revolve, by means of a pulley and band, or winch, affixed to the outer part of its axle.

The upper portion of the cylindrical vessel b, b, is made to open upon a hinge-joint at e, for the purpose of allowing the caoutchouc to be readily introduced into the cylindrical vessel; and when that has been done, the cover, or moveable portion of the cylindrical vessel, is shut down, and confined by a lever-clamp f, which is made fast by handscrews. The caoutchouc, which should be cut into small pieces, being in a sufficient quantity in the cylindrical vessel, steam, or hot air, is admitted by a pipe g, into the box a, and any condensation may be drawn off by another pipe, furnished with a cock z. Rotary motion is now to be given to the roller c, by the action of which, aided by the heat, the caoutchouc will soon become soft and plastic ; the hair or other fibrous substances are then introduced through an opening h, in the cover, in small quantities at a time; and also the pitch, shellac, or other bituminous and earthy matters; when, by the action of the revolving roller and the heat, these materials soon become perfectly incorporated with the caoutchouc, and assume the form of one adhesive mass.

The proportions of these materials, so incorporated, must depend upon the quality of the fabric required to be produced. For the sheathing of ships' bottoms, fifteen pounds of good caoutchouc are introduced into the cylindrical vessel; to this is added one pound of pitch or other bituminous matter, and one pound of black resin, with half a pound of shellac, or other resinous matter, and half a pound of brimstone, which are to be finely powdered and mixed, and then introduced in small quantities at a time. During the time that this operation is going on, a quantity of cow's hair, or hair of any other description, is introduced into the cylindrical vessel; this supply is continued as long as the plastic materials within will take up the hair into the mass. About three pounds of hair are found to be sufficient; and the operation of mastication being carried on for about one hour, will bring these materials into a fit state for the next process, viz., that of roll

rolling it out into sheets. For this purpose, a pair of heavy hollow rollers are provided; these rollers are to be heated, (say to about 100° Fahrenheit,) by the introduction of steam, hot water, or other means; the incorporated mass of caoutchouc, &c., is then taken from the cylinder, and passed several times between these spreading rollers; their distance apart being adjusted, occasionally, as the process goes on, by screws or otherwise, for the purpose of bringing them closer together, and gradually spreading the material out into a sheet, so as to reduce it to about the thickness of an inch in substance; after which, it is covered on each side with a layer or sliver of carded hair, and again passed between the rollers. This coating of carded hair, and the rolling, is repeated, until a further quantity of about fortyeight pounds of hair has been incorporated in the whole mass, and the sheet, so formed, is, by rolling and spreading, reduced to about one-twentieth of an inch in thickness.

These quantities of materials, so operated upon, will be spread out to a superficial area of very considerable extent, and may now be cut into sheets, of such dimensions and forms as may be required.

In adapting this manufacture to the production of sheets of fabric, suited to the covering of roofs of buildings, and some of the other purposes above contemplated, the same mode of operation, as above set out, is employed; but, for these purposes, the patentee uses wool, and any other fibrous materials finer than hair; to these fibrous and adhesive gummy materials, mixed in about the proportions stated, a composition of two pounds of glue, with three pounds of alum, dissolved in water, are added; and with these are mixed six pounds of whiting, and sometimes a small quantity of coloring matter, or, in place of the whiting, ocre or other earthy materials, may be used. When these lastmentioned materials have been properly mixed together, and evaporated to dryness, they are to be reduced, by grinding or otherwise, to a fine powder, which powder may be incorporated with the other materials, in the cylindrical vessel above described; or, if preferred, when the material is passed between the spreading rollers.

VOL. XXII.

L

In adapting this manufacture to the covering of tents, and other temporary erections, as a substitute for tarpauling, for floor-cloths, coating of walls, covers of packages, and some other uses, a woven fabric of cotton, flax, or hemp, is attached to the sheet of caoutchouc, hair, &c.; which is done by laying the woven cloth smoothly upon the face of the composition fabric, previously to passing it for the last time between the spreading rollers, when the warmth and pressure of the rollers, as the combined fabrics pass between them, will cause the two to adhere firmly together. The compound fabric may then be painted on its surface, if required, with any ornamental device, or pattern, as floor-cloths are commonly painted or printed. In some instances, a cloth, having been previously dyed or printed with stripes, or other devices, by the ordinary process of calico printing, may be employed; which, when combined with the before-described caoutchouc, and fibrous fabric, by pressure, will produce a water-proof covering, of light and handsome appearance, suited for tents and other hangings, exposed to rain and the damp of the atmosphere.

The patentee claims the mode of manufacturing sheets of fibrous materials with caoutchouc, by means of mastication, in the manner above described, and not by solution; which fibrous matters may be mixed with any or all of the other materials, named above, for the purpose of making the substance, quality, and appearance of the fabric, according to the purposes to which it is intended to be applied.-[Inrolled in the Petty Bag Office, June, 1842.]

Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Son.

To WILLIAM CARRON, of Birmingham, in the county of Warwick, lathe-maker, for improvements in the construction of clogs and pattens.-[Sealed 21st December, 1841.]

THE first improvement in clogs consists in combining a flexible metallic sole with a divided tread, for the fore part of the foot, as represented in Plate VI., fig. 1. a, is the

sole, made out of a thin plate of metal, to the hind end of which the heel of the clog is fastened, and to the front part the pieces of wood or leather b, c, d, are rivetted; the flexibility of the sole allowing the fore part of the tread to bend between the pieces b, c, d.

The second improvement is shewn at fig. 2; it consists in attaching the sole to the tread b, at the fore part only; so that the sole will bend in walking, as seen in the drawing.

The third improvement consists in constructing an expanding clog, with a flexible metallic sole. Fig. 3, is a plan of the clog. In the back part of the sole three slots e, are formed, to receive three buttons or studs, affixed to the heel of the clog; and to the under side of the sole a spring f, is fastened, working in a recess in the heel. This spring has, at all times, a tendency to keep the clog in its shortest position; but the clog can be lengthened, by drawing the toe and heel from each other, in opposition to the action of the spring.

The fourth improvement consists in a mode of forming the leather caps for the toes of clogs and pattens. The leather is cut into pieces, of a suitable size, and, after being softened, by immersion in warm water, is rubbed over with a mixture of " dubbing," oil, and grease; it is then pressed into a concave mould, suitably shaped, by means of a convex tool or "force," and, when cold, is ready to be made into a toe-cap. The leather may be japanned, if required, previous to applying it to the clog or patten.

The fifth and last improvement consists in applying to pattens, the iron heads, marked g, in the side view, and plan, figs. 5 and 6. These treads are highest at the ends g1, and approach the toe with a gentle curve; the object of employing them is to enable persons to use pattens with facility.

The patentee claims, firstly, the mode of constructing clogs, by combining a flexible metal sole with divided treads at the fore parts of the clogs, as above described; secondly, the mode of constructing clogs, by combining a flexible metal sole with the fore part of the tread, in a peculiar manner, as above described; thirdly,-the mode

of combining a flexible metal sole with the heel of a clog, in order to allow of the clog expanding; fourthly,-the mode of constructing the leather caps for the toes of clogs and pattens, as above described; and fifthly,-forming the iron treads of pattens with a curved surface in front, as above explained.-[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, June, 1842.]

To SAMUEL MASON, of Northampton, merchant, for improvements in clogs; part of which improvements is also applicable to boots and shoes.-[Sealed 27th January, 1842.]

THIS invention comprises seven improvements; the first relates to India-rubber galoches; the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth,to clogs; and the last, to boots, shoes, and clogs.

The first improvement is shewn in Plate VI., at fig. 1, which represents an India-rubber galoche; the toe and heel parts are lined, as usual, but the part marked a, is left unlined, in order that it may expand, when the boot is introduced into the galoche, but afterwards contract, and draw the toe and heel-piece together; thus holding the galoche tight upon the boot.

Fig. 2, represents a section of a clog, constructed according to the second improvement. The toe and heel-pieces are formed separately, and connected together by a curved spring-sole b, which, when the clog is off the foot, causes the heel and toe to approach each other, in the manner shewn. This spring-sole being straightened, when the clog is in use, will, by its tendency to return to its original position, keep the clog on the foot.

The third improvement consists in connecting the toepiece of the clog, by a spring-sole b, with a frame or band c, fig. 3, that encloses the heel of the boot, instead of a heel-piece; the clog being kept on the foot by the elasticity of the spring-sole.

The clog, described under the fourth improvement, is