IMPROVED MEANS FOR REGULATING THE ADMISSION OF AIR TO FIREPLACES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Burchell, of Kettering, in the County of
Northampton, Cabinet Maker, for an Invention of "IMPROVED MEANS FOR
REGULATING THE ADMISSION OF AIR TO FIREPLACES.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Burchell at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th December 1880.
ROBERT BURCHELL, of Kettering, in the County of Northampton, Cabinet
Maker. "IMPROVED MEANS FOR REGULATING THE ADMISSION OF AIR TO
FIREPLACES."
This Invention consists in adapting to fire places a screen formed of metal,
preferably corrugated, or in thin strips suitably connected together, which screen
may be drawn down and retained in any desired position, whereby the admission
of air to the fire place may be regulated or entirely prevented.
In carrying my Invention into effect I take advantage of the space generally
found behind the friezes of mantel pieces, which space may be conveniently
designated as the "frieze box," and which has hitherto been commonly filled up
with rubble and mortar, and I place in this frieze box a roller (preferably actuated
by a spring), round which roller is coiled the screen of metal, after the manner of
an ordinary coiled shutter used for protecting shop windows, or of the roller blinds
used in interiors of houses. The free end of this metal screen is passed through a
slit or opening in the underside of the frieze box, and it is furnished with a flange
of such a breadth as will entirely close the said slit or opening when the screen is
in the raised position, and prevent the screen from being drawn within the said
frieze box. The screen on being drawn down will act as a blower, and may be set
at any desired position.
When the screen is connected with a roller actuated by springs and is drawn
down over about half the space it is intended to cover, the spring or springs will
exert a certain amount of pull upon it, and it will therefore be necessary to provide
a small bolt or catch for retaining the screen in any desired position.
With a view of providing easy access to the frieze box containing the roller
(whether actuated by a spring or not) round which the screen is coiled for the
purpose of repairs, it will be convenient to make the top slab of the mantel piece
ID 621

page_text: removable, dowels being provided on the underside of the said slab for entering
corresponding sockets formed in the bracket mouldings or side boxes of the
chimney piece, so that no insecurity may result from this arrangement.
It may also be desirable in order to suit the peculiar construction of some
chimney pieces and fireplaces, to mount the roller round which the screen is coiled
in a separate casing or box, and fit this casing or box underneath, or it may be in
front of the frieze. The screen in all cases will be so arranged that when fully
drawn down it will cover up and conceal the entire ironwork of the fireplace.
Thus not only may the air be admitted to the opening of the fire place in regulated
quantities, but in summer time if desired the entire aperture for the grate may be
covered up, and all down draught prevented. This screen may be conveniently
drawn up or down by means of a small hook, preferably of metal, and having a
handle formed of some non-conducting material.
The screen may be made of any kind of metal, but bright steel, brass, or iron
coated with magnetic oxide will be preferably employed, and the unsightly
appearance of an empty grate in summer time may be avoided, as all the iron
work of the grate will be covered by the screen. The screen may also be fitted
with a ventilator which may be opened or closed as desired when the screen is
drawn down to its lowest position, or it may be furnished with perforations to
allow of proper ventilation being maintained. This screen arranged as above
described will act as an adjustable blower for the fire as well as a fire guard, and
by its use the unpleasant down draught from the chimney so frequently met with
in summer time may be entirely prevented.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Robert Burchell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th June
1881.
ROBERT BURCHELL, of Kettering, in the County of Northampton, Cabinet
Maker. "IMPROVED MEANS FOR REGULATING THE ADMISSION OF AIR TO
FIREPLACES."
This Invention consists in adapting to the front of fireplaces a coiling screen
formed of metal or other suitable material, which screen may be drawn down and
retained in any desired position, whereby the admission of air to the fireplace
may be regulated or entirely prevented.
In carrying my Invention into effect I take advantage of the space generally
found behind the friezes of mantel pieces, which space may be conveniently
designated as the "frieze box," and which has hitherto been commonly filled up
with rubble and mortar, and I place in this frieze box a roller (preferably actuated
by a spring), round which roller is coiled the screen of metal after the manner of
an ordinary coiled shutter used for protecting shop windows, or of the roller blinds
used in interiors of houses. The free end of this metal screen is passed through a
slit or opening in the underside of the frieze box, and it is furnished with a flange
of such a breadth as will entirely close the said slit or opening when the screen is
in the raised position and prevent the screen from being drawn within the said
frieze box. The screen on being drawn down will act as a blower and may be
set at any desired position.
When the screen is connected with a roller actuated by springs and is drawn
down over about half the space it is intended to cover, the spring or springs will
exert a certain amount of pull upon it, and it will therefore be necessary to
provide a small bolt or catch for retaining the screen in any desired position.
With a view of providing easy access to the frieze box containing the roller
(whether actuated by a spring or not) round which the screen is coiled for the
purpose of repairs, it will be convenient to make the top slab of the mantel piece
removable, dowels being provided on the underside of the said slab for entering
corresponding sockets formed in the bracket mouldings or side boxes of the chimney
piece, so that no insecurity may result from this arrangement.
In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a fire place with
my Invention applied thereto, the screen being drawn fully down as in summer
time so as to entirely conceal the grate.
Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation thereof, and Fig. 3 is a similar view, but
showing the screen coiled up around the spring roller.
In these Figures, A is the top slab of the mantel piece preferably provided on
its underside with dowels a for entering corresponding sockets formed in the side
boxes B', or it may be in ornamental brackets of the chimney piece. The rear
edge of the slab A is preferably inserted for a short distance in the wall to
prevent it from tipping up when pressure is applied to its front edge. By thus
making the slab A removable at pleasure, I am enabled to utilize the space within
the "frieze box" without any insecurity resulting from the arrangement.
C is the screen formed of thin strips of metal or wood suitably connected
together by hinges or equivalent means in the manner well known, so as to allow
of its being rolled up around a cylinder or axle.
The upper edge of the screen C is attached to a cylindrical case or roller D
placed within the frieze box B, and preferably encased in a shell or covering f, the
better to exclude dust from the working parts.
The case or roller D is mounted loosely upon a fixed axle d, and is provided
internally with a coiled spring after the manner of a spring blind. One end of
this coiled spring is made fast to the fixed axle d, and the other end is secured to
the case or roller D.

page_text: The lower edge of the screen C passes through a longitudinal slot or opening in
the bottom of the shell fand frieze box B, and is provided with a projecting flange
or equivalent device for preventing the screen from being entirely withdrawn
within the frieze box B.
As shewn in Fig. 1, the screen may be drawn down so as to entirely exclude
the admission of air to the fire place and conceal the metal work of the grate, the
screen being retained in its lowest or any intermediate position by means of a
bolt or catch E, and holes or equivalent devices placed at the required intervals on
the side of the fireplace.
In order to allow for ventilation of the apartment, the screen may be perforated,
as shewn at c in Fig. 1, or it may be fitted with a ventilator which may be opened
or closed as described.
If desired I may fit a screen of this character to a fire place by mounting it
upon a vertical roller placed within one of the side boxes B₁ of the chimney piece
so as to be drawn right across the fire place, or two such screens may be so
arranged, one in each side box B' and meeting half way when drawn out.
I would remark that it is not essential to my Invention that the said screen
should be mounted upon a spring roller, as it may be simply coiled around and
unwound from a plain roller, provision being made by a friction disc, or its
equivalent, to prevent the screen from unwinding by its own weight when not
required.
It may also be desirable in order to suit the peculiar construction of some
chimney pieces and fire places to mount the roller round which the screen is coiled
in a separate casing or box, and fit this casing or box underneath, or it may be in
front of the frieze B. This arrangement is illustrated in Figures and 5 of the
Drawing, Fig. 4 being a front elevation partly in section, and Fig. 5 being a
sectional side elevation of Fig. 4.
The same letters of reference indicate like or corresponding parts to those already
mentioned and need not therefore be again described. The screen in all cases
will be so arranged that when fully drawn down it will cover up and conceal
the entire ironwork of the fire place. Thus not only may the air be admitted to
the opening of the fire place in regulated quantities, but in summer time if desired
the entire aperture for the grate, may be covered up and all down draught
prevented.
This screen may be conveniently drawn up or down by means of a small hook,
preferably of metal, and having a handle formed of some non-conducting material.
The screen may be made of any kind of metal or other suitable material, but
bright steel, brass, or iron coated with magnetic oxide will be preferably employed,
and the unsightly appearance of an empty grate in summer time may be avoided,
as all the iron work of the grate may be covered by the screen.
This screen arranged as above described will act as an adjustable blower for the
fire as well as a fire guard, and by its use the unpleasant down draught from the
chimney so frequently met with in summer time may be entirely prevented.
Having now set forth the nature of the said Invention of improved means for
regulating the admission of air to fireplaces, and described in what manner
the same may be carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I claim,-
The adaptation to fireplaces of a screen constructed and arranged, substantially
in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Burchell, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the 28th day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
ROBERT BURCHELL. (L.S.)