844 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 22, 1915. to another ordinary form of visible winding signal gear. The pawl and ratchet wheel gear which controls the position of the indicator pointer C, is connected by link D, lever E, and adjustable link F (fig. 1), or by pawl lever G and lever arm H (fig. 2), to a pivoted lever I, which is held up in its normal position by means of a weight J at one end, and which ter- minates at its other end in a small pivoted trip catch K. having a free movement in one direction only. In operative con- junction with this trip catch K is mounted a main trip lever L, this trip lever having a central pivot bearing M, and being linked at N (at the end opposite to the trip catch K) to an adjustable dashpot device 0. The signal pull cord cr chain P is linked at Q to a sliding pull bar R, having a return spring S, this sliding pull bar R being slotted over the main trip lever L, and said slot being fitted if desired with an anti-friction roller T or like device. On the signal pull cord or chain P being actuated, the main trip lever L is imme- diately brought into operative engagement with the small trip catch K, this movement disengaging the indicator pawl U (fig. 1), or the auxiliary pawl lever G (fig^ 2), from its ratchet wheel V, and ensuring the immediate return of the indicator pointer C to zero on the dial, thereby cancelling any previous signal on the indicator dial B prior to the giving and indi- cating of the fresh signal. On completion of the signal, the pivoted weighted lever I and its connections, and also the sliding pull bar R, are at once returned to their normal posi- tions under the influence of their respective weight and spring devices, whilst the main trip lever Ij is returned gradually under the action of the dashpot, the small trip catch K open- ing to permit of this return movement. But until the lever L has been returned to its normal position above the trip catch K, the signals will accumulate, so that any numerical signal given can be indicated on the dial without being immediately cancelled. (One claim.) 17919 (1914). Improvements in the Arrangement of the Vanes of Centrifugal Fans. G. M. Capell, of Passenham Rectory, Northamptonshire; E. S. P. Haynes, of 9, New Square, Lincoln’s Inn, London, W.C.; and E. S. Wood, of Cornwall Hause, Murton. Durham; legal representatives of G. M. Capell, deceased, late of Passenham Rectory, Northamptonshire. — Relates to the arrangement and distribution of the vanes in centrifugal fans. Figs. 1, 3, and 4 show the wings or vanes in cross section, also a small portion of the side plates; and fig. 2 showTs a wing in perspective. The wings or vanes are fixed between side plates a. Or the vanes may be fixed upon one or upon both sides of the driving disc, the outer edges of the vanes being fixed to a side ring or plate. In the form of the invention shown in figs. 1 -and 2 the vanes b are curved either in the direction of rotation or in the contrary direction, and are attached to longi inlet circle d, or may terr in fig. 3. This vane is provided with a sub- sidiary opening or port bole e formed by bend- ing a portion f of the vane c as shown in per- spective in fig. 2. The opening coincides with the lower portion of the smaller vane or tail wing b. Following the vane here described is a longer vane having a scooped end extending into the inlet space. This is curved contrary to the direction of rotation, and extends across the fan, between the side plates, and is so placed that the air impelled by centri- fugal force, impinges against the tail vane in front, which is curved contrary to the direction of rotation, thus aiding the rotation of the fan. The scooped wings may be from six to 10 in number. Intermediate wings may be provided which extend to the periphery, but are stepped at their lower ends. In the form of the invention shown in figs. 3 and 4 there is a parallel intervening space g between the tail vanes b and the main vane c so as to form an air passage, but the scoop vanes must impinge their air on the tail wings to assist the rotation of the Ian. (Two claims.) 18024 (1914). Improvements in Combined and Inter-con- vertible Air Compressors and Air Motors. E. C. R. Marks, of 57 and 58, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, W.C. (Com- munication from abroad by C. G. Eidson and D. E. Crouse, both of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, U.S.A., and T. Davis, of Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.)—Relates to combined air compressors and motors of the type in which, Fig. 3 vanes c which extend into the late at the inlet circle as shown e \ > Fvg.2 upon admission of air pressure to the device, the valve mechanism functions in such a manner that the device may act as a motor, whilst upon release of the air pressure the device may function as an air compressor. The invention consists in a combined air compressor and air motor, having mechanically-operated valves for controlling the admission of air to the cylinders when the device is working as a motor, characterised by the fact that the mere admission of air pressure to the device will so set the valve mechanism that the aforesaid valves will be mechanically operated in order that the device may function as a motor, while upon release of the air pressure these valves are no longer so operated, and the device functions as an air compressor. The accom- panying drawings show central longitudinal sections through the device when the latter is being used as a motor and as an air compressor respectively, together with certain details. (Six claims.) 18534 (1914). A Device or Apparatus for Indicating the Weight of Goods or the like contained in a Lorry, Truck, or the like. C. Terry, of the firm of Herbert Terry and Sons Limited, Redditch.—Relates to apparatus for indicating the weight of a load placed upon a railway truck or the like, of the type which is comprised of or involves two main parts, one of which is adapted to slide or move in relation to the other, and to displace a pointer carried by such other member, the apparatus being so incorporated that as the truck is loaded and the springs supporting same are thereby com- pressed, the pointer is displaced by the relative movement of the one member in relation to the other. The apparatus is characteristic in that it , of five tons, this result- is used without being fas- tened to the truck or other vehicle. Further, a series of individually adjustable members is employed, dis- posed in the path of the pointer, and the collective fixing of these members in their adjusted positions is / provided for. Fig. 1 is a front elevation; fig. 2 a side J sectional elevation of one form of apparatus. In one method of utilising the device, it is placed in position between the body and chassis of a truck, the effective length of the telescopic members being adjusted for this purpose, and the truck is then loaded with a known load, ing in a consequent displacement of the pointer f. The cali- bration dial is then adjusted and fixed in a position corre- sponding with the position which the pointer now occupies. If desired, the truck may also be loaded with other known loads, such as three, four, six, or seven tons, the appropriate calibration being secured in the position which the pointer indicates in connection with each weight. The calibrations having been appropriately set, the truck, lorry, or the like can be reloaded a number of times with the same or the desired load by loading until the pointer is displaced to the appropriate calibration. (Five claims.) 19018 (1914). Improvements in Regulating or Governing Devices for Air Compressors. H. S. Broom, and Broom and Wade Limited, all of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.— The regulating or governing means comprises in combination a valve chamber suitably connected with the delivery pipe or equivalent part of the compressor, a spring-controlled or other inlet valve located between the delivery pipe or its equivalent and the said chamber, an outlet or leak valve so arranged liq.K. CX and associated with the first-mentioned valve that when the latter valve is open and causes the interior of the chamber to be put into communication with the atmosphere, and a passage leading from the interior of the chamber to a small cylinder provided with a spring-controlled or other piston, the rod of which, when the piston is operated by the pressure, in turn operates suitable mechanism for keeping the suction valve of the cylinder of the compressor open. In the case of a multi-cylinder compressor several of the small cylinders are provided, one for each cylinder of the compressor, with means for operating the corresponding valve of the compressor. In the case of an air compressor of the type provided with a suction valve operated periodically by cam or like mechanism by the engine, it is preferable to provide a three-armed lever, one arm of which lever is adapted to come into contact with the stem of the suction valve of the compressor, and to open such valve periodically when the cam or its equivalent operated from the engine comes into contact with a second arm of the three-armed lever, the piston rod of the small cylinder before- mentioned being adapted to operate the third arm of the lever when the pressure rises so as to open the suction valve by means of the first arm, and remove the second arm from contact with the cam. Fig. 1 shows a part sectional eleva- tion of a compressor: fig. 2 shows a side elevation partly in section; fig. 3 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the governor cylinder. (Six claims.) 22227 (1914). Improvements relating to Reflectors foi Miners' Safety Hand Lamps. A. H. Railing and A. E. Angold, both of 67, Queen Victoria-street, London. -Relates more particularly to electric hand lamps of the type in which an accumulator or a battery is contained in a cylindrical case, and having the lamp and outer glass fixed at the top and protected by a frame of three or four rods and a cover plate. The objects are to provide a reflector which is capable of concentrating and projecting the light over a small angle in a horizontal direction, to so arrange the reflector that it can readily be removed when an all-round illumination is required, and to provide means for attaching it to the lamp in some other position where it will be out of the way, and not easily detached or dam- aged. Fig. 1 is an eleva- tion of a part of a lamp, showing the reflector when out of use placed on the body of the lamp; and fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 1—2; fig. 3 is an elevation of a part of a lamp showing the reflector placed in position for use; and fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 3—4. The reflector A is formed in a crescent or semi-circular section of a radius slightly less than that of the out- side of the lamp body B, and covering about 220 degs. Stout metal of .a springy nature is used, so that if the reflector is forced sideways over the body of the lamp it clips on to it and is retained in position by the overlaps A1 of 20 degs. each side beyond the semi-circle. The over- laps are so small that the reflector can be snapped on to the lamp body in this way without permanently straining it out of its original curvature. When it is desired to use the reflector, it is pulled off the lamp body and threaded through between one or two of the top frame rods D and the outer glass E. If the frame consists of four rods it is preferable to thread it through between the glass and two of the rods. (One claim.) NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. 14353. Explosive mixture. J. F. Buckingham. 14357. Screw conveyors. O. O. Erfurth and Internationale Patentverwertungs-Ges. m.b. H. 14358. Clay purifiers. O. 0. Erfurth and Internationale Patentverwertungs-Ges. m.b. H. 14367. Picric acid. N. H. Graesser, trading as R. Graesser, and A. W. Titherley. 14368. Consolidation treatment of tungsten or like refractory metal. G. Hookham. 14369. Substitutes for mine timbers. A. F. Ericsson. 143S3. Railway and other vehicle buffers. S. H. Bevan. 14390. Carbonisation of coal in vertical or inclined retorts. F. A. Rollason. 14391. Utilisation of Mond gas, and the recovery of by-pro- ducts therefrom. T. Twynam. 14413. Furnace fire bridges. Liverpool Patents Company Limited, and J. H. Clegg. 14427. Pumps. G. D. Loud. 14476. Condensing steam turbine plants. K. Baumann. 14478. Tools for cutting metal bars, thick wire, or similar objects. T. R. R. Ashton. 14487. Treatment of peat and the production of a prepara- tion suitable for use in horticulture and agricul- ture. J. J. A. de Whalley and H. C. S. de Whalley. 14494. Railway trucks. E. Peckham. 14496. Filling with insulating compound of electric cable junction boxes. W. T. Henley’s Telegraph Works Company Limited, and F. Harris. 14537. Machinery employed in coating metal sheets or plates with tin, terne, or other metal or alloy. D. R. Jenkins. 14544. Automatic couplings for railway vehicles. F. C. Stevens. 14565. Apparatus for removing coke discharged from retorts or furnaces. Drakes Limited, and J. W. Drake. 14578. Draught installations for boilers. James Howden and Company Limited, and J. H. Hume. 14588. Machine for breaking iron and steel bars and the like. J. Crow. 14596. Steam turbines. H. L. Guy. 14600. Method of producing uprights, beams, and the like by the use of clay or clav-like chalk-mingled or calcareous earths, and objects thus produced. J. A. Larsson. 14624. Burners for producer gas and the like. I. Hall. 14626. Furnaces of the tilting mechanism type. I. Hall.. 14631. Automatic coupling jack. E. Leyshon and J. Lewis, trading as Leyshon and Lewis. 14655 and 146561 Explosives. W. Rintoul. D. Cross, and Nobel’s Explosives Company Limited. 14657. Steam superheaters for locomotive and the like tubular boilers. J. G. Robinson. Complete Specifications Accepted. (To be published on November 4.) 1914. 13850. Automatic working gas producers. Versen. 14224. Electric blasting fuses or the like. Feeny. (Fabrik Elektrischer Zunder Ges.) 20637. Vertical water tube steam boilers. Alley and Wood- vine. 20647. Signal indicating means for colliery winding engines. Barclay and Wallace. 20721. Electric heaters for mining and for other purposes. Quain. (Continued on page 846.)