To JOSHUA FIELD, of Lambeth, in the county of Surrey, engineer, for an improved mode of effecting the operation of connecting and disconnecting from steam-engines, the paddle-wheels used in steam navigation.— [Sealed 22nd March, 1841.]

THIS improved mode of effecting the operation of connecting and disconnecting paddle-wheels, consists in giving an end-way horizontal motion to the paddle-wheel shaft or horizontal axis, whereon the paddle-wheel is mounted. The method by which this is effected, will be seen by reference to the figures in Plate I.

Fig. 1, is a longitudinal vertical section, taken across the direction of the axis of the paddle-wheel; fig. 2, a transverse vertical section, taken in the direction of the length of the said axis; and fig. 3, is a horizontal plan. A, is the axis of the paddle-wheel, and B, the paddle-wheel crank, on the end of that axis; c, is the iron framing, to sustain the neck of the axis A; and b, is the lower brass of the bearing, whereon the neck a, of that axis rests and revolves; D, is the engine-crank, and E, the axis thereof; F, the iron framing to sustain it; f, is the lower brass, and g, the upper brass of the bearing, wherein the neck of the axis E, revolves; G, is the cap or upper part of the bearing, which keeps the brass g, in its place; H, h, is the crank-pin, fastened firmly into the engine-crank D, and projecting out, horizontally, therefrom; H, is the part whereon the joint of the connecting-rod is fitted; and h, the protruding extremity of the pin, which enters into a hole in the end of the paddle-wheel crank B, as shewn in fig. 2.

It will be seen, by reference to this figure, that the neck a, of the axis A, of the paddle-wheel crank B, is longer than the brass b, of the bearing, which is to allow the axis

A, to be moved endways in the bearing, as much as will remove the paddle-wheel crank B, to the position represented by the dotted lines x, when the disconnection of the paddle-wheels is effected.

The mechanism, for moving the axis endways, is shewn applied in the cap 1, in the following manner:-The upper brass d, of the bearing, is fitted into the cap I, so as to be capable of sliding, horizontally therein, in the direction of the length of the axis; this brass occupies the whole length of the neck a, of the axis A, so as to fill up between the shoulders of that neck, although the lower brass b, of the same bearing, is, as before mentioned, shorter than the neck a.

The brass b, is fixed in its bearing c, without liberty of moving or sliding therein; and, in order to move or slide the brass d, in its cap 1, an excentric circle k, is applied in the space between the top of the brass d, and the under side of the cap I. The excentric k, is attached to an upright axis 7, which passes down through a vertical socket m, formed on the top of the cap 1; and on the upper end of the axis l, a toothed wheel i, is fixed, in order to turn the axis, and, consequently, the excentrick, round. The excentrick, is enclosed within a recess, formed in the brass d; and the circumference of the excentric touches the two sides of that recess, which are horizontal straight edges, parallel one to the other; so that being turned round, or half round, it will, by acting between the parallel edges, move or slide the brass d, endways within the cap 1, and thereby the axis A, of the paddle-wheels, together with the paddle-wheel crank B.

The excentric circle k, is shewn in the section, fig. 2, and by dotted lines in the plan, fig. 3, with the excentricity thereof turned towards the cranks.

The upright axis 7, may be turned round by means of

the toothed wheel i, having its teeth engaged by the worm or endless screw p, on the axis n, to which is attached the handle o.

In order more effectually to secure the axis A, as it has been placed, whether connected or disconnected, two pawles or stops, mounted on horizontal centre pins t. t, are applied in such a manner, that when the cranks are connected, the two pawles r, r, will fit into notches in the brass d, as shewn by the dotted lines in figs. 1 and 3, and thereby prevent the possibility of the axis A, sliding or moving outwards, and becoming disconnected from the engine; the two pawles s, s, being at that time out of action, and removed from the brass d, as shewn in figs. 1 and 3.

Before disconnecting the paddle-wheel from the engine, the two pawles r, r, must be removed from the notches in the brass d; and after the operation of disconnecting has been performed, and the brass d, moved into the position shewn by the dotted lines in fig. 2, the two pawles s, s, are to be turned up and allowed to enter into notches in the other end of the brass d, and thereby prevent the possibility of the axis A, sliding or moving inwards, and becoming connected with the engine.

When the paddle-wheel is required to be connected, it must be turned round, until the crank B, is brought round to stand exactly opposite to the engine-crank D, so that the protruding extremity h, of the crank-pin will be exactly opposite to the hole in the engine-crank B, which is to receive that extremity; and whilst the cranks are kept steadily so placed, the handle o, must be turned, in order to move the axis of the paddle-wheel endways, and effect the connecting; but, for the convenience of turning the paddle-wheel round, when it is disconnected, and of keeping the wheel steady, after it has been properly placed, and until it is connected, one of the circular rims of the paddle

wheel may have teeth, formed around its circumference; and a long pinion or pinions may be mounted in a frame, so that they can be applied to engage with those teeth when required, the pinions having winch handles, by which they may be turned round by men, in order to bring the paddle-wheel to its proper position.

The patentee claims the mode described of moving the axis of the paddle-wheel endways, in the direction of its length, by means of suitable mechanism, so that the paddle-wheel crank may be brought towards or removed away from the extremity of the crank-pin of the engine-crank, with as much motion as is requisite, in order to effect the operation of connecting and disconnecting the paddle-wheel from the engines.-[Inrolled at the Rolls Chapel Office, September, 1841.]

TO WILLIAM NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, Chancery-lane, in the county of Middlesex, civil engineer, for an invention of certain improvements in the rigging of ships and other navigable vessels,-being a communication.[Sealed 31st December, 1840.]

THESE improvements in the rigging of ships and other navigable vessels, consist in the adaptation of a peculiar construction of lever, in connection with a sliding rack-bar. or a ladder-chain; by the action of which agents, the shrouds and other parts of the rigging of ships may be tightened, the windlass worked, and heavy bodies raised or moved.

This lever is a long bar, having teeth or indentations cut in the lower end. It has an aperture or curved slot or eye made through it, of a kidney shape; which aperture re

ceives a cylindrical fulcrum, bolt, or stationary axle, whereon the lever is to work.

The indented sliding bar has a ring or link attached to its end; which link is to be connected to the shroud or chain required to be drawn up or tightened.

In Plate I., fig. 1, is a side view (partly in section) of the frame or box, and its sheath, wherein the rack or indented bar slides. To the end of this box is attached the ring or link intended to be connected to the holdfast or staple to which the shroud is to be secured.

Fig. 2, represents the apparatus in side elevation, complete, a small portion of the box being in section. A, is the frame and sheath, formed as a rectangular box of iron, or other suitable metal, in which the rack-bar E, slides. The box A, has a flap or door в, on its upper side, rising upon a hinge-joint; which, when open, allows the lever D, to be introduced. A moveable cylindrical bolt or pin c, is passed through circular apertures in the sides of the box, and keyed in that situation; which bolt, when so fixed in the box, constitutes the fulcrum whereon the lever D, works. This bolt c, has a flat projecting head at one end, and at the other a slot, for the key to pass through, which key may be attached by a chain for convenience.

In applying this apparatus, the link or ring G, of the box A, is first to be attached to the stationary holdfast by which the shroud is intended to be secured. The end of the shroud is made fast to the ring H, of the sliding bar E, and then that bar is passed into the box A, the lid B, being thrown open. A dog or pawle F, hanging upon a pin e, fixed in the box, drops into the teeth or rack of the sliding bar, and prevents its retrogression, the pawle being pressed downwards by a feather spring a. The lever D, is now to be introduced into the box, as shewn in fig. 2, and the bolt c, passed through the sides of the box and through the eye