IMPROVED APPARATUS
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Brockman Newhouse, of Uckfield, in the
County of Sussex, Surgeon, for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Brockman New-
house at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 3rd February 1854.
I, ROBERT BROCKMAN NEWHOUSE, of Uckfield, in the County of Sussex,
Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING OFF THE GASES OF COMBUSTION FROM OPEN FIRE-PLACES"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the use of certain apparatus for conducting the
gases of combustion from open fire-places to the chimney, the object being to
improve the draft of such fire-places, and to increase the amount of heat
radiated into the apartment. To this end I provide a casing composed of
plate iron or other suitable material, and of a length sufficient to project into
the mouth of the chimney when set vertically upon the top of the grate. This
casing at bottom somewhat exceeds in width the grate to which it is to be
applied, and it gradually contracts both in width and depth towards its upper
end. Communication between the chimney and the apartment, otherwise than
by this casing, is prevented by means of a horizontal plate, which fits, round

page_text: the upper part of the casing, and like a register contracts the opening to the
chimney.
A portion of the front part of the casing near the grate is made removable,
so that when the fire has sufficiently drawn up it may be removed, to expose
the ascending flame to view, and when the draft is required to be increased,
may be replaced, for the purpose of acting as a blower.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Brockman Newhouse in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 3rd August 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
BROCKMAN NEWHOUSE, of Uckfield, in the County of Sussex, Surgeon, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Third day of February in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her reign,
clid, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Robert Brockman Newhouse, Her special licence that I, the said Robert
Brockman Newhouse, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Robert Brockman Newhouse, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter, during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING OFF THE GASES OF COMBUSTION PROM
OPEN FIRE-PLACES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Robert
Brockman Newhouse, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert Brockman Newhouse, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-

page_text: This Invention relates to the use of certain apparatus for conducting the
gases of combustion from open fire-places to the chimney, the object being to
improve the draft of such fire-places, and to increase the amount of heat
radiated into the apartment.
To this end I provide a casing composed of plate iron or other suitable
material, and of a length sufficient to project into the mouth of the chimney
when set vertically above the grate.
This casing at bottom exceeds in width the grate to which it is to be
applied, and it gradually contracts both in width and depth towards its upper
end. Communication between the chimney and the apartment, otherwise than
by this casing, is prevented, either by means of a horizontal plate which fits
round the upper part of the casing, or by some other convenient contrivance,
which will, like a register, contract the opening to the chimney. A portion of
the front part of the casing near the grate is made removeable, so that when the
fire has sufficiently drawn up it may be removed to expose the ascending flame
to view, and when the draft is required to be increased, may be replaced, for the
purpose of acting as a blower.
The principle of my improvements is equally applicable to sitting room grates
and kitchen fire-places; but it must of course be suitably modified according to
the circumstances under which it is to be applied.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn the Invention as applied to a
kitchen fire-place, and also to a drawing-room or sitting-room fire-place.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a fire-place with 'a kitchen range placed therein,
and my improved apparatus adapted thereto; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical
section of the same taken through the line of the flue; Fig. 3 is a sectional
view of the improved apparatus detached. The apparatus consists of a funnel
a, a, and of a back conducting flue b, b, both made of sheet iron or other
suitable material. The funnel a is fitted to the opening of the fire-place, and
its narrow end is prolonged by a tube or channel which projects some distance
up the chimney, as shewn by dots in Fig. 1. This funnel will of course vary in
shape according to the formation of the chimney and the direction of the flue.
It will be seen that the sides and front are inclined towards the exit opening
above, and at each side there is an opening which may be closed by a door c, c,
(Figures 2 and 3,) and will be found convenient for obtaining access to the
chimney when it requires sweeping or cleaning. The shape and position of
the back conducting flue b, b, will be understood by referring to the Drawing.
It is placed at the back of the grate, and having a wide open mouth, and a
narrow or contracted exit, a considerable draught will be made, and the smoke

page_text: and gases from the fuel will be conducted up this channel to the upper part of
the funnel a, and from thence to the flue of the chimney.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 represent various views of another form of smoke
conductor, which will be found particularly applicable for sitting-rooms; but
may also be employed for kitchen fire-places. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the
smoke conductor; Fig. 5 is a plan or top view thereof; Fig. 6 is a side ele-
vation of the same; and Fig. 7 represents the back plate, which goes against
the back of the fire-place..
This conducting flue is placed over the fire as a kind of hood, and a portion
of the front part is cut away for the purpose of allowing the smoke and gases
and atmospheric air to create a draught to enter with greater facility. This
opening may, if required, be closed by a door, shewn detached at Fig. 8, and
which may be made to act as a blower when required.
When the smoke conductor is properly placed in the chimney, the passage
of air into the flue, except through the channel of the smoke conductor, is
prevented by the horizontal plate d, which is adapted to the upper part of the
conductor, and is fitted to the shape of the flue or mouth of the chimney. It
is shewn detached in plan at Fig. 9, and is adapted to the conductor at Fig. 5,
a ledge or rebate being made on the outside of the conductor for the plate d to
rest upon.
.
In order to regulate the draught, a sliding plate e, (shewn by dots in Fig. 6,
and detached in Fig. 9*,) is adapted to the upper part of the smoke conductor
in such a manner that it may be slidden up and down for the purpose
of regu-
lating the exit of the air and vapours from the smoke conductor, and also to
prevent any downward current of the air.
From the above explanation of the construction of the smoke conductor, it
will be seen that the smoke and gases, as well as the air that supports the
combustion of the fuel, must pass up through the conductor, which will shortly
become heated, and will therefore radiate heat into the chamber, and a con-
tinual draught of cold air over the fire and up the chimney will be prevented
by the horizontal plate d, Fig. 5, as the only current or draught will be through
the smoke conductor.
Having now described my Invention of "Improved Apparatus for Conducting
off the Gases of Combustion from Open Fire-places," and the best means with
which I am at present acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I would
observe, in conclusion, that I do not mean or intend to confine myself rigidly
to the precise arrangement and construction of parts herein shewn and described,
as they may perhaps be varied in some particulars without departing from the

page_text: nature and object of my improvements; but that which I claim as my Invention,
and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,―
First, the apparatus shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3, consisting of a funnel-
shaped chamber, with inclined sides, for conducting the smoke and gases from
the fire into the flue. I also claim the use of the back conducting flue in
combination with the funnel-shaped chamber.
Second, I claim the apparatus or smoke conductor shewn in Figures 4, 5,
and 6.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Brockman Newhouse, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the Fifteenth day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
ROBERT BROCKMAN NEWHOUSE. (L.S.)
BENJAMIN PIDDINGTON,
Uckfield,
Sussex.