Improvements in and relating to Open Register and the like Grates.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Open Register and the like Grates.
We, ROBERT JAMES SPREADBURY, 50, Elphinstone Road, Gas Engineer; CLEMENT
SILVANUS HIDE, 3, Greville Houses, Old London Road, Ore, Builder, and WILLIAM
HEWLETT, 43, Milward Road, Gas Inspector, all of Hastings, in the County of
Sussex, 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:-
Our application for Letters Patent relates to an improved construction of open
grate especially suited for domestic fireplaces, and applicable to ordinary register
grates of the usual pattern. It is also applicable to open fireplaces of most kinds,
such for instance as open kitchen ranges and the like. When applied to the
register grate of the ordinary kind the only alteration rendered necessary is the
removal of the hinged lid at the back of the grate.
Our improved construction of grate secures the following advantages:
1. The fire is caused to be brilliantly incandescent throughout. It is thus
possible to burn coke in such an open grate without the aid of coal, and without
causing fumes in a room.
2. The parts forming our improvement are easily attachable to existing register
stoves without structural alteration.
3. The improvements when added to the ordinary fire place are sightly, and cause
no obstruction in the grate itself.
4. There is an improved radiation of heat into the room through the special
construction of the apparatus.
5. The appearance of the stove when fitted with our apparatus is greatly
improved.
6. Smoky or troublesome chimneys will be cured by the use of this apparatus.
In consequence of the decreased smoke and more perfect combustion the danger
of setting fire to chimneys is practically obviated.
7. A perfect regulation of the draught is attainable and the same can be adjusted
according to the fuel to be consumed, and the amount of heat required.
8. The invention is applicable to gas fires."
In order that our apparatus may be understood and the best method of carrying
the invention into effect be more clearly set forth we will proceed to describe the
same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a register grate fitted with our invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of a modified form of the apparatus especially applicable
to certain purposes as hereinafter set forth.
Figure 3 is a section of Figure 2 on the liner.
Figure 4 is a view of a device for attaching the adjustable hood hereinafter
described to an ordinary register grate.
In these drawings the same letters indicate like parts throughout.
A represents the burning fuel in an ordinary register grate B with the usual
fireclay back C and cast iron plate D, which has served as the support for the

page_text: ordinary register closing plate which has been removed. Over this plate 1) or
attached in any other way to the corresponding part of the grate, we place the cast
iron hinge plate E to form the support for the hinged adjustable double back
plate F. The base of the plate F is prolonged in front at f to form a support for
the hinged hanging plate G which depends from the said plate F and forms an
open space at the back of the fire place as shewn in the drawing. The effect of
this hanging plate G is to cause the draught ascending between the plates F to
be drawn from the back of the fire and through the fuel of the grate, thus causing
a constant powerful current of air from all sides through the burning mass, and
giving a rapid and intense combustion. The combustion products from the grate
pass mostly to the back of the fire behind the plate G and flow upwards in the
direction indicated by the arrows between the plates of F and out at the top thereof.
Here they are met by the adjustable hood or bonnet H and are turned inwards and
downwards towards the chimney by the fixed projection I, around which they
escape into the flue. The double plate F' may be adjusted at the required angle
and secured in place by any convenient device such as for instance by the bolted
hook K shewn in the drawing. The removable hood or bonnet H is secured to
the front of the register grate at the required angle by means of the device shewn
in Figure 4. It is hinged to the front of the stove at the point h, and possesses
moreover two attachments, such as shown in Figure 4 which clamp it to the sides
of the register grate, and hold it firmly in position at any angle, the screws 1 of the
said device being passed through corresponding holes in the hood or bonnet and
screwed into the ball which in turn is pivoted to the crook 3 fastened over the
edge of the grate. The bonnet H is thus held firmly in place at any angle.
The draught of the improved grate will pass mostly up between the plates of F
as already described, a portion, however, of the combustion gases will pass upwards
from the top of the fire in the usual manner and escape under the hood into the
chimney. The powerful current induced by the gases Howing between the heated
walls of F causes this outer-draught to be much quicker than usual, and no com-
bustion products can pass into the room.
In the drawing, Figure 1, the plates of the piece Fare shewn as connected
firmly together at a fixed distance apart by means of the bolt and screw L, as well
as by the end walls thereof. It is, however, desirable in most instances that the
aperture between these plates and consequently the draught, should be adjustable.
This object may be attained by placing a damper or a shutter between the plates,
operated by means of a handle or screw from the front or end of the plates, whereby
the aperture may be more or less closed. Or especially in the case of an apparatus
designed, for use with gas fuel the two plates may be so connected together below
that they may be drawn nearer together above, and thus automatically regulate
the draught to the desired degree. The piece F may be constructed in various
modifications as may be found desirable.
Figures 2 and 3 shew one such modification. In this the plates are not only
joined together at their outer edges but are provided internally with a series of ribs
or divisions which serve to keep the draught uniformly spread over the interior
of the apparatus, and prevent it going more to one side than the other. Moreover
the outlet into the chimney is through slots at the back as indicated by the arrow
in the sectional drawing. These arrangements may be modified or combined
as may be found desirable. Thus in the case of a fire intended to burn principally
coke a very considerable space may be supplied for the draught, whilst in the case
of an asbestos fire and gas fuel it would be advisable to restrict the draught to an
amount merely sufficient to carry off the combustion products.
If found requisite the various parts of the apparatus subjected to the action of
the fire may be protected in the wellknown manner, as for instance, by placing
countersunk plates of fire clay or the like against the face exposed to the fire.
Such constructional modifications do not interfere with the principle of our inven-
tion.

page_text: The material of which we prefer to construct our apparatus is cast iron for the
draught plates and the like, and wrought iron or brass for the adjustable hood,
but any other suitable substances may be utilized if found more desirable. The
apparatus may be ornamented or shaped as may be desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is: -
1. In combination with a register or like grate, a double draught plate such as F',
constructed and operating substantially as described.
2. In combination with a register or like grate, a hollow draught plate, a hinged
baffle plate between the fuel and the back of the grate, and an adjustable bonnet
or hood substantially as described.
3. In combination with a draught improving device for open fires, an adjustable
bonnet or hood such as H, and means for securing the same in place substantially
as described and illustrated in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The combination of parts forming the draught improver for register and like
grates constructed and operating substantially as described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Dated the 4th day of February 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicants.