An Improved Method and Apparatus for Supporting Articles of Earthenware or Porcelain whilst being Fired.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 18th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 1st Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method and Apparatus for Supporting Articles of
Earthenware or Porcelain whilst being Fired.
I, JOHN ALFRED EDWARDS King Street, Fenton, Staffordshire Manufacturer of
Stilts, Spurs &c. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a special construction of props or supports, whereby I
support articles of Earthenware or Porcelaine, with their face downwards, whilst
being fired, and by which means I am also enabled to place the ware closer together
than is now possible.
In the first part of my invention I make props, of Earthenware or other suitable
material, consisting of a series of hollow cones, which I place one above another. In
this instanco I place the small end of the cone upwards. Upon the outer surface of
these cones I raise a suitable number of inclined knife-edged projections. The whole
prop when put together presents an outline similar to that of a saw. I place three or
more props, constructed as described round the inside of the saggar. I rest the ware
on the inclined knife edges, face downwards. The inclined knife edges, bearing at
an angle against the extreme periphery of the article to be fired, the piece of ware is
formed, as it were, into an arch, and the ware is less liable to the sinking or distortion
which might otherwise occur.
In another method I reverse the position of the hollow cones, and place the base
upwards. In this method I raise the knife-edged projections from the base of the
cone at any suitable angle. 1 may project them from the side of the cone if desired.
1 rest the ware on these knife-edges as before described.
In another part of my invention I apply my method of placing flat ware to loose
pieces, which I support as described in Leak & Edwards' Patent No. 4298, A.D. 1878.
form on that portion of the loose piece projecting from the standard, an inclined
knife-edged projection, & place the flat ware thereon with its face downwards as already
described.
In another part of my invention I insert loose pieces into holes in the side of the
saggar or pillar. These pieces have inclined knife-edges projecting as before
described.
In another part of my invention I make these props in one piece, instead of a series
of pieces as described. In this method also I form the face which presents itself to
the ware, similar to the teeth of a saw, but with knife-edges.
I fix these props, whether in loose pieces in a standard, or composed of cones as
described, in suitable feet or rings in the usual way.
I may use any combination of the arrangements herein described to carry out
my invention.
JOHN A. EDWARDS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method and Apparatus for Supporting Articles of
Earthenware or Porcelain whilst being Fired.
1, JOHN ALFRED EDWARDS, King Street, Fenton, Staffordshire, Manufacturer of
Stilts, Spurs, etc., 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 :-
My invention relates to a special construction of props or supports, whereby 1
support articles of earthenware or porcelain, with their face downwards, whilst being

page_text: fired, and by which means I am also enabled to place the ware closer together than is
now possible.
In carrying out this invention the plate, dish, or other article of earthenware or
porcelain to be fired, is supported inside the saggar face downwards, by inclined knife
edged projections which bear against the the extreme periphery of the piece of ware
which latter being formed as it were into an arch is less liable to sinking or distortion,
and by resting on the knife edges is but very slightly marked.
The props or supports furnished with the said inclined knife edged projection or
projections may be constructed in various ways, such as illustrated for instance by
Figs. 1 to 14 of the accompanying drawings, to which I will first refer, where the
props or supports consist of a series of hollow conical or taper sections or parts
similar to those at present in use except that they are provided with the said inclined
knife edged projection or projections for supporting the ware face downwards in the
manner indicated above. Of these Figures, Fig. 1 represents in sectional elevation
and Fig. 2 in plan, some plates supported with their face downwards by props or
supports constructed according to this invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of
one of the said props or supports and Fig. 4 represents in sectional elevation and
Fig. 5 in elevation and in plan a hollow conical or taper section of the same provided
with a downwardly inclined knife edged projection, and Figs. 6 to 14 both inclusive
represent modified forms of the hollow conical or taper parts for forming the said props
or supports as hereinafter fully described.
The same letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding parts in all the
Figures of the drawings.
According to this part of my invention the said props consist of a series of hollow
conical or taper sections marked a placed one above another the small end being
upwards and engaging with the section above it and each furnished with one or more
inclined knife edged projections, marked b, so that the whole prop when put together
(as represented in Figs. 1 and 3) presents an outline similar to that of a saw. These
props are maintained the proper distance apart by the lower section fitting on to an
inclined pipe formed on the usual ring c, and an ordinary ring or cover (not shewn
on the drawings) fits upon the top of the prop in the ordinary way. Or, instead of
employing a complete ring c, a foot of the usual kind provided with an inclined pipe
on to which the prop fits way be used, or I may use a foot or ring provided with a
hole for the props to rest in, or I may use the props without any foot or ring if desired.
I place three or more props constructed in this manner round the inside of the saggar
and 1 rest the plates d or other flat ware on the inclined knife edges 6 face downwards
(see Fig. 1). By the inclined knife edges bearing at an angle against the extreme
periphery of the plate d or other article of flat-ware to be fired, it will be seen that
the ware is formed, as above stated, into an arch and is thus less liable to the sinking
or distortion which sometimes occurs under the present system of placing with
thimbles, stilts, spurs etc. and the plates dishes saucers or other articles of flat-ware
can be placed much closer together than is possible with the thimbles or other supports
at present used. It will also be seen that the face of the ware is not liable to the dirt
or stilt and spur marks which do sometimes disfigure it under the present system of
placing. The hollow conical or taper section a illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
has a base of circular, or somewhat circular, form and has a Hat part a¹ inside
which fits against a corresponding flat part a formed on the outside of the section
above it so that, when the parts a are placed together in any number required to
form the complete prop, their inclined knife edged projections will all be in the
same line.
As before stated the said sections may be formed with either one or
more inclined knife edged projections as for instance in the example illustrated
by Fig. 6 which is furnished with three of these inclined knife edged projections.
The example illustrated by Fig. 7 is similar to that shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
except that instead of the inclined knife edged projection b being Hush with the base
it starts a short distance above the same. The example illustrated by Fig. 8 is also
similar to those above described except that it is furnished with two flat sides opposite
each other from one of which the inclined knife edged projection b projects. The base

page_text: of the hollow taper section illustrated by Fig. 9 is of triangular form the inclined knife
edged projection being provided at each corner, and the modification illustrated by
Fig. 10 is similar to this except that the inclined knife edges project from the sides.
The base of the examples illustrated by Figs. 11 and 12 are of rectangular form an
inclined knife edged projection b being provided on one of the sides of the same the
said projection being flush with the base in Fig. 11, and a short distance above the
same in the example illustrated by Fig. 12. I find it is sometimes convenient to make
the said inclined knife edged projection or projections & separate and removable from
the hollow conical or taper sections a so that they can be readily renowed. This can
be done in various ways for example as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 where the back b¹
of the inclined knife edged projecting part b is formed so as to engage with a corre-
sponding recess a³ provided on the hollow taper part a.
Another method of carrying out my invention is illustrated by Figs. 17 to 28 of
the accompanying drawings in which the position of the hollow conical or taper sections
with which the inclined knife edges are formed is the reverse of that hereinbefore
described and illustrated by Figs. 1 to 14. In this case, as seen by Figs. 17 and 18,
the base is placed upwardly and the knife edged projections are raised from the base or
from the side or sides of the hollow inclined parts a at the required angle to support
the plates or other flat-ware in the manner hereinbefore described. One of the hollow
conical or taper sections a forming the props represented by Figs. 17 and 18 is shewn
separately by Fig. 19 where it will be seen to be of similar form to that herein before
described and illustrated by Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 except that the position of the
inclined knife edged projection relatively to the part a is reversed. The examples
illustrated respectively by Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 are similar to the
examples illustrated by Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 respectively, except that, as in
the example illustrated by Fig. 19, the position of the inclined knife edged projection
or projections bis or are reversed relatively to the parts a, so that the parts a can be
used with their base upwards in the manner illustrated by Figs. 17 and 18. Figs. 27
and 28 illustrate how a detachable inclined knife edged projection or projections b
can be removably attached to a hollow conical or taper part a when fixed with its base
upwardly, a recess a³ being formed with the said part a with which the back b¹ engages
so as to be secured thereto.
b
Fig. 53 illustrates in sectional olevation and in plan a further modification of my
invention in which each of the taper sections forming the prop are provided with a
shoulder at near its upper end upon which the next section above it rests. One of
these sections is shewn separately by Fig. 54. The sections forming the prop
illustrated by Fig. 55 are similar to those illustrated by Fig. 53 except that the
upper part a above the shoulder is in this example rectangular as will be seen
more clearly by an examination of Fig. 56 which illustrates one of these sections
separately. In the example illustrated by Figs. 57 and 58 the taper sections a
forming the prop are each in the form of a triangular pyramid the apex of which
enters a corresponding hole in the base of the section above it.
In another part of my invention I apply my method of placing flat ware to loose
pieces, which I support either by pillars or by the saggar as described in Leak
and Edward's Patent No. 4298 A.D. 1878. Four examples of these loose pieces
for fixing to a ribbed standard, or to ribs in or on the saggar sides, are illustrated
by Figs. 32, 33, 34 and 35 by which it will be seen that each of the loose pieces
is provided with an inclined knife edged projection band is also formed for
engaging with a rib on the pillar or standard or a rib in or on the saggar side.
The back of the example illustrated by Fig. 32 for instance is formed with a
dove-tailed notch f which engages with a corresponding dove-tailed rib g on the
standard h (see Fig. 31) or with a similar dove tailed rib g formed on or in the
side of the saggar as illustrated by Fig. 47. In Fig. 33 the notch f at the back
of the loose piece is formed with double inclines to engage with a rib on the
pillar or saggar of corresponding form. Similarly in the example illustrated by
Fig. 34 the notch at the back of the loose piece is made circular and the rib
with which it engages would also be of this shape; and in the example illustrated

page_text: .
by Fig. 35 the notch fis made quadrilateral to engage with a rib of corresponding
form. Figs. 37, 38, 39 and 40 illustrate various forms of loose pieces constructed
according to this invention for engaging in a groove in the pillar or in the saggar.
A pillar of this kind is illustrated by Fig. 36 and a saggar provided with vertical
grooves for the loose pieces is illustrated by Fig. 46. In the example illustrated
by Fig. 37 the shank part of the loose piece is made of a dove-tailed form to
fit into a corresponding groove in the pillar (see Fig. 36) or in the side of
the saggar (see Fig. 46). In Fig. 38 the shank i is made circular, in the example
illustrated by Fig. 39 the shank is rectangular, and in the example illustrated
by Fig. 40 the shank is somewhat of a diamond shape; the grooves in the
pillar or in the saggar with which these loose pieces are to be used being made
of corresponding form as will readily be understood. In the examples illustrated
by Figs. 42, 43 and 44 the loose piece is provided with a shank adapted for fitting
in holes in the standard or in the saggar sides. These shanks are preferably taper
and are made of a shape corresponding with the holes in the pillar or in the saggar
side. In the example illustrated by Fig. 42 this shank kis made triangular in cross
section in Fig. 43 the said shank is rectangular in cross section, and in Fig. 44
the said shank is D-shaped in cross section. Fig. 41 illustrates as an example a
pillar of this kind provided with triangular holes for loose pieces of the kind illustrated
by Fig. 42, and 45 shews a saggar provided with triangular holes for similar loose
pieces.
In another part of my invention as illustrated by Figs. 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 I
make the props in one piece instead of a series of separate pieces as above described.
The face of the prop which is required to present itself to the wear is made similar to
the teeth of a saw, but with knife-edges. The prop illustrated in elevation by Fig. 48
and in plan by Fig. 49 is provided with three rows of these inclined knife edged teeth
or projections b; and the prop illustrated by Figs. 50 and 51 is provided with one
row, this prop is of a D shape in cross section. Fig. 52 illustrates a modified form
which is rectangular in cross section. It is to be understood that the said props,
whether composed of conical or taper sections or made as loose pieces attached to a
standard, may be either fixed in suitable feet or rings or if desired used without feet.
or rings or they may be supported by engaging with the sides of the saggar in the
usual way.
I may use any combination of the props or supports herein described for supporting
by inclined knife edged projections the plates dishes saucers or other flat ware face
downwards as above described.
The particular sections or parts forming the props or supports above described and
illustrated by Figs. 1 to 58 both inclusive are applicable only for plates, dishes,
saucers, and other flat-ware, but it will be evident that by simply making the said
sections or parts deeper so that the knife edged projections will be farther apart they
will be suitable for supporting basins and other articles of a deep form; for instance as
illustrated by Figs. 59 and 60 where the sections a are of the well known form for
supporting basins m except that the upper part a³ of each is formed so as to fit
into a corresponding hole a in the base of the next section above it.
In conclusion I would state that I do not make any exclusive claim to props or
supports formed of conical or taper sections or parts fitting one within the other, as I
am well aware that such props were well known prior to my invention; and I am
also aware that props have been made on which basins have been placed face down-
wards but these props have been made in separate pieces not having any socket so as
to fit together and not being formed so as to engage with pillars or with the sides of a
saggar, but they have simply rested on one another thereby rendering them very liable
to fall or turn over and less convenient for use than are those constructed according
to this invention.
I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the precise forms of the
sections or loose pieces herein described and illustrated, the same being intended as
examples, as it will be evident that supporting pieces for attachment to each other or
to props or saggars and provided with inclined knife-edged projections for the
purposes

page_text: specified could be made of other shapes without departing from the nature of my
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is:
1. The improved method of supporting plates dishes saucers basins and other
articles of earthenware or porcelain whilst being fired, hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings, which consists in the employment of inclined
knife edged projections upon which the extreme peripheries of the plates dishes saucers
basins or other earthenware or porcelain articles rest, the said knife edged projections
being formed with conical or taper sections or parts arranged to fit together or made
so as to connect to pillars or to connect to saggar sides or formed in a series one above
the other in a piece with a standard, for the purposes and substantially as hereinbefore
set forth.
2. The combination with earthenware or like conical or taper sections or parts
constructed so as to fit one within or on another, of inclined knife edged projections
formed therewith or secured thereto in either of the several ways substantially
as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings for the purposes set
forth.
3. The combination with earthenware or like sections or parts constructed so as to fit
and connect to a pillar or standard, of inclined knife edged projections formed there-
with substantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings and for
the purposes set forth.
4. The combination with earthenware or like sections or parts constructed so as to
fit in recesses in, or on ribs on, the inside of the sides of saggars, of inclined knife
edged projections formed therewith substantially as described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings and for the purposes set forth.
5. The combination with earthenware or like pins or parts constructed so as to fit
in holes in the sides of saggars, of inclined knife edged projections formed therewith
substantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings and for the
purposes set forth.
6. The combination with an earthenware or like pillar for use in saggars, of one or
more series of inclined knife edged projections formed in a piece therewith substantially
as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings and for the purposes set
forth.
Dated this 16th dev of December 1889
JOHN ALFRED EDWARDS.