Specification of the Patent granted to RICHARD ORMROD, of Manchester, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, Iron-Founder; for an Improvement in the Manufacturing of Copper, or other Metal Clyinders or Rollers for Calico Printing. Dated July 22, 1818.

To all to whom these presents shall come, &c. NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I the said Richard Ormrod do hereby describe and ascertain the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed as follows; that is to say: The cylinders are made in the usual way, they are generally formed of copper or brass, or copper and brass united, and are either cast or made from plates soldered together. My invention is equally applicable, whether the cylinders are formed in the one method or the other. I first place the cylinder for about a quarter of an hour in a mixture of oil of vitriol and water, and I afterwards scour it well until every part is free from scale and dirt. This method of cleaning the metal cylinders is not new, nor do I claim it as of my invention. After the cylinder is well cleaned, I place it on a mandrel of iron or steel (I prefer a mandrel of iron inlaid with steel), adapted as closely as possible to the hollow of the cylinder; I then pass the mandrel with the cylinder fixed upon it through a collar of iron or steel (the former I prefer on account of its cheapness), the diameter of the collar is something smaller than that of the surface of the cylinder, the consequence of which is, that by the pressure resulting from this operation the pores of the metal of which the cylinder is formed are closed, and the metal being made to press equally upon the mandrel, becomes throughout of one texture, and of great and uni

form

form hardness and solidity. The method of drawing the mandrel and cylinder through the collar may be variously contrived; and I do not claim as of my invention any particular machinery for this purpose. I have found it convenient to fix a strong iron plate or standard in a vertical position, and to secure it firmly to a frame or table constructed with great strength and solidity. The collar is fixed on a groove or bed formed in this plate or standard, on the side opposite that upon which the power is applied, and an opening in the plate corresponds with that of the collar. In this plate collars with apertures of different diameters may be placed, the opening in the plate or standard being made at least equal to the opening of any of the collars. The collar is about five inches in thickness, and the opening is made a little tapering, the diameter being something larger on the side opposite that upon which the power is applied than upon the other, and that end of the cylinder which is first inserted in the collar is also made slightly to taper at the extre mity. The mandrel, which is of course longer than the cylinder, and with the cylinder upon it is put into the collar on the side opposite to that upon which the power, is applied, and by the tapering of the end of the cylinder, and of the opening of the collar as above described, the extremity of the cylinder will just pass through the collar, a chain is connected at one extremity with the moving power, and at the other with the mandrel by means of a hook and socket, the end of the mandrel placed in the socket, and a steel cottar or pin passes through both, and thus connected the hook fits into a link of the chain. The power being set in action, the mandrel with the cylinder upon it is drawn through the collar. The cylinder in this operation is prevented from being forced off the mandrel by a slit or cavity made in

the end of the mandrel, into which a projection inside the cylinder at its extremity is made to fit. The operation is repeated through successive collars, whose diameters gradually diminish until the cylinder is brought to a proper state of smoothness and solidity. The number of operations must of course vary with the nature of the metal, the diameter of the cylinder and other circumstances, and no certain rule can be laid down upon the subject; but it must be left to the workmen to determine when the cylinder is brought to a proper and perfect state. In this there will be no difficulty. The power which I use for the above purpose is about a hundred horse power, estimated at the place where it acts upon the mandrel. The cylinders are usually about twenty-six inches, and thirty-six inches in length, before they are drawn through the collars, and the operation is generally repeated until they are extended to the length of about thirty-two and forty-two inches. The diameter of the first collar is about one eighty-fourth part of an inch less than that of the outward surface of the cylinder; and of the second collar about one eighty-fourth of an inch less than that of the first collar, and so in succession; but these proportions and the extent of the power may of course be varied, and the machinery may be constructed and the power applied in different modes; the above being described merely as an example, and as a convenient method of giving effect to my invention. After the cylinder has passed through the different collars, and is brought to a proper state of smoothness and solidity, I place it in the usual way on a finishing mandrel to be turned and polished.

In witness whereof, &c.

On

On an easy Method of widening Bridges.
Communicated by WILLIAM TAYLOR, Esq.

SIR,

WHERE there is not a very frequent passage over a

bridge, and the rise of the road may not be steep, and its length inconsiderable, narrowness is only of proportional inconvenience; but otherwise breadth becomes of great importance. It often happens, especially in old towns, that their old bridges are very narrow, which on the increase of trade and population makes them to be very defective. Bridges have not generally been built in the lines of old roads and old streets, which were usually in the line across old fords; so that from bridges being builtat a little distance from the fords, there are often very sharp turns, and sometimes two at the bottom of hills, where the drivers of carriages, from opposite directions, not being able to observe each other's approach, have to meet without notice; and if the bridge be narrow, danger is imminent, and mischief frequently occurs. Adding to the width of bridges with the same materials, and in uniformity with the antient structure, is found to be very expensive; and the ways over many rivers in populous neighbourhoods remain narrow and unimproved, to the very great vexation and hazard of the passengers. But much of the evil may be obviated, by a comparatively easy and cheap method of widening both the carriage-road and foot-path, by throwing the whole breadth between parapet and parapet into the road; and taking down the parapets, and making a kind of galleries or balconies on the sides for paths.

The annexed diagram of a skeleton of a section may help to point out the alterations and additions required.

mn,

mn, the surface of the road between parapet and parapet. At g and h, the parapet lowered to within about a a foot of the surface of the road, cland kf, supports to the paths, upheld by brackets i q land opk. lk, being a tye-beam, or chain, or rod of iron passing through under the road, to bear the strain, which must take place in that direction, of the brackets and supports of paths. ac and df, posts to fasten rails to; on which the side paling and flooring of the paths are to be fixed, braced by bg. he, the flooring of the paths, secured at one end into the remainder of the parapets, (now become the curb-stones of the paths,) and, at the other, into the bottom rails of the paling. On account of the current of the wind being usually strong on rivers, close paling ought to be preferred to open rails or balustrades.

Perhaps, for the ties lk, the best would be of jointed rods of cast iron; jointed, because if a part fail, a part only is needful to be repaired other materials as suit to circumstances. A hint will make it obvious, that, by, keys or rivets at one end of the ties, a gallery may be supported on the other side of the bridge.

Yours, &c.

Feb. 18, 1819.

WILLIAM TAYLOR.

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