June 1.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1413

secured to said vertically movable block adapted to project through said contact-block when the latter is raised by contact with a bottle and seal, whereby the centre of the cap composing the said seal is depressed within the mouth of a bottle.
(Specification, 5s.; drawing, 1s.)

No. 19398.—27th April, 1905.—A. B. C. COUPLER, LIMITED, of Queen Anne's Chambers, Tothill Street, Westminster, London, England (assignees of James Thomas Jepson, of Queen Anne's Chambers, Westminster aforesaid, Engineer). Improvements in buffer-couplers for railway and other rolling-stock.

Extract from Specification.—This invention relates to automatic buffer-couplers, and is mainly intended as an improved construction over those described in specification No. 15248/02, the object being to produce a tight coupling adapted for passenger-carriages. To this end, instead of the shackles having to travel up the inclined face of the hook as the two couplers approach, and then fall over the hook by gravity, which necessitates a considerable amount of clearance between the buffer-faces as described in said prior specification, according to the present invention, which is known as the “Jepson coupler,” it is proposed that the coupler-hook should be formed as part of a circular disc or segment of metal carried by a pivot-pin passing through the head of the coupler behind the buffing-faces and below the table supporting the shackle sides. This disc hook rotates through an angle of about 90° in the action of coupling or uncoupling, and in action the construction is such that the clearance between the buffing-faces may be reduced to a minimum, and a simple and effective uncoupling-device may be employed, which may be operated with equal ease from either side of the vehicle.
[NOTE.—The above extract from the specification is inserted in place of the claims.]
(Specification, 12s.; drawing, 2s.)

No. 19399.—27th April, 1905.—ARTHUR HAZELDINE BURT, of Mosman, near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Civil Engineer; HENSHAW JACKSON, of Sydney aforesaid, Wool Expert; and CHARLES ALLT FINCH, of Sydney aforesaid, Analytical Chemist. Improvements in the extraction of grease from wool, and apparatus therefor.

Extract from Specification.—In this apparatus the wool is placed in a close press-chamber provided with a piston or lifting false bottom operated by a ram which is worked by hydraulic or other power. A body of solvent liquid is introduced into this press-chamber as soon as the same has been closed. To insure complete penetration of the solvent into the heart of the bale, inspirating-needles (with button heads to facilitate insertion and withdrawal) are driven downward into the bales. Complete saturation of the wool in the bale is effected by submitting the same to a number of successive compressions by reciprocating the piston, whereby the solvent is alternately squeezed out of and allowed to resoak the wool. The fat-charged solvent after withdrawal from the press-chamber is run through a filter, in which wool may be used for a filter-bed, and the filtered liquid is thence conveyed to a still, wherein the volatile liquid is driven off to a condenser fitted with an air-pump, and is thence returned to the solvent-tank for reuse. After final pressing in the press-chamber, to squeeze out the free liquor, the wool is lifted into a closed drying-box, through which a draught of air is pumped or drawn by vacuum; this air takes up the absorbed solvent and carries it through the condenser, in which it is extracted, and whence it passes to the solvent-tank. The semi-solid residue in the still is treated by pressure and otherwise for the purification of the wool-fat according to known processes. The piping and valve arrangements are so disposed that the same charge of solvent may at will be reused for two or more bales successively, or so that a second (rinse) charge of fresh solvent may be applied so as to more completely dissolve out the fat. The press-chamber may be provided with an intermediate grating to sustain the top of the bale whilst pressure is applied to it below by means of the piston to effect the solution of the grease by regurgitating the solvent through the wool.
[NOTE.—The above extract from the specification is inserted in place of the claims.]
(Specification, 9s. 6d.; drawings, 4s.)

No. 19400.—27th April, 1905.—JAMES COUTTS DALLAS, of Wanganui, New Zealand, Steward. Improved handle-fastener.

Claim.—A device for the purpose indicated, comprising a concave metal plate having one end turned up and a hole at the opposite end, substantially as specified and illustrated.
(Specification, 1s.; drawing, 1s.)

No. 19413.—28th April, 1905.—ALBERT DE DION and GEORGES BOUTON, both Directors of De Dion Bouton et Cie, 20, Quai National, Puteaux, Seine, France. Improvements in or relating to plate-clutches.

Claims.—(1.) In a clutch, the combination with two parallel friction-discs rotated by the driving-shaft and an intermediate friction-disc connected to the driven shaft, of a clutch-spring, arranged substantially as described, to apply one driving-disc against the driven disc so as to bring the latter into contact with the other driving-disc. (2.) In a clutch, the combination with driving and driven discs such as 5, 7, 9, of spring-controlled levers such as 17, arranged substantially as described, to connect and disconnect the clutch-discs. (3.) In a clutch of the kind described, mounting the clutch-leathers on a detachable member rotating inside the box carried by the fly-wheel, substantially as and for the purpose described. (4.) In a clutch of the kind described, the combination with levers engaging projections from one of the clutch-discs, of springs arranged substantially as described around the disc and serving to insure coupling. (5.) In an adjusting-device for a clutch of the kind described, the combination with the disconnecting-levers, of a grooved ring engaging the long arms of the levers and axially adjustable by means of a screw which can be fixed in the desired position. (6.) In a clutch of the kind described, the employment of ventilating-passages, substantially as described. (7.) In a clutch of the kind described, the combination with the clutch discs and springs, of one or more interposed plates which transmit the pressure of the springs to the discs. (8.) In a metallic clutch, the combination with the engaging-surfaces, of intermediate unctuous surfaces capable of dry lubrication for the purpose of avoiding seizing produced by friction while dispensing with oil or grease. (9.) The complete clutch substantially as described or illustrated in Fig. 1, or Fig. 2, or Fig. 3, or Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings.
(Specification, 10s.; drawings, 3s.)

No. 19445.—10th May, 1905.—GEORGE EDWARD HUMPHRIES, of 61, Adelaide Road, Wellington, New Zealand, Building Contractor. An improved scaffolding-bracket.

Claims.—(1.) A scaffolding-bracket comprising, in combination, a screw bolt having a rectangular slot, a triangular bracket a horizontal member of which has a hook adapted to fit said slot, a diagonal member fixed to the outer end of the horizontal member and adapted to rest at its lower end against the building, and a tie-bar connecting said horizontal and diagonal members, substantially as specified. (2.) A scaffolding-bracket consisting of the parts constructed, combined, arranged, and operating substantially as specified and illustrated.
(Specification, 1s. 6d.; drawing, 1s.)

No. 19447.—10th May, 1905.—WILLIAM JAMES HENRY BERRY, of No. 5, De Murska Street, Windsor, Victoria, Australia, Clerk. An improved method of and bracket for hanging spring and other roller blinds.

Extract from Specification.—My improved method of hanging such blinds consists in suspending them by means of two brackets of novel construction, one of each of which is affixed to each end of the top style of the upper sash, instead of from the face of the frame-lining as at present. Consequently, as the sash is lowered, the blind is lowered also, giving free access to the air and absolutely preventing any flapping of the blind, as it is impossible for the air to come in contact with it, and at the same time the occupants of the room are screened from outside observation.
[NOTE.—The above extract from the specification is inserted in place of the claim.]
(Specification, 4s. 6d.; drawing, 1s.)

No. 19450.—18th May, 1905.—ANDREW HERBERT BYRON, of Auckland, New Zealand, Civil Engineer. An improved emergency brake for tram-cars, motor-cars, and the like.

Claims.—(1.) An emergency brake having steel or other hard-metal spikes or rods fitted to a shaft at right angles across the under-body of the car, substantially as described, and illustrated by the drawings. (2.) An emergency brake having steel or other hard-metal spikes or rods with shoes or plates loosely fitted thereto, said spikes or rods keyed to a