IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF KETTLES AND OTHER DIAL DOMESTIC ATT TITY OTTO ATT THE MEANS OF SUPPORTING OR RETAINING THE SAME IN PROPER POSITION WHEN IN USE
Year: 1854

page_text: IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF KETTLES AND OTHER DIAL DOMESTIC
ATT
TITY OTTO ATT
THE MEANS OF SUPPORTING OR RETAINING THE SAME IN PROPER POSITION WHEN
IN USE."
Sealed the 22nd August 1854, and dated the 22nd March 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Sheringham at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd March 1854.
I, JOHN SHERINGHAM, of Edwardes Square, Kensington, in the County of
Middlesex, Esquire, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF KETTLES AND OTHER LIKE DOMESTIC
UTENSILS, AND IN THE MEANS OF SUPPORTING OR RETAINING THE SAME IN PROPER
POSITION WHEN IN USE," 'to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to afford a more speedy and convenient or
effective mode of imparting heat to the contents of kettles, saucepans, or such
like domestic utensils than heretofore. The mode at present practised of con-
structing said utensils is such as to admit of the contents-thereof being acted
upon only when heat is applied direct to the bottom thereof; the consequence
of which is, that they not only soon become unsightly, by being coated with
smoke, which also operates as a non-conductor of heat, but their durability is
thereby much impaired. And I propose to remedy these objections in the follow-
ing manner, that is to say:-Instead of using the bottom of such said utensils

page_text: as the medium for imparting heat to the contents thereof, I employ for such
purposes a distinct and separate hollow piece of metal, which I attach to the
back part of the utensil near the bottom thereof, in such manner and by such
means as will admit of said piece being readily detached for repairing or
cleansing the same, and I form such said piece of such size and shape as is
best calculated for exposing a large surface to the action of the fire; and I
insert such said part between the bars of a grate into the clear part of the
fire, and adjust and support the weight of the utensil by an apparatus commonly
known as a trivet, which I so construct and arrange, as that those parts which
are destined to support a utensil by hooking on to the bars of a grate are capable
of adjustment in a vertical and in a horizontal direction; and this I-effect by
mounting said hooks upon a fulcrum or rod, upon which they may be slidden,
and thereby adjusted as required; and I attach to said trivet a cross bar, which
is capable of being slidden in a vertical direction, and I employ said bar for
the hooks which support the top of the trivet to abut against, so that according
as said sliding bar is either raised or lowered, in like manner the top of the
trivet may be adjusted, so as to incline towards the fire or from the fire, as
required, and in this manner and by these means I support the utensil in proper
position. Thus it will be seen; that as the bottom of the utensil is never
required to be in immediate contact with the fire, the exposed portion of the
utensil may therefore always be preserved bright and clean, and the contents
thereof always kept boiling or simmering, according to the distance which the
auxiliary bottom or heating surface before mentioned is inserted into the fire;
and by thus constructing and employing kettles and other like domestic utensils,
the wear and tear thereof is considerably diminished, and their durability
consequently much increased.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Sheringham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd September 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
SHERINGHAM, of Edwardes Square, Kensington, in the County of Middlesex,
Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said John Sheringham, Her special licence that I, the said John Sheringham;

page_text: my executors, administrators, and assigns, or 'such others as I; the said John
Sheringham, 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF KETTLES AND OTHER LIKE DOMESTIC UTENSILS, AND IN THE MEANS OF SUPPORTING
OR RETAINING THE SAME IN PROPER POSITION WHEN IN USE," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Sheringham, 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 John Sheringham, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof (that is to say):-
The object and intention of my Invention is to afford a more speedy and
convenient or effective mode of imparting heat to the contents of kettles,
saucepans, or such like domestic utensils than heretofore; and I would here
remark, that the mode at present practised of constructing the said utensils
is such as to admit of the contents thereof being acted upon principally
when heat is applied direct to the bottom thereof or near thereto, the conse-
quence of which is, that they not only soon become unsightly, by being coated
with dark carbonized or other matter, which is a bad conductor of heat, but
their durability is much impaired, and I propose to remedy these objections in
the following manner, that is to say: Instead of using the bottom of such
said utensils as a medium for imparting heat to the contents thereof, I employ
for such purpose a distinct and separate hollow piece of metal, which I attach
to the back part of the utensil near the bottom thereof, in such manner and by
such means as will admit of said piece being readily detached for repairing or
cleansing the same when necessary, and I form such said piece of such size
and shape as is best calculated for exposing a large surface to the action of the
fire, and I insert such said part between the bars of a grate into the clear part
of the fire, and adjust and support the weight of the utensil by an apparatus
commonly known as a "trivet," which I so construct and arrange as that those
parts which are destined to support an utensil by hooking on to the bars of a
grate, are capable of adjustment in a vertical and in an horizontal direction;
and this I effect by mounting said hooks upon a fulcrum or rod, upon which

page_text: they may be slidden, and thereby adjusted as required; and I attach to said
trivet à cross bar, which is capable of being slidden in a vertical direction, and
I employ said bar for the hooks which support the top of the trivet to abut
against, so that according. as said sliding bar 'is either raised or lowered, in
like manner the top of the trivet may be adjusted so as to incline towards
the fire or from the fire, as required; and in this manner and by these means I
support the utensil in proper position. Thus it will be seen, that as the bottom
of the utensil is never required to be in immediate contact with the fire, the
exposed portion of the utensil may therefore always be preserved bright and
clean, and the contents thereof always kept boiling or simmering, according to
the distance which the. auxiliary bottom or heating surface before mentioned
is inserted into the fire; and by thus constructing and employing kettles
and other like domestic utensils, the wear and tear thereof is considerably
diminished, and their durability consequently much increased.
But in order to explain my said Invention as completely as possible, I now
proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same
into practical effect, reference being had to the illustrative Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the numeral figures and letters of reference marked thereon
respectively, as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At Sheet 1, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tea kettle constructed according
to my said Invention. Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof. Figure 3 is a side
elevation of a trivet constructed according to my said Invention, and designed
as a means for supporting the above-mentioned tea kettle, or other like domestic
utensil. Figure 4 is an elevation of the back of said trivet. Figure 5 is a top
plan view thereof. Figure 6, a transverse and vertical section taken through
the line A, B, at Figure 5. At Sheet 2, Figure 7 is a side elevation of a
saucepan constructed according to my said Invention. Figure 8 is a top plan
view of the said saucepan without the lid or cover thereof, but with an inner
vessel inserted therein. Figure 9 is a top plan view of the above saucepan
without the said inner vessel, herein-after referred to. Figure 10 is a trans-
verse and vertical section through the line C, D, at Figures 8 and 9, of the
above-mentioned saucepan. Figure 11 is an elevation of one of the parts,
herein-after referred to. At Sheet 3, Figure 12 is a side elevation of another
form of saucepan, boiler, or fish kettle, constructed according to my. said In-
vention. Figure. 13. is a top plan view of the said saucepan with the inner
vessel and cover thereof, herein-after referred to, with the auxiliary bottom,
before mentioned, applied to the outer saucepan, boiler, or fish kettle, but

page_text: without the lid or cover of such last-mentioned outer saucepan or boiler.
Figure 14 is a top plan view of the said last-mentioned outer saucepan without
the said inner vessel. Figure 15 is, a transverse and vertical section of the
last above-mentioned outer saucepan and inner vessel as they would appear
when divided through the line E, F, at Figures 12 and 13. At each of the
foregoing Figures of each Sheet of Drawings I employ similar letters of
reference to denote corresponding parts, in so far as such parts appear or can
be seen at each of the Figures respectively.
.
"
At Figures 1 and 2 of Sheet 1, A marks the body of a copper tea kettle
of the ordinary shape, excepting that it may be sometimes convenient.to
connect a ring B to the bottom thereof, to keep the bottom of the kettle
from contact with the table; C is an auxiliary bottom (or what I call
a spur), which is soldered or brazed into a rectangular shaped opening
formed in the body of the kettle; D, D, are ornamented covers hinged to the
spur C, as exhibited, and employed for the purpose of concealing the soiled
or discolored part of the spur, after such part has been removed from the fire,
into which it was inserted for imparting heat to the water in the kettle.
The dotted lines show the position of the said covers when the spur is in the
fire; d, d, arc knobs rivetted with a flat spring to the side covers D', by taking
hold of which knobs the side covers may be readily closed and opened, and the
spring will clip the bottom of the spur, and so retain the side covers to the
spur; the knobs serve also in conjunction with the ring B (when such ring is
used) to keep the bottom of the kettle and spur from coming into contact with
a table when placed thereon.
I now proceed to describe the construction of the apparatus or trivet,
which I employ for supporting the said kettle or other like domestic utensil
in front of a fire, as follows:-At Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, A is a bar of wrought.
iron, to the upper part of which a framing of wrought iron B is securely
fixed, which supports a sliding plate C, said plate being connected to the
framing B by lugs D, screwed to the under side of such said plate as ex-
hibited at Figure 3; and I reduce. the friction of the sliding plate C, if it is
desired to do.so, by attaching revolving rods E, F, to the lugs D and framing
B, B, as exhibited at Figures 3, 4, and 6. The rod E rests upon the upper
side of the framing B, and the rod F supports the under side of the sliding
plate C; G is a ring, made of any substance which is a bad conductor of heat,
the said ring being employed for the purpose of drawing out the sliding top .C
of the trivet, but I do not consider this ring very essential. H, H, are wrought
iron hooks for adjusting the trivet to, the bars of a grate or. range. And a
peculiar feature in the above trivet is the facility with which the hooks

page_text: H, H, can be adjusted so as to adapt the said trivet to different stoves with
bars of varied curves, or in which the bars thereof are not placed at the
same distance from each other, and this I effect in the following 'manner and by
the following means:-I form holes a in the sides of the bar A, through one
or other of which holes I pass a rod I, and upon this rod I place and connect
the hooks H, H, by the pieces h, h, which are fixed thereto; one of such pieces
is shewn at Figure 6; and I employ a sliding bar K for the purpose of adjusting
the top of the trivet, and maintaining it in a horizontal position, or nearly so,
by altering the inclination of the straight part H' of the hooks H; for example,
by raising the bar K, the front edge of the trivet will be raised, and vice versâ ;
and if the curve of the bars and of the grate require it, the hooks may be
brought nearer to each other as may be found necessary.
I will now proceed to describe the mode of operating with the before-
mentioned kettle, for the purpose of imparting heat to the contents thereof,
as follows:-
Having charged the kettle with water, and thrown back the hinged covers D
and D', as before stated, I next proceed to place the kettle upon the before-
mentioned trivet, which I so adjust by the means before described as to enable
the spur X to enter freely between the bars of the grate, and I push such part
into the clear part of the fire, and thus impart heat to the water in the kettle
(which circulates between it and the spur) without disfiguring the appearance
of the kettle, by its being coated with black crust or smoke, as is commonly
the case with kettles of the ordinary construction, which require to be placed
over a fire for imparting heat to the contents thereof. The top and side
covers may, however, be dispensed with, if the expense of their addition is
desired to be saved.
And as regards the construction of the saucepan A, exhibited at the
several Figures of Sheet 2, I employ the same principle of construction
in this saucepan to that of the kettle above particularly described and
represented at Figures 1 and 2 of Sheet 1, observing that in constructing
kettles or saucepans employed for culinary purposes, and in which meat,
soup, fish, or poultry has to be cooked, it will be expedient to construct
the said saucepans with an inner vessel, B, which I connect thereto in
the following manner:-It will be seen, upon referring to Figures 7, 8,
and 9, that the outer saucepan is formed with an auxiliary bottom or spur X,
and to the inside of such said outer saucepan pieces of tin C are fixed and
employed as guides for keeping the inner vessel B at a proper distance from
the side of the outer saucepan A, and I securely and readily connect the said
inner vessel to the outer one, and prevent it from being displaced or lifted

page_text: upwards by the water in which it is immersed by affixing spring hooks.or
catches D to opposite sides of the outer vessel, which I form with projecting
parts E and covers e, e, for that purpose, and I securely fix projecting pieces.
G and. H to opposite sides of the inner vessel B, as at Figure 11, which.
take into the guide pieces C, and likewise underneath the hooked parts of the
catches D, after the inner vessel has been forced into the outer one; and I
maintain the bottom of the vessel B in this case at a proper distance from that
of the vessel A by affixing pieces of metal b, b, to the vessel B, as exhibited at
Figure 11, and in this manner and by these means I effect improvenients in
the construction of saucepans; or said inner vessel may be connected to said.
outer vessel or saucepan, as is next hereafter described.
And as regards the construction of the saucepan exhibited at the several
Figures of Sheet 3, it is substantially the same as that lastly above de-
scribed and represented at Sheet 2, excepting, that instead of permanently
fixing the auxiliary bottom or -spur X to the saucepan (as at Sheet 2),
I employ an auxiliary bottom or spur Y, which is distinct and separate
from the saucepan, and I connect the said spur thereto by a screw nut or
union screw or junction piece Z placed upon one end of a bent pipe x,
the other end whereof is securely fixed into the auxiliary bottom or spur Y,
and I solder a short piece of pipe y to the saucepan, and form a screw
thereon, by which I connect the spur Y to the saucepan. It will be seen,'
upon referring to Figures 12, 13, and 15, that the bottom of the inner vessel
B is maintained at a proper distance from the bottom of the saucepan by
forming the opposite parts of the side thereof as exhibited at 1; these parts
receive the pieces G, G, and thereby support the vessel B in proper position;
and the parts 2, 2, are holes to allow the water which enters the parts E by the
ebullition of the water from the top of the vessel A to return thereinto, and thus
to prevent the boiling over of the water; and. I employ spring catches D, similar
to those before mentioned and exhibited at Sheet 2, for holding down the inner
vessel B, excepting that I arrange the said catches somewhat differently, as
exhibited by the Drawing. is a cock for drawing off water from the saucepan.
I would here remark, that as most of the other parts of this saucepan are very
similar to the saucepan exhibited at Sheet 2, I have employed similar letters
of reference to denote corresponding parts; and in either case, as to saucepans
or boilers, the upward pressure of the water in the outer vessel will force the
inner vessel up clear of the catch, when those catches are held back. And in
using saucepans constructed as at Sheet 3, it will appear evident that the front
of the fire need not be occupied by any other part of such said saucepan, or
have any part of such saucepan in front of the fire, excepting part of the pipe

page_text: affixed to the auxiliary bottom or spur Y thereof, which is to. be inserted
between the bars of the range into the clear part or body of the fire, or other-
wise impede or prevent the use of the fire for roasting; or otherwise the
saucepan A may be supported upon a stand, such as is used for holding a
dripping pan, or in any other convenient manner.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention of "Im-
provements in the Construction of Kettles and other like Domestic Utensils,
and in the Means of Supporting or Retaining the same in proper Position when
in Use," and in what manner the same is to be and may be performed, I would
remark, in conclusion, that I do not claim the exclusive use of any of the
separate parts above mentioned and referred to, except in so far as the same
may be employed in combination and for the purposes of my said Invention,
which I hereby declare to consist in, and I claim as my Invention,―
Firstly, the novel mode set forth of constructing kettles and other like
domestic utensils with an auxiliary bottom or spur X, as exhibited at Figures
1 and 2 of Sheet 1, and at the several Figures of Sheet 2.
Secondly, the novel mode set forth of constructing the larger description of
saucepan or boiler exhibited at Sheet 3, by forming the same with an auxiliary
bottom or spur Y, which is capable of being détached at will from the saucepan,
instead of being affixed thereto, as at Sheet 2, and in combining an inner
vessel with such said saucepan, as exhibited at Sheets 2 and 3.
Thirdly and lastly, the novel mechanism or apparatus exhibited at Figures
3, 4, 5, 6, of Sheet 1, and constituting a "trivet," to be employed for supporting
and retaining kettles and other like domestic utensils in proper position, as
herein-before particularly described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Sheringham, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
JOHN SHERINGHAM. (L.S.)
Witness,
GEORGE DAVIES,
Clerk to Messrs. Prince & Co.,
Patent Office, 4, Trafalgar Square.