offers a certain HALL AND WELLS. THE GREAT RAM. TO THE EDITORS OF THE 66 MECHANICS' MAGAZINE." GENTLEMEN,-I take the liberty of leaving for your inspection a model of an elongated steel bolt, having two longitudinal wooden wings and a latitudinal wooden bolt passing through its diameter near the base, forming two well-defined "tetons" on either side. The bolt is poised on these four wooden supporters, so that the body of the bolt cannot abrade on the interior of the rifle, whether rifled cannon or small arm. I should like to try an experiment with a well-tempered steel bolt, formed on this principle, against the iron sides of the great steam ram, when quite finished at a cost of £300,000; the experiment to be made from a long 68-pounder brass cannon, This coupling has two centre pins, which pass through rifled with four grooves, the length of the bolt to the hollow centre-piece, so that when either of them is re- be two and a half diameters of the base of the moved the joint becomes detached. This hollow centregun; the front face of the bolt to be slightly piece is a coupling to the apparatus, whenever the same is fixed to any part of the train, provided the universal joints cupped, after the manner of a steel punch-this are all of the same principle in the construction, experiment being made when the ram is quite amount of resistance to the motion of the bar in either direction. In the event of a concussion taking place upon the train or between the parts of the train, these springs will receive the shock gradually, and prevent, or aid in preventing injury to the train. By placing pins through the several bars or shafts within the universal joints, the said shafts and joints would act as couplings, and keep the carriages connected in the event of the ordinary connexions giving way. With this arrangement guard chains might be dispensed with. Mr. Bacon and Mr. Freeling appeared in support of the motion. Mr. Malins and Mr. Druce, for the defendants, said that they were willing to give an undertaking not to use the plaintiff's patent, or that the motion should stand over with liberty to the plaintiff to bring such action as he might be advised. The Vice-Chancellor said this was not the ordinary case of the infringement of a patent, but the litigation arose in consequence of the plaintiff not having acceded to the defendants' proposal to embody in his specification Nash's improvement. It was in the discretion of the Court as to whether it would impose on a patentee the necessity of bringing an action to establish the validity of his patent, and he did not think that that was a case in which he should make any such terms; for it was only as an after thought, and after the plaintiff had declined to accede to the defendants' proposal, that the defendants called in question the plaintiff's invention. The plaintiff was entitled to an injunction restraining the defendants from manufacturing or selling any blocks made according to, or in imitation of, the mode described in the plaintiff's specification, and from infringing the plaintiff's letters patent; but there would be no order to prevent the defendants from using Nash's invention, or from applying to the AttorneyGeneral for a patent for Nash's improvement. Parliamentary Proceedings. HOUSE OF COMMONS. TELEGRAPHIC CABLES. Our Weekly Gossip. A series of experiments is about to be conducted by Captain Galton on the part of the Board of Trade, Mr. R. Stephenson, M.P., and Professor Wheatstone, to determine the best description of cable for the proSir W. P. GALLWEY asked the Secretary to the Ad-posed line of telegraph from Falmouth to Gibraltar. miralty whether any and what experiments were pro- The experiments are to be carried on with the aid of posed to be made as to laying telegraphic cables in deep the Atlantic Telegraph Company, and will comprise water, before risking the sum voted for a cable to an investigation into the comparative value of guttaGibraltar. percha and india-rubber, the best mode of insulation, and other questions connected with the manufacture of deep submarine lines. Lord C. PAGET replied that experiments were now in progress, under the superintendence of the Board of Trade, and under the control of those eminent en gineers, Mr. Stephenson and Sir C. Bright, with the view of testing the composition of the outer coverings of telegraphic cables. RIPLING OF CANNON. Sir H. VERNEY asked the Secretary of State for War whether any steps were being taken, and what, for the rifling of the smooth-bored iron cannon in store for the supply of the army, navy, and forts in the interval that must elapse before a sufficient number of Armstrong guns can be manufactured. Mr. S. HERBERT said the Government had authorized experiments to be made in rifling the ordinary iron guns, and one gun would be tried next week. Similar orders would be given at the factory at Woolwich, and he hoped soon to see from 15 to 16 iron rifled guns produced per week. Proceedings of Societies. INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. prepared and brought in by Mr. Laing and Mr. At the last meeting of the Institution of Mechanical between the two surfaces: thus one-millionth of an The general meeting of the members of this Institu- The following letter may deserve a line or two of The impossibility of rendering a strong box alto- box. The clockwork begins to move as soon as the upon the owner, is the key to the lock-a key which can neither be stolen from him nor imitated. Lieut. Col. G. W. H. Ross, of the Rifle Militia, writing from Jersey to the Times says:-"Having observed that the Duke of Somerset has stated in answer to Lord Lyndhurst that no authentic information has reached him of the employment of rifled cannon in the French navy, I beg to say that when I visted Cherbourg, in the month of March last, I saw a number of new rifled cannon (ships' guns) lying on quay, close to the Arsenal. They were of the two grooved pattern, recently introduced by the Emperor into the French army." the Patents for Inventions. ABRIDGED SPECIFICATIONS OF PATENTS. THE abridged Specifications of Patents given below are FIBROUS FABRICS, including machinery for treating fibres, LIGHTING, HEATING, AND VENTILATING, 2900. METALS, including apparatus for their manufacture, 2879, CHEMISTRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY. None. LETTER PRESS PRINTING &c. None. 2868. D. ROWAN. "Improvements in steam-engines." Dated Dec. 15, 1858. In one arrangement provided by this invention, which may be called the "inverted duplex cylinder design," and which is suitable for driving a screwpropeller, an inverted cylinder is placed on a suitable framing directly over the shaft, and this cylinder has a similar one placed (by preference concentrically) within it, together constituting what is herein termed a duplex cylinder, which comprises a central cylindric a space surrounded by an annular space; pistons working in these two spaces are connected by their rods, which pass out through the bottom covers to one cross head, a connecting rod or rods passing thence to a crank on the shaft. The fresh steam from the boiler first enters the central cylinder, next passes thence to the opposite end of the annular cylinder, and finally passes from the annular cylinder to the condenser. A complete set of engines comprises two or more duplex cylinders connected to different cranks in the usual way. There are several modifica tions given in the specification of this invention, including an arrangement for operating the valves. Patent completed. 2869. H. BRIDGES. Improvements in the means of working brakes on carriages on railways." Dated Dec. 15, 1858. Here the inventor places under each carriage in a horizontal position, and extending the whole length of such carriage, a screw shaft having on the screw part thereof a wormed nut, connecting rods being attached at one end to the nut, and at the other to a lever or wheel. On the same shaft a toothed bevil wheel works into another toothed wheel on a vertical shaft, therefore when this vertical shaft is moved round, it will by the toothed bevil wheels cause the screw shaft to revolve, and the nut being restrained from revolving with the screw shaft, will traverse or move longitudinally along the screw shaft, and carry with it the connecting rods, and thereby actuate the brake against the rails. Patent completed. 2870. F. C. N. J. MIGEON. "Improvements in manufacturing screws, rivets, nails, spikes, and all similar articles made of metallic wire, and in the machines connected therewith." Dated Dec. 15, 1858. This includes a whole set of new machines for performing the operations, which are four in number, and consist, 1, in heading or upsetting; 2, in turning the head; 3, in nicking the head; 4, in cutting the threads. Each of the above-mentioned is performed by a different machine, and there is also a feeding apparatus. Patent completed. 2871. A. V. NEWTON. "Improved machinery for manufacturing bullets." (A communication.) Dated Dec. 15, 1858. This relates to an arrangement of machinery in which a punch and set of dies for pressing blanks or pieces of lead into a form approximating to that desired for the bullets, are combined within a revolv ing core, which serves, firstly, to produce a central cavity when that is required in the bullets, and secondly, as a mandril to revolve the bullet, for finishing their exteriors by the operation of turning. The invention also consists in the use of an automatically operating cutter in combination with the revolving core for turning the bullets. It also consists in the use in combination with the revolving core of a centre piece having an automatic operation for confining the bullets upon the revolving core during the turning operation, and afterwards releasing them and moving out of the way to permit the succeeding operations of the dies. Patent completed. 2872. A. V. NEWTON. “An improved arrangement of condensing apparatus." (A communication.) Dated Dec. 15, 1858. This relates to a novel construction of condenser, in which a series of parallel vertical cells or flat tubes are used to receive the steam to be condensed. These cells or steam chambers are enclosed within a steam tight metallic cylinder casing, leaving between and around them a space for the circulation of water. At their upper part the chambers are connected by pipes with the exhaust steam supply pipe, and in like manner at their lower end with a pipe leading to an exhaust pump. The water of condensation is drawn from these chambers by this pump, and forced into the case surrounding the condensing chambers. This case or cylinder is connected at its upper part by pipes with the steam boilers. As, therefore, the condensed water thrown into the cylinder circulates round the condensing cells or chambers, it becomes heated by extracting the heat therefrom, and thence passes upwards to the boiler. Patent completed. 2873. J. BULLOUGH. "Improvements in looms." Dated Dec. 15, 1858. The required motion is here given by any suitable number of healds for forming the shed according to the desired patterns by attaching them to cords passing over guide pulleys, which cords are connected to other cords, wires, or rods in a horizontal position having collars, knobs, or hooks upon them. At the top or other convenient part of the loom one or more rocking or oscillating shafts are worked for giving an oscillating motion or sliding movement to one or more bars, plates, or knives, so that when the horizontal cards, wires, or hooks are pressed on their tops by pegs on a pattern cylinder or lattice, the knobs or hooks shall either be put on or taken off the bar or bars, and thereby raise the healds or leave them free according to the bend of the hooks. Patent completed. 2874. C. F. VASSEROT. "An improved pendulum governor for regulating the supply of steam to the cylinders of marine engines." (A communication.) Dated Dec. 15, 1858. This consists of a pendulum, which, by means of a guide and rollers, vibrates only in a plane, parallel and coincident with that of the axis of the ship. By means of one or more arms, the pendulum is connected with a vertical spindle, which has a screw tapped on its upper end. Upon the screw is placed a muff, having a small fly-wheel attached to it, and which is kept from moving upwards by a ring placed above it, and held by a set screw. Attached to the muff, by a strap and pins, and stretching in a direction at right angles to the last-mentioned screw spindle, is another spindle or arm having its extremities made of a forked or gimbal form, and having cut on its centre a right and left handed thread over which a union or junction having similar threads cut upon it works, so that by turning the union to the right or left this spindle is lengthened or shortened. The other extremity of this forked spindle is attached to a muff similar in every respect to the first described one, and mounted upon another spindle or rod, having its one extremity formed as a screw, the other attached to and vibrating with the axle of the throttle valve of the steam pipe. Patent completed. 2875. W. CLARK. "Improved agricultural implements." (A communication.) Dated Dec. 15, 1858. This relates to farming implements, having for their object to open up and stir and break up the ab-soil after the passage of a plough through the ground without mixing the earth of the subsoil with the upper layer of arable ground. A hopper placed in front of the implement permits of a certain quantity of lime being dropped into the furrow of the plough to be mixed with the subsoil. Patent completed. 2876. J. WARDILL. "An improved stopper or controller, to stop and control the running out of chains and ropes." Dated Dec. 15, 1858. This consists in constructing a stopper or controller with hinged jaws, one being hinged to each side of a bed along which the chain or rope runs, and which jaws, by means of a screw lever or other suitable power applied at or near the upper part thereof are made to press down upon, grip, and entirely or partially stop the passage of the chain or rope. Patent completed. 2877. G. BELL. "An improvement in matches and fusees." Dated Dec. 15, 1858. This consists in the use of a metal shaft which is dipped in any igniting composition suitable to the purpose for which the match or fusee is intended. The composition will be found to burn upon and adhere while burning to the metal shaft. Patent abandoned. 2878. T. Moss. "Improvements in printing bank notes, bills of exchange, and other documents, requiring like security against being copied." Dated Dec. 15, 1858. Here the paper on which a bank note, &c., is to be printed is coated with colouring matter. The colours preferred are yellow, red, brown, or green, and the colours are so prepared that they cannot be removed by any chemical agency unless the paper be destroyed. Burnt clay or carbon is used in compounding the colours, and they are mixed with drying oils or varnishes and are applied by blocks or otherwise. Patent completed 2879. W. MORGAN. "Improvements in the manufacture of iron." Dated Dec. 15, 1858. This relates to the smelting iron ores in which the quantity of alumina present is equal to or exceeds one-half the quantity of silica, and the invention consists in employing as a flux in the blast furnace when smelting such ores sandstone, sand, or other matter containing silica in a comparatively pure form, that is to say, at least 75 per cent. of that substance. Patent completed. of the dies or cutters by which the worming and turning of the screw is effected, and also throws the lathe out of gear with the driving power without the intervention of an attendant. Patent completed. 2883. R. MUSHET. "A new or improved manufac ture of cast steel." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. This consists in manufacturing cast steel from cast iron which has been wholly or nearly decarbonized by passing air through it while it is in a molten state, the conversion of the iron into cast steel being effected by melting the same and treating it whilst melting or when melted with a triple compound or mixture consisting of or containing iron carbon and manganese. Patent completed. 2884. J. H. SELWYN. "A novel apparatus for paying out or laying down submarine telegraph cables or wires, and for raising the same after they have been laid down." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. This invention is described at pages 123 and 155 of the MECHANICS' MAGAZINE (new series). Patent completed. 2885. J. W. EDGE. "A certain improvement in balls, bullets, or other projectiles to be employed in fire-arms or ordnance." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. Here the projectile is of that description which is partially hollow, and the invention consists in filling such cavity with a composition of wax and tallow, and in so perforating the sides of the projectile that upon the explosion of the powder such lubricating material may be forced through the apertures and effect the lubrication of the barrel. Patent completed. 2886. J. W. FRIEND. "Improved apparatus for ascertaining and registering the depth and flow of liquids and the distances run by ships at sea." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. 2887. A. MACKENZIE. "Improvements in sewing machines." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. This consists in enclosing within an outer case tangent tooth and pinion gear in connection with a fan or paddle wheel by which the resistance caused by the water impinging upon the floats or paddles may be correctly ascertained, and corresponding results registered by graduated wheel plates or dials presenting the numeral or scale corresponding to the said resistance. For ascertaining the depth of water at sea, the speed or distance run by vessels, or the amount of fluid otherwise passed through the apparatus, the said apparatus when employed for ascertaining the distance run by vessels being provided with metallic wings or blades presented 2880. R. and R. WILSON. "Certain improvements obliquely to the water, by which the instrument is in the preparation of leather in combination with kept constantly submerged, and when used for india-rubber and other materials, for the manufac- registering the flow of liquids furnished with conturing of hose-pipes, and other purposes where centric slot openings formed eccentrically in the leather is required to be impervious to water, steam, channel in which the fan or paddle wheel revolves, or frost." Dated December 16, 1858. through the medium of which the water, &c., is Here the inventors take leather of suitable thick-directed against the floats or paddles. Patent comness and strength for hose pipes and for other pur-pleted. poses where the article is required to be impervious to or to resist action of steam, hot-water, or frost, and first thoroughly cleanse the same by scouring in cold water; the inner surface is then shaved evenly to the thickness required and a layer of dubbing composed of oil and tallow is applied to it, and it is hung up until the dubbing is well absorbed. The outer grain of the leather is then taken off with a currier's knife, and the leather is punctured by a roller the surface of which is set with small spikes or teeth. A solution of india rubber combined with shellac is then applied to the surface of the leather, which enters into and is retained by the small punctures and grain of the leather. A thin layer of india-rubber solution is then applied, which serves as a foundation to receive a covering of vulcanized india-rubber cloth. The combined sheets of leather and india-rubber are then stretched upon a drum so as to cause the india-rubber to adhere firmly to the leather, and when this is accomplished the outer surface of the leather (previously punctured) has a coating of the india-rubber solution applied thereto. Patent completed. 2881. W. H. CARMONT and W. CORBETT. "An improved mode of constructing furnaces for the production of wrought-iron and steel, and manufacturing such metals into ingots and other forms." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. Here the flues are so constructed as to rise perpendicularly from the grate, thereby carrying off all the deleterious gases generated, and preventing such gases coming in contact or becoming incorporated with the metals so manufactured. The heat is also caused powerfully to reflect and reverberate upon the metals, at the same time preventing all flame or smoke passing over or coming in contact with the metals whilst in a heated or smelting state. Patent abandoned. 2882. A. and J. STOKES. "New or improved machinery for the manufacture of screws." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. Here the machinery effects the opening and closing Here, according to one portion of the invention, the circular needle machine is referred to, the sewing or stitching action being effected by the combined action of a straight needle of vertical action, and a curved needle of horizontal action. The framing of the machine is generally similar to that already in use, consisting of a rectangular table frame, open beneath, and formed with a platform top for the working operation. Patent abandoned. 2888. J. J. MARCAIS. "Improvements in galvanie batteries." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. This invention is not described apart from the drawings. Patent completed. 2889. W. WHITE and J. PARLBY. "Improvements in the preparation or treatment of carton pierre,' and such like composition, and in the appli cation thereof to the coating or covering of walls and other surfaces." Dated Dec. 16, 1858. This relates in mixing with "carton pierre," &c., material adapted to resist moisture, such as pitch, tar, rosin, gutta-percha, india-rubber, or resinous or bituminous substances of a like nature, or of cement in powder used with the "carton pierre," either alone or in combination with the above-named materials. It also relates to the application of such matters as a covering for surfaces and partitions of buildings, &c. Patent abandoned. 2890. R. A. BROOMAN. "An improvement in plating and gilding forks, spoons, and other metal articles." (A communication.) Dated Dec. 16, 1858. This consists in plating those portions of the forks, spoons, &c., which are subjected to more wear than others, such as the prongs of forks and the bowls of spoons, with a thicker coating than the other portions. The patentee takes any article which has been uniformly coated by the aid of the galvanic bath, and heats it, and by affinity of metal for metal solders on to those parts requiring a thicker coating as many layers of leaf silver or gold as may be necessary to produce the desired thickness. Patent completed, |