Improvements in Curbs or Curb-fenders for Hearths, Fire-places, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 21st Apr., 1898-Accepted, 9th July,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Curbs or Curb-fenders for Hearths, Fire-places, and
the like.
I, EDGAR AUGUSTUS JOSEPH HOOPER, of 109, Hospital Street, in the City of
Birmingham, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to qurbs or curb-fenders and similar enclosures for
hearths and fire-places, and has for its object the making of the same adjustable,
so that the distance between the returned ends can be varied to suit any width
of hearth or fire-place within prescribed limits.
Ordinary curbs or curb-fenders have fast ends so that such curbs are made
of fixed lengths to fit corresponding sized hearths or fire-places.
By my invention this difficulty has been overcome by adjustably mounting
the said returned ends upon the inside end parts of foundation fronts, so that the
said end parts admit of adjustment in the longer direction of the foundation
front.
In carrying out one form of my invention, I take a foundation front part,
which may consist of a hollow moulding embellished by scroll or other orna-
ments, and of the full length of a curb or curb-fender to be made.
The top and back end parts of this moulding have longitudinal slots, wherein
pins, carried by an inverted L-shaped or angle saddle piece, take and slide, and
with nuts taking upon the ends of the pins and coming within the inside of the
moulding. Each of the returned ends is carried upon the said angular saddle
piece, and when the proper lengthwise adjustment has been obtained the nuts
are screwed up, which affixes the returned ends to the foundation front part.
To fit a curb or curb-fender loosen the nuts within the interior of the moulding,
access to which may be gained through the open bottom, then slide the returned
ends into their proper positions and again screw up the nuts, when the
returned ends will be made rigid to the front foundation.
Instead of the outside saddle piece being made to embrace both back and top
of the moulding it may be arranged to take the form only of a vertical or hori-
zontal attachment slide, bolted or otherwise secured in any way as may be
desired.
As a further form of my invention, the saddle piece or slide to which a returned
end is attached, may be made to traverse within the moulding of the foundation
front, and to comprehend the angle included between the inside top and back
wall, the affixing in an adjusted position may be made by. screw bolts or other
means.
As a still further form of my invention, I take a hollow moulding with each
end fitted with an angle piece and affix the same by screw bolts passing through
slots in the back walls of the moulding and up the body of the returned end
and with their outer parts engaging with a vertical rod of a fitted ornament or
tamminol

page_text: As a further form of my invention, the opposed end of each returned member
is fitted with a foot or pummel having an extended base, so as to steadily slide
upon the upright back end of a foundation moulding or front, and with a screw
pin in the foot, taking through a longitudinal slot in the back, and is there
affixed by a nut taking thereon, and being screwed from the inside of the
moulding.
Instead of a slot, I may employ a series of equi-distant holes to admit of the
desired longitudinal adjustment.
As a still further form of my invention, the opposed end of each returned
member, may have an undercut, dovetail, or claw bearing, adapted to take and
slide upon a like shaped section part of the moulding, and be there clamped in
any lengthwise adjusted position.
As a still further form the opposed end of each returned member, has a plate
bearing against the inside back walls of the moulding, and with a screw pin
passing through a slot made therein, and through a hole in the returned mem-
ber, whose bottom may be open or gapped to gain access to a clamping nut taking
upon the end of a screw pin.
As a still further form, of my invention each of the screw ends, may be made
to perform the necessary longitudinal traverse or adjustment, by providing the
same with an inside screwed eye or eyes passing inwardly through a longitudinal
slot in the wall of the moulding, and wherethrough a screw pin, carried by end
bearings, passes, and when rotated gives the necessary traverse to the returned
end.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular method
of fixing or clamping the returned ends in any adjusted position, as wedge or
loosely fitted cottar or other pins and equivalent fasteners may be employed in
lieu of the screw pins.
The terminal ends of the foundation front, outward of the movably fitted
returned ends, are provided with caps or other finals.
Dated this 22nd day of July 1897.
Improvements in Curbs or Curb-fenders for Hearths, Fire-places, and
the like.
+
I, EDGAR AUGUSTUS JOSEPH HOOPER, of 109, Hospital Street, in the City of
Birmingham, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to curbs, curb-fenders and similar enclosures for
hearths and fire-places and has for its object, to so construct such articles that
the distance between the returned ends can be varied or adjusted to suit different
widths of hearths or fire-places.
Ordinary curbs and curb-fenders are provided with fast ends and are un-
provided with means for adapting one particular curb to hearths of different
sizes so that such a curb of any given size, or of a fixed length will only fit a
hearth or fire-place of corresponding dimensions, but this difficulty. I propose
to overcome by adjustably mounting or securing the said end members upon
1.

page_text: or to a fixed foundation front so that the said end parts admit of adjustment
inwards or outwards in the longer direction of the said front member, and a
curb or fender of any required width between the ends (within given limits) can
be obtained.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a topside plan of one corner
of an adjustable fire-place curb constructed according to one form of my invention.
Figure 2 is an underside plan of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a like plan as
Figure 2, but shows the end and front members (which are normally adjustably
secured) disconnected or dis-assembled from one another.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of Figure 1 upon the dotted line x, looking
towards the front or foundation moulding and showing the longitudinal gap or
slot. in the inner side thereof.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section of Figure 4 upon the dotted line ¹, and
Figure 6 is a like view, but with the different parts separated.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of Figure 5 upon the dotted line, and Figure 8
is a vertical section of the same figure, upon the dotted line.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the said Figures 1
to 8.
In carrying out the construction of an adjustable curb according to this form
of my invention, I take a length of moulding a, which may be of a suitable
pattern or section, and be embellished with scroll or other ornaments at the ends
or elsewhere, and which constitutes the front or foundation member of the curb,
and I form along each end of the flat inner side a¹, thereof, a longitudinal slot
or gap a, each of a length corresponding to the range of adjustment which the
end or return members b, are to have relative to the front member. Each of
these end members consists of a length of hollow or other moulding of suitable
size and pattern, with the closed end 6', coming contiguous to the front member,
provided with a transverse rib 63, of a width adapted to take and fit within the
slot a, of the member a, and a screwed pin 63, which takes through the said
slot a³, and extends into the hollow interior of the said front member a, and
receives a washer 6, and nut 6, by the screwing up of which latter, the said end
and front members a, and b, are secured together in their relative adjusted
positions.
Assuming that the return end members are secured to the front moulding
in their outermost positions such as represented in the full lines in Figure 1,
thus giving the greatest possible width between the ends, and that it is required
to reduce this width so as to make the curb suitable for use with a smaller hearth,
the nuts 65, are loosened (access thereto being, gained through the open bottom
of the moulding a,) and then the end mouldings b, are slid together to the
required extent, each being moved equally through the same distance, and when
the required adjustment has been obtained, the nuts are again screwed up, thus
clamping the component members of the curb securely together, whilst any
rotation or twisting of the ends relative to the front is prevented by the extended
ribs b, on the opposed face of the members b, fitting within the longitudinal
gaps a', of the front member a.
.
If necessary, the adjustable members may be provided with extended bases
or feet, for steadying them in their sliding movement.. Or the relative twisting
of the adjustably connected members may be prevented by providing both the
top and the back end parts of the front moulding with longitudinal slots, wherein
pins carried by an inverted shaped or angle saddle piece secured to the adjacent
ends of the adjustable members take and slide, with locking nuts upon the ends
of the pins coming within the inside of the moulding and adapted, when screwed
up, to secure the several elements together.
Instead of providing longitudinal slots in the front members to receive the
attachment pins of the adjustable members, or the slide fittings thereof I may
employ their equivalent in the form of a series of equi-distant holes, to admit
of the desired longitudinal adjustment, and the attachment bolts, may be directed.

page_text: throughout the full length of the adjustable ends and their screwed terminations
may take into one or other of the holes of each series.
Figure 9 represents a topside plan of one corner of an adjustable hearth curb
constructed according to this modification of my invention.
Figure 10 is an underside plan of the same and Figure 11 is a like view but
with the component parts dis-assembled. These Figures 9, 10 and 11 show the
adjustable end in its intermediate position, i.e., with the attachment bolt engaging
the middle hole of the series of three made in the back wall of the contiguous end
of the front moulding.
Figure 12 is a vertical section of Figure 9, but with the end moulding in its
outermost position.
Figure 13 is a horizontal section of Figure 12 upon the dotted line, and
Figure 14 is a like section as Figure 13 but with the several parts dis-assembled.
Figure 15 is a transverse vertical section of Figure 13 upon the dotted line 26,
and
Figure 16 is a like section of the same figure upon the dotted line 7.
In this arrangement, a is the fixed front moulding, the back face a¹, of which
is formed with a series of equi-distant and screwed holes a², whilst b is one of
the adjustable members, both ends 1, 2, of which are closed and coincidently
pierced at 63, 64. The said elements are secured together by the pin or bolt c,
which is passed through the said holes 63, 64, and its screwed end c¹, is wormed
into one or other of the holes a². The vacant holes of each series are then filled
up with screwed in closures or studs d. The twisting of the ends relative to.
the front may be prevented by a flange 65, on the one member overhanging the
contiguous edge of the other.
As a still further form of my invention, and in order to prevent twisting or
rocking of the parts, the end of each returned member, may have an undercut
or dovetail sectioned groove or claw bearing, formed across it, adapted to take
and slide upon a like sectioned rib or formation on the opposed face of the
moulding. Suitable means, such as nuts and bolts, screw pins or the like are
provided for clamping together the sections after their relative positions have
been adjusted.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to any particular method
of affixing or clamping the returned ends in their adjusted positions, as wedges
or loosely fitted cottar or other pins or equivalent fasteners, may be emplyed in
lieu of the screw pins without departing from the nature of my invention.
The terminal ends of the foundation front, outward of the movably fitted
returned ends, may be provided with ornamental caps or other finals.
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
I claim is:-
First: A curb or fender for hearths, fire places and the like having longi-
tudinally adjustable return ends clamped in their adjusted position to the front
member by screws, nuts, bolts or equivalents, for the purpose set forth.
Secondly-In curbs or fenders for hearths, fire places and the like, having
adjustable return end members, securing the said end members to the front
moulding or member by screws pins on the one part taking through longitudinal
slots in the other part and receiving locking nuts coming preferably within
the inside of the said front moulding whilst relative twisting of the said parts
is prevented by ribs or equivalent projections on the one part engaging with
slots or the like of the other part, substantially as described and set forth in
Figures 1 to 8.
Thirdly-In curbs or fenders for hearths, fire places and the like, having
adjustable return_end_members, securing the said end members to the front
inoulding or member by screw pins or bolts taking through holes in the said
ends and into one or other of series of holes formed along the front member,

page_text: whilst the said parts are kept relatively square or prevented from twisting by
portions of the one engaging with or over portions of the other, substantially
as described and set forth in Figures 9 to 16.
Fourthly-The several modified forms of connecting and adjustably securing
together the front and return end members of adjustable curbs and fenders,
substantially as herein described.
1 1898.
EDGAR AUGUSTUS JOSEPH HOOPER,
By Henry Skerrett,
24, Temple Row, Birmingham.
Agent for Applicant.
Dated this 20th day of April 1898.
EDGAR AUGUSTUS JOSEPH HOOPER,
By Henry Skerrett,
24, Temple Row, Birmingham.
Agent for Applicant.