Oct. 29.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2767

No. 24977.—28th September, 1908.—CARL V. HEIDEN, of 96 Paddington Street, Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Pianoforte-maker. Improvements in and relating to pianofortes.

Extract from Specification.—It comprises the use of two cast-steel frames, which, while serving particularly as an independent support for the operative mechanism and casing of the instrument, also provide a novel tuning system free from the old form of wrest-plank and tuning-pins, or such combined with hitch-pins. The said frames also hold in position, by pressure, a double cross-grained sound-board, to which the treble and bass bridges are secured in suitable positions relative to the new tuning system, which is combined with the front metal frame in the form of chambers and benches arranged in tiers. Into and upon these are placed (side by side) brass bars, having pierced head-pieces to receive the strings or wires, and pointed set-screws to obtain the proper tension.

[NOTE.—The above extract from the specification is inserted in place of the claims.]

(Specification, 7s. 6d. ; drawing, 3s.)

No. 24985. — 29th September, 1908. — WILLIAM CHURCH, of 9 St. George’s Avenue, Northampton, England, Boot-manufacturer. Improvements in measuring-apparatus for bootmakers.

Extract from Specification.—The mode of using the device is as follows: The two lengths of each tape Y and 2 are spread apart, on either side of the machine, ready for the reception of the customer’s foot, the ball-joint tapes 2 being preferably passed between elastic bands 4 on the guards R. The heel of the foot is now placed on the platform C against the upright B at the back, and the fore part of the foot on the ball-joint member E. The handle M is then turned to the right or left, and thereby the ball-joint member E adjusted to locate the ball joint of the foot, and the instep member D to locate the instep. The guards R enable the ball joint of the foot to be exactly located. The size of the foot can then be plainly read on the dial O, giving the size of boot required. In the drawing the dial registers No. 8, men’s size. The moving of the handle M also draws in or enables the tapes Y and 2 to be paid out as previously explained, and so shortens or pays out relatively the said tapes. The fitting of the boot is then ascertained, firstly, by measuring the ball joint of the foot. I do not, however, measure the ball joint of the foot straight across, but the ball-joint member E is turned until the requisite angle is obtained for measuring the ball joint. The two lengths of tape 2 are then raised to go round the ball joint of the foot, and, the required length of tape having been automatically let out, the measurement is taken from a marked point on one length of tape to a marked point on the other length of tape, thus denoting the fitting of the boot at the ball joint. Secondly, the instep-tape having been automatically paid out by the turning of the handle M to the required extent, the measurement of the instep is taken in a similar manner, thus denoting the fitting required at that part. The legs I and J and the slides U and V can have small flanges at the sides entering a groove 5 at the bottom of the slot G in the hand-stick. These help to keep the parts in position, and prevent them being raised out of the slot G. The instep member D is elevated somewhat so as to be on a somewhat higher level than the ball-joint member E.

[NOTE.—The above extract from the specification is inserted in place of the claims.]

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

No. 24986.—29th September, 1908.—WILLIAM CHURCH, of 9 St. George’s Avenue, Northampton, England, Boot-manufacturer. Improvements in devices for measuring feet, lasts, and the like.

Extract from Specification.—The mode of using the device is as follows: The two lengths of each tape are spread apart, on either side of the machine, ready for the reception of a customer’s foot, the tapes N being preferably passed between elastic bands 44 on the guards G. The heel of the foot is now placed on the platform B against the uprights B¹ at the back, and the fore part of the foot on the fore-part gauge. The handle S, turning the upright shaft Q, is then rotated, and thereby the ball-joint carriage E adjusted to locate the ball joint of the foot, the instep-carriage U to locate the instep, and the fore-part gauge brought into correct position ready for use. The guards G enable the ball joint of the foot to be exactly located. The size of the foot can then be plainly read on the disc R, giving the size of boot required. The disc is locked by the finger, and the bell rings to indicate it is locked. In the drawing, the disc R registers No. 8, men’s size. The turning of the handle also rotates, as previously explained, the sleeves J and J¹, and the pulley J², and so shortens or pays out relatively the tapes N, N¹, and N². The fitting of the boot is then ascertained, firstly, by measuring the ball joint of the foot. I do not, however, measure the ball joint of the foot straight across, but the ball-joint carriage E is turned until the requisite angle is obtained for measuring the ball joint. The two lengths of the tape N are then raised to go round the ball joint of the foot, and, the required length of tape having been automatically let out, measurement is taken from a marked point on one length of tape to a marked point on the other length of tape, thus denoting the fitting of the boot at the ball joint. Secondly, the instep and heel tapes having been automatically paid out by the turning of the disc R to the required extent, the measurement of the instep and heel are taken in a similar manner, thus denoting the fitting required at those parts. Thirdly, the shape of the boot at the fore part most suitable for the comfort of the foot being measured is shown by the fore-part gauge, which has engraved upon it the various bottom shapes of boots supplied. This gauge, which has been automatically moved by the turning of the disc, can be further adjusted by the indicating-fingers 19 to expand or contract the tables 18 and the plates 27 on the top of them, and make the shape or design thereon correspond with the size of boot registered on the disc.

[NOTE.—The above extract from the specification is inserted in place of the claims.]

(Specification, 16s. 6d. ; drawing, 2s.)

No. 24987.—29th September, 1908.—ALEXANDER MORRISON, of Dunedin, New Zealand, Marine Engineer-Surveyor. Improvements in or relating to the stern-tubes of steamships.

Claims.—(1.) A stern-tube for steamships, formed of separate portions suitably jointed together, with one or more of such portions constructed so as to be disconnected from the remainder, and closed in around and locked to the tail-shaft within the tube, for the purpose specified. (2.) A stern-tube for steamships constructed with a portion of its length separable from the remainder, made up of a number of longitudinal segments bolted together with distance-pieces between their joints, and adapted to be closed around and locked upon the tail-shaft within the tube, substantially as and for the purposes specified. (3.) The general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts in my improvements in or relating to the stern-tubes of steamships, substantially as described and explained, as illustrated in the drawings, and for the several purposes set forth.

(Specification, 2s. 9d. ; drawing, 1s.)

No. 24988.—29th September, 1908.—THOMAS IGNATIUS YOURELLE, of Harcourt’s Buildings, Lambton Quay, Wellington, Architect, and JOHN BELLINGHAM, of Featherston Street, Wellington aforesaid, Importer. Improvements in and relating to facing and lining plates of ferro-concrete construction.

Extract from Specification.—This invention relates to the class of ferro-concrete construction described in the specification of our New Zealand Patent No. 22676, dated 11th April, 1907. The present invention relates particularly to the production and utilisation of facing and lining plates or boards. According hereto we employ sheets of wire netting, expanded metal, or the like, which are embedded in a composition of cement and sand or other convenient material for the production of plates or boards. These plates or boards have faces of glass or asbestos board, or, if desired, roughened or smooth faces may be produced by adapting the face of the mould in which the plates are made.

[NOTE.—The above extract from the specification is inserted in place of the claims.]

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