IMPROVEMENTS IN ASH PANS FOR FIRE- PLACES.
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Banks, of Leeds, in the County of York,
Joiner, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ASH PANS FOR FIRE-
PLACES.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Banks at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th December 1880.
BENJAMIN BANKS, of Leeds, in the County of York, Joiner.. " IMPROVEMENTS
IN ASH PANS FOR FIRE PLACES."
My said Invention consists in the construction and manufacture of new or
improved ash pans for fire places employed in dwelling houses, by the use of which
easy means are given for separating the cinders from the ashes, and also in removing
them and placing them on the fire or at the back of the fire place, and also giving
speedy means of removing the ashes without causing dust in the room and
preventing waste of cinders.
For this purpose I construct my ash pans of any suitable size and shape so as to
suit the different kind of fire places, and my ash pans are each constructed with
two separate parts, that is to say, the bottom part or ash receiver is made with
closed sides and bottom, the front and back sides are bent out to receive and keep
in position a top ash pan which is fitted in the bottom part with a grate, which
allows the cinders to remain on the grate and the ashes to fall into the bottom ash
pan; the grate is secured to the pan by having two of the side plates turned over
the top of the grate, and the two other side plates turned under the grate, or the
grate may be secured to the plates by pins or rivets.
When cinders have accumulated on the grate the top pan is lifted from the
bottom pan and the cinders are thrown either on the fire or at the back of the fire
place, and when the bottom ash pan is full or nearly so the bottom ash pan is lifted
up and the ashes are removed without allowing of the escape of any dust
whatever.
A modification of the top ash pan consists in fitting in the pan a grooved frame
in which fits and slides a grate; this grate is fitted with a stop to allow only a

page_text: E
slight inward and outward motion to the grate for shifting the cinders, and in such
a manner that no dust shall escape therefrom and allow the ashes to fall into the
bottom ash pan; a knob is fitted in the front of the grate to push in and out the
grate when shifting the cinders.
Another modification thereof consists in employing the ordinary cottage ash pan
in which is fitted a top ash pan constructed either with a fixed grate or, moveable
shifting grate. When the moveable grate is employed a hole is made in the front
plate of the fire place, through which is passed a stud which is secured to the grate,
and the top of the stud is fitted with a knob to push in and out the grate when
required; the grate is also fitted with a stop.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Benjamin Banks in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
June 1881.
BENJAMIN BANKS, of Leeds, in the County of York, Joiner. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ASH PANS FOR FIRE PLACES."
The said Invention relates to the construction and manufacture of "new ash
pans "for fire places employed in dwelling houses, by the use of which easy means
are provided for separating the cinders from the ashes, and also for removing them
and placing them on the fire or at the back of the fire place, and also giving speedy
means for removing the ashes without causing dust in the room and preventing
waste of cinders.
For this purpose I construct my ash pans of a size and shape to suit the different
kind of fire places, and my ash pans are each constructed with two separate parts,
that is to say, the bottom part of the ash receiver is made with closed sides and
bottom, and the sides are made angular or straight; in the ash receiver is fitted a
top ash pan in which is secured a grate which allows the cinders to remain on the
grate and the ashes to fall into the bottom ash pan; the grate is secured to the
pan, and by preference is made of cast iron, on which are cast four lugs which fit
the angular sides of the top ash pan which are secured to the lugs by rivets or
pins.
When cinders have accumulated on the grate the top pan is lifted from the
bottom pan, and the cinders are thrown either on the fire or at the back of the
fire place, and when the bottom ash pan is full, or nearly so, the bottom ash pan is
lifted up and the ashes are removed without allowing the escape of dust.
A modification of the top ash pan consists in having the bottom part thereof
made about one and a half inches larger than the grate, and having secured to the
sides of the pan lugs on which the grate rests and slides. The top part of the
grate is kept in position by angular plates made with a series of small holes and
fitted in the front and back of the grate. The front of the grate is fitted with a
straight bar made to pass through an opening formed in the front of the top pan,
and on the end of the bar is secured a knob. By pulling and pushing the knob
the grate is made to slide, and thereby has a slight inward and outward motion
communicated to it for sifting the cinders, and in such a manner that dust shall
escape therefrom and the ashes will be allowed to fall into the bottom ash pan. On
the top of the top ash pan I fit a Venetian ash screen; the back of the screen fits
the front of the fire place.
Another modification consists in employing the ordinary cottage ash pan, to
which is fitted a top ash pan constructed either with a fixed cast iron grate or
with a moveable shifting one. Should the moveable grate be employed, a hole is
made in the front plate of the ash screen through which is passed a stud secured
to the front of the ash screen, and on the end of the stud is fitted a knob whereby
to push in and out the grate when required, and the grate is fitted with a stop.
But in order to enable my improvements to be better understood I will proceed
to describe the same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1
represents a sectional elevation of my improved ash pan made in two separate
parts; Figure 2, front view, and Figure 3 plan of the same; Figure 4 represents a
sectional elevation of ash pan with moveable grate, and Figure 5 plan of the
same. Similar letters of reference are employed to represent similar parts. A is
the bottom ash pan or receiver of ashes made with closed sides B and bottom C.
On the receiver is placed a top pan D made with slanting or angular sides E and F.
The sides E are made higher than the front and back end F. In the bottom part

page_text: of this top pan is fitted a cast iron grate G made with four lugs H and eight
projecting ends I which have slanting faces to fit the inclined sides E and F. The
plates of the top pan are secured to the grate lugs H by the pins or rivets J.
The ash pan with moveable grate is constructed with a bottom receiver A made
with closed sides B and bottom C; the bottom part K of the top pan D is made
larger than the grate G, and, by preference, about one and a half inches, to allow
for the slight inward and outward motion given to the grate when sifting cinders, the
under side of the grate rests on the lugs L secured in the inside of the top pan, and
on which slides the grate when pushed in and out, and the grate is kept in working
position by the slanting iron plates M, which are perforated with a series of small
holes N for the escape of the ashes, the cinders falling on the top of the grate and
remaining thereon until the top pan is lifted and the cinders thrown on the fire or
at the back of the fire place. In the front of the grate is fitted a rod O, which passes
over the bead P of the bottom pan or through an opening cut in the front plate;
on the end of the rod is secured a knob Q, whereby to push in and out the grate.
Over the top and in front of the top pan is fitted a Venetian ash screen R, the
back S fitting the front of the fire place.
Having thus described my improvements, and the best means I am acquainted
with for carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details shewn and described, as they may be varied,
and I would state in respect to this Invention, that I am aware that ash pans for
fire places have been made in two separate parts, that is to say, with cinder and
ash pans, to which I make no claim, but what I do claim is,-
Firstly. The peculiar construction and employment of ash pans for fire places
fitted with cast iron grates, by which means cheap ash pans suitable for the
working classes are produced, substantially as and for the purpose herein described
and as represented in the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. The construction and employment of ash pans having moveable
grates, substantially as hereinbefore described and as represented in the annexed
Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Banks, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
WALTER JAS. TURNER, C.E.,
Patent Agent,
Bradford.
BENJAMIN BANKS. (L.S.)