An Improvement in Automatic Dampers for Stove Pipes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 1st Apr., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Automatic Dampers for Stove Pipes.
I, ELMER VESHLAGE RICE, Dentist, Centre Street, Azusa, L.A. Co., California,
United States of America, 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:-
-
This invention relates to an improvement in automatic dampers, and the object
thereof is to provide a simple, inexpensive device which may be applied to any
stove pipe without structural changes therein.
The invention consists primarily in the employment of a swinging damper
and a latch therefor, operated by an expansible rod, and it will be hereinafter
fully described and specifically set forth in the annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Fig. 1 is a
side elevation of the device partly sectional, on the line r-r of Fig. 2. and showing
the damper in open position, and Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the damper in
closed position.
In applying my invention, I employ a cross bar A, preferably of cast iron,
adapted to extend diametrically across the stove pipe in which it is to be mounted.
This cross bar is provided at its ends with upwardly projecting lugs a and
downwardly projecting lugs a¹ which are adapted to rest in the slots B, B',
on the upper edge of the lower section B of the stove pipe. The cross bar is
provided at one end with an enlarged portion a, in which a threaded hole a is
cut. The cross bar is also provided with a slot a communicating with the
hole a and extending nearly the full length of the bar. At the end opposite the
enlarged portion a², lugs a³ and a project upwardly and downwardly from said
cross bar.
A centrally located lug a7 affords a support for the damper C. Said
cross bar is held in position after having been placed in the slots on the upper
edge of the stove pipe B, by means of the upper section of the pipe 6 which
ships over the end of the cross bar and over the lower section of the pipe in the
usual manner.
The damper C has a slot e cut in one side thereof, adapted to embrace the cross
bar when swinging and two lugs c¹ fixed thereto, which are connected by means
of the pivots to the cross bar lugs a?.
The other side of said damper C is heavier than that containing the slot and
adapted to fall into closed position automatically when released.
A latch D is pivoted to the lug a6 by means of the pivot d. Said latch is curved
toward the center of the stove pipe and is provided with a weighted end and
a downwardly projecting lip adapted for engagement with the upper edge of
the damper C when in open position.
An expansible rod E of brass or other metal of smaller diameter than that
of the slot at, is adapted to expand longitudinally in said slot. The inner end e
of said rod contacts with the latch D and the outer end thereof is fixed to an
enlarged portion el which threads into the enlarged head a² of the cross bar A.
A suitable slot e² in the face of said enlargement is adapted to receive a screw-
driver for operating the same.
Riveted or otherwise fastened to said damper C is the stem F which extends

page_text: outwardly through a suitable hole in the side of the stove pipe and upon the
outer end of which the handle G, preferably of wood, is fastened.
In operation of the device, the cross bar carrying the damper and the latch is
placed upon the edge of the lower section of the stove pipe and the upper section
shipped over it. The expansible rod is then inserted and screwed into position
so that its free end contacts with the latch at e.. The damper being in open
position, as shown in Fig. 1, the fire is started, and as seen as the heat becomes
sufficient to expand the rod E, the latch is forced rearwardly to the position shown
by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The upper heavier portion of the damper C will then
cause the same to fall and close automatically. To re-open at any time, it is
only necessary to turn the handle G when the damper will again latch itself
in position. The device may be set to operate at any predetermined degree of
heat by means of the thread on the expansible rod. Should it be desired to
continue the draft for a time longer than usual, the expansible rod will be screwed
back out of contact with the latch, thereby allowing a certain amount of expansion
before beginning the operation of unlatching the damper. On the contrary, if it
should be desired that the damper be closed in an unusually short period of
time, the rod would be screwed in slightly, which would bring the latch to a
position between that shown in full lines and that shown in dotted lines in
Fig. 1 then the action of the heat would release the damper, in less time than
when set, as shown in Fig. 1.
It is obvious that structural changes may be made in the device without
departing from the spirit of my invention.
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:—
1. An improved damper for stove pipes, embodying a cross bar fixed in said
stove pipe, a damper pivoted thereto, a latch adapted to hold said damper in
open position, and means for releasing said latch consisting of an expansible rod
adapted to operate said latch, substantially as shown and described.
2. An improved damper for stove pipes, embodying a cross bar fixed in said
stove pipe, a damper pivoted thereto, a latch adapted to hold said damper in
open position, and means for releasing said latch consisting of an expansible rod
provided with a thread by means of which it may be adjusted, substantially as
shown and described.
3. An improved damper for stove pipes, embodying the cross bar adapted to
rest upon the upper edge of a section of the stove pipe and be maintained in that
position by an upper section of said stove pipe, said cross bar having a alot
therein and an enlarged threaded portion at one end, an expansible rod adapted
to work longitudinally in said slot, said rod being provided with an enlarged head
adapted to thread in the cross bar, the free end of said rod contacting with a
latch pivoted to said cross bar, said latch having a weighted end adapted to keep
said latch in close contact with the rod, a damper pivotally connected to said
cross bar, said damper being provided with a slot adapted to embrace said cross
har, and with a stem and handle for operating said damper, substantially as
shown and described.
1000
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.