IMPROVEMENTS IN GRATE BARS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Hibbert, of Richmond, in the County of York,
Engineer, and Leonard Cooke, of Horwich, in the County of Lancaster, Paper
Manufacturer, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN GRATE BARS For
D
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Hibbert and Leonard
Cooke at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th May 1880.
GEORGE HIBBERT, of Richmond, in the County of York, Engineer, and
LEONARD COOKE, of Horwich, in the County of Lancaster, Paper Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GRATE BARS FOR FURNACES OR FIRE PLACES AND
BLASTS."
IN
The object of our Invention is the construction of grate bars for furnaces or fire
places and of blasts, so that the largest possible quantity of air may be admitted
through them to act direct against the fuel to produce combustion.
We make the grate bars by preference of one single casting as follows:-The
middle portion of the bar is mado deeper and thinner than usual, and sufficiently
long in one or more lengths to extend the whole length of the fire place, and on one
or both sides at the upper edge and level therewith we form a series of small ribs
which project from the main rib at an angle, and are provided with cross pieces or
bars running parallel to the main rib, but much lighter and thinner. The bars are
so constructed that all the small ribs and cross pieces or bars may have each one
disconnected end, so that the expansion and contraction have no effect on them.
The bridge can be formed of any width, and the double series of projections on one
of these grate bars will fill a space equal to six or more common fire bars, so that
the main bearing portion is kept cool by the large amount of space on each side.
The double series of projections are made very narrow and thin, and constructed so
that the large amount of air space about them keeps them cool. The ends of the
bars can be made to fit any shape of cross bar or support, and they are constructed
in a series or otherwise, so that they also are kept cool. These bars can be made
of steel or any other suitable metal, but we make them by preference of cast iron.
The bars are so constructed that no particles of fuel may fall through or between
them, so that the commonest small coals, coke, or other fuel can be used, and a
D

page_text: perfect combustion and greater heat can be got than has heretofore been practicable,
a smaller number of these bars are required, and the surfaces of metal exposed to
the heat of the fire are so thin and fine that the air keeps them cool. The bars aro
so constructed that the expansion and contraction are more equal in every part
than has heretofore been attained, and a great saving in the cost of the fire bars
and in the consumption of fuel is effected. We place special tubular clips fixed
loosely under the fire bars for the blast, and connected with suitable hollow bearers
and bridges, through which we propose to force an air or other blast to pass direct
on each double series of projections to keep the bars, bearers, and bridges cool, and
cause a rapid and perfect combustion.
We make these tubular clips of sheet iron, steel, or other metal, partially
enclosing the lower portion of the main rib of the bar, and the edges of the tube
may be serrated or be perforated for the escape of air or other blast, or grooves may
be made in the lower portion of the bar.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Hibbert and Leonard Cooke in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 11th November 1880.
GEORGE HIBBERT, of Richmond, in the County of York, Engineer, and
LEONARD COOKE, of Horwich, in the County of Lancaster, Paper Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GRATE BARS FOR FURNACES OR FIRE PLACES AND IN
BLASTS."
The object of our Invention is the construction of grate bars for furnaces or fire
places and of blasts, so that the largest possible quantity of air may be admitted
through them to act direct against the fuel to produce combustion. We make the
grate bar by preference of one single casting as follows:-The middle portion of
the bar forms the main rib, and on one or both sides at the upper edge and level
therewith we form a series of smaller ribs which project from the main rib at an
angle, and are provided with cross pieces or bars running parallel to the main rib,
but much lighter and thinner. The bars are so constructed that all the small ribs
and the cross pieces or bars may have each one disconnected end, so that the
expansion and contraction have no injurious effect on them. The bridge can be formed
of any width, and the double series of projections on one of these grate bars will fill a
space equal to several common fire bars, so that the main bearing portion is kept
cool by the large amount of open space on each side under the cross pieces. The
double series of projections are made very narrow and thin, and constructed so that
The ends of the bars
the large amount of air space about them keeps them cool.
can be made to fit any shape of bearing bar or other support, and they are
constructed in a series or otherwise, so that they also are kept cool. These grate bars
can be made of steel or any other suitable metal, but we make them by preference
of cast iron. The bars are so constructed that no particles of fuel may fall through
or between them, so that the commonest small coals, coke, or other fuel can be
used, and a perfect combustion and greater heat can be got than has heretofore
been practicable, a smaller number of these bars are required, and the surfaces of
metal exposed to the heat of the fire are so thin and fine that the air keeps them
cool. The bars are so constructed that the expansion and contraction are more
equal in every part than has heretofore been attained, and a great saving in the
cost of the fire bars and in the consumption of fuel is effected. We place special
tubular clips fixed loosely under the fire bars for the blast, and connected with
suitable hollow bearers and bridges, through which we propose to force an air or
other blast to pass direct on each double series of projections to keep the bars,
We make
bearers, and bridges cool, and cause a rapid and perfect combustion.
these tubular clips of sheet iron, steel, or other metal, partially enclosing the lower
portion of the main rib of the bar, and the edges of the tube may be serrated or
perforated for the escape of air or other blast, or grooves may be made in the lower
portion of the bar.
And in order that our Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect, we will describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, reference being
had to the figures and letters marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a plan of our improved fire bar, and Fig. 2 is an end elevation
with our improved blast clip tube attached. a is the main rib; b, b, are the
smaller ribs, and c, c, are the cross pieces; d is our improved blast clip tube
partially enclosing the lower portion of a. The clip tube d is supported by the
small projections shewn on a, or otherwise. The blast may be supplied by a fan,
jet, or other appliance.
Although we have shewn the cross pieces c all of an equal thickness, in some

page_text: cases we vary the thickness, and make the four corner cross pieces thicker than the
others, and strengthen the end ribs b accordingly.
Having stated the nature of our Invention, and described the manner of
performing the same, we would have it understood that we do not confine ourselves
to the particular shape and arrangement of the ribs and cross pieces, nor to the
number of ribs and cross pieces, as any convenient number of cross pieces or ribs
may be used, and of any desirable thickness or form, and we declare that we
claim,―
1. The cross pieces c cast with the small ribs 6 and the main rib a, substantially
as shewn and described in reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
2. The clip tube d for blast, as shewn and described in reference to Fig. 2.
In witness whereof, I, the said Leonard Cooke, for myself and on behalf of
the said George Hibbert, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Ninth
day of November, One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
THA
LEONARD COOKE.
(L.S.)