Improvements in Domestic Fire Guards.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1896-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1896
Improvements in Domestic Fire Guards.
I, MOSTYN FREDERICK LLOYD TRINGHAM of Penygraig, Aberporth, Cardigan,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide a guard for domestic fire grates, which
can be permanently attached thereto so as to be always ready for use and which
may be folded back away from the fire when not required for use."
For this purpose I provide two folding frames or screens each of which is
supported by a bracket adjustably connected. to the top bar of the grate, one on
either side thereof. Each of these frames or screens is preferably constructed of
wire trellis work, and is provided with two or more hinged portions or flaps capable
of being folded back upon each other. When in use the two screens or frames
extend across in front of the grate at a short distance therefrom, meeting together
at the centre where they are secured by a suitable catch operated by a rod and
handle from the top. These frames or screens thus constitute an efficient fire
guard and at the same time prevent any cinders or other substances being shot out
from the fire into the room.
When not required for use the frames or screens are folded back on their hinges
against the sides of the stove so as to be clear of the grate.
When the grate bars are of a curved or circular section, so that it is not easy to
attach the supporting brackets rigidly thereto, I provide an adjustable support
pivotally attached to the said brackets in such a manner that the lower end of the
support bears against the lowest bar of the grate, the upper end supporting the
bracket near its outer end.
Instead of the frames or screens being formed of open trellis work they may be
made of thin sheet metal so as to act as a screen or for the purpose of hiding the
grate when the latter is not in use, and the said metal screen may be enamelled or
otherwise ornamented on its outer surface.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings
Fig. 1 is a front view of a fire place with my improved guard attached thereto
and in the position it occupies when folded back or out of use,
Fig. 2 is a front view to a larger scale showing one half of the guard in its
opened out or extended position and Fig. 3 is a plan thereof,
Fig. 4 is a modification of one of the supporting brackets.
a are the grate bars to the top one of which are secured by the screws 6' the
supporting brackets b. cc. are the frames or screens forming the guard each
constructed of two flaps or panels hinged together at c'.. These are opened out as
shewn in Figs. 2 and 3 to form the guard or folded upon each other and turned
The said frames or
back clear of the grate when not wanted as shown in Fig. 1.
screens are supported by the rods or pins d screwed to the brackets b and the
tubular socket pieces e through which the pins d pass, the said sockets being
connected to the inner edge of the frames c and resting upon a collar d' of the
pins d. By this means the frames or screens can be readily slid off the pins for
the purpose of cleaning or removal. The frames or screens are secured together at
their centre by the fastening shown in Fig. 2 which consists of the lever catch f
pivoted at to one of the said frames, the other frame being provided with a
staple with which the catch f engages. This catch is operated by a rud g
:

page_text: provided at the top with a knob or handleg extending above the top of the
guard, the said knob being pulled up for unfastening and let dowu for fastening.
A similar knob g' is fixed to the other frame or screen for uniformity of appearance
and to facilitate the folding back or opening of the screen. In the event of the
bars being otherwise, than flat, I prefer, to employ an adjustable support for the
brackets which in conjunction with the screws enables the said brackets to be
kept in a rigid horizontal position.
This arrangement is shown in Fig. 4 where a are the fire-bars of a curved shape
in cross section to the top one of which the bracket bis secured by the screw ¹ as
before described. The forward end of the bracket is formed with a lug b³ to which
is pivoted a rod passing through extensions or guides of a second rod or bar i
formed with a suitably shaped jaw at its end for resting upon the lower bar of
the grate. This support is adjustable in length so as to fit different sized grates
by loosening and tightening up the set screw 3.
My improved guard is especially applicable for use in nurseries in which case I
prefer to fasten the two halves. together by a top and bottom sliding bolt instead
of the pivoted catch fand to increase the height of the said guard. It is evident
the wire frames or screens may be ornamented with various designs in twisted wire
to give them an attractive appearance and in the case of solid frames may be
suitably enamelled or painted."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
(1.) In domestic fire-guards the use of two frames or screens formed of hinged
flaps and each supported by a bracket secured to the top bar of a grate, substantially
as described and for the purposes specified.
(2.) In domestic fire-guards the combination with the wire frames or screens c
pivoted to the supports b by the pins d and sockets e of the lever catch or fastener f
operated by the rod g and knob g' substantially as described and for the purposes
specified.
(3.) The modified construction of support, substantially as described and shown
in Fig. 4 of the drawings.
(4.) The improved fire-guard substantially as described and shown in the
drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.