IMPROVEMENTS IN CONSTRUCTION OF STOVES AND OTHER FIRE-PLACES
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Waller, of Ratcliff, in the County of
Middlesex, Ironmonger, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CONSTRUCTION OF STOVES AND OTHER FIRE-PLACES."
Scaled the 2nd January 1855, and dated the 8th July 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Waller at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
July 1854.
1, THOMAS WALLER, of Ratcliff, in the County of Middlesex, Ironmonger,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF STOVES AND OTHER FILE-PLACES" to be as follows:-
It is usual to line the backs and sides of fire grates or the backs only with
bricks or fire tiles fixed therein; but by my improved arrangement, in the
construction of stoves and other fire-places, I fix only the back fire tile, which
I prefer to be in one piece, and the two sides I make moveable. I effect this
by having the back tile moulded of a suitable form and size for such stoves or
fire-places, and I form a beading on each side edge thereof in such a manner
as to fit exactly in a semicircular groove formed on one side edge of each of
the checks or side tiles, giving them when put together the appearance of a
Linge. By this means I can cause the sides to swing back and forward like
doors, and thereby increase or lessen the capacity of the grate for fuel. I also
sometimes affix a metal frame to such tiles to secure them, and I make the

page_text: bottom of the grate either with bars or wholly covered with fire tile. The
front grate bars may be eutirely semicircular, or in right and left hand semi-
circles conjoined, by which latter construction the side fire tiles can be drawn
close together to close up the fire-place; and when to be so used, I recom-
mend such tiles to be ornamented by glazed earthenware or metal semicircular
face plates attached thereto, which when the side fire tiles are turned back to
widen the grate, the face plates are then hid in a suitable recess behind the
grate. These side moveable tiles can be worked by a rack, or be arranged for
the insertion of a poker as a lever to open and close them. The hobs for
stoves and other fire-places I construct to push in or draw out of side slots in
the iron work. I do not restrict myself to the form of the tiles, as they may
be grooved, perforated, or otherwise formed; neither do I confine myself to
fire tiles, as cast iron alone or along with fire tiles or bricks may be used.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Waller in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th
January 1855..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
WALLER, of Ratcliff, in the County of Middlesex, Ironmonger, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Thomas Waller. Her special licence that 1, the said Thomas Waller,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Waller, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUC-
TION OF STOVES AND OTHER FIRE-PLACES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Thomas Waller, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, 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 be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months.
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: sides to receive the ends of front bars; and I make the bottoms of grates
either with bars, or partly covered with fire tile, which may, if required, be
perforated with air holes or slots. The front grate bars may be entirely semi-
circular, or double bowed in right and left hand semicircles conjoined, form-
ing a twin grate, by which construction the side fire tiles can be drawn
together to close up the fire-place or grate by the semicircular facings B', C',
which for such purpose I recommend to be ornamented by glazed earthen-
ware or metal semicircular face plates attached thereto, which when the side
fire tiles are turned back to widen the grate, the face plates are then hid in
a suitable recess behind the grate. These side moveable tiles B, C, can be
worked by a rack, or be arranged for the insertion of the poker as a lever to
open and close them. The hobs for stoves and other fire-places I construct
to push in or draw out of side slots in the iron work.
Having thus described the general mode of carrying out my said Invention,
I would here observe that I do not restrict myself to the precise form of the
tiles, as they may be grooved, perforated, or otherwise formed; neither do I
confine myself to the fire tiles being set moveable, or to fire tiles alone, as
cast iron singly or combined with fire tiles or bricks may be used; and I do
declare that what I claim as my Invention is, namely, the improvements in
stoves and other fire-places as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Waller, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord
1855.
THOMAS WALLER. (L.S.)