IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLEARING THE AIR SPACES OF FIRE GRATES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Tom Hampden Mills, of Bredbury, in the County of
Chester, and George Stead, of New Mills, in the County of Derby, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CLEARING THE AIR SPACES
OF FIRE GRATES."
Sealed the 6th April 1880, and dated the 16th October 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Tom Hampden Mills and
George Stead at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th
October 1879.
TOM HAMPDEN MILLS, of Bredbury, in the County of Chester, and GEORGE
STEAD, of New Mills, in the County of Derby. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
CLEARING THE AIR SPACES OF FIRE GRATES."
Our Invention relates more particularly to the grates of domestic fires, but may
also be applicable in some cases to the grates of steam boiler and other furnaces.
The object of our said Invention is to clear the spaces between the bars of the
grate. To this end we employ a clearer which is arranged to be slid or moved to
and fro below the grate. The said clearer is formed or provided with fingers which
project upwards through the spaces between the bars, and, by preference, project a
little above the upper surfaces of the bars. The said clearer is so formed as that it
can readily be moved to and fro by means of a poker, or by other means, whereby
the fingers are caused to pass along the spaces and thereby cause the obstructing
ashes to fall. In one arrangement the said clearer is made in a single casting,
formed with two rows of fingers, and kept in position by means of a rod upon
which the said clearer slides.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Tom Hampden Mills and George Stead in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 15th April 1880.
TOM HAMPDEN MILLS, of Bredbury, in the County of Chester, and GEORGE
STEAD, of New Mills, in the County of Derby. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
CLEARING THE AIR SPACES OF FIRE GRATES."
Our Invention relates more particularly to the grates of domestic fires, but may
also be applicable in some cases to the grates of steam boiler and other furnaces.
The object of our said Invention is to clear the spaces between the bars of the
grate. To this end we employ a clearer which is arranged to be slid or moved to
and fro below the grate. The said clearer is formed or provided with fingers which
project upwards through the spaces between the bars. The said clearer is so formed
as that it can readily be moved to and fro by means of a poker, or by other means,
whereby the fingers are caused to pass along the spaces and the thereby cause the
obstructing ashes to fall.
And in order that our Invention may be fully understood, we have attached
hereunto a Sheet of Drawings made to a scale of about six inches to the foot, aud
marked with letters of reference. Referring to the said Drawings, Fig. 1 represents
a front elevation and Fig. 2 a plan of a grate bottom constructed and fitted in
accordance with our Invention; Fig. 3 represents a cross section of the same; and
Fig. 4 is a plan of the clearer. In Figs. 1 to 3, a is a grating formed with alternate
bars and air spaces, as is usual. This grating may be made of any suitable size,
form, and proportions, according to the size and description of grate for which it is
adapted, and may constitute the fixed bottom of a fire grate, or may be adapted to
be placed in a grate so as to form a false or removable bottom to the grate. Below
the bars of the said grating is mounted the clearer b. In the example end feet c, c,
are cast or formed upon the grating, and in these feet is fixed a rod d which
sustains the clearer. The said clearer is formed with fingers which enter the air
spaces between the bars of the grating. In the example, the clearer is formed with
two rows of fingers, but it may have only one row, or may have more than two
rows, as preferred. The said fingers pass through the air spaces nearly to the top
surface of the grating, as clearly shewn in Fig. 3. In some cases, or if preferred,
the upper ends of the fingers may rise a little above the upper surface of the
grating. In the example illustrated the clearer can be slightly raised when being
moved so as to cause the ends of the fingers to project slightly above the grate
surface. Upon the lower part of the clearer are cast or formed two lugs e, e.
When the clearer is to be put into action the end of a poker or any other suitable
tool is introduced between these two lugs, and the clearer is thereby slid to and fro
upon the rod d. When so acted upon the fingers on the clearer clear the ashes from
the air spaces, and by slightly disturbing the body of ashes lying upon the grating
causes the finer ashes to fall through. A clear fire is thus obtained without
disturbing the fuel to the same extent as when the poker is used in the ordinary
manner, and as a consequence the unconsumed fuel is not caused to fall out of the
grate, and there is a resulting economy of fuel. In addition to these advantages,
smaller and therefore cheaper fuel may be used, as such fuel is better retained in
the grate. Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which we prefer to apply our Invention
to grates formed with curved fronts. In this example the bars of the grating are
curved to correspond with the curvature of the front bars of the grate or there-
abouts, and a suitably formed clearer is adapted to travel in a curved path, the
action being the same as in the case of the example already described.
Having now fully described and indicated the nature of our said Invention, and

page_text: the manner in which we carry the same into practical effect, we would have it to
be understood in conclusion that we claim,-
First. The grate bottom formed and fitted substantially as and for the purpose
set forth and indicated hereinbefore, and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
And, Secondly. The clearer formed with fingers to enter the air spaces of a fire
grate bottom, and arranged to slide or to be moved to and fro so as to clear the
said air spaces, substantially as set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Tom Hampden Mills, for myself and on behalf
of the said George Stead, have bereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth
day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
Signed, sealed, and delivered by
the said Tom Hampden Mills,
the day and year last above
written, in presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
41, John Dalton Street,
Manchester,
TOM HAMPDEN MILLS. (L.S.)
(Agent for the Patentees).