246

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

August 2, 1918.

lever having a plate or dial with the word “ men ” indi-
cated thereon. When the signal “ 3 ” is given, the recess
on circular ring or flange is in position to allow the bracket
on the swinging lever to drop, which lowers the plate
or dial with the word “ men ” thereon, indicating to the
attendant that men are about to be raised or lowered,
and it remains in that position until the cage has reached
its destination, when it automatically returns to its normal
position by any suitable arrangement worked from some
motion of the machinery in the engine room. A pointer
is keyed on to the end of the shaft where it projects
through the face dial. On this face dial there are indi-
cated the necessary signals such as ‘‘raise,” “lower,”
“stop,” “men,” and such like, with a certain number
opposite each. The pointer indicates on face dial the
nature of the signal given. Connected to the bell wire
or rope leading from the bottom of the shaft there is a
rod on which there is carried a pawl working on a pivot,
and which engages the teeth of the large ratchet wheel
according to the signal given, and a fork communicating
with and engaging the end of a piston rod of an adjustable
air or other pump, which operates an arrangement of
levers, the end of which acts as a means of preventing
the swinging lever with small bracket on “ men ” dial
from falling in or dropping down when not required. This
pump also controls the time limit between the signals
given. (Four claims.)

116567. Removing Coke from Retorts. Drakes Limited,
and J. W. Drake, Ovenden, Halifax, York.—In the dis-
charging of red-hot coke fi;om retorts or furnaces under
ordinary conditions, said red-hot coke is either slaked or
cooled within the retort house, or is carried therefrom
by continuously and slowly moving conveyors which de-
posit it in manner well known, and upon which said coke
is usually slaked, so that the action of the moisture there-
from have an undesirable deteriorating effect upon the
apparatus, as well as making the conditions within the
retort house almost unendurable to the workmen. To
obviate these undesirable features by depositing the coke
in its red-hot condition to the outside of the retort house,
where it may be received on such a prepared surface or
coke bench that it may be slaked or afterwards treated
as occasion may require, forms the subject matter of’
Patent No. 14565 of 1915. To make use of the same or
a similar arrangement of prepared surface or coke bench
for receiving the red-hot coke as quickly as possible after
same is discharged from the retort, by the employment
of conveying apparatus constructed and arranged in com-
bination therewith as hereinafter described, is the object
of the present invention. This combination and arrange-
ment consists of a comparatively quickly travelling vehicle
which runs upon rails or otherwise in front of the series
of retorts within the retort house, so that it may arrive
in an appropriate position relatively thereto to deposit
its said red-hot contents into another vehicle which also
may be actuated quickly to raise said red-hot coke and
deposit same upon the prepared surface described. This
prepared surface is so situated that the removal therefrom
of the coke after same has been slaked or cooled is readily
effected, while at the same time the slaking water, together
with the refuse from (or particles of coke washed away
with) it are under such conditions as to enable their
handling to be easily carried out. (Three claims.)

116578. Warning Signal Apparatus for Winding and
Haulage Machinery. T. D. Watson, 11, Market-street,
Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire.—This inven-
tion is for improvements in that type of signalling devices
for winding and haulage engines in which, when the
engine approaches the point at which steam must be shut
off and brakes applied, a visible mechanically controlled
signal is given, and when the engine is started, if the
reversing gear is in the wrong position, a warning is
given. By the invention the apparatus is much simplified.
The warning is given before the movement of engine is
started, and is always visible until the reversing gear has
been put in the right position for another wind. The
attendant has to keep his eye on one single point all the
time, instead of on several; the end of the wind is dis-
tinctly signalled, and the signal left conspicuously at
“ danger ” till the reversing gear has been actuated. Lastly,
the actual signalling is by simple horizontal sliding move-
ment of a screen, whereas with other apparatus very
much more complication is entailed. In winding, it is
very desirable that a danger signal shall be given at a
given point to the person in charge of the machinery, so
as to warn him that a certain predetermined point has
been reached by the top rope or bottom rope cage, so
that he can slow down, and also to warn him whether
the reversing gear is or is not in such a position that the
intended depth or height may not be exceeded, and the
invention consists essentially in the application of three
shields or screens, all being perforated, and one of them
armed with coloured glass, mica or the like, and super-
imposed, so that the lamp can only be seen when the
openings in the shields or screens coincide, and either a
green, red or white light can be exhibited, or white glass
could be used in place of green. It also has the well-known
pointer on a graduated circle in the winding room, whereby
the person in attendance can see at a glance the position
of the cage. (Nine claims.)

116679. Tool Bars for Miners' Tools. E. V. Rees,
Stoneleigh, Hillside, Pentre, Rhondda.—This invention
relates to tool bars, more particularly designed for locking
together thereon miners’ t&ols, but applicable to similarly
constructed tools for use in other industries. The present
method of locking together miners’ tools on tool bars is
to drill a hole through the handles of such tools (for
instance, picks, shovels, hatchets and the like), and through
these holes to pass the tool-bar, and then to lock it by
means of a key-operated lock. This arrangement, how-
ever, is found to be unsatisfactory, in that the miners
often lose their keys, and also that some miners have, at
times, keys which will not only open the locks on their
own tool bars, but will likewise open those on other men’s
tool bars, so leading to theft, or abstractions of tools not
belonging to them. The object of this invention is to
remedy this evil and to provide the tool bar with a key-
less locking device, thereby obviating the use and conse-
quent loss of keys, but which tool bar can be effectually
locked, so preventing theft or abstraction of the tools
carried thereon, while the said lock can as readily be
opened without the use of a key, and only by the rightful
owner. (Four claims.)

116680. Storage Bunkers and Compressing Apparatus
used in connection with Coke Ovens. Simon-Carves
Limited and S. Hunter, 20, Mount-street, Manchester.—
This invention relates to storage bunkers and compressing
apparatus used in connection with coke ovens for the
charging thereof.. It is usual to arrange the bunker be-
tween two batteries of ovens, and to so construct it that
the travelling feed boxes and the discharge ram can
pass therebelow. Hitherto, however, the compressing
machinery for compressing the charges in the feed boxes

has been arranged at either side of the storage bunkers
at the outside thereof, both chutes from the bunkers de-
livering outwards or in opposite directions. With such
arrangement it is necessary to employ travelling feed
boxes of opposite hand, and to arrange the compressing
machines so that the stamps which compress the coal
fed into the feed boxes from the bunker are at opposite
sides, with the result that each feed box can feed and
serve only at its particular side of the batteries. The
object of the present invention is to avoid this disad-
vantage by an improved feeding arrangement of the com-
pressing machines, which enables the employment of feed
boxes of only one hand that can serve at each side of
the batteries. According to the invention, one of the
compressing machines is arranged outside of the bunker
as usual, and the other is arranged inside of the bunker,
and both chutes deliver in the same direction. (Two
claims.)

HEW PATENTS CONNECTED WITH THE
COAL AND IRON TRADES.

Applications for Patents.

July 22 to 27 (inclusive).

[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.]

Anderson, R. K. Car couplings. (12158)

Archer, A. G., and Viola, E. F. Winches, etc. (12247)
Bint, F. C. Coal and gas economiser and heater. (12099)
Campion, G. F. Gas producers. (11969)

Climax Rock Drill and Engineering Works. Rock drilling
machines. (12199)

Compagnie Centrale d’Energie Electrique. Endless chain
grates. (12162)

Draper, F. R. Internal combustion engines. (12272)

Fowler, D., and Fowler, J. Electrically-driven motor or
engine. (12135)

Garroni, 0. Manufacture of explosives. (12243)

Grant, J. C. Raising water. (12131)

James, W. E. Internal combustion turbines or rotary
engines. (12181)

Jones, W. F. Electric resistances. (11984)

Kempt, A. R. Air, etc., compressing systems. (12029)
Laporte, G. de. Hydro-power systems. (12119)

Lloyd, G. Process for preparation of fuel oil from de-
hydrated tar. (12102)

Lord, J. E. C. Obtaining valuable products from blast-
furnace pitch. (12193)

McCaffery, J., and Tonner, M. Device for generating
gaseous fuel for heating or firing furnaces. (11989)

McKechnie, Sir J. Pumps. (12276)

Macrae, A., and Topp, W. B. Manufacture of fuel from
peat, lignite, etc. (12040, 12041)

May, F. M. Moulds for making coal cakes by hand.
(12062)

Napier and Son, D. Internal combustion engines. (12272)
Norrbom, E. Gas engines. (12010)

Parkinson, T., and Sneyd Collieries Limited. Means for
unloading or loading wagons, etc. (12180)

Pease, E. L. Heat treatment of coal, etc., for production
of oils, combustible gases, ammonia, etc. (12207)

Prat, L. Regulating temperature of gases in fans for
induced draught. (12280)

Rayner, G. H. T. Valve apparatus for rock drills, etc.

(11983)

St. Stepens, R. de H. Rock drilling machines. (12199)
Sinclair, J. Multiple system of water power. (11931)
Smith, T. A. Turbines and internal combustion engines.

(12284)

Smith, W. R. Automatic regulator for electric dynamos.
(12134)

Soc. Anon, des Ateliers Piccard, Pictet, et Cie. Explo-
sion motors. (12152)

Soc. Astra. Apparatus for lifting liquids by means of
compressed air. (12074)

Stenstrom, P. A. Rotary pump, blower, or exhauster of
the revolving cylinder type. (12004)

Summers, L. F. Mono-Cycle internal combustion engine.
(12228)

Tempest, C. H. Internal combustion engines. (12159)
Thomas, D. Couplings for colliery corves, etc. (11966)
Vickers Limited. Pumps. (12276)

Wallace, A. Utilisation of oil, etc., shales which in dis-
tillation produce by-products. (12250)

White, J. W. Aerial wire ropeways, cablew ays, conveyors,
etc. (12096)

Whyte, G. Surface condensers. (12116)

Wilson, A. Poking apparatus ’for gas producers, etc.
(12153)

Wright, D. Burners for liquid fuel. (11973)

Complete Specifications Accepted.

[Note.—The number following the application is that
which the specification will finally bear.]

(To be published on August 15.)

1917.

8664. Kirby, J. I. Mode of and means for forming blocks
from coal slack and the like. (117474)

8812. Babcock and Wilcox, Parker, A. E., Davy, C. 8.,
and Meiklereid, D. G. Air-supply fittings for
chain-grate stokers. (117476)

10264. Multiple Motors Limited and Lamplough, F. Tur-
bines. (117488)

10370. Svensson, J. A. Rotary pumps or engines.
(117493)

10409. James, T. S., Parry, E. H., and Wilson, T. H. Con-
struction of internal combustion engines.
(117495)

10468. O’Donnell, J. P. (Bonner, T. W.). Super-heated
steam engines and lubricators therefor. ( 117500)
12276. British Thomson-Houston Company (General Elec-
tric Company). Motor power systems. (117524)
12337. Hayes, W. H. Internal combustion engines.

(117525)

12850. Taylor, W. M. Gas-fired water heaters or steam
generators. (117529)

13407. Igranic Electric Company (Cutler-Hammer Manu-
facturing Company). Liquid rheostats. (117532)
13554. Bentley, G. H., and Appleby, E. G. Automatic
removal of ashes from gas generators or the
like. (117534)

15826. Hirst, H. Coal-cutting and similar machines.
(117552)

16514. Thomas, W., and Roderick, L. J. Means for
reversing the motion of pickling machines in
tin-plate works. (117555)

16871. Gull, A. ^E. Centrifugal pumps. (117558)

18445. Stirling, R. Method and apparatus for controlling
and pumping oil wells. (117567)

19166. Gaz Pauvre Economique. Vaporising apparatus of
gas producers. (112282)

1918.

1734. Simon-Carves Limited and Hunter, S. Settling
tonks for clarifying liquids. (117576)

4266. Sims, A. G. Machines for cutting, crushing, or
breaking coke, coal, and other material. (117585)

4993. Simon-Carves Limited and Hunter, S. Settling
tanks for clarifying liquids. (117576)

5761. White, J. W. Aerial wire ropeways. (117590)

6709.	Babcock and Wilcox, Parker, A. E., Davy, C. 8.,

and Meiklereid, D. G. Ash-plates for chain-
grate stokers. (117593)

6710.	Babcock and Wilcox, Parker, A. E., Davy, C. 8.,

and Meiklereid, D. G. Ash-doors for chain-
grate furnaces. (117594)

8383. Hamer, W. Steam generators. (117598)

Complete Specifications open to Public Inspection before
Acceptance.

[Note.—The number following the application is that
which the specification will finally bear.]

1918.

5981. Imhoff Motor Company Akt.-Ges. Two-stroke-
cycle internal combustion engines. (117602)

8739. Whyte, J. N. Means for tipping wagons and other
vehicles. (117606)

11696. Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon. Steam or gas engines.
(117632)

11741. American Linseed Company. Artificial fuel, and
methods of making same. (117634)

11742. American Linseed Company. Apparatus for pro-
ducing artificial fuel or other bodies from plastic
or viscous material. (117635)

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS.

*** Any of the following publications may be obtained
on application at this office at the price named post free.

Statutory Rules and Orders, 1918—No. 823 : Mines—
Coal Mines Act. Order Prescribing Qualifications of Sur-
veyors, price l|d.; No. 847: The Coal (Pit’s Mouth)
Prices (No. 2) Order, 1918, price l|d.; No. 848 : Defence
of Realm—The Coal Mines (War Wage Payment) Direc-
tions, 1918, price l^d. (London: Published by His
Majesty’s Stationery Office).

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Harvard Business Studies. No. 4 : “A Bibliography of
Municipal Utility, Regulations and Municipal Owner-
ship,” by Don Lorenzo Stevens, M.B.A. (published by
the Oxford University Press, Amen Corner, London,
E.C. 4), price 17s. net; “Monthly Bulletin of the
Canadian Mining Institute” (No. 75), July 1918; “The
Institution of Mining and Metallurgy Bulletin,” No. 166,
July 25, 1918 (published by the Institution of
Mining and Metallurgy, 1, Finsbury Circus, E.C. 2);
“ Chemical Engineering and Mining Review ” (Vol. 10,
No. 116), May, 1918, price 6d.; “ Journal of the
Franklin Institute ” (Vol. 186, No. 1, July 1918, single
numbers 50 cents; “Ministerio de Fomento—Boletin del
Cuerpo de Ingenieros de Minas del Peru No. 87”;
“ Ministerio de Fomento—Boletin Official de Minas y
Metalurgia (Ano 2-Num. 13); Junio 1918.

Yorkshire Colliery Amalgamation. — A provisional
arrangement has been arrived at for the amalgamation
of the New Silkstone and Haigh Moor Coal Company
Limited and the Wheldale Coal Company Limited, both
of Castleford. The combined yearly output of the two
companies is 1,750,000 tons, and between 5,000 and 6,000
men and boys are employed. The coal fields of the re-
spective collieries adjoin and overlap one another, and
considerable economies in future developments are expected
to accrue from joint working. The combination will be
managed by the present directors of the two companies.
The Wheldale Company amalgamated some years ago with
the Fryston Company. Hence the new company will have
three distinct collieries, all having connection with the
North Eastern Railway. The amalgamation is subject to
the consent of the Coal Controller and the Treasury.

Mr. C. Markham on Output Prospects.—Mr. Charles
Markham, in a letter published in The Times, draws atten-
tion to the reduction in coal output of the country, and
to the effect of the Fuel and Lighting Order on the supplies
for household and domestic purposes during the coming
winter. Among other matters he mentions the following
ing: “ At a time when it is almost impossible to obtain
materials for the ordinary carrying on of a colliery, we
are pressed to provide dust-proof tubs or corves for con-
veying coal to the pit bottom. These would have to be
made of steel; it is impossible to obtain steel, and yet
colliery owners and managers are worried day after day
to carry out a regulation which, good in itself, cannot
be dealt with during existing conditions. A winding rope
or haulage rope cannot be ordered without a permit. The
Coal Mines Act provides that winding ropes should be
taken off after they have been running 3| years, and
although there are scores of instances where ropes during
the last three years have not done half the work that
they did prior to the war, yet, although perfectly good,
they have to be taken off, while at the same time it is almost
impossible to obtain the necessary ropes to keep in stock
in order to provide for replacements in case of an accident
arising. Our officials have been combed out and our staffs
reduced, and yet we have forms and orders to fill in which
practically take the manager the whole of his time in
clerical work, instead of being able to attend to his duties
underground. Owing to the war, timber has become
scarcer and scarcer, and the price is enormous. As an
instance : A colliery that I am intimately connected with
had a pre-war cost for timber on 1,000,000 tons of output
of £16,000 per annum; the present cost is £75,000 per
annum. The Act has a provision with regard to timbering
which necessitates very long timber being used. It was
impossible to get timber of the necessary strength, and
steel girders were substituted; now we cannot get the
necessary steel girders, and yet what are termed the
‘ passbyes ’ have still to be maintained at the same width,
although the safety of the workman is not increased
one iota thereby. Without coal we cannot win this
war, and the output of coal is going to 'continue
to fall unless some relaxation of the hours of working,
in the first place, is voluntarily agreed to, and, in the
second place, the restrictions with regard to the ordering
of materials and machinery are removed, and, further,
the irritating and hampering control which is now imposed
upon colliery owners is withdrawn and the trade allowed
to manage itself. The Government can deal with the
profits as they like over and above a reasonable standard
based upon pre-war figures, but the profits are going
to disappear altogether unless something is done.”