January 3, 1913. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN 43 capacity of the apparatus increased, but when the material is of a friable nature it is not so liable to be broken up. The object of the invention is attained by twisting the parts of the bed of the sieve between the longitudinally-arranged slots transversely, so that the top edge of one side of each slot is brought down to the level, or approximately the level of the bottom edge of the other side of the slot, i.e., to the level of the under surface of the plate, which reduces the actual thickness of the sides of the slots to a minimum, and thereby renders the possibility of any of the material getting fast in the slots more remote. Figs. 1 and 2 are broken views in longitudinal section and plan respectively of a sieve constructed according to the invention ; fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section on an enlarged scale of one of the slotted plates; fig. 4 is a broken view in plan of one of the slotted plates ; and fig. 5 is a transverse section on line x x fig. 4. (Two claims.) 4095 (1912). Improvements in Conveyors for Coalmining and like use. F. W. Hurd, of Baith View, Bothwell, Lanark- shire.—This invention has for its object to provide a conveyor for use in coalmines and other confined and obstructed situations which is readily transferable from place to place in the workings, practically without dis- memberment, and which is essentially flexible in the sense that without structural alterations it may be arranged for working in passages obstructed by pit props or the like, and may be moved from place to place amongst them without disturbing them as the working face or other part it serves advances. A conveyor made according to the invention comprises in combination an endless rope or a rope joined together by shackles or links, and which is effectively endless, a series of buckets or tubs attached thereto by flexible means such as wire ropes or chains, a power-operated driving pulley on a vertical axis and of any of the well-known automatic grip forms, the guiding flange (or TZ flanges) of which is gapped starwise to pass the bucket or tub-attaching devices, and one or more guide pulleys upon vertical axes and with their lower flanges similarly gapped. There may be combined with the driving pulley, or driven by the same means, a drum carrying a rope for use in transferring the main rope with its buckets or tubs as hereinafter explained. Any convenient or usual means for tipping the buckets may be employed. Fig. 1 is a plan showing diagrammatically the improved conveyor at a coal face. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the driving end of the conveyor, whilst fig. 4 is an elevation of the guide pulley. Fig. 5 is a section of part of the driving pulley, and figs. 6 and 7 side elevations of two examples of the buckets. Fig. 8 is a plan, fig. 9 a side elevation, and fig. 10 a trans- verse section showing an example of tipping mechanism; whilst fig. 11 is a side elevation of a detail used therein. (Three claims.) 16864 (1912). Improved Jigger or Sorting Machine for Coarse and Finer Ores, Coal and Other Substances. K. Hirtz and A. Krahe, both of Wurselen (Aix-la-Chapelle district), Bhine Province, Germany. — This invention particularly relates to that type of jigger which has two divisions separated 'from each other by a partition and in which materials of different weight are collected separately. The essential feature of the invention with regard to the hitherto known arrangements is the construction and arrangement of the pendulum. The axis of the latter is | arranged so as to pass in known manner through the central longitudinal axis of the trough and underneath the parti- tion which separates the divisions. The part of tne trough in which the pendulum swings is of known semi-circular cross section and the length of the pendulum blade corre- sponds to the radius of the trough. Contrary to the known devices, the pendulum blade is arranged above a collecting chamber which is common to both divisions, and which has ■S&S K- an outlet slot adapted to be covered by the pendulum blade when at its central position. Finally, there are curved or shovel-shaped grate bars provided designed to carry a sieve or sieves of improved shape so as to closely follow the curve taken by the flow of the water under the action of the pendulum. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section on line A—B of fig. 3 ; fig. 2 is a vertical section on line C—D of fig. 3 ; and fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line E—F of fig. 1. (Four claims.) 17343 (1912). Improvements in Devices for Igniting Blasting Fuses. A. Lohmeyer, of 72, Mark-lane, London.— This invention relates to a device of the type described in the Specification to Letters Patent No. 15885 of 1897, the said device consisting of a paper holder or sheath in the form of a tube closed at one end by folding in a portion of the tube, which folded portion is then held together by means of a ring. Through the closed end of the tube is passed a length of wire having its inner end spirally wound and enclosed in a friction cap disposed within the tube, the outer end of the wire being looped to form a handle where- by the wire is pulled to fire the friction cap and thereby ignite the fuse over which the tube or sheath has been I placed. In the present invention the sheath is provided with a clip whereby the fuse is tightly secured in the sheath, and the wire furnished with a cylindrical member which is capable of use as a plug by being inserted in the open end of the sheath so as to prevent the ingress of dust or other substance, and which on being withdrawn from the sheath serves as a handle and affords a firm hold for the fingers when the wire is pulled to effect the ignition o^ the fuse. Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the device and shows the sheath closed ; fig. 2 is a view similar to fig. 1 showing the sheath attached to the fuse; and fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device. (One claim.) 20302 (1912). Improvements in and relating to Pneumatic Locks for Miners* Electric or Oil Safety Lamps and Means for Actuating such Locks. E. A. Hailwood, of 7, Gladstone- terrace, Morley, near Leeds, Yorkshire.—This invention • relates to improvements in and relating to pneumatic locks for miners’ safety lamps, whether oil or electric, and means for actuating such locks. Fig. 1 represents one form of pneumatic lock; fig. 2 represents another form of pneumatic lock showing air-admitting means; fig. 3 represents a pneumatic lock with air-admission arrangements at the side; fig. 3* is an enlarged detail of part of fig. 3; fig. 4 represents a lock with air channels and modified lock; fig. 5 represents a lock with modified air channels ; fig. 5* represents a view of a lock having a pivoted hooked lock bolt; fig 6 represents a plan of an apparatus for actuating the lock; fig. 6* represents sectional plan of air valve on the opening apparatus; and fig. 7 represents an elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus shown in fig. 6. In carrying this invention into effect a lock bolt is employed adapted to engage lock racks, recesses or the like, and the same is actuated pneumatically, and such lock bolt (which may be spring acting, and sliding, pivoted or hooked), arranged in such wise that the mechanism may not readily be tampered with. In connection with the lock bolt suitable guarded inlet apertures or ports are arranged, which may be placed in connection with a suitable plain screwed or perforated noze, nozzle or like. Such nozzle is connected to a high-pressure compressed air receiver in such wise that on introducing the nozzle into the parts or on pressing back spring-operated blocks in connection with the ports or nozzles, a valve is opened so that compressed air may be allowed to enter the mechanism and release the bolt. The air normally in the lock mechanism, or leaking past the piston, is allowed to escape from the mechanism through suitable guarded ports which are inaccessible to the miner, so that there is no possibility of sucking the lock open* (Twenty claims.) 19330 (1911). Improvements in and relating to Wet Car- bonising of Peat and the like. T. Bigby, Station Hotel Dumfries, N.B., and N. Testrup, of 6, Broad-street-place’ London, E.C.—This invention relates to a method and apparatus for wet carbonising peat and the like by a process such as referred to in the Application No. 6041 of 1910. According to the invention the carboniser may be heated to a predetermined temperature and maintained thereat with- I out difficulty and without risk of local over-heating. The- invention consists in furnishing the necessary heat to one or more wet carbonising elements by means of steam under suitable conditions as to pressure and temperature, the tube or tubes preferably being enclosed in a boiler shell, and steam admitted and distributed directly against them. Fig. 1 is a part sectional side elevation and fig. 2 an end elevation. (Five claims.) NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. 28868. Hygrometers or instruments for ascertaining the degree of moisture contained in the air. F. Hellige. 28870. Belt pulley. J. A. Williamson. 28906. Bo tar y pumps. Siemens Bros. Dynamo Works Limited. 28928. Collapsible or telescopic crane for use on steam or petrol wagons or vans to be worked by the power of the said steam or petrol wagon. C. H. Harvey. 28930. Engine starting-apparatus. P. M. Justice. 28932. Screens or separators. J. C. Clark. 1 28933. Pulverising mills. J. C. Clark. 28936. Gas-producers. A. Franks and G. Sanders. 28958. Grinding carbonaceous and other substances. J. Clark. 28960. Siemens-Martin furnaces. K. Albert. 28972. Coal tar and the like hydrocarbon distillation. J. Bosen. 28973. Conversion of coal tar, petroleum residues, creosote, schist oils and the like into pitch. J. Bosen. 28993. Steam-boiler furnaces. J. T. Thornton. 29025. Miners’ electric lamps. J. Morrison and B. S. Greenhalgh. (Continued on page 46.)