IMPROVEMENTS IN VENTILATING, AND IN THE EXCLUSION OF DUST OR DRAUGHT, INSECTS, OR PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION OTHER ANIMALS FROM APARTMENTS, CARRIAGES, OR OTHER CONFINED SPACES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hilliar, of Balsall Heath, in the County of
Worcester, Manager of Works, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
VENTILATING, AND IN THE EXCLUSION OF DUST OR DRAUGHT, INSECTS, OR
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hilliar at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents with his Petition, on the 8th
December 1862.
I, JOHN HILLIAR, of Balsall Heath, in the County of Worcester, Manager of
Works, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN VENTILATING, AND IN THE EXCLUSION OF DUST OR DRAUGHT, INSECTS, OR
OTHER ANIMALS FROM APARTMENTS, CARRIAGES, OR OTHER CONFINED SPACES," to
be as follows, that is to say :-
:.
My Invention consists of a novel application of wire gauze connected with
rollers, either spring or otherwise, and tubes or grooves for use as a ventilating
medium for railway and other carriages, ships, or other confined spaces, and
buildings requiring ventilation or protection from the ingress of insects _or
other animals. I use an iron or other rod of suitable size, the two ends being
flattened for the purpose of fixing and preventing its turning round. To this
rod I attach the one end of a spiral wire spring, the other end of such spring
I attach to a tube or case which covers the spring, and the rod, excepting the
flattened ends, such tube being free to move round the rod as many turns as

page_text: may be required, and which can be regulated by the spring enclosed within it,
I attach to the outside of such tube a sheet or sheets of wire gauze, and which
the spiral spring has sufficient power to wind up or roll around the tube and
to retain it in such wound or rolled up position when not required for use, at
the same time permitting such gauze to be unrolled and extended as required
by using a slight force or applying a suitable weight, I fix the flattened ends of
the before mentioned rod firmly in metal plates or other brackets, and to these
plates or brackets I attach an outer case or covering for the protection of the
gauze, such outer case having an opening sufficient to allow the free action of
the gauze in and out in the line required. I attach to the lower edge of the
sheet of gauze a beading or rod of sufficient strength to bear the strain of the
spring when rolling up or unrolling the gauze without bending or giving way
and upon this beading or rod I affix a hinge or other adaptation for attaching
to the upper part of a sliding sash, or pane, or railway or other carriage window,
or to a sliding board, sheet of glass or metal that may be used to exclude the
air or fill up the space of the ventilator. When out of use I attach to the side
edges of the sheet of gauze (when required) a strip of india-rubber, or piece
of catgut, twine, cord, or any suitable flexible material to prevent the gauze
slipping out of place in the grooves or tubes as herein-after described. This
ventilator I affix to the upper part of a sash frame or to the top bar of a pane
frame, or to the upper part of a railway or other carriage door, or in any
opening in any building. where ventilation is required, I affix to the sides of
such sash or pane frame, railway or other carriage door, or to the frame or
sides of any opening or space open joint tubes or mouldings of wood or metal
so arranged that the beaded side edges of the wire gauze may freely pass into
such tubes or grooves by the open ends, the thin sheet of gauze having free
space for traversing the length of the tube or groove through the slit or open
joint, while the beading or attachment to the side edges of such gauze being
greater than can pass through the slit or open joint secures the wire gauze in
its proper position and shape, and at the same time perfectly excludes dust or
draught by the sides. This ventilator I make of one or more sheets of wire
or other gauze of mesh and strength suitable, and the employment of several
sheets of wire gauze is applicable also to other descriptions of ventilators for
the purpose of excluding draught, I attach one, two, or more sheets upon one
roller or for the nicer gradation of ventilation I use two or more rollers with one
or more sheets of gauze, and by passing the beaded side edges into the grooves
or tubes as herein-before described, I can at pleasure use any sheet singly, a
part of a sheet or all or part of the whole number of sheets combined, in which
cases I affix to the beading or rod at bottom end of gauze, a cord and pass
such

page_text: cord through a pulley attached to the top bar of sash pane or carriage window
or sliding board or sheet used, using loops in such cord and securing them upon
a stud or pin fixed conveniently for the purpose. By using this Invention I
can carry off heated and vitiated air from carriages, apartments, churches,
at the same time admitting an imperceptible current of cold air from without
and preventing the admission of dust, smuts, or any perceptible draught, I also
apply this Invention to the parts of bedsteads using the roller at top or bottom
and having tubes or grooves arranged on the sides of the posts in a similar.
manner to the before-mentioned application to windows, and by using a cord or
cords working over a pulley or pullies, and attached to the beaded loose end
of the gauze I can entirely enclose the bed space, the side edges of the gauze
or net work being enclosed and working in the tubes or grooves as before
mentioned, and by these means I exclude from the bed space, musquitoes, and
other insects and reptiles, at the same time permitting free ventilation without
dust, sand, or perceptible draught.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Hilliar in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
June 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HILLIAR, of Balsall Heath, in the County of Worcester, Manager of Works,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Hilliar, Her special licence, that I, the said John Hilliar, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Hilliar,
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 VENTILATING, AND IN THE
EXCLUSION OF DUST OR DRAUGHT, INSECTS, OR OTHER ANIMALS FROM APARTMENTS,
CARRIAGES, OR OTHER CONFINED SPACES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said John Hilliar, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal; should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said

page_text: 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 Hilliar, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto, annexed, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
:-
My Invention consists of a novel application of wire gauze connected with
rollers, either spring or otherwise, and tubes or grooves, for use as a ventilating
medium for railway and other carriages, ships, or other confined spaces, and
buildings requiring ventilation or protection from the ingress of insects or other
animals. I use an iron or other rod of suitable size, the two ends being
flattened for the purpose of fixing and preventing its turning round, to this rod
I attach the one end of a spiral wire spring, the other end of such spring I
attach to a tube or case which covers the spring and the rod excepting the
flattened ends, such tube being free to move round the rod as many turns as
may be required, and which can be regulated by the spring enclosed within
it. I attach to the outside of such tube a sheet or sheets of wire gauze and
which the spiral spring has sufficient power to wind up or roll around the tube
and to retain it in such wound or rolled up position when not required for use
at the same time permitting such gauze to be in unrolle and extended as
required by using a slight force or applying a suitable weight. I fix the flattened
ends of before mentioned rod firmly in metal plates or other brackets, and to
these plates or brackets I attach an outer case or covering for the protection
of the gauze, such outer case having an opening sufficient to allow the free
action of the gauze in and out in the line required. I attach to the lower edge
of the sheet of gauze, a beading or rod of sufficient strength to bear the strain
of the spring when rolling up or unrolling the gauze without bending or giving
way, and upon this beading or rod I affix a hinge or other adaptation for
attaching to the upper part of a sliding sash, or pane or railway or other carriage
window, or to a sliding board, sheet of glass, or metal, that may be used to
exclude the air or fill up the space of the ventilator when out of use. I
attach to the side edges of the sheet of gauze (when required) a strip of india-
rubber or piece of catgut, twine, cord, or any suitable flexible material to
prevent the gauze slipping out of place in the grooves or tubes as herein-after
described. This ventilator I affix to the upper part of a sash frame or to the
top bar of a pane frame, or to the upper part of a railway or other carriage door,
or in any opening in any building where ventilation is required. I affix to the

page_text: sides of such sash or pane frame, railway or other carriage door, or to the frame
or sides of any opening or space, open joint tubes or mouldings of wood or
metal so arranged that the beaded side edges of the wire gauze may freely
pass into such tubes or grooves by the open ends, the thin sheet of gauze
having free space for. traversing the length of the tube or groove through the
slit or open joint while the beading or attachment, to the side edges of such
gauze being greater than can pass through the slit or open joint secures the
wire gauze its its proper position and shape; and at the same time perfectly
excludes dust or draught by the sides. This ventilator I make of one or more
sheets of wire or other gauze of mesh and strength suitable, and the employment
of several sheets of wire gauze is applicable also to other descriptions of
ventilators for the purpose of excluding draught. I attach one, two, or more.
Sheets upon one roller, or for the nicer gradation of ventilation, I use two or
more rollers with one or more sheets of gauze, and by passing the beaded side
edges into the grooves or tubes as herein-before. described, I can at pleasure
use any sheet singly, or part of a sheet, or all or part of the whole number
of sheets combined, in which cases I affix to the beading'or rod at. bottom
end of gauze, a cord and pass such cord through a pulley attached to the
top bar, of sash pane, or carriage window or sliding board or sheet used,
using loops in such cord and securing them upon a stud or pin fixed con-
veniently for the purpose. By using this Invention I can carry off heated and
vitiated air from carriages, apartments, churches, or other confined spaces.at
the same time admitting an imperceptible current of cold air from without
and preventing the admission of dust, smuts, or any perceptible draught.
I also apply this Invention to the posts of bedsteads using the roller at top
or bottom, and having tubes or grooves arranged on the sides of the posts in a
similar manner to the before-mentioned application to windows, and by using
a cord or cords working over a pulley or pullies, and attached to the beaded
loose end of the gauze, I can entirely enclose the bed space, the side edges of
the gauze or network being enclosed and working in the tubes or grooves.
as before. mentioned, and by these means I exclude from the bed space,
musquitoes, and other insects and reptiles, at the same time permitting free
ventilation without dust, sand, or perceptible draught."
I will now proceed to describe my Invention by the aid of the accompanying
Drawings, Figures 1, 2, and 3, representing a ventilator thus constructed.
Figure 1 shewing the ventilator in use; Figure 2, closed, and Figure 3 a
section shewing the parts. To the ordinary spring roller apparatus of a common
spring roller blind contained in the tube seen at (A), Figures 1, 2, and 3, I
attach one sheet or more of wire gauze, the Drawing shewing. one sheet only

page_text: slight
as at (B), the spring roller is of sufficient strength to coil or wind up this
gauze as an ordinary roller winds up the linen, and to retain it coiled when
not required for use, allowing it to be extended by the application of a
force. To the lower edge of the gauze at (C), I fix a rod or beading of
sufficient strength to bear the strain of the spring in rolling and unrolling.
this rod or beading is secured to the top bar of a sliding sash or, pane, or the
upper bar of a window, such as a carriage window, or to the top of a panel
or any other similar contrivance intended to close the aperture when the blind
is not required. Grooves or tubes (D) are provided to hold the
gauze in
position laterally from these grooves or tubes; it may be prevented escaping
by a strip of india-rubber or other suitable material attached firmly to both
edges and forming a species of elastic beading. The grooves or tubes (D)
must be so constructed that whilst the gauze will travel freely through any
portion of their length, the beaded edge can only be admitted at the top or
bottom, and thus the gauze is prevented escaping, and its lateral position is
secured. Thus a single or double sheet of gauze may be extended over any
aperture, or several sheets of varying web may be used to produce a gradation
in the admission of air, by employing more than one spring roller, so that I
can at pleasure use part of a sheet, or an entire one, or any number, or the
whole of the series of sheets combined. In case I use more than one sheet
I affix to the beading or rod at the lower edge of the gauze a cord which I
pass through a pulley attached to the top bar of a sash or pane frame employ-
ing loops in such cords and securing them upon a stud or pin, 1 propose also
to employ this Invention as a shutter in conjunction with a ventilator, making
the gauze sufficiently large to cover an entire window or opening, substituting
for the ordinary sash beads, open tubes or grooves down which the gauze may
work, and by providing a fastening for the lower edge of the gauze upon the
sill of the window or opening, a window may be left entirely open without
danger and with perfect security against musquitoes or other insects or animals,
dust, or draught.
.
Another application of my Invention to purposes of this nature is seen in
(Figure 4), in which a bedstead is shewn closed in on all sides and at the top
with blinds of this description, the side grooves or open beads being formed
by or fixed upon the beil posts, or if of wood such posts may be fitted with
open tubes secured thereto, and the spring roller concealed under the cornice
or top rail, I have described my Invention as being worked by spring rollers,
ordinary rollers without springs may be used if necessary.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be carried out, I claim without limiting myself to these

page_text: precise details, the improvements in apparatus for obtaining ventilation in
buildings, apartments, carriages, beds and other like confined spaces, whilst
excluding therefrom all dust, draught, insects, or other animals by the employ-
ment of rolling blinds or screens of wire gauze in one thickness or more in
manner herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hilliar, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three.
0. Witness,
FRED. WALKDEN,
66, Chancery Lane,
London.
JOHN HILLIAR. (L.S.)