IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STOVE GRATES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Sheringham, of No. 24, Edwardes
Square, Kensington, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,.
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
STOVE GRATES."
Sealed the 23rd April 1853, and dated the 10th December 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Shering-
ham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 10th December 1852.
I, JOHN SHERINGHAM, of 24, Edwardes Square, Kensington, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STOVE
GRATES," and the principles of construction which form the basis.
thereof, consists in certain new mechanical arrangements of parts,
whereby the principles of radiation and reflection are more fully
carried out, more perfect combustion of fuel obtained, together
with increase and regulation of heating power, upward current of
air, of the products of combustion, and protection from downward

page_text: draughts, the result, in part, of a peculiar way of placing the
register and top; also an adaptation of a part of the mechanism as a
perfect fire guard, at all times ready for application, which fire
guard and adjuncts are susceptible of sundry domestic applications.
Figure 1, is a plan view, or horizontal section, of the stove grate.
Figure 2, is a front view of the entire stove, as fixed.
Figure 3, is a side view.
Figure 4, a section from front to back.
Figure 5, is a front view, with portions of the apparatus changed
in position.
a, a, a, are the radiating sides, head, and covings, the front faces
of which may be covered with highly polished mirror-like metal ;
b, b, the bed of bars; c, c, the front bars in a sliding case, for re-
moval; d, d, gusset pieces, fixed; e, e, an apron or flap, when in
position, as Figure 1, suspended by pins working in pivots, but
becomes a fire guard, as shewn in Figure 5, when it is thrown up ;
ff, a bracket with apron, which, when drawn out, supports the fire
guard e, e, in horizontal, oblique, or vertical position, retained verti-
cally or obliquely by the catch g, g. This range of action is fully
shewn in Figure 4. f,f, also becomes a domestic footman, or plate
warmer; h, h; is a flap or register; i, i, a box with a weight therein,
and connecting chain, to balance said register; k, a handle, to
elevate or depress said register, for increasing or diminishing the
draught; its range of action on hinge **, is fully shewn in Figures
3, & 4. 1, is a sheave, over which the chain runs. For access to
the chimney, the whole of the head may be thrown up, and sup-
ported by a ratchet, as shewn at m, m.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I intend, by the fore-
going description, to set forth the principles only of this Invention,
reserving to myself such variations of form and construction of the
parts as practice may suggest, without departing from the prin-
ciples of construction upon which the Invention is based.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Sheringham in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st June 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN SHERINGHAM, of No. 24, Edwardes Square, Kensington, in
the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria,
by Her Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in
the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said John Sheringham, Her
special licence that I, the said John Sheringham, 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 nake, 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 CON-
STRUCTION OF STOVE GRATES," 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, and by reference to the
illustrative Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the numeral figures
and letters of reference marked thereon respectively (that is to
say):
My Invention consists in certain new mechanical arrangements
and combinations of parts having for their obiect

page_text: Firstly, the ensuring a more perfect combustion of the fuel than
hitherto.
Secondly, the regulating the quantity of atmospheric air which
passes through and over the fuel, so as to obtain either energetic or
subdued combustion thereof, and to carry off more effectively and
actively the smoke and other products of combustion up the
chimney.
Thirdly, the adapting to stoves certain parts for extending the
radiating and reflecting surface thereof, and the rendering available
some of such parts for various useful and domestic purposes.
Fourthly, to render such stoves powerful ventilating agents,
when artificial warmth in the room is not required.
And, lastly, to provide a generator and reservoir of warm air, in
aid of the warming of apartments by such stoves.
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, and which I have found
Firstly, the ensuring a more perfect combustion of the fuel than
hitherto.
Secondly, the regulating the quantity of atmospheric air which
passes through and over the fuel, so as to obtain either energetic or
subdued combustion thereof, and to carry off more effectively and
actively the smoke and other products of combustion up the
chimney.
Thirdly, the adapting to stoves certain parts for extending the
radiating and reflecting surface thereof, and the rendering available
some of such parts for various useful and domestic purposes.
Fourthly, to render such stoves powerful ventilating agents,
when artificial warmth in the room is not required.
And, lastly, to provide a generator and reservoir of warm air, in
aid of the warming of apartments by such stoves.
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, and which I have found
to attain the above objects.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1, exhibits a front elevation of a stove constructed ac-
cording to my said Invention. Figures 2, and 3, are side elevations
of said stove, with projecting ledges x, x, fixed to or formed
thereon. Figure 4, is a transverse and vertical section thereof, as
it would appear if divided through the line A, B, at Figure 1.
Figure 5, is an elevation of the back of the stove at Z, Figure 3.
Figure 6, is a horizontal section of the stove through the line C, D,
at Figure 1, shewing the position it would occupy when placed
within a chimney breast. At Figures 2, and 3, A, A, are the sides
of the stove, the exposed surfaces of which, as also of the top B, may
be highly polished; C, are the front bars of the stove (which I prefer
to be four in number), fixed to the sides or moveable; D, are the
bottom bars, connected to the sides A, A, and back E, of the stove;
F, is a flap or damper, constructed with pivots a, a, as shewn at
Figures 2, 3, and 4, which work in a hole, and a fork, formed in
pieces b, b, fixed to the top of the stove, as exhibited at Figures 2, 3,

page_text: 4, 5, that is to say, the one pivot in the hole and the other pivot in
the fork of those respective pieces; the said pivots being the fulcra
for the damper F, to turn upon, for raising or lowering the same,
which may be effected in the following manner and by the following
ineans- At Figure 3, is a rod in two pieces, the upper part
whereof passes through a hole in the projecting ledge C, of the
stove, and then in the tubular squared part of the rod behind e,
and the lower part of said rod passes through a hole in the piece d,
by which such rod is guided in its proper course. The top of the rod
is also formed forked, for the purpose of receiving the pin x, which is
securely fixed to the flap or damper F; and to the rod G, one end
of a link e, is connected, the other end thereof being connected to
a lever H, whose fulcrum is a pin f; and this lever is connected
to another lever I, by a link g, the fulcrum of the lever I, being a
pin at h, and there is a knob i, connected to the outer end of the
lever I, and the pin of such said knob works through a slot formed
in the side of the stove, the knob being situated at the exposed side
of the stove as exhibited at Figure 1; and it is by sliding this knob
up or down that the raising or lowering of the damper F, is effected;
the weight k, attached to the lever H, counterbalancing the weight
of the damper F, so as to cause it to remain quiescent in whatever
position it may be placed.
And as regards the arrangement and construction of those parts of
my said Invention which are employed for obtaining a more extended
radiating and reflecting surface, and which may be rendered available
for various useful and domestic purposes, they are as follows:-
At Figures 1, and 4, is a piece of metal which I call an apron or
guard; this apron or guard is formed with pivots 1, 2, as shown at
Figure 7, which work in bearing pieces 1, at the sides of the stove,
as at Figures 2, and 3; and said pieces are placed at such a height
from the platform or bottom plate A¹, of the stove as to incline the
apron or guard K, at an angle of about sixty degrees with such
said platform, which platform is attached to the sides of the stove
by pieces 4, 4; and there are gusset pieces m, at each side of the
apron or guard K, which are attached to the sides and platform as
exhibited at Figure 4, or in any other convenient manner. These

page_text: pieces afford an extension of lower radiating and reflecting surfaces,
and complete the filling up of the opening below the fire bars. They
also aid in concealing the ashes from view, and enable the apron or
guard K, to be removed for cleaning or repairing the same. In
adjusting this apron or guard to the stove, care should be taken to
place the apron or guard K, so that the squared part of the pivot
thereof 1, shall enter that part of the squared hole in the ratchet,
and the apron or guard K, and weight and crank P, and M, may
be in nearly the relative positions denoted by the red lines at
Figure 2. If otherwise adjusted, the weight P, will not effectually
control or prevent the too rapid descent of the apron or guard K.
I now proceed to describe the means by which this apron or guard
is raised and lowered, and the purposes to which it is applicable.
To raise this apron or guard, the same may be effected by placing a
hooked poker or other instrument in the hole W, at Figures 1,
and 6, and lifting it thereby; and the lowering of said apron or
guard may be effected by the following mechanical arrangement:-
At Figure 2, L, is a ratchet wheel having a square hole formed
therein, through which passes the squared end of the pivot 1 (shewn
at Figure 7.) The construction of this ratchet wheel and mode of
connecting the same to the piece 7, which is fixed to the side of the
stove, is shown clearly at Figure 9. M, is a crank arm securely
fixed to the wheel L, and adjustable thereupon by a slot, through
which passes a screw bolt as shewn; N, is a chain, one end of
which is attached by a link to the crank arm M; the said chain
passes over a sheave n, which is attached to the bar o, as exhibited
at Figures 2, and 5, and the other end of said chain is attached to
a weight p, which slides upon the bar 7. The said weight should be
somewhat less than the weight of apron or guard K, so as to allow the
guard to descend gently when it is required to lower it. P, is a
pall, the fulcrum whereof is a pin at S. The lower end of this pall
takes into the ratchet wheel L, for holding the apron or guard K,
in any desired position, and said pall is thrown out of gear with
the ratchet wheel by the lever Q, which is mounted upon a fulcrum
at t. One end of this lever has a knob 3, attached thereto, the pin
whereof works through a slot in the side of the stove in a similar

page_text: manner to that before described, with reference to the knob i, at
Figure 1; and the other end of the lever Q, is formed with a shoe
in which rests the pall P; and there is a weight u, attached to the
lever Q, or the shoe itself may be sufficiently heavy to allow the
pall to drop into the teeth on the ratchet wheel when the pressure
is removed from the knob 3; and I employ the moveable apron or
guard K, for the following purposes:-Firstly, as a fire guard when
in the position exhibited at Figure 10; and secondly, as a bracket
or domestic footman, or plate warmer upon which to place any
thing required to be kept warm, and when so used the apron or
guard should be placed in the position exhibited at Figure 4.
Another feature in my said Invention consists in constructing
the stove so as to dispense with the setting in brickwork as usually
practised, and to leave a space or chamber around the sides and
back of the stove when placed within a chimney breast, which
chamber may be used as a generator and reservoir for heated air.
The cold air may be admitted into said chamber through gratings
or perforations formed. near the bottom of the upright and
projecting sides of the mantel piece, as shewn at a, Figure 11, and
return heated through the perforations or gratings near the top of
the sides of the mantel piece at b, into the room, or from this cham-
ber or generator into any other room, by which means a constant
circulation may be kept up, and the greater part of the heat from
the fuel thus rendered available. Instead of gratings in the mantel
picce, they may be formed in the slips P, P, as at Figures 1, and 10.
It will, however, be found necessary either to form that part of the
opening in the chimney which is to receive the stove in the manner
exhibited at Figure 6, or to affix a metal case or jacket round the
back and sides of the stove, so as to form the above mentioned
chamber. The arrangement exhibited at Figure 6, for effecting this,
is as follows:-The brickwork up to the sloping parts or ledges X, X,
fixed to or formed upon the sides of the stove, as at Figures 2, and 3,
is made of the same slope as these parts, and the brickwork is then
set back so as to leave a ledge at each side of the stove (as denoted
by a, a, a, at Figure 6), upon which is placed a piece of sheet metal,
and upon each of these metal ledges another plate of metal W, is

page_text: attached by a pin y, which is the fulcrum for sliding these plates
into the position denoted by the blue lines in combination with the
parts b, c, which form the top of the chamber at the sides of the
stove. The top of the chamber at the back of the stove being
formed by the projecting ledge E¹, fixed thereto, which rests also in
another metal ledge c, fixed to the brickwork, as shown at Figure 2;
the front of this chamber being formed by the slips P, P, shewn at
Figures 1, and 5. Before placing the stoves within the chimney
breast, the plates W, should be in the position denoted by the
plate W at Figure 6, to enable the stove to enter the opening freely.
Care should then be taken to slide the plate W₁, into the position
denoted by W, at Figure 6, otherwise the heated air will between
pass
the parts b, and c, up the chimney, and thereby render useless such
said chamber. The stove is secured in this position by screwing
a nut d, upon the end of a tube e, which is fixed in the brickwork,
and passes through a hole formed in the back of the stove as at f
Figure 5; and if desired said tube may be employed as a conduit
for coal gas or other inflammable gas to be used instead of coals or
other fuel; and in summer or at other times when warmth in the
room by artificial means is not required, the gas when ignited will
act in combination with the stove as a powerful ventilating and
sanitary agent by the rarefaction of the air above it, and still more
actively when the stove before the fire bars is partly closed in by
the means which will be indicated in the Final Specification of
another improvement in the construction of stoves for which I so-
licited Her Majesty's Letters Patent on the Eighteenth of January
last.
I attach universal castors z, to the sides and back of the stove
Figures 2, 3, and 5, to facilitate its removal for repairs or other
purposes. In constructing stoves according to my said Invention,
I proportion the parts so that the height from the platform A¹, to
the top of the back of the stove should be about three inches higher
than the level of the top fire bar. To obtain the most effective
results the following instructions should be attended to (that is to
say): The stove should be kept charged with fuel up to the line
at which the under side of the damper would be when down, and
=

page_text: when the fuel is ignited, if the damper be raised one or two inches
or thereabout from the back of the stove, the opening which will
thus be made into the chimney shaft will be found amply sufficient
for carrying off very actively and effectively the smoke and other
products of combustion; but if the damper is raised much higher
so as greatly to increase the size of the opening, the intensity of the
draft up the chimney will be diminished, and consequently ren-
dered less effective in preventing a downward current of air in the
chimney; and when slower combustion of the fuel or a more
moderate warmth only is required, the same may be effected by
keeping the fuel lower than the top fire bar, so that by adjusting
the relative position of the fuel to the damper, a greater or less
amount of chemical action and consequent evolution of heat will be
obtained.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be and may be performed, I desire it to be
distinctly understood that I do not claim as of my Invention or the
exclusive use 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 constructing stoves in the manner and for the pur-
poses above described, and represented by the illustrative Drawing
hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Sheringham, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this First day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
JOHN SHERINGHAM. (L.s.)
Witness,
ALEX'. PRINCE,
4, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross.