IMPROVE- STAY ARARATHS FOR LIGHTING AND HEATING."
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Johnston, of Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Metal Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
STAY ARARATHS FOR LIGHTING AND HEATING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Johnston at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd March 1863.
I, WILLIAM JOHNSTON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Metal Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND HEATING," to be
as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention comprises various improvements in apparatus for lighting
and heating, being more particularly designed for the application of but
also more or less suited for other producers of light or heat.
gas,
A first portion of the Invention relates to lamps or lanterns, such as may
be used for lighting halls, staircases, or the like.
In one modification the sides are made in one piece of glass, blown or
pressed into forms presenting angles or sides, and this piece is held between
top and bottom frames combined with a central stem or gas pipe, or with

page_text: vertical tie rods. This arrangement avoids the shadow of the vertical corner
frame pieces in ordinary lanterns, and the same end may be obtained with
separate pieces of glass, each shaped to form one or more of the panes, being
held by metal frames at top and bottom, and without the external vertical ribs.
Where separate pieces of glass are used, the meeting lines of the pieces may,
if wished, be covered or concealed in various ways by glass or metal strips, for
example, held like the panes between the top and bottom frames.
In a second modification a cylindrical lantern is formed of a number of
segmental pieces of glass held between top and bottom metal rings, shaped by
spinning or burnishing to present retaining flanges. Or instead of the separate
segmental pieces, this lantern may be composed of prisms, tubes, flat pieces,
and other forms of glass; or the segmental panes may be ornamented in
various ways.
In a third modification the sides or the glass casing of the lantern is built
up of horizontally or obliquely disposed strips, prisms, tubes, rings, or coils of
glass; and in the case of flat-sided lanterns, such component pieces may be
disposed either vertically, horizontally, or obliquely. Similarly beads, balls, or
spangles of glass may be strung together to form the sides of lanterns, or cut
or variously colored pieces of glass may be cemented or otherwise fixed on
flat or other panes or glass surfaces. Or the plain glass may be otherwise
ornamented by the application to it of plain or tinted paper, or woven fabrics,
which may be perforated, or ornamentally cut or stamped. Where lanterns
such as have been described comprise separate panes or pieces of glass, and it
is wished to have a door at the side, such door may be hinged to the top or
bottom instead of to the side; and cylindrical or sided lanterns, such as have
been described, may be disposed with their axes horizontal instead of vertical,
and they may be suspended or mounted by means of a single stem entering
the upper side, or by means of a bow, or two branches entering the ends.
Lanterns having a single urn-shaped, cylindrical, or other shade of glass,
may be constructed in an economical and firm manner by employing as the
principal part of the framing spun or burnished rings with external or internal
horizontal flanges, the glass shade being formed with a flange or lip to rest on
the ring flange. Gasalier or bracket globes or shades may be supported in
the same way. The lanterns may be suspended by chains, cords, tubes, or
rods connected to the ring, or the ring may be secured to radial arms fixed
upon a central gas pipe or rod.
Another portion of the Invention comprises various arrangements of lamp
suitable for shop windows and other situations where a striking and attractive

page_text: In one modification of such lamps a hollow gas-tight globe or vessel, wholly
or partially transparent, is employed. The gas is admitted into this vessel by.
one or more tubes, and leaves it by one or more burners or branches fitted
into different parts of the vessel, so, as to have no apparent connection with
the gas pipe. A globe of this kind, which it is proposed to term "translucent,"
may have a ring of burners round it, in such a way as to be quite devoid of
shadow. The same arrangement may be adopted in the case of "sunlight"
or "starlight" convex reflector lamps, the burners being projected through
the reflecting surface instead of being fitted to branches springing from below.
Such lamps may be poised or suspended, and be made to rotate by giving the
burner jets more or less of a tangential direction, or by any of the means
described in the Specification of a Patent granted to the present applicant,
and dated 24th February 1862 (No. 485).
In another modification the gas entering the globe or vessel may in a
similar way be made to impart rotation to figures or devices enclosed in the
vessel. The gas vessels may be made with double shells, and colored fluids
may be introduced between the two; the vessels may also be ornamented in a
variety of ways..
Reflectors for "starlights" are by this Invention economically formed of
segmental or other component pieces of crown, sheet, or plate glass, either
plain or fluted, or otherwise ornamented; such pieces being bent to the
required forms by the well-known process of bending such glass, and being
afterwards silvered, gilded, or otherwise treated to obtain reflection.
The next portion of the Invention relates to the lowering, sliding, or hinge
arrangements of lanterns, lamps, gasaliers, gas brackets, and the like.
One improvement consists in counterpoising the weight of a gasalier by
springs with fusee barrels concealed in the lower ornamental part of the
gasalier, instead of being arranged above, as hitherto. Or the counterpoising
may be effected by means of a helical spring coiled round the smaller sliding
tube. Such sliding portion may be in two or more parts arranged like
telescope tubes. Blade or other powerful springs of short action may be used
for counterpoising, the movement due to them being enlarged by means of
differential pulleys or levers, which may be arranged consistently with the
ornamentation of the gasalier. The differențial pulleys or levers may also bo
used in the case of weights, and if reversed, lighter weights or springs may
be employed.
In another arrangement of gasalier two or more sliding tubes with water or
stuffing-box joints may be employed, being disposed either vertical and parallel,
or obliquely, hinge joints being required at the extremities in the latter case.

page_text: Another improvement consists in suspending lanterns, lamps, gasaliers, or
parts thereof which are required to be raised and lowered by one or more
flexible, but by preference, non-extensible and non-compressible tubes.
In one modification a single supporting tube may be wound upon a barrel
to which a counterweight or spring is applied, the gas being admitted by a
gas-tight joint at the axis of the barrel. The gasalier may be lowered or
raised by a cord from the barrel conveyed over guide pulleys to any convenient
situation. The barrel may be concealed in the ceiling, or in an ornamental
covering.
In another modification a gasalier is suspended by two or more flexible
tubes passing over pulleys, and returning down to a central sliding pipe or
suspending tube with counterpoise. The balance weights of gasaliers and the
like may be suspended by means of flexible tubing, and as gas can be supplied
thereby, burners may be fitted to the weights, which may be made with
reflecting surfaces, or be fitted with globes or shades.
In another modification a helical coil of elastic tubing connects the lower part
of the gasalier to the gas pipe, but the weight is borne up by separate means.
To render ball lamps and the like more conveniently accessible for lighting
and cleaning, the shade or glass lantern is by this Invention suspended by
incans of counterweights or springs, so that it can be lowered clear of the
gas burners fixed to the immovable gas pipe. In cases where the arrange-
ment of burner permits of it, the shade may be arranged to slide upwards, so
as to cause the burners to project through a bottom aperture in the shade for
being lit. In the case of light lamps, simple frictional slides may be used
without counterpoise.
In constructing swinging gas brackets according to the present Invention,
there is employed a kind of direct spherical joint instead of the ordinary one,
this spherical joint being arranged in various ways.
In one modification the fixed part is formed with top and bottom jaws,.the
swinging part being inserted between them, and the whole being held tightly
in place by a vertical screw. The reverse arrangement is adopted in another
modification; in a third the jaw piece is of an open ring form; and in a
fourth the joint is in the form of a. ball and socket, this last being suitable
where not much swinging movement is required.
Another improvement in gas brackets, and also applicable to the arms of
gasaliers, and to pillar or stand gas lamps, consists in arranging the parts to
elongate or shorten by means of sliding arrangements of various kinds. In
pillar or stand lamps the adjustability as to height gained by the sliding
arrangement will be of great convenience. The pillars or stands of such

page_text: lamps and ornamental weights, bosses, and such like parts of gasaliers and
other lamps may be economically made by burnishing or spinning thin brass
or the like ornamental metal upon a cast-iron or other cheap core. Milling,
chasing, or engraving may be superadded to the burnishing to increase the
ornamental effect.
For short branches, or where great strain has not to be borne, a light cheap
tubing is employed by this Invention, the same being formed by enveloping a
spiral wire skeleton tube with paper or cloth dipped in a varnish, paint, or
cement not injuriously acted upon by the gas. This tubing is rigid, and
not flexible.
For lighting an improved gas burner is employed. Two saw cuts or slits
are formed in the top of the burner, being inclined towards each other, so
that the issuing films of gas impinge against each other. The slits are cut
across the reduced point of the burner, but the sides of the slits are closed by a
small ring.
For heating an improved burner of the "Bunsen" class is formed by a
metal tube perforated at its lower part for the admission of air, and having
fitted to it a cap piece, disposed so that the mixed gas and air issues in a
circular film; or the cap or the top edges of the tube may have slits formed
round it for the gas and air to issue. By another plan the Bunsen burner is
arranged on the Argand principle, so as to admit a distinct air current into
the centre of the circle of gas jets.
The further improvements relating to heating comprised in this Invention
are applicable in part to stoves for the consumption of gas or other fuel, and
in part to stoves or open fire-places. To facilitate the lighting of stoves or
open fires one or more of the fire-bars are made hollow, and with perforations,
and the hollow bar or bars are connected to a gas pipe, the gas being turned
on and lit to ignite the coal or other fuel. If desired the gas may be con-
tinued a-light after the coal is ignited to increase the heat.
The improvements in stoves consist in forming the covers or casings
thereof, or portions of such covers or casings, of fire-clay, earthenware, stone-
ware, or the like ceramic material in any convenient number of pieces, shaped
as to present ribs, gills, projecting blades, corrugations, or otherwise
multiplied surfaces for the radiation of the heat, such coverings or casings,
besides being more economical than metal ones, are also devoid of the
objectionable odour commonly arising from heated metallic surfaces. Where
it is desired to distribute aqueous vapour by means of the stove, the water to
be evaporated is by preference put into a channel in the base of the stove on
a level with or below the gas burners or fire, instead of being put, as hereto-

page_text: fore, in an urn or pan on the top of the stove, where it is apt to be too
rapidly dissipated.
.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Johnston in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd September 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
JOHNSTON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Metal
Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Johnston, Her special licence that I, the said William
Johnston, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said William Johnston, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR LIGHTING AND HEATING," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Johnston, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next. and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Johnston, do hereby declare
the nature of iny said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention comprises various improvements in apparatus for lighting
and heating, being more particularly designed for the application of gas, but
also more or less suited for other producers of light and heat.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the

page_text: same may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended a Sheet of expla-
natory Drawings to be herein-after referred to, and representing examples of
the application of my improvements.
A first portion of my Invention relates to lamps or lanterns, such as may be
used for lighting halls, staircases, or the like.
In one modification the sides are made in one piece of glass, blown or
pressed into forms presenting angles or sides, and this piece is held between
top and bottom frames combined with a central stem or gas pipe, or with
vertical tie rods. This arrangement avoids the shadow of the vertical corner
frame pieces in ordinary lanterns.
Figures 1 and 2 are elevation and horizontal section of a lamp of this
kind, having six flat sides; Figures 3 and 4 are elevation and horizontal
section of a lamp with concave sides; and Figures 5 and 6 are elevation and
horizontal section of a lamp with convex sides. The top and bottom frames
1, 2, formed simply with external retaining flanges, are fixed on the central
stem or pipe 3 by means of two, three, or other convenient number of radial
arms 4, 5, the lower arms 5 being by preference curved as shown. When
the glass is placed between the frames 1, 2, these are compressed towards
each other by a screw or screws on the pipe 3, so as to firmly grip the glass
and impart rigidity to the lamp as a whole. The burner branches 6 may bo
fitted to the pipe 3 as shown, or in any other convenient way.
A glazed
door 7 is hinged to the bottom of each lamp to give access for lighting.
Instead of the vertical sides of the lamp being formed in one piece of glass,
they may consist of separate pieces, cach comprising one or more sides, but
held by the top and bottom frames in the same way. And where such sepa-
rate pieces are used their junction lines may be ornamentally covered or con-
cealed in various ways by strips of glass or metal, for example, held like
the panes between the top and bottom frames 1, 2.
Figures 9 and 10 are elevation and horizontal section; and Figures 11,
12, and 18, are elevations of lamps or lanterns with flat (or it may be concave
or otherwise shaped) sides all in one piece, such sides being combined with
curved or flat top or bottom formed in the same piece of glass. The manner
of putting together the parts of these lamps is the same as in the examples
previously described.
In a second modification, an example of which is represented in vertical
section and horizontal section in Figures 7 and 8, a cylindrical lamp or lantern
is formed of a number of segmental pieces of glass 8, held between top and
bottom metal rings 1, 2, shaped out of sheet metal by the process of spinning,
so as to present external retaining flanges. Or, instead of separate segmental

page_text: pieces, this lantern may be composed of prisms, tubes, flat pieces, or other
forms of glass arranged in a cylindrical form, and held together between the
top and bottom spun rings, such rings being formed with internal as well as
external retaining flanges if necessary.
In a third modification the sides or the glass casing of the lamp or lantern
is built up of horizontally or obliquely disposed strips, prisms, tubes, rings, or
coils of glass, and in the case of flat-sided lamps or lanterns such component
pieces may be disposed either vertically, horizontally, or obliquely.
Figure 14 is an elevation of a cylindrical lantern having the sides formed
of a coil of glass, whilst Figure 15 is an elevation of a sided lantern showing
different dispositions of prisms or pieces of glass. Similarly beads, balls, or
spangles of glass may be strung together to form the sides of the lamp or
lantern, or cut or variously colored pieces of glass may be cemented or other-
wise fixed on flat or other panes or glass surfaces. Or the plain glass may be
otherwise ornamented by the application to it of plain or tinted paper, or
woven fabrics, which may be perforated or ornamentally cut or stamped prior
to being cemented upon the glass. It is to be understood that in all these
nodifications the sides are to be held between top and bottom flanged frames
1, 2, screwed up on a central stem or gas pipe 3. Where lamps or lanterns
such as have been described comprise separate panes or pieces of glass, and
it is wished to have a door at the side, such door may be hinged to the top or
bottom in the absence of the ordinary vertical corner frames. And cylindrical or
sided lamps or lanterns such as have been described may be disposed with their
axes horizontal instead of vertical, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, and they
may be suspended or mounted by means of a single stem 9 entering the upper
side, as in Figure 16, or by means of a bow or two branches 10 entering the
ends, as in Figure 17.
Lanterns having a single urn-shaped, cylindrical, or other shade of glass are
by my Invention constructed in an economical and firm manner by employing
as the principal part of the framing spun or burnished rings with external or
internal horizontal flanges, the glass shade being formed with a flange or lip
to rest on the ring flange. Gasalier or bracket globes or shades may be
supported in the same way. The lanterns may be suspended by chains, cords,
tubes, or rods connected to the ring, or the ring may be secured to radial arms
fixed upon a central gas pipe or rod. Figures 9, 11, 12, and 13, already
referred to, are examples of the application of this improvement.
Another portion of my Invention comprises various arrangements of lamps
suitable for shop windows and other situations where a striking or attractive
appearance is desirable.

page_text: In one modification of such lamps, shown in elevation in Figure 18, a
hollow gas-tight globe or vessel 11, wholly or partially transparent, is employed.
The gas is admitted into this vessel by a tube 12, (or it may be by two or
more tubes), and leaves it by one or more burners 13, or branches fitted into
different parts of the vessel, so as to have no apparent connection with the
gas pipe 12. A globe of this kind, which I term "translucent," may have a
ring of burners, 18, round it, as shown in Figure 18, in such a way as to be
quite devoid of shadow. The same arrangement may be adopted in the case
of "sunlight" or "starlight" convex reflector lamps, the burners being in that
case projected through the reflecting surface instead of being fitted to branches
springing from below. When, however, the globe or vessel is translucent the
burners may be fitted in branches springing either from the gas-pipe con-
nection or from a cap opposite thereto. Such lamps may be poised or
suspended and made to rotate by giving the burner jets more or less of a tan-
gential direction, or by any of the means described in the Specification of a
Patent granted to me, and dated 24th February 1862 (No. 485).
In another modification the gas entering the globe or vessel may in a similar
way be made to impart rotation to figures or devices enclosed in the vessel.
The glass vessels may be made with double shells, and colored fluids may bo
introduced between the two; the vessels may also be ornamented in a variety of
ways. When double shells are used the gas may be introduced between the
two shells, and in that case the burners may project either externally or inter-
nally into the inner shell, or there may be burners both internally and exter-
nally. The lamp may obviously be attached to a pendent tube, to a bracket,
or to a pillar.
In Figure 19 the manner in which I prefer to attach the burners 13 to the
glass vessel is shown on an enlarged scale. Two washers of rubber (which is
not a quick conductor of heat) are applied to the glass shell 11, one on each
side of the aperture, and a small flanged tube 14 is passed from the inside
through the inner rubber washer, through the glass, through the outer rubber
washer, and is screwed into the burner tube. In attaching the translucent
lamp to the gas pipe 12, I prefer to cement a metal socket into the throat of
the vessel, and to connect this socket to the pipe by a screw which can be
casily disconnected at any time to admit of the hand being introduced for
cleaning the inside or for adjusting a burner.
Reflectors for "star lights" are by this Invention, economically formed of
segmental or other component pieces 15, Figures 20 and 21, of crown, sheet,
or plate glass, either plain or fluted, or otherwise ornamented, such pieces
being bent to the required forms by the well-known process of bending such

page_text: glass and being afterwards silvered, gilded, or otherwise treated to obtain
reflection. Such pieces 15 may be conveniently combined by being fitted into
grooves in frame bars 16, which may radiate from a centre as shown, or may
be disposed in any other convenient or suitable manner.
The next portion of my Invention relates to the lowering, sliding, or hinge
arrangements of lanterns, lamps, gasaliers, gas brackets, and the like.
One improvement consists in counterpoising the weight of a gasalier by
springs with fusee barrels concealed in the lower ornamental part of the
gasalier instead of being arranged above as hitherto. A gasalier arranged in
this way is represented in Figure 22, the lower ornamental part 17 being
shown in section to exhibit the fusee spring barrels 18 inside it. Or a single
counterpoising spring, with its fusee barrel 19, may be mounted on the central
tube, as in Figure 23, this modication being also a novel improvement as
applied to the upper part of the gasalier, as shown in Figure 24. The single
barrel 19 is made with two or more fusee grooves, and two or more cords pass
off from it from different sides, as shown. Or the counterpoising may be
effected by means of a helical spring coiled round the smaller tube, whether
sliding or fixed, and such sliding portion may be in two or more parts, arranged
like telescope tubes. Blade or other powerful springs of short action may be
used for counterpoising the lamp or gasalier, the movements due to them being
enlarged by means of differential pulleys or levers, which may be arranged
consistently with the ornamentation of the lamp or gasalier. The differential
pulleys or levers may also be used in the case of weights, and if reversed
lighter weights or springs may be employed.
In another arrangement of gasalier, a modification of which is represented in
Figure 25, two or more sliding tubes 20 with water or stuffing box joints may
be employed, being disposed either vertical and parallel or obliquely, as shown
in the Figure, hinge joints 21 being required at the extremities in the
latter case.
Another improvement consists in suspending lanterns, lamps, gasaliers, or
parts thereof which are required to be raised and lowered, by one or more
flexible, but by preference, non-extensible and non-compressible tubes.
In one modification, as shown in Figure 18, a single-supporting tube 22
may be wound upon a barrel 23, to which a counterweight or spring is applied,
the gas being admitted by a gas-tight joint 24, at the axis of the barrel, with
which axis the end of the tube is put into communication. The lamp or
gasalier may be lowered or raised by a cord from the barrel 23, conveyed over
guide pulleys to any convenient situation. The barrel may be concealed in
the ceiling 25, or in an ornamental covering.

page_text: In another modification represented in Figure 26, a gasalier is suspended
by two or more flexible tubes 22, passing over pulleys and returning down to
a central sliding pipe or suspending tube with counterpoise 26. The balance
weights of gasaliers and the like may be suspended by means of flexible tubing,
and as gas can be supplied thereby, burners may be fitted to the weights,
which may be made with reflecting surfaces or be fitted with globes or
shades.
In another modification a helical coil of elastic tubing connects the lower
part of the gasalier to the gas pipe, but the weight is borne up by separate
means. I must here remark that in my Provisional Specification, immediately
after mentioning the improvements last described herein, I referred to certain
appliances connected with hall lamps and the like, but I now withdraw any
claim respecting the same, as I have been informed that they are not so novel
as I had believed them to be.
In constructing swinging gas brackets according to my Invention, I employ
a kind of direct joint of a spherical or generally similar form, and having the
gas tap in the joint instead of the ordinary one, this direct joint being
arranged in various ways.
In one modification shown in elevation in Figure 27, and in section and
enlarged in Figure 28, the fixed part is formed with top and bottom jaws
27, 28, the swinging part 29 being inserted between them, and the whole
being held tightly in place by a vertical screw spindle 30, which is contrived
to act as the gas tap plug, as will be easily understood from Figure 28.
The reverse arrangement is adopted in another modification represented in
Figure 29, and in a third the jaw piece is in an open ring form, whilst in a
fourth the joint is in the form of a ball and socket, this last being suitable
where not much swinging movement is required.
Another improvement in gas brackets and also applicable to the arms of
gasaliers and to pillar or stand gas lamps, consists in arranging the parts to
elongate or shorten by means of sliding arrangements of various kinds. In
pillar or stand lamps tho adjustability as to height gained by the sliding
arrangement will be of great convenience. The pillars or stands of such
lamps and ornamental weights, bosses, and such like parts of gasaliers and
other lamps, may be economically made by burnishing or spinning thin brass
or the like ornamental metal upon a cast-iron or other cheap core. Milling,
chasing, or engraving may be superadded to the burnishing to increase
the ornamental effect. For short branches, or where great strain has not to
be borne, a light cheap tubing is employed by this Invention, the same being
formed by enveloping a spiral wire skeleton tube with paper or cloth dipped in

page_text: a varnish, paint, or cement, not injuriously acted upon by the gas. This
tubing is rigid and not flexible. For lighting I employ an improved
gas burner, which is represented in Figure 30. Two saw cuts or slits
31 are formed in the top of the burner, being inclined towards each
other, so that the issuing films of gas may impinge against each other. The
slits 31 are cut across the reduced point of the burner, but the sides of the
slits are closed by a small ring 32, applied after the slits are formed. For
heating I form an improved burner of the "Bunsen " class, as represented
in vertical section in Figure 31, by a metal tube 33, perforated at its
lower part for the admission of air, and having fitted to it a cap piece 34,
disposed so that the mixed gas and air issues in a circular film, or the cap or
the top edge of the tube may have slits formed round it for the gas to
issue at.
By another plan represented in vertical section in Figure 32, the "Bunsen"
burner is arranged on the "Argand" principle, so as to admit a distinct air
current into the centre of the circle of gas jets. In this improved burner
there is a central tube 35, for the central air supply, and the lower part of
this is encircled by a gas chamber 36, from which the gas issues by a number
of perforations into the mixing chamber 37, which last is formed with the usual
apertures for the inlet of air, and with perforations at the top for the issue of
the mixed gas and air.
The further improvements relating to heating comprised in my Invention
are applicable in part to stoves for the consumption of gas or other fuel and in
part to stoves or open fire-places. To facilitate the lighting of stoves or open
fires, one or more of the fire-bars are made hollow and with perforations, and
the hollow bar or bars are connected to a gas pipe, the gas being turned on
and lit to ignite the coal or other fuel. If desired, the gas may be continued
alight after the coal is ignited to increase the heat. The hollow fire-bar is,
by preference, constructed as shown in cross section in Figure 33, that is to
say, with the perforations for the issue of the gas in recesses formed in the
sides to reduce the risk of their being choked by dust.
My improvements in stoves consist in forming the covers or external casings
thereof, or portions of such covers or casings, of fire-clay, earthenware, stone-
ware, or the like ceramic material in any convenient number of pieces, but
shaped so as to present ribs, gills, projecting blades, corrugations, or otherwise
multiplied surfaces, for the radiation of the heat. Such coverings or casings,
besides being more economical than metal ones, are also devoid of the
objectionable odour commonly arising from heated metallic surfaces.
Figure 34 is a partially sectioned elevation of a stove with one modification

page_text: of my improved cover or external casing. This stove is represented as ar-
ranged for burning gas, but the improvement is equally applicable in cases where
ordinary fuel is to be burned. In this example the cover or external casing
is built up of a number of rings 38 of fire-clay, formed with projecting flanges
and surmounted by a hemispherical top 39, having radiating flanges.
Figures 35, 36, 37, and 38 are horizontal sections of other suitable forms
of my improved cover or external casing. Where it is desired to distribute
aqueous vapour by means of the stove, the water to be evaporated is, by pre-
ference, put into a channel 40, Figure 34, in the base of the stove on a level
with or below the gas burners or fire, instead of being put, as heretofore, in an
urn or pan in the top of the stove where it is apt to be too rapidly
dissipated.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is or may be performed, I have to state that I do not restrict
myself to the precise details herein described or delineated, but that what I
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent, believing the same to be novel and original, is, the contriving,
forming, shaping, or arranging of the details of lighting and heating appa-
ratus, substantially according to the improved modes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Johnston, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
28, St. Enoch Square,
Glasgow.
W. JOHNSTON. (L.S.)