Aug. 17, 1888.] 



SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



167 



RECENT INVENTIONS. 



The following list has been compiled especially for the Scientific 

 News by Messrs. W. P. Thompson and Boult, Patent Agents, of 

 323, High Holborn, London, W.C. ; Newcastle Chambers, Angel 

 Row, Nottingham ; Ducie Buildings, Bank Street, Manchester; 

 and 6, Lord Street, Liverpool. 



Drink. — A method of converting sea-water into a 

 palatable drink has been patented by Mr. G. S. Hazle- 

 hurst. To accomplish this an effervescent such as lemon 

 kali and a corrective such as bismuth are mixed with 

 sea-water, the result being a refreshing saline beverage 

 that may be drunk during effervescence without causing 

 after-thirst. The bismuth is used to counteract the pur- 

 gative effect of the sea-water, and it also acts as a 

 sedative. 



Preserving Fish. — A method of preserving fish has 

 been patented by Mr. A. R. Roosen. Instead of cover- 

 ing the fish when packed, first with an antiseptic powder, 

 and then with ice, as is usually done, they are packed 

 with an antiseptic, in a frozen state, which more effectually 

 preserves them. To prepare this antiseptic ice, the 

 water is first sterilized by boiling it with steam ; the 

 desired antiseptic is then added, and the solution frozen 

 as quickly as possible. The strength of the solution may 

 be varied. 



Football Inflater. — A football inflater has been 

 patented by Mr. W. Fraser. The invention relates to a 

 portable apparatus, and consists essentially of a combined 

 plunger and air-chamber, working telescopically within 

 an open-ended cylinder, with a coiled spring disposed 

 between the bottom of the latter and a recess formed 

 within the inner end of the former. The combined 

 plunger, air-chamber, and cylinder are provided with 

 valves respectively, the cylinder valve being at the 

 entrance of the pipe of an outlet nozzle. The return 

 movement of the piston is effected by a coiled spring 

 placed between the underside of a cap on the end of a 

 piston-rod and a bridge carried across the open mouth 

 of the cylinder. 



Cameras. — A shutter for photographic cameras has 

 been patented by Mr. A. S. Newman. This shutter is 

 made in two parts, which open inwardly on upright 

 hinges at each side of the shutters, being arranged 

 somewhat after the manner of a double casement window, 

 and where the edges of same meet in the middle they 

 are formed so that in shutting they overlap one another 

 so as to make a light-tight joint, and in addition are 

 padded at such joint, andjalso at the top and bottom, so as 

 to ensure a light-tight fitting all round, the hinges being 

 placed behind projecting flanges all round the opening. 

 This shutter is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder and 

 loose piston therein, actuated by the operator with a com- 

 pression-ball and tube. 



Bicycles. — A rear-driving safety bicycle has been 

 patented by Mr. C. Grant. This machine is so constructed 

 that it can be ridden by females in ordinary dress. The 

 backbone proper is kept on a level with a horizontal line 

 through the centre of the back wheel, so as to keep it as 

 low as possible, except near the front wheel, where it 

 curves upwardly and is jointed to the front wheel 

 standard. The seat standard is secured to the backbone 

 :lose to the back wheel, and the treadle shaft is situated 

 immediately beneath this standard. No stay is placed 



between the seat standard and the steering standard, 

 and the portion of the backbone between the latter and 

 the seat standard must be of sufficient length to afford 

 ample room for a lady to enter between the same. 



Electric Switch. — An appliance for making and 

 breaking an electric circuit has been patented by Mr. 

 H. K. Read. The switch employed in this invention 

 consists of a centre spindle carrying a pair of cross-arms 

 arranged so that one is immediately above another, and 

 such that the extremities thereof are capable of em- 

 bracing the contact pieces, the grip being capable of 

 regulation by means of bolts and nuts near the extremities. 

 To ensure a very quick " break," the handle is made in- 

 dependent in movement from the arms; its motion is 

 conveyed to the arms through the intermediate action ot 

 a V-shaped spring, the two forks being pressed upon by 

 pins on the collar, and the other end screwed down to 

 the blade. Thus when the friction of the "contact " is 

 absent the arm flies round very rapidly, the spring 

 having been compressed before forcing the arms from 

 the contacts. 



Musical Instrument. — A musical instrument has 

 been patented by Mr. S. J. Talbot. The instrument is 

 played by strings, and the resonant chamber is con- 

 structed of wood. To the back-board of the chamber is 

 glued the curved front and the top and bottom pieces. 

 The front board is provided with sound openings, and 

 strings are stretched from top to bottom along the curved 

 upper surface of the chamber, firmly secured at the 

 bottom in any manner, and at the top attached to pins 

 adapted to be turned by a key, so as to tune each string 

 to the required pitch. The top of the front board is pro- 

 vided with a raised portion, on which is laid a curved 

 upper bridge of metallic wire. A lower bridge is placed 

 diagonally across the face of the instrument, and also 

 consists of metallic wire. Below the lower bridge 

 each string is secured by a small staple. Fifteen strings 

 are usually employed, and the curve of the front board 

 is such that a bow may be drawn easily across any 

 string without touching the next. The instrument is 

 made tapering, and in playing the bow is drawn across 

 the strings between the two bridges. 



Photographic Film. — Mr. J. Brown has patented a 

 photographic film. The invention relates to the prepara- 

 tion of gelatine on a temporary flexible support, which 

 is finally removed after the photographic image is 

 obtained either in its monochromatic state or after 

 colours have been applied. The film is formed as 

 follows : — A sheet of paper is taken and coated with 

 gelatine rendered insoluble, when this is dry another 

 coating of indiarubber is laid upon it, to which is added 

 a mineral oil, and when this is dry it is coated with a 

 solution of cotton wool prepared with acid and dissolved 

 in ether and alcohol. After this has dried it is again 

 coated with a solution of gelatine, and on this surface is 

 placed a layer of bromide of silver emulsion. This 

 bromide emulsion surface is ready to receive the mono- 

 chromatic photographic image ; for the polychromatic image 

 colours are placed at the surface of the monochromatic 

 image before the film of gelatine and gums is removed 

 from its flexible support. After the colours are dry the 

 film is transferred to a rigid support and the flexible one: 

 removed. 



