DECEMBER, 1850.

1. For an Improvement in Machines for Turning Irregular Forms; Smith Beers, Naugatuck, Connecticut, December 3.

"The general principles of this machine are similar to those of a machine invented in 1818, and known as the Waterburg last-making machine, but very differently arranged.” Claim. "I do not claim the use of a pattern to govern the action of the cutters, nor do I claim the revolving cutters, nor the longitudinal vibration of the machine; but what I do claim as original, is the mode herein described of changing the position of the ratchet R by means of the arrangement of the sliding rod, knee lever, lifting plate, and pawl."

2. For Improvements in Machines for Boring Dovetailed Mortices; Henry J. Betjemann, Cincinnati, Ohio, December 3.

"The object of my invention is to construct a joint for bedsteads which, without the faults of the screw, is equally capable of closely hugging the post as the strain is placed upon it. It also admits more readily of the use of a slat foundation, is durable, and little subject to injury, and very expeditiously put together or taken asunder."

Claim. "What I claim as new, are, 1st, the rotating cutters, (g h i k l,) formed and arranged substantially as described, with conical heads and cylindrical necks, in combination with a rest or movable table, for the reception and attachment of the bed-post; the said table, while being advanced toward the cutters, being conducted by suitable guides, (p p' p'',) as described, either upon the moving table or the stationary bench, in a course which is at first at right angles to the face of the post, and thence, as soon as the cylindrical cutter (1) has begun to act in a longitudinal course, receding sufficiently from the face of the post to form a mortise which shall bind the dovetailed tenons of the rail as they are pressed down in their sockets.

"2d, In combination with the aforesaid guides, the stops, (r,) substantially as here arranged and applied, or their equivalents, whereby the table is limited in its course to the particular range of cutting action required for the time being."

3. For Improvements in the Alarm and Indicator for Steam Boilers; Joseph Dilks, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 3.

"My invention consists in attaching to a steam boiler of any of the known forms, a sliding valve and seat, worked by a float or ball; the said float rising or falling with the rise or fall of the water in the boiler, simultaneously acting upon the whistle and indicator."

Claim. "I do no not claim to be the inventor of the float, valve, or steam whistle, the same being in common use; but what I do claim as my invention, is the peculiar method of moving the indicator by its attachment to the slide valve of the whistle, by which the connexion is continued through the head of the boiler, as herein described, dispensing with the stuffing-box and packing."

4. For an Improved Arrangement of the Bending Roller in Tin Cutting and Bending Machines; William H. Horton, Newburyport, Massachusetts, December 3.

"The object of my improved machine is to reduce a piece of tin plate to a circular form, and at the same time, if necessary, to bend or turn down the edge of it at a right angle with the remainder, and thus to convert the said piece of tin plate into a box cover, or other article of similar character."

Claim. "I claim to so combine and arrange the roller, Y, with respect to the jaws, E F, (as specified.) as to enable the said roller to be operated in the manner substantially as set forth; that is to say, to be moved in a plane parallel to the common axis of the shafts, CD; the said roller being arranged in a turning frame, Z, and supported by a movable and adjusting frame, A'; and the object of my improvement being to enable a person to move the roller against the tin in the manner and for the purpose of bending it down, substantially as herein before explained."

5. For Improvements in the Metallic Flask for Casting large Kettles, William Kelly, Eddyville, Kentucky, December 3.

"My improvement consists in a certain construction of the iron flask in which are cast

kettles. Iron moulds are in general use for casting pans and kettles with the flanch upwards. I cast mine with the flanch downwards, and am thereby enabled to drive off the impurities contained in the iron, in the same manner as they are expelled from the iron in a brick mould."

Claim. "What I claim as new and of my invention, is the elastic iron core, supporter, or inner part of the flask, constructed of wings attached to the crown, and provided with covering strips, substantially as described."

6. For Improvements in Machines for Dressing Spokes; Orville Mather, Cincinnati, Ohio, December 3.

"It is aimed in this invention to combine with the dispatch and smoothness of finish of the planing action a sufficiently near approach for the purposes of the manufacture of spokes to the comprehensive capacities of the pattern turning lathe. This I accomplish by so constructing a planing apparatus; consisting of oppositely acting rotating cutters, that as the latter approach to or recede from the axis of the stuff, their cutting outline may be modified to suit the varying size and form of the work."

Claim. "What I claim as new, is, 1st, constructing a cylindrically rotating cutter head, with a separating joint athwart its middle, and in the plane of its rotation, so arranged as that by the mutual advance or recession (in the direction of their axis of rotation) of the respective sections of the cutter heads as they traverse the length of the stuff, the cutting edges are adapted to impart the varying outline and form required for the work.

"2d, The shafts (9) and weighted levers (v' v') in combination with the levers (v" v'',) and the links (w w,) or their equivalents, for sustaining in position the tongues (11) upon the spoke, and the rollers (r) upon the guides, and rendering the self-adjustable under all the circumstances which can effect them."

7. For an Improved Nail Plate Feeder and Turner; Melville Otis, East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, December 3.

"The distinguishing characteristics of this machine are, 1st, the application of altering instruments to the nipper rod, which by friction turn it, and then leave it until the nail is cut off; and, 2d, the application of feeding instruments, which grasp the nipper rod and thereby thrust the nail plate between the knives of the nail machine, as above described, and when a nail is cut off, release the nipper rod from their grasp while it is turning; and, 3d, the nipper rod, the nippers, and nail plate are put into their places without being attached to any other instrument, and consequently nail machines may be more rapidly supplied with plates than by any other machine in use for the same purpose."

Claim. "What I claim as my invention, is, 1st, giving the alternating motion to the nipper rod by means of a pair of jaws actuated by the opposite ends of a vibrating beam, one of the jaws being provided with a spring and toggle, which causes it to grasp and release the nipper rod-the whole operating substantially as described in the annexed specification and drawing.

"2d, I claim giving to the said rod its progressive advancing and slightly retrograde motions, by means of a pair of jaws actuated by a cam and an eccentric, and two springs, substantially as specified.

"3d, I claim operating the follower so that it is raised from the nail plate, and the nail plate from the lower cutting jaw of the machine, by means of a cam, a rock shaft, and a radius bar connected to one end of the follower, substantially as described.

"Lastly, I claim transmitting the motion from the nail machine to the feeding machine, by means of a lever beam and connecting rods, when the lever beam is hung upon a cranked centre, and the actuating connecting rod is provided with knob acting upon a flat crank pin, substantially as described in the annexed specification and drawingswhereby I am enabled with facility to throw my feeding machinery in and out of gear."

8. For an Improvement in Horse Rakes; Harvey W. Sabin, Canandaigua, New York, December 3.

Claim. "What I claim as my invention in my improved horse rake, is the device for raising the teeth simultaneously to clear them of the hay, and dropping them again, by means of the apparatus substantially as described, being worked by the draft of the team when thrown into gear, at the will of the operator."

9. For an Improvement in Suspender Buckles; Elisha Steele, Waterbury, Connecticut, December 3.

"The nature of my invention consists in constructing the tongue or point of the buckle to act and work as a slide in the inside of the buckle frame, instead of a hinge or roller, as in the ordinary buckle, so that upon drawing out the points or tongue and attaching the same to the web and applying the strain, the points slide back into the interior of the buckle, thereby firmly attaching the buckle to the web."

Claim. "What I claim as my invention, is the construction of the buckle frame, and attaching the tongue or points thereto, so that the tongue or points slide out and into the buckle instead of acting upon a hinge or roller, as above described."

10. For an Improved Auger Handle; Augustus Thayer, Malden Bridge, New York, De

cember 3.

"The advantages of this handle above others now made I consider to be a combination of strength and simplicity. The fact that the principal part of the entire handle is in one piece from end to end, from a to d strengthened by a band of metal where the shank socket pierces it, instead of being divided into two parts near the centre, gives it great strength, and the operating parts are few, not liable to get out of repair, of common material, and cheaply made."

Claim.-"I claim the construction of auger handles substantially as set forth in the above specification; that is, by making the principal part of the same, from end to end, of one piece of wood or material, securing the central portion through which the auger shank passes with a metal band, and arranging a detent for holding the shank with machinery to operate it as exhibited in the drawings forming part of this specification-the said handles being for use with augers, or any other tools to which it may be adapted."

11. For an Improvement in Vulcanizing India Rubber; Jonathan T. Trotter, City of New York, December 3.

"The nature of my invention consists in the new and useful manner in which I prepare the rubber, by means of an article or preparation of zinc.

"As a new and useful compound material for curing India rubber, it possesses many advantages over all other processes heretofore known or used. It has none of the taint nor offensiveness peculiar to sulphur-cured goods, nor the peculiarly objectionable characteristics of lead-cured goods, on account of their being black, or their liability to become so when exposed to the action of sulphuretted gases; but on the contrary, possesses a fine white (or nearly so) color, susceptible of being made up into all kinds of goods, and of variegated patterns, and under all circumstances from its almost inodorous flavor."

Claim. "What I claim is, the use and employment of zinc prepared by the process above described, whereby a hyposulphite or similar preparation of zinc is obtained, in combination with India rubber, for the purpose of curing or vulcanizing it, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, without the use of free sulphur in any way, in combination with the rubber."

12. For an Improved Balance Boiler Feeder; William D. Allen, Durhamville, New York, December 10.

"The nature of my improvement consists in having a hollow piston or plunger, divided in the centre by a partition forming two compartments or chambers, provided with apertures transversely through them, for receiving the water from the reservoir of supply, and discharging it into the boiler-said piston passing horizontally through the boiler on the designed water line, and working through short cylinders placed on opposite sides of the boiler, so that the piston shall work steam tight on both sides of the communications leading from the reservoir of supply through the cylinders. By this arrangement, i. e., having the piston pass completely through the boiler, or separate in two pistons but connected in the centre of the boiler, and working from opposite sides of the same, I equalize the action of the steam in the boiler upon the piston, thereby overcoming a great obstacle in the way of a successful application of all self-supplying contrivances heretofore used." Claim. "What I claim as new, is having the piston B, with compartments and aper

tures as described, passing completely through the boiler, and working in double packing boxes in short cylinders, c c, placed on opposite sides of the boiler, substantially as herein set forth."

13. For an Improvement in Buckles for Harness; Solon Bingham, Jr., Poestenkill, New York, December 10.

"The peculiar advantage of this apparatus is, it avoids the constant wear and tendency to crack, occasioned in the use of the buckle by bending stiff leather round its rame, and in short turns, when shifting the tongue from hole to hole; also, the hold of the two studs is much stronger and less liable to tear out than is the buckle-tongue, and the lengthening or shortening the trace is done with much more ease and promptness than in the ordinary way."

Claim. "I claim the construction of a trace clasp, as a substitute for a buckle for fastening together two straps of leather, by the use of a metal tongue fastened to one of the straps having projecting from it pins or studs, fitted to enter into holes to be made therefor in the other strap, the tongue and strap lying one against and upon or near the other; the tongue and strap to be kept in this juxtaposition by a slide or box enclosing them-the whole substantially as set forth in this specification.""

14. For an Improvement in Bearings for Axles and Shafts; William H. Hovey, Hartford, Connecticut, December 10.

"The nature of my improvement consists in the application to the back end of the box of a plate of metal which fits over its sides, and is capable of sliding up or down upon it; on the inner side of this plate is a conical recess, which holds a conical metal packing ring, and by means of the bolts which hold the plate to the box, forces the face of the said packing ring up to the outside of the box, and causes it to embrace the axle, so that the lubricating material in the box is confined therein, and dust, dirt, &c., excluded from the journal."

Claim. "I claim the combination of the sliding plate E, having a conical seal a, and the conical packing ring F, applied and secured to the journal-box of a car or other axle, or of a machine shaft, in the manner substantially as herein described, for the purposes set forth."

15. For an Improvement in Lever Jacks; James Leffel, Springfield, Ohio, December 10.

"In my improved jack the power is applied to a lever, which acts upon a toothed sliding bar; the latter, when moved by the lever, is prevented from returning by a spring click or pall, which can be connected with or disconnected from the lever at will, to enable the operator either to lower the weight, which is supported by the sliding bar, tooth by tooth, or to raise it in like manner.

"It possesses an advantage over all lever jacks hitherto devised in allowing of the lowering of the sliding bar, tooth by tooth, without disengaging the click by hand, as its lever, when connected with the click, as herein set forth, effects the double purpose of lowering the bar and disengaging the click."

Claim. “I claim the hanging of the lever by links, which permit the lever teeth to disengage themselves from those of the rack bar, with which they are engaged by simply raising the lever, and allow them to re-engage with a new set of teeth when the lever is depressed, substantially as herein set forth.

"I also claim the method of connecting the pawl with the lever, in such manner that by simply working the latter, the rack bar, with the weight resting thereon, may be lowered, tooth by tooth, substantially as herein set forth."

16. For an Improvement in Electrotyping; George Mathiot, City of Washington, D. C.,

December 10.

"It is well known that in copying engraved plates by the electrotype, the deposit is apt to adhere so firmly to the original or mould as to resist every attempt to separate them; the engraved plate being thereby destroyed. I prevent this destructive adhesion by making the plate to be copied chemically clean, and then expose it to the action of a halogen element or compound. And I further expose the plate so acted on to the action of a strong light for several hours before introducing it into the electrotyping apparatus." Vol. XXI.-THIRD SERIES.-No. 1.—JANUARY, 1851.

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Claim.-"I do not claim to cover the face of the plate with heterogoneous matters, as air, smoke, wax, oil, &c., for the purpose of preventing adhesion; but I claim to form a heterogeneous substance on the surface of the metallic plate by exposing it to the action of iodine, bromine, chlorine, or other chemicals capable of forming an insoluble compound with the metal, for the purpose herein set forth.

"I also claim to expose the metallic plate to the action of light after being acted on by a halogen element, substantially for the purpose of preventing the adhesion of the deposit, as specified.

"I claim the use of iodine in the electrotype process, in the manner herein subtantially set forth, and for the purpose specified."

17. For an Improvement in Seed Planters; Samuel Pennock and Morton Pennock, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, December 10.

"The nature of our improvement consists in making the drill tube of a peculiar form, adapting the front for the reception of adjusting and changeable points; having the heel open to prevent clogging, and for other purposes; making the changeable point of a peculiar form; attaching the drill tube to the drag bar, without the use of any kind of tool or separate fastening."

Claim "What we claim as new, is the combination with the depositing tube, and the bar which connects said tube with the body of the machine, the joint m n, as above described said joint being of such peculiar construction as to be complete and effective in itself, without any movable device whatever, and which admits of attaching or detaching said tube at pleasure, without the use of any kind of implement or tool, or separate connecting bolt or fastening, as before described."

18. For an Improvement in Seed Planters; Dexter B. Rhodes, Concord, New York, December 10.

"The nature of my improvement consists, 1st, in having two sliding bottoms to each hopper, one of which measures the quantity of seed, and the other discharges it into the hills; also, in having one side of each hopper, through which the under bottom slides, adjustable, so as to regulate the capacity of the seed cell. 2d, In having the hoppers attached to, or setting in adjustable frames, which slide laterally on the top of the carriage frame, for the purpose of regulating the distance between the hills as hereafter more fully described."

Claim "What I claim as new, is the upper and lower sliding bottoms, nn and ll, in combination with the adjustable side of the hoppers rr, operating in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein described."

19. For Improvements in Sewing Machines; Frederick R. Robinson, Boston, Massachusetts, December 10.

"The object of my invention is to produce either what is generally termed stich and back-stitch sewing, or ordinary stitching. By "ordinary stitch and back-stitch" sewing I mean that in which a thread, after being carried through a piece of cloth, from its front to its rear side, is moved backwards the width of the stitch, is next again carried through from the rear side to the front side of the cloth, is next carried forwards laterally double the width of the stitch, or some other suitable distance greater than the width of the stitch, and is next passed through the cloth from its front side to its rear side; such operation being successively repeated in the formation of the stitches. By 'ordinary stitching' I mean that in 'which a thread is passed through the cloth from its front side to its rear side, is next moved forwards the width of the stitch, is carried backwards through the cloth from its rear side to its front side, is next carried forwards the width of the stitch, and is again passed through the cloth from its front side to its rear side, and so on. This is frequently called the running or basting stitch."

Claim. “What I claim as my invention, is the combination of two needles, two thread guides, and a cloth holder, made to operate together, substantially in the manner and for the purpose as herein before set forth.

"And I also claim the improvement of making the needles with springs, and applying mouth pieces or pressers to them, and on each side of the flanch of the base plate, the whole being substantially as above described."