Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 14th Mar., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 15th Apr., 1887
I, WILLIAM QUIRK PORTBURY, Shanklin Studio, Hope Road, Shanklin, 1.W.,
Photographic Artist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention comprises two articles, a brush for Sweeping Chimnies, and a
Chimney Climber, the brush is divided into four segments of a circle, each segment
consisting of two pieces of elm or other suitable material screwed together, with the
whalebone or other brush material screwed or otherwise firmly fixed between them;
these quarters are each hinged, one on each side of a block of elm 6 inches long
by 1 inches square; but they are so fixed as to be each exactly one below the other,
like steps; but placed on different sides of the block; the action of the four segments
when hinged on the small block of elm will be only in one direction that is upwards;
when open they will form a circle, but each segment being just below the other; when
closed umberella like, the brush will freely pass through a very small aperture.
The lower end of the block of elm is terminated by a revolving iron wheel being
fixed into it, the upper end with a strong iron ring.
The climber consists of a long pole to one end of which is attached a pulley, on the
opposite end is fixed a reel or winder, on which is wound a sufficient length of cord or
other material.
.
The modus operandi of using the brush is to bring the free end of the cord on the
winder through the pulley at the opposite end of the pole, and attach it to the iron
ring at the upper end of the brush; now with the pole just lower it into the chimney
to be swept (of course from the roof of the house) and leaving the end of the pole
just resting on the edge of the chimney pot, or chimney, lower the brush to the
bottom; now with the cord and pulley work it quickly up and down, which cleanses
the chimney most effectually.
The novel features claimed for the above are the division of the brush into segments,
not necessarily of four, but any convenient number, and the uniform action of these
segments in one direction only, these segments being hinged to a central core but on
different planes.
Also the use of a climber to lift the brush into the chimney, and work it up and
down by means of the cord and pulley attached.
Dated this 30th day of September 1886.

page_text: I, WILLIAM QUIRK PORTBURY, Shanklin Studio, Hope Road, Shanklin, I.W.,
Photographic Artist do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention is a contrivance which supplies a quick and effective method of
sweeping chimneys.
The brush I employ consists of bundles of bristles of whalebone, or other material
used for brushes, which are attached to a central block at different levels, but which
taken together completely surround the central block. This central block is made of
wood or other material adapted for the purpose. Each bundle of bristles is attached
directly by methods such as are now in use to and between two flat segments which
partially surround the central block. These flat segments are composed of wood,
metal, or other suitable material and are hinged on to the central block in such a way
that when the brush descends the chimney the segments and bristles fall open to about
right angles to the central block but no further. The normal condition of the brush
is for the segments and bristles to fold along the central block pointing upwards. To
the bottom of the central block is attached a pulley and to the top is attached a ring.
For moving the brush in the chimney I employ a pole fitted at one end with a reel
or winder, and at the other end with a pulley. Near the pulley end of the pole is a
small peg or projection.
In using this apparatus a cord or wire wound on the reel is passed over the pulley
at the end of the pole and attached to the ring at the top of the brush. When the
brush is let down the chimney the pole is so placed that the pulley at its end is over
the chimney. The peg at the end of the pole is put just inside the chimney so as to
prevent contact between the rope and the chimney. As the brush descends the
chimney the hinged segments and bristles fall open but close up sufficiently to pass
through any narrow passage in the chimney. A cord, to which a weight may be
attached is passed over the pulley at the bottom of the brush, and supplies a means of
exercising force to cause the descent of the brush if desired. On winding up the
brush from the top the flat segments with the bristles are kept expanded and the
chimney is thoroughly cleaned by repeating the operation a few times."
In order to show more clearly how my invention is carried out I furnish drawings
in which similar letters represent corresponding parts throughout.
Fig. 1 is a plan of the brush from below showing the hinged segments and the
bristles expanded.
Fig. 2 is a view of the brush showing the central block and some of the hinged
segments and bristles folded along the block, and also the pulley at the bottom of the
block.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the pole attached to the brush at the top of the
chimney.

page_text: A is the central block.
B, B, are the lower halves of the hinged flat segments.
Bi, B¹, are the upper halves of the hinged flat segments.
C, C, are the hinges attaching the hinged flat segments to the central block.
D is the pulley at the bottom of the central block.
E is the ring at the top of the central block.
F, F, are the bristles of the brush.
Gis the pole.
H the winder or reel.
J the pulley at the end of the pole.
K is the cord passing over the reel and pulley on the pole, and attached to the
brush.
La handle to turn the winder.
M the projection or peg near the pulley end of the pole.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1st. A brush in which the bristles are attached to a central block in the manner
described.
2nd. Apparatus for sweeping chimneys used in connection with the said brush
substantially as described.
Dated this 14th day of March 1887
W. H. MUNNS,
Agent for the Applicant.