326 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN August 18, 1916. be attached to a skip or the like, and its lower portion con- siituating a gripping jaw, a complementary jaw-piece hinged to the lower edge of said member, and having a projecting lug, and a manually operatable cam adapted to engage said lug and lock the jaw, and having an inclined surface so that the grip on the rope may be regulated and wear taken up. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device locked on a rope, and showing means for attachment to a skip. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on plane 2—2 of fig. 1, with the cam in release position. Fig.-3 is a part side elevation, showing the parts ready to lock by rotation of the cam. elevation showing the jaws locked. Fig. elevation also showing the parts locked; sectional plan through the gripping jaws The main plate 8 has in 10 or Fig. 4 is an end 5 is a part side and fig. 6 is a on line 6—6 of portion a hole 9 its flat other suitable means for fig. 4. adapted to receive the link attaching the device to a skip, and the lower por- tion of the said plate is bent to form a gripping jaw 11, while extending from the lower edge of said jaw 'is a hinge lug 12. The complementary swinging jaw 13 is oppo- sitely curved so that the rope 14 may be securely gripped, and to add to the security the jaws are preferably slightly curved longitudinally on their inner faces, as shown in fig. 6, so that the rope* is not only gripped, but is slightly bent; and said jaw 13 is hinged to the other jaw by pin 15 pass- ing through lugs 16, 16, and 12. From the swinging edge of the jaw 13 extends a lug 17 adapted to through an aperture 18 in the #g5 pass through an aperture 18 in the main plate, and having an upward offset 19 adapted to be engaged to lock the jaws by the spiral earn surface 20 on boss 21 on pin 22 passing through the main plate, and rotatable by means of the operating handle or lever 23. The boss 21 and cam surface 20 are gapped, as at 24, to permit the passage of the offset 19 of the lug 17, as in closing the device (or its with- drawal) when the operating lever is in one extreme posi- tion against the stop pin 25, as in fig. 3, it being noted that the disposition of the swinging jaw 13 is such that when not locked it will automatically fall outwardly and downwardly to release the rope, until the stop pin 26 pre- vents further movement (see dotted lines in fig. 2). The spiral cam surface 20 affords facility in engagement of the offset 19, and also permits the degree of closure and conse- quent grip on the rope to be regulated, and wear taken up. (Three claims.) NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. [Note.—Applications arranged alphabetically under the names of the applicants (communicators in parentheses). A new number will be given on acceptance, which will replace the application number.] Aarts, J. G. (11202). Process for production of ammonia from coke. Aarts, J. G-. (11203). Carbonising or reducing furnaces. Akt.-Ges. Brown, Boveri et Cie. (11244). Guiding apparatus of multi-cellular steam and gas turbines. Albertis, C. de (11317). Internal combustion engines. Avery Limited, W. and T. (11296). Weighing apparatus. Baylis, A. S. (11120). Compression release, etc., mechanism for internal combustion engines. Beeby, B. W. (11293). Packing of pistons and stuffing boxes. Bell, H., and Loftus, T. J. (11247). Rotary planetary engine. Best, W. (11238). Miners’ safety lamps. Bolton, J. A. (11271). Metal heating furnaces. Brearley, F., and Divr, R. (11407). Process for concen- trating liquids, acids, etc. British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com- pany (Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Com- pany) (11327). Alternating current dynamo electric machines of the compensated commutator type. Brooke, R. G-. (11195). Cocks for heating water by live steam. Brown, A. W. (11296). Weighing apparatus. Brown, R. (11144). Process for the manufacture of artificial fuel from waste products. Campbell, D. F. (11250). Tilting or rolling furnaces. Cervera, V. (11373). Gas producer. Crosland, F. (11284). Kiln or furnace for calcining limestone cement, etc., with oil fuel, etc. Dear, C. (11426). Treatment of steel. Ellis, R. E. (Pringle) (11385). Crushing machinery. Ewart, R. D. (11314). Control means for supply of air to internal combustion engines. Hall, I. (11279). Crucible melting furnaces. Hall, I. (11280). Furnaces, etc. Igranic Electric Company (Cutler-Hammer Manufacturing Company) (11191). Motor controllers. Jarvis, G. A. (11336). Production of malleable iron cast- ings and annealing ovens for same. Kaula, R. J. (11210). Jet condensers and means for with- drawing air therefrom. Lockhart, W. S. (11201). Means for raising water, etc. McKenna, T. (Rock Tunnelling Machine Company) (11321). Tunnelling machines. Mackie, R. (11422). Steam turbines. Makin, E. (11223). Apparatus for purification and treat- ment of water to prevent incrustation in boilers, etc. Mallinson, J. (11156). Chain grates for furnaces. Millea, T. D. (11243). Pressure regulating valves. Miris Steel Company (11426). Treatment of steel. Muirhead, A. E. (11275). Economising heat and water. Muirhead, W. (11289). Manufacture of Siemens open hearth acid steel, etc. Muskcr, A. (11350). Trimming and distributing coal. Nelson, J., Petrol Patents Limited, and* Robertson, J. G. (11313). Treatment of hydrocarbon oils and residues for production of lower boiling hydrocarbons. Parker, J. W. (11231). Gas producers or generators. Parsons, I. H. (11100). Electrical signalling apparatus for mines, etc. Paterson, R. H. (11197). Steam traps. Peet, J. (11221). Rotary engines, etc. Pickard, W. (11110). Engines of the combined reciprocating and turbine type. Plant, F. S. (11218). Means of power with water. Pontchalon, L. de (11407). Process for concentrating liquids, acids, etc. Pringle, R. W. (11385). Crushing machinery. Pasmussen, C. O. (11136). Production of gas from peat, lignite, or wood. Roelofsen, J. A. (11318). Regenerative coke ovens. Schroeder, G. (11326). Dynamo electric machines. Smith, W. W. (11115). Internal combustion rotary engines or turbines. Soc. Anon. A. Cerpelli and Company, and Wade, H. (11262). Pumps. Soc. Electro-Metallurgique Frangaise (11250). Tilting or rolling furnaces. Thornycroft and Company, J. I. (11422). Steam turbines. Tucker, B. (11179). Internal combustion engines. Waddington, H. R. (11100). Electric signalling apparatus for mines, etc. Walter, C. M. (11225). Means for the heat treatment of metals. Wharton, W. (11277). Processes for production and use of steam power. Willans and Robinson (11210). Jet condensers and means for withdrawing air therefrom. Complete Specifications Accepted. (To be published on August 31.) 1915. 6676. Automatic couplings for railway cars. Serguienko. 6792. Differential pressure gauge. Soc. Biot-Garnier et Chevalier. 5873. Manufacture of gas. Anglo-Mexican Petroleum Pro- ducts Company, and Brousson. 7943. Two-stroke cycle explosion engine. Bonfa. 9990. Core making machines for foundry purposes. Warren, Valentine, and Leyland Motors (1914) Limited. 11336. Electrolytic recovery of metals from their solutions, and apparatus therefor. Tainton. 11491. Rotary cylindrical valves for internal combustion engines. Fountain and Langford. 11510. Dynamo electric machines. United States Light and Heat Corporation. 11543. Internal combustion engines. Ruston and Chorlton. 11566. Explosion engines coupled to dynamo electric machines. Soc. Anon, des Etablissements L. Bleriot. 11568. Electrical transformers. Schaanning and Harlow. 11790. Short-circuiting and brush lifting gear for alternating current motors. Lancashire Dynamo and Motor Company, Whitmore, and Roberts. 12003. Preparation of peat for fuel or for destructive distilla- tion and carbonisation. Paterson. 13275. Apparatus for cooling air. Heenan and Froude Limited, and Heenan. 13599. Means for separating water from air or steam and the like. Mortimer. 14062. Internal combustion engines. Booth. 14819. Internal combustion engines having electrical acces- sories. Fergusson. 15059. Valve mechanism of internal combustion engines. Carlson. 16108. Apparatus for discharging and quenching coke. Wellington. 16268. Firebars for furnaces. Chadwick. 1916. [Note.—The numbers following the application are those which the application will finally bear.] 4065. Internal combustion engines. Gile, F. H. 100248 6265. Reversible rotary pumps. Selson Engineering Com- pany, and Goodwin, H. 101071 Complete Specifications Open to Public Inspection Before Acceptance. 1915. 16170. Flexible combustible products. Legrand and another. 1916. [Note.—The numbers following the application are those which the application will finally bear.] 6439. Gas furnaces. Lehmann, J. 101077 6812. Valve mechanisms. National Safety Appliance Com- pany. 101078 •11036. Process for the production of alkaline nitrates by oxidation of ammonia. Bensa, F. 101100 Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act, 1916. An application for grant of licence under application to be vested in the custodian has been made with respect to patent No. 6288/14 (Raschig), “ Filling materials for reaction or absorption towers,” by C. H. Kempton, 42, South Lam- beth-road, Vauxhail, S.W., and Stangate House, 235, West- minster Bridge-road, S.W. Any person interested who desires to be heard in opposition to the above-mentioned appli- cation must give notice in writing, addressed to the Comp- troller-General of the Patent . Office, 25, Southampton- buildings, London, W.C., before the date of the hearing (August 23, 1916). As an instance of the adaptability of Ferodo fabrics, which were designed originally for lining clutches and brakes, it is stated that a firm engaged on munition work have found Ferodo fibre useful in a circular vice for holding the shells whilst screwing in the noses, as it does not mark the work, and has a remarkable gripping power. Hull Coal Exports.—The official return of the exports of coal from Hull to foreign countries for the week ended August 8 is as follows :—Alexandria. 5,302 tons; Amsterdam, 493; Calais, 977; Dunkirk, 3,705; Gothenburg, 2,732; Rouen, 8,035: Rotterdam, 503; Treport, 1,468; Uddevalla, 1,833: West Coast Africa, 1.100—total, 26,148 tons. Corre- sponding period August 1915—total. 63.191 tons. Corre- sponding period August 1914—total. 37.238 tons. These figures do not include bunker coal, shipments for the British Admiralty, nor the Allies’ Governments. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. *..* Any of the following publications may be obtained on application at this office at the price named post free. Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom with Foreign Countries and British Possessions, 1915, Vol. 1, 6s. 5d. Colonial Office Report : Zanzibar, 1915, 2d. Local Government Board Annual Report, 1915-16, Part 2, Housing and Town Planning. Bills, 1916 : Trading with the Enemy (Copyright), No. 2, Id. ; Registration of Business Names, 2d.; Merchant Ship- ping Salvage, Id. A.cts, 1916 : Public Works Loans, Id.; Gas (Standard of Calorific Power), Id. ; Trading with the Enemy (Copyright) Act, Id. Statutory Rules and Orders, 1916 : No. 502, Customs Order in Council, l|d.; No. 503, Customs Re-entry of Goods, l|d.; No. 508, Prohibition of Import (No. 8 Proclamation), l|d.; No. 512, Munitions of War Employment of Ex-munition Workers, l|d.; Nos. 515 and 516, York Light Railway, 1-Jd. each ; No. 530, Munitions of War, l|d. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. The “ Financial Times ” Income-Tax Guide. London : The Financial Times Limited. Price, 6d. net. “ Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, January-May, 1916”; “The Engineering Magazine” (Vol. 51, No. 5), August, price 25c.; “The Journal o£ State Medicine ” (Vol. 24, No. 8), August, price 2s. net; ‘‘ The American Coal Trade Bulletin ” (Vol. 35, No. 5), August; “The Journal of the Franklin Institute” (Vol. 182, No. 2), August; “The Journal of the Chemical, Metallurgical, and Mining Society of South Africa ” (Vol. 16, No. 10), May; “ Bulletin of the American Institute of Mining Engineers,” August; ‘‘Compressed Air Maga- zine ” (Vol. 21, No. 8), Aug.; “ Excerpt Minutes of Pro- ceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers ” (Vol. 201, Part 1, Session 1915-16) : “ Logarithmic Plotting of Align- ment Charts for Additive Expressions,” by Maj. C. E. P. Sankey; “ Some Causes of Rail Failure,” by W. C. Cushing; ‘‘Analytical and Experimental Investigation Relating to Centrifugal Pumps,” by H. Mawson; ‘‘The Mechanical Problem of Electric Power Transmission Line Conductors,” by A. T. Am all. CATALOGUES AND PRICE LISTS RECEIVED. Meldrums Limited (Timperley) announce that no fewer than 16,000 of their furnaces have been installed, and the illustrated brochure they issue shows the furnace in position for working. The principle utilised is that of the steam jet forced draught. The makers point out that a great deal of low-grade fuel, of no particular commercial value, can be burnt directly on steam boilers by means of this furnace, and they instance a recent installation for burning coal dust at a colliery. Provision is made for the prevention'of smoke. The all-round utility of the furnace is borne out by the fact that it can be fitted to any type of boiler, and that it is used in the most diverse industries. A folder issued by Messrs. Ed. Bennis and Company Limited (28, Victoria-street, Westminster) deals with the firm’s coal handling plant. Special attention is drawn to the demand for coal elevators, conveyors, etc., at all times, and especially in a period of labour scarcity. A large and comprehensive catalogue has been prepared in order to illus- trate every type of coal and ash handling plaint, with illus- trations of numerous installations carried out by the manu- facturers. Great flexibility, simplicity, and smallness of driving power required are among the points specified in the case of the conveyors. Hyatt roller bearings for machinery of every description are neatly catalogued by Messrs. Broom and Wade Limited (High Wycombe), who emphasise the advantage of the flexi- bility obtained by rollers formed from a strip of steel wound into a helix of uniform diameter. Generally speaking, the advantage is said to be in the more uniform distribution of the load as compared with ball bearings. The high-duty type is an interesting development, to which the catalogue devotes a number of its clearly-printed illustrations. The handbook is interesting even to those who prefer ball bearings. A “ Morris mail card ” from Messrs. Herbert Morris Limited (Empress Works, Loughborough) is a pictorial argu- ment in favour of Q.E.F. runways for the easy and econo- mical moving of heavy loads. ‘‘A lad can travel a ton 300 ft. a minute by hand,” says the card, and the illustrations are designed to show the ease of operation in various work- shops. The same firm send out another card relating to the ‘‘ Wedgelock ” hoist block, or self-sustaining rope pulley block, which holds the load up automatically at any point. The visit of Mr. Runciman to Italy is noted with great satisfaction by the Italian Press. It is hoped that this visit will result in the completion of the scheme of agreements which, it is understood, was initiated during the recent visit of Signor Carcano to London. The question of the coal supply still presses. Hard coal was selling in Rome at £9 4s. a ton last week, and it is very difficult at any price to get sufficient coal for the absolute needs of the country. The big drop in freights for coal shipped on account of the State Railways is gratefully acknowledged in Rome, and it is hopqd that it may be possible to find means of assuring a sufficient supply. The Italian Government has appointed a commission to settle the question of the price of gas. The Tribuna says that the gas companies have declared that they cannot carry out existing contracts, and must either close down or raise the price to cover the cost of production. The commission will examine the whole question, and fix the price. The price of gas has already risen all over Italy. At Milan, for instance, it has more than doubled. Barometers in Mines. — Tn order to protect the men employed underground from being caught unaware by an accumulation of explosive gases in the mines, the Lehigh Valley Coal Companv has installed at each of its 50 mines a barometer that will warn the men when to expect the outburst of gases, having found by experience that an increasing quantity of marsh gas is present in the mines during or just after the period of low atmospheric pressure. If the barometer falls below its normal, it is advisable for each foreman to keep a sharp watch on the instrument.