Year: 1886

page_text: I, JOHN JEX-LONG, of 11 Doune Terrace, Kelvinside, Glasgow, Lanarkshire,
Retired Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my invention, to be as
follows:-
My Invention has reference to certain improvements in and connected with the
construction of open burning domestic or room fire grates, and in their ventilating
fittings; which improvements will ventilate such fire grates more perfectly, and
render them more manageable for all kinds of houses and fire-places to suit or
to improve their draught or ventilation where this is defective or bad, and regulate
the degree of combustion according to the heat desired to be given out into the
room, and maintain a more uniform glowing and cheerful fire; all with a less
production and more complete combustion of smoke, and a greater economy of fuel
than has been the case with open fire grates as heretofore constructed.
The nature and novelty of my improvements consist in forming the upper part
of the front plate above the front bars and fire grate or box, of a hollow spheroidal
arch shape in elevation; and in forming the front rib or ribs of the grate or fire
box of a similar shape in the horizontal view or plan looking down and in the
reverse direction in the elevation in front; that is, having the upper horizontal
ribs projecting in a curve beyond the front plate of the grate, and the lower bars
curving inwards towards the bottom horizontal grate bars of the fire box. My
improvements further consist in forming and fitting within this arched or domed
space, a sheet of metal shaped like the segmint or sector of a hollow sphere, and
mounted on a longitudinal axis or spindle at and through the centre of its radii, in
bearings bored or formed in the sides and just above the back of the fire box, a
little above the level of the top ribs.
When this domed plate is tilted forward it would rest on and nearly coincide
with the front top bar or rib of the fire grate, and so close-in all the front top of
the fire-box, and thus form a blower to the fire; which would then only draw air
through the front and bottom grate bars, and radiate the heat out into the room
through between these. While this hollow deflecting top or blower is so tilted out
over the front of the grate, the hot flames and gases will be deflected out through
its open back section, (now in this position turned out forward) up a back division
of the chimney, divided off by a continuation of the back plate of the grate box
over the axis of the arch plate and the top. But when the domed plate is tilted
up in front to any desired distance to make the fire burn as an open fire on top, its
back edge would gradually close up the opening to the back division of the
chimney; and the front edge, as soon as it passed the vertical line of the front
plate of the grate and front wall of the chimney, would gradually open an entrance
EP 71

page_text: through the top arch into the front vertical division of the chimney for the flames
and hot gases to pass up. This front draught throat gradually opens as the back
blowing one closed down upon the back of the fire place, which would preferably
be built up level behind with the top of the fire grate in front. But for an
additional regulation of this back outlet at any position of the domed deflector or
blower, I mount a radial semicircular flat damper or throttling plate to oscillate on
the same axial line as the domed blower, to open or close this, according as either
is turned towards, or back from, the other. This turning of the deflector or its
throttle valve plate may be done in any convenient manner; but one very simple
and convenient arrangement, consists in mounting the one member on a central
spindle, and the other on a hollow spindle or sleeve eyes on this central spindle,
and fitting a screw wheel on each at opposite ends of their spindles; and in
mounting screw worms geared into and over each wheel, on the inner end of two
horizontal spindles, the outer ends of which spindles would be passed out through
round journal holes in the front plate of and on each side of the fire places, having
a small ornamental crank handle on each spindle, for turning the wheels on the
domed blower and its valve, so as to set these open or close in any desired position
according to the force of the draught and rate of combustion and exposure of the
open fire desired.
A further improvement consists in forming a draft outlet flue in the lower
central part of the back fire-brick and plate of the fire box close down to the
bottom grate bars, and leading this up through the back brick work into the back
division of the chimney; quite behind the back moving valve of the domed
chamber over the fire, which would be closed to both divisions of the chimney,
when this lower back flue is used for the purpose of burning downwards from the
front and top, where the domed top is opened to let in air for that purpose. This
back flue would be fitted with a closing or regulating throttle valve or damper
fitted with a lever or handle passing out through the front of the grate, for being
shut off when the fire is to be burned in the ordinary way upwards through the
fuel and either division of the chimney above.
This improved construction of grate and its outlet throat, produce so perfect a
draught that the front part of the spherical grate bars and seginental blower, can
project considerably more out in front of the grate than the ordinary fire grate, and
so diffuse the heat better out into the room without producing or letting out smoke
either while burning the fuel upwards or downwards as explained.
Although the top of the fire grate and its corresponding movable hollow
segmental domed deflector or blower, have been described as spherical, they
might be made flatter at their axes or poles when required for narrow grates, or
elongated towards these parts for wide grates in the form of the segment of a
lemon.
This improved fire grate so constructed, would preferably be fitted with a loose
movable set of light grate bars below those of the fire box, or it might be a cross
bar 'with stirring prongs projecting up between the spaces of the bottom grate bars,
for cleaning out the ashes through the bars by a handle for the purpose from time
to time as required. A Bunsen gas burner would also preferably be fitted up
through the centre of the bottom grate bars, the gas top of which would also be
controlled by a handle at the side of the fire grate, for the use of this burner for
kindling the fire or coals without other fire lighter; and even in summer time
when no regular fire was desired, this Bunsen burner could be used as a gas fire for
temporary boiling or cooking purposes.
+

page_text: I, JOHN JEX-LONG, of 11 Doune Terrace, Kelvinside, Glasgow, Lanarkshire,
Retired Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement in writing, reference being had to the accom-
panying sheet of Drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say
My said invention has reference to certain improvements in and connected with
the construction of open burning domestic or room firegrates and in their ven-
tilating fittings; which improvements will ventilate such: firegrates more perfectly,
and render them more manageable for all kinds of houses and fireplaces, to suit
or to improve their draught or ventilation where this is defective or bad, and
regulate the degree of combustion according to the heat desired to be given out
into the room, and maintain a more uniform glowing and cheerful fire; all with a
less production and more complete combustion of smoke, and a greater economy
of fuel than has been the case with open fire grates as heretofore constructed.
And in order that the full nature and novelty of my said invention and the mode
and means of putting the same into effect or practice may be properly understood,
I shall now proceed to describe the several figures on the Sheet of Drawings which
I have hereunto appended for that purpose, the same reference letters indicating
the same or like parts in the different figures where shown.
---
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a transverse vertical section and a sectional:
plan, each taken as on the lines 1--- 1 and 2 - - 2 on the other, of an ordinary wall
fireplace X and chimney Y, and of a portable room grate placed or fitted therein
and constructed in accordance with my invention, illustrative of one modification
or mode of putting the same into practice. Figure 3 is a vertical section corre-
sponding to Figure 1, but showing the movable parts of the grate in a different
position. Figures 4 and 5 are side elevations of a room fire-grate, also constructed
in accordance with the improvements of my Invention, and with the main moving
parts in the same or equivalent ventilating positions to Figures 1, 2, and 3, but
having these parts and their actuating and retaining mechanism somewhat different
in their shape and action from that shown in the first Figures 1 to 3. Figures 6
and 7 are respectively a horizontal section and a back elevation of the grate shown
in Figures 4 and 5, the former being taken on an irregular line through the fire
grate in Figure 5, and the latter Figure 7 with the ports in the position corre-
sponding to Figure 4.
In these Figures 1 to 7, A is the front plate with its beveled-in front cheeks A¹
usually screwed to the back of the former by snugs a, while A' is the inner side
cheeks forming the ends of the fire chamber B, and formed in one piece with the
back plate a carrying the bottom grating band back firebrick 62 and the front
fire bars B¹ of the fire-box or chamber B, the sides A³ being either cast in one with
the enclosing back uptake case A", and secured to the front cheek plate A' by
snugs at a shown in Figures 1 to 3, or otherwise cast in one with the cheek

page_text: plate A¹, when there is no back A, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, and resting on the
hearth stone at Z on the floor level, but as so far described the construction is much
as in ordinary room grates.
Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3, the nature and novelty of my improve-
ments consist in forming the upper part of the front cheek plate A¹ at a¹ above the
front bars B¹ and firegrate or box B, of a hollow spheroidal arch shape in elevation ;
and in forming the side cheeks, A² at a¹ and front rib or ribs B' of the grate or
fire-box B of a similar shape in the horizontal view or plan looking down as seen
particularly in Figures 1 and 2, that is, in the reverse direction in the front
elevation and having the upper horizontal ribs B¹ projecting in a curve beyond the
part a¹ of the front cheek plate A¹ of the grate; but the lower bars might be
curved inwards towards the bottom horizontal grate bars b of the fire-box when
desired.
A further improvement consists in forming and fitting within this arched or
domed space a¹, a sheet or cast metal case C, shaped like the segment or sector of
a hollow sphere in Figures 1 and 3, but elliptical in plan Figure 2, mounted on a
longitudinal central spindle d, which passes through eyes or a hollow spindle c in
the centre of its radii both carried in bearings bored in the cheeks A or formed in
the side brackets E, secured to the side cheeks A¹ or A' outside, and just above and
at the back a² of the fire-box B, a little above the level of the top ribs B¹. Thus
when the front edge C¹ of this domed plate or case C is turned or tilted forward on
its spindle c it would rest on and nearly coincide with the front top bar rib B¹ of
the fire-grate, and so close in all the front top of the fire-box B, and thus form a
blower to the fire within; which could then only draw air through the front and
bottom grate bars B¹, 6 6, and radiate the heat out into the room through between.
these. While this hollow deflecting top or blower C is so tilted out over the front
of the grate, as seen in this position in Figures 1 and 2, the hot flames and gases
are deflected out through its back edge or section C", now open, (when in this
position turned out forward,) up the back division or case A₁ to the chimney Y,
divided off at this part by a continuation of the back plate A³, of the grate box
over the axes c, d, of the arch plates C, D and the top at A³, and all indicated by
the arrows in Figure 1. But when the domed plate Ċ is tilted up in front to any
desired distance to make the fire burn as an open fire on top, its back edge C₁,
would gradually close up the opening to the back division A₁₁ of the grate to the
chimney Y, while the front edge C¹, as soon as it passed the vertical line a¹ of the
front cheek plate A¹ of the grate and front wall Y₁ of the chimney Y,—would
gradually open an entrance A³, at the top of the side cheeks A2 through the top
arch a¹ and front part of the chimney Y, for the flames and hot gases to pass up,
and shown fully opened up and indicated by the arrows in Figure 3. This front
draught throat A* gradually opens as the back blowing one at A, C, is closed
down upon a stop or rest piece R on the back uptake case A", which stop R
would preferably be fitted up level behind with the top of the fire grate in front to
form a stop and close up the back draught. But for an additional regulation of
the draught up this back outlet A¹ past its open back edge C₁ of the deflector or
blower C, in any raised forward position, I mount a radial semicircular flat damper
or throttling plate D to oscillate on the centre spindle d, in the same axial line c
as the domed blower C, to open or close this behind, according as either D or C is
turned towards, or back from, the other. This damper D is shown quite open in
Figure 1, and closed in Figure 3, but they may be turned to any intermediate
position. This turning of the deflector C or its damper throttle valve plate D,
may be done by any convenient screw or lever device, but one very simple arrange-
ment consists in mounting a screw wheel F' on one end of the central spindle d of
the damper valve D, and one F on the opposite end of the hollow spindle or sleeve
eye c of the deflecting blower C oscillating on this central spindle d; that is, on
opposite sides of the grate, and in mounting screw worms fi and f gearing into
and over each wheel and F, on the inner end of two horizontal spindles G¹
and G, carried in suitable bearings g¹ and g, secured or formed on the side plates A¹

page_text: of the grate or bracket E. The outer ends of these screw spindles G¹ and G are
passed out through their journal holes g in the front plate A¹ on each side of the
fireplace B, and have a small ornamental crank handles G2, G3, fitted on the
spindle G, G¹, for turning the screw and screw wheels f, F, on the domed blower C,
and those f¹, F1, on its damper valve D, so as to set these open or close or in any
desired intermediate position, according to the force of the draught and rate of
combustion and exposure of the open fire desired at the time being.
A further improvement consists in forming a draught outlet flue or openings 611
in the lower central part of the back firebrick 61 and plate a² of the fire-box B
close down to the bottom grate bars b, and leading this up through the back
uptake case A (or it might be brickwork into the back space of the chimney)
quite below and behind the back moving valve D, of the domed chamber Cover
the fire B, which would in general be closed to both divisions A1 and A2 of the
chimney when this lower back flue 61 is used for the purpose of burning the fuel
downwards from the front and top, when the domed top C is left open to let in air
for that purpose. The opening of this back flue 6" is fitted with a closing and
opening or regulating damper plate H behind sliding in guides H³, but it might
oscillate on hinges H¹; in either case it is fitted with a lever, rod and handle h h¹
passing out through the front plate A¹ at one side of the fire grate B, for being
shut off when the fire is to be burned in the ordinary way upwards through the
fuel and either division A* or A¹ of the grate and chimney above.
This improved firegrate so constructed, would preferably be fitted with a loose
movable sliding set of light cleaning grate bars 62, as shown fitted above the
ordinary bottom bars 6 (but a single sliding cross bar might be used instead, with
stirring prongs projecting on it up between the spaces of the bottom grate bars b);
in either case an oscillating hand lever or rod with handle b³, would be fitted at
one side of the fire plate A¹, for the purpose of cleaning out the ashes through
these bars b, from time to time as required. A Bunsen gas burner tube I is also
preferably fitted up to swivel on the joint coupling cock 11 of a gas pipe secured to
one side plate A¹ of the grate below the grate bars b, B¹; the pushing in or with-
drawing of this burner would put off or on the gas for using this burner to kindle
the fire or coals without other fire-lighters; or a special gas tap handle might be
used for this purpose; and even in summer time when no regular fire is desired,
this Bunsen burner I, could be used as a gas fire for temporary boiling or cooking
purposes within the grate B. The vertical plate a², which supports the lower
grate bars 6 and back fire brick b' with the flue openings 611 through it, has its
lower part or section a³ made loose and so mounted on hinges at a' to the fixed
part a above as to fold up behind into the space A¹ and allow any ashes which
may collect there by falling back through the openings 611, to be drawn forward
into the ashpit K below the fire-grate 6 for removal with the ash which falls
through the latter.
Although the top a¹ A³ of the firegrate and its correspondingly shaped movable
hollow segmental domed deflector or blower C, have been described so far more as
the section of a sphere or circular in transverse vertical section and elliptical in the
horizontal section, they might be made flatter at the poles or ends of their axles c
and d, when so required for grates which are narrow in their length and deeper
from front to back.
Referring to Figures 4 to 7: these show such an example in which the deflecting
blower C is made flat at the ends C, as also the cheeks A, as seen particularly in
Figure 6, and in this case it is formed with two end spindles c, which work out
through simple bush bearings E, formed with screwed-on covers in the back edge
of the cheeks A³, which are not here continued up as a channel (as at A³ in
Figures 1 to 3) but is cut away at A³ below and behind the arched part a² of the
front curved plate A¹ for the free escape of the gases or smoke up the chimney
either past the front edge C¹ of the blower C or its back open end Ci respectively,
according as the blower C is turned back or forwards, as indicated by the arrows
in Figures 5 and 4 respectively, where the blower is seen in its two extreme open

page_text: positions, the latter showing the swivelling sector C acting as a blower quite
closing up the fire B above and resting on the front grate bars B¹, corresponding to
the position shown in Figure 1. of the former arrangement; and the latter Figure 5
is shown fully open in front to allow the fire to burn nearly straight upwards at A³.
In this arrangement of the parts, the deflecting blower C is moved substantially as
described in reference to Figures 1 to 3, that is, by the screw wheel F, screw f, and
shaft G and handle G2, all on the right hand side of the fire-box B. But the arched
back damper plate D, is actuated by an arrangement of levers by hand and auto-
matically by and with the deflector C, and partially by the simple reciprocation of
a short hand rod at the left hand side of the grate, so as to shut or regulate the
amount of opening for the gases to pass upwards from the fire through the back
open end C, and which will not require the same attention or loss of time in
adjusting the relative positions of these two parts. In this case the damper plate D,
(which oscillates a certain distance into the back open end C of the deflector to
close it,) has two lateral cranked wings d and d¹ formed or secured on its two
forward lower ends, by journal holes in which it is mounted loose on the two ends
of the spindles c, c, of the deflector C, which project out beyond their journal bearing
plates A. The latter wing piece d' as seen in side view in Figures 4, and 5, is made
of an irregular segmental cam shape on its lower edge, with two actuating and
retaining gabs or gaps d' and d³, into which a lateral pin or projection e works,
formed on the upper short arm e¹ of the bent double armed hand acting lever e', e²,
which is fulcrumed on a fixed stud el, projecting from the side cheek A²; and to
the long lower arm e³ of this lever an acting band rod e³ is connected and guided
out through the front plate A¹ to be worked outside as required. A short lever J
is secured on the spindle c of the deflecting blower C just in front of the gab
wing d' having a lateral projection J¹ on its outer end projecting over the upper
front edge of this wing d¹, so that as the blower C is turned forward by its screw
gear and handle G2, the projection J¹ of the lever J acts on the top of the wing d₁
of the back damper plate D to automatically raise it behind and bring the gap d²
50 as to embrace the lateral projection e of the hand lever e¹, e. Thus insuring a
sufficient opening at A" past the back open end C of the blower C before it shuts
down on the ribs B¹ in front and at the same time putting the hand lever e¹ e³ in
acting position in the gab d², all as shown in this position in Figure 4, so that by
pulling out the handle e³ in front, the back plate D may be still further closed to
regulate the back opening; or close it altogether within the back end C of the
blower C, either for allowing the draught and gases to pass off through the
openings 6 in the back 61 of the fire box B, by opening the back hinged
plate H, H¹, by the hand rod and handle h¹, h², fitted at one side and in front of
the grate; or otherwise when the gases have to be passed up through the opening
at A³ behind the arch of the front plate A¹ and past the front end C₁ of the
deflector C, as seen in this position in Figure 5. This closing of the back plate D
within the back end of the deflector C, is also effected automatically by the move-
ment of the deflector as it is raised by its screw gearing and handle G², just as
it opens the aperture A³, past its front end C¹, by the upward motion of the
lever J, J, which comes in contact with the upper short arm j of the lever j j¹
mounted loose on the outer end of the spindle c, and causes a projection" on the
lower arm of this lever to push forward the lower arm e² of the hand lever e¹ e²,
and so close the back damper D and end C" of the deflector C automatically as it
opens its front end O¹, as indicated in this position of the parts in Figure 5. "When
the plate D is thus closed into the back end C₁ of the deflector C, block pieces D¹
at each side fit and bear upon corresponding checks c¹ formed in the back edges of
the deflector C, so as to prevent all outlet past the back edges of the side cheek
plates A of the grate and at the same time allow the deflector C, while being
moved by its screw gear and handle G³ to regulate the opening and draught past
its two ends C¹ and C as previously explained, to move or carry its closing
plate D along with it. In this example Figures 4 to 7 the grid plate 6 for
cleaning and freeing the ash from the lower grate.bars b, is mounted above these

page_text: and actuated by a short lever and oscillating spindle and handle 63, fitted at the
right hand side of the grate a little below the screw spindle and handle G, G¹, of
the deflector, as seen in Figures 6 and 7. As all the other parts in these Figures 4
to 7 are essentially similar and lettered the same as in the former Figures 1 to 3
and their description, these will apply here also and make their construction and
action clear without further reference. The arrows show the direction of the
draught and escape of the gases from the fire grate or box B and through the
different escaping throats in all the Figures where indicated.
Although in these Figures 1 to 7, only part of the ends of the hollow deflecting
blower C has been made flat, and the cicumferential part made of a flat arch to
suit for curved ribs in the plan, yet still it is to be understood that they might be
made wholly flat at the ends, and only arched in the side view, and made straight
in the circumferential side view to suit straight ribbed grates, that is as the section
of a cylinder instead of the section of a sphere or ellipse.
This improved construction of grate with its outlet throats A³, A", and b¹¹,
produces so perfect a draught that the front part of the curved grate bars B¹ and
blower C can project considerably further out in front of the grate box B and
front plate A A than ordinary fire-grates, and so diffuse the heat better out into
the room without producing or letting out smoke either while burning the fuel
upwards through the openings A³ or A past the front or back open end C¹ or C
of the blower C, or downwards through the opening 6 in the back 6¹ of the fire-
box B, all as explained.
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. The general construction, or arrangement and combination of the movable
parts of room fire-grates, and the mode and means of actuating the same, all
substantially in the new or improved manner and for the purposes herein described
in reference to and shown and distinguished in Figures 1 to 3 and 4 to 7 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction of room fire-grates with a deflecting blower C of a
hollow arched section over the fire-box B, combined with a movable back closing
plate or damper D of a corresponding shape, and both actuated in the same axial
horizontal line for regulating the draught either from a throat over the fire at A³
or at the back A", substantially as herein described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Third. In room-fire-grates, the construction and arrangement of an opening and
closing draught throat 6 and damper H at the back of the fire-box B, and the
fitting and arranging of a swivelling Bunsen gas burner I, 11, to such grates, all
substantially as and for the purposes herein described, and shown in the accom-
panying Drawings.