Improvements in Gas-heated Hand Irons.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas-heated Hand Irons.
I, CHARLES KIRBY, of 152 Thwaite Gate, Hunslet, Leeds, in the County of
York, Gas Iron 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 object of the invention is to produce a hand iron such as shall give off
through its base the maximum heat with a minimum consumption of gas; and,
that, with a minimum possibility of lighting back at the nozzle of the Bunsen
burner; the whole arrangement being one in which economy of manufacture is also
carefully considered.
I accomplish my object as follows:-I introduce the flame of a broad Bunsen
burner (which burner forms, along with the handle bracket and chimney, one solid
piece with the lid of the iron) into the heel of the body of the iron, so that the
flame first plays over the greater part of the breadth of the base of the iron; the
flame is then divided into three portions by means of the two wings which rise
from the base. The central portion of the flame proceeding straight forward
continues to play along the centre of the base, whilst the two outer portions are
driven against the sides and base of the iron. The lowest portion of the inside
of the iron is made the widest with a special view to draw down, or keep down,
the flame on the base.
The position and arrangement of the two dividing wings is such that they tend
to hold the flame steadily in the body of the iron, even when it is rapidly moved
backward and forward; to this end the wings at their back are blunt, although
pointed in front, to split the flame. Again, although a considerable air space is
allowed round the Bunsen tube, including the space below it, care is taken to
protect this latter position by arranging a projecting ridge to shield the lower
portion of the flame against an inrush of air, when too rapid a backward movement
is made; this arrangement results in causing any inrush of air (which must then
enter higher up) to steady the flame and keep it down on the base.
The lid of the iron has an asbestos lining which preferably rests on the top edge
of the sides, the whole upper portion of the iron being held down by three screws.
The inner terminal of the lining (and the lead into the chimney) is arranged to
spread the flame breadthways and to cause it to dispose of as much heat as
possible in or towards the toe of the iron before it escapes at the chimney top.
Dated this First day of February 1896.
WM.
SNOWDON,
9 Old Bank Chambers, Leeds, Yorks, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: improvements in Gas-heated Hand Irons.
1, CHARLES KIRBY, of 152, Thwaite Gate, Hunslet, Leeds, in the County of
York, Gas Iron 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 object of the invention is to produce a hand iron such as shall give off
through its base the maximum heat with a minimum consumption of gas; and,
that, with a minimum possibility of lighting back at the nozzle of the Bunsen
burner; the whole arrangement being one in which economy of manufacture is also
carefully considered.
In order to fully explain my invention, I have annexed three sheets of drawings
on which
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation taken along the line X. X, iu Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 is a plan, partly in section, of the rearward portion of the body, with the
lid removed, but showing the nose of the burner in position.
Fig. 3 is an underneath plan view of the lid of the iron, showing the base of the
chimney, etc.
Fig. 4, is an elevation of the bandle bracket, and its end of the iron, the top
of the burner being broken off, with the left-hand in half section, taken on the
line Y. Y, in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is the front elevation of the iron.
I accomplish my object as follows:-I introduce the flame of a broad Buusen
burner, A, (which burner A forms, along with the handle bracket B, and
chimney C, one solid piece with the lid D of the iron) into the heel, E, of the
body, F, of the iron, so that the flame first plays down and over the greater part
of the breadth of the base of the iron; the flame is then divided into three portions
by means of two diverting wings, G, which rise solid from the base; the central
portion of the flame proceeding straight forward towards the toe (which is well
hollowed out internally) continues to play along the centre of the base, and keeps
up, the central heat necessary for good combustion, whilst the two outer portions
are driven against the sides and base of the iron. The lowest portion of the inside
of the iron is made the widest, with a special view of drawing down, or keeping
down, the flame on the base, as well as admitting the heat, as it were, below the
sides, as shown in half section in Fig. 4. The result of the flame thus striking the
wings and sides of the iron is a better heat to the rearward portion. In order that
the internal combustion shall not be too much interfered with by the diverting
wings, these are not carried up as high as the heated asbestos roof, in order to
leave a freer circulation for combustion above..
The position and arrangement of the two dividing or diverting wings is such
that they tend to hold the flame steadily in the body of the iron, even when it is
rapidly moved backward and forward; to this end the wings at their back are
blunt, although pointed at their front where they meet and split the flame. Again
although a considerable air space is allowed round the burner, as shown in Fig. 4,
including the space below it, as shown in Fig. 1, care is taken to protect this latter
position by arranging a projecting ridge, H, to shield the lower portion of the
flame against an undue rush of air when too rapid a backward movement is made.
This ridge runs across the extreme heel of the iron which is extended rearward to
give space for the play of the gases at the diverting wings. Fringes J, J, are also
arranged at the sides of the burner to protect the upper stratum of burning gases,
whilst side shields, K, K, protect the side flames. This arrangement results in

page_text: causing any inrush of air, (which must then enter inore centrally, higher up than
at the burner level) to steady the flames and keep them down on the base.
The lid of the iron has a comparatively thick (say half an inch) asbestos bard
lining, L, L, left naked below, so as to radiate, and throw down, all the heat
possible. This board rests on the top edge of the sides of the body, the whole
upper portion of the iron being held (nipping the asbestos board tightly down) by
three screws, two, M, M, at the rear, and one, N, at the nose, with metal to metal
facings at O, O, for receiving the rearward final pressure; an economy of heat,
and a saving in fitting being thus gained.
The (inner) terminal of the asbestos board, L, and the uptake into the chimney
is arranged to spread the flame breadthways as far as possible, and by making
the lower area of the chimney approximately triangular in cross section (instead of
circular), see Fig. 3, the greatest length as well as the greatest breadth of asbestos
board (with an accompanying length and breadth of flame below) is obtained.
Thus, this arrangement causes the burning gases to dispose of as much heat as
possible along the base and also in or towards the toe before they escape at the
chimney top.
In Fig. 2, the facings, 0, 0, are shown in dotted lines, their actual position being
on the lid above.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The arrangement and construction of the improved gas-heated hand iron,
substantially as described and shown, whereby a better heat is given to the
base, with a reduced tendency to light back, and with economy of manufacture.
2. In a gas-heated hand iron, the arrangement and construction of the two
diverting wings, G, G, rising out of the solid base of the iron, and pointed where
they divide the flame, in combination with the body of an iron whose cross section
of flame area is widest at the base, with the object of attaining a more perfect
heating of the said base, without interfering with the proper combustion of the gas,
substantially as described and shown.
3. In a gas-heated hand iron, the arrangement and construction of the two
diverting wings, G, G, with blunted forward ends; the rear protecting ledge, H;
the top fringes, J, J; the side shields, K, K; and the end arrangement of the
Bunsen burner; all combining to hold the flame steadily in the body of the iron
and so avoiding lighting back, substantially as described and shown.
4. In a gas-heated hand iron, the arrangement and construction of a chimney
taking
a shape at its broad base nearly triangular in cross section in the very
front of the lid of the iron, in combination with a naked asbestos board heat
reflector, or radiator, carried forward to the base of the said chimney, with the
object of extending the path of a wide flame along the body of the iron, and so
developing and throwing down the heat more effectually, substantially as described
and shown.
5. The arrangement and construction of the chimney and heat reflecting board,
as in the previous claim, having the said board held and fixed between the lid and
the body of the iron; with metal to metal contact pieces at, 0, O; rear
screws, M, M; and a front one at N; the body of the iron being in one piece;
and the lid, burner, chimney and handle bracket formed by another; with a view
to economy both in heat and manufacture, substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 3rd day of July 1896.
WM. SNOWDON,
9, Old Bank Chambers, Leeds, Yorks, Agent for the Applicant.