Interchangeable Coal and Gas Grate.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 27th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Interchangeable Coal and Gas Grate.
I, EMIL CLEMENS HORST, of 122, Battery Street, in the City and County of
San Francisco, State of California, U.S.A., Merchant, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention 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 an interchangeable apparatus which is designed for
use in connection with fire-places and grates, and the object is to enable the user
to employ a device for burning gas when it is desired to use but little fire and in
moderate weather, or to move this device entirely out of the way and expose the
ordinary grate for wood or coal which may be used for a larger fire. It consists
essentially of a grate with the usual basket for coal or other similar fuel, and in
combination therewith of a device for the burning of gas, such as a gas log or
deflector, and means for placing it in position for use, or removing it, a counter-
balance therefor, telescopic or extensible connecting pipes whereby the gas is
brought to the distributer, and a receptacle into which the gas-consuming device
may be moved to clear it from the grate when the latter is to be used.
It also comprises details of construction which will be more fully explained
by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a front view of a fire-place showing the gas deflector being used.
Figure 2 is a section at right angles to Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a similar view
showing the use of a gas log. Figure 4 is a rear view of the fire-place. Figure 5
shows the deflector suspended from hooks.
A is the fire-place, of any usual or suitable construction having a basket B
which is adapted to receive coal or similar fuel, and an escape flue C connecting
with the chimney, and a damper D by which the said flue is controlled.
E is a device for the combustion of gas. These devices are made in various
forms, either what is termed a "gas-log" or an "asbestos sheet" mounted upon
a distributer, so that the gas escaping through suitable openings is deflected and
distributed over the surface of the sheet where it is ignited so as to resemble a
fire of considerable size.
The distributer and deflector are shown suspended by wire rones or chains F
passing over pulleys G, and having suitable counterbalanced weights H upon the
opposite ends.
These weights should be of such proportion that the gas-consuming device may
be easily moved up or down with relation to the grate, and they may either he
of such proportions as to counterbalance the device so that it will stand at any
desired point, or they may be sufficiently heavier so that the device will need
a latch to hold it when drawn down.
Above the gas-consuming device E, a suitable pocket or depression I is made
corresponding in shape with the device.
If this device be the deflector sheet, the pocket is made of similar shape, extend-
ing up behind the mantel, and the counterbalance weights pass up on each side
of the pocket and over pulleys sufficiently high so that the deflector can be
raised entirely out of the line of the fire-place opening and concealed in this
chamber, and if desired any suitable gate or closure may be fitted below it, cr
the lower edge of the gas-burning device may form the closure itself.

page_text: If the device is in the form of a gas log, the pocket or receptacle will be
made in the upper part of the fire-place opening of such shape as to allow the gas
log to be raised into it and out of the line of the flue and the fire which will be
made in the basket, the same arrangement of counterbalance weights and chains
being employed.
The means for distributing and burning the gas not being part of my invention,
are not here especially shown or described.
The pipes conveying the gas to the burning device, extend up at each side,
as shown at J, and thence extend up parallel with the side walls of the fire-place
telescoping into pipes J¹ so as to form continuations which in turn are connected
with a supply pipe or main K.
This latter pipe is situated high enough to allow the telescoping sections to
close into each other sufficiently to allow the gas-burning device to be raised and
concealed within its containing pocket, and when the device is drawn down for
use, it occupies its normal position with relation to the fire-place or basket, the
telescopic pipe extending and serving to convey the gas into the burners.
The slidable joints of the telescopic sections are made gas tight by any usual
or suitable means employed for such purposes on extension pipes.
This device is not intended to burn gas and other fuel in combination, but
provides an independent substitute of one for the other whereby the gas log,
the deflector, or other gas burning apparatus is properly placed with relation to
the fire-place when it is to be used, and entirely removed and concealed when
an ordinary fire is to be made.
It will be manifest that the deflector may be moved downward into a pocket
below the hearth if desired, or under certain conditions it may be moved trans-
versely to either side of the fire-place, the essential feature of the invention being
the same in any case.
By mounting the counterweight pulleys upon a slidable frame, all working
parts may be brought down if necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1st. In combination, a fire-place, a concealing pocket, a hard fuel burning
grate, a gas-burning apparatus and means by which the gas-burning apparatus
may be positioned relative to the fire-place when gas is to be burned or concealed
from view when solid fuel is to be burned.
2nd. The combination with a fire-place of a grate and basket for burning
solid fuel with escape flue connecting with the chimney, a gas-burning apparatus
movable with relation thereto, counterbalance weights and extensible connecting
gas pipes, and a concealing pocket into which the gas-burning device is movable
when not in use.
3rd. In combination with a fire-place of a grate and basket for burning solid
fuel, an independent movable gas consuming device, a pocket, and mechanism by
which it may be moved therein and concealed from view when not in use, or
positioned with relation to the fire-place opening when gas is to be used, a fixed
main supply pipe and extensible connections (leading therefrom connecting
with the gas-consuming device and movable in unison therewith.
Dated this 27th day of Maral 1800
Dated this 27th day of March 1800.
For the Applicant.
GEDGE & FEENY,
Chartered Patent Agents, 60, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.