1258 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. December 17, 1915. k5 move upwards and inwards towards the ratchet wheel f, the tooth or projection I contacting with one of the teeth thereof, so that the ratchet wheel / is partially rotated, and through it the spindle c carrying the disc A. Each pull on the cord C produces an up and down movement of the levers k5 and a movement of the rocking lever k, so that the pro- jection I contacts with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel f and a partial rotary movement is given to same. At the same time the ratchet disc h is operated by the wheel /, through the pins g, h1, and a movement is also given to the ratchet disc i and to the ring disc B through the pins g, i1. In order to limit the rotary movement of the ratchet wheel f, weighted locking pawls t, t1, are pivotally secured to the levers k5, and these pawls, when the apparatus is operated, partially rotate and contact with ratchet teeth h3, i3, also formed on the ratchet discs h, i, said ratchet teeth being formed so as to operate in a direction opposite to that of the teeth of the ratchet wheel f. When the levers k5 are in the “ down ” position the pawls are moved clear of the ratchets, by their weighted extremities contacting with the cross bar n fitted to or forming part of the framework a, whereas,- when the levers k5 are in the “up ’’ position, the pawls move into contact with the ratchet teeth h3 i3. When the ratchet discs k, i, are partially rotated by the operation of the ratchet wheel f and pins g, h1 i1, they are retained in position by means of pawls o, o1, pivoted on a shaft o2 secured to the framew’ork a. The pawls o, o1 normally rest on the teeth h2, i1, of the discs h, i, and they are at the proper time raised out of contact with the teeth h2, i2, by means of rocking lever mechanism v and trip lever mechanism operated from a disc cam fitted on the shaft x of the usual dial indicator mechanism of the winding engine. A hinged pawl m, suitably counter-weighted at ml, and rotatably secured on a shaft n, is attached to the framework a, and works in connection with the ratchet wheel /, whilst mechanism is provided for operating the pawl m. This mechanism is preferably a double armed rocking lever q pivoted at one end to the shaft Zc4, and connected at its other end to the rod r1 of a dash pot or its equivalent r. The lever q is provided with a releasing pin ql which, in the downward movement of the rocking lever q, contacts with the counter-weight m1 of the hinged pawl m, thereby raising said pawl out of contact with the ratchet wheel / and allow- ing same to return to its normal position under the action of the weight f1. When the rocking lever q and bell crank levers j are raised by pulling the usual cord C, the downward movement of said rocking lever and bell crank mechanism is retarded through the medium of the dash pot mechanism. (Four claims.) 23132 (1914). Improvements in Breathing Bags. R. H. Davis, of 187, Westminster Bridge-road, London.—Relates to breathing bags for the use of persons engaged in rescue work in mines and for like purposes. In addition to the usual compartments fitted with inhaling and exhaling and oxygen supply valves or valve connections, there is a third compart- ment designed to contain a suitable cooling agent, such as sodium sulphate, or the like. This third compartment may form a kind of cooling jacket on one side of the bag, or on one side and around the bottom of the bag, or it may extend completely around the bag on both sides, so as practically to enclose it. In this way a part or the whole of the outer surface of the bag is cooled by means of a cool- ing medium contained in the third compartment, so that the air which is inspired by the wearer is maintained at a pleasant temperature. Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of bag; fig. 2 is a vertical section; and fig. 3 a hori- zontal section. a is the breathing bag proper, and b the longitudinal parti- tion which divides it into sa Fuji a U * the two compartments c e and d; e is the third com- partment which is formed on or adapted to the bag a, and which is designed to contain the cooling agent, such as sodium sulphate, in the form of crystals, the heat being absorbed by its liquefaction. In the construction illustrated in figs. 1 to 3, the said third compartment e is located on one side of the breathing bag, so as to form a cooling jacket at that side only. The surface of the bag is cooled either locally or throughout by means of the cooling agent contained in the third compartment or jacket e to an extent sufficient to main- tain the air which is inspired by the user at a pleasant temperature, even when the apparatus is continuously used for a considerable period. (Five claims.) The Coal Contract Problem.—Various reports presented to the Lambeth Board of Guardians last week indicate the difficulties contractors are experiencing. In the case of the coal supply to the institution, Messrs. C. Hinchliffe and Company stated that their difficulty at the present tame was not the result of shortage of coal, but was due to the scarcity of cartage facilities, which was accentuated by the enlist- ment of a large number of their carmen. In view of all the circumstances, the Board decided to press the contractors as much as possible, and to suggest cartage contractors who might be able to deal with deliveries. It was also arranged to advertise for tenders for the direct supply of coal required for reserve stocks, and that tenderers should be permitted to quote for coals of an equal calorific value to that usually stipu- lated in the Board’s specification. The contractors wrote that the increased price of 2d. per ton on coal supplied would apply to all coal delivered under contract, this being provided for in the Coal Exchange strike, etc., clause embodied in the contract. In connection with Messrs. Sargeant, Longs-taff and Company’s contract, the firm wrote relative to the pay- ment of their account for coal supplied under contract during the four months ended March 31 last. They expressed surprise at the deduction of the sum of £14 7s. therefrom in respect of half of the excess expenditure incurred in purchasing against them, and state that they could not be responsible for the action of the Government, at that time, in holding big supplies of coal on the railways, in conse- quence of the very heavy traffic with men and munitions required by the military authorities. The Board decided to inform the contractors that they were unable to reverse their decision. NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. 17099. Process for the production of toluol, benzol, and other light hydrocarbons from heavy oils. W. Anderson and J. Meikle. 17122. Apparatus for smoke consumption and the complete combustion of coal, coke, peat, and other carbon- aceous substances in stoves, boilers, refuse destructors, and the like. J. Roberts. 17140. Manufacture and production of oils from coal tars and the like, and also carbon and pitch which may be free, or relatively free, from uncombined carbon. J. L. Major. 17140. Manufacture and production of oils from coal tars and the like, and also carbon and pitch which may be free, or relatively free, from uncombined carbon. J. L. Major. 17148. Pumps. H. T. Hutton. 17149. Steam super-heaters for locomotive and other similar fire tube boilers. W. H. Lewers. 17171. Transmission of power by belts and other friction drives. H. Connell. 17173. Reflectors for miners’ hand lamps. A. H. Railing and A. E. Angold. 17231. Boring apparatus. E. A. Mitchell. 17239. Multi-stage centrifugal pumps. H. C. Hodgson and Hodgson Pump Company Limited. 17256. Method and apparatus for operating gas producers especially for use in the manufacture of coal gas. Riter-Conley Manufacturing Company. 17265. Means for effecting remote control of electrical apparatus. F. N. Pickett and Igranic Electric Company Limited. 17267. Multi-stage centrifugal pumps. W. J. Mellersh- Jackson. (A. S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, United States.) 17299. Treatment of explosives. H. T. van Laun. (H. J. Mill ar, United States.) 17318. Gas engines. S. Travis and National Gas Engine Company Limited. 17349. Electrical signalling devices. E. A. M. Reid and Callender’s Cable and Construction Company Limited. Complete Specifications Accepted. (To be published on December 30.) 1914. 23550. Audible and visual indicators, especially for use in mines. Allison and Waller. 23743. Signalling systems, particularly adapted for mine signalling. Lambourne. 24008. Coal bunkering vessels. Read. 24085. Furnaces for the preparation of artificial fuel or the like. Groom. 1915. 579. Drilling, baring, and like machines. Smith and Metcalfe. 1213. Manufacture of steel. Snyder. 2887. Steam boiler economisers and the like. Brown and Unit Engineering Company. 7226. Fuel pump for internal combustion engines. Balassa. 9777. Signalling apparatus for use in collieries and other mines. Holland and Becker. 12238. Apparatus for localising mine explosions and fires. Grasty and Rodman. THE ACQUISITION OF ENEMY PATENT RIGHTS. The following list of British Patents, which have been granted in favour of residents of Germany, Austria, or Hungary, is furnished in view of the new Patents Acts, which empower the Board of Trade to confer upon British subjects the right to manufacture under enemy patents, which right, when acquired, can be retained after the war, and is specially compiled for the Colliery Guardian by Lewis Wm. Goold, chartered patent agent, 5, Corporation- street, Birmingham. It is desirable in the first instance to obtain the latest particulars upon the Patents Register. If any patent listed has been assigned to a non-enemy pro- prietor, the law does not apply. 3191/05. Treating ores. In a process for treating oxide and other ores, particularly ores of nickel and cobalt, for subsequent smelting in the blastfur- nace, the ore is mixed with sulphur, fluxes, and powdered coal, and the mixture is brought into a converter or other suitable apparatus upon incandescent combustible or ore, the air blast being directed through the mass. Sulphur- containing material, such as gypsum, may be used instead of sulphur, preferably with an additional quantity of coal dust. The sulphur combines with the metals to form a matte, and, on cooling, a cohering mass is formed, which can be broken into pieces, and smelted in the blast furnace. J. Savelsberg, Germany. 3312/05. Tensioning devices for rope ways. Relates to self- acting electric tensioning devices for rope ways, as used for transhipping goods at sea. In one arrangement the endless conveying rope passes round guide pulleys, a pulley connected to the armature of the electromotor, and also two tension pulleys. .The tension of the hauling rope is adjusted so as normally to retain the magnets at rest, but, in case of increase or decrease of tension, the field magnets rotate in the required direction, until balancing of the oppositely-acting couples takes place. In a modification, a separate electromotor is used, and tensioning is effected by a governor, which is normally at rest with the electromotor. Increase or decrease of tension rotates the motor, and the rise of the governor switches out resistance by an arm, and causes the winding pulley to rotate in the required. direction, until tension is re-adjusted by the jockey pulley when the governor arms fall, and the resistance is again introduced into circuit during the stoppage of the motor. H. O. Adam, Saxony (dated Feb. 18, 1904). 9573/05. Loading, etc.; slings. Relates to means for feed- ing, conveying, and discharging sacks and the like on cable ways, and is described with refer- ence to transhipping goods at sea. The travelling cable passes through a conical guide. A loop of rope is passed round the guide so as to form a double or single sling. The load is surpended from the sling by an ordinary hook, and is started on its travel by sliding the loop off the guide by a lever or other means. When the load reaches its destination the loop engages a knife, by which it is severed, and the load falls. A hook detaches the severed loop when a single sling is employed. H. O. Adam, Saxony (dated May 7, 1904). 6038/05. Railway vehicles; couplings, automatic and non- automatic. In transition couplings, in which the automatic coupling head and the ordinary hook coupling swing on the same vertical pin, the head is held in either position by a locking seating in a bearing in a projection on the draw bar. When the automatic coupling is out of use, the pin passes through an eye on its stem, and when in use the coupling head is held by the contact face on the stem bearing on the draw bar. F. Krupp Akt.-Ges., Germany (dated May 19, 1904). * Copies of any of the above specifications can be supplied at the price of Is. post free. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. Any of the following publications may be obtained on application at this office at the price named post free. Ministry of Munitions : Report on Sunday Labour, Ijd.; Report on Industrial Canteens, l|d. Consular and Trade Reports : Trade of Somaliland 1914-15, 21 d. ; Trade of Spain, Gulf of Guinea for 1914, 2d. Bills, 1915 : Finance Bill (No. 3) as Amended in Committee and on Report, 7d.; Trading with Enemy Extension, Id.; Education, Small Population Grants, Id.; Munitions of War Amendment, 2|d. Quarries Act, Form No. 25, 7|d. for 12, or Id. each. Civil Service Commission, 6th Report, Is.; Appendix, 6s. lid. Boiler Explosion Report (No. 2392), at Williamthorpe Colliery, 4|d. Memorandum on Chains and Other Lifting Appliances, 8d. Factories and Workshops Lighting : Vol. 3, Records of Observations in Factories, 7s. lid. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. Gas Works Directory and Statistics, 1915-16. London : Hazell, Watson and Viney. Price 10s. 6d. net. The “ Mechanical World ’’ Electrical Pocket Diary and Year Book for 1916. Manchester : Emmott and Company Limited. Price 6d. “ Gassier’s Engineering Monthly ’’ (Vol. 48, No. 6), Dec. price Is.; “ New Days ’’ Double Christmas Number, 2d.; “ Trade of the Union of South Africa, Southern, and Northern Rhodesia, and British South Africa for September,” price 3s. 6d.; “Bull, of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy” (No. 135); “Notes and Queries,” price 4d.; “Transactions of the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Ship Builders ” (Vol. 32, Part 2), December, price 5s.; “ The Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical, and Mining Society of South Africa ” (Vol. 16, No. 3), October, price 3s.; “ The Journal of the South African Institution of Engineers *’ (Vol. 14, No. 4), November, price 2s.; “ The Engineering Magazine,” December, price Is.; “The McGraw Hill Books : Catalogue of Technical and Scientific Book®, 1915-16”; “The Iowa Engineer” (Vol. 16, No. 2), November. Requisitioning a Hired Ship.—An action by the Modem Transport Company Limited, of West Hartlepool, against the Duneric Steamship Company Limited, of Glasgow, was heard last week before Mr. Justice Sankey, without a jury, in the Commercial Court of the King’s Bench Division. Mr. Roche, K.C., for plaintiffs, said that his clients carried on business as exporters of coal, and on March 2, 1915, they chartered the “ Duneric ” on a time-charter for 12 months. During the currency of the charter, on June 11, the Admiralty requisitioned the “ Duneric ” from the ship owners for the service of the British Government until nearly the end of November, so that for five months out of the 12 the plaintiffs were deprived of the use of the vessel. It was important to remember that the ship was requisitioned from the owners. The hire under the charter party was £2,350 per month. The cause of the dispute here was that the Admiralty hire was only £1,100 per month. Plaintiffs said that as they had not had the use and hire of the vessel they were not liable for hire. Notwithstanding that fact, defendants, having collected £4,761 hire from the Admiralty, demanded another £8,627 from the plaintiffs as the balance of £13,388 hire due for the five months. Plaintiffs refused to pay as they had not had the ship, and defendants then said they were entitled to withdraw the ship altogether from the service of the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs, among other things, said that the defendants had by their course of action waived their rights to withdraw the ship. Plaintiffs asked for an injunction restraining defendants from employing the “ Duneric ” otherwise than in accord- ance with the terms of the charter party. They also asked for a declaration that the charter party was valid and binding, that the plaintiffs were not liable to pay hire during the period of Admiralty requisition, and that the defendants had no right to withdraw the vessel.—Mr. Mackinnon, for the defence, contended that on the terms of the contract plaintiffs were liable for hire during the whole period of requisition. If they were not so liable, then the charter was at an end.—Mr. Justice Sankey, giving judgment, said it appeared to him (1) that there was a special clause in the time charter which provided for the circumstances upon the happening of which hire should cease, and that the events which had happened did not come within that clause; and (2) that there was no failure of consideration. The true view was that the owners of the vessel granted the use of the ship subject to the restraint of princes. The exceptions clause, which was a mutual one, included such an event as perils of the sea as well as restraint of princes, and he did not think that if the vessel was delayed, say for a fortnight, or during a temporary embargo, the hire would cease for such a period. In fact there had been no failure of consideration. In his (the judge’s) view, therefore, the plaintiffs were liable to pay the hire, but were entitled to receive themselves the sum paid by the Admiralty for the use of the vessel. He was of opinion that the defendants were not entitled to withdraw the vessel, and that plaintiffs were entitled to the injunction asked for. There would also be judgment for the defendants for the balance of the two rates of hire.