IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING RANGES
Year: 1884

page_text: "
I JOHN BAKER COLBRAN of 247 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Salesman do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
COOKING RANGES to be as follows:-
"
My invention relates to cooking ranges and has for its objects to provide
improved means for enabling the fire-space to be used either as an open or a
closed fire-place at pleasure; also to provide improved means for controlling the
passage of the hot gases or products of combustion around the oven or ovens for
heating the same in the most desirable manner for cooking articles of various
kinds; also to so arrange the parts that the smoke resulting from combustion will
be consumed.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide a cover for the fire-space,
80 constructed and arranged that by pulling the same forward it may be instanta-
neously caused to close over the top of the fire-place, and by pushing the same
rearwardly it may be caused as instantaneously to be removed therefrom and take
up a position at the rear thereof ready to be again drawn forward when required;
the whole being accomplished without employing any entirely detachable parts.
In order to effect this object the plate designed to form the cover to the fire-space
is jointed at the rear to the front part of two levers or cheeks, each of which is
pivotted to the lower part of a sliding frame capable of vertical movement as
hereinafter described. This frame is constructed with two flat side plates which
fit closely to, and slide vertically against, the fixed plates of the range which enclose
the space within which the high-pressure boiler is fitted, that is to say, these plates
form the rear portion or continuation of the cheeks or plates whose front forms the
sides of the fire space. The two flat sliding plates are connected at their front end
by a flat bar which, when the cover is over the fire-space, lies immediately behind
and parallel with the said cover. The said sliding plates are connected at the rear
by a bar above, and connected to, which, there is a flat plate extending upward
and arranged to slide in a guide way formed by suitable projecting pieces upon a
fixed plate at the rear of the range. This upwardly extending plate forms a part
of the frame and is designed to give solidity to the same and to assist in ensuring
the proper motion of all the parts when the cover is being pulled forward or pushed
backward. It also acts as a damper for closing and unclosing a flue at the rear.
The pivotted cheeks or levers are each made with a curved projection which slides

page_text: upon a rest or stop piece as the frame is in the act of rising or falling, and these
stop pieces form supports or rests for the lower end of the said cheeks when the
cover is pushed entirely back. Other stop pieces are also provided at the upper
part. When the cover is so placed as to close over the fire-space all the parts are
in their lowest position, one edge of each of the pivotted levers or cheeks extending
rearwardly in a straight line from the part where they are jointed to the cover, to
the rear of the range, these edges being then in the same horizontal plane as the
top of the said cover and as the plate above the high pressure boiler; and the two
sliding plates embrace the upper part of the plates enclosing the high pressure
boiler space. When it is desired to uncover the fire-space the cover is pushed
rearwardly by a suitable tool or implement, or by any convenient means, where-
upon the pivotted levers commence to move upon their pivots, thus causing the
entire frame to rise, and when the extent of the motion has been reached, the cover
rests upon the two sliding side plates; the jointed portions of the cover, and the
corresponding ends of the pivotted levers being quite at the rear against the rear
sliding plate or damper. In this position the cover is quite removed from over the
fire-space and occupies a place at the rear of, and at a higher level than, the top of
the fire-place. Any gases or products of combustion rising above the top of the
latter will then pass under the elevated cover and through an opening left by.
the rising of the rear sliding plate or damper, into the flue. It will thus be seen
that the covering and the uncovering of the fire space can be effected without the
necessity of having any removable or detachable parts to be lost or mislaid.
In some cases I may so arrange the parts that the operation of covering and
uncovering can be effected by means of a rod extending at the front of the range
below, or at the side of the fire space. This rod must be connected at its rear end
to one of the pivotted cheeks or to a lever in connection therewith, and another
rod will be used to connect both of the said cheeks so that the moving of one will
also cause the other to move in the same manner. The cheeks will in such cases
form the supports for the cover when in its elevated position. In order to provide
means for causing the heated gases from the tire to be directed around the oven in
the most advantageous manner according to circumstances, I provide an opening
in the side plate beneath the high pressure boiler and another opening in a flue
plate forming a continuation of one side of the oven In the oven flue I provide
a moveable deflector or valve extending from front to rear of the range and
pivotted so that it may be deflected, by means of a button or handle outside the
range, in such manner as to cause the heated gases to travel first over the oven,
or first under the same, as may be required. Whatever may be the position of
the deflector the opening through which the gases enter the said flue is always
'uncovered but if the deflector is in one position such gases will be directed to the
bottom of the flue first and will, after heating the bottom and sides of the oven,
pass over the top and escape into the chimney, but if the deflector is in the other
position the gases must first pass over the top of the oven and then underneath the
same before they can escape. The heated gases when coming from the fire pass
out at the rear lower part of the fire-place instead of escaping at the top and side
as is usual, and they pass under the high pressure boiler before reaching the
opening through which they enter the oven flue. By means of this arrangement
the smoke is consumed for the reason that it is caused to pass from the upper part
of the fire downward and through or into the incandescent fuel.
According to a modification of the arrangement above described for controlling
the passage of the heated gases or products of combustion I provide apertures in
such a position that the said products escape at the lower part of the fire place, on
each side thereof instead of at the rear, and in connection with each of these
apertures I provide a valve or cover connected to a rod one of whose ends projects
outside the range and is furnished with a handle for manipulating the same so
that the heat coming through the aperture may be caused to be deflected in an
upward or a downward direction as is usual. But according to this modification
of my invention the other end of the rod which is pivotted at the rear of the range

page_text: has attached thereto a downwardly extending lever connected to one end of a rod
whose other end is secured to a valve or cover in connection with the opening or
passage leading from the rear of the oven or ovens. These parts are all so com-
bined and arranged that they move simultaneously by operating the handle
connected to the rod outside the range so that according to the direction in which
the heated gases are deflected as they come from the fire, the valve nt the rear of
the oven is operated to close the passage which should be closed and open the one
which should be opened so that the heated gases will be caused to travel around
the oven in the direction desired and eventually escape into the chimney flue.
Dated this 5th day of September 1884.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.
I, JOHN BAKER COLBRAN, of 247 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Salesman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
COOKING-RANGES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
"
My invention relates to cooking-ranges and comprises various improvements
hereinafter described.
One object of my said invention is to provide improved means whereby the
cover or plate over the fire-chamber of a cooking-range can be readily moved away
from its position over the fire, and back again, so that the range can be used either
with an open fire, or with the top of the fire-chamber closed in the ordinary
manner. Another object of my said invention is to provide for controlling, by the
movement of a single lever or other suitable device, the passage of the hot gases
or products of combustion in such a manner that they can be caused to pass
around the oven or ovens in either direction and come in contact with either the
top or the bottom of the same before they are cooled by contact with the other
parts thereof, according to whether greater heat is required in the upper part of
the oven than in the lower part thereof, or vice versa.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shewn how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan, partly in horizontal section, and
Figure 2 a front elevation, partly in vertical section, shewing a cooking-range.
constructed in accordance with my said invention.
Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 1, shewing the cover or
plate in place over the fire-chamber,

page_text: Figure 4 is a similar section shewing the said cover or plate moved away from
its position over the fire.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section, and,
Figure 6 a vertical section, shewing a modification of my invention.
Figures 7 and 8 are similar sections shewing another modification thereof, and,
Figures 9 and 10 are similar sections shewing a further modification thereof.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.
a indicates the fire-chamber, b, c the ovens, and d the boiler chamber or space.
e is the cover or plate over the. fire-chamber, which cover is connected by binge-
joints at e¹ to two levers or cheeks f,f. Each of these levers or checks is
pivotted as at f' to one of the plates g, g' which are capable of vertical movement as
hereinafter described. These plates fit closely against the sides h of the boiler
chamber or space d and form continuations or extensions of the side plates of the
fire-chamber. They are connected at the rear by a bar or plate i which extends
upward and is arranged to slide up and down between guide-bars at the back of
the range. The plate i is arranged in front of an aperture at the back of the
range, which aperture permits the passage of the gases or products of combustion
rising from the fire, when open, into the flue k. The said plate, moreover, firmly
connects the sliding plates g, g' and assists in ensuring the proper motion of the
same.
The plates g, g¹ are preferably also connected by a plate g³, which, when the
parts are in the positions shewn in Figure 3, is level with the hot plate n and
which is formed with an aperture so that it will fit the hand-hole plate d¹ of the
boiler, which plate is also level with the hot plate n.
Each of the levers or cheeks f, f¹ is provided with an antifriction roller Z which,
when the cover e is moved backward as hereinafter explained, rides upon a curved
projection, rib or cam-surface m on the plate h, so that the said levers or cheeks
and the plates g, g' are moved upwards. In some cases, this movement is provided
for by making each of the pivotted cheeks or levers f, f¹ with a curved projection
or cam-surface which slides upon a horizontal projection or rib on the plate h when
the cover e is moved back as hereinafter explained.
When the cover e is in place over the fire-chamber, the parts occupy the positions
shewn in Figure 3, the edges f³ of the pivotted levers or cheeks f,f being
horizontal and level with the cover e and hot plate n, the aperture ¹ being closed
by the plate i. When it is desired to use the range with an open fire, the cover e
is pushed backward by a suitable tool or implement or by any convenient means,
thereby causing the pivotted levers or cheeks f, f¹ to turn upon their pivots in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3; the rollers then ride upon the
curved projections or cam-surfaces m and thus cause the plates g, g' and plate i to
slide upwards until the parts occupy the positions shewn in Figures 1 and 4. The
cover e then rests upon the plates g, g', the joints connecting the said cover with
the levers or cheeks f, f1 being at the back of the range, and the edges f³ of the
said levers or checks being vertical. Moreover, the aperture is then open, so
that any gases or products of combustion rising above the top of the fire-chamber
will pass under the cover e and into the flue through the said aperture. It will
thus be seen that I provide for covering and uncovering the fire-chamber without
employing any removable or detachable parts which would be liable to be lost or
mislaid.
In some cases I provide other suitable means, in combination with the cover e
and levers or cheeks f, f, for effecting the covering and uncovering of the fire-
chamber. For example, I sometimes employ a rod which extends to the front of
the range into any suitable position and is connected at its rear end either to one
of the pivotted levers or cheeks or to a lever in connection therewith, the said
checks being so connected that they will, be moved simultaneously by the said rod.
The oven b (Figures 1 and 2) is surrounded by a flue p with which the, fire-
chamber communicates through on aperture p¹ so situated that the smoke and other
products of combustion escape from the fire-chamber, at the lower, part thereof, q.ia

page_text: a valve or deflecting plate which is pivotted at q¹. One of the pivots of this valve
projects beyond the exterior of the front plate of the range as at q' and suitable
means are provided for turning the said valve or plate either into the position
shewn in full lines in Figure 2, so that the smoke and other products of combustion
passing through the aperture p¹ will be deflected downward; or into the position
indicated in dotted lines in the said Figure, so that the said products of combustion
will be deflected upward.
There are two apertures 7, rl in the back plate of the range, whereby the flue p
communicates with the flue k. In combination with the valve or deflecting plate q;
I provide two plates 8, s which are firmly connected with the plate q so that they
will be moved therewith, and, when the plate q is in the position shewn in full
lines, the plate 8¹ will cover the aperture and the aperture will be open, and;
when the plate q is in the position shewn in dotted lines, the plates will close the
aperturer, and the aperture rl will be open, the plates 88 occupying the positions
indicated by the dotted lines at 8*.
:
When the plate q is in the position shewn in full lines, the products of combus-
tion will pass around the oven 6 in the direction indicated by the arrows in
Figure 2 and enter the flue k through the aperture r, and will come in contact
with the bottom of the oven before they have been cooled by contact with the
other parts thereof. When, however, the said plate is moved into the position
indicated in dotted lines, the products of combustion will pass in the opposite
direction around the oven b and enter the flue k through the aperture r¹, and will,
therefore, come first in contact with the upper part of the oven. But, in either
case, the said products of combustion will come in contact with the two sides, the
bottom, and the top of the oven before they escape up the flue k.
In the modification of my invention shewn in Figures 5 and 6, an opening p₁ is
formed in the side plate beneath the boiler chamber d and another opening p³ is
formed in a flue-plate p which is a continuation of one side of the oven. It will
be seen that these two apertures are on the same level. The valve or deflecting
plate q extends from the front to the rear of the range and is pivotted so that it
may be turned by means of a button, lever or key or other suitable device outside
the range. The said valve or plate is so arranged that, when it is set to deflect the
products of combustion either upward or downward, it will occupy such a position
relatively to the aperture p³ that the said products of combustion cannot pass
through this aperture until they have passed around the oven.
In either of the above described arrangements, the heated gases coming from
the fire pass out at the lower part of the fire-chamber instead of escaping at or
near the top thereof as is usual; and, in the former case, they pass under the
high pressure boiler before reaching the opening through which they enter the
flue p. By this arrangement the smoke is caused to pass from the upper part of
the fire downward and through or into the incandescent fuel, and is thus
consumed.
I prefer to employ a grating t at each side of the fire-chamber, and, in some
cases also a grating that the back thereof, and to close the ash-pit, in order to
facilitate the down draught, as otherwise, when the fuel is closely or densely
packed in the fire-chamber, the smoke would not descend through the fire.
is
In the modification of my invention shewn in Figures 7 and 8, the valve or
deflecting plate q is pivotted at or near one of the top corners of the oven, and
a plate 8 is firmly attached to the said valve so that it will be moved therewith.
The flue P is connected with the flue by the apertures ³ ³ When the plate q
is in the position shewn in full lines, the aperture is open, and the aperture
closed by the plate 82, and the products of combustion pass around the oven in the
direction indicated by the arrows. By turning the plates q and s³ on their pivots,
the aperture can be opened and the aperture 72 closed and the plate q so
adjusted that the said products of combustion will pass around the oven in the
opposite direction.

page_text: In some cases, the plate is pivotted as shewn in Figures 9 and 10, and the
plate q is pivotted a short distance beneath the same, an arm & being provided on
one of the pivots of the plate 82 to engage with the plate q as shewn, so that both
plates can be adjusted simultaneously.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that I provide for causing the
products of combustion from the fire-chamber to pass around the oven in either
direction, and for reversing the motion of such products of combustion by a
single movement of a button, lever, handle, or other suitable device outside the
range.
It is obvious that the means above described for controlling the passage of the
products of combustion can be arranged in combination with either or both ovens
as desired.
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, in a cooking range
First. The employment of a cover for the fire-chamber connected by hinge-joints
with two pivotted levers or cheeks arranged to oscillate in vertical planes, so that,
when the said cover is moved to and from the back of the range for the purpose
specified, it will be raised and lowered as above set forth.
Second. The combination of parts comprising the cover e connected by hinge-
joints with the pivotted levers or cheeks ff, the ribs, projections, or cam-
surfaces m, the sliding plates g, gl connected by the bar or plate i, and the guides j,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, whereby
I provide for the use of the range either with an open fire or with the fire-chamber
closed at the top, as above specified.
Third. The provision of means for controlling the passage of the products of
combustion by the movement of a single lever, key or other device in such a manner
that they can be caused to pass in either direction entirely around the oven or
ovens, as, and for the purpose, specified.
Fourth. The improved means substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 5 and 6, or Figures 7 and 8, or Figures 9 and 10 of the
drawings, whereby I provide for controlling the passage of the products of combus-
tion around the oven or ovens, as, and for the purpose, specified.
Fifth. The employment of gratings at the sides of the fire-chamber or at the
sides and back thereof, as, and for the purpose, specified.