Improvements in or Connected with Domestic Stoves and Chimney Pieces in Combination.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1887
Complete Left, 25th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted. 24th Feb., 1888
Improvements in or Connected with Domestic Stoves and Chimney
Pieces in Combination.
I QUIMBY SILAS BACKUS of 1734 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, State of Pennsyl-
vania, United States of America, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my
said invention to be as follows:-
:―
This invention relates to certain detail construction and arrangements of domestic
fire places in which the heat of gas flame is imparted to water contained in a vessel
from which steam rises and circulates through pipes arranged in the upper part of the
chimney piece, which is hollow or formed with chambers and by other pipes to the
jambs into which air is admitted in any desired manner to be heated and have free
passage into the room or apartment in which the stove may be fitted. The outlets
from which the heated air escapes may be of an ornamental character and I purpose
making the whole of the apparatus in cast iron and fit it either into the niche where
stoves are usually placed or to stand it near to a wall where it would give the appear.
ance of an ordinary fire place, yet being an article complete in itself and very
compact and capable of being ornamented to any extent without interfering with the
heating capacity.
The invention is based upon that of a previous patent granted to me on the
29th June 1886 No. 8545. In the specification of said Letters Patent I describe a
special construction of stove in which oil lamps are employed, in which the above
mentioned means of heating by radiation from steam containing chambers is generated
by oil flame heat.
By my present invention I change the general construction of said apparatus to
enable gas to be employed for heating the water and generating steam by which air
can be heated or radiated for distribution into the room or apartment.
My fire place proper is composed of a lower casting supported by a framework fixed
to or forming part of a movable hearth, the front of said lower part which carries the
gas jets or burners can be made to any design and directly above or slightly to the
Fear I arrange my water vessel, the front of which may be cast to imitate a log of
wood to which asbestos fibre may be attached, or the front may be plain with the

page_text: asbestos fibre projecting therefrom so that the flame from the gas jets passes up
between, yet in contact with the asbestos to give a cheerful aspect to the occupants of
the room.
This upper or water vessel has pipes carried up from it into the hollow chamber or
the compartiments of the chimney piece, said pipes being in coil or rack form for
distribution of heat therefrom for heating air which is drawn into the compartment
by suction and has a free exit through suitable apertures formed in the chimney breast
and mantel.
Other pipes from the water vessel convey steam sideways or downwards to the sides
of the jambs or into the jambs themselves which pipes may be open ended into steam
tight compartments or be made with returns up or into the jambs either as distinct
pipes or in connection with the coil or rack of piping in the upper part of the chimney
piece.
Where several stoves are fitted in a house, the heating arrangement may be effected
in one stove and by pipe communication the steam can be conveyed to the radiators of
the other stoves by distinct pipes which when fitted with taps can he shut off or on as
desired and where a fender is used in connection with my before mentioned apparatus
it can be formed of piping or channelled for the reception of steam for radiating
purposes.
13
30
1
C T
1002
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Q. S. Backus.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Connected with Domestic Stoves and Chimney
Pieces in Combination.
I QUIMBY SILAS BACKUS of 1734 North 15th Street, Philadelphia State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to certain detail construction and arrangements of domestic
fire places in which the heat of gas flame is imparted to water contained in a vessel
from which steam rises and circulates through pipes arranged in the upper part of the
chimney piece which is hollow or formed with chambers and by other pipes to the
jambs into which air is admitted in any desired manner to be heated and have free
passage into the room or apartment in which the stove may be fitted. The outlets
from which the heated air escapes may be of an ornamental character and I purpose
making the whole of the apparatus in cast iron and fit it either into the niche where
stoves are usually placed or to stand it near to a wall where it would give the appearance
of an ordinary fire place yet being an article complete in itself and very compact
and capable of being ornamented to any extent without interfering with the heating
capacity.
The invention is based upon that of a previous patent granted to me on the
29th June 1886 No. 8545. In the specification of said Letters Patent I describe a
special construction of stove in which oil lamps are employed in which the above
mentioned means of heating by radiation from steam containing chambers is generated
by oil flame heat. By my present invention I change the general construction of said
apparatus to enable gas to be employed for heating the water and generating steami
by which air can be heated or radiated for distribution into the room or apartment.
My fire place proper is composed of a lower casting supported by a framework fixed
to or forming part of a movable hearth, the front of said lower part which carries the
gas jets or burners can be made to any design and directly above or slightly to the
rear. I arrange my water vessel the front of which may be cast to imitate a log of
wood to which asbestos fibre may be attached or the front may be plain with the
asbestos fibre projecting therefrom so that the flame from the gas jets passes up
between yet in contact with the asbestos to give a cheerful aspect to the occupants of
the room.
This upper or water vessel has pipes carried up from it into the hollow chambers or
the compartments of the chimney piece, said pipes being in coil or rack form for
distribution of heat therefrom for heating air which is drawn into the compartment by
suction and has a free exit through suitable apertures forming the chimney breast and

page_text: age compartments or be made with returns up or into the jambs either as
distinct pipes or in connection with the coil or rack of piping in the upper part of the
chimney piece.
Where several stoves are fitted in a house the heating arrangement may be effected
in one stove and by pipe communication the steam can be conveyed to the radiators of
the other stoves by distinct pipes which when fitted with taps can be shut off or on as
desired and where a fender is used in connection with my before mentioned apparatus
it can be formed of piping or channelled for the reception of water or steam for
radiating purposes.
In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of mantel embodying my
invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same on line a, a, of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section on line y, y, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a section on a like line of a modified form of my mantel.
Figure 5 is a transverse section of one side of such form of mantel on line =,=,
Figure 4.
The same letters in the drawings indicate like parts.
I construct my mantel of four parts A, B, C and C preferably of metal. Of these
parts C, C, constitute the sides or jambs of the mantel and are placed at each side of
the fireplace niche. The part B is placed above and upon these two parts and extends
across the fireplace from one to the other. The part A is above this part B and is
provided ordinarily with a mantel shelf.
The parts CC are made with a chamber or receptacle c in each, and the part B is
also hollowed or chambered. The chamber B within this latter part of the mantel is
connected by pipes with the chambers c in the jambs. When this mantel is used in
connection with a steam heating system it is provided with an air valve and with inlet
and outlet 1 and 2. The fireplace can then be provided with a gas log which may be
lighted to imitate a grate fire, the log affording the light and the mantel the greater
part of the heat for the room.
The mantel can in a similar manner be placed in a hot water system.
I prefer, in most cases, to employ with my mantel, a water heater or steam
generator D forming part of the gas log or placed in close proximity thereto. This
water heater or steam generator is connected by pipes d d with the chamber B of the
mantel, and is also connected' by pipes d' d' with the lower part of the chambers c, c,
in the jambs C, C. The water in the water back or log on being heated passes up
through the pipes d into the chamber B and thence as it cools, downward through the
pipes to chambers c then through pipes d' into the log or back again, forming a
complete circulation in the course of which its heat is radiated or given off through
the surface of the mantel to the air of the room.
It will be noticed that the construction of the water back or steam generator
is as well designed for use with a coal or other form of fire as with a gas log or
burner.
The part A is also of a hollow form and the jambs below the chambers c are also
hollow. These spaces are not utilized in the construction just described, but in the
modification shown in Figure 4 I provide the front walls of these spaces with
perforations as shown at e. The rear of the jambs is provided with a shallow upward
passage E which is continued upward and communicates with the space or chamber in
the part A. The front wall of this passage is the rear wall of the chamber c and may
be made corrugated so as to provide additional heating surface.
The cool air of the room passes in below the chambers c then upward through the
passage E and is heated in its upward movement there through. It is then discharged
into the room through the part A and the openings in the front walls thereof. By this
means all the heat of the water or steam in the mantel is fully utilized and there is
little or no loss of heat.
The parts may be connected in any usual manner and the form and connections of

page_text: 13200
departing from the spirit of my invention.
Figure 6 is a front elevation with a part removed.
Figure 7 is a section of the complete device on line x, x in Figure 6.
Figure S is a longitudinal section of the burner.
Figure is a front elevation of a form of my invention with a radiator
attached.
Figure 10 is the same with parts removed.
Figure 11 is a transverse section on line x, x Figure 9.
The casing A which I employ is made to fit snugly in the ordinary fire place niche.
It is placed therein so that the front edge of the same is substantially flush with the
front of the sides of said niche and the curved upper part of the back closes the
chimney draft and acts to the heat forward into the room.
The burner D¹ is provided with passages f, f. The former is closed at each end and
a row of burner orifices leading from the same extends along to the top of the burner.
The passage is open and is provided with a screw thread to receive the gas supply
pipe at end and at its other end communicates with the passage by a sharp turn
of nearly a quarter of a circle, so that the gas and air may enter as nearly as possible
at right angles to the passage, above the gas and air inlet. The lower side of the
passage at the end g is provided with a series of narrow slots h for the admission of
air for admixture with the gas in the usual manner.
The gas burner is supported in its place in the following manner.
F, F, are hand irons the horizontal bar of each of which is provided with a bend i
which receives and supports a trough or water receptacle G provided at each end with
the vertical flanges. These flanges are slotted vertically and the burner D¹, is
received in said slots. These slots may be of different depths to correspond with the
different dimensions of the burner, or they may be of the same depth in which case I
provide the burner D with the loops j at the smaller end of the burner so that the
upper surface of the burner shall be on a level. When this construction is employed
the burner is easily reversible and the gas supply pipe attached to either side of the
fire place as may be most convenient.
I cover the front side of the burner with a removable curved plate H having on its
convex side a design representing a log of wood. This plate at its lower side is
provided with the shoulder k and lip l.
When the plate is in position the lip lies against the inner edge of the trough G
the shoulder resting upon the flanges m m a space being left between it and the upper
part of the burner D¹.
This plate is thus made to form an extension of the front
wall of the trough or water receptacle and the front side of the latter may be given a
design to correspond with that of the curved surface, if desired, but this is not
necessary. The back flanges m² of the trough G are provided with shoulders n which
receive the lower edge of a plate I. This plate has a lower curved portion so that the
main front surface of the same is carried forward into close proximity to the burner
orifices. This plate is provided with one or more arms J at its top which rest against
the back of the casing and support the plate in a vertical or nearly vertical position.
The front of this plate is covered with fibrous asbestos or equivalent material
attached in such a manner to the plate as to form a fibrous covering slightly pro-
jecting from the same. When the gas is burning owing to the admixture of air
therewith the flame is mainly of a bluish tint and gives little or no light. The
asbestos being arranged within the influence of the flame of the burners is heated at
different points to incandescence and affords a pleasant and agreeable light, the burner
being concealed by the covering plate. In the modification shown in Figures 9. 10
and 11 inclusive, the fire place is provided with a steam radiator J which is supported
above the casing A in this instance upon pipes J¹ J¹. These pipes connect at their
lower ends with a steam or steam generator reservoir H' in the rear of the plate I.
The construction of my radiator is otherwise the same.
The asbestos outer front of the plate I assists materially in heating the water and
generating steam in the reservoir..

page_text: It will also be seen that I also provide the casing A with a front K a mantel L
and ornamental panel M covering the radiator. These parts may be of any desired
or preferred pattern.
Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view of my radiator, used in connection with a
steam generator within the fire niche.
Figure 13 is a partial longitudinal section of the same construction.
Figure 14 is a transverse section.
Figure 15 is a front view.
Figure 16 is a plan view of a modified construction.
B is my
A designates the mantel of usual form surrounding a fire place niche.
radiator which constitutes three sides of a rectangle and occupies the space between
the mantel and the grate or fire space within the same and which is now frequently
filled by tiling or ornamental ironwork. This radiator is constructed of hollow shallow
plates of thin material and is provided with suitable inlet and outlet pipes for steam.
In Figures 12 and 13 I have shown the fire space or grate provided with a
steam generator H¹ and a gas log H for heating the same. The steam generator is
connected with the upper part of the radiator by pipes J, J, and with the lower
portion of the same by pipes J2, J. The arrangement of these pipes is such that a
circulation of the steam through the radiator is secured and the construction secures
the radiation of the heat from the steam generated as well as the direct action of the
fire in heating the room.
In
The fire place niche being cut off from the chimney I may provide my radiator
with openings e, e on each side at the bottom and openings e¹ at the top to admit air
to the space at the rear of the radiator to be heated and returned to the room.
case of the apartment becoming too highly heated it can be ventilated by turning the
damper P in the throat of the chimney.
The front walls of the radiator are preferably made with an outer surface of
ornamental character in imitation of tiling or other preferred form of ornamentation.
My improved radiator may also be used in connection with a distant steam
generator, it being supplied with the proper inlet and outlet pipes as in other forms
of radiators. These are shown in dotted lines Figure 15 and in full lines in Figure 16
at a, a¹.
Where my radiator is used in connection with a distant generator I may prefer to
provide additional heat radiating surface by constructing and connecting with said
radiator a hollow fire board, fitting within and closing the grate or fire space. This
radiator is shown at B¹ in Figure 14. In the drawing I have shown this portion of
iny radiator set a little to the rear of that portion forming the jambs but I may have
the two portions in the same vertical plane. The two parts are constructed in this
instance so that both are furnished with steam by the supply pipe a and discharge
it through the outlet a¹ but the supply pipe may be connected to but one of the two
parts and the two parts of the radiator united by suitable connecting pipes. In most
instances I prefer to connect the two parts at one or more points as shown in
Figures 15 and 16 at a.
In employing this form of my device the rear of the fire niche is closed by a
plate N or other construction and the radiator provided with the openings a, a¹ for
permitting a circulation of air back of the radiator.
Of course it will be understood that provision will be made in the usual way for
permitting the air within the radiator to escape and for drawing off any water of
condensation that may form within.
The front of the part B' may be provided with any preferred form of ornamentation
and this part is preferably made detachable from the other so that it can be taken out
and a gas or other fire substituted when desired.
According to my system of producing heat in domestic stoves for radiating purposes
the gas flame always impinges against a front plate of cast or wrought metal and this
by exposure never gets heated to an extent as to produce steam containing any
pressure. In practice I find that the water never boils but gets sufficiently hot to
throw off steam in which no actual pressure exists the steam chambers being tightly

page_text: closed prevents escape consequently the steam returns to water again and flows
back to the heating tank for reuse time after time, but a guage cock may be fitted
if desired and means can be adopted for drawing all the water from the tank and
pipes be fitted thereto so that air alone may be heated within the several chambers.
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 1
claim is
1. The particular construction and arrangements of Gas heating domestic stoves
in which the heat of Gas flame is imparted to water or air containing chambers
around or against which air has free play to be radiated and distributed into the
room for warming purposes as hereinbefore described and as shown in the annexed
drawings.
2. In Domestic stoves of the constructions or arrangements herein before described
and shown in the annexed drawings a movable hearth or framework forming a hollow
fender for water or steam circulation and heated by radiation from gas burning
apparatus, preferably, forming part of same as set forth.
The 25th day of October 1887.
H. GARDNER,
166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Q. S. Backus.