History of Mechanical Inventions^ ^c. 359 



Art. XXXIV.— history OF MECHANICAL INVENTIONS, 

 AND PROCESSES IN THE USEFUL ARTS. 



1. Aceount oj a Sea Couch for preventing Sea'Sickness, By Mr S. Pkatt, 



New Bond Street. 

 The object of this ingenious invention is to construct an elastic or swing- 

 ing seat, couch, or bed, for preventing the uneasy motions of a ship or 

 a carriage. To effect this, the frame of the seat or couch is suspended on 

 jimbals or joints, turning at right angles to each other, and an elasticity 

 is produced both in the seat or cushion, and in the swinging-frame, by 

 the use of spiral metal springs. These springs are made by twisting steel 

 or iron wire into the form of an hour-glass, that is, like two cones united 

 ' at their apices. The lower points of these springs are to be sewn to the 

 canvas or webbing, and their upper parts secured in their proper situa- 

 tions and erect positions by pack-thread or small cords, tied or braced from 

 one to the other, crossing like a net. On the tops of these springs the usual 

 covering of canvas is laid, and then a thin layer of horse hair or wool, upon 

 which the outer covering is fitted. 



Mr Newton, the editor of the London Journal of Arts and Sciences, 

 and a competent judge, has actually used this invention in a voyage across 

 the channel, and in a journey in a jolting diligence to Paris, and found it 

 to answer its purpose completely. He judiciously proposes that a number 

 of the seats should be let out for hire at Dover, Brighton, Holyhead, and 

 Liverpool, Glasgow, and London. — Journal of the Arts, May 1827, p. 117. 



2. Notice of Mr Perkins's Steam Engine. 

 We 9re informed by Mr Newton that he has repeatedly seen this 

 engine in action since his last notice of it. (See this Journal, No. xii. 

 p. 338,) and that it gives great satisfaction to those who have visited it. 

 The following testimonial has been given respecting it, for some private 

 purpose, by several respectable engineers, whose names he does not pub- 

 lish. '' We, the undersigned, having made ourselves practically acquainted 

 with Perkins's high pressure safety steam engine, do not hesitate to state 

 that he has established the following new and important facts in the con- 

 struction of his engine. 1^^, Absolute safety. 2d, Greater economy in 

 fuel than in any other engine hitherto invented. M, The removal of all 

 the reaction of the steam and atmospheric air on the eduction side of the 

 piston, without the necessity of an air-pump, ^th, A new and simple 

 flexible metallic piston, requiring no oil or lubrication whatever. 6th, A 

 reduction of three-fourths of their weight and bulk, by very much sim- 

 plifying certain complicated parts of steam engines, and substituting a 

 very simple eduction valve for the one commonly used both for eduction 

 and induction, by which means a reduction is made in the size of the en- 

 gine ; a saving of power is effected, and a diminution of friction ; less wear 

 and tear occurs, and less destructibility of materials ; and lastly, the joints, 

 by Mr Perkins's peculiar mode of connecting, are more easily made secure 



