iron, placed horizontally, like Venetian blinds, as shown in Plate XIII., fig. 8, at A. The strips are connected together one above another by hinges, not seen on the outside, and slightly overlap at the edges, as shown at a, a, a, in the enlarged sectional representation, or side view of a portion of the shutter at fig. 9.

This construction is not new, as respects shutters; but the mode of connecting the strips by hinges of a peculiar kind, constitutes the first feature of the invention. The particular mode of raising and lowering these shutters in their window frames, as proposed by the Patentee, forms the second feature; and the means of fastening and unfastening the shutters is the third.

Fig. 10, represents a piece of plate iron or other metal, stamped out by a press to that particular shape for the formation of the butts and nuckles of one of the hinge pieces. This plate is to be doubled back at the dotted lines, so as to produce the loops for the hinge joints; and when properly put together with pins in the nuckles, and attached to the backs of the strips of iron, will appear as at b, b, b, fig. 9.

Nothing more need be said of this hinge, as its construction will be obvious; but we will add the words of the Patentee, illustrative of his claim to novelty in reference to this first feature of the invention: he says, he "claims the application of such construction of hinges in combination with the absence of cutting away the edges of the plates or strips." He also stated that he disclaims the construction of the shutters themselves, as long known and in use prior to his patent.

The mode of connecting these shutters to the window frame, and of winding them up, is shown in the side view or transverse section at fig. 11: a, a, a, are the series of long strips of plate iron connected by the hinges as described;

c, is a roller mounted on pivots in the upper part of the window frame, round which the strips constituting the shutter are lapped by the rotation of the roller. At the end of the roller, a toothed wheel is affixed, which takes into a worm or endless screw at the top of the vertical shaft d. The lower end of this shaft has a bevel wheel, taking into a pinion at the end of the horizontal shaft e; and hence, by means of a winch applied to the reverse end of this shaft, as at f, such rotary motion is given to the vertical shaft d, and to the roller c, as will cause the jointed shutter to be drawn up or down, guided by grooves in the side frames of the window. The Patentee says, it is the application of the endless screw and toothed wheel to this description of shutter that he claims, as the second feature of his improvement.

In order to confine the shutter when let down, a spring bolt o, shoots forward, and its end passes over or into a straight bar at the bottom of the shutter. This bolt is connected to a spring lever, and the act of putting the winch f, on to the end of the shaft e, causes the spring lever to be forced aside, and thereby to withdraw the bolt g, and allow the shutter to be wound up. This mode of releasing the bolt, by means of the key or winch f, constitutes the third feature of improvement claimed.-[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, December, 1836.]

* A mode very nearly resembling this, of raising and lowering plate-iron shutters, is described in the specification of Kitchen and Smith's patent, dated 7th February, 1829. (See vol. v. of the Second Series of the "London Journal of Arts,” p. 26.)

To JONAS BATEMAN, of Islington, in the county of Middlesex, cooper, for his invention of an apparatus or instrument for saving human life, or other purposes, in cases of shipwreck, or other disasters by water.-[Sealed 30th June, 1834.]

THIS is a very singular, and, in our opinion, a very absurd apparatus to be made the subject of a patent. It is a sort of box intended to act as a buoy to float in the water, to which persons are to cling in order to save them from drowning.

The invention consists in the construction of a frame of light wood six feet six inches long, by two feet six inches wide, and seven inches deep, tapering from the top six inches each way, so as to make it float in one position only, that is, the broad part upwards. The framing is to be divided by partitions longitudinally and transversely, and the spaces filled with cork or other light material, which is to be boarded up all round, and bound by strips of hoop iron.

There is no drawing representing the apparatus, but its form and construction is very obvious, as every minutiæ is stated, and is very carefully described, from the number of hoops, the number of nail holes in each side, their distance apart, and the exact dimensions of the holes, which we do not think it necessary to recite. Stout metal rings are to be attached, and if it should be thought necessary, a mode of guiding it in the water may be added by means of rowlocks or other convenient means, in order that the persons hanging to it may use oars; and rope loops may be attached, for the persons to sit or stand in, and bags of cork may be added, for the further support of the persons.

A variety of other buoyant matters may be also attached to it; and it is calculated that the apparatus will be sufficient to support six persons, and preserve them from drowning.

In the close of the specification, the Patentee says, "the method of putting the apparatus in use, will, of course, depend upon the circumstances under which the necessity arises for having recourse to its assistance, but which will readily suggest itself."

The Patentee does not claim any of the articles separately, but he claims their combination as described, for the purposes intended to be answered thereby.[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, December, 1834.]

To MOSES POOLE, of Lincoln's Inn, in the county of Middlesex, gentleman, for improvements in the description of public vehicles called “ CABS,” being a communication from a foreigner residing abroad.-[Sealed 21st September, 1836.]

THE invention is stated to relate to that description of pub. lic vehicles called cabs, and to consist in the application of improved constructions of certain two-wheeled vehicles, the entrance or doorway for the passengers being behind. Two different forms are proposed, but as we do not understand in what particular feature the novelty consists, we shall give the specification verbatim, as the subject appears to be likely to come under legal consideration.

Plate XIV., fig. 1, represents a side view ; fig. 2, a back view; fig. 3, a longitudinal section; and fig. 4, â transverse section of the vehicle, or two-wheeled carriage, constructed

according to the plan of the inventor. In each of these the same letters of reference indicate similar parts.

The nature of the main framing of the body of the car riage will be readily understood by examining the sections, figs. 3, and 4, where such framings are clearly shown, there being no internal lining: a, a, is an ordinary cranked axle, which is preferred in consequence of its bringing the carriage or body of the vehicle nearer to the ground; b, b, are the wheels; c, c, elliptical springs, on which the body of the vehicle is mounted: these springs, as shown in the drawing, are made according to an invention for which a patent was taken by Mr. Boulnois, dated the 30th January, 1836. (See our present No. p. 284.) But although these springs are recommended in consequence of the easy motion which is obtained thereby to the body of the vehicle, other springs may be employed; d, d, are the shafts which are connected with the body of the vehicle by pin joints, as is clearly shown at e, and each shaft passes through a socket f, which is supported by the projecting bracket g, there being sufficient space in the sockets f, to allow of movement therein of the shafts up and down; and h, h, are springs affixed to each of the shafts, one at top and the other below, which being within the socket f, and having a tendency to spring from the shafts, by this means the weight on the horse is relieved, the ordinary motion of the shafts acting on the body is avoided, rendering the vehicle as easy as when on four wheels; i, i, are the steps for the driver to mount to the driving box j, the construction of which will be evident on examining the drawing; k, k, are the hooks to which the braces are attached. The shape of the body of the vehicle is clearly shown in the several figures; but it should be remarked that the same may, in some degree, be varied, provided the entrance for the passengers behind be retained; 7, is the step for the