Mar. 5.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 817

No. 1, automatic mechanism to operate the seating-device in timed relation with a nail-separator. (3.) A constructional form of the mechanism claimed in claiming-clause No. 2, comprising a spring-pressed or other lever (such, for example, as 44), and an adjustable or other tappet device (such, for example, as 50) between the separator and the lever. (4.) In a machine for inserting nails or the like, the combination with an abutment and a horn between which the work is clamped during the driving of a nail from a nail-retaining device, of means to effect a relative adjustment of the nail-retaining device and the abutment, or to effect a relative adjustment of the jaws of said device, so as to regulate the distance between the point of a nail held in readiness for insertion and the work into which it is to be inserted, for the purpose described. (5.) A constructional form of the combination claimed in claiming-clause No. 4, comprising a movable foot-plate, a wedge or the like interposed between the foot-plate, and a relatively stationery part, and means (for example, a rack and pinion) for moving the wedge and thereby adjusting the position of the foot-plate.

(Specification, 7s. ; drawing, 1s.)

No. 22508.—3rd March, 1906.—MARCEL AUDIFFREN, Professor of Physics, of Golbey, near Epinal (Vosges), France, and the Société des Etablissements Singrun, of Epinal (Vosges), France, Société Anonyme. Improvements in rotary refrigerating-machines.

[NOTE.—This is an application under section 106 of the Act, the date given being the official date of the application in France.]

Claims.—(1.) A system of circulating and separating the liquids in the rotating condenser of rotary refrigerating-machines, consisting in the employment of a casting weighted with a counter-weight and mounted loosely on the shaft of the condenser, of compressors, and of contrivances for distributing and lubricating, and of a separating-reservoir in which the mixture of oil and refrigerating-liquid is automatically collected and separated in the order of density, the separated oil falling upon the compressors and all the working-parts, and the refrigerating-liquid being automatically returned to the evaporator as it is freed from oil. (2.) The arrangement of closed casting described, having at its base one or more orifices for draining off the oil of suitable section with a view to maintaining the level of the oil above the compressors. (3.) The arrangement of collector integral with the casting or fixed on it, for the purpose of automatically collecting the mixture of liquids in the separating-reservoir. (4.) The employment of an obturating-valve or ball-cock combined with a fixed pipe for the return of the refrigerating-liquid, for the purpose of collecting it and leading it to the evaporator as it is freed from oil. (5.) The employment of a ring integral with or separate from the casting, forming a joint at the end of the shaft of the condenser, while leaving a passage to the gases coming from the evaporator and to the pipe for the return of the refrigerating-liquid to the latter. (6.) The arrangement of two or more double-acting compressor-cylinders oscillating within the casting, arranged below the opening for the escape of the oil from the separating-reservoir, and having on the inlet-side friction-slides in combination with the inlet-passages in the casting. (7.) The arrangement of compressor-pistons with one or more circular grooves, which are kept constantly filled with the oil which escapes from the separating-reservoir. (8.) The employment of equalisers intended to automatically equalise the pressure and temperatures in the condenser and evaporator when the machine is stopped. (9.) The arrangement for cooling the condenser, which consists of a hood provided with windows, and traversed by a current of air which is set up by a fan.

(Specification, 11s. ; drawing, 1s.)

No. 22562.—20th March, 1907.—GEORGE HUTCHINSON, of Warwick House, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand, Inventor. An improved seed-sower.*

Claims.—(1.) In a seed-sower of the class described, a hinged side to the hopper whereby the removal of seed from the hopper is readily effected, substantially as set forth. (2.) In a seed-sower of the class described, in combination, a circular floor integral with the hopper fitting partially around the interior of the drum, a partition forming compartments in the hopper, and a cover closing either of the compartments, substantially as set forth. (3.) In a seed-sower of the class described, a drum having a rim of varying thickness to suit the size of the seeds to be sown, substantially as set forth. (4.) In a seed-sower of the class described, the employment with a drum as described in claim 3, of a brush stepped to fit the said drum, substantially as set forth. (5.) In a seed-sower of the class described, the employment of a brush for the purpose of forcing seeds through the holes in the drum, and preventing an excess of seeds from passing out of the hopper, substantially as set forth. (6.) In a seed-sower of the class described, the employment of a hinged side to the hopper whereby a drum is retained in operative position, substantially as set forth. (7.) In a seed-sower of the class described, the employment of a conical drum having perforations, and a slotted conical floor to the hopper fitting said conical drum, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

(Specification, 3s. 3d. ; drawing, 1s.)

No. 22592.—21st March, 1907.—JAMES HAMLIN WALKER and PETER WALKER, both Sanitary Engineers and Plumbers, of St. Andrew Street, Dunedin, New Zealand. Improved safety cocks and taps.

Claim.—In screw-down valves of ordinary patterns, in combination with them, a back valve furnished with a guard to prevent loss and to keep the valve always in position, all substantially as shown in the drawing, and as described and as explained.

(Specification, 1s. 6d. ; drawing, 1s.)

No. 22663.—10th April, 1907.—UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, of Paterson, State of New Jersey, United States of America, a corporation duly organized under the laws of said State of New Jersey, carrying on business as Shoe-machinery Manufacturers at 205 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America (the assignees of Ronald Francis McFeely, of Beverly, Essex, Massachusetts, United States of America, Inventor). Improvements in or relating to pulling-over and like machines.*

Extracts from Specification.—One feature of the invention comprises the provision of an adjustable heel-rest. . . . As shown, the heel-rest is movably connected with its supporting-means for adjustment about an axis extending transversely of the last and approximately parallel with the last-bottom, said axis preferably being located adjacent to the heel end of the last. The sole-rest is arranged to be engaged by the innersole on the bottom of the last for determining the initial position of the shoe with relation to the plane in which the acting parts of the grippers are located, and in which they will grip the upper when they are closed. A cam is provided in operative relation to an arm of the sole-rest carrier for moving the rest to sink the last into the upper after the grippers have grasped the edges of the upper, a spring serving to return the sole-rest to normal position after the operation of the cam. In accordance with another feature of this invention, a novel means is provided for adjustably determining, positively, the normal position of the sole-rest, and also the extent to which the last shall be moved for sinking it into the upper. . . . The grippers with which the machine is equipped are arranged to be automatically opened for releasing the upper after the upper has been clamped against the last by the pressers described. In practice it is only necessary that the grippers be opened far enough at this time to let the upper escape from between them, and it is found that if the grippers are fully opened they sometimes get into the way of other parts of the machine and interfere with the subsequent operations. In accordance with a feature of this invention means is provided, in a grippers mechanism, to limit the opening movement of the grippers for releasing the stock, combined with means by which the grippers may be further opened for again receiving stock. . . . Also, in accordance with this invention, provision is made for manually varying the pulling-stress of the grippers upon the upper after the automatic updraw has been effected. . . . In accordance with another feature of the invention a novel means is provided which is adapted to clamp the upper before the grippers release it, and to wipe the upper over the last-bottom and press it firmly into position to be secured after the grippers have released it. . . . The machine is provided with mechanism for supplying and inserting tacks to secure the upper in the position to which it is overworked by the grippers and the pressers. This mechanism comprises a tack-hopper and a plurality of raceways from each of which tacks are delivered singly to tack-tubes that conduct the tacks to position to be driven. Misplaced or irregularly formed tacks and other causes occasionally stop the tack-separating mechanism, and it becomes necessary to gain access to that mechanism