Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1888.
- Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb; 1889.
Complete Specification Accepted, "18th May, 1889
I' JOHN MATTHEW GERHOLD of 17 Wellesley Road, Wanstead in the county of
Essex, Salesman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
'My invention relates to an improved construction of false back for use in domestic
fireplaces and is intended to effect a considerable saving of fuel and increase of
heating power without altering existing fireplaces.
My false back is so constructed as to be entirely loose and with its attendant foot
plates or fittings capable of being moved with little trouble and by any unskilled
person from one fireplace or grate to another at will; it is also adjustable and may be
moved forward or backward so as to increase or diminish the space in which the
combustion of the fuel is effected and is by means of a hinged top or flap intended
to regulate the amount or intensity of the heat projected into the apartment.
In constructing my false back I provide two metal plates of suitable size and
thickness and hinge or otherwise fasten these together so that the upper one or flap.
may be placed if desired at an angle and rest if required on the back of the fireplace
or stand upright above the lower plates.so as to increase the amount of heat as before.
described. The lower plate may be perforated in any desired way so as to allow of the
passage of air. I also provide two or more loose foot plates of longitudinal flat-
metal and slot or cut out portions of the bottom of the lower plate of the false back
so as to form feet or toggles to engage with holes (preferably square) cut or formed.
in the loose foot plates which thus support the false back in an upright position.
In the upper plate of the false back I form a hole or attach a ring or otherwise so
as to engage with a hook or other appliance for the purpose of raising or lowering the
plate on its hinges.
:
I may vary the means for securing the hinged plates forming the false back, such
as by forming grooves in the sides of the fireplace or by making slots in place of holes
in the foot-plates or grooves in these so that the false back may slide in the same, or
the lower plate of the false back may be cast with feet thereon, or so otherwise formed
as to stand alone in the bottom of the fireplace.
Dated this 6th day of September 1888
POPPLEWELL, COLTON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I JOHN MATTHEW GERHOLD of 17 Wellesley Road Wanstead in the county of
Essex, Salesman do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to he particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved construction of false back for use in domestic
fireplaces and is intended to effect a considerable saving of fuel and increase of heating
power. without altering existing fireplaces.
My false back is so constructed as to be entirely loose and removable and may
consist of two plates hinged together, with loose foot-plates on which, the lower plate
rests, or may be cast in one piece and having such feet cast on the bottom thereof as
will enable it to stand upright or be inclined at will, at any required distance from
the back proper of the fireplace and at any desired angle.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings
Figure 1. is a front elevation and
Figure 2. a side or end view of my improved false back.
Figure 3. being a plan shewing the loose foot plates carrying the false back:
These three Figures shew that form of construction in which 1 employ hinged
plates to form the false back, with loose footplates to support the same.
A. A are the plates hinged or jointed at B so that the upper plate A¹ may lean
against the back of the fireplace at any desired angle if required or remain upright
at will. C. C are the loose footplates placed in the bottom of the grate and over
and into which fits the lower plate A at D. D.
The plates A. A¹ may be perforated at any point or points for the passage of air
or for receiving a hook or other instrument for assisting in removal.
Figures 4 and 5. shew a front and end view of another form of my invention in
which the whole is cast in one piece with feet thereon so as to stand alone in the
bottom of the grate and at any requisite distance from the back thereof.
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.
The construction and application of loose, adjustable and selfsupporting false
backs for fireplaces substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 98th of Januu 1000
J