Feb. 7.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 391

Claims.—(1.) In rotary steam-engines of the type designated, forming steam-ways in the bases of the cylinders, and introducing between the bases of the cylinders, and at the axis of revolution of the same, a cylindrical steam supply and exhaust valve, together with flexible means for holding the valve against rotation while allowing steam to be conducted thereto, and the valve to follow any vibratory movements of its surrounding parts, substantially as described. (2.) In rotary engines of the type designated, having a central steam supply and exhaust valve, forming steam-ways in the bases of the cylinders extending entirely across the bores of the same, and corresponding ports in the central valve for the purposes described. (3.) In rotary engines having a central cylindrical exhaust-valve and steam-ways and ports extending entirely across the cylinder-bore, the use of a flexible tube connected at one end to the supply end of the valve, and at the other to a stationary part of the engine, forming a tubular extension of the valve by which steam is conducted thereto and rotation of the valve prevented, the flexibility of the connection allowing the valve to follow any vibratory movements of the revolving cylinders, substantially as described. (4.) In rotary engines such as are claimed in the third claim, providing a track formed with concentric segments, and means to allow of the rotation of the valve relatively to said segments, substantially as and for the purposes described. (5.) In rotary steam-engines, such as are claimed in the first claim, means for partially rotating the valve and a cover-tube fitting closely over the valve and flexibly connected with a sleeve having means by which the cover-tube may be adjusted, ports formed in the cover-tube to conduct steam from the valve to the cylinders so that the relative adjustment of the valve and the cover-tube places the ports in position for the reversal of the engine, substantially as described. (6.) In balanced rotary steam-engines of the type designated, and as claimed by claim 3, providing the valve with means for rotary adjustment, if desired, and forming the said valve with longitudinal grooves to receive longitudinally extending cover-blades, extending from a ring surrounding the end of the valve, the ring being connected by a form of universal joint with mechanism by which it and the blades may be adjusted relatively to the valve to control the size of the steam-admission ports, and thereby regulate the supply of steam to the cylinders, substantially as described. (7.) In balanced rotary steam-engines of the type designated, and as claimed by claim 4, mounting three cylinders within a surrounding stationary track, the track being so formed that each piston may make three strokes during each revolution of the cylinders. (8.) In balanced rotary steam-engines of the type designated, forming steam-ways in the bases of a series of cylinders arranged for expansion, the steam-ways extending entirely across the bores of each of the cylinders; introducing at the axis of rotation of the cylinders and between the bases of same a balanced cylindrical steam supply and exhaust valve, which receives steam at one end and exhausts from the other, admission- and exhaust-ports formed within the valve for each cylinder, the exhaust-ports of the higher-pressure cylinders being in communication with the admission-ports of the lower-pressure cylinders, and also with steam-chambers for the reception of steam passing from one cylinder to another, together with flexible means for holding the valve against rotation and conducting steam thereto while allowing the valve to follow any vibratory movements of its surrounding parts, substantially as described. (9.) In balanced rotary steam-engines of the type designated, and as claimed by claim 8, forming a series of controlling-valves, one for each set or pair of cylinders in the series, separately, of cylindrical formation, and of a diameter in proportion to the cylinder to which it belongs, together with flexible or rigid means for connecting the valves forming the series, substantially as described. (10.) The construction and arrangement of the parts composing the balanced rotary engine substantially as described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. (11.) The construction and arrangement of parts composing a balanced rotary engine substantially as described with reference to Fig. 12. (12.) The construction and arrangement of parts composing a balanced rotary engine substantially as described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. (13.) The construction and arrangement of parts composing a balanced rotary engine substantially as described with reference to Fig. 11. (14.) The construction and arrangement of parts composing a balanced rotary-engine substantially as described with reference to Figs. 18 to 24. (15.) In rotary engines of the type stated, and as claimed by claim 1, the construction and arrangement of the parts composing a balanced valve substantially as described with reference to Figs. 25 to 27. (16.) The construction and arrangement of the parts composing a triple-expansion balanced rotary engine substantially as described with reference to Fig. 28. (17.) The construction and arrangement of the parts composing a triple-expansion balanced rotary engine substantially as described with reference to Fig. 31. (18.) The arrangement, in triple-expansion balanced rotary engines as described, of the cylinders substantially as set forth with reference to Fig. 30. (19.) The arrangement, in double-expansion balanced rotary engines as described, of the cylinders substantially as set forth with reference to Fig. 35. (20.) The arrangement and construction of parts forming the flexible and adjustable steam-conduit, substantially as set forth with reference to J, J¹, G², and H, in Fig. 9.
(Specification, 14s.; drawings, 6s.)

No. 12718.—22nd June, 1900.—EBENEZER MAXWELL, of Opunake, New Zealand, Sheep-farmer. Improved means for automatically maintaining a uniform tension on wire ropes or other cableways used in loading or unloading vessels and other analogous operations.*
[NOTE.—The title in this case has been altered. See list Provisional Specifications, Gazette No. 59, of the 5th July, 1900.]

Claims.—(1.) In means for the purposes set forth, an endless carrying rope or cable that is suspended between a moving point and a fixed point, the cable at the fixed end being passed in a loop over pulleys upon a pole or standard, and then round two pairs of pulleys fixed beneath such pole or standard, and which at the other end is wound upon a winch-barrel, in combination with a counterweight that is suspended upon the cable between the two pairs of pulleys, as specified. (2.) In means for the purposes set forth, a carrying-cable one end of which is secured to the moving body, and the other end of which passes over a pulley upon a pole or standard, and then passes round two pairs of pulleys mounted upon a staging or support to a winch, controlled by a brake, in combination with a counterweight that is suspended upon the cable between the pairs of pulleys, as specified. (3.) In means for the purposes set forth, a staging or support upon which is mounted a pole or standard, and to which are secured two pairs of grooved pulleys, a carrying-cable that is suspended between the vessel to be loaded and the pole or standard, and which passes over the two pairs of pulleys, and a counterweight that is hung upon the cable between the two pairs of pulleys, so that the cable shall assume the form of an inverted triangle, as specified. (4.) In means for the purposes set forth, carrying-cables such as those referred to in claims 1 and 2, in combination with a conveyor or carriage adapted to be carried by such cables, and with means whereby such conveyor or carriage may be hauled to and fro, as specified.
(Specification, 9s. 6d.; drawings, 1s.)

No. 12973.—6th September, 1900.—GEORGE JAMES ADDISON RICHARDSON, of Invercargill, New Zealand, Mechanical Engineer. Improvements in ball-bearing furniture-casters.*
[NOTE.—The title in this case has been altered. See list Provisional Specifications, Gazette No. 83, of the 27th September, 1900.]

Claims.—(1.) In furniture-casters, a spindle or pivot-pin to which are rigidly secured the legs of the caster, in combination with a hollow casing or socket adapted to be secured to the furniture and into which the pivot-pin or spindle is passed, such hollow casing or socket and spindle being provided with corresponding ball-races for the insertion between them of rings of small balls, as specified. (2.) In furniture-casters, a hollow casing or socket, adapted to be secured to the bottom of the furniture, such socket being provided with annular grooves on its inside face, and a spindle or pivot-pin inserted therein, such spindle or pivot-pin being formed with ball-paths on its periphery corresponding to the annular grooves in the socket, and rigidly secured to legs in which is mounted the running wheel or roller, as specified. (3.) In furniture-casters, a running wheel or roller loosely pivoted between legs that are rigidly secured to a pivot-pin or spindle revolvably mounted in a hollow casing or socket, the centre of such running wheel or roller being placed a short distance to one side of a vertical line drawn through the axis of the pivot-pin or spindle, but within the line of the circumference of such pivot-pin or spindle, as specified.
(Specification, 5s. 6d.; drawings, 1s.)

No. 13243.—13th December, 1900.—ARTHUR CONSTANT AUCHER, of McDonnell Street, Toowong, Queensland, Bachelor of Arts. Improved means for electrically igniting oil- or gas-burners.

Claims.—(1.) The improved means for electrically igniting oil-burners consisting of a pivoted frame operated in any convenient way, and carrying a hood or cap for extinguishing the flame, and a pivoted trumpet-mouth tube in which is secured a metallic brush for making electrical contact with the edge of the burner, substantially as described and explained. (2.) In an electric igniter for oil-burners, the combination with an oil-burner of corrugations thereon, pivoted brush such as G, and hood such as D, on a