IM- PROVED MEANS OF VENTILATION BY THE USE OF PERFORATED TUBULAR CORNICES AND CENTRE PIECES
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Harvey Saunders, of No. 2, Little Suffolk
Street, Southwark, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVED MEANS OF VENTILATION BY THE USE OF PERFORATED TUBULAR CORNICES
AND CENTRE PIECES."
Sealed the 1st September 1865, and dated the 23rd March 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Harvey Saunders
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd March 1865.
I, THOMAS HARVEY SAUNDERS, of No. 2, Little Suffolk Street, Southwark,
in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVED MEANS OF VENTILATION BY THE USE OF PERFORATED TUBULAR
CORNICES AND CENTRE PIECES," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to secure ventilation without draught, to
dispense with all unnecessary and unsightly contrivances in connexion there-
with, to ensure an equal and regular interchange of air, and to be at all times
I
and under all (ordinary) circumstances in operation. For this purpose
propose to make tubes in the form of and to be applied as cornices in the
angles of ceilings and walls of dwelling houses and other places, the said
cornices to have perforations in front, or those parts which are presented
towards the interior of the room, the back, or those parts presented towards
the ceiling and walls not to be perforated; in some instances no back will be
necessary, as that may be formed by the wall to which they are applied, in
that case the front view of cornice will be all that is necessary, the same
having return edges or flanges, for the purpose of securing to ceiling and

page_text: wall. These cornices may be of any design or shape, from the most simple to
suit the cottage, to the most elaborate to suit the mansion, and may be made
of any material, such as zinc, tin, iron, copper, wood, plaster, composition,
earthenware, paper, papier maché, cardboard, or any other substance that
may be preferred. For the purpose of admitting air to these cornices I
propose to make openings through the external wall in a line with or
immediately below the ceiling, the openings to be of any number or size, as
the case may require.
In ordinary rooms or apartments of dwelling houses one or two openings
about the size of an ordinary brick will generally be sufficient. I prefer to
make two, (and supposing a house to be enclosed by others on either side)
one in each angle of the external wall of the apartment, in the angle by
preference, that the flank or side cornices are horizontal to and in direct
communication with the openings, thus allowing a free passage of air along
them, and the means of communication with that part of the cornice which runs
along the interior or back wall. That part of the cornice along the front or
external wall will be amply supplied by the side flow through the said
openings. The cornice when fixed will entirely exclude the said openings
from view from the interior of the room, and being mitred at the angles will
form an uninterrupted channel round the room. But be it understood that
the idea is not that there should be a current of air flowing in one opening
and out the other, but that the air should be equally (or nearly so) distributed
round the room; to attain this object the perforations in the cornices will
slightly increase in size or number as the distance from the openings increase,
as a compensation for the diminution of the force of the current by portions
of it descending through the perforations over which it has passed. A room
thus provided may be air-tight elsewhere, and yet well ventilated, for as the
air in the room becomes heated and vitiated it must rise to the top of the
room, and finding a means of egress there through the cornices will enter
by the perforations, flowing along the channel or interior of cornice to the
outer air, the fresh cool air flowing in and descending. to take its place,
thus a continual interchange is taking place while a difference of temperature
exists, and as the air is spread over a large surface, and descends in various
small streams, and that on every side of the room alike, it speedily becomes
of the same temperature as the room, and "draught" is thus effectually.
avoided.
In apartments likely to be overcrowded, I would make another opening in
the external wall, about midway between the former two, from this I would
run a single pipe or channel (not perforated), to be enclosed, by the ceiling,

page_text: and terminating in or near to the centre of the ceiling, having an open end
presented towards the interior of the room, this opening to be screened from
view by the application of a centre piece of any approved design, having
perforations at convenient places where least observable, when fixed the
centre piece to be at least one-third larger than the opening over which it is
placed, and to be fixed so as to project or be slightly pendent from the surface
of the ceiling, leaving a passage between the two for the ingress and egress of
air, so that the cool air on entering the room through the said pipe or channel
is diffused over a large surface at once by a portion of it passing through the
perforations of the centre piece, but the greater portion flowing over its
margin through the space between that and the ceiling, thus receiving a
spreading as well as a downward direction, the current of air being thus
broken up and distributed it cannot produce a sensation of draught, neither
disturb the lights in the chandelier where there is one. The centre piece (as
in the case of the cornices) may be of any material or design, care being
taken in the case of both that the perforations be so arranged as not to be
unsightly, as, for instance, where there are leaves or flowers in the design,
perforations may be easily arranged at the back of or round about the edges
of them as not to be discernible when fixed. In cornices of a plainer
description, as in the case of perforated zinc, an ornamental design may be
represented by the perforations. In halls or places having large ceilings
divided into panels, each panel may be treated as a separate ceiling, as
previously described.
In applying this system to new buildings, a channel may be formed at the
back of or immediately over where the cornice is intended to be placed, in
that case the cornice may be of the ordinary description now in use, but to
have perforations communicating with the said channel and interior of room,
the perforations in or through the cornices in all instances to be equal to or
greater in the aggregate than the openings in the external wall by which the
air is admitted. The openings in the external wall may be fitted on the
exterior side with an ordinary air brick, or a perforated covering of any
design to suit the architecture of the building to which it is applied.
This system of ventilation, although applicable to every description of
rooms or buildings having flat ceilings, is especially so to bed rooms, they
being most in need, by reason of them being shut up for many hours while
occupied by night, and not having the advantage of doors being frequently
opened and shut, as in the case of rooms occupied by day, and as such rooms
are in most instances unprovided with cornices, these ventilating tubular
cornices may be applied at very little expense. It is also most especially

page_text: applicable in winter, when there is least inclination to have windows open,
and when "draughts" are so anxiously avoided by stopping every place where
the entrance of fresh air may be felt. It will also tend to mitigate if it does
not entirely remove the evils of overcrowding in bed rooms, for if two persons
may sleep in a given space with no means of ventilation without detriment to
health, then it is evident that four persons may do the same if the air be
removed only once" during the period it is occupied. It will also tend to
prevent smoke issuing from fire-places into the rooms, by increasing the
supply and pressure of air in the room, and also give the full benefit of high
ceilings (for however high a room may be) if there be no ventilator at the
top, that part between the ventilator and the-top will simply form a reservoir
for the light vitiated air, and if the ventilator be at the top, and the air be
allowed to fall immediately on entering those upper parts of the room furthest
from the ventilator will remain comparatively undisturbed, this is effectually
remedied by means of the "cornices" (they being in the best possible
manner for effectiveness), the air being distributed' all round the room alike,
at the same time being unobservable as a ventilator, and only seen as an
ornamental finish to the room.
As an auxiliary means of ventilation to that already described to be used
when there is no objection to draught, I would recommend that there be one
or more openings through the external wall in a line with or slightly above
the floor of the room, admitting air along a channel at the back of the
skirting. The skirting having openings to admit the same at any or all con-
venient places where least.observable; by thus admitting the air at the bottom
the air in the room will be displaced and replaced several times quicker than
by means of the cornices only, as, the cold air entering at the bottom acts as
a lever to force the light vitiated air, to the top, the cornices then being
employed almost entirely. in carrying it off, therefore all rooms should be
supplied with this auxiliary means, to be made use of, when necessary, in
warm weather, or when a large number of persons are present, the openings
through which the air is, admitted at the bottom to be such as may be
opened or closed at pleasure.
I do not presume to say that this system will supersede the necessity of
opening doors and windows. for the purpose of ventilation when weather and
circumstances permit, as that is the quickest and readiest means of ventilation
when convenient. As the great aim of ventilation is to have the air as pure
"inside as it is "outside," which can never be so entirely and completely
unless by such like means, which is not at all times convenient, but it is
submitted that for ordinary dwelling houses where "ventilation" is required,
"

page_text: and "draught" to be avoided, this system will attain the desired conditions
as near as may be.
I wish to be understood (that what I claim as my Invention) is the
application of "perforated, tubular, or hollow cornices" for the purpose of
ventilation, the same to be in communication with the outer air by means of
an opening or openings through the external wall; also the application of a
single tube, or channel enclosed in or by the ceiling, terminating at one end
in an opening in, the external wall, the other in an opening in or about the
centre of ceiling or panel, the said opening to be screened from view in the
interior of the room by a perforated centre piece larger than the opening
itself, and, to be so fixed as to project slightly from the surface of the ceiling,
having a space between the two for the ingress or egress of air to and through
the said tube or.channel.
J
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Harvey Saunders in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 21st September 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
HARVEY SAUNDERS, of No. 2, Little Suffolk Street, Southwark, in the County
of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Harvey Saunders, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas
Harvey Saunders, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Thomas Harvey Saunders, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS. OF VENTILATION BY THE USE OF PERFORATED
TUBULAR CORNICES AND CENTRE PIECES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, said Thomas Harvey Saunders, my, executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly. describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention.
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to

page_text: be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Harvey Saunders, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The object of this Invention is to secure ventillation without "draught," to
dispense with all unnecessary and unsightly contrivances in connection there-
with, to ensure an equal and regular interchange of air, and to be at all times,
and under all (ordinary) circumstances in operation. For this purpose I
propose to make tubes in the form of and to be applied as cornices in the
angles of ceilings and walls of dwelling houses and other places, the said
cornices to have perforations in front or those parts which are presented
towards the interior of the room, the back or those parts presented towards the
ceiling and wall not to be perforated, in some instances no back will be
necessary as that may be formed by the wall to which they are applied; in
that case the front view of cornice will be all that is necessary, the same
baving return edges or flanges for the purpose of securing to ceiling and wall.
These cornices may be of any design or shape from the most simple to suit
the cottage, to the most elaborate to suit the mansion, and may be made of
any material, such as zinc, tin, iron, copper, wood, plaster, composition,
earthenware, paper, paper mache, cardboard, or any other substance that may
be preferred. For the purpose of admitting air to these cornices I
propose
to make openings through the external wall in a line with or immediately
below the ceiling, the openings to be of any number or size as the case may
require.
In ordinary rooms or apartments of dwelling houses one or two openings
about the size of an ordinary brick will generally be sufficient. I prefer to
make two (and supposing a house to be enclosed by others on either side) one
in each angle of the external wall of the apartment, in the angles, by prefer-
ence, that the flank or side cornices are horizontal to, and in direct commu-
nication with the openings, thus allowing a free passage of air along them,
and the means of communication with that part of the cornice which runs
along the interior or back wall; that part of the cornice along the front or
external wall will be amply supplied by the side flow through the said open-
ings. The cornice when fixed will entirely exclude the said openings from
view from the interior of the room, and being mitred at the angles will form
'an uninterrupted channel round the room. But be it understood that the idea
is not that there should be a current of air flowing in one opening and out the

page_text: other, but that the air should be equally (or nearly so) distributed round the
room; to attain this object the perforations in the cornice will slightly increase
in size. or number as the distance from the openings increase, as a compen-
sation for the diminution of the force of the current by portions of it descending
through the perforations over which it has passed. A room thus provided
may be air-tight elsewhere, and yet well ventilated; for as the air in the room
becomes heated and vitiated, must rise to the top of the room, and finding a
means of egress there through the cornices will enter by the perforations
flowing along the channel or interior of cornice to the outer air, the fresh cool
air flowing in and descending through the perforations to take its place; thus
a continual 'interchange is taking place while a difference of temperature
exists, and as the air is spread over a large surface and descends in numerous
small streams, and that on every side of the room alike, it speedily becomes
of the same temperature as the room and draught is thus effectually
avoided.
In apartments likely to be overcrowded I would make another opening in
the external wall about midway between the former two; from this I would
run a single pipe or channel (not perforated) to be enclosed by the ceiling,
and terminating in or near to the centre of the ceiling, having an open end
presented towards the interior of the room, this opening, to be screened from
view by the application of a centre piece of any approved design having per-
forations at convenient places where least observable when fixed, the centre
piece to be at least one-third larger than the opening over which it is placed,
and be fixed so as to project or be slightly pendent from the surface of the
ceiling, leaving a passage between the two for the ingress or egress of air, so
that the cool air on entering the room through the said pipe or channel is
diffused over a large surface at once by a portion of it passing through the
perforations of the centre piece, but the greater portion flowing over its margin
through the space between that and the ceiling, thus receiving a spreading as
well as a downward direction, the current of air being thus broken up and
distributed, it cannot produce a sensation of draughts to persons in the room,
neither disturb the lights in the chandelier where there is one. The centre
piece (as in the case of the cornices) may be of any material or design, care
being taken in the case of both that the perforations be so arranged as not to
be unsightly, as, for instance, where there are leaves or flowers in the design,
perforations may be easily arranged at the back of or round about the edges
of them as not to be discernable when fixed. In cornices of a plained
description, as in the case of perforated zinc, an ornamental design may be
represented by the perforations. In halls or places having large ceilings

page_text: divided into panels each panel may be treated as a separate ceiling, as
previously described.
In applying this system to new buildings, a channel may be formed at the
back of or immediately over where the cornice is intended to be placed; in
that case the cornice may be of the ordinary description now in use, but to
have perforations communicating with the said channel and interior of room,
the perforations in or through the cornices in all instances to be equal to or
greater in the aggregate than the openings in the external wall by which the
air is admittted. The openings in the external wall may be fitted on the
exterior side with an ordinary air brick or a perforated covering of any design
to suit the architecture of the building to which it is applied.
⚫ This system of ventilation, although applicable to every description of rooms
or buildings having flat ceilings, is especially so to bed rooms, they being most
in need, by reason of them being shut up for many hours while occupied by
night, and not having the advantage of doors being frequently opened and
shut, as in the case of rooms occupied by day, and as such rooms are in most
instances unprovided with cornices, these ventilating tubular cornices may be
applied at very little expense. It is also most especially applicable in winter,
when there is least inclination to have windows open, and when "draughts"
are so anxiously avoided by stopping every place where the entrance of fresh
air may be felt. It will also tend to mitigate, if it does not entirely remove, the
evils of overcrowding in bed rooms, for if two persons may sleep in a given
space with no means of ventilation without detriment to health, then it is
evident that four persons may do the same if the air be renewed "only once"
during the period it is occupied. It will also tend to present smoke issuing
from fire-places into the rooms by increasing the supply and pressure of air
in the room, and also give the full benefit of high ceilings (for however high
a room may be) if there be no ventilator at the top that part between the
ventilator and the top will simply form a reservoir for the light vitiated air,
and if the ventilator be at the top and the air be allowed to fall immediately
on entering, those upper parts of the room furthest from the ventilator will
remain comparatively undisturbed; this is effectually remedied by means of
the "cornices" (they being in the best possible position for effectiveness,) the
air being distributed all round the room alike, at the same time being
unobservable as a ventilator, and only seen as an ornamental finish to the
room.
As an auxiliary means of ventilation to that already described to be used
when there is no objection to "draught," I would recommend that there be
one or more openings through the external wall in a line with or slightly

page_text: above the floor of the room admitting air along a channel at the back of the
skirting. The skirting having openings to admit the same at any or all con-
venient places where least observable,) by thus admitting the air at the bottom
the air in the room will be displaced and replaced several times quicker than
by means
of the cornices only, as the cold air entering at the bottom will force
the light vitiated air to the top, the cornices then being employed almost
entirely in carrying it off, therefore all rooms should be supplied with this
auxiliary means to be made use of in warm weather or when a large number
of persons are present, the openings through which the air is admitted at the
bottom to be such as may be opened or closed at pleasure.
I
1731
"
I do not presume to say that this system will supersede the
de the necessity of
opening doors and windows for the purposes of ventilation when weather and
circumstances permit, as that is the quickest and readiest means of ventilation
when convenient. As the great aim of ventilation is to have the air as pure
inside as it is outside, which can never be so entirely and completely unless
by such like means as open doors and windows, which is not at all times con-
venient, but it is submitted that for ordinary dwelling houses where "venti-
lation" is required and "draught" to be avoided, this system will attain the
desired conditions as near as may be.
I wish it to be understood, that what I claim as my Invention is, the appli-
cation of perforated tubular or hollow cornices for the purpose of ventilation,
the same to be in communication with the outer air by means of an opening
or openings through the external wall; also the application of a single tube or
channel enclosed in or by the ceiling terminating at one end in an opening in
the external wall, the other in an opening in or about the centre of "ceiling
or panel," the said opening to be screened from view in the interior of the
room by a perforated centre piece larger than the opening itself, and to be so
fixed as to project slightly from the surface of the ceiling, having a space
between the two for the-ingress or egress of air to and through the said tube
or channel.
The manner of application will of course depend upon the material
employed, as also upon the design, and may be performed by any ordinary
mechanic in the building trade, as I claim no peculiar mode of fixing further
than the principle, that is, instead of a cornice being solid, as heretofore, to
be hollow, forming an air channel round the top of the room, as previously
described, though it is not necessary that the whole of the cornice be hollow;
providing a sufficient air channel be formed, the design may then be completed
in any material hollow or solid. And also, that instead of a centre piece being
fixed close to the ceiling, a space be left between, in the manner and for the

page_text: purpose described, although in large centre pieces it is not absolutely neces-
sary that the space be open at the extreme margin, as that may be brought
up close to the ceiling providing apertures be left for the distribution of air on
the principle already described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Harvey Saunders, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
THOMAS HARVEY SAUNDERS. (L.B.)