AN IMPROVED AUTOMATIC GAS STOVE FOR HEATING IRONS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Platt, Woollen and General Warehouseman, of
77, Saint Martin's Lane, London, in the County of Middlesex, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED AUTOMATIC GAS STOVE FOR HEATING IRONS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Platt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th December 1877.
JAMES PLATT, Woollen and General Warehouseman, of 77, St. Martin's Lane,
London, in the County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED AUTOMATIC GAS STOVE FOR
HEATING IRONS."
This Invention is an apparatus for the more effectual heating of irons by gas, and
its principal utility is preventing the heedless consumption of gas.
The Invention consists of a self-acting spring tap and permanent jet or by pass.
By means of a projecting brass tap acting upon a steel spring the pressure pro-
duced by placing the iron in the stove turns on the required amount of gas, and
the action of the spring is such that upon the removal of the iron the brass tap
rises, and thereby turns off the gas, and the by-pass or permanent jet at com-
mencement of burner prevents the necessity of relighting the stove.
I claim as my Invention the construction of such self-acting spring tap and its
application in conjunction with a permanent jet to gas stoves for its utility in
saving of time and economizing the consumption of gas.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Platt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st May
1878
JAMES PLATT, Woollen Draper and General Warehouseman, of 77, Saint Martin's
Lane, London, in the County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED AUTOMATIC GAS
STOVE FOR HEATING IRONS."
This Invention consists in the construction of an improved automatic gas stove for
heating irons with greater economy and convenience than has hitherto been practised,
the arrangement being as follows:-A chamber is formed of a cast-iron tup,
fitting upon a cast-on bottom or stand, in the centre of which stand is fixed a
burner suitable for the combustion of a mixture of atinospheric air and gas in a
continuous or nearly continuous line of flame, the gas being admitted by means of a
pipe which extends to the outside of chamber. It is fitted with a bent hook-
shaped lever which moves the tap, which lever is inade to rest upon a steel spring,
the spring being fastened to the opposite end of stovo, which spring so forces up
the lever that the gas is completely shut off from the burner; but upon the
introduction of the iron to be heated its weight resting upon the lever presses down
the spring, and thereby turns on sufficient gas for the heating of the iron. While at
the opposite side of burner is fixed a small by-pass or permanent jet; this by-pass or
jet is fixed to the supply pipe outside the tap which shuts off or admits gas to
"burner, and is therefore not influenced by its action; this permanent jet is sufficient
to light the gas of burner when turned on by the introduction of the iron to bo
heated. It will thus be seen that when the apparatus is not in active operation
the consumption of gas is reduced to the minimum of one small jet, but the full
power of the burner is exerted the moment the iron to be heated is placed within
the stove.
The shape and size of stove may be modified according to the size and number
of irons to be heated.
The materials used in the construction of the stove are principally cast iron,
wrought iron, and stoel, but any suitable material may be employed.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are
attached hereto, of which the following is a description:-Figure 1 is a longitudinal
section of the stove as arranged for the heating of irons; Figure 2 is a plan of the
the stove.
Figure 1 is the stove. A is the bent hook-shaped lever attached to the tap
which turns on the gas to burner when depressed by the introduction of the iron;
B is the tap; C is the steel spring, which, upon the removal of the iron, forces up
the before-mentioned lever, and completely shuts off gas fiom burner; D is the
burner for heating the irons, E is the cradle or rest placed upon the stand abovo
the burner, and is used to support the iron while heating; F is the pipo which
conveys gas to the burner.
Figure 2 is the plan of the stand of stove containing burner, lever, tap, and
spring; G is the by-pass or permanent jet, which, supplied by pipe F, is kept
alight.
It will thus be seen that upon placing the iron upon rest E it depresses lever A,
in consequence of lever A being above the rest E, turning on gas to burner D,
which gas is immediately lit by by-pass G, while upon removal of the iron, steel
spring C raises up lever A, shutting off gas from burner D.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention, and
the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I will observe in
conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details or arrange-
ment which I have described or referred to, as variations may be made therefrom
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

page_text: 5
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the construction of a stove
for heating irons by gas, so arranged by spring, lever, tap, and by-pass, that the gas
consumed by it when not in active operation shall be materially reduced, in the
manner substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Platt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JAMES PLATT. (L.S.)