IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES AND FIRE- PLACES.AL SPFICATION
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Owen, of Rotherham, in the County of York,
Iron Master, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES AND FIRE-
PLACES.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Owen at the
.Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 14th
January 1856.
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I, WILLIAM OWEN, of Rotherham, in the County of York, Iron Master,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STOVES AND FIRE-PLACES".to be as follows:-
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1
My. Invention consists in constructing the parts of stoves in such manner
that they shall give out the greatest attainable amount of heat by conduction
as well as radiation. I cast in one piece nearly all the parts coming into
immediate contact with the fire, also such other parts, as will receive; the
greatest amount of heat by reflection and radiation, and with and in one piece
with these parts I cast the hearth plate. I also cast with any of the parts
certain pieces or parts projecting into the fire, in order that the greatest
advantage may be taken of the heat-conducting powers of iron or other
metals employed in the manufacture of the stoves. I also bring in contact
with the fire certain parts of the stove, which project forward, so as to make

page_text: further use of the conducting powers above referred to. I also form certain
parts in connection with the stove in such manner that a fender is rendered
unnecessary. In some stoves I cast beneath a loose bottom grating a second
grating, the openings in which are smaller than in the upper grating. The
small fuel falling from the upper grating will get on fire and burn on the
lower grating. An ash pit or box beneath the lower grating receives the dust
and ashes.
When using the plan known as Arnott's, for supplying fuel to an ordinary
domestic stove fire from below, my Invention further consists in interposing
between the first charge of fuel and the second and succeeding charges, a
hollow box with gratings to receive the dust and ashes, and prevent them
falling upon the succoeding and rising charge. As soon as each box rises
above the level of the lowest fire bar, it is withdrawn from the stove through
the bars, and allows of the fresh supply of fuel, which it previously covered,
coming in contact with the burning mass of fuel. Where only desirable to
cut off one supply of fuel from another, then I use a simple grating, which,
like the ash box, is withdrawn as soon as it rises above the level of the lowest
fire bar. In order to recharge a box or boxes under the grate while the fire
is burning, or to shut off communication between the bottom of the grate and
the ash pit, I employ a plate, which I fit so as to enable it to be drawn
forward under the grating, or pushed back clear thereof, as required; and then
I employ what I term a skeleton grating, with apertures in the front and
at the side, and I also make apertures in the back plate of the stove, all
these apertures being fed through air flues leading to the same.
Lastly, my Invention consists in constructing domestic stoves with a
descending flue. The side and the back of the fire-place have slits or
openings communicating with a flue, which is carried round the back, down
one side, under the bottom, and up the other side of the fire-place; the pro-
ducts of combustion enter the flue-through or- from the back and one side,.
while the flue is closed on the opposite side, and may have a valve in it at
any convenient part for regulating the draft. By this arrangement a great
part of the smoke is consumed. And by surrounding the flue with a double
casing, and admitting cool or cold air at bottom, it will become heated in its
ascent, and may be employed for warming and heating purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Owen in the Great Seal Patent Office-on- the
14th July 1856.
เ
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
OWEN, of Rotherham, in the County of York, Iron Master, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, 'in the nineteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Owen, Her special licence that I, the said William Owen, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Owen, 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 STOVES AND
FIRE-PLACES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Owen, 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 performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal
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 Owen, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that
is to say :-
My Invention consists in constructing the parts of stoves in such manner
that they shall give out the greatest attainable amount of heat by conduction
as well as radiation. I cast in one piece nearly all the parts coming into
immediate contact with the fire, also such other parts as will receive the
greatest amount of heat by reflection and radiation, and with and in one piece
with these parts, I cast the hearth plate. I also cast with any of the parts
5 certain picces or parts projecting into the fire, in order that the greatest
advantage may be taken of the heat-conducting powers of iron or other metals
_ employed in the manufacture of the stoves. I also bring in contact with the
3

page_text: fire certain parts of the stove, which project forward, so as to make farther use
of the conducting powers 'above referred to. 1 also form certain parts in
connection with the stove in such manner that à fender. is rendered unneces-
sary. In some stoves I cast beneath a loose bottom grating à second grating,
the openings in which are smaller than in the upper grating. The small fuel
falling from the upper grating will get on fire and burn on the lower grating.
An ash pit or box beneath the lower grating receives the dust and ashes.
When using the plan known as Arnott's, for supplying fuel to an ordinary
domestic stovo fire from below, my Invention consists in interposing between
the first charge of fuel and the second and succeeding charges, a hollow box
with gratings to receive the dust and ashes, and prevent them falling upon the
succeeding and rising charge. As soon as each box rises above the level of
the lowest fire bar, it is withdrawn from the stove through the bars, and allows
of the fresh supply of fuel which it previously covered coming in contact with
the burning mass of fuel. Where only desirable to cut off one supply of fuel
from another, then I use a simple grating, which, like the ash box, is withdrawn
as soon as it rises above the level of the lowest fire bar. In order to rechargo
a box or boxes under the grate while the fire is burning," or to shut off com-
munication between the bottom of the grate and the ash pit, I employ a plate,
which I fit so as to enable it to be drawn forward under the grating, or pushed
back clear thereof, as required; and then I employ 'what I term a skeleton
grating, with apertures in the front and at the side, and I also make apertures
in the back plate of the stove, all these apertures being fed through air flues
leading to the same.
Lastly, my Invention consists in constructing domestic stoves with a
descending flue. The side and the back of the fire-place have slits or
openings communicating with a flue, which is carried round the back, down
one side, under the bottom, and up the other side of the fire-place; the pro-
ducts of combustion enter the flue through or from the back and one side,
while the flue is closed on the opposite side, and may have a valve in it at any
convenient part for regulating the draft. By this arrangement a great part of
the smoke is consumed, and by surrounding the flue with a double casing, and
admitting cool or cold air at bottom, it will become heated in its ascent, and
may be employed for warming and heating purposes.
The Drawings hereunto annexed represent stoves and fire-places constructed
according to my Invention.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) is a front view of a stove; Figure 2, a transverse section
of the same; Figure 3, a view of the ash box, fire part, and hearth plate, cast
in one piece; Figure 4, a section of Figure 3; and Figure 5, a view of a

page_text: loose ash pan, which can, when required, be fitted into the ash box. The same
letters refer to similar parts in all the before-named Figures.
A, A, is the front of the fire stove; B, B, the circular check; C, the register
door; and F, the frame to support the same; G, G, are the fire bars; H, H, H,
the side and back cheeks of the stove; I, the projecting trough; K; the grate;
and L, the hearth plate. The side and back checks, projecting trough, grate,
and hearth plate, are shewn cast in one piece; but 1 do not contine myself to
this arrangement, as the before-mentioned parts can be either cast separately
or together, as may be desired. .
..
Figure 6 is a transverse section of the fire part, ash box, and hearth plate of
a stove grate, being a modification of that shewn in section at Figure 2. In
this arrangement, I cast below the grating A, on which the fuel rests, a second
grating B; the first grating A has wider openings than the second grating B,
and so admitting more air, causes the fire to burn clearly; and the coke or coal
which falls through the grating A will be consumed on the lower grating B,
thus giving increased heat to the surrounding parts, whilst the box C catches
all the smaller ashes. A loose ash box may, if desired, be placed in. the
box C; the part from g to h, I cast in one piece..
Figure 7 is a front elevation, and Figure 8 a transverse section, of an
arrangement for supplying fuel at the under side of the fire. A, A, is the
front of the stove; B, B, circular check; C, register or fall door;: D, frame
supporting the same; E, E, are the fire bars; F is a grating, fitted to or cast
in a piece with the top of a box F'; G is a second grating, also fitted to the
top of another box G'; these boxes are to receive the ashes which fall through
the gratings of F and G'; both of these are free to slide upwards or downwards
in a separate box II, in which the coals are placed; at suitable distances in
this box H, are moveable stops I, I, one of which is shewn detached at
Figure 9; these stops are for supporting the gratings and boxes in the case H
at any required height; as will be presently described. In 'a socket formed in
the bottom of the box G¹ is fitted the end of a rack K, which is worked by
means of a small pinion L, fixed on the shaft or spindle M, supporteil at each
end in suitable bearings a, a, and having at the end Na knob or head, in the
periphery of which, holes are drilled for the purpose of introducing.a pin or
lever to work the pinion L and rack K; O is an apron or fretwork of cast iron,
covering the box II; and P; the hearth plate; at P is a slit through which-a
pin is passed for working the knob or head N. When the fire is to be lighted,
the grating F and box F should be placed at about the position shewn by the
dotted lines b, b. On the grating F, the coals, cinders, wood, &c., for lighting
the fire, must be placed; the space in the box.IT between the upper and lower

page_text: gratings being filled with fuel, the bottom grating G. and box G-may then bo
raised by the rack K, until the grating F is on a level with the lowest fire
bar E, and when fresh fuel is required to be brought in contact with the hot
cinders, &c., the upper box F and grating F' must be removed through the
fire bars; the hot cinders will then fall on the coals which were previously
placed between the upper and lower boxes, and the bottom grating G and
box G'aro raised to a level with the fire bar E', as herein-before described.
To admit a fresh supply, after the contents of the box II have been consumed,
the apron O is removed, the rack K lowered, and the box II withdrawn; all
the bottom grates and boxes must be placed at the bottom of the box H, when
it can be refilled, and is then ready for the operation being conducted as before.
Instead of the grates F and G, a plain plate may be used, and the hollow box
dispensed with.
Figure 10 shews another method of supplying fuel at the under side of the
fire, being a modification of the plan shewn in Figure 7. The drawer Q slides
in a frame R, underneath the fire-place, and has a loose grate on which the
fuel is placed (as shewn at S, part of the drawer front being removed for the
purpose of exemplification). The drawer Q is then put in the frame R, and
the loose grate S raised by the rack T and pinion U, thus bringing the coals in
contact with the fire; the loose grate is supported by suitable stops, as herein-
before explained in Figure 8. When a fresh supply of fuel is required, the
loose grate must be lowered by means of the rack and pinion, and refilled
with fuel.
Figure 11 is a view of the drawer, detached from the frame, the loose grate
for supporting the coals being shewn at the dotted lines b, b.
Figure 12 (Sheet 2) shews another method of supporting the fire whilst a
fresh supply of fuel is being put into the drawer; Figure 13, an elevation of
the same, with part of the fire bars and drawer removed; and Figure 14, a
section through-the-line a, b, of Figures 12 and 13. A, A, is a. plate of iron
sliding in grooves B, B, at the side of the grate; passing through these grooves
B, B, and attached to the plate A, are two rods d, d, shewn in dotted lines at
Figure 12; at the end of these rods are rings e, e, for drawing out the iron
plato A; D, D, D, shew a skeleton-bottom grate projecting beyond the frame
of the drawer for the purpose of admitting air to the fire in front and sides
from the passages E, E; these passages lead also to an air passage F, which
also supplies draft to the back of the fire through the grate F; Q, the box for
containing fuel; this box or drawer can be cast in a piece with tho skeleton-
bottom grate, or they may be cast separately, as desired. The mode of working
is as follows:-When the drawer Q requires to be refilled with fuel, the iron

page_text: 5
plate A is drawn out by means of rods d, d, as shewn in Figure 13; the fire in
be grate will then rest on the plate A, the drawer Q is removed and filled, and
when replaced in its original position, the plate A must be pushed back.
.
Figure 15 is a front view of a register stove grate with descending flue;
Figure 16, a transverse section of same; and Figure 17 shews part of the
fire box removed. Here the side of the fire-place A, and back B, have slits
or openings e, e, communicating with the flue C; these openings may be either
the entire length of the back, or only part thereof; the flue C is carried under
the fire, and up the opposite side, as indicated by the arrows; a valve may, if
desired, be placed at any convenient part of the flue C; this flue has an
external casing, and between the two casings, air is admitted at the bottom,
which during its ascent will get heated, and may, if desired, be employed for
warming and heating purposes. By this last-described arrangement, a great
part of the smoke is consumed..
Figure 18 is a front view of another arrangement for a register stove grate ;
and Figure 19, a section of the same. The novelty in this stove consists in
the apron or perforated ash pit, front A, bottom bar B, and dished hearth
plate C, with fender D, being all cast in one piece, and so arranged that they
may be lifted up for the purpose of admitting or removing the ash pan.C.. I
accomplish this by fixing the hearth plate C on pivots at E, E; or if the hearth
plate and apron are made to lift together, I then fix the pivots at F, F, which
are inserted in either the range standard or cheek. I do not confine myself to
cast the before-named parts in a piece, for they may be all made separately, or
two parts may be cast together, as desired.
Figure 20 is a transverse section, through the fire part, of a register stove,
being a modification of the arrangement shewn in Figures 18 and 19. A, A, A,
is a plate cast in one piece, the upper end of which terminates in a series of
prongs ff, projecting through the bottom grate B, and into the body of the
fire; C is the front part, on removing which the ash pan D can be withdrawn
by the rod E; Figure 21 shews the same arrangement, with the addition of
the guard F and bottom plate G, which are cast in a piece with the ash pan
covering. His the hearth plate on which all rests.
I now proceed to describe the manner in which I regulate the draft in stoves
and fire-places.
Figure 23 is a front elevation of a stove with the fire bars and grate removed;
Figure 24, a transverse section of the same, through the line a, b. A is a
grooved or plain pulley cast or otherwise secured to an axle B; C is a valve or
register door, cast in a piece with the axle B. Attached to the pulley A is a
friction lever D, to one end of which a weight E is fixed; this weight E, and

page_text: lever D, work in a notch or loop hole in the back plate or cheek of the grate
and are, for the purpose of retaining the valve in whatever position it may
be set.
"
.
Figure 25 is a front elevation, and. Figure 26 a vertical section, of a stove,
shewing a modification of this last arrangement. Here the register door C
is represented in the shape of a canopy, and when partially open, it will
permit the smoke to escape either at back or by the sides. The form of the
weight E, and the mode of fixing the same, can be varied. The pulley A
can be cast separately from the axle B and valve C.
.And' having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First, casting the projecting trough, ash box, and hearth plate of stoves und
fire-places in one or separate parts, in the manner herein-before described and
represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed..
Second, forming a second grating below the grating on which the fire rests,
and casting the part which covers the same in one piece, as herein-before
described and represented in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Third, the employment of bollow boxes, grates, plates, and what I term a
skeleton grating, either together or separately, and the admission of air to the
fire through the back of the grate, as herein-before described and represented
iu.the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fourth, constructing, domestic stoves with a descending flue, and using the
air, which passes between an outer casing and the flue, for heating and
warming purposes, all as hercin-before described and represented in the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
And, fifth, I claim the general arrangement and construction of stoves and
fire-places, in the manner herein-before described and, represented in the
Drawings hereunto annexed.
In-witness whereof, I, the said William Owen, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of July, One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-six.
Witness to the signature of W Owen,
ROBERT OWEN.
WILLIAM OWEN. (L.S.)