1348 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 25, 1915. ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. 12351 (1914). Improvements in Mills or Apparatus for Crushing Ore and Other Materials. G. A. Robertson, residing on the property of the May Consolidated Gold Mining Company Limited, Germiston, Transvaal,. S. Africa; and D. Robertson, Simmonds-street, Johannesburg, Transvaal.—Relates in particular to that type of machine in which one or more heavy, .loose bodies .is.or are used to crush the ore or other material within a rotating shell, and consists in so constructing and arranging the roller and casing that not only the wearing surfaces, but all the parts of the roller are enclosed in the casing. The accompanying drawing is a sectional elevation of a mill embodying one form of the invention. (Six claims.) 12885 (1914). An Improvement in Electrical Signals in Mines and Collieries. E. C. Theedam, of High-street, Dudley.—Relates to electrical signalling apparatus, prin- cipally for mines and collieries of the type wherein the transmitting instrument or appliance is provided with a handle, which must first be partially rotated before being A d- \.-d'? f ' 'i- rrb b fi -eJ moved endwise to effect the operation of the Morse or other key, such partial rotation of the handle being utilised for effecting the re-setting or bringing to zero of the electric indicator in connection with the signalling apparatus, and the invention consists of the construction and arrangement or combination of the parts hereinafter described of the transmitting mechanism of apparatus of the type referred to. According to the invention the lid or cover of the con- tact box containing the transmission appliance is provided with a gland in which the spindle of the operating handle or ringing key works the said gland, having near its outer end a quadrant-shaped stop flange or part against which the end of a projecting arm on the handle or ringing key normally bears, the Baid quadrant-shaped flange preventing the inward motion of the operating handle or ringing key before the same has been turned. The said gland is also provided with stops, which limit the rotary motion of the said operating handle or ringing key. The inner end of the spindle of the operating handle or ringing key has a disc, which is normally preserved, by a coiled spring in the gland, near the inner side of the lid or cover of the box. The said disc has a projection or tooth at one side which, on the turning of the spindle and disc in the direction proper to bring the end of the arm on the operating handle into the position which admits of it being pushed inward, effects the turning of an electrically insulated lever catch, and therethrough the motion of a spring arm adjacent to the said lever catch the spring arm making momentary contact and completing the electrical circuit of an electro-magnet which controls the re-setting of the pointer of the indicator, the said pointer returning to zero preliminary to the trans- mission of a signal by the pushing inward of the operating handle or ringing key. On the release of the operating handle or ringing key the spring in the gland effects the outward motion of the said handle, and a second spring on the inner side of the lid or cover effects the back rotation of the handle, the projecting tooth of the disc on the back motion escaping the insulated lever catch without operating the spring arm adjacent to the catch. Dig. 1 is a small perspective view of the transmission box, fig. 2 represents the same in plan, partly in section; fig. 3 is a front eleva- tion of the transmission box with the cover and parts attached thereto removed, and fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the dotted line 4—4 fig. 2 looking at the inner side of the lid or cover of the box when the operating handle or ringing key as in its normal position. (Four claims.) 19796 (1914). Improvements in and relating to Supports for Mine Roofs. A. E. Ericsson, of 4, St. Nicholas- buildings, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.—Con- sists in supporting a mine roof by-means of a metal plate or bar suitably corrugated to take the place of the usual bar, head-tree, crown-tree, or split-prop. Nigs. 1 and 2 illus- trate forms where a single corrugation is used, and figs. 3 and 4 show a form with a single corrugation, as illus- trated in fig. 2, but with the end of the bar flattened. A form such as shown in fig. 1 can conveniently be made of steel containing about 0’4 per cent, of carbon, and having the following dimensions :—Over-all width 5 in., total depth 2 in., thickness of material 0’15 in., width of part e 2j- in. In the form of the invention illustrated in fig. 2, a single corrugation forming a U -shape in cross-section is provided, the flanges being turned inwards. The same considerations in respect of weight, dimensions and material described with reference to fig. 1 apply here also, and with 0’4 per cent, carbon steel the following are suitable :—Over-all width 5 in., total depth 2Jin., thickness of material 0’15 in. (Eive claims.) 20486 (1914). Improvements in Mine Signalling Appa- ratus. W. Campbell, of 101, Airbles-road, Motherwell.— Relates to mine signalling apparatus of the type in which a visible signal is combined with an audible signal, for the purpose of signalling from the pit bottom, pithead or else- where to the engine-house, so that confusion or error on the part of the engineman in carrying out orders is not likely to take place. Under this invention visible signals are given by dial and revolving pointer mechanism, through the medium of the usual wire, cord, or its equivalent, which operates the audible signal, and the invention especially relates to weight and screw mechanism for automatically bringing the pointer back to zero, after a pre-arranged interval on the repetition of the signal, so that in the event of the engineman not carrying out an order within a reason- able period of the time the order ,when re-signalled will not produce a continuity of signals which would lead to con- fusion. Fig. 1 is a front view of the apparatus, fig. 2 is a rear view, and fig. 3 a side view, partly in section, taken on the line X—X fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views, to an enlarged,scale, of the operating mechanism, and figs. 6 and 7 are detail views, to an enlarged scale, of the weight and screw mechanism. When the apparatus is in use, and, for example, material is to be raised to the surface, the bottomer pulls the wire or cord or its equivalent h once and immediately releases same, thereby raising and lowering the sliding framework g and operating the wire or cord or its equivalent i to sound the gong or bell in the engine- house, and at the same time raising the collar I. When the framework g falls back into its normal position the tension on the wire or cord or its equivalent i is released, and the gong or bell or the like in the engine-house is sounded once thereby giving an audible signal. The upward movement of the sliding framework g causes the pivoted pawl f to clear the ratchet wheel or its equivalent e, whilst the down- ward movement of the framework causes said pawl to con- tact with said ratchet wheel and partially rotate same, the pointer d being likewise partially rotated until it rests in the segment of the dial a marked “raise,” thereby giving a visible signal to the engineman. The operation of the appa- Fi^. d M \ lie -0) lra n Fi^.4. ratus is such that the audible and visible signals are prac- tically given simultaneously. t If, after a reasonable interval, the engiheman does not respond to the order, it can be repeated by the bottomer, as the collar I will have travelled down the screwed spindle m clear of the pivoted pawl k2, and in the repetition, of the signal the. collar I will be raised with the framework g and, contacting with the pivoted pawl k2, will move same into the position indi- cated in dotted lines at fig. 2. The continued upward move- ment of the framework g and collar I will cause the pivoted lever k to move to such an extent that the pawl k1 forming one end thereof will move clear of the ratchet wheel /, and releasing said wheel and also the wheel e, the spring k4, will produce a partial rotation of said wheels and the operating shaft c, thereby causing the pointer d to return to the seg- ment of the dial a marked “ zero.” Immediately after the pointer d is returned to “ zero,” which takes place on the upward movement of the framework g, the downward move- ment of the framework g will cause the pivoted pawl f to contact with the ratchet wheel e, and once more partially rotate the wheels e, j, operating shaft c and the pointer d,. so that the latter is again brought into the position “ raise.” In the case of raising men from the bottom of the shaft, the- bottomer pulls and releases the wire or cord or equivalent h three times, so that the framework g is raised and lowered three times, thereby causing the ratchet wheels e, j,. operating shaft c and pointer d to be rotated to such an extent that the pointer d points to the segment of the dial a which indicates “ men.” As the three pulls and releases- of the wire or rope or equivalent h are consecutive, sufficient time does not elapse between each to allow of the collar I travelling down the screwed spindle m to the full extent,, and therefore the following upward movement of the collar I will not operate the pivoted pawl k2, lever k and pawl k1 so as to release the ratchet wheel / and cause the pointer d to return to zero. Should the order not be obeyed, after a reasonable interval it can be repeated, and as the collar I will have travelled down the screwed spindle m to the full extent, the first upward movement of the framework g will actuate the pivoted pawl k2, lever k and pawl k1, thereby releasing the ratchet wheels j, e, so that the pointer d will be brought back to zero, as already described. When the engineman carries out the order of the bottomer without undue delay, and there is no necessity for repeating the signal, the setting in motion of the winding gear by the engineman will cause the connecting rod or other means n to automatically operate the pivoted lever k in such manner that the ratchet wheels e and j are released and the pointer d brought back to zero, in the known manner. (Three claims.) 23736 (1914). Improvements in and relating to Supports for Mine Roofs. A. F. Ericsson, of 4, St. Nicholas- buildings, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.—Con- sists in a metal plate or bar for supporting a mine roof pro- vided with two or more corrugations. The accompanying drawings illustrate two different ways of carrying the invention into effect. In the form illustrated in fig. 1 the bar shown in cross-section, and denoted as a whole by a, comprises two corrugations giving three places c at the top- for the support of the roof and two places e at the bottom A a a resting on a prop d. The dimensions of the corrugations should be such that the material of the roof properly bridges across the gaps between the parts e and also such that the stresses are properly transmitted to the prop d by way of the sides of the corrugations b and the parts e resting upon the prop. A suitable material is a steel containing about 0’4 per cent, carbon, and suitable dimensions are :— Over-all width 5 in., total depth 1'4 in., and thickness of material 0’15 in. The form illustrated in fig. 2 is very similar to that shown in fig. 1, except that a more square corrugation is employed, so that greater bearing surface is. obtained, both for the mine roof and also for the prop.' (Four claims.) NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. 8734. Hoisting gear. E. Carter and R. Thomason. 8737. Horizontal luffing device, more particularly for use- with jib cranes. H. Ramsbottom. 8761. Method and apparatus for effecting the breathing air circulation in breathing devices operating on the regenerative principle. Hanseatische Apparate- bau-Ges. vorm. L. Von Bremen and Company m.b. H. 8763. Manufacture of carbonic acid compounds of ammonia. J. Y. Johnson. (Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik, Germany.) 8766. Gas scrubbers. T. V. Miles, and Newton, Chambers- and Company Limited. 8805. Valve mechanism for locomotive and like steam engines. J. P. O’Donnell. (Percy Grant and ■ Company Limited, Argentine.) 8813. Cell, battery, or refill for use in connection with portable electric lamps, and for other purposes. L. Wahl. 8830. Manufacture of gas. L. H. Eady and H. W. Clarke. 8836. Distillation of heavy oils. W. A. Hall. 8861. Ventilating fans. G. S. Higginson. 8864. Masks for respiratory devices for use in atmospheres containing smoke or deleterious or poisonous gas. L. A. Diamant. 8885. Hooker’and cutter or tool for cutting wire, cable, rod, or the like. W. R. Cockerell and F. Humphris. 8886. Process for the production of toluene. W. B. Sifton,. and Harding Brothers Limited. 8889. Case hardening and other surface treatment of iron and steel articles. G. Stolle and A. Hocks. 8890. Raising or forcing liquids or elastic fluids, and apparatus therefor.' H. A. Humphrey and W. J. Rusdell. 8902. Method of apparatus for forming boreholes in soft and loose sand or other loose and soft strata. A. Hans sens. 8906. Firebars for the furnaces of steam generators. L. Jenkins. 8917. Railway wagon brakes. R'. M. Livesey. 8919. Machinery for separating stones or other hard material from clay, ore, or other like substances. H. Alty. (Continued on page 1350.)