This section is from "Scientific American Vol. XVII, No. 26", by Munn & Co. Also available from Amazon: Scientific American Science Desk Reference.
John Doyle and Timothy A. Martin, New York City.-This invention consists in arranging valves and air passages with a hollow cylinder or drum having an oscillating movement, and provided with a chamber or chambers to receive water, mercury or other fluid, whereby an exceedingly simple and compact pump or blower is obtained, one not liable to get out of repair or become deranged by use.
Henry F. Hart, New York city.-This invention relates to an improved machine or apparatus for registering numbers applicable to odometers or measurements of quantities of all kinds, such as the numbers of barrels of flour, bushels of grain or any other commodity that requires a tally or record of the quantity packed, stored, weighed, or handled in any manner.
A. H. and P. S. Whitacre, Morrow, Ohio.-This invention relates to an improvement in the construction of a machine for cutting ditches suitable for laying tile for draining lands, or pipe of any kind, and consists in a sled worked by tackle and supporting a frame carrying the machinery, in such manner that the frame can be raised and lowered to cut the ditch to any required depth.
Wm. H. Woods, Philadelphia, Pa.-This invention relates to an improvement in constructing a fastening for window shades and consists in a metal rack to be attached vertically as usual to the side of the window frame for holding the cord connected with the shade by means of a lever dog that works in a longitudinal slot in the rack and is engaged and disengaged with the teeth thereof by moving the lever in and out of the slot to be secured in places when engaged by a swivelknob on which is a pulley that covers the cord of the shade.
Warren H. Shay, Sylvania, Ohio.-This invention relates to an improved method of constructing fence posts and consists in forming them of plank uprights supported by braces and held together by cross ties and keys.
John D. Swartz, Milton, Pa.-This invention relates to a new and improved clothes-washing machine of that class which are provided with an oscillating rubber and a concave of rollers.
John H. Downing, Salem, Mass.-This invention relates to an improvement in railroad rails and chairs, and consists in forming the rails in two parts, to lie side by side, with lap joints combined with narrow chairs, having single heads placed on each side of the rail to clamp the two parts together at the joints, and fasten them to the ties.
A. C. Corpe, Stafford, Conn.-This invention relates to a new and improved machine for stretching cloth, with a view of tendering the same smooth and enfolding such portion of the selvedges which may have been rolled over in the manipulations to which it was subjected after being taken from the loom.
 
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