An Improved Gas-heated Hand Iron.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 6th May, 1895-Accepted, 15th June, 1895
An Improved Gas-heated Hand Iron.
We, CHARLES KIRBY of 152 Thwaite Gate, Hunslet, Leeds, in the County of
York, Mechanic, and JOHN GARNET LIVERSIDGE of 1 Hilledge Road, Hunslet
aforesaid, Patent Stopper Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention has reference to hand irons such as are used by laundresses,
tailors, etc., etc.
The usual gas-heated iron is a combination of a Bunsen-burner and a hollow-
bodied iron inside which the gas burns, but, as the tendency of heat is to rise, it
follows that the bottom of the iron (where the work is performed and the heat
most wanted) is the more difficult to heat. As ordinarily constructed, the toe of
the irou, from which end the chimney rises, heats better than the rear portion,
owing to the gas playing forward towards the chimney.
Our improvement consists, mainly, in introducing into the hollow body of the iron
an appliance which acts as a diffuser heat-absorber and conductor, which whether
solid or not with the bottom of the iron is in full touch with it, so that the heat
absorbed from the gas is conducted downwards to the base to the very place where
it is most wanted. Besides conducting the heat downward this appliance diffuses
the flame so that the side portions are driven more fully against the metal sides of
the hollow body, and a corresponding further amount of heat is again conducted
downward to the buse.
The position of the diffuser, which in cross-section should be such as to break up
the ordinary forward play of the flame, should be as rearward as possible, provided
it does not interfere with the proper combustion of the gas, and although it may be
advisable to prolong it forward towards the toe of the iron the touch with the base
should be brought as far back as possible, as this rear portion of the base is the
more difficult to heat.
The diffuser may further take a shape that tends to prevent the flame from
playing on the top of the iron, which latter is very undesirable and should be
prevented as far as possible.
22
As the motion of the iron backwards and forwards increases the tendency of the
gas to "light back at the burner we attach an air regulator here so that this evil
may be more easily rectified.
Dated this 4th do
1004

page_text: We, CHARLES KIRBY, of 152 Thwaite Gate, Hunslet, Leeds, in the County of
York, Mechanic, and JOHN GARNET LIVERSIDGE, of 1 Hillidge Road, Hunslet
aforesaid, Patent Stopper Maker, 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 has reference to hand irons such as are used by laundresses,
tailors, etc., etc.
The usual gas-heated iron is a combination of a Bunsen-burner and a hollow-
bodied iron, inside which the gas burns, but, as the tendency of heat is to rise, it
follows that the bottom of the iron (where the work is performed and the heat
most wanted) is the more difficult to heat. As ordinarily constructed, the toe of
the iron, from which end the chimney rises, heats better than the rear portion,
owing to the gas playing forward towards the chimney.
In order to fully explain our invention we have annexed a drawing on which
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation, partly in section ;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the body of the iron, added to which is the nozzle end
of the Bunsen-burner shown in position;
Fig. 3 is an end elevation with the upper part of the Bunsen burner broken off ;
Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevation through the line a, b, in Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a section through the body of the iron on the line e, d; and
Fig. 6 is a modification of the burner nozzle corresponding to Fig. 1.
The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.
Our improvement consists mainly in introducing into the hollow body of the
iron A, an appliance B, which acts as a diffuser, heat absorber, and conductor,
which, whether solid or not with the bottom of the iron, is in full touch with it, so
that the heat absorbed from the gas is conducted downwards to the base A, to the
very place where it is most wanted. Besides conducting the heat downward this
appliance diffuses the flame so that the side portions are driven more fully against
the metal sides of the hollow body, (see flame outlines in Fig. 2) and a corre-
sponding further amount of heat is again conducted downward to the base.
The position of the diffuser B, which in cross-section should be such as to break
up the ordinary forward play of the Hame, should be as rearward as possible,
provided it does not interfere with the proper combustion of the gas, and, although
it may be advisable to prolong it forward towards the toe of the iron, the touch
with the base should be brought as far back as possible, as this rear portion of the
base is the more difficult to beat.
The diffuser, &c., B, which is here shown solid with the base, is continue.l
towards the toe of the iron at B', as clearly shown in Fig. 1, with two raised
portions at B2 and B3 which supports the overhead non-conducting materials with
which the lid C of the iron is lined. As B approaches the chimney end of the
iron it may have its height increased as far as is found practicable, so as to absorb
heat up to the end and conduct it downwards to the base as shown.
The diffuser may further take a shape that tends 10 prevent the flame from
playing on the top of the iron, which latter very undesirable and should be
prevented as far as possible. In doing this, as it is undesirable to block up the
space in the interior of the iron (which is wanted for combustion) with solid part-,
the top of the diffuser is formed by a thin loose piece B', as shown in Fig. 2, or it
may take an extended shape such as that shown in Fig. 2, with a view to keep
the flame down as it travels further forward. This plan renders the casting of
the iron more simple, and allows this piece of the diffuser to be renewed, or
changed, at pleasure.

page_text: .
To further assist combustion we provide air holes in the body of the iron, these
may be in the rear at D' D' (Fig. 3) or in the sides at D2 D2 (Fig. 4) or both;
except for any such special holes the back of the iron is practically closed, as the
opening for receiving the nose F' of the Bunsen burner is made no larger than
necessary. This in order to avoid disturbing the flame when drawing the iron
backwards. The gas may be lighted at the small holes last mentioned.
The iron is built up in two main pieces, the body A and chimney E forming one:
whilst the lid C, the burner F, and the handle bracket G, form the other. A
bolt H, passed through this latter bracket G, and screwed into a boss E¹ on the
chimney, not only holds the handle in position but prevents the lid C making any
rearward movement. Two other bolts J, J, pass through the lid and hold it down,
being screwed into projecting flanges at J, J.
Special means are taken to prevent the wood of the handle charring and so
gaining end play. Instead of allowing the wood to touch the iron where the
bolt H joins the chimney we introduce two or more washers, as at H', with small
distance rings or ferrules between them, to carry off the greater heat before it
reaches the wood. This is the more important since a projecting rib G at the
other end of the handle forms a locking device for preventing the handle from
twisting round, and end-play would destroy this lock.
"
As the motion of the irou backward and forward increases the tendency of the
gas to "light back at the burner, an air regulator may be attached to meet this
evil. We form this regulator from a piece of metal bent round to form a clip
spring, with its sides tapered as shown, in order to render the proper regulation
more easily attainable. A. feather may be arranged to keep the clip in transverse
position, and a washer at the head of the burner prevents too much air being cut
off, by limiting the longitudinal movement. An air hole on each side is thus
regulated.
In Fig. 6 the nose of the Bunsen burner F is shown with an upper lip to guide
the
gas flame more completely downward and on to the base of the iron.
F is the beforementioned air-regulator, Fs the feather, F the top stop, and F' a
projection at the foot of the feather to form a bottom stop if required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :—
1. The improved gas-heated hand iron substantially as described and shown,
having in its interior the special diffuser, heat absorber, and conductor, with the
object and for the purpose set forth.
2. The improved gas-heated hand iron, formned in two main pieces and held
together by bolts, the handle bolt being fitted with heat radiating washers for
keeping the saine cool, the whole substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 4th dor of Nov 1805
WM. SNOWDON,
9, Old Bank Chambers, Leeds, Yorks, Agent for the Applicants.