IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE PLACES AND STOVES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Harry Withington, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE PLACES AND
STOVES"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Harry Withington at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th May 1880.
HARRY WITHINGTON, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE PLACES AND STOVES."
The object of this Invention is to prevent smoke, to economize fuel, to utilize the
heat produced in a better manner than heretofore, and to improve the draught in
smoky chimneys; this Invention is especially applicable to domestic fire places,
cooking ranges, and stoves.
According to this Invention I form what I call a closed fire place, that is, I place
a tile or other fire proof plate above it, and connect such plate by feather and
groove or otherwise with the sides and back, which may be formed of or lined with
Åreproof material; the aforesaid top plate is horizontal, or nearly so; the products
of combustion arise and pass off in front of or through the front part of it. The
sides and back may form a continuous curve, and I prefer to make the sides
splayed out towards the front. The top plate, together with the sides and back, form
what may be called a retort like box, the top plate acting like a deflector and
preventing the formation of smoke, while ensuring a good draught and also an
economical combustion. The surfaces of the box may be smooth, or ribbed, or
undulating.
Air flues may be arranged at the sides and the top in connection with the
aforesaid improvements, the main object in all cases being to throw the heat into
the room as much as possible, and to make the exit for the heated air as low down
as possible. The air for combustion may be brought in by a pipe or flue from
without.
The aforesaid retort like or covered grate may be arranged in connection with
many kinds of existing fire places and stoves, the products of combustion in the
first instance passing up at the front of the top plate. The top plate may be solid
or hollow, and the products of combustion may in the latter case pass through it.
I close the space in front above the top plate by a straight or curved plate. In
some cases a deflector or bridge may be arranged above the top plate.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Harry Withington in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
November 1880.
HARRY WITHINGTON, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIREPLACES AND STOVES."
The object of this Invention is to prevent smoke, to economize fuel, to utilize the
heat produced in a better manner than heretofore, and to improve the draught in
smoky chimneys; this Invention is especially applicable to domestic fireplaces,
cooking ranges, and stoves.
According to this Invention I form what I call a closed fireplace, that is, I place
a tile or other fireproof, plate above it, and connect such plate by feather and
groove or otherwise with the sides and back, which may be formed of or lined with
fireproof material; the aforesaid top plate is horizontal, or nearly so; the products
of combustion arise and pass off in front of or through the front part of it. The
sides and back may forin a continuous curve, and I prefer to make the sides
splayed out toward the front. The top plato, together with the sides and back,
form what may be called a retort like box, the top plate acting like a deflector and
preventing the formation of smoke, while ensuring a good draught and also an
economical combustion. The surfaces of the box may be smooth, or ribbed, or
undulating.
Air flues may be arranged at the sides and the top in connection with the
aforesaid improvements, the main object in all cases being to throw the heat into
the room as much as possible, and to make the exit for the heated air as low down
as possible. The air for combustion may be brought in by a pipe or flue from
without.
The aforesaid retort like or covered grate may be arranged in connection with
many kinds of existing fireplaces and stoves, the products of combustion in the
first instance passing up at the front of the top plate. The top plate may be solid
or hollow, and the products of combustion may in the latter case pass through it.
I close the space in front above the top plate and at the sides by a straight or
curved plate. In some cases a deflector or bridge may be arranged above the top.
plate.
And in order that this my said Invention may be more easily understood and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, Figure 2 a vertical cross section, and Figure 3 a
plan in section of my closed or retort like grate; Figure 4 is a similar vertical
cross section, and Figure 5 a sectional plan.
In all these Figures it will be seen that the grate A may be made of any con-
venient and portable sizes for application to the back plate a of any ordinary
existing register grates after their fire bars have been previously removed. b is the.
back of the grate carrying the deflector or cover plate c, and composed of fire brick
or other suitable material, thereby forming a somewhat closed box. The slabs are
provided preferably with ploughs and tongues to prevent any escape through
the joints. The products of combustion pass through one or more apertures din
the front of the slab or cover plate c, and thence to the chimney by the outlet
pipe e, so constructed as to clip over and around the uppermost part of the grate A,
and provided with a flange which abuts against and is secured to the back plate a.
The products of combustion first strike against the back b of the grate and then
traverse the underside of the slab c, whereby the products of combustion are
brought close across the fire and further consumed before passing away to the
chimney.

page_text: It is obvious that by this principal or arrangement of outlet a greater amount of
heat is obtained and with a much less consumption of fuel than heretofore. In
order to utilize this I cover the grate by a plate f, thus forming a hot air
chamber B. The sides of this stove are closed for the exclusion of dust from tho
air chamber.
The said air chamber B or the stove may be provided with a vase for containing
water should the heat require moistening, and at the same time serving somewhat
to collect any obnoxious fumes that may arise from the flue.
These vases are shown at Figures 1, 2, and 3.
I provide openings in the lower part of the said cover plate f for the escape of
the heated air (see Figure 1), which is a view showing one half of the cover plate f,
the other half serving to illustrate a modification, as shown in vertical cross section
and plan at Figures 4 and 5 respectively. These latter arrangements only differ from
Figures 1, 2, and 3, with respect to the cover plate f, which is in this case omitted.
Figure 6 is a front elevation and Figure 7 is a back view of another form of grate
made according to my Invention, being used as an attachment to ordinary existing
grates, as before described. The grates, as shown and described with reference to
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, especially that where the air chamber is dispensed with, may
be ornamented as fancy and taste may dictate, and, for example, in a similar manner
to that shown at Figure 8.
Figure 9 is a detached view in front elevation of a register stove with the
ordinary firebars removed ready for the application of the stove grate, such as
shown at Figures 6, 7, and 8. Figure 10 is a perspective sketch in front elevation of
the side and back slabs b and b and cover slab c. In Figure 11 the slab c is
removed from the slabs b, b¹. The said slabs may be surrounded by one or more
bands i, and thereby secured to the plate a of the register by nuts k, as shown in
Figure 14.
Figure 12 is a cross section of another grate constructed especially for slow com-
bustion combined with economy of fuel, and, at the same time, an effective heating
power; b, b', are the side and back slabs, and c is the top slab; is the additional
slab on which rests the firing. In other respects the action is precisely similar to
that described in the first part of my Invention.
Figure 13 is a vertical cross section of a heating stove. The slabs b and c may
be arranged in any suitable manner to suit the shape of the stove, and the products
of combustion pass out through an outlet pipe e at the lower part thereof, or as may
be found most suitable to produce an effectual radiation of beat. In this case the
flue or outlet is carried over top plate and descends outside at the back of stove as
shown. The ornamental cap shown in this Figure may be removed when required
in order to heat a kettle or other cooking utensil on this part of stove.
Figure 13 a is a front elevation of such a stove fitted with my said improvements
and provided with, for example, two pairs of sliding doors, one pair being above and
the other in front of the grate, so that by the closing of the top pair air is admitted
underneath and through the firebars, as is well known.
This stove may also be provided with a drawer for ashes, as shown.
Figure 14 is a front elevation of grate constructed according to my Invention.
The slabs or firebrick are secured to the front plate by nuts and straps, as shown
in Figures 10 and 11.
I have shown this grate provided with a removable ash pan 7, which when in
position will prevent an under current of air, and is therefore slow in combustion.
Figure 15 is a vertical cross section of an ordinary kitchener showing my
Invention applied thereto; in this case the top of the slab c is on a level or nearly
so with the top of the ovens, therefore effecting a better and more even distribution
of heat above and around the ovens or boiler, which may be regulated by dampers
in the usual manner.
Figures 16 and 17 are vertical cross sections showing my Invention as applied to
the grate of an ordinary cottage stove. The slab c is preferably flat, and the
products of combustion pass away in front, as before described.

page_text: In the metal top or plate of this stove I form an opening to receive a saucepan
or other kitchen utensil, which may rest on the top of the slab c, and the bottom
part of the utensil being thus fully exposed to the heat before it passes off to the
chimney.
The slab c in this case is made to slide in order to regulate the draught as may
be required, and in Figure 17 this slab c is shown pushed back. The door of the
grate falls back, and may carry a saucepan where it will be fully exposed to the
heat.
By the use of my Invention a better and more effective draught is obtained,
thereby preventing a smoky chimney, as well as effecting a more economical
consumption of fuel with a greater amount of heating power, and a perfect and
even distribution of warm air into the apartment, rendering the ventilation thereof
more effective, and avoiding all perceptible draughts where the air is drawn in a
cold state by a pipe from the outside or from the doors and windows, which current
of air is necessary to carry on the upward current in the chimney.
The plate is so constructed as to be accessible for sweeping, which according to
my Invention is but seldom required on account of the return of the flame and
products of combustion, which are brought close across the fire before passing away
to the chimney.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my Invention, and in what
manner the same is or may be performed, I declare that I claim,—-
First. In ordinary register stoves, or as an appliance thereto, or to any ordinary
or existing grates, the employment of a slab or plate partially or wholly covering
the top of the grate, which plate admits of the passage of the products of com-
bustion in front of such slab, and above or through same to an outlet pipe or
chimney, substantially as described and illustrated with reference to the accom-
panying Drawings.
Second. A hot air chamber in combination with such an upper slab or plate,
from which chamber the hot or heated air radiates, and may be expelled and
dispersed by apertures to the lower part of the room, substantially as described and
illustrated with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Third. In stoves or grates, the employment of a drawer, ashpan, or slab
underneath the fire grate, or forming the bed thereof, in combination with the
aforesaid upper slab or plate, substantially as described and illustrated with
reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. In ordinary heating stoves, with or without sliding doors, the
employment of such top slab or plate, the outlet for the products of combustion
passing away at the back either at the upper or the lower part of the said stove,
substantially as described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying"
Drawing.
Fifth. In cottage grates, kitcheners, or other cooking stoves, the employment of
the aforesaid fixed or adjustable top slab or plate above the fire place, and the space
between same and the metal top or plate of such stoves, allowing for the passage of
the products of combustion, and thereby effecting a more even circulation and
distribution of heat in all or any required part of such stoves, substantially as
described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Harry Withington, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this 4th day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.