IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE GRATES, AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CHIMNIES OR FLUES
Year: 1864

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Arthur Gall at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th May
1864.
I, ARTHUR GALL, of 26, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park Gardens, W., do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE
GRATES, AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING CHIMNIES OR FLUES," to be as follows:―
To properly clean chimneys I would have the flue made of an oval shape.
and of the same dimensions throughout its entire length; in the centre of the
flue, extending from the top to the bottom, I would place a round iron rod of
suitable thickness, spirally threaded throughout, except within a short distance
of either end, the top portion to be slightly reduced in size and inserted in a
hole or slot cut in the middle of an iron tripod affixed to the chimney pot by
a iron band passing around the same, the other or bottom end of the rod to be
also feduced about one inch rounded and the remainder squared, the rounded
part to enter into a hole or socket made in an iron stay extending across the
bottom mouth of the flue and the squared portion passing through and pro-
jecting over the thickness of the stay; thus secured the rod is on a pivot and
can be turned laterally either way. I now proceed to place on the rod an
iron cap of the exact size and diameter of the flue about 2 inches in thickness
and tapering towards the edges to about of an inch, the centre of this cap
to be cut and fitted with threads similar to the rod to enable it to be screwed
on to and work on the rod by twisting or turning the rod, the oval form of the
flue and cap, by preventing the rotation of the latter, causes it to ascend or
descend as required. The central rod to be turned by the application of two

page_text: light cogged wheels, one wheel being fitted horizontally to the projecting
square end of the rod, and the other to be disposed vertically and have attached
thereto a handle by which motion is to be imparted. When not in use these
wheels are to be removed. It will now at once be seen that to clean the
chimney one has only to affix the wheels and turn the handle, when the cap
traverses the flue, detaching in its progress any soot it may meet with. By
doing this every morning before lighting the fire any accumulation would be
prevented. A brush of peculiar construction could if required be placed on
the rod with the cap to ensure proper cleaning, although I am of opinion that
the cap alone would be found in practice sufficient for that
It
purpose.
might be found advantageous instead of forging the rod in one piece to have
it prepared in length so as to be easily fastened together. In effecting a
proper and perfect draught I would make parallel with and of similar length
to the smoke flue another flue of much smaller diameter, the upper end of such
flue to be open and the lower end to terminate in an iron tube running under
the grate, perforated for the emission of air, thus causing more general com-
bustion; it might be found advantageons, to secure a rapid and ready current
of air, to have affixed to the top of the flue a revolving cowl whose mouth
would be always directed to the point the wind is blowing, the opposite
principle being adopted with the smoke flue by having attached to the tripod
a revolving shield which would always present its outer surface to the wind.
By thus securing a free up and down current of air the disagreebles attendant
on a smoky chimney would be entirely avoided or overcome. In drawing
rooms and other apartments, where fire is prepared for warming purposes, the
guards at present in use are found cumbrous and to some extent ineffectual,
hence they are not universally adopted; I therefore would substitute one made
of fine wire woven in small meshes and in two equal parts, each part to be
fixed on hinges on either side of the grate and allow being closed or opened
at pleasure. The coal box or scuttle instead of being placed on the floor of
the apartment I propose should be inserted in an aperture of corresponding
dimensions made in one of the pedestals or jambs of the grate; thus this
necessary article of furniture would be placed out of the way and in a position
more easy of access.