Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 9th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 20th Sept., 1887.
I, WILLIAM TULLY, of 72, Bancroft Road, Mile End, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to smoothing-irons of the class known as box-irons, that is to
say, irons provided with a chamber in which heated material is placed for maintaining
the iron at a proper temperature.
The iron constructed according to my present invention is designed to be heated
by the combustion of compressed or other fuel; and the chief object of my invention
is to provide for the proper introduction of the air for supporting combustion of the
said fuel, without at the same time allowing the escape of the ashes from the chamber
during the operation of ironing.
The box of the improved iron las around its base a series of holes through which
the air is admitted, and a series of projections are formed at the bottom of the chamber
for allowing the air to pass below the fuel.
In order to prevent the escape of ashes through the said holes I arrange a shield
around the sides of the iron, but at some distance therefrom, in order to form a
passage for the air to the air inlet apertures at the base of the iron and thence to the
fuel. This shield effectually prevents any ashes or dust from passing out through the
air-inlet passages and soiling the clothes or the like being ironed.
To direct air to the lower side of the fuel near the rear end of the iron, I arrange
within the chamber of the latter a partition, extending from the top of the said
chamber to near the botton thereof. An air inlet is arranged in the rear wall of the
iron near the top. The air passing through this inlet is directed downwardly by the
partition to the lower side of the fuel.
The products of combustion escape around the lid of the chamber.

page_text: If desired, instead of arranging a shield around the exterior of the iron, a partition
similar to that before described may extend entirely around the interior of the
chamber, at a short distance from the walls thereof. In this case the air inlet holes
at the bottom of the iron are unnecessary, the air being admitted around the top of
the same. The air inlets and the outlets for the products of combustion may alternate
with one another, or a separate chimney may be provided. In lieu of the partition I
can also employ a series of tubes.
A door is, preferably, arranged at the rear of the iron, if the shape of the latter
permits, for the removal of the ashes or dust from time to time.
I can, in some cases, arrange valves or slides to more or less close the air inlets, or
the outlets for the products of combustion, in order to control the draught and
consequently the rate of combustion of the fuel and the heat of the iron.
Dated this 9th day of October 1886.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, WILLIAM TULLY of 72 Bancroft Road, Mile End, in the County of Middlesex,
Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates to smoothing-irons of the class known as box-irons, that is to
say, irons provided with a chamber in which heated material is placed for maintaining
the iron at a proper temperature.
My improved box-iron is designed to be heated by the combustion of compressed
or other fuel placed in a chamber therein; and the chief object of my said invention
is to provide for the proper introduction into the said chamber of air for supporting
the combustion of the fuel therein, whilst preventing the escape of the ashes therefrom
during the operation of ironing..

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved smoothing iron.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the said iron.
Figure 3 is a plan of the same, the lid or top thereof being removed.
Figure 4 is a plan, and
Figure 5 a side elevation showing a portion thereof detached.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of another form or modification of my improved iron.
Figure 7 is a plan of the same, the lid or top thereof being removed.
Figure 8 is a side elevation showing a portion thereof detached.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the outer box or casing, which has a lid or top A' hinged or pivoted thereto
at a so that it can be opened to permit the introduction of the fuel. The said lid or
top is provided with a catch a or other suitable fastening for retaining the same in
its closed position; the handle B is, moreover, attached to the said lid or top. C is
an inner casing which is fitted in the outer casing A in such a manner as to leave a
space between the said casings as at c. The said inner casing is made with projections
or feet c' which rest upon the bottom of the casing A so that there is a space between
the bottom of the outer casing and the lower edge of the inner casing, as at c².
The outer casing A is formed with apertures a² for the admission of air. These
apertures must be so situated that the ashes of the fuel cannot escape through them
during the operation of ironing. The said puter casing is, moreover, formed with
projections a for the fuel to rest upon, so that the air will have free access to the
underside of the said fuel. The upper edge of the inner casing C is in contact with,
or in close proximity to the lid or top A when closed, the said casing is, however,
cut away as at c³, or is formed with apertures to permit the escape of the heated air
or products of combustion.
The air for supporting combustion enters the apertures a descends between the
casings A, and passes through the space c² and comes into contact with the whole,
or nearly the whole surface of the fuel.
In some instances, the inner casing C is formed with apertures c (Figure 5) to
facilitate the passage of air to the fuel.
The inner casing shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 is made slightly larger than the space
into which it is to be fitted, and is left open at one end so that its sides may be sprung
inward to permit its insertion into the casing A. When the inner casing is thus
inserted and the pressure applied to its sides is removed, it will expand, and, by
reason of its elasticity, will exert sufficient pressure against the inner surface of the
casing A to retain it therein.
A suitable chimney is sometimes provided for the escape of the heated air and
products of combustion.
A door D is preferably arranged at the rear of the casing A for the removal of the
ashes or dust from time to time.
In some cases, valves or slides are provided whereby the air inlets, or the outlets
for the products of combustion, may be opened or closed to regulate or control the
draught and consequently the rate of combustion of the fuel and the heat of the iron.
In some instances, I dispense with the inner casing and provide the outer casing
with tubes or passages extending downward within the same from the air-inlet
apertures.
According to a modification of my invention, I form around the base of the
casing A a series of holes through which the air is admitted, and, to prevent the
escape of ashes through the said holes, I arrange a shield or guard around the sides
of the said casing at a short distance therefrom. This shield is so constructed that it
will permit the passage of air to the air inlet apertures, whilst preventing the escape
of ashes or dust and the consequent soiling of the clothes or other articles being
ironed.
To direct air to the under side of the fuel near the rear end of the iron, I arrange
within the outer casing a partition extending from the top of the said casing to near
the bottom thereof. An air inlet is arranged in the rear wall of the casing near

page_text: the top. The air passing through this inlet is directed downward by the partition to
the under side of the fuel.
The heated air or the products of combustion escape around the lid or top of the
chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood that I claim :-
First. A box-iron which is designed to be heated by means of fuel placed therein,
and which is constructed with air inlet apertures so situated that the ashes cannot fall
therefrom during the operation of ironing.
Second. A box-iron such as is hereinbefore referred to, which is constructed with
an outer and an inner casing so that the air for supporting the combustion of the fuel
will enter the said outer casing and descend between the same and the inner casing
and will then enter the said inner casing at or near the bottom thereof, as above
specified.
Third. The employment, in a box-iron, of an inner casing so constructed that it
must be compressed or contracted to permit its insertion into the outer casing and
will then expand and be retained therein by its elasticity, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The improved box-iron constructed substantially as described with reference
to Figures 1, 2, and 3, or to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings for the purposes above
specified.
Fifth. The modification of my invention wherein the air inlet apertures are formed
at or near the base of the outer casing and a shield or guard is attached to the exterior
of the said casing, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Dated his oth way of August 2007.
W. TULLY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.