IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SWEEPING AND CLEANSING CHIMNEYS OR FLUES, AND EXTINGUISHING FIRES THEREIN, WHICH WE INTEND TO CALLED RAMONEUR
Year: 1842

page_text: DESANGES AN
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wc, Sir
FRANCIS DESANGES, of Upper Seymour Street, Portman Square, Knight of the
Order of the Bath, and ANGUISHI HONOUR AUGUSTUS DURANT, of Long Castle,
Shropshire, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Seventh day of March, in the fifth year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said Sir
Francis Desanges and Anguish Honour Augustus Durant, Her especial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said Sir Francis Desanges
and Anguish Honour Augustus Durant, our exors, adñññors, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said Sir Francis Desanges and Anguish Honour
Augustus Durant, our exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SWEEPING AND CLEANSING CHIMNEYS
OR FLUES, AND EXTINGUISHING FIRES THEREIN, WHICH WE INTEND TO CALLED
RAMONEUR;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that we,
the said Sir Francis Desanges and Anguish Honour Augustus Durant, or one
of us, shall cause a particular description of the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and imme-

page_text: diately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by
the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Sir Francis Desanges and Anguish Honour Augustus Durant, do hereby
declare that the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which the same
is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Sir Francis Desanges and Anguish Honour Augustus Durant, do hereby
declare that the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which the same
is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say)
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents part of a rod for working a suitable brush for sweeping
or cleansing chimneys and flues, the parts being connected by a joint constructed
according to part of our Invention; Figure 2 shows a section of the parts
represented at Figure 1; and Figure 3 shews the same parts folded, and partly
in section.
I
«t, b, represents the two parts of the rod, which are connected together in such
manner as to be capable of bending in any direction which the construction of a
chimney or flue may require. On the end of the part of the rod a is affixed the
metal tube c, at the upper end of which is aflixed one portion of the universal
point d; this part of the joint consists of a concave socket, as is shown, through
which the rod e passes, and at the lower part of the rod e is fixed a disc or
plate, on which rests the end of the spring g, the other end of the spring
resting below the disc or plate h, through which the rod e moves freely; this
spring has at all times a tendency to draw the convex part i of the universal
joint into the socket, and consequently to keep the parts of the rod a, b, in a
straight line; but when the upper part 6 of the rod is caused to incline, as is
indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1, the joint will readily give way and
allow of such inclining of one part a from the other part of the rod, and this
inclination may be in any direction, and thus allow of parts of the rod bending
the
or inclining in varied directions in respect to each other, according
requirements of the chimney or fluo in which the apparatus may be used,
and any number of parts of a rod may be thus joined together; and although
the rod so constructed, when it has to pass up or along a chimney or part of a
chimney or flue which is straight, will, by the peculiar construction of universal
joint, be retained straight, or sufficiently so for moving a brush within such
chimney or flue, the rod e is attached to the convex part i of the joint, as is
shewn, thus allowing of play or movement of these parts. j.j, are two rolle r
moving on axes j' aflixed to the ring, which is capable of turning on the
rod a; these rollers facilitate the movement of the rod up and down. In order

page_text: that the parts of the rod may fold, to offer convenience of stowage and for car-
riage, on the part 6 of the rod is affixed the short projecting rod k, and to the.
upper side of the convex part of the universal joint is affixed the short rod ?.
These two short rods and are connected together by the link m by pin
joints, as is shown: hence, when the tube n is slided from off these parts, the
two parts a, b, of the rod may be folded together, as is shown in Figure 3, and
such tube, when covering the joint, as is shewn in Figures 1 and 2, will keep
the joint secure from bending, and the sliding tube n is retained fixed in its
place by the spring catch o, as is shewn in Figure 2, in which position the
parts will remain and be fit for use till the spring: stop or catch is forced
back, and the tube n slided off the folding joint.
We will now describe another part of our Invention, which also relates to
another construction of joint for allowing the rod to bend by the yielding joints
by which the parts of the rod are combined.
'
Figure 4 shews the section of two parts a and b of a rod to be used for
moving apparatus for sweeping and cleansing chimneys. In this arrangement,
the same joint which allows the parts a and b of the rod to fold together,
when covered by a flexible tube, offer a yielding means to the parts of the
rod, and yet offers such a degree of stiffness that the rod will work in a
straight as well as a bending chimney or flue. The two parts a and b
are connected together by the link p, which is secured to the parts a and
6 by pin joints, thus allowing the parts a and b to fold together when the
joint is uncovered. 7 is a flexible tube of leather or other material, having a
coiled wire or spring q' within it; this tube being slided over the joint will
retain the parts a and b in a straight line, or sufficiently so for practical
purposes, excepting when the rod in use is caused to bend to accommodate
itself to the bending of a chimney or flue, at which time the sliding flexible
tube will allow one part of the rod to bend off from the other, and yet retain
sufficient stiffness to the rod to enable it to be moved up and down within a
chimney. In this manner may any required number of parts of a rod be
connected together.
We will now describe another part of our Invention, which relates to
apparatus applied for guiding the brushes used. This apparatus is applied
above the brushes, and are the means of causing the brushes to turn into
bends formed in flues. r, s, are two arms on the upper end of the rod;
these arms have each a joint, which allow of the upper parts bending off from
the lower parts, the upper part being connected by a pin joint to a rod e,
which has a spring, and works similarly to the rode of the universal joint

page_text: described in respect to Figures 1, 2, and 3; but the joints on the arms rand s
only move on an axis, and by their rounded ends move the rod e out of its
socket, so as to allow of the upper parts of the arms and s bending off, as is
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 5, whero a side view of this apparatus is
shewn, but on a less scale than the parts shewn in the previous Figures. On
the arms r, s, are rollers t, t, which meeting with resistance when they come to
a bend in a flue or chimney, are the means of directing the brushes to take the
proper course. The rod, which is composed of the parts a and b, as before
described, has at all times a tendency to keep straight, unless the springs at
the various joints, or some of them, are overcome by the resistance, when the
rod will bend and follow the direction of the chimney or flue, as will readily be
understood by examining Figure 6, where the parts are shewn on a smaller
scale within a bend of a chimney, the dotted lines indicating the positions of
the parts when they have been guided off into the bend by the arms r and s,
with their rollers, aided by the roller at the upper part of the rod. The
forcing up of the rod when the chimney bends towards the left hand, will cause
the arm to be bent, as is shewn, when the roller on the arms will move
onward, and if the arm bends, the roller u will also roll along the upper surface
of the chimney, by which the brush will be directed into the position shewn by
dotted lines. We would remark that the joints used on the armis r, s, might
be used in connecting the parts a. b. of which the rod is composed, but as they
only allow of bending in two opposite directions, they will not be so good for
that purpose as the universal joints before described.
We will now describe another part of our Invention, which relates to brushes
or apparatus for sweeping or cleansing chimneys and flues. The apparatus for
this purpose is made capable of contracting in its size in order to fit various
sizes of chimneys and flues.
Figure 7 shews a side view; Figure 8, a plan; and Figure 9, a side view
in section. u, u, u, u, are four brushes, each mounted on or affixed to two
tubes w, which slide within the tubes a, within which are placed spiral
springs y, as is shewn; these springs have at all times a tendency to keep the
brushes expanded to the greatest extent, but when pressed on by the size of
the chimney or flue, the brushes will approach each other and contract the size
of the apparatus. The tubes 1, which carry the brushes, are prevented
coming out of the tubes a by means of screw stops w' screwed into the tubes
The
a, the ends of the screws w moving in slots formed in the tubes w.
tubes are fixed to the upper part of the rod, and the parts are so arranged
nɛ to allow of the soot falling down the chimney between the brushes.

page_text: is another brush, which we also affix at the upper part of the rod,
and above the expanding and contracting brushes just described. A is a roller.
by which the apparatus is caused to move off and to follow the bends of a
chimney or flue; this roller is applied at the upper part of the rod, as is
shown. Each of the brushes n, n, has a link w³ connected to it by pin points,
as is shewn, and the links move in slits in the frame w³, there being slots
formed in the links by which the pins which connect the links w³ to the arms
or frame w³ allow of the links moving freely up and down on the pins. On the
lower ends of the links are applied rollers ', which aid in guiding the brush
from striking against the edges of a chimney when it has been forced too far
and is being drawn back, and each of the brushes has also a link w³ connected to
it by a pin joint, as shown, and the upper ends of such links move by their slots
or pins, carried by the frame or arms 20%, affixed to the upper part of the rod.
These links are to guide the brush off from any sharp projections, so as to bring
the brushes fairly into the centre of the chimney or flue in which the apparatus
is being used. Figure 10 shows a means of using rods for carrying the brushes
in place of the tubes before described; and Figure 11 shows a plan of an
apparatus where the brushes are brought to form a circle; the construction,
however, is similar to that shown in Figure 10, the brushes being each fixed
on a rod which moves in a tube containing a spiral spring, which has a ten-
dency at all times to force its brush outwards; or in place of using the springs
for forcing out the brushes in the tubes, they may be used in other positions for
the same purpose, retaining the tubes as guides for the rods or tubes to
which the brushes are affixed.
We will now describe another part of our Invention, which also relates to a
mode of constructing brushing apparatus for sweeping and cleansing chimney's
and flues. In this case the arms A, A, which carry the brushes, are connected
to the rod by means of arms with joints such as are described in respect to the
joints r, s, or the universal joint shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, by which, when
raised up and down by a rod, the arms will move into varying positions, as is
shown by dotted lines in Figure 12, that Figure representing a side view, partly
in section, of a brush apparatus according to this part of our Invention, having
one of the brushes removed in order that the other parts may be more clearly
scen; and Figure 13 shows a plan of the same apparatus. It will be evident
that although this apparatus is shown applicable for a rectangular flue or
chimney, a similar arrangement may be made suitable for a circular chimney
or flue.
We will now describe another part of our Invention, which relates to an

page_text: apparatus for extinguishing fires in chimneys and flues; and this apparatus is
such'ns to close the chimney or fluo into which it may be introduced, and thus to
close the draft of air passing through the chimney or flue, by which means the
fire will be immediately subdued, and ultimately extinguished. Figure 14
shows a plan, and Figure 15 a side view, in section, of this apparatus, and it
consists of a similar apparatus to that described in Figures 7, 8, and 9, for the
expanding brush, there being similar tubes sliding within other tubes, and
there are coiled springs which have a constant tendency to force out the smaller
tubes; these parts are marked with the same letters of reference to those used
in Figures 7, 8, and 9, or sliding rods may be used for the sliding tubes; and
in place of the tubes carrying brushes, they have plates B, C, D, E, affixed to
them, and a central plato F fixed to the rod, and there also four other plates
G, G, G, G, affixed to sliding tubes or rods, which fill up the angles; and all
these plates move as close as may be, in order to form a close surface which
will fill across and stup various sizes of chimney or flues, and when introduced
by a suitable rod, will quickly stop the draft of air through such chimney or
flue; and in some cases we use wire brushes, in place of bristles or whalebone,
for putting out fires.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, we would remark that
we do not confine ourselves to the various details shown and described, provided
the peculiar character of either part of our Invention be retained; and we
would wish it to be understood that we do not claim any of the mechanical
parts when separately considered; but what we claim is,—
First, the mode of constructing the universal joint shown in Figures 1, 2,
and 3, and we also claim the mode of constructing the folding joint shown in
the same Figures.
Secondly, we claim the mode of constructing a flexible joint to parts of a
rod used for moving apparatus for sweeping or cleansing chimneys.
Thirdly, we claim the mode of applying arms r and s, and their rollers; and
we also claim the mode of constructing the joints of such arms when used
therewith, or for combining the parts a, b, of a rod for the purpose of moving
the apparatus for sweeping and cleansing chimneys or flues, as described in
respect to Figures 5 and 6.
Fourthly, we claim the modes of constructing brushes for sweeping chimneys,
whereby they are caused to net by means of coiled springs, as above explained
in respect to Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Fifthly, we claim the mode of constructing apparatus for sweeping chimneys
and flues, as described in respect to Figures 12 and 13.

page_text: And, sixthly, we claim the mode of constructing an apparatus for extin-
guishing fires in chimneys and flues, as described in respect to Figures 14
and 15.
In witness whereof, I, the said Anguish Honour Augustus Durant, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-two.
(5.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventh day of September, in
the year of our Lord 1842, the aforesaid Anguish Honour Augustus Durant
came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Seventh day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-two.