38 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 7, 1916. the box a on the ground, holding the handle perpendicularly and upwards. To strengthen the box a a ring or collar a1 ;s found around its lower edge. To ensure against loss of the feather h when the parts are disassembled, the feather is provided at its thin end with a small lug k, and a corre- sponding channel or groove I is formed in the inner surface of the wall or walls of the feather socket. (Two claims.) 6686 (1915). Improvements in Railway and like Rail Joints. R. N. Hill, of Harewood-pliace, Rickmansworth.— Relates to improvements in joint connections for the ends of railway and like rails, and has for its object to provide a joint which shall be simple in construction and at the same time more efficient and reliable than the joints heretofore employed. The invention consists principally in the com- bination of chairs situated one on either side of the joint at a short distance from the end face of the rail supported by the respective chair, fish plates one on either side of the end portions of the rails the said fish plates having their end portions extending and lying between the jaws of the chairs and the rails, keys or the like between the jaws of the chairs and the outsides of the fish plates, and a fish bolt extending through the fish plates so as to clamp them against the rails, the construction and arrangement being such as to permit free expansion and contraction of the rails without any adjustment or manipulation of the fish bolt. Where one fish bolt only is provided, such bolt extends through holes in the central portion of the fish plates and in the web of the rail preferably as close as practicable to the end face of the rail. Similarly, where two or more fish bolts are employed one of the bolts extends through holes in the fish plates and web of the rail as close as practicable to the end face of the rail, these bolts being in the same rail end. The fish plates may be so formed that their inner faces are clear of or out of contact with the webs of the rails, and the upper and lower edges of the said plates are provided with sloping or wedge- like faces adapted to bear respectively against the lower side of the head and the upper side of the foot of each rail, the keys and fish bolt or bolts acting to hold the fish plates with their upper and lower sloping or wedge-like edges or faces tightly against the rails. If desired, the fish plates may be so formed that their inner faces are clear of or out of contact with the webs of the rails at the joint and for some distance from the end faces of the rails, the inner faces of the remain- ing portions of the fish plates, which extend into and are situated between the jaws of the chairs and the rails, being held in intimate contact with the webs of the rails. The fish plates are preferably so designed that the under sides or surfaces of the heads of the rails to be joined are supported or in intimate contact with the upper edges or surface of the fish plates only for a relatively short distance on either side of the joint {i.e., for a relatively short length extending from the end faces of the rails), and on either side of the chairs ; for this purpose the upper edges or faces of the fish plates are, for instance, made concave by grinding, so as to leave a clearance between the upper edges or faces of the fish plates and the lower faces of the heads of the rails, this clearance preferably extending about half the length of those portions of the fish plates lying between the above-metnioned chairs and the end faces of the rails, such clearance extending from a point near the respective chair to a point about mid-way between the chair and the end face of the rail. Such a joint forms a complete bridge joint for the ends of the rails. (Five claims.) 10293 (1915). Improvements in Hydraulic Mains for Gas Retorts, Goke Ovens, and other Carbonising Plant. W. J. B. Leech, city of Leeds Gas Department, Market Hall, Leeds, and C. R. Payne, of 4, Hessle View, Brudenell- road, Leeds.—Relates to hydraulic mains as used in connec- tion with gas retorts, coke ovens, an’d other carbonising plant, and consists in an improved form of anti-dip sealing device whereby dip pipes are entirely dispensed with and' whereby any particular set of retorts or the like can be sealed independent of the others. The hydraulic main is divided into any required number of compartments by means of upright cross plates fixed in the upper part of the main and sealing into the tar and liquor in the bottom of the main. Each cross plate is provided with an opening having an iron frame in which is fitted an adjustable upright slide or valve, which is controlled from the top by means of a screw and ha nd-wheel or like device, so that only the particular retorts or coke ovens which are required to be discharged and re-charged at the given time are put under seal. This arrangement prevents the admission of air, and also prevents the loss of gas caused by sealing the whole of the retorts or ovens connected to the hydraulic main during drawing and charging operations. Removable pans may be fitted in the upper part of the main for the purpose of intercepting and collecting dust or other solid impurities delivered to the main from the retorts by the gas inlet pipes. (One claim.) 100380. Improvements in Clamping Devices for Securing Wire Ropes together, and for Analogous Purposes. F. A. Bullivant, of 72, Mark-lane, and G. M. Selby, of West Ferry-road, Millwall, London.—Relates to clamping devices for securing wire ropes together parallel with each other, by being embraced between a saddle-piece and a staple whose • ends are passed through holes in the saddle-piece and tightened up by nuts screwed on the said ends. The saddle- piece has at each end