IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES AND FIREPLACES
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Redmayne at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th August 1881.
THOMAS REDMAYNE, of Sheffield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STOVES AND FIREPLACES."
My Invention relates to stoves and fireplaces used for heating rooms or other
places, and it has for its objects improved methods of construction and arrangement
of the parts of such stoves, so that they are very simple and cheap in construction,
effective in operation, and economical in the fuel consumed.
In order to put my Invention in operation, and assuming, first, that it is to be
applied to a close stove in which the fuel is to be slowly burned with only a small
and regulated admission of air, I take a hollow base, preferably of cast iron, raised
by means of feet a short distance from the floor upon which it stands, and upon the
top of this hollow base I arrange a vertical chamber, cylindrical or of other
convenient shape, preferably of sheet iron lined with firebrick or other sufficiently
refractory material, and having a bottom of similar material.
On each side of this vertical chamber, and at a short distance from it, I arrange
a vertical pipe, preferably of sheet iron, the lower ends of which open into and are
supported in sockets formed upon the top of the hollow base into which they open.
The upper open ends of the central vertical chamber and of the two side pipes
arranged and described, fit into sockets formed upon the lower side of a hollow top,
preferably of cast iron, which corresponds more or less in shape with the hollow
base. The lower hollow base and the upper hollow top holding the central
chamber and the pipes between them are held firmly together by vertical bolts
passing preferably through the pipes.
From the back of the hollow base a passage, which may be fitted with a damper
of any ordinary kind, communicates with any convenient chimney.
The upper part of the hollow top is closed by a horizontal plate, preferably

page_text: fitting into a sand joint, by which the escape of smoke or the entrance of cold air
is prevented, and in this horizontal plate immediately above the central vertical
chamber is an opening provided with a moveable cover, through which fuel can be
supplied to the interior of the stove. By lifting off the horizontal top the vertical
pipes can be easily cleaned.
When the stove is in operation its action is as follows:-Fuel supplied to the
interior of the vertical cylindrical chamber burns slowly upon the fireclay bottom
of the latter, and the heated air and gas and other products of combustion pass up
into the hollow top, and thence descend the side pipes into the hollow base, whence
they pass to the chimney. In order that they may not pass in this way too
directly from the bottom of the side pipes to the chimney, I arrange in the hollow
base two vertical plates or midfeathers so placed that they direct the heated air
forward to the front of the base where the two currents unite and pass backward
between the plates to the chimney. An opening is provided in the front of the
hollow base and is closed by a door readily moveable, and through this opening
any soot deposited in the bottom can be readily removed.
The currents of air through the side pipes being descending ones, it would be
difficult to create them on first lighting the fire, and I 'therefore form the back of
the inner chamber at its lower end of a block, preferably of cast iron, through
which is formed a curved passage, the back of which descends vertically and
communicates through a corresponding opening in the top of the base plate with
the interior of the latter, whilst its front curves round and descends in a forward
direction, opening out into the chamber at a sufficient distance above the fireclay
bottom upon which the fuel burns. The lower end of the passage is provided with
a damper of any suitable kind which can be operated by means of a rod or handle
when desired by an attendant.
The front of the chamber is provided at its lower end with an opening through
which ashes can be removed or the fire lighted, and this opening is fitted with an
adjustable door, by means of which a regulated supply of air can be admitted to
the fire.
When the fire has been thus lighted the damper just described is opened and
the heated products of combustion pass through the curved passage into the hollow
base and directly to the chimney, up which a powerful current is thus created as
the heat increases.
The damper is then closed and the draught in the heated chimney is sufficient
to draw the hot air and gases into the hollow top, and thence down the side pipes
and round the midfeathers in the base to the chimney, and this process continues
as long as there is fuel in the chamber.
By the arrangement' described, a very large heated surface is available for
radiation consisting of the central chamber, the sheet iron side pipes, and the
whole surface of the hollow base and top, whilst the consumption of fuel is very
small, and may easily be regulated by the admission of more or less air through
the adjustable door in front.
Instead of two side pipes any greater number may be employed arranged round
the centre chamber, the shape of the hollow base plate and of the hollow top being
modified accordingly, and the latter may both be made of any ornamental external
design that may be desired. Instead of a moveable cover at the top being used to
supply the fuel a moveable door may be arranged for the same purpose in the front
edge of the hollow top. Instead of the method of arrangement described in which
the curved passage communicating with the hollow base is arranged at the back of
the combustion chamber, I sometimes arrange it in the centre of the latter in the
form of a vertical pipe rising through the fireclay floor and covered by a domie or
mushroom-shaped cover, the edges of which descend below the top of the pipe so
that the heated air and gases can pass up under them, and thence down the central
pipe, the lower end of which is provided with a damper through which they pass
into the hollow base, and thence direct to the chimney.
When instead of a close stove it is intended that the fuel shall be burned upon

page_text: a grate, I fit such grate into the vertical chamber at a sufficient distance from the
bottom of the latter, and I arrange below the grate a moveable ash-tray.
The curved passage already described through which the draught is created
when the fire is first lighted must be made of greater length in such cases, so that
its front open end is in its proper position in the fire.
Where my Invention is to be applied to an open fireplace instead of to a close
stove, I make a hollow horizontal base, as in the arrangement first described, upon
which base a firegrate of the ordinary kind having open bars in front is fixed.
This hollow base projects preferably for a considerable distance forward, in order
to provide as large a radiating surface as possible. The fireplace is provided either.
with a firebrick bottom upon which the fuel is slowly burned, or with an ordinary
open bottom grate.
The sides and back of the fireplace are fitted with blocks or linings, preferably
of cast iron, having through them curved openings or passages similar to those
already described, their lower or outer ends descending through corresponding
openings into the hollow base, and their upper ends curving over and downward,
Bo as to open out into the fire.
I make the central back passage of considerably less sectional area than the side
ones, and its lower end, after passing through the top of the hollow base, com-
municates directly through an opening in the latter with a chimney at the back
of the fire place, or in other convenient position. This passage is provided with
an adjustable damper. The side or lateral passages also descend into the hollow
base plate, in which however vertical midfeathers are fitted, as in the arrangement
first already describe, so that the currents are directed forward into the front of
the hollow base, where they unite and pass back between the midfeathers to the
opening leading to the chimney.
The shape of the curved passages described prevents ashes from getting into their
open or inner ends, whilst allowing a free passage for the hot air and gases, the
products of combustion.
In the novel arangement of open fireplace described, the damper which closes the
smaller back passage is opened, and the fire being lighted, the smoke and heated
air pass along it directly through the hollow base to the chimney. When the
latter has become heated so as to create a sufficiently strong upward draught, the
damper is closed and the products of combustion are then drawn in separate
currents down the side passages into the hollow base plate, to the front of which
they are directed by the midfeathers. They then unite and are drawn back
between the midfeathers to the chimney, and combustion is carried on in this way
as long as may be desired, heat being radiated into the room or other place great
in proportion to the area of the hollow base and the distance which it projects
forward.
In the front edge of the hollow base, which may be made as ornamental as
desired, an opening is made, fitted with a moveable door of any suitable kind, by
means of which the interior of the hollow base may be cleansed when necessary.
External air may be conveniently admitted to the room to be heated through a
pipe or passage terminating in a perforated plate under the hollow base.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Redmayne in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th February 1882.
THOMAS REDMAYNE, of Sheffield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STOVES AND FIREPLACES."
My present Invention relates to stoves and fireplaces used for heating rooms or
other places, and it has for its objects improved methods of construction and
arrangement of the parts of such stoves and fireplaces so that they are very simple
and cheap in construction, effective in operation, and economical in the fuel
consumed. In order to put my Invention in operation I will first assume that
it is to be applied to a close stove in which the fuel is to be slowly burned in a
chamber with only a small and regulated admission of air, there being no firebars,
and the fire not being visible, I take a hollow base, preferably of cast iron, raised
by means of feet or supports a short distance from the floor upon which it stands;
and upon the top of this hollow base I fit a vertical chamber, cylindrical or of other
convenient shape, preferably of sheet iron lined with firebrick or other sufficiently
refractory material, and having a bottom of similar material. On each side of this
vertical chamber and at a short distance from it, I arrange upon the hollow base a
vertical pipe, preferably of sheet iron, the lower ends of which open into and are
supported in sockets formed upon the top of the hollow base. The upper open
ends of the central vertical chamber, and of the two side pipes arranged as described,
fit into sockets formed upon the lower side of a hollow top, preferably of cast iron,
which corresponds more or less in shape with the hollow base already described.
The lower hollow base and the upper hollow top holding the central chamber and
the side pipes between them are held firmly together by vertical bolts passing
preferably through the pipes.
From the back of the hollow base a passage, which may be fitted with a damper
of any ordinary kind, communicates with any convenient chimney. The upper
part of the hollow top is closed by a horizontal plate, preferably fitting into a sand
joint, by which the escape of smoke or the entrance of cold air is prevented, and in
this horizontal plate, immediately above the central vertical chamber, is an opening
provided with a moveable cover through which fuel can be supplied to the interior
of the stove from above. By lifting off the horizontal top the vertical pipes can be
easily cleaned.
In the accompanying Drawings, which are in illustration of my Invention,
Figure 1 is a front view, and Figures 2 and 3, vertical sections of a stove con-
structed according to my Invention in the manner just described; Figure 4 is a
plan of the hollow base, a is the hollow base supported upon feet b, b, b, end
carrying the central cylindrical chamber c lined at the sides and bottom with
firebrick; d and e are the vertical side pipes fitting at their lower ends into
sockets on the hollow base a, and at their upper ends into similar sockets below
the hollow topf, which is provided with the loose cover g fitting in a sandjoint
at h, a central opening fitted with a cover being shewn at g'. Bolts i, i, passing
through the pipes d, e, hold the parts of the stove together; k is a passage from
the back of the hollow base a communicating with a flue or chimney l.
The front of the chamber a is provided at its lower end with an opening at m
through which the fire can be lighted and ashes removed, and this opening is
fitted with an adjustable door n by which the opening m is closed, or through
which a small regulated supply of air can be admitted to the fire.
When the stove is in operation its action is as follows:-Fuel supplied to the
interior of the vertical cylindrical chamber c burns slowly upon the fireclay bottom

page_text: of the latter, and the heated air and gas and other products of combustion pass up
into the hollow top f, and thence descend the side pipes-d and e into the hollow
base a, whence they pass to the chimney . In order that they may not pass in
this way too directly from the bottom of the side pipes & and e to the chimney, I
arrange in the hollow base a two vertical plates or midfeathers o and p, so placed
that they direct the heated air forward to the front of the base where the two
currents unite and pass backward between the plates to the chimney, as shown.
An opening is provided in the front of the hollow base at r, and is closed by a
door readily moveable, and through this opening any soot deposited on the bottom
can be readily removed.
The currents of air through the side pipes being descending ones, it would be
difficult to create them on first lighting the fire, and I therefore form the back
of the inner chamber c at its lower end of a block 8, preferably of cast iron, through
which is formed a curved passage t, the back of which descends vertically and
communicates through a corresponding opening u in the top of the base plate with
the interior of the latter, whilst its front curves round and descends in a forward
direction, opening out at vinto the chamber c at a sufficient distance above the
fireclay bottom upon which the fuel burns. The lower end of the passage t is
provided with a damper w of any suitable kind, which can be operated by means
of a rod or handle at a, when desired, by an attendant.
When the fire has been thus lighted through the opening m, the damper wis
opened and the heated products of combustion pass through the curved passage t
into the hollow base a, and directly to the chimney 7, up which a powerful current
is thus created as the heat increases.
The damper wis then closed, and the draught in the heated chimney is
sufficient to draw the hot air and gases into the hollow top f, and thence down the
side pipes & and e and round the midfeathers o and p in the base a to the chimney,
and this process continues as long as there is fuel in the chamber. By the
arrangement described a very large heated surface is available for radiation,
consisting of the central chamber c, the sheet iron side pipes d and e, and the
whole surface of the hollow base a and top f, whilst the consumption of fuel is
very small and may very easily be regulated by the admission of more or less air
through the adjustable door n in front. A modification of the arrangement just
described is shewn in Figures 5 and 6, Figure 5 being a longitudinal and Figure 6
a transverse vertical section. In this modified method of arrangement the top
plate g is fixed, the sandjoint being dispensed with, and instead of feeding the fuel
to the fire through an opening in the top plate, it is fed through an opening y at
the upper part of the front of the central chamber c, which opening is provided
with a door, as shewn. A damper or door A is shewn closing the opening from
the upper end of the chamber c to the hollow top f, and the door A rests upon a
hinge or joint, so that it may be opened more or less or closed by an excentric
cam B upon a spindle C, which is operated at its outer end by a handle at D,
an indicator being provided to point out the position of the plate or damper.
The firebrick back of the chamber c is made hollow from top to bottom, as
shewn at E, and a sufficient number of openings or perforations F, F, F, are made.
through its front wall communicating with the interior of the chamber c, whilat
its lower end communicates with the interior of the hollow base a by the opening G,
which may be provided with an adjustable damper if desired. When the fire is
first lighted the damper A is opened, as shown in dotted lines at Figure 6, and the
smoke and heated products of combustion pass directly up through it to the.
chimney. When a sufficient draught or current has been thus created the
damper A. is closed by the handle D and the heated gases are compelled to pass
through the openings or perforations F, F, F, and down the vertical passage E into.
the hollow base a, whence they ascend the side pipes & and e into the hollow top f,
and thence to the chimney . The third pipe, shewn in Figure 6 below the ;
chimney may be omitted or may be used as a descending flue to the chimney.
l

page_text: Where used as shewn I prefer to contract the opening at its upper end, as shewn
at H, so as more fully to retain the heat by retarding the current, and I sometimes
contract the openings at the upper ends of the side pipes d and e in the same way
and for the same reason. Instead of two any desired number of side pipes may
be employed arranged round the centre chamber, which may be circular, square, or
any other desired shape in plan. The sides as well as the back of the central
chamber may be provided with perforations and descending passages, and instead
of side pipes the centre chamber may be surrounded by a casing, into the lower
part of which the heated gases are admitted and thence pass into the chimney
from its upper part. Air pipes may be arranged passing through this outer casing,
through which air passes, entering below and escaping above, and becoming heated
in its passage, and the shape of the hollow base-plate and top may be modified and
made of any ornamental external design.
In Figure 7 is shewn a novel arrangement of moveable ash pan, which receives
any ashes from the opening m; M is the ash pan, which is provided with grooves
or guides N fitting upon corresponding guides O upon the lower part of the doorway
or opening.
Instead of the method of arrangement described in which the curved passage
communicating with the hollow base is arranged at the back of the combustion
chamber, I sometimes arrange it (as shewn in Figure 7*) in the centre of the latter
in the form of a vertical pipe I rising through the fireclay floor at K, and covered
by a dome or mushroom shaped cover L, the edges of which descend below the top
of the pipe, so that the heated air and gases can pass (as shown by the arrows)
under them and thence down the central pipe I, the lower end of which is provided
with a damper, through which they pass into the hollow base and thence direct to
the chimney. When it is intended that the fuel shall be burned upon a bottom
grate instead of upon a solid bottom, I fit such grate into the vertical chamber at a
sufficient distance from the bottom of the latter, and I arrange below the grate a
moveable ash tray. The curved passage, already described, through which the
draught is created when the fire is first lighted, must be made of greater length in
such case, so that its front open end is in its proper position in the firo.
The different arrangements of my improved stove, as hereinbefore described and
shewn in the Drawings, may be varied more or less to suit varying circumstances.
It will be seen that they are applicable only to close or slow combustion stoves in
which no firebars are used to form a fireplace, and in which the fire is invisible, a
very small quantity of air being admitted when required through a small adjustable
door.
The advantages which are obtained by my Invention consist in the gradual and
equal distribution of heat obtained, with very small consumption of fuel burned in
a chamber nearly or entirely close, from the combination of the large radiating
surfaces of the central chamber, the hollow base, the vertical side pipes, and the
hollow top, and also the facility with which the fire may be lighted and regulated.
I do not claim the use of descending flues, nor the combustion of smoke and gases
by a downward draught through the fire, which I am aware have been well known
and used for many years, but I claim in close stoves, in which the fire is burned in
a close independent chamber without being visible, and without firebars, the com-
bination of the hollow base having a large radiating surface, the vertical side pipes
and the upper top having a large radiating surface, through all of which the hot
products of combustion are drawn from the close central chamber and made to
circulate, substantially in the manner described and shewn in the Drawings.
Also, in combination with such close stoves so constructed and arranged, the
methods of arranging and operating dampers and passages, substantially as described
and shewn.
Where my Invention is to be applied to an open fireplace instead of to a close
stove I make a hollow horizontal base in the arrangement first described, upon
which base a firegrate of the ordinary kind having open bars in front is fixed. This

page_text: hollow base projects preferably for a considerable distance forward, in order to
provide as large a radiating surface as possible. The fireplace is provided either
with a firebrick bottom, upon which the fuel is slowly burned, or with an ordinary
open bottom grate.
The sides and back of the fireplace are fitted with blocks or linings of iron or
firebrick, having through them curved openings or passages similar to those already
described, their lower or outer ends descending through corresponding openings
into the hollow base, and their upper ends curving over and downward, so as to
open out at or about the level of the top of the floor. I make the central back
passage of sectional area, preferably less than the side ones, and its lower end after
passing through the top of the hollow base communicates directly through an
opening in the latter with a chimney at the back of the fireplace or in other conve-
nient position. This passage is provided with an adjustable damper. The side or
lateral passages also descend into the hollow baseplate, in which however vertical
midfeathers are fitted as in the arrangement first already described, so that the
currents are directed forward into the front of the hollow base, where they unite
and pass back between the midfeathers to the opening leading to the chimney.
The shape of the curved passages described prevents ashes from getting into their
open or inner ends, whilst allowing a free passage for the hot air and gases, the
products of combustion from the top of the fire.
In the novel arrangement of open fireplace described the damper which closes
the back passage is opened, and the fire being lighted the smoke and heated air
pass along it directly through the hollow base to the chimney. When the latter
has become heated so as to create a sufficiently strong upward draught the damper
is more or less closed, and the products of combustion are then drawn in separate
currents down the side passages, and also, if desired, partly through the back
passage into the hollow base plate, to the front of which the side currents are
directed by the midfeathers.
[
They then unite and are drawn back between the midfeathers to the chimney, and
combustion is carried on in this way as long as may be desired, heat being radiated
into the room or other place great in proportion to the area of the hollow base and
the distance which it projects forward.
In the front edge of the hollow base, which may be made as ornamental as
desired, an opening is made fitted with a moveable door of any suitable kind, by
means of which the interior of the hollow base can be cleansed when necessary.
Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 are in illustration of this part of my Invention, Figure 11
being a front view, Figure 8 a horizontal section, and Figures 9 and 10 vertical
sections of an open fireplace. a, a, a, are the firebars of the open fireplace, and
6 the bottom of firebrick, as shewn, or a metal grating. c, c, are passages at the
side, and d a passage at the back of the fire, their lower ends passing down and
opening into a hollow base or chamber e, and their upper ends curving in and
down, and opening at or about the level of the fire, as shewn. f is a moveable
adjustable damper, by which the lower end of the passage d can be more or less
opened or closed as desired; and 9, 9, are plates or midfeathers in the hollow base e,
by which the currents passing down the side passages c, c, are directed forward,
and then unite and pass back between the plates g, g, to the chimney h
External air may be conveniently admitted to the room to be heated through a
a pipe or passage terminating in a perforated plate under the hollow base.
It will be seen that in my improved arrangement of apparatus, as applied to
open fires, I do not cause the smoke and products of combustion to pass down
through the fire, and thence through outlet flues from the lower part of or below
the burning fuel (which I am aware has been done for many years), but I claim in
open fireplaces the method of arrangement of curved passages at the back and sides
of the fireplace, the lower ends of such passages opening into a hollow base or
chamber, whence they pass to a chimney, and their upper ends curving over and
downward, so as to open at or about the level of the top of the fire, substantially as

page_text: described and shewn. Also, in combination with such passages so arranged in open
'fires, the adjustable damper and midfeathers constructed and arranged substantially
as and for the purpose described and shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Redmayne, havé hereunto set my.
hand and seal, this 7th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1882.
("OUT)
ΓΙΑΤΙ ΠΑΤΑΤΑΣ ΕΠΟΠΤ
Witness,
EDMUND EDWARDS,
40, Southampton Buildings,