its adoption. The cost of a boiler, and its weight, would be much more than doubled; it would be much less managable than the ordinary steam boiler, and would, from this cause, be more subjected to the inftuence of those circumstances which produce explosions. As respects "the maximum that can be withstood on every square inch of the boiler," we are not aware that the data are known by which the actual force can be measured to which a boiler is subjected in many cases of explosion; we have not yet determined what, under all circumstances, are the causes of explosions. This well intended effort to lessen the evils resulting therefrom will not, we apprehend, be adopted by engineers. 6. For Cutting Coats without back, side, or lapel seams; William M. Wiswell, Portland, Maine, April 10. To describe the plan intelligibly, which is the subject of this patent, would require the diagram given in the specification, and the references thereto. With respect to the utility and economy of the plan, we do not pretend to judge. We hope, for the sake of the patentee, that it may prove better than a similar one for cutting breeches, by which we were once, in our younger days, put "in durance vile," until they acquired, spontaneously, some slashes, affording the requisite liberty of motion. 7. For a Railway Cooking Stove; Anson Atwood, city of Troy, New York, April 10. Without the drawings, the peculiarities of this stove could not be made known. Railway stoves had been previously made, the object of them being to enlarge or contract the dimensions of the apparatus so as to adapt it to the purpose of cooking a larger or smaller quantity, as might be desired. The manner in which the present patentee had constructed his stove was deemed, in the office, to present sufficient novelty upon which to found the grant of a patent, but we are informed that upon a trial in court it has been pronounced to be an infringement upon a plan previously patented. 8. For a Corn Cultivator; John B. Smith, Princess Ann county, Virginia, April 15. The claim is to "the arrangement of the perforated beams, in combination with the shifting and reversible ploughs, for throwing the earth from, or towards, the rows of corn, regulated to any required width in the manner described." The two ploughs used with this cultivator are so constructed as that they may be placed nearer together, or further apart. When passing between rows of corn, or other plants, they are placed at such distance as that the horse shall draw them within the rows, and they are so sloped as to throw the earth outwards from them towards the corn. They are calculated also to run on the outsides of two rows, for which purpose they must be removed to a corresponding distance, and so turned as to throw the earth inwards, towards the plants. It is the particular construction by which this change is allowed that forms the subject of the foregoing claims. 9. For improvements in Steam Boilers, and apparatus to prevent explosions thereof; Cadwallader Evans, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 15. In the apparatus described in the specification of this patent, there is a very skilful arrangement and adaptation of the respective parts for the purpose of preventing explosions. The fusible alloy is to be used, combined in a particular way with the common safety valve, and in such manner as to leave the valve free to act by the ordinary pressure of the steam; the alloy being intended to regulate the opening of the valve by the influence of temperature alone, irrespective of the pressure of the steam. The claim in this part is to the particular manner in which the combination is made between these parts. To give notice of the descent of the water to a point below that of safety in either of the outside boilers in a series of boilers like those used on our western waters, a float is so used as to allow of the escape of steam, which is to sound a whistle on one side, and a horn on the other, which shall distinctly indicate the fact, and the boiler in which the water is deficient. The particular combination for effecting this, is claimed. A water level of a peculiar construction is made so as to exhibit, in the cabin, the level of the water in the boiler, operating by its combination with the other parts of the apparatus in producing this result. There is also claimed an apparatus for extinguishing the fire, which is made to operate by the fusible alloy apparatus; and likewise an apparatus for preventing the careening of a steam vessel at a pier, wharf, or bridge. Without engravings, and the whole specification, we could not attempt to make known the nature of these various improvements; it is probable, however, that we shall obtain the means of so doing, and thus lay the whole matter before our readers. 10. For an improvement in Water Wheels, and in the application of Water thereto; Eliza Martineau, administratix of John Martineau, Elbridge, Onondaga county, New York, April 18. Six, or any other convenient number of buckets, are to be fixed around a shaft, so as to revolve within a drum, or cylindrical case, which they are to fill, in width; the water is to be let in through a spout at the periphery of the wheel, and is to strike against the convex sides of the curved buckets, in order to give the water a tendency to continue near the periphery until it has passed round the circuit of the case; the escape for the water is at the centre of the wheel, which in this respect, and in the manner of letting the water on, resembles the wheel first patented by the late Joel Eastman, and subsequently with improvements, we believe, by Mr. Martineau. The claim is to "the curved case, the inside of which is in the form of a scroll, in combination with the crooked, or curved, arms, as described." 11. For a Press for Hay, Cotton, &c.; Chas. W. Hawkes, Brunswick, Cumberland county, Maine, April 18. In this press the follower is to be brought down upon the hay, cotton, or other article contained in the pressing box, by means of a rack and pinion; to which, of course, no claim is made, the claims being confined to certain special arrangements intended to facilitate the operation; these consist in the mode of employing a lever to clear the follower from the interior of the box; a method of fastening the doors, &c.; these may be conveniences in this kind of press, but they do not require special description. 12. For an improved Grist Mill; Oliver Wyman, East Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, April 18. The claims under this patent are to the "perforating the curb obliquely, in the direction of the turning of the runner, for the purpose of admitting air for the cooling of the meal; and in combination therewith, the wings on the periphery of the runner for producing a draught through the oblique openings in the curb." There has been more than one patent granted for effecting the same object, but by arrangements sufficiently different to admit of the foregoing claim. 13. For Propelling Canal and other Boats; William Leavenworth, city of New York, April 18. The claim will give a pretty clear idea of the plan of propelling here proposed, which is " by means of an endless chain passing through the bottom of the boat, and resting on the bottom of the canal; its weight forming an anchorage against which any motive power may be exerted for the purpose of propelling the boat by drawing in the chain, in the manner described." We are convinced that such a mode of propelling will never go into continued practical operation, the constant disturbance of the bottom of the canal would, in itself, be very objectionable; but the lifting and sustaining the weight of the chain would consume too large a portion of the propelling power to admit of its being employed to advantage. 14. For an improved mode of Moulding and Casting Water Wheels; Stephen Parsons, Edgecombe, Lincoln county, Maine, April 18. The water wheels to be moulded on the plan proposed in this patent, are the "curved vent, or reaction, water wheels." The particular procedure described, in moulding such wheels, forms the subject matter of the claim. A patent having the same object in view, was granted to Calvin Wing, of Maine, on the 22d of October, 1830, which was carried into successful operation. The modes, it seems, were sufficiently different to warrant the grant of the patent to the above named applicant; the matter is not of sufficient interest to require any extended remarks. 15. For an improved Plough; John W. Jordan, Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, April 19. This patent is obtained for an improvement on the "inverting, hill-side, and horizontal plough," patented on the 28th of October, 1835. The improvements consist in certain devices for adjusting the height of the mould board, in combination with the method described for securing it in place. 16. For improvements in Bedsteads; C. J. Fontaine, J. F. Adams, and G. F. Hillyer, city of New York, April 20. The claim under this patent is to the dividing the head and foot rails crosswise, in the middle, and hinging them below the division, leaving a lap joint, for the sake of strength. These rails are also hinged to the posts at each end, on their upper sides, "so that when the bedstead is put up and in use, by lifting the end rails at the middle, [after removing the head board] where the joint is formed, the whole may be folded, or closed up, and moved from place to place, without being taken down, or the posts separated." Where inventions very simple in their nature, appear as the joint production of several intellects, we have not unfrequently been at a loss to say in what way the suggestions made in perfecting the article could be divided into as many parts as there are persons concerned in it. They, however, appear as joint inventors, and we must believe them so to be. As regards the foregoing invention, it may be useful where bedsteads require frequent removal of place, otherwise we should esteem it no improvement. 17. For Glasses and Frames for Spectacles; Charles L. H. Jackson, city of New York, April 20. The patentee states that the object of his invention is "to protect the eye from too strong a light as much as possible; and this I effect by leaving only a small portion of the surface of the glasses polished, and surround it with a ground space extending to the circumference, or outside rim, intending to obstruct the passage of the rays of light and soften their effects upon the eye, leaving that portion opposite to the pupil a small, clear, circular space." The bridge, and other parts, are to be so modified as to keep the spectacles steadily in place, as but a small portion of the glass is used for vision; the claims are to the preparing of the glasses, and of the frames, in the manner described. The convenience, or inconvenience, resulting from the use of glasses thus prepared, and the effects they will produce upon the eye, must be determined by experience alone; our own impressions are that they will be found liable to objections which will prevent their general use. 18. For an improvement in Scales for Weighing; Jonathan Ball, Buffalo, Erie county, New York, April 20. These scales are of the kind in which the dish to receive the article to be weighed is above the beam. The beam is a graduated rod having sliding weights upon it, by which to ascertain the weight. The arrangement is undoubtedly new, and it is clearly described. The claims are to the manner of constructing, and combining the balance frame, and movable graduated bars, as above described." 19. For an improvement in the Vice; John Wetherill, Alleghany, Pennsylvania, April 22. In bench, and other, vices, as ordinarily constructed, the bearing of the screw against the fore jaw, and of the screw box against the back, is constantly varying, as the vice is opened and closed, in such manner as to produce considerable friction; to obviate this, the patentee forms a projection on each side of the centre of the openings in the jaws, which projections are semi-cylindrical, and are received into corresponding hollows on the bearing part of the washer against which the head of the screw works, and also of the screw box; by which means the requisite horizontal vibration is alJowed to equalize the bearing, and keep it constantly in the axis of the screw. The claim is to "the pins, or projections to the cheeks or jaws of the vice, fitting into corresponding hollows on the face of the collar, or washer, of the screw pin; or of pins or projections upon collars fitting into hollows, in the cheeks, or jaws, in such a manner as to form a joint admitting of free motion for the purpose of preventing friction," &c. A patent was obtained, some few years since, for forming the bearings of the screw, and of the screw box hemispherical, or rather portions of a sphere, received into corresponding concavities in the jaws of the vice; the effect of which is the same with the foregoing. VOL. XXV. - No. 4.-APRIL 1840. 21 20. For a Plough; William Small, North Argyle, Washington county, New York, April 23. The claim is to a mode of securing the lower piece of the land side by means of a hook in the fore end, and also to a mode of securing the hind end, in the particular manner described. 21. For an improvement in Fire Arms; David Edwards, Morgan county, Ohio, April 25. This patent adds another to the numerous family of many chambered fire arms, the novelties claimed relating principally to the manner of causing the many chambered cylinder to revolve, a matter which we shall not dwell upon, as not being likely to excite much interest; the claims would not make the proposed novelties clearly understood. 22. For a Horse Power; William R. Arnold, Rochester, Munroe county, New York, April 26. A patent was obtained by the above named gentleman, on the 7th of May, 1831, for a horse power, to which the present patent is intended to add certain improvements. These consist in the manner of constructing the cast iron treads upon which the horse is to operate; and in the manner in which these are geared. This arrangement is exhibited in several figures in the drawing, which would be requisite for the explanation. 23. For a Tailor's Measure; Daniel Williams, city of New York, April 26. The instrument used is the same in construction with that formerly patented by Mr. Williams, but he has added to it certain small pointed hooks which catch upon the coat of the person to whom the measuring instrument is to be applied, and hold it there during the operation; the claim is to these "grapple hooks." 24. For an improvement in the manner of Manufacturing the Leaves of Steel Springs for Carriages; Micah Seabury, Waterville, Oneida county, New York, April 29. The object in view is to give the proper taper and width, to the leaves of springs, by means of a rolling mill constructed for that purpose. The two rollers are made excentric, to the extent required for the taper of the springs to be rolled; and at the ends of these rollers there are grooves which constitute edging rollers, by which the plates are to be reduced to, and kept at, the proper width. The manner of forming them is fully described in the specification, and the claims made are to "the method described of giving to the metal, to be made into springs, the proper width, in combination with the method of giving the proper thickness and taper." There is but little of novelty in all this, the taper of springs having been given precisely in the manner set forth; but it is not known that they have been rolled to a width on the same rollers. 25. For Dressing Sawed Shingles; Oliver N. May, Windsor, Broome county, New York, April 29. The difference between this machine and some others for planing shingles, and other articles, is but small, and the claims are confined to those peculiarities by which it is supposed to be distinguished. There is not in it any striking feature requiring to be detailed. |