CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN VENTILATING, OR VENTILATORS FOR OR IN SHIPS, VEHICLES, HOUSES OR OTHER BUILDINGS
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, OBED
BLAKE, of the Thames Plate Glass Company, residing at 13, Southampton
Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting,
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland,
bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of January, in the twelfth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said Obed Blake, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her éspecial
licence; full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Obed Blake,
and such others as I, the said Obed Blake, my exors, admors, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, in the Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man,
and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention
of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN VENTILATING, OR VENTILATORS FOR OR IN SHIPS,
VEHICLES, HOUSES, OR OTHER BUILDINGS;" in which said Letters. Patent is
contained a proviso, requiring that I, the said Obed Blake, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, to be enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent, as in and by the same, reference being had thereto, will more fully
and at large appear.

page_text: KNOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said Proviso, I, the said
Obed Blake, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed and carried into practical effect, are
fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the three illustrative Sheets of Drawings hereunto
annexed, and forming part of this my said Specification, and to the numeral
figures and letters of reference marked thereon, that is to say,―
My Invention consists in certain new mechanical combinations and arrange-
ments of parts constituting ventilators to be applied to ships, vehicles, houses,
or other buildings, for the purpose of supplying fresh air thereto, and of
allowing the vitiated air and vapours contained therein to escape therefrom.
And in order to explain my said Invention as completely as possible, I now
proceed to describe the combinations and arrangements of parts which I
consider well calculated for carrying my said Invention into practical effect,
and which in practice have been found to answer extremely well.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At each of the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed similar letters of
reference are employed to denote corresponding parts, in so far as such parts
appear or can be seen at each of the Figures respectively. At Drawing No. 1,
Figure 1 exhibits a side elevation of the ventilator complete; Fig. 2, a
transverse and vertical section thereof as it would appear when divided
through the line A, B, Figure 1; Figure 3, a vertical section, taken through
the line C, D, at Figure 2. Figure 4 is a front elevation of a ventilator to be
applied to the stiles of windows or doors; Figure 5, a transverse and vertical
section thereof, taken through the line E, F, at Figure 4; Figure 6 a back
elevation of this ventilator. Figure 7 exhibits a front clevation of a
ventilating finger plate, to be applied to the doors of dwelling-houses or apart-
ments, or doors or other portions of railway or other vehicles, and constructed
upon the principle of the last-mentioned ventilator.
At Figures 1, 2, 3, A, A, marks a framing of wood, into which strips of glass
B are securely fixed by marine glue or putty, and disposed at certain distances.
asunder; C, a frame sliding freely within the frame A, and likewise furnished
with strips of glass D, fixed thereto, as before mentioned; E, E, strips of wood
securely fixed to the framing A, said strips being for the purpose of guiding the
sliding frame C-in its proper course. I will be seen upon referring to Figure 3,
that a portion of the bottom of the frame C is formed with a slanting edge,
against which a wedge-shaped piece F presses, the same being employed for

page_text: raising and lowering the frame C, for the purpose of covering or uncovering the
openings in the ventilator; that is to say, assuming the ventilator to be in the
position exhibited at Figure 1, it will then be seen that the openings or spaces
between the strips of glass B are uncovered, and the ventilator in a position
to admit air to pass through it; but by pushing the handle G along the slot II.
in the direction of the arrow's flight, the wedge-shaped piece F, to which.
said handle is fixed, will cause the frame C to be raised into the position.
exhibited at Figures 2 and 3, where it will be seen that the slips or strips of
glass D cover the openings or spaces between the strips B, and thereby.
prevent the ingress or egress of air .through the ventilator. It will appear
obvious that by moving the wedged-shaped piece F, which may be made to
run on wheels sunk in the now rubbing surfaces if preferred to any extent
short of opening or closing the ventilator entirely, that the admission of air
through it may be regulated, or in other words, the spaces or openings
between the slips or strips of glass B may be contracted to the greatest nicety.
I, I, mark springs, of greater or less strength, according to the thickness of the
strips of glass, for assisting the closing of the sliding frame C. Or, this venti-
lator may be composed of wood or metal, in which case the apertures required
would be cut in the solid, the action in all other respects being the same.
At Figures 4, 5, 6, A, A, marks the style or lower sash bar of a window
which part is usually made solid, but according to my Invention I form
such part with a number of circular holes B, which extend through the
entire thickness of the style, and I cover the said holes on one side of
the style with a perforated plate of zinc I, or coarse wire gauze, shewn at
Figure 6 in perforated zinc, and the other or inner side of the style I
cover with fine wire gauze, upon which I fix a strip of metal K, or other
suitable material, having holes formed therein of corresponding size to those
in the stile, and placed opposite thereto, as exhibited at Figures 4 and 5; and
upon the strip of metal K, I place another and precisely similar strip of
metal L, which is capable of being slidden between guide pieces a, a, over
the other, so as wholly or partially to cover or uncover the openings in the
style, and in this manner I effect ventilation.
At Figures 7, 8, 9, A, A, marks a section of that part of a door against
which the finger plates have to be fixed. B, B, the finger plates; C, a handle
for moving the sliding plate D for opening or closing the ventilator; the
arrangements whereof is precisely similar to that lastly above mentioned, and
may likewise be made separately, as before described.
At Drawing No. 2, Figure 1 exhibits a front elevation of another form of
construction of ventilator to be applied to ships, steam boats, or other

page_text: navigable vessels, or to windows of houses or other buildings, or in or on
vehicles; Figure 2, a transverse and vertical section thereof, taken through.
the line A, B; Figure 3, a vertical section through the line C, D, at
Figure 2; Figure 4, a transverse and vertical. section through the line E, F,
at Figures 1 and 3; Figure 5, a horizontal section through the line G, H,
at Figures 1 and 3. Figures 6 and 7 exhibit two views of a ventilator,
the same being modifications of that above mentioned; Figure 6 is a
front elevation, and Figure 7 a vertical section, taken through the line A, B,
at Figure 6; Figure 8, a detached portion, hereafter referred to. At Figures
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, A, A, marks a casing of metal or wood, the several parts whereof
are suitably connected together, and enclosing the following arrangement. of
parts-B, B, mark strips or slips of plate or flint glass, the ends whereof have
holes formed therein, into which pins C are inserted, shewn by dotted lines at
Figure 8. These pins are fixed in a system of levers D, which are combined
together in the manner exhibited at Figure 4, where it will be seen that the
uppermost levers are connected to the top moveable strip of glass, and the
lowermost levers to two pieces of metal E, E, which are actuated in the
following manner:-Assuming the ventilator to be open, or in the position
exhibited at Figures 3 and 4, in order to close it wholly or partially I employ
a right and left hand screw G, which passes through screwed holes formed in
the pieces E, E, and by turning round this screw by means of the handle E
fixed thereon these pieces are caused to approach or to recede from each
other, and the parallel movement thereof is preserved by the rod and
levers H, H. Now, when the ventilator is open the pieces E, E, will be in
the position exhibited at Figure 4, and by turning round the screw G in the
proper direction the pieces E, E, will be caused to recede from each other,
and thereby effect the bringing together of the strips of glass or closing of the
ventilator, as exhibited at Figure 2; a reverse movement of the screw will
open the ventilator. It should be observed that the bottom strip of glass B*
is securely fixed to the casing by putty or other suitable adhesive substance.
The strips or slips of glass intended to be used in these ventilators vary in
thickness, according to the description of vessel on board of which such
ventilators are placed, or the windows, doors, or other portions of building or
vehicles; in ships and steam boats, thick plate or flint glass, from half an inch
to an inch in thickness, according to the size of the ventilators required, while
for windows of houses and other buildings the ordinary substance of plate or
thick sheet glass will be sufficient. The difference between the last-mentioned
ventilator and that exhibited at Figures 6 and 7 in the mode of opening and
closing the ventilator, which in this ventilator is as follows:-The strips of glass B

page_text: are connected together by a system of levers D, similar to those before described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the uppermost levers being connected
to the top moveable strip of glass and the lowermost levers to the bottom strip
of glass B*, which is securely fixed to the casing by putty or other suitable
adhesive substance, and to the uppermost strip of glass a lever handle C is
connected by a pin or rivet a, and there is a slot or opening 6 formed in the
casing A; thus it will be seen, that by raising the handle C up slot 6 the
ventilator will be opened or brought into the position exhibited at Figure 7,
and may be retained in that position by turning the said handle. into the
bayonet slit formed in the opening b, as shewn, and when the ventilator is
closed it is prevented from rattling or shaking by turning the handle into the
curved part of the slot, or opening b, until it comes into contact with the
stop C. I would remark, that at Figure 6 the handle C is represented out of
its proper position, for the purpose of exhibiting the slot or opening 6 more
clearly. Another mode of connecting the strips of glass together is by substi-
tuting in the place of the system of levers D two pieces of the shape exhibited
at Figure 8, one at each side of the framing, the effect of which is as follows:-
Suppose the top strip of glass to be connected to these pieces by pins fixed in
the ends of the strip, and each strip to be in the position exhibited at
Figure 6, it will appear evident that by raising the uppermost strip that tho
strip adjoining it will not be moved until the bottom of the hole 2 comes into
contact with the pin in the strip, and the holes 3 and 4 will in like manner
operate upon the other strips of glass so as to place them in the position.
exhibited at Figure 7.
At Drawing No. 3, Figure 1 exhibits a side elevation of a telescope ventilator
for ships; Figure 2, an end view thereof; Figure 3, a transverse and vertical
section, taken through the line A, B, at Figure 2. A, A, marks a portion of a
ship's side, in which a circular hole is formed to receive the ventilator, which
is constructed as follows:-B, B, marks a short hollow cylinder of metal, having
a flange at one end thereof; into this cylinder another hollow cylinder of
metal C fits loosely, one end whereof has a recess formed, into which a glass D
is securely fixed in any convenient manner; and there is a flange C* fixed upon
the end of said cylinder to prevent the ventilator being drawn too far inwards,
and the other and opposite end of said cylinder has a semicircular handle E
hinged thereto, which when out of use shuts close against the cylinder, and
follows the same curvature; the cylinder C has three oblong openings *.
formed therein, which are furnished with slides F, F, F, shewn at Figures
2 and 3, which are capable of being slidden in or out at pleasure. G, G, mark

page_text: pieces of india-rubber, gutta percha, or other suitable elastic material fixed to
the cylinder B in any convenient manner to prevent the ventilator from rattling
or shaking. The operation of this ventilator is as follows:-The handle is
first brought into the position exhibited at Figure 3 and the cylinder C pushed
outwards into the position shewn at Figuro 1, a stop being fixed thereto to
prevent its being entirely forced out, after which one or other or all of the
slides F may be wholly or partially withdrawn from the openings which they
cover, as shewn at Figure 3, when the ventilator will be in a position to allow
the external air to enter the ship's cabin, steerage, or hold, the quantity
admitted being regulated by adjusting the slides to the required extent; or if
found more desirable, the openings may be covered with wire gauze, whereby
the current of cold air will be infinitely divided, the slides F being still
employed to regulate the quantity admitted. I would also remark that the
ventilator may be made to slide inwards instead of outwards, in which case it
will only be necessary to place the glass D at the opposite end of the cylinder
and to place the slides F flush with the outside of the cylinder, and in this
manner I form a ventilator which is particularly applicable to ships.
At Figure 4 of Drawing No. 3 there is exhibited an arrangement for the
escape of vitiated air and vapours from the inside of railway carriages and such
other vehicles as have lamps placed therein for the purpose of diffusing artificial
light. The Drawing at this Figure shews a vertical section of a lamp, taken
through about the middle, and known as à roof lamp, such as is commonly
applied to railway carriages. It is also well known that these lamps are
attached to the roof of the carriage by passing them from the outside thereof
through a hole formed therein for that purpose, and that the flame of such lamps
is surrounded by a glass shade which entirely surrounds the flame. Now,
since the vitiated air in the immediate situation of the lamp would become
slightly rarified by virtue of the heat from the flame of the lamp, I proposo
passing off the vitiated air and vapours in the following manner:-It will be
seen I surround the glass shade A by a somewhat similar but larger glass B,
which, instead of being solid or closed at the under side, has an opening C
formed therein; and said glass is attached to the under side of the carriage by
forming the flange D of the glass B with bayonet slits or openings 1, 2, at
opposite sides of said flange, as exhibited at Figure 4*, and to the under side of
the roof of the carriage studs 3, 3, are securely fixed, the shoulders or pro-
jecting parts whereof support the glass B in its proper position, and enable it
to be readily removed and replaced when necssary; and I establish a com-
munication between this glass and the external atmosphere by making the

page_text: hole in the roof through which the lamp passes sufficiently large to leave a
space around the lamp, the same being firmly held therein by springs 4 fixed
thereto. By this arrangement the vitiated air and vapours are caused to pass
between the glasses A and B through the hole in the roof, and finally into the
open air by the opening **, and in this manner I effect more perfect venti-
lation of vehicles than hitherto.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed and carried into practical effect, I desire it to be
distinctly understood that I do not claim the exclusive use of any of the separate
parts above mentioned and referred to except in so far as the same may be
employed in combination and for the purposes of my said Invention. And I
further intend it to be understood, that although I have referred to the
Drawings hereunto annexed in order to illustrate my Invention, I do not limit
or confine myself to the precise details of the methods described of making and
fixing the ventilators forming the subject thereof, or to any particular size or
the thickness of glass, metal, or other materials used, or to the material of
which they may be composed, as such details must be varied to suit ships,
houses, windows, vehicles, and other places or things to which the ventilators
therein described may be applicable. And I hereby declare my Invention to,
consist in, and I claim,―
First, the mechanical combinations and arrangements of parts herein-before
particularly described, set forth, and represented at Figures 1, 2, 3 of
Drawing No. 1, as constituting improvements in ventilating or ventilators.
Secondly, the mechanical combinations and arrangements of parts exhibited
at Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of Drawing No. 1, and the application thereof to
the windows, doors, or other suitable parts of houses or buildings, and to the
windows, doors, roofs, or other suitable parts of vehicles, as constituting improve-
ments in ventilating or ventilators.
Thirdly, the mechanical combinations and arrangements of parts herein-
before particularly described, set forth, and represented at the several Figures
of Drawing No. 2, and the application thereof, in the manner and for the
purposes set forth, as constituting improvements in ventilating or ventilators.
Fourthly, the mechanical combinations and arrangements of parts herein-
before particularly described, set forth, and represented at Figures 1, 2, 3 of
Drawing No. 3, and the application thereof, in the manner and for the purposes
set forth, as constituting improvements in ventilating or ventilators.
Fifthly, and lastly, the use and application of the part marked E at Figure 4
of Drawing No. 3 to a railway carriage lamp, in the manner and for the

page_text: purposes herein-before particularly described, set forth, and represented, as
constituting improvements in ventilating or ventilators.
In witness whereof, I, the said Obed Blake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
Enrolled the Eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and forty-nine.