AN IMPROVED PORTABLE GRATE FOR GREATLY ECONOMISING THE CON- SUMPTION OF FUEL, AND LARGELY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF HEAT RADIATED THEREBY
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Lightband Thomasson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents with his Petition, on
the 11th December 1873.
I, JOHN LIGHTBAND THOMASSON, of Old Corn Market, Worcester,
House Decorator, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED PORTABLE GRATE FOR GREATLY ECONOMISING THE CON-
SUMPTION OF FUEL, AND LARGELY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF HEAT RADIATED
THEREBY," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object the constructing of an improved
portable grate for greatly economising the consumption of fuel, and
largely increasing the amount of heat radiated thereby.
To effect this object I proceed as follows:-I cast a conical tubo of any
suitable dimensions (say about three feet in length and six inches in
diameter), having radiating plates formed on four sides thereof, such.
plates being cast simultaneously with the tube itself. The lower end of
this tube I shape in a concave form with projections on either side, with
cavities in them to receive an iron rod. To the front of this casting I
attach by suitable fastenings a movable front cast in one piece. Such

page_text: front I form in a convex shape with a horizontal bar at the top, and a
number of small vertical bars terminating in a small plate at the bottom,
the spaces between which gradually lessen as they approach their termina-
tion. The bars are of smaller dimensions and more numerous than those
generally used in fire-grates, they extend some way beneath the bottom
of the grate in order to afford by means of the passage of the air between
them a more thorough combustion and consumption of the fuel with
which the grate is fed, thus ensuring a great degree of cleanliness, as
scarcely any residuum of ashes is left in the grate or ash pan when the
fire has burnt out. I fix an iron bar in the mouth of the chimney, and to
this iron bar I suspend the tube or casting by means of an iron rod, the
two lower ends whereof are fixed in the cavities in the projections before
mentioned at each side of the casting to receive them, from whence the
rod passes up at each side of the tube, and is conducted round the back
thereof, the top of the tube passing between it and the iron bar in the
mouth of the chimney, thereby allowing it to oscillato to and fro at the
same time that it secures perfect steadiness of motion.
The back of the grate is formed of the ordinary shape with a cavity in
the centre, which I fill with fire-clay or other suitable material in order
to intensify the radiation of heat from the stove.
The mouth of the tube is fitted with an ordinary valve to open and
shut whenever it may be required to increase or diminish the strength of
the fire.
This stove when suspended in the chimney presents a very graceful
and ornamental appearance, somewhat resembling a gasalier, and in order
to render it so to a still greater degree the iron tubo may be concealed
from view by a shield of bright steel wrought with ormolu enrichments,
or otherwise decorated; it may also be introduced into any ordinary
chimney with the greatest facility and economy, and if desired, is
capable of being unhung and removed with case to allow of the fire-
place being during the summer season screened up or ornamented.
The wall at the back may be covered with tiles or otherwiso
decorated.
The hearth also may be raised somewhat above the level of the floor
of the apartment, and laid with glazed tiles and enclosed by a rim or
moulding to take the place of a fender.

page_text: A saving of not less than one half of the ordinary amount of fuel con-
sumed is effected by the use of my improved suspended grate at the
same time that a much larger degree of heat is derived therefrom; it thus
combines in an equal degree all the advantages of an elegant appearance,
a great degree of cleanliness, facility and inexpensiveness of adaptation,
a great and lasting economy of fuel with portability, quick ignition, and
thorough and healthy ventilation.