talent can readily be procured to meet, remove, and overcome any that may possibly be presented. And while from the nature of my engagements and avocations I must necessarily decline any participation in its accomplishment, should any such expectation be entertained in consequence of my being the projector, yet I shall feel pleasure in communicating at my leisure opportunities to those you may select (should you determine so to do) to inquire into the merits of the invention, the practicability of its execu

Fig. 2.

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tion, and the advantageous prospects which its performance may offer, the several modes, means, and resources which I have devised for its commencement and completion; and should the result of my appeal to you cause the adoption of the plan, the endeavour to carry it into effect, and the appointment of a competent person to accomplish the work, I shall feel pleasure in rendering him assistance as my leisure may permit, and offering him such suggestions as it may be in my power to furnish, should they be required."

them at once to strike the ellipses, which would correctly represent the perspective

of wheels and other circles.

Such an instrument has been designed by Mr. Henry Davies, already well known as the author of several other useful and highly important inventions, and we have much pleasure in adding to the list, that which is represented in the prefixed engraving.

This ingenious little instrument consists of an upright stem or axis, which terminates at its lower end in two points a a, to give it the required stability in a perfectly vertical position. On the upper part of this axis a compass head b revolves, having attached to it, by a joint at c, the pen or compass limb c d. A square horizontal shaft is jointed into the latter at e, and maintained in its position by the parallel rod f. Upon the central

shaft or axis a, there is pivoted a circular steel plate with bevilled edges g, which may be set at any required angle to the horizon by the quadrant and set screw h. A T-shaped guide i, has its longer stem k passed through the horizontal shaft, and held by the set screw m; the face of the guide i is constantly kept in close contact with the edge of the circular disc g, by means of a small spring 1.

A glance at this arrangement will almost suffice to show its operation; suppose, in the first place, that the disc i is set perfectly horizontal, and the instrument applied to describe a figure upon paper; on turning round the compass limb and pen c d, a transcript of the disc g, that is, a circle will be delineated, because the pen has been guided round it in a circular path by the spring 1. Let the disc g, be now set at any angle, say 45°, and the instrument applied to paper and turned round; the pen will again be guided round the disc g, but no longer in a circular path; an ellipse will be described, which will be the correct perspective of a wheel or circle viewed at an angle of 45°; and so of circles viewed at any other angles, of a size within the powers of the instrument.

The set screw m allows the compass to be set to the size of the circle required; at the same time the guide i is always maintained in contact with the disc.

We hope and trust that this convenient and ingenious little instrument will be speedily brought before the public, in a

form, and at a price, that will enable all parties to avail themselves of its important advantages.

ABSTRACTS OF SPECIFICATIONS OF ENGLISH PATENTS RECENTLY ENROLLED.

** Patentees desirous of fuller abstracts of their Specifications than the present regulations of the Registration Offices will admit of our giving, are requested to favour us with the loan of their Specifications for that purpose.

GEORGE HENRY PHIPPS, OF Deptford, ENGINEER, for improvements in the construction of wheels for railway and other carriages. Enrolment Office, January 1st, 1842.

A

The object of these improvements is to avoid the injurious effects of heating the tyre in the ordinary process of "shrinking on,' by superseding that process. For that purpose the patentee proposes to construct a railway wheel in the following manner. A bar of wrought iron, is prepared of a proper form by rolling, in the usual manner, with an outer flange at one edge, and an inner flange in the centre of the bar; this bar is bent into a circular form and welded. suitable number of wrought iron spokes (sixteen) are prepared, with an extended end or palm, which may be drawn out by hammering, or may be welded on; the inner end of each spoke is jagged, or perforated, in order that the cast metal may embrace and hold it fast. Eight of these spokes are then laid in a mould, and one portion of the boss or nave of iron, cast upon their inner ends; the other eight spokes have the corresponding portion of the boss or nave cast upon them. The two parts of the nave are then brought together, and secured by screw bolts, and the enlarged ends or palms of the spokes strongly secured to the alternate sides of the inner flange by screw bolts, or by riveting. Another method consists in placing all the spokes in their respective positions around the wheel, and casting the boss or nave in one piece; the palms of the spokes being afterwards riveted to the inner flange. the wheels thus constructed, the position and appearance of the spokes strongly resemble the suspension wheels of Messrs. Jones and Co.; but the patentee also proposes to construct wheels on the foregoing principle with a single row of spokes lying in the same plane. Wheels for common road carriages may also be similarly constructed, by omitting the outer flange, which is essential to the wheels of railway carriages.

In

The claim is, to the construction of a wheel with a cast iron boss or nave, with wrought iron arms or spokes cast in it: the arms or spokes being attached to the wrought iron tyre by riveting or bolting.

GEORGE ONIONS, OF HIGH-STREET, SHOREDITCH, ENGINEER, for improved wheels and rails for railroad purposes. Enrolment Office, January 7, 1842.

This invention of improved wheels for railroad purposes consists in casting such wheels, of iron made from Cumberland or Lancashire ores, which is afterwards made malleable by annealing, and subsequently case-hardened. The improvements in rails for railroad purposes consist of an arched base, manufactured of common cast-irod, with a groove running along the centre thereof, and into which groove a rail, made of iron cast from Cumberland or Lancashire ore, and afterwards annealed, is affixed. Such base is to be made either singly or doubly-if doubly, by connecting surfaces of iron.

The claim is, 1. To the casting of wheels, for railway purposes, of iron made from Cumberland or Lancashire ore, afterwards made malleable by annealing, and casehardened; 2. As well the mode of constructing bases, as casting the rail of iron made from Cumberland or Lancashire ore, and made malleable by annealing.

THOMAS YOUNG, OF QUEEN-STREET, LONDON, MERCHANT, for improvements in lamps. Enrolment Office, January 8, 1842.

The first of these improvements, which are eight in number, relates to hand lamps with small argand burners, and consists in the application of fine wire gauge or perforated metal plates, through which the air is admitted, so as to prevent the flame being affected by a rush of air while in rapid motion. The second improvement consists in the application of tubes to an argand lamp, by means of which a supply of air is carried down from above to supply the passage through and around the burner. The third improvement consists in a mode of attaching carriage lamps, so that they draw their supply of air from within the carriage, thereby ventilating the same; at the same time preserving their perpendicular position without being in any way affected by the inclination or motion of the carriage. The fourth improvement relates to ship's lamps, the stem of which is composed of a number of sliding telescope tubes, so as to admit the lamp to be set at any required and admissible height, while the lower tube, or socket, fits into a cylindrical hole in the centre of a weight of a hemispherical form, which is supported flush with the surface of the table, &c. upon gimbals. The fifth improvement consists in a mode of applying a metal plate or deflecting sur

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face within the glass chimney, having a large hole in its centre, and a number of smaller holes around its inner edge for regulating the supply of air around the flame. The sixth improvement consists in the introduction of air intermediately of the length of the chimney, by means of perforations in the glass chimney, or by making the glass chimney in two or more parts, and introducing the air at the joints. The seventh improvement consists in making the glass chimneys of lamps in two parts, and applying a deflecting plate between them, or by forming the plate on one of the parts of such chimneys. The eighth improvement consists in a provision for raising or lowering the glass chimney, so as to adjust it to the most advantageous height for obtaining the best kind of flame; this is effected in one case, by making the gallery in two parts, one of which screws up or down within the other.

The claim is-1. To the mode of making hand lamps; also the mode of applying woven wire surfaces to argand lamps.

2. To the mode of conducting air from above into the interior of an argand burner.

3. To the mode of supplying carriage lamps with air from within the carriage, and so arranging the parts as to retain the lamp in a vertical position.

4. To the mode of retaining the lamp in a vertical position at sea, by applying the apparatus above described to a table or other fixed surface.

5. To the mode of applying a plate or surface within the glass chimney of lamps by suspending the plate from above.

6. To the introduction of air intermediate of the length of the chimney, by applying perforated chimneys-or chimneys made of two or more parts.

7. To the making of chimneys of two parts, and applying a plate between them, or forming the plate on one of the parts of the chimney.

8. To the mode described of regulating the height of the chimney and plate.

CHARLES PAYNE, OF SOUTH Lambeth, CHEMIST, for improvements in preserving vegetable matters where metallic and earthy solutions are employed. Enrolment Office, January 8, 1842.

These improvements consist in impregnating the vegetable matters to be preserved with any suitable metallic or earthy solution, and afterwards decomposing the same, thereby precipitating the insoluble substance so formed, in the substance of the preserved matter. Thus, for instance, a piece of wood which is to be preserved by this process, is placed in a suitable vessel and a vacuum produced therein by an air pump, or by any other convenient means. A strong solution of sulphate of iron is then admitted, which enters

into the interstices of the wood; when saturated, the wood is either, in its wet state, or after being dried, treated with a carbonated alkali, (carbonate of soda being preferred) by which the salt of iron is decomposed, and becomes converted into an insoluble precipitate within the substance of the wood. The saturation of the wood may be assisted by pressure or not, as found to be best.

Another process consists in the employment, in like manner, of a solution of alum, the decomposition of which is also to be effected by the same agent as before-carbonate of soda. The patentee observes, that the processes of injection, by vacuum and compression, as well as the employment of metallic and earthy solutions, have before been applied to effect the object in view, the mere use of which he disclaims; but what he claims is, the mode of preserving woods and other vegetable substances, by causing them to be impregnated with a solution of metallic or earthy matters, and then by chemical decomposition to retain the matters employed, in an insoluble state, in the substance of the vegetable matter, when such effects are obtained by the combined processes of exhaustion, compression, and decomposition, as above described.

MOSES POOLE, OF LINCOLN'S INN, GENTLEMAN, for improvements in steam baths and other baths. (A communication,) Enrolment Office, January 13th, 1842.

A room is constructed in a steam-tight manner, by being lined with sheets of lead or zinc; on one side, near the floor, there is an opening, furnished with shutters, by which the admission of atmospheric air can be regulated at pleasure, while on the opposite side of the room, near the top, another opening, similarly fitted, is placed for the escape of the impure heated air and steam. Light is admitted at the top by a double sky-light. A boiler (of copper is preferred) is furnished with a safety-valve, and also an apparatus for supplying it with filtered soft water. Steam is generated in this boiler under a pressure of from 10 to 20 lbs. upon the inch, for the purpose of supplying steam to the bath, and also for heating a quantity of water contained in an elevated cistern. Another elevated cistern contains a supply of cold water. Within the room or bath there are three rose heads, one above the other, connected with the hot and cold water cisterns in such a manner, that by regulating the cocks, a shower of hot or cold water, or of any intermediate temperature, may be obtained from either of these rose heads; so that a person may apply a shower of cold water to the head, warm to the stomach, and hot to the feet. The mode of using this improved bath is as follows:-The bather, on

entering the bath, prepares himself by first subjecting his body to the shower from one or more of the rose heads gradually increas ing the temperature; steam is then gradually admitted, until the bath attains a temperature of 80° or 100°. The floor is of wood, perforated with a number of holes for the escape of the water from the rose heads, and provision is made for the bather to sit or lie down; flexible tubes are also attached to the steam pipes, by means of which jets of steam may be directed to any part of the body. The steam bath having been continued long enough, the hot shower bath is again resorted to, gradually decreasing the temperature till it approximates to that of the external atmosphere.

The claim is, 1. To the mode of producing a steam bath by the application of steam (generated under considerable pressure) within a room so arranged as to allow of a sufficient circulation of fresh atmospheric air, as above explained; 2. To the mode of combining the use of a high-pressure steam bath in a ventilated room, with a rain douche, or water bath, whereby the skin is prepared before and after a steam bath, as above explained; 3. The mode of regulating the temperature of douche baths, "whether rain or voluminous."

RECENT AMERICAN PATENTS. [Selected and abridged from the Franklin Journal.]

IMPROVEMENT IN SMELTING FURNACES. W. H. Phillips. The patentee introduces the specification of this improvement with the following general remarks. "For the purpose of economizing fuel, it is a point of considerable importance to be able to use the waste heat for supplying the blast to the smeltingfurnace, and this has been done in numerous instances, and under various modifications of the apparatus employed. It has been found, however, that in all cases the air so heated is subjected to great variation in its temperature, and that from causes incident to the employment of such furnaces, when dependence is had upon the waste heat alone to accomplish the intended purpose. Whatever produces a diminution of heat in the interior of the furnace must produce a corresponding effect in the air-heating apparatus, and that at a time when it is most desirable to keep up, or increase, the temperature of the hot blast, in order the more rapidly to restore the wanted temperature in the furnace. One of the most general causes of the temporary diminution of heat in the furnace is the introduction of the charges of coal, and flux. The quantity of gas emitted from the fuel also varies considerably, in different stages of its combustion, and with

it, of course, the quantity of flame in the heating apparatus; other sources of such variation of heat are well known to those conversant with the use of smelting-furnaces." This difficulty it is the object of the improvement now patented to obviate. The method adopted by the patentee is as follows. "On the sides of, or otherwise close to, the heating apparatus on the tunnel head, I place one, two, or more small furnaces, for the express purpose of heating a portion of air, which is to pass from them into the heating oven, and to co-mingle with that arising through the chimney of the smelting-furnace. To these auxiliary furnaces I make close-fitting doors, in order that no air shall pass into them, excepting that which is forced to pass through the burning fuel which they are to contain. Into the ash-pit of these auxiliary furnaces I introduce a pipe, through which air, either hot or cold, may be blown from any suitable part of the blowing apparatus, which, by passing through the ignited fuel, and thence directly into the heating-oven, may be made to communicate a very high degree of heat to the pipes contained therein; I, of course, regulate the supply of air to be blown into the heating-oven, and to pass from the blowing apparatus into the auxiliary furnaces, by means of cocks, valves, or dampers, applied in the ordinary way, which devices are well known to all machinists." The patentee adds, that when it is not requisite to employ the heat from the auxiliary furnace, or furnaces, by closing the valves in the passages leading into and from them, the contained fuel will merely remain ignited, scarcely undergoing any combustion, until urged by the blast.

STEAM ENGINE PISTONS, C. F. Pike. The nature of this invention consists in the use of cylindrical metallic wedges, within side of metallic rings when used for the packing of pistons, and without side of metallic rings when used for the packing of piston rods, or valve stems. "To enable others," says the patentee," skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation. I construct my packing for steamengines, or other pistons, by making two rings of cast iron, or other metal, turned as large as the diameter of the cylinder, and so wide that the rings will just fill the space between the head and follower of the piston when ground together. I saw said rings open, so that they may expand to fill the cylinder. I make a cylindrical wedge as wide as the two rings afore-mentioned, the external diameter of which will just admit it to slide within the afore-mentioned two rings when they are placed in the cylinder. The

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internal diameter of said wedges being conical, and as much larger at one end than at the other, as may be deemed necessary, said wedges being cut longitudinally into four or more parts, so that each part may be forced out from the centre against the two rings afore-mentioned. I make another cylindrical wedge in the form of the frustrum of a cone, and about seven-tenths as long as the one last named, the external diameter and taper of which corresponds with, and fits into the internal diameter of the large end of the other, the thickness of which I make sufficient to admit of screws being tapped into it, to move it longitudinally on the barrel of the piston. To keep said wedge in its place, I put in four, or more, screws, with collars on them, to be let into the followers, two on one side, and two on the other. Two with the collars on the inside shove the wedge ahead, and the other two hold it, or draw it back. I construct my packing for piston rods, &c., by making two rings of brass, or other metal, of a diameter that will just admit them on the rod, and so wide as just to fill the space between the bottom, or the bushing, and the cap, when ground together, and of a thickness of about oneeighth of the diameter of the piston rod, which I cut open, and place on the rod, so as to break joints. I make a cylindrical wedge of a width and internal diameter, corresponding with the width and external diameter of the two rings afore-mentioned. make said wedge thicker at one end than at the other, to give it the proper taper, and cut it longitudinally, into four, or more parts, so that each part may be forced in towards the centre against the two rings afore-mentioned. I make another cylindrical wedge about seven-tenths as wide as the last named, the internal diameter and taper of which corresponds with, and fits on the external diameter of the small end of the other. The thick end I make of a proper thickness to admit of four set screws, made in the same manner as described for the piston, the external diameter of which is the same as the internal diameter of the head, or stuffing box; I fit on a cap with set screws therein, to adjust the last named wedge, so as to keep the two rings snug to the rod."

I

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY FOR MAKING RIVETS; Oliver Edes and Andrew Holmes. The claim refers throughout to the drawings, and could not be understood without them; we will therefore merely attempt to give a general idea of the improvements claimed.

The first improvement consists in the construction of the cutting apparatus, the dies of which are semi-circular, so that in the operation of cutting the wire shall not be