IMPROVEMENTS IN CHARGING AND BURNING FUEL IN OPEN FIRES, AND IN THE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Basire, Engineer, and James Henry Howell,
Brassfounder, both of the City and County of Bristol, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CHARGING AND BURNING FUEL IN OPEN FIRES, AND
IN THE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME."
Sealed the 19th January 1877, and dated the 8th November 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Basire and James
Henry Howell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th
November 1876.
JAMES BASIRE, Engineer, and JAMES HENRY HOWELL, Brassfounder, both of the
City and County of Bristol. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHARGING AND BURNING FUEL
IN OPEN FIRES, AND IN THE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME."
This Invention, which relates to improvements in charging and burning fuel in
open fires or fire-places, has for its object to cause the green or fresh coal when
charged to be surrounded by live or ignited fuel, so that the gases given out by the
fresh or green coal on becoming heated may pass directly through the surrounding
stratum of live or ignited fuel, and thereby become burnt.
The foregoing object is effected by constructing open fire-places with a back or
grating which is movable after the manner of a hinge upon gudgeons or bearings
situate at the lower part or side of the fire-grate, so that on applying a hook or
equivalent instrument provided for the purpose to the upper part of the back or
grating the back or grating can be drawn forwards or pushed backwards.
When it is desired to charge the grate with fresh or green coal the movable
back or grate is drawn forwards so as to bring the live coal close up to the bars
forming the front of the grate, after which the movable back or grating is pushed
backwards, thus leaving a hollow between it and the body of live coal. Into this
hollow the fresh or green coal is charged, after which a portion of the live or
ignited fuel is pushed back over the top of the fresh or green coal, so that it is
enclosed by the live or ignited fuel.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Basire and James Henry Howell in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th February 1877.
JAMES BASIRE, Engineer, and JAMES HENRY HOWELL, Brassfounder, both of the
City and County of Bristol. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHARGING AND BURNING FUEL
IN OPEN FIRES, AND IN THE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME."
Our said Invention, which relates to improvements in charging and burning fuel
in open fires or fire-places, has for its object to cause the green or fresh coal when
charged to be surrounded by live or ignited fuel, so that the gases given out by the.
fresh or green coal on becoming heated may pass directly through the surrounding
stratum of live or ignited fuel, and thereby become burnt.
The foregoing object is effected by constructing open fire-places with a back or
grating which is movable through an arc vertically upon hinges or gudgeons
situate at the lower part or sole of the fire-grate as seen at A, Figures 1 to 7, of the
accompanying Drawings.
The fuel is placed in the fire-place between the movable back or grating B and
the bars C, as seen at Figure 1, and when it is desired to charge fresh or green
coal on the fire the movable back or grate B is drawn forward into the position
shewn at Figure 2 by means of the hook, Figure 8, which is applied to the upper
part of the movable back, or by an equivalent instrument. This lias the effect of
drawing the live coal or fuel to the front part of the grate, as seen at Figures 2 and
3, which being effected the movable back B is by the hook, Figure 8, returned to
the position shewn at Figures 1, 3, and 4, and the fresh or green coal is charged
into the fire-place between the movable back and the live or ignited fuel, as seen at
D, Figure 3. A portion of the live fuel is then pushed or raked back over the top
of the fresh or green coal so as to enclose it, as seen at Figure 4 of the Drawings.
.
The improvement constituting our said Invention is applicable to open stoves,
register and other fire-grates of existing construction, and by the employment
thereof in the manner herein-before described, or in a manner analogous thereto;
the gases given off by the green or fresh coal charged into the fire-place pass
directly through the upper or surrounding stratum of live or ignited fuel, and being
thereby burnt smoke is prevented and a saving of fuel is effected.
Figure 5 of the Drawings is a plan of the new or improved arrangement;
Figure 6, a front elevation of the back B; and Figure 7, a detailed full size elevation
of part of the same.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may be
used or practically carried into effect, we would observe in conclusion that what
we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, constructing or
providing open stoves, register and other open grates or fire-places with a movable
back or grating, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before described with
reference to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, so that fresh or green coal
when added to the burning fuel therein is enclosed by the burning fuel in contra-
distinction to being charged in a layer upon the burning fuel as in open fire-places
hitherto used.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Basire, and James Henry Howell, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighth day of February, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JAMES BASIRE.
(L.S,)
JAMES HENRY HOWELL. (L.S.)