IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING RANGES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, JOHN EYRE RUSSELL of the Peel Foundry, Derby in the County of Derby,
Ironfounder (Trading in Copartnership with Robert Russell Senior and Robert
Russell Junior under the style or firm of Robert Russell & Sons) do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING RANGES to be as
follows:-
It is an Apparatus attached, permanently or otherwise, to a close fire Range, for
the purpose of enabling the Range to be used with either an open fire or a closed
one as required.
It consists, first of a portable and Convertible Iron flue, as hereinafter described;
and second, of an arrangement of Flanges, Cavity or chamber, and plates, for the
purpose of simplyfying the removal of the fire cover when it is not required.
1st The Convertible Iron Flue is constructed as follows; Its principal member is
a rectangular frame, Arch or Tunnel, several inches iu beight and several inches in
depth from front to back and is equal to the fire in its width. This member
defines and forms the hinder part of the flue and is fitted into a corresponding
receptacle of brick or Iron at the back of the range. Within this rectangular
arched frame is fitted a duplicate and sliding roof which is an Iron plate composed
of two or more parts-hinged together and placed horizontally beneath the
permanent roof of the arch. This second roof rests upon strips or ledges on the
inner sides of the arched frame as well as upon side wings or flaps which are
attached-automatically or permanently-to the sides of the said arched frame.
The wings or flaps are attached to the sides of the frame in upright positions and
in such a manner that they may be used as doors to close the aperture formed by
the arch or when opened out may form the upright sides of the convertible flue;
and in their form and uses resemble a pair of folding doors.
These wings or doors are also united to, or connected with, the sliding roof plate,
and are opened or closed automatically by it. They are opened or closed simul-
taneously with, and as a consequence of, the drawing forward or pushing backward
of the sliding roof plate.
This connection of the doors with the sliding roof plate for the purpose just
referred to is effected thus ;
A small projection or bracket bearing an upright pin is connected with the
upper edge of each door, and each of these pins is fitted into an eccentric slot on

page_text: the under side of the sliding roof and as the roof is drawn out from or pushed into,
its recess, these eccentric slots serve to communicate the motive power to the doors
and open or close them by simply moving the said plate.
Another and alternative mode of effecting this operation is, or may be, by
reversing the foregoing arrangement of the slots and pins, and connecting the pins
to the roof plate and the slots to the doors.
Or a still further method is to substitute links or levers instead of pins and slots
for the purpose of uniting the doors and roof plate.
The roof plate is, or may be, made in one piece, or, for the greater convenience of
disposing of it when the back space is small, and the flue is not required, it is, or
may be, made of two or more parts hinged together so that the foremost part of it
may hang down across the face of the doors when they are closed over the aperture
formed by the arched frame.
The rectangular arched frame is, or may be, fitted or fixed, permanently or
otherwise, to the Cove plate or skirting of the range or it may be placed in its
recess in such a manner that it can be drawn forward by the roof plate when a
lengthened flue is required:..
2nd The flanges, cavity (or chamber) and plates which compose the second part
of this invention, have reference to the Hot plate of the range.
A cavity or pit is formed beneath the hot plate of the range, open to the fire, and
extending backwards from it.
Above this cavity or chamber the hot plate is formed of a loose Iron plate having
two projecting side pins which rest in corresponding sockets in the hobs, and acting
as a hinge, enable this plate to be elevated after the manner of a trap door, the
sides of the plate resting upon strips or flanges which keep it horizontal with the
rest of the hob or hot plate.
The frame of the Fire Cover is, or may be made in one or two parts and is
supported by side flanges connected with the hobs or Hot plate of the Range. The
hinder part of the said frame has, or may have a deep flange across the-back of it
and on the under side thereof, which said flange covers or closes the mouth of the
chamber or cavity, herein before described, when this hinder part of the cover is in
its place above the fire.
The floor of the chamber or cavity is, or may be, arranged with a declination as
it recedes from the fire thus making the cavity deeper at its hindmost extremity
than at its orifice or entrance; or it may be made parallel to the hot plate, as the
case requires.
When the frame of the fire cover is in two parts the side strips or flanges upon
which the two parts rest are not on the same level, those which support the hinder
part of the frame being at a lower elevation than those which support the front
part. The united purpose, or purposes, to be served by the hinged flap over the
cavity the cavity itself-its sloping floor-the divided frame of the fire cover, and
the varying elevation of the side flanges upon which the said cover rests, is, or are,
that when an open fire is required and the convertible flue is drawn forward the
fire cover may be removed by simply pushing it backwards when the hinder part
thereof slides backward and downwards along the sloping floor of the cavity until
it is clear of the side flanges and drops into the bed of the cavity when the fore
part of the fire cover slides over the top of it and fills and occupies the recess
during the time that the open fire is in operation. The hinged flap above the
cavity is, or may be, slightly raised by this operation until the fire cover is clear
of it. The circular moveable parts-called the "Ring & Cup" of the fire cover
should or may be removed before pushing back the fire cover. The cover is easily
withdrawn from its recess by means of the ordinary "Cup lifters."
Another and alternative way of making and manipulating the fire cover for the
above purpose is the following;
The frame of the fire cover is, or may be; made in one piece only & supported by
sloping side flanges, declining, backwards the cavity being considerably longer
than that required for the foregoing plan, so as to accommodate this undivided cover.

page_text: Its removal is effected in the same manner as before described, namly by simply
pushing it backward into the recess; but in this case the "Ring & Cup" do not
require to be removed. Its with-drawal from the recess & replacement over the fire
is effected with the ordinary "Cup lifters."
Although this apparatus is designed more especially for cooking ranges the
inventor contemplates & embraces in the claims herein set forth the applicabillity
of the principles of the apparatus just described-in its combined or several parts
to Ranges, Furnaces, Stoves or heating apparatuses which are not exclusively,
particularly or even remotely intended or used for cooking purposes.
The accompanying series of perspective Illustrations with the references thereto
will assist in giving a better understanding of the essential parts of this invention
as hereinbefore described.
Fig. 1. Is a perspective view of the Rectangular Frame, Arch or Tunnel with the
strips or ledges, A. A, upon which the sliding roof plate rests.
Fig. 2. Is the sliding roof plate shewing the front portion depending from the
hinge and shewing by the dotted lines B. B. the excentric slots underneath for
working or opening the double doors or wings D. D.
Fig. 3. Is a view of one of the wings (flaps or doors) seen from the back and
the upright pin C is the part which fits within the slots B. B.
Fig. 4. Shews the Convertible Flue in its normal state shut up in the frame with
doors closed over the aperture and the hinged flap of the roof plate hanging down
in front of the doors or wings.
Fig. 5. Shews the convertible flue drawn out, the wings being extended and the
roof plate resting upon them.
Fig. 6. Is a perspective view of the flanges and cavity (Pit or chamber) as
previously described.
Fig. 7. Shews the several plates D. E. F. G. and H disconnected but in their
relative positions to each other.
Fig. 8. Is a sectional perpective view of the plates in their positions when.
resting upon their flanges.
Fig. 9. Is a similar view but with plates E and F removed. and G alone pushed
back into the cavity.
Fig. 10. Shews the whole arrangement of the Convertible flue and sliding fire
cover closed-suitably for "Close tire" purposes.
Fig. 11. Gives a perspective view of the convertible flue extended to its utmost
capacity and in its relative position to the fire cover which is here shewn as pushed
back into the cavity or recess behind the fire.
Dated this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred
and hter five

page_text: I, JOHN EYRE RUSSELL, of the Peel Foundry, Derby, in the County of Derby,
Ironfounder (trading in Copartnership with Robert Russell Senior and Robert
Russell, Junior, under the Style or Firm of Robert Russell & Sons) do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN COOKING RANGES and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
It is an apparatus attached, permanently or otherwise, to a close fire range, for
the purpose of enabling the rauge to be used with either an open fire or a closed one
as required.
It consists, first, of a portable and convertible iron flue as hereinafter described;
and second, of an arrangement of Flanges, cavity or chamber and plates, for the
purpose of simplyfying the removal of the fire cover when it is not required.
1st The convertible iron flue is constructed as follows, Its principal member is a
rectangular frame, arch or tunnel, several inches in height and several inches in
depth from front to back, and is equal to the fire in its width This member
defines and forms the hinder part of the flue and is fitted into a corresponding
receptacle of brick or iron at the back of the range. Within this rectangular
arched frame is fitted a duplicate and sliding roof which is an iron plate composed
of two or more parts-hinged together and placed horizontally beneath the per-
manent roof of the arch. This second roof rests upon strips or ledges on the inner
sides of the arched frame as well as upon side wings or flaps which are attached-
automatically or permanently-to the sides of the said arched frame. The wings
or flaps are attached to the sides of the frame in upright positions and in such a
manner that they may be used as doors to close the aperture formed by the arch or
when opened out may form the upright sides of the convertible flue; and in their
form and uses resemble a pair of folding doors.
These wings or doors are also united to or connected with, the sliding roof plate,
and are opened or closed automatically by it. They are opened or closed simul-
taneously with, and as a consequence of the drawing forward or pushing backward
of the sliding roof plate.
This connection of the doors with the sliding roof plate for the purpose just
referred to is effected thus ;
A small projection or bracket, bearing an upright pin is connected with
the upper edge of each door, and each of these pins is fitted into an eccentric
slot on the under sides of the sliding roof and as the roof is drawn out from or
pushed into, its recess, these eccentric slots serve to communicate the motive power
to the doors and open or close them by simply moving the said plate.
Another and alternative mode of effecting this operation is, or may be, by
reversing the foregoing arrangement of the slots and pins, and connecting the pins
to the roof plate and the slots to the doors.
Or a still further method is to substitute links or levers instead of pins and slots
for the purpose of uniting the doors and roof plate.

page_text: The roof plate is, or may be, made in one piece, or, for the greater convenience
of disposing of it when the back space is small, and the flue is not required, it is, or
may be, made of two or more parts hinged together so that the foremost part of it
may hang down across the face of the doors when they are closed over the aperture
formed by the arched frame.
The rectangular arched frame is, or may be fitted or fixed, permanently or other-
wise, to the cove' plate or skirting of the range or it may be placed in its recess in
such a manner that it can be drawn forward by the roof plate when a lengthened
flue is required.
2nd The flanges, Cavity (or chamber) and Plates which compose the second part
of this invention, have reference to the Hot plate of the range.
A cavity or pit is formed beneath the hot plate of the range, open to the fire, and
extending backwards from it. Above this cavity or chamber the hot plate is
formed of a loose Iron plate having two projecting side pins which rest in corre-
sponding sockets in the holes, and acting as a hinge, enable this plate to be elevated
after the manner of a trap door, the sides of the plate resting upon strips or flanges
which keep it horizontal with the rest of the hob or hot plate.
The frame of the Fire Cover is, or may be, made in one or two parts and is
supported by side flanges connected with the hobs or hot plate of the range. The
hinder part of the said frame has, or may have a deep flange across the back of it
and on the under side thereof, which said flange covers or closes the mouth of the
chamber or cavity herein before described, when this hinder part of the cover is in
its place above the fire. The floor of the chamber or cavity is, or may be arranged
with a declination as it recedes from the fire thus making the cavity deeper at its
hindmost extremity than at its orifice or entrance; or it may be made parallel to
the hot plate, as the case requires.
When the frame of the Fire Cover is in two parts the side strips or flanges upon
which the two parts rest are not on the same level those which support the hinder
part of the frame being at a lower elevation than those which support the front
part. The united purpose, or purposes, to be served by the hinged flap over the
cavity the cavity itself-its sloping floor-the divided frame of the fire cover,
and the varying elevation of the side flanges upon which the said cover rests, is, or
are, that when an open fire is required and the convertible flue is drawn forward
the fire cover may be removed by simply pushing it backwards when the binder
part thereof slides backward and downwards along the sloping floor of the cavity
until it is clear of the side flanges and drops into the bed of the cavity when the
fore part of the fire cover slides over the top of it and fills and occupies the recess
during the time that the open fire is in operation, The hinged flap above the
cavity is, or may be, slightly raised by this operation until the fire cover is clear of
it.
The circular, moveable parts,-called the "Ring and Cup"- of the fire cover
should, or may be removed before pushing back the fire cover. The cover is easily
withdrawn from its recess by means of the ordinary "Cup lifters."
Another and alternative way of making and manipulating the Fire Cover for the
above purpose is the following;
The frame of the fire cover is, or may be, made in one piece only and supported
by sloping side flanges declining backwards the cavity being considerably longer
than that required for the foregoing plan, so as to accommodate this undivided
cover. Its removal is effected in the same manner as before described, namely by
simply pushing it backward into the recess; but in this case the "Ring and Cup
do not require to be removed. Its withdrawal from the recess and replacement
over the fire is effected with the ordinary Cup lifters.
"
Although this apparatus is designed more especially for cooking ranges, the
inventor contemplates and embraces in the claims herein set forth the applicability
of the principles of the apparatus just described-in its combined or several parts,
5 to Ranges, Furnaces, Stoves or heating apparatuses which are not exclusively,
particularly, or even remotely intended or used for cooking purposes.

page_text: The accompanying series of perspective illustrations with the references thereto,
will assist in giving a better understanding of the essential parts of this invention
as herein before described.
Fig. 1. Is a perspective view of the Rectangular Frame, Arch or tunnel with the
strips or ledges A A upon which the sliding roof plate rests.
Fig. 2. Is the sliding roof plate shewing the front portion depending from the
hinge and shewing by the dotted lines B B the eccentric slots underneath for
working or opening the Double doors or wings D. D.
Fig. 3. Is a view of one of the wings (flaps or doors) seen from the back and the
upright pin C is the part which fits within the slots B B.
Fig. 4. Shews the convertible flue in its normal state, shut up in the frame with
doors closed over the aperture and the hinged flap of the roof plate hanging down
in front of the doors or wings.
Fig. 5. Shews the convertible flue drawn out, the wings being extended and the
roof plate resting upon them.
Fig. 6. Is a perspective view of the Flanges and Cavity (Pit or chamber) as
previously described.
Fig. 7. Shews the several plates D. E. F. G. and H disconnected but in their
relative positions to each other:
Fig. 8. Is a sectional perspective view of the plates in their positions when resting
upon their flanges.
Fig. 9. Is a similar view but with plates E and F removed and G alone pushed
back into the cavity.
'
Fig. 10. Shews the whole arrangement of the convertible flue and sliding fire
cover closed, suitably for "close fire" purposes.
Fig. 11. Gives a perspective view of the convertible flue extended to its utmost
capacity and in its relative position to the fire cover which is here shewn as
pushed back into the cavity or recess behind the fire.
The same character or construction of flanges upon the under part of the fire
cover and the reciprocating and corresponding ones on the sides of the fire or Hob
are also designed for aiding the backward and downward transit of the fire cover
when the latter is not "split" but retained in one principal piece. The terms
split" or in "one piece "have reference only to the rectangular frame of the fire
cover and have no reference to the circular members connected therewith which
said members are invariably the same in any or every case.
"
To prevent any misapprehension, I desire to state that I make no claim to the
backward removal of the fire cover, whether "split" or in "one piece."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is,
•
1st In a cooking range or heating apparatus the principle of making an
elongating, "convertible flue" of and with a rectangular arched frame and two
doors hinged to it in the automatic manner shown in Figs. 4. 5. and 11 and described
herein.
2nd In a cooking range or heating apparatus the principle of opening and closing
such doors and actuating the said flue automatically by means of the sliding roof
plate with and by means of the several appliances therefor as drawn in Figs. 2. 3. 4
and 5. and described in the accompanying text.
3rd In a cooking range or heating apparatus for the principle of dividing and
hingeing such roof plate for the purposes and in such a manner as herein described,
contemplated, and drawn in Figs. 2. 5. etcetera.
4th For the principle of constructing the Fire Cover of such cooking range or
heating apparatus with irregular shaped side flanges as shewn in Figs. 7. 8. and 10.
for assisting its descent into the cavity or chamber at the back of the range and
for the corresponding principle of varying flanges on each side of the fire shaped

page_text: correspondingly to those on the fire cover for aiding the backward and downward
movement of the said fire cover-see Figs. 6. and 11.
5th For the principle of stowing away in a cooking range or heating apparatus
a "Split" Fire Cover, by sliding one part backward and downward into a descending
cavity behind the fire and its companion half on the top of the first part in the
manner herein described and drawn see Figs. 9 and 11.
6th For the principle of stowing away in a cooking range or heating apparatus,
a fire cover, whether split or otherwise by sliding it downward into a descending
cavity behind the fire aided by flanges of various levels as shewn, in Figs. 6, 7,8,10
and 11.
This item of claim being limited to the downward or descending process and the
flange arrangements by which the process is effected.