IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANIPULATION OF APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAB
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Parlby, of Aylesbury, in the County of
Bucks, Gas Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND MANIPULATION OF APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF GAB."
Scaled the 30th May 1878, and dated the 3rd March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Parlby at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd March 1878.
I, WILLIAM PARLBY, of Aylesbury, in the County of Bucks, Gas
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANIPULATION OF APPARATUS USED
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF Gas," to be as follows:—
This Invention has for its object the construction of improved apparatus
known as mouth pieces, lids, and fastenings used in the manufacture of
gas, and improved modes of manipulating the same, and consists in
constructing the cross bar and its juncture with the mouth piece of the
retort, so as to form a hinge or joint without the aid of eccentrics; and

page_text: provision is made whereby the lids may be shifted or swung into any
required position during the charging and discharging of the retorts, and
whon closed will produce an effectual and sound joint.
The manner by which the lid is rendered moveable is as follows:-
The cross bar (which is hinged upon the mouth piece of the retort) is t
fitted with a central hole, within which a screw is made to work. The
outer end of this screw is provided with a T shaped or other suitable
handle for turning the same, and the other end is made to fit within a
socket upon the lid. This socket is bored out upon a raised centre in
the lid, and the end of the screw turned so as to form a perfectly true 1
joint when placed in the socket. This screw when brought into action
is prevented from being drawn out of the socket by means of a pin
passing through the socket near its circumference, and the screw
moving in this socket is made with a small groove for receiving the pin,
which acts so as to retain it in the socket.
1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Parlby in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 3rd September 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
PARLBY, of Aylesbury, in the County of Bucks, Gas Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Parlby, Her special licence
that I, the said William Parlby, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said. William Parlby, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION AND MANIPULATION OF APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Parlby, my

page_text: executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Parlby, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, that is to say :-
This Invention has for its object the construction of improved apparatus
known as mouth pieces, lids, and fastenings used in the manufacture of
gas, and improved modes of manipulating the same, and consists in
constructing the cross bar and its juncture with the mouth piece of the
retort, so as to form a hinge or joint without the aid of excentrics, and
provision is made whereby the lids may be shifted or swung into any
required position during. the charging or discharging of the retorts, and
when closed will produce an effectual and sound joint.
The manner by which the lid is rendered moveable is as follows;-
The cross bar (which is hinged upon the mouth piece of the retort) is
fitted with a central hole, within which a screw is made to work. The
outer end of this screw is provided with a T shaped or other suitable
handle for turning the same, and the other end is made to fit within a
socket upon the lid. This socket is bored out upon a raised centre in
the lid, and the end of the screw turned so as to form a perfectly true
joint when placed in the socket. This screw when brought into action
is prevented from being drawn out of the socket by means of a pin
passing through the socket near its circumference, and the screw
moving in the socket is made with a small groove for receiving the pin,
which acts so as to retain it in the socket.
The cross bar, to which, by means of the central screw, the lid for
closing the retort is connected, may be made of wrought, cast, or
malleable iron, the thickness and strength of which may be varied to
suit the size of the mouth piece to which the Invention is applied. The
shape of the cross bar (except where provision is made for the working
of the central screw) resembles a piece of flat iron, slightly bowed, about
•
'

page_text: its
half an inch in thickness, and three inches in width. Near one of the
extremities of this cross bar an eye or hole may be formed for the
insertion of a circular pin or bolt for connecting the cross bar to one of
the lugs or ears of the mouth piece of the retort, so as to form a hinge
or joint. If preferred however the lug or ear of the mouth piece, to
which a hinged or jointed connection with the cross bar is intended to
be made, may be constructed at the point of juncture in the shape of a
circular pin or bolt, in which case the cross bar is provided with a hole
to admit of its being fitted over the circular pin or bolt upon the lug.
The cross bar may also be made with a circular pin or bolt formed upon
upper surface and near one of its extremities, in which case the lug
or ear of the mouth piece is made with an eye or hole for receiving the
same. The object sought in each of these cases being the formation of
a hinge or joint for swinging the lid of the retort into its required
positions, and to provide a means for staying and securing the cross bar
to one of the lugs or ears of the mouth piece when the lid is being
fastened by the pressure of the central screw. The other end of the
cross bar may be made plain so as to fit within a niched opening formed
in the lug or ear on the opposite side of the mouth piece, in which case
it is retained in position or otherwise by the insertion or removal of a pin
made to fit within the eye or hole formed in the upper and lower jaw of
the lug or ear, as herein-after described. Or the cross bar may at this
end be constructed with a movcable joint, which permits of a small
portion (the outer portion) being lifted or raised and allowed to drop
within an opening formed in the lug, thereby preventing the same being
withdrawn when pressure is applied by means of the central screw. Or
this jointed end of the cross bar may be made with a pin on its under
sido for fitting into a suitable hole in the lug or ear of the mouth piece
when the lid is closed, or it may be provided with a hole to fit over a
pin fitted or formed upon the lug. In each and all of these cases the
cross bar is made considerably stronger and thicker in the centre in
order to provide for the support of the lid and the working of the central
The central hole in the cross bar for the working of the central
screw being tapped to any suitable kind of thread, and the screw
corresponding to the same, provided with a handle to allow of the
moving thereof in tightening or unloosening the lid.
screw.

page_text: shape; the latter shape however is preferred. The metal of the lid is
made somewhat thicker towards the circumferential edge, and a rimmed
or ribbed bearing is formed upon it for affording the necessary amount
of depth and surface to make a joint within the metal of the front face
of the mouth piece. This rimmed or ribbed bearing of the lid is planed
perfectly smooth and true on its outer side and be bevelled or tapered
equally to the required angle, the end and inner side of the bearing being
left plain and at right angles to each other in the centre of the lid, either
projecting inwardly or outwardly; the metal is made much thicker than
in the other parts. This is done to allow of the boring out or formation
of a hole or socket in the metal for admitting one of the ends of the
central screw (not the screwed part) and attaching the same to the lid.
This hole or socket in the raised centre of the lid may be formed when
the lid is made and fitted true afterwards, or it may be bored out and
then fitted true; in each case however it is turned perfectly true in
order to receive the end of the central screw (also properly prepared)
and made to fit exactly within the socket. The raised centre on the lid
is further provided with two small holes pierced from the exterior and
through the whole thickness of metal to allow of two small stop pins
being inserted, by which means the central screw is attached to the lid
and both parts procured together. To do this however it is necessary
that part of the central screw fitting into the lid be made with a narrow
groove at a suitable point so that when the stop pins are inserted they fit
partly within the groove of the screw, thereby preventing the detach-
ment of the lid, and at the same time allowing the lid to be turned
around upon the central screw as a wheel upon its axis.
The lugs or ears of the mouth piece may either be cast with the mouth
piece or made separately; in the latter case they may be fitted to the
mouth piece in any approved manner. The lug or ear of the mouth piece
to which one of the ends of the cross bar is connected, forming the hinge
or joint, may either be furnished with an eye or hole for receiving the
requisite pin or bolt either formed upon or separate from the cross bar,
or the lug or ear itself may be made with a pin or bolt, in which case
the eye or hole in the cross bar is fitted over it. The other lug or ear on
the opposite side of the mouth piece may be made with a niched
opening, into which the cross bar glides when the retort is to be closed,
the cross bar being kept securely in position on this side of the mouth
piece by a pin being inserted in suitable holes. The lug however may

page_text: be made without the upper and lower jaw if the cross bar is provided
with a moveable joint for dropping into the opening left on the lug, or it
may be made without either the niche or the opening, in which case a
pin inserted in a hole left in the lug behind the cross bar is substituted.
The pin employed for stopping this end of the cross bar when the niched
or the plain lugs are employed is made to work freely and loosely in the
holes, and is connected by a small piece of chain to the handle of the
central screw or some other part of the apparatus, so that when the lid
is to be fastened or closed the workman has only to push the door close
to the face of the mouth piece and drop the pin into the holes and then
tighten by means of the central screw. In unfastening the lid (the
workman having turned around the handle of the central screw so as to
unslack the lid) it is only necessary to gently tap the pin on the under
sido when it will instantly rise from its seat in the hole or holes of the
lug and the cross bar on that side of the mouth piece is immediately:
released and the retort is speedily opened.
The central screw and handle working in the centre of the cross bar
and acting upon the lid, is so contrived that by turning the same around
either to the right or left, the lid may be controlled as desired, and pro-
vision is also made for taking out the same if at any time it should be
necessary to adjust the parts.
The mouth piece itself is made cast iron and of any convenient
thickness of metal. It may either be of the D, elliptical, or rounded shape,
the interior being hollow to suit the size of the retorts, and having a
suitable outlet for the passage of the gas. The back end is made with :
a flange having suitable holes for the admission of bolts to secure the
mouth piece to the retort. The front end of the mouth piece is mado
thicker than the other parts, the outer circumference being widened with
the view of securing a suitable amount of metal in which to form a
sound juncture or joint with the lid. This enlarged face of the mouth ;
piece is gradually chamferred off from the outer circumferenco to the
thickness of the other metal. The sealing of the lid with the mouth
picce is accomplished by making within the metal of the front face of
the mouth piece a recess or socket shaped to receive the rimmed or
ribbed bearing of the lid. This recess or socket formed within the
front face of the metal of the mouth piece can be provided for when the
casting is made, and afterwards turned or bored out to the requisito
shape. The outer sido of the recess being made perfectly smooth

page_text: and true and bevelled and tapered equally at the required angle for the
corresponding part of the lid 'to fit against the end, and inner side
of the recess or socket being left plain and at right angles to each other.
Upon the smooth bevelled or tapered portion of the rimmed or ribbed
bearing of the lid being brought into contact with the prepared surface
of the recess or socket within the metal of the mouth piece, and 'pressurė
being applied by means of the central screw, a sound gas-tight joint is
produced. The object of making one of the sides of the recess in the
metal of the mouth piece straight instead of tapered or bevelled is to
form a guide to the lid in sealing and closing the retort, by which means
the rimmed or ribbed bearing of the lid may be carried home perfectly
level, and even so that when the two bevelled or tapered surfaces come
contact and the necessary pressure is put on by the screw an effectual
and tight joint is obtained.
""
It is also designed by this Invention that the forming of the recess
within the metal of the mouth piece shall to a great extent prevent any
deposit of settlement of tarry and carbonaceous matter upon the bevelled
or tapered surfaces. This recess also prevents any injury being done to
the surfaces by the workmen in using the rakes or scoops.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal or side elevation of the mouth piece, the
right hand side thereof representing the flange which is connected to the
retort in the usual manner by means of bolts and nuts. The left of
this clevation shows a side view of the front part of the mouth piece,
one of the lugs or ears, the cross bar, the central screw, and the lid.
Figure 1ª is the mouth piece; B, the lid; O, the lug or ear on the right
hand side of the mouth piece, made to project beyond the front face
thereof, and having a nich or opening made therein for receiving one of
the ends of the cross bar E, so as to form a hinge or joint for moving
the cross bar and lid when required, the pin or bolt being fitted into
the hole of the lug and cross bar. The cross bar E is slightly bowed,
having its centre somewhat thicker and stronger to allow of the central
screw F working therein; G is the chain, one end of which is attached to
the pin or bolt b³ (shewn in Figures 2, 8, and 5), the other end being con-
5 nected with the handle of the central screw F; H, is the socket of the
mouth piece for receiving the pipe for carrying' off the gas from the
retort.
'
i

page_text: Figure 2 exhibits a front elevation of the mouth piece as it appears
when the lid is fastened up and closed. A is the mouth piece; B, the lid;
O, the lug or ear on the right-hand side of the mouth piece to which the
cross bar E is attached by the pin or bolt 6' passing through a hole in the
lug or ear, and the cross bar; D is the lug or ear on the left-hand side 5
of the mouth piece, which is made also with a niche or opening for
receiving the other end of the cross bar, which is secured in its place or
released by the insertion or removal of the pin or bolt 6º, which fits
within a hole in the lug or ear of the mouth piece and the cross bar; E
is the cross bar; F is the central screw which works in the centre of the 10
cross bar by means of a thread, and is attached at one of the ends to the
lid, upon the centre of which is a raised surface provided with a socket
within which a portion of the central screw is made to work, and is
secured therein, as hercin-after more particularly described; G is the
chain, one end of which is attached to the handle or the stem of the 18
central screw, and the other to the pin or bolt '; H is the socket of the
mouth piece for carrying off the gas from the retort.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal or side clevation of the mouth piece shewing
the opposite side to that at Figure 1. A is the mouth piece; B, the lid;
D, the lug or ear on the left-hand side of the mouth piece; E, the cross 20
bar; F, the handle of the central screw; G, the chain attached to the
handle of the central screw at one end and to the pin or bolt b³ at the
other; and H, the socket for carrying off the gas from the retort.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the mouth piece, lid, central screw,
and cross bar, the representation being a view taken through the centres 25
of Figures 2 and 5. A is the mouth piece looking internally from the
side; B, the lid, with the raised centre I for receiving a portion of the
central screw F to which the chain G is attached within the raised centro
I upon the lid B; a socket is bored out for receiving a portion of the
central screw and at a convenient point on the outer side of the raised 30
centre, and passing through the same, two small holes k³, k³, are formed
for the admission of two small stop pins (k³, k³, I, Figure 5) for securing
the lid to the central screw; that part of the central screw fitting
within the socket is made to fit perfectly true, both the surfaces being
smoothed or turned. Towards the end of the screw fitting within the 35
socket of the raised centre of the lid at a suitable point a small narrow
groove is made around its circumference for allowing the stop pins (³, k¹,
I, Figure 5) to be inserted; E is the contral portion of the cross bar

page_text: within which the threaded part of the central screw is made to work.
By this mode of connecting the lid to the central screw the lid is secured -
in a perfectly steady manner, whilst it may be turned around with the
greatest case upon that portion of the screw fitting within the raised
centre; L, L, represent the raised or ribbed bearing of the lid fitting
within the recess or socket M, M, made within the metal of the front
face of the mouth piece. This rimmed or ribbed bearing of the lid (L,
L) is planed' on the outer side perfectly smooth and true, and bevelled
ór tapered equally to the required angle, the end and inner side being
left plain and at right angles to each other. The enlarged face or front
of the mouth piece as shewn in this and the other Figures is gradually
chamferred off from the outer circumference till it becomes of the same
thickness as the other metal in the other parts of the mouth piece. The
recess or socket M, M, made within the front face of the mouth pieco is
shaped so as to receive the rimmed or ribbed bearing of the lid, being.
made on the outer side perfectly smooth and true, and bevelled or
tapered equally to the required angle for the corresponding part of the
lid to fit against, the end and inner side thereof being left plain and at
right angles to each other.
Figure 5 represents a plan of the mouth piece, showing the lugs or
ears on either side thereof, the lid, the cross bar, the central screw, and
the pin and chain. A is the mouth piece; B, the lid; O, the lug or ear
forming a hinge with the cross bar by means of the bolt 6¹;' D, the lug
or car on the opposite side; E, the cross bar; F, the central screw and
handle; G, the chain connected to the handle and the moveable pin 6*;
H, the socket of the mouth pieco.for carrying off the gas; I, the raised.
centre upon the lid, and kɩ k₁, the two stop pins for securing the lid to
the central screw.
Figure 6 is simply a front view of the mouth piece without the lid,
cross bar, central screw; and connections, shewing the recess or socket
M, M, formed in the front face thereof.
Figures 7, 8, and 9, are side views of about one half of the mouth
piece, shewing several other lugs or ears which are embraced in this
Invention.
.
Figure 7. D' shews a lug or ear which may if preferred be substituted
for the one-shown at D, in Figures 2, 3, and 5. In the employment of
the∙lugʻ shown at D', in Figure 7, the recess or niche in the lug¨on that

page_text: side of the mouth piece is dispensed with and the cross bar fitting thereto
is made to glide over the top of the lug and is stopped thereon by
inserting a pin or bolt within the space represented between the dotted
lines, as shown on the Drawing, the chain being attached to the pin, as
shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Figure 8. D' shews the mouth piece with a niched lug or car similar
to the one shewn at D, in Fig. 2, 3, and 5, but in this case the pin
is inserted behind the cross bar and not through a hole therein, as in
Figures 1, 2, 8, 4, and 5.
Figure 9. D' shews the mouth piece with the lug or ear having a space 1
left therein for allowing a portion of the cross bar to fit into. In this
caso the cross bar with the moveable joint on the left hand side, shewn
at Figure 13, e' is employed. In each and all of these cases the lugs or
cars shown at Figures 7, 8, and 9, are only intended to be employed on
one of the sides of the mouth piece, i. c. the side which is not intended :
for the hinge or joint.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another form of lug or ear, which may
be substituted if preferred instead of the one shewn at C, in Figures 1, 2,
and 5. Figure 10, 0' shews a lug or ear upon the mouth piece provided
with a pin or bolt made with the metal, or separately. In this case the
samo description of cyc or hole in the cross bar may be employed as that
shown in the application of the lug or ear C, in Figures 1, 2,
and 5.
Figure 11. C is another variety of lug or car of the mouth piece, the
space between the two dotted lines therein representing the hole for
receiving the pin or bolt of the cross bar, as shewn in Figure 18, e².
In this case the method of forming a hinge or joint, as at Figures 1, 2,
and 5, C, is dispensed with and this description of joint applied
instead.
Figure 12. E shews a plan and olevation of the cross bar detached
from the mouth piece, as applied in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Figure 13. E' represents a plan and elevation of another modification
of cross bar, the right hand side shewing a pin or bolt e for dropping
into a hole in the lug or ear of the mouth piece, and suitable for
application to C³, Figure 11; the left hand side of this cross bar shows

page_text: the moveable joint e¹ for applying in the case of the lug at Figure
9, D³.
•
Figure 14. E' is a plan and elevation of a slightly modifled form of
cross bar, the side for forming a hinge or joint with the lug or ear being
the same as shewn at C, in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the other end of tho
cross bar is left plain, in which case the lugs or ears shown at D' and D³°
in Figures 7 and 8, may be employed.
The manner in which this Invention is manipulated is as follows,
viz.:-The retort to which the mouth piece is connected having been
charged with the material from which the gas is to be produced the
workman pushes the handle or cross bar toward the face of the mouth
piece until the lid is brought into contact with the same. He then
secures the cross bar on the unhinged side of the mouth piece, either by
the pin and chain appliance or by the moveable joint, and then turning
around the handle of the screw once or twice the lid is effectually
sealed with the mouth piece. In opening the mouth piece the handle is
turned around in a reverse manner and the pin or the moveable joint are
released from the cross bar, and by pulling the handle or cross bar
forward the mouth piece is opened.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I would observé in conclusion that I do not confine
or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have
described or referred to, as variations may be made therein without
deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention, but
what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,-
First. The formation of a recess or socket within the front face of the
metal of the mouth piece, and making one side of the recess or socket of
an angular or bevelled shape and the end and other side straight, but at
right angles to each other so as to admit of the rimmed or ribbed bearing
of the lid fitting therein, and the formation of a planed and smoothed
surface on the angular or bevelled side of the recess or socket, for
making a joint with the lid when pressure is applied thereto by means
of the central screw as herein-before described, reserving also the right

page_text: to reverse the joint and to make the opposito or inner side of the recess
or socket bevelled, and the outer side thereof straight.
Second. The construction of the lid with a rimmed or ribbed bearing
to fit within the recess or socket made within the metal of the front face
of the mouth piece, and the formation upon the outer side of the rimmed
or ribbed bearing a planed and smoothed angular or bevelled surface to fit
perfectly true upon the same description of surface made within the
recess or socket of the metal of the front face of the mouth piece, as
lierein-before described, reserving also the right to reverse the joint and
to make the opposite or inner side of the recess or socket bevelled and
the outer sido straight.
Third. The construction of the lid with a raised centre made to project
upon the interior or exterior of the lid, and the making therein from the
external side a bored socket for receiving the turned and smoothed
portion of the central screw which is worked by means of a suitable
handle as herein-before described.
Fourth. The construction of the lid with a raised centre made to
project upon its interior or exterior, and making at a suitable point
therein one or two small vertical or other holes, and inserting therein
suitable stop pins for securing the lid to the central screw, as herein-
before described.
Fifth. The peculiar construction of the central screw for the purposes
of this Invention and the mode of attaching or connecting the same to
the lid by means of the stop pin appliance, as herein-before described,
and the attachment of the lid to the central screw in any other suitable
manner.
Sixth. The peculiar construction of the lugs or ears of the mouth
piece, and their application as heroin-before described.
Seventh. The construction of the cross bar for the application of the
pin or bolt appliance to the lug on the unhinged side of the mouth piece,
and the attachment of the cross bar to the car or lug of the mouth pieco
by the applianco of the eye or holo in the cross bar which is made to fit
over the pin or bolt formed upon the lug or ear of the mouth piece, and
the attachment of the cross bar to the lug or car of the mouth piece by
dropping the pivotted part thereof into a hole in the lug as hercin-before
described.

page_text: Eighth. The construction of the cross bar at the unhinged side of the
lid with a moveable joint for raising and falling a portion of the cross
bar when unloosening and fastening the lid, and the formation of an eye
or hole at a suitable point on the outer side of this moveable joint for
receiving a pin or bolt, and the other modification thereof, as herein-
before described.
Ninth. The construction and application of the pin or bolt for stopping
the cross bar on the unhinged side of the mouth piece, and the attach-
ment of the pin to the chain and apparatus as herein-before described.
Tenth. The peculiar combination of the various parts of the apparatus
and the application of the same for closing gas retorts.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Parlby, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Third day of September, One thousand
oight hundred and seventy-three.