PROVEMENTS IN RETORT LID FASTENINGS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Downing, George Jackson Smith, and William
Romans, all of Sheffield, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IM
PROVEMENTS IN RETORT LID FASTENINGS."
Sealed the 12th December 1879, and dated the 10th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Downing, George
Jackson Smith, and William Romans at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 16th June 1879.
'
WILLIAM DOWNING, GEORGE JACKSON SMITH, and WILLIAM ROMANS, all of
Sheffield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORT LID FASTENINGS."
This Invention has for its object the production of appliances whereby the lids of
gas, chemical, or other retort mouthpieces may be closed and kept gas tight without
the application of the ordinary screw.
The Invention consists in attaching to the mouthpiece two lugs, one provideḍ
with a rack, and the other fashioned so as to form one part of a hinge. A curved
bar of tempered steel, one end of which is attached to the hinged lug, has fixed at
or near its centre a stud which presses upon the retort lid when the opposite end of
the bar is forced towards the lid, where it is retained by catching into the rack on
the upper edge of the other lug. To open the lid, all that is necessary is to lift the
steel bar out of the rack, when it may be swung open and the lid removed. The
stud referred to may be fixed to the retort lid instead of the steel bar, if found
desirable.
Cross bars so made are light, strong, liable to little wear and tear, and most
efficient in keeping the lids close to the mouthpieces.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Downing, George Jackson Smith, and William Romans in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th December 1879.
WILLIAM DOWNING, GEORGE JACKSON SMITH, and WILLIAM ROMANS, all of
Sheffield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORT LID FASTENINGS."
This Invention has for its object the production of appliances whereby the lids
of gas, chemical, or other retort inmouthpieces may be closed and kept gas tight
without the application of the ordinary screw.
The Invention consists in attaching to the mouthpiece two lugs, one provided
with a rack, and the other fashioned so as to form one part of a hinge. Â curved
bar of tempered steel, one end of which is attached to the hinged lug, has fixed at
or near its centre a stud which presses upon the retort lid when the opposite end of
the bar is forced towards the lid, where it is retained by catching into the rack on
the upper edge of the other lug. To open the lid, all that is necessary is to lift the
steel bar out of the rack when it may be swung open and the lid removed. The stud
referred to may be fixed to the retort lid instead of to the steel bar if found
desirable.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are attached
hereto, of which the following is a description:-Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a
retort lid, mouthpiece, and fastening; and Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. A is the
retort mouthpiece, and B its flange. C is the lid, and D the curved steel cross bar
which is hinged loosely at E to the lug F; G is a stud attached either to the cross
bar D or the lid C, and communicates to the lid the pressure due to the elasticity
of the cross bar when the latter is forced back by the handle H into one of the
indents of the rack I formed in the lug J.
Cross bars so made are light, strong, liable to little wear and tear, and most
efficient in keeping the lids close to the mouthpieces.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, we
would observe in conclusion that we do not confine or restrict ourselves to the
precise details or arrangements that we have described or referred to, as variations
may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of
this Invention, but what we consider to be novel and original, and therefore_claim
as the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent
is;
Firstly. The construction and application of curved steel cross bars hinged at one
end, and otherwise formed as herein described and shown on the Drawings.
Secondly. The construction and application of racks for the retention of the bars
in position as herein described and shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Downing, George Jackson Smith,
and William Romans, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fifteenth
day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy nine
WILLIAM DOWNING.
(LS.)
GEORGE JACKSON SMITH. (L.S.)
WILLIAM ROMANS.
(L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Downing, George Jackson Smith, and William
Romans, all of Sheffield, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN RETORT LID FASTENINGS."
1970
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Downing, George
Jackson Smith, and William Romans at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 16th June 1879.
WILLIAM DOWNING, GEORGE JACKSON SMITH, and WILLIAM ROMANS, all of
Sheffield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORT LID FASTENINGS."
This Invention has for its object the production of appliances whereby the lids of
gas, chemical, or other retort mouthpieces may be closed and kept gas tight without
the application of the ordinary screw.
The Invention consists in attaching to the mouthpiece two lugs, one provided
with a rack, and the other fashioned so as to forin one part of a hinge. A curved
bar of tempered steel, one end of which is attached to the hinged lug, has fixed at
or near its centre a stud which presses upon the retort lid when the opposite end of
the bar is forced towards the lid, where it is retained by catching into the rack on
the upper edge of the other lug. To open the lid, all that is necessary is to lift the
steel bar out of the rack, when it may be swung open and the lid removed. The
stud referred to may be fixed to the retort lid instead of the steel bar, if found
desirable.
Cross bars so made are light, strong, liable to little wear and tear, and most
efficient in keeping the lids close to the mouthpieces.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Downing, George Jackson Smith, and William Romans in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th December 1879.
WILLIAM DOWNING, GEORGE JACKSON SMITH, and WILLIAM ROMANS, all of
Sheffield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RETORT LID FASTENINGS."
This Invention has for its object the production of appliances whereby the lids
of gas, chemical, or other retort mouthpieces may be closed and kept gas tight
without the application of the ordinary screw.
The Invention consists in attaching to the mouthpiece two lugs, one provided
with a rack, and the other fashioned so as to form one part of a hinge. A curved
bar of tempered steel, one end of which is attached to the hinged lug, has fixed at
or near its centre a stud which presses upon the retort lid when the opposite end of
the bar is forced towards the lid, where it is retained by catching into the rack on
the upper edge of the other lug. To open the lid, all that is necessary is to lift the
steel bar out of the rack when it may be swung open and the lid removed. The stud
referred to may be fixed to the retort lid instead of to the steel bar if found
desirable.
A is the
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are attached
hereto, of which the following is a description:-Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a
retort lid, mouthpiece, and fastening; and Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.
retort mouthpiece, and B its flange. C is the lid, and i) the curved steel cross bar
which is hinged loosely at E to the lug F; G is a stud attached either to the cross
bar D or the lid C, and communicates to the lid the pressure due to the elasticity
of the cross bar when the latter is forced back by the handle H into one of the
indents of the rack I formed in the lug J.
Cross bars so made are light, strong, liable to little wear and tear, and most
efficient in keeping the lids close to the mouthpieces.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, we
would observe in conclusion that we do not confine or restrict ourselves to the
precise details or arrangements that we have described or referred to, as variations
may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of
this Invention, but what we consider to be novel and original, and therefore_claim
as the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent
18,-
Firstly. The construction and application of curved steel cross bars hinged at one
end, and otherwise formed as herein described and shown on the Drawings.
Secondly. The construction and application of racks for the retention of the bars
in position as herein described and shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Downing, George Jackson Smith,
and William Romans, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fifteenth
day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy nine.
WILLIAM DOWNING.
(L.S.)
GEORGE JACKSON SMITH. (L.S.)
WILLIAM ROMANS.
(L.S.)