Year: 1899

page_text: I, WILLIAM HENRY KEMBER, of 14, Ampthill Square, Regents Park, in the
County of Middlesex, Watch Manufacturer, "do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to improvements in or connected with coal traps or
plates.
It is well known that pedestrians frequently meet with accidents in con-
sequence of the insecure state of the coal plates or traps which occur at short
intervals in the pavement whilst an unfastened plate provides a convenient means
of access for the burglar and it is also well known that when a coal plate is
fastened by the existing means a difficulty is met with in unlocking and raising
it into a position to enable it to be removed.
Now the objects of the present invention are to provide a simple and inexpen-
sive means of overcoming the difficulties above pointed out.
For this purpose a seat is provided for the coal plate around the usual cellar
hole in the pavement and this seat is preferably lined with an iron ring.
The coal plate is designed to fit into the seat and at one point in its circum-
ference is provided with a stud or studs to engage a hole or recess or recesses pro-
vided in the seat or with a catch to engage under the seat whilst at a diametrically
opposite point on its under side the plate is provided with a pendent arm hinged
thereto and which at its lower end is weighted and provided with a horizontal
projection.
The pendent arm is so arranged that in its normal position its projection will
engage a downward projection from the ring or seat or the ring or seat itself
or otherwise secure the coal plate against rising by which means the coal plate
will be automatically and firmly locked against accidental or unauthorised move-
ment.
In order to unlock and raise the coal plate at the desired times a lever is
provided which is mounted upon an axis fixed to the roof of the cellar or in other
convenient place and this lever is at one end counter weighted and rounded or
inclined and provided with a shoulder so that when that end is raised the incline
will force the pendent arm into such a position that its projection is out of
engagement with the co-acting means whilst the shoulder will engage the lower
end of the pendent arm and raise one side of the coal plate into a position to be
grasped by the hand of a person on the pavement above.
The opposite end of the lever is provided with a pendent chain or the like
terminating in a ring by which means the lever may be manipulated and by
placing the ring upon a hook held in its raised position.
By the means hereinbefore described a coal plate will be securely locked against

page_text: accidental or unauthorised movement, whilst when desired it may be instan-
taneously released and raised into a position for removal by the ordinary domestic
servant.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
Birkbeck Bank Chambers,
Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.
Improvements in or connected with Coal Traps or Plates.
I, WILLIAM HENRY KEMBER, of 14, Ampthill Square, Regents Park, in the
County of London, Watch 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 improvements in or connected with coal traps or plates.
It is well known that pedestrians frequently meet with accident in consequence
of the insecure state of the coal plates and manhole covers which occur at short
intervals in the pavement while an unfastened plate provides a convenient means
of access for burglars and it is also well known that when a coal plate is fastened
by the existing means a difficulty is met with in unlocking and raising it into a
position to enable it to be removed.
Now the objects of the present invention are to provide a simple and inexpen-
sive means of overcoming the difficulties above mentioned and for this purpose
provide a seating for the coal plate around the usual cellar hole in the pavement
and this seating is preferably lined with or composed of an iron ring. The
coal plate is designed to fit into the seating and at one or more points in its cir-
cumference is provided with a stud or studs or a lug or lugs to engage with one
or more holes or recesses formed in the seating or with a catch lug or lugs to
engage with the underside of the seating, while at a diametrically opposite point
on its underside the plate is provided with a pendant arm hinged thereto and
which at its lower end is weighted and provided with a horizontal projection
or catch.
The pendant arm is so arranged that in its normal position the projection or
catch thereof will engage with a catch or projection formed in one with or
attached to the seating or the metal ring lining the same or otherwise secure the
coal plate from being raised accidentally or by unauthorised persons. In order
to unlock the coal plate and at the same time raise the same when desired I
provide a suitable lever which is mounted on an axis fixed to the roof of the
cellar or to the seating or to any other convenient support and this lever is at
one end counterweighted and rounded or inclined and provided with a shoulder
so that when one end of the lever is depressed the other end thereof is raised and
the incline will force the pendant arm into such a position that the projection or
catch thereon is released from engagement with the co-acting means while the
shoulder will engage the lower end of the pendant arm and raise one side of the
coal plate into a position in which it may be grasped by the hand of a person on
the pavement above.
The lever may be provided with a pendant chain or cord by means of which the
lever may be manipulated and by securing the cord or chain to a cleat or hook
the plate may be held in its raised position.

page_text: Fig. 1 represents section of a coal plate and seating constructed according to
this invention.
Fig. 2 is view of underside of same.
Fig. 3 shews locking gear only when locked.
Fig. 4 shews same unlocked and raising the coal plate.
The same letters denote the same parts in all the figs.
a is the coal plate, 6 the seating which is preferably made of cast iron in the
form of a ring of ✓ section as shewn and having a projecting flange on which
rests the plate a.
The plate a may be of cast iron with a non-slipping upper surface and provided
on its underside with strengthening ribs and lugs or ears f g is a pendant arm
counterweighted as shewn and which oscillates on a pin secured in the lugs or
ears and provided with a projection or catch piece i which engages when the
arm g is in the position shewn by Figs. 1 and 3 with a projection j on a bracket k
secured by screws bolts or rivets to the frame b.
7 is a lever which oscillates on a pin m secured in the bracket k to one end of
which lever is attached a cord or chain n.
The other end of the lever bears against the catch piece i on the arm g and
terminates in a hook o which is adapted to engage with the catch piece i of the
arm g (see Fig. 4).
9 are lugs on the plate which engage with the underside of the flange c.
To ensure the plate being placed in the seating in the correct position for
locking a lugr may be formed on the seating to fit between the lugs q q.
As soon as the plate is placed in the proper position and allowed to fall it is
automatically locked and cannot be raised until the catch pieces and are dis-
engaged one from the other.
To unlock the plate the cord or chain is pulled and the portion of the lever 1
which bears against the catch piece i causes the arm g to move to the right (see
Fig. 4) releasing the catch piece i from the projection j and unlocking the plate.
the further motion of the lever causes the hook o at the end thereof to engage with
the portion of the arm and if the motion of the lever is continued still further
the hook portion thereof raises the arm q as shewn by dotted lines Fig. 4 and
with it that side of the coal plate to which the arm is attached high enough
to enable the plate a to be grasped by the hand and removed from the seating.
The means herein before described enable a coal plate to be securely locked
against accidental or unauthorised movement vet when desired it may
instantaneously released and raised into a position for easy removal by any ordinary
domestic servant.
be
This invention is also applicable to street manhole covers of various kinds as
well as to coal plates.
In cases where the cover cannot be unlocked from below a hole may be made in
the pavement through which a bar may be introduced to press down the end of the
lever 1.
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:
a
1. In a coal plate or manhole cover the combination of a plate or cover
seating h, a counterweighted pendant arm 9 hinged or otherwise attached to the
plate a, a catch piece i on the arm g adapted to engage with a projection or catch i
on a bracket & secured to the seating b, a lever 7 pivotted to the bracket & adapted
to bear against and engage with the catch piece i and lugs qq adapted to engage
with the flange of the seating b all substantially as specified and for the purpose
stated.

page_text: 2. In coal plates and manhole covers the locking and raising devices sub-
stantially as described and shewn.
3. Coal plates and manhole covers and locking and raising devices therefor
constructed as shewn by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of May 1900.
T. E. HALFORD,
82, Mark Lane, London, EC.. Agent for Applicant.