1048 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN November 19, 1916. prevent the passage of water there-through, the gauge indicates the pressure in the mains; and when attached to the other side, with the feed cock open as shown in the drawing, it indicates the pressure in the feed cylinder avail- able for keeping the drill up to its work. An indicator I is attached to the feed cock g, in order to show the pressures present in the feed cylinders corresponding with different positions of the feed cock handle. The feed cock g is arranged upon the vertical centre line of the drill, and an axial hole g2 is formed in the plug to permit the passage of the usual thrust rod. The water passing through the feed cock from left to right, in the position shown in fig. 2, is utilised for advancing the piston a as drilling proceeds, and also for washing the debris out of the hole; same passing, for the latter purpose, through the valve at the rear end of the piston a, and thence to the hollow drill rod b. If the piston a be stationary, with no water passing down the drill rod b, the pressure available in the feed cylinder d and the passage A, corresponds with the static head, irrespective of any variation in the extent to which the feed cock is opened; but, with an advance of the piston a and an escape of water down the drill rod b, this pressure varies with the different degrees of opening of the feed cock. A plate m in front of a pointer is graduated according to the pressures read off the pressure gauge, and indicates, with sufficient accuracy and without the use of a pressure gauge, the pressures in the feed cylinder so long as the pressure in the mains continues uniform. (Four claims.) 13067 (1914). Improvements in Power Driven Rock Drills. M. Kellow, of the Park and Croesor Quarries, Penrhyndeudraeth, North Wales.—Relates to rock drills of the type wherein a turbine or other suitable motor is employed for rotating the drill as, for example, is described in the specification to Letters Patent bearing date Sept. 12, 1906, No. 20317. The present invention consists in certain improvements in power drills of this class, particularly in regard to the construction of the speed-reducing gear, to the means whereby such gear is connected to the turbine or other motor shaft, and to means for centring the drill rod and its casing in relation to the said gear; and resisting the longitudinal thrust to which the said casing is subjected. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section illustrating a rock drill embodying the present improvements; fig. 2 being a transverse section taken on the line X—X in fig. 1. The forward extremity of the turbine shaft a, instead of being externally screw-threaded to receive the first pinion of the epicyclic speed reducing gear, is screw-threaded internally so as to engage a lateral screw-threaded boss or sleeve bl carried by the pinion b referred to, which latter may thus be of smaller diameter with consequent increased ratio of speed reduction in the first gear train, and reduced velocity of the teeth at the pitch circle. Set screws c of the maximum diameter practicable are employed, leaving only sufficient metal in the wheel to form a rim c1 of adequate strength; and, by boring out the centre of the set screws c, a recess c2 is formed into which the oil is free to pass. A hole c* is then drilled through from this recess to the outer side of each set screw, and oil is delivered by centrifugal action to the inside of the intermediate or planet wheels. The set screws, which carry the intermediate or planet wheels, are screwed left-handedly, so that rotation of the wheels upon them only tends to tighten them against their carrier plate. A ball bearing g is employed, and eliminates any wear in a radial direction, thus keeping the rotating gears in correct position in relation to the fixed internally toothed gear. This bearing g also takes up the end thrust with a considerable reduction of friction as compared with a prior construction; its functions thus being two fold. A stuffing box h and gland h1 are provided at the forward end of the drill-rod casing to prevent the escape of oil from the gear box /. (Three claims.) 17364 (1914). Improvements in or relating to Installa- tions for Discharging or Unloading Trucks. P. Karsch, of Schillerstrasse 1—5, Essen-Ruhr, Germany. — Relates to installations for discharging or unloading trucks, particularly railway goods trucks of normal type. A truck discharging installation designed in accordance with the invention includes a series of contiguous tilting platforms mounted upon rocking cradles or upon stationary pivotal axes, said platforms constituting normally a continuous railway track, the separate platforms being connected with each other by means of tension or pressure members in such manner that on tension or pressure being exerted upon said members the separate platforms are tilted simultaneously. In order to ensure uniform positive movement of the separate platforms, notwithstanding variations in the weights and loads of the separate trucks, and without the employment of toothed rims or the like in conjunction with the cradles, the platforms, in addition to being connected by means of tension and pressure members, are also pivotally connected by means of bars spaced vertically from the latter or the pivotal axes of the platforms, so that said bars in conjunction with the tension and pressure members and the side members of the cradles constitute parallelogrammatic connections. By means of these couplings tendency of the heavier trucks to advance rela- tively to the lighter ones is prevented. In order to ensure central disposition of the trucks upon the separate plat- forms, irrespective of the pitch of the wheel axles, gripping devices are provided for holding the trucks while they are being tilted, said holding devices constituted by one or more pairs of pivoted bars adapted to be raised so as to con- verge upwardly and equipped with groups of claws spaced apart to suit various axle pitches. The holding devices con- structed in this manner ensure that the trucks will be held secure, irrespective of the pitch of the wheel axles, and the direction in which the platforms are tilted, so that the necessity of providing safety devices for preventing the plat- forms from being tilted otherwise than the intended direction is avoided. Figs. 1 and 2 show in side elevation and cross section respectively a discharging installation representing one embodiment of the invention; fig. 3 shows a discharging installation of modified arrangement. (Five claims.) 19080 (1914). Improved Apparatus for Oxygen Adminis- tration to Workmen in Irrespirable Atmospheres. R. H. C. Johnson, L.D.S.Eng., 161, High-steet, Scunthorpe, Lincoln- shire.—Is designed more especially for the use of workmen carrying out repairs in, and cleaning out flues in which irrespirable gases or fumes are present, for supplying them not only with either air or pure oxygen, as may be desired, but with a mixture of the two if necessary, in a most effective manner. The apparatus consists of a mask, pre- ferably of metal, designed to cover the nose and mouth of the user of the apparatus, and rendered capable of close adaptation to the face by means of an inflatable rubber tube or cushion covering the edge as has been proposed, and a strap attached at each side adapted to fasten at the back of the head in well-known manner, to hold the mask in position. The mask is provided with three valves, two of them being for inspiratory purposes, and the third for expiratory purposes, the two inspiratory valves being situated the one at one side and the other at the opposite side of the mask, and the expiratory valve at the apex of the mask. Each inspiratory valve has a piece of flexible tubing FIG. 1. FIG. 2. connected to it, the said two pieces of tubing being adapted to pass over the shoulders of the wearer, the one being connected to one branch, and the other to the other branch of a Y-shaped metal tube, to the large end or stem of which Y-shaped metal tube is connected a strong flexible pipe or piece of tubing, the other end of which pipe or tubing is connected to a rubber bag of suitable capacity, which is enclosed in strong netting. To this bag at the end or point opposite to that at which the before-mentioned flexible pipe or tubing is connected, a tube provided with a metal fitting is connected, a second tube connected to such fitting being connected to a suitable air pump, bellows, or the like, the said fitting being provided preferably at or near the centre of its length with a short tube to which is con- nected a piece of flexible tubing which is connected to an oxygen cylinder. Fig. 1 shows the improved apparatus complete for use; and figs. 2 and 3 represent a front view, and a side view respectively of the mask. (Two claims.) 23019 (1914). Improvements in or relating to Safety Appliances used in Collieries, Tunnels, Quarries, or the like. T. Thomas, 12, Park-street, Clydach Vale, Rhondda Valley. —Relates to a safety appliance to be used in conjunction with fixing timber props, or other supports which have to be cut to required length and afterwards wedged securely in position for the purpose of supporting roofs, or sides, etc., and has for its object to provide a device which can be fixed temporarily to the props, or supports and automatically adjust itself to the required distance from floor, to roof, or side to side in a tunnel or gallery, thereby making same self supporting, while wedging or packing takes place. Fig. 1 is a side view of a device constructed in accordance with and embodying the essential characteristics of the invention, and fig. 2 an end view at right angles to fig. l, and fig. 3 a view looking from end of prop or the like which is intended to be used. A designates metal frames which carry glands or grippers B made in such a form to accommodate them- selves on the outer face or periphery of the proposed props or supports B1 that are to be used. The gripping power necessary to fix the device on the props or supports B1 is caused by the threaded nuts and bolts C. Horns or pro- jections I) are carried on the metal frames A, and slots E are made thereon to accommodate the horns or projections D. These horns or projections D engage springs F, the tension of which extend the horns or projections D out- wardly in the direction of the length of the prop or support B1. Each horn frame D1 engages a lever G of suitable leverage which has its fulcrum at pin G1 fastened on the metal frame A. This lever G engages the horn frame D1 by a pin and oval hole at H for the purpose of depressing the springs F, thereby shortening the length from base of prop B1 to tip of horns D conveniently for placing the prop or support B1 in position. When in position the levers Gl- are released, thereby causing the horns I) to make contact with the roof or sides, therefore making the prop or support Bl self supporting, so that it- will not fall, and is ready to ub' S t 'a be wedged or packed in position. The horns D are suffi- ciently far apart to allow the wedge X or packing to pass freely between them, and offers no obstruction when the wedge X is driven into position, when this has been done, the threaded nuts and bolts C connecting the glands B are released, causing the device to be easily taken off the prop or support B1, and to be used again when and where required. Where it is necessary to fix timbers commonly known in mining as arms and collars, it is proposed to use metal forks, not shown, made in such a form as to fit on the ends of the horns or projections D, and this arrangement can be used to entirely dispense with dogs or sprags such as are used for supporting timbers in a leaning or slanting position. (Five claims.) HEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. , Applications for Patents. 15727. Manufacture of compressed fuel. G. H. Wells. 15728. Surveying instruments used generally for sighting -upon a plane table. F. O. Hunt. 15732. Fuel economiser. J. Bradley. 15753. Apparatus for ascertaining the direction of boreholes. C. L. Carlson and G. Bergstrom. 15762. Electrically controlled clutches. W. L. Davies and A. Soames. 15810. Control of alternating current motors. P. S. Turner. 15815. Device for igniting fuses. W. F. Bennett. 15821. Non-conducting covering for steam boilers and the like, and the manufacture thereof. J. McDonald. 15827. Apparatus for washing coal or the like, and for separating it from its impurities. Grange Iron Company Limited, and H. P. Hoyle. 15829. Valves for controlling the flow of steam, air, or other fluid. Steam Fittings Company Limited, and R. J. McLeod. 15830. Manufacture of artificial fuel. E. White. 15834. Turbine pumps or multi-stage centrifugal fans. E. 0. F. Viola. 15873. Sparking arrangements for electric ignition devices. H. W. F. Ireland. 15901. Feed water heaters, especially applicable to locomo- tives. J. G. B. Sams. 15917. Wire ropes. F. A. BuUivant and G. M. Selby. 15927. Means for the prevention of drips from the outlet of fluid delivery systems controlled by a force pump. M. H. Biggins. 15929. Haulage clip. J. Bowditch. 15933. Apparatus for the distillation of carbonaceous material for the production of smokeless fuel and for the recovery of by-products. R. S. Richards. 15940. Tipping wagons. P. J. C. Brauns, and Naamlooze Vennootschap Constructiewerkplaatsen voorheen Du Croo & Brauns. 15941. Driving chains. A. E. Carter and H. Renold Limited. 15950. Hydraulic working valves. H. Berry. 16008. Detection and transmission of earth vibrations. W. J. Mellersh-Jackson. (Submarine Signal Com- pany, U.S.A.) 16011. Oil atomisers. J. R. Brown and E. E. Hall. 16012. Devices for automatically discharging pre-determined quantities of liquid, particularly applicable to fuel jets for internal combustion engines. V. Perrett. 16017. Combined air and electric triple valves. W. G. Canion. 16026. Means for consuming smoke in steam boiler and like furnaces. C. Bond. 16037. Adjustable reversible high-pressure double rotary pump. W. Parkes. 16050. Mine shaft signalling and analogous purposes. F. Hird. (Continued on page 1050.)