IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE LIGHTING OF FIRES AND IN FIRE PLACES AND GRATES CHIMNEYS CHIMNEY TOPS AND IN APPARATUS COMBINED THEREWITH FOR INCREASING DRAFT PREVENTING SMOKE AND ECONOMIZING FUEL."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Tomlinson of 58 Holborn Viaduct in the City
of London for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE
THE LIGHTING OF FIRES AND IN FIRE PLACES AND GRATES CHIMNEYS CHIMNEY
TOPS AND IN APPARATUS COMBINED THEREWITH FOR INCREASING DRAFT
PREVENTING SMOKE AND ECONOMIZING FUEL."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Tomlinson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th August 1882.
EDWARD TOMLINSON of 58 Holborn Viaduct in the City of London "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE LIGHTING OF FIRES AND IN FIRE PLACES
AND GRATES CHIMNEYS CHIMNEY TOPS AND IN APPARATUS COMBINED THEREWITH
FOR INCREASING DRAFT PREVENTING SMOKE AND ECONOMIZING FUEL,"
37
This invention relates first to improvements in apparatus to facilitate the
lighting of fires of the character described in the specification of Letters Patent
granted to me and dated 20th August 1875 N° 2931
The apparatus shown and described in the said specification for holding the wood
or other fuel to facilitate the lighting of fires was introduced between the bars of
the grate in a horizontal position. Now I have found in practice that this method
of introducing the holder into the grate is objectionable as it was difficult to
withdraw the holder when the wood or other igniting fuel was consumed without
disturbing the fuel and thus retarding combustion, and this part of my improve-
ments consists in so arranging and constructing the holder that it can be introduced
into the grate above the bars and held in a vertical position therein from which
position it can be readily removed when the fire is ignited.
When the fire-lighter is made up in the form of a wheel or other shape it is
placed and clamped or otherwise secured in the holder which is then passed down
into the grate vertically and the holder may be so constructed with a book or
projections clips or otherwise so as to embrace the bars or be otherwise supported
and fixed in the central or other part thereof.
The wood or other fuel may be formed in a mould in the shape of a wheel square
or otherwise for the purpose of forming the fire-lighter previous to being clamped
in the holder.
Or the wood or other suitable fuel may be placed direct in to or onto the holder
which is held in a vertical position in the grate.

page_text: The holder may consist of a spindle on which the wood or fuel is threaded the
wood or fuel being previously perforated slotted or otherwise arranged for the
purpose. Apparatus of this character may also be used for lighting fires in furnaces
of various kinds.
In place of the spindle a perforated bar or other similar instrument may be used
through which the wood or fuel can be passed or otherwise held the spindle or bar
being placed in a vertical position in the centre of the grate and the coal or other
fuel placed upon and around the holder to light the fire.
Or a clip for holding the wood or fuel may be substituted for the spindle or bar
previously described.
Another part of my improvements relates to the arrangement and application of
fixed or movable ledges or bars of metal fire clay or other material to the
backs cheeks and bottoms of grates or fire places to rest the ends of the wood upon
the other ends of the wood resting upon the front bar or bars or resting on the
ledges of the cheeks or it may rest otherwise at the other end of the wood.
The checks and ledges may be movable to suit the length of the wood or other
fuel or the back and cheeks may be fluted perforated or otherwise to support the
ends of the wood or to assist in creating a draft and to facilitate combustion.
This arrangement of the inner surface of the fire place facilitates the laying of
the wood and lighting of the fire therein economizing fuel and curing smoke.
Brackets fixed or movable are arranged within the grate or fire-place to support
cooking utensils thereon and to economize time and facilitate combustion by allowing
more vent.
These brackets can either be lifted out slide or fold or be otherwise removed out
of the way when out of use.
According to another part of my improvements I apply a portable or false grate
to the insides of fire-places such supplementary grates being arranged with similar
means for supporting the wood or fuel for lighting a fire therein to those previously
described
The object of this part of my improvements is to facilitate combustion economize
fuel and prevent smoke. This supplementary grate is constructed with wider
spaces at bottom than the ordinary grate being furnished with handles so as to
raise and lower it for the purpose of supplying fresh coals or fuel (after the fire is
lighted) from the bottom.
The mechanical means employed for raising and lowering the inner receptacle or
grate may be greatly varied a simple rack and pinion or levers and quadrant
serving the purpose.
When fresh fuel is required the inner receptacle is raised thus leaving a space at
bottom between the bottom of the ordinary grate and the false bottom into which
fresh coal or fuel is introduced. Before putting in fresh fuel it is essential to
shovel a portion of the live fuel and throw on top of fire before putting fresh
fuel under to make room. The operation is repeated from time to time as
required.
By this means a great saving of fuel is effected the smoke and gases being
consumed.
Another part of my improvements relates to the arrangement and application
of an ornamental blower or fire guard to grates or fire places.
This improved blower or fire guard may be mounted upon a swivel or hinges
in one or more parts or it may draw out of a slot or recess over the fire-place or
it may be made of metal glass mica asbestos board or other suitable material
perforated or otherwise to any pattern or design and be ornamented or decorated
in various ways by printing embossing or otherwise either separate or combined
so as to serve either as a blower fire-guard or as an ornament to a stove or fire-
place being arranged to cover or partially cover the fire-place and serve to
facilitate combustion economize fuel cure smoky chimneys and also prevent smoke
dust and blacks from coming into the room.
The blower guard and fire-ornament combined may be used after the fire is lit