1208 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN December 10, 1915. 39, so as to bring the said member back to position again after being moved. (Six claims.) 23189 ((1914). Improvements in Apparatus for Charging Electrical Accumulators. H. F. Joel, senr., of 74, Windsor - road, Forest Gate, Essex. — Relates to improvements in apparatus for charging electric accumulators or storage batteries having a switch so arranged that the introduction of the accumulator opens the switch and allows the current to pass through the accumulator. According to the invention, an equivalent resistance is arranged in conjunction with the switch, which resistance is automatically cut out of the circuit when making the connections to the cells, and is restored to FIGJ3J ❖ H 07$ FIG.2. FIG.I. the circuit when the cell is withdrawn, thus enabling a number of cells to be charged without adjustment; and the invention also consists in making the resistance of an insu- lated wire coiled round an iron core to form an electro- magnet, and utilising the properties of such electro-magnet to make a firmer contact, and special means for safeguarding the cell from being placed with reversed polarity in the circuit. Fig. 1 is a front elevation, and figs. 2 and 3 are sectional side elevations showing the invention as used in charging a cell. (Eleven claims.) pCOOQi 23858 (1914). Improvements in or relating to Miners' Safety Lamps. W. Best, of Providence House, New Park- street, Morley, near Leeds, Yorkshire. — In oil illuminated miners’ safety lamps of the shielded type, wherein the upper part of the lamp frame is fitted with a cylindrical! metallic shield or bonnet, enclosing the lamp gauze or gauzes, it is found that the heat generated within the lamp has the effect of causing the lamp bonnet to become so hot as to render it incapable of being taken hold of by the hand, while the sus- pending or carrying hook of the lamp situated in the roof of the bonnet also becomes heated through the same cause to such an extent as to be uncomfortable to handle. The object of the invention is to provide means whereby the upper body portion of the lamp and also its carrying hook shall be rendered capable of being taken hold of by the hand without discomfort to the user. Outside the ordinary bonnet of the lamp a second or supplementary bonnet is provided, of such an increased diameter as to leave between itself and the inner bonnet an annular space extending throughout the entire depth of the latter, while the outer bonnet is left open top and bottom so as to allow atmospheric air to circulate freely through the space between the said inner and outer bonnets, by which the outer bonnet itself is always kept perfectly cool, and so rendered capable of being handled without discomfort; while between the roof of the inner bonnet and the carrying hook of the lamp is provided a disc of non-conducting material, whereby the said hook is always kept perfectly cool, and so rendered capable of being handled with ease. The accompanying drawing shows an example of construction applied to a miner’s safety lamp. (Four claims.) 22663 (1914). Improvements in Ferro-Concrete Linings for Pits, Shafts, Tunnels, and the like. H. P. T. Lind, d c * ' ....- --- A "—r a c i A of 40, Lawn-crescent, Kew Gardens, Surrey.—Relates to con- crete blocks applicable to the lining of pits, shafts, tunnels, or the like, and to arches, retaining walls, or like structures, and refers to segmental blocks of the kind formed with lateral projections and recesses, so that they can be fitted one to the other. The invention consists in a brick or block, or a lining made up of a number of blocks, said block or blocks having end portions, the sum of the length of which is equal to the central portion, the end portions being similarly grooved on their lateral faces, and the grooves being co-ter- minous with projecting ribs on the central portion, which ribs are supplemental to (equivalent in size, shape, and location in regard to the cross section) said grooves on the end portions. Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a side elevation and plan of a block in the form of a segment of a circle, and particularly suitable for forming tubular linings; figs. 3 and 4 are cross sections taken on the central and end portions respectively; figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating suitable reinforcements for the central and end portions respectively; fig. 7 is a side view or diagram illustrating the reinforcement of the whole block. (Six claims.) 23955 (1914). Improvements in connection with Coal- Cutting Machines. F. W. Hurd, of Raith View, Bothwell, Lanarkshire. — Relates to coal-cutting machines of the Hurd ” reciprocating and rotating cutter bar type. Accord- ing to the invention, the cutter bar, reciprocated by the usual mechanism, is rotated from a lay shaft parallel with it through spur gearing, or by spur gearing through an intermediate pinion, or through spur and silent chain gearing, the whole being enclosed within the usual rotatable gear box carrying the cutter bar and swinging with it. The lay shaft is, of course, driven by the usual bevel gearing from the motor shaft, and it is apparent that the lay shaft may be at an angle to the cutter bar shaft, though in parallel planes if skew gearing is used between the lay shaft and the cutter bar shaft. Since the over-all diameter of a spur wheel is less than that of a bevel wheel of equal strength, the use of the gearing described fulfils the conditions to enable the cut to be made either above or below the highest or lowest point of the gear case. - Fig. 1 is an end elevation, and fig. 2 a longi- tudinal vertical section thereof. (Two claims.) NEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Applications for Patents. 16781. Electric generator or motor. W. H. F. Murdoch. 16805. Grinding machines. W. F. Fischer. 16832. Method and means or combination of apparatus for generating power. F. N. Maude. 16835. Process for freezing water-bearing strata in boring operations and the like. A. Notzny. 16879. Automatic weight-indicating apparatus. W. and T. Avery Limited and C. M. Sykes. 16891. Coal gas generating method and apparatus. A. E. White. (Riter-Conley Manufacturing Company, United States.) 16900. Cables for the distribution of electrical power. J. H. Bowden and H. F. J. Thompson. 16912. Detachable bit for mining drills. B. F. Howell. 16919. Pumps. Hick, Hargreaves and Company Limited, and J. Gunn. 16952. Treating peat and utilising the products obtained. J. Hargreaves. 16968. Rope testing machines. A. N. Faulkner. 16971. Boring, turning, and cutting-off machine for the use of engineers and others. E. J. Pellow. 16980. Nuts, bolts, screws, stoppers, and similar fastening devices. J. Mason. 17000. Audible signal devices. International Electric Company Limited, and R. G. Le Noir. 17009. Compressed air and other fluid-pressure operated hand . tools, pumps, and the like. F. Gilman and G. F. Clements. 17010. Apparatus for the reception and transmission of sound and mechanical vibrations. J. Gardner. 17036. Signalling devices. L. J. Graham and Graham and Latham Limited. 17046. Pumps. W. J. Grimshaw and A. P. Symonds. 17045. Production of gas. L. D. Carroll. (John M. Rusby, United States.) 17046. Gas making apparatus. L. D. Carroll. (Owen Brooke Evans, United States.) 17081. Process and apparatus for purifying blast furnace gases. Dortmund er Bruckenbau C. H. Jucho and F. Haring. 17091. Carrying, wire engaging and releasing devices, particularly adapted for use with conveyors using travelling wires or cables. V. W. Sinton. Complete Specifications Accepted. (To be published on December 23.) 1914. 19227. Coupling for ropes, cords, or the like. Battersby. 23569. Tube joints. Vulcan Foundry Limited and Colling- wood . 23735. Chain pumps. Grant and Jarvis. 24426. Means for breaking down clinker in gas producers and furnaces. Gill, Donald, and Jenkinson. 1915. 702. Interlocking valve gear for use with steam super- heaters. McPhie. 1612. Electric spark quenching apparatus. Goby. 3041. Miners’ safety lamps. John Davis and Son (Derby) Limited, and Davis. 3228. Air compressing or the like pumps. Parkes. 3419. Electric signalling systems. Stern. 5198. Gas and liquid fuel economising valves. Symes (Fuel Economiser Company.) 5759. Pit prop or the like. Job Edwards Limited and Beard. 13487. Controllers for gas fires. Grafton. 15753. Apparatus for ascertaining the direction of boreholes. Carlson and Bergstrom. GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS. *** Any of the following publications may be obtained on application at this office at the price named post free. Consular and Trade Reports : French Congo, 1912-13, 2d.; Portugal, Angola, 1914, 2d.; Persia, Isfahan, 1913-14, 4d.; Netherlands Trade, 1914, 4|d.; Norway Trade, 1914, 2d. ; Venezuela, Caracas, 1913-14, 4d.; Italy, Rome, 1914, 2d.; Tongan Islands Protectorate, 1914-15, 2d. Dominion Royal Commission : Memorandum and Tables relating to the Food and Raw Material Requirements of the United Kingdom, Is. 4d. Statutory Rules and Orders, 1915 : (No. 1080) Customs Order re Netherlands, l|d. Companies of Enemy Character Bill, Id. Trade and Navigation Returns for November, Is. lid. Boiler Explosion Report : (No. 2393) At Barrow Collieries, Barnsley, 5|d. EXPLOSIONS IN MINES COMMITTEE : Seventh Report; Effects of Inhaling Dusts Applicable for Stone Dusting in Coal Mines. By Dr. J. S. Haldane [Cd. 8122], CATALOGUES AND PRICE LISTS RECEIVED. Messrs. Henry Garner Limited (Birmingham) have for- warded a tastefully executed folder on their commercial motor lorries, with specifications of chassis ranging from 30 cwt. to 6 tons, and calling attention to the prominent features, including the David Brown worm drive, “ Everlasting ” foolproof gear box, irreversible steering, etc. We have received from the Brush Electrical Engineering Company Limited (Loughborough) a copy of the “ Brush Budget ” for October, describing and illustrating the Brush- Ljungstrom steam turbine combined with alternating generator, as installed at the St. Pancras Borough Council power house, Loughborough municipal power station, and Luton Corporation power house. An interesting illustration shows a 2,800 kw. turbine and generator superimposed on the one foundation — a condition only rendered possible by extreme freedom from vibration. Messrs. Henry Crowther and Sons Limited (Cleckheaton, Yorkshire) have forwarded us their new illustrated catalogue giving full details of their many appliances for the complete transmission of power. They direct special attention to their self-oiling plummer blocks, as highly economical and efficient bearings. Turned steel shafts are stocked in sizes 1 in. to 8 in. diameter, and lengths up to 30 ft. Wrought iron pulleys are also well presented in the catalogue, which gives full details of sizes, etc.,, and, in addition, contains some very useful notes and rules necessary to firms erecting machinery, also tables giving decimal equivalents, and the conversion of imperial to metric weights, measures, etc. The General Electric Company Limited (67, Queen Victoria - street, E.C.) have forwarded a copy of their catalogue on the Migas ” detector (Philip and Steele’s patent), which is stated to detect as little as 0-02 per cent, of firedamp in mine air, and up to 3 per cent., the reading taking only 15 seconds, whereas about 48 hours are generally required in obtaining the results of chemical tests. The “ Naked Light Migas ” form is designed for high accuracy between the limits of 0 and 1 per cent, of gas in pits where naked lights are allowed. The same firm also send a catalogue on the com- bined steam heater and electric propeller fan system, con- sisting of a battery of cast iron gilled radiators in a strong sheet steel casing surmounted by an electric fan, which blows air down through the heater. Both high- and low-pressure units are supplied. Messrs. Frank Pearn and Company Limited (Manchester) send us an attractive pamphlet dealing with the “ Pearn- Richards ” machine, which, originally designed for facing pipe flanges, has proved to be highly adaptable for such varied operations as surfacing, boring, milling, drilling, and tapping. In its improved form, the universal machine has several features to commend it, viz., the sturdy character of the general design, the ample bearing surfaces of the main spindle, the wide variations in cutting speeds with high-gear purchase, the facilities for easy control, the means for readily dealing with awkward internal jobs, the tapping device, and the extended milling attachment and stay. For a general description of this versatile machine, which seems to be more than human in its adaptability, we must refer the reader to the booklet, which gives full information on every essential point. The standard machine is made in four sizes, with diameters of spindle pulley from 15 to 20 in., and belt widths from 4 to 5| in. The London Coal Exchange Ambulance Car.—On Monday, on the London Coal Market, a detachment of the No. 15 Branch of the City of London Red Cross Society, led by Commandant Davies, attended to receive from members of the London coal trade the new ambulance car recently sub- scribed for by the members of the coal trade. Mr. Geo. C. Locket, J.P., made the presentation, and Mr. J. G. Priestley (of the Inland Colliery Owners’ Subscription Room) sup- ported. Commandant Davies, on behalf of the Red Cross Society, accepted the gift, and stated in the course of his address that already 70,000 of the wounded had, in various ways, been assisted by the City of London ambulance cars, and the splendid work of the society was still progressing, and as urgently needed as ever. Mr. Stanley Carr (the originator of the movement, and who was largely instru- mental in obtaining the subscriptions) also received a hearty reception when he rose to say a few words. The car was open for inspection at the door of the Exchange, and two members of the London coal trade acted as motor drivers, and piloted the car through the busy streets. The total cost was about £500, but as the subscription list amounted to over £700 it was decided to hand over the balance for maintenance and upkeep. There is a suitable brass plate on the car, detailing the presentation and naming it “ The London Coal Exchange.”