AN IMPROVED ASH-PAN FOR FIRE GRATES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Brown, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Corn Merchant, and George Brown, of the same place,
Corn Merchant, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED ASH-PAN FOR FIRE
GRATES,"
Sealed the 23rd September 1856, and dated the 24th March 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Brown and George
Brown at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 24th March 1856.
We, PETER BROWN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Corn
Merchant, and GEORGE BROWN, of the same place, Corn Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for an "IMPROVED ASH-PAN FOR FIRE
GRATES," to be as follows:-
Our improvements consist in the novel application of a dust receiver and
cinder sifter, or separator, in combination with the pan placed underneath the
fire grate, used for the reception of dust, cinders, &c., and commonly known
as an ash-pan. This improved ash-pan is divided into two divisions or
compartments by means of a moveable tray or sifter, which may be formed
either of a metal plate perforated, or of narrow ribs of metal placed across it in
the form of a grid, or of wirework, or any suitable substitute which will allow

page_text: the dust and refuse to fall into the pan beneath, and retain the cinders on the
top of the sifter, so that they may be removed to be reburnt. The top or
cover of the ash-pan, which is capable of being removed from the bottom
part or receiver, may be furnished with a series of heat reflectors, placed at an
angle in a similar manner to "louvre boards;" these reflectors may either be
fixed or allowed to move upon pivots, and capable of adjustment by stops, so
as to close the aperture at the top of the ash-pan, and thus prevent the
escape of dust into the room during the act of sifting; or this may be accom-
plished by means of a moveable slide, which can be slid over the top.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Peter Brown and George Brown in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 24th September 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, PETER.
BROWN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Corn Merchant, and GEORGE
BROWN, of the same place, Corn Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of March, 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 us, the
said Peter Brown and George Brown, Her especial license that we, the said
Peter Brown and George Brown, our executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as we, the said Peter Brown and George Brown, our 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 AN IMPROVED ASH-PAN FOR FIRE GRATES, upon the
condition, amongst others, that we, the said Peter Brown and George Brown,
by an instrument in writing under our 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
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the.
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Peter Brown and George Brown, do
hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same

page_text: is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by. the
following statement (that is to say):-
Our improvements consists in the novel application and use of a dust receiver
and cinder sifter, or separator, in combination with the plan ordinarily placed
underneath the fire grate, commonly known as an ash-pan, and used for the
reception of the dust, cinders, small coal, or other matter which may fall from
the fire.
This improved ash-pan is divided into two divisions or compartments by
means of a moveable tray or sifter used to separate the dust and smaller
particles of cinders, &c., from the larger. This sifter or separator may be
formed either of a metal plate perforated, or of narrow ribs or bars of metal
placed across it in the manner of a "grid ;" or, if preferable, of wirework or
any other appropriate substitute which will allow the dust and refuse from the
fire to fall into the pan beneath such separator or grid; and retain the cinders
and particles of unburnt coal, &c. on the top of the grid, so as to render them
immediately available for further consumption, required. A top or cover to
the ash-pan is placed above the separator, and may be so contrived that they.
can be raised together to empty the dust and refuse from the lower pan or
receiver; this cover may also be furnished with a series of ribs or bars placed
at a convenient angle in a similar manner to louvre boards, and serve the
twofold purpose of heat reflectors and hide the intermediate sift or grid and
larger particles of fuel from view. These reflectors or screens can be so con-
structed as to be allowed to move upon pivots, and capable of adjustment to
different angles by stops or other simple mechanical equivalent, so as to close
the aperture at the top of the ash-pan, and prevent the escape of dust into
the apartment during the act of sifting or separating the cinders and dust; or
a similar benefit will be obtained by having a moveable plate so arranged as
to slide over the top of the pan, both arrangements being preferable to having
the bars or reflectors rigidly fixed.
By the use of this improved ash-pan, it will be evident that a great economy
in coal or other fuel may be effected by causing the larger cinders and coal,
which will be readily separated from the dust and refuse, to be reburnt; the
pan will also present an ornamental appearance when covered by the heat
reflectors or screens.
It will be evident that it is unnecessary to annex a Drawing of the ash-pan
hereunto, as the smaller details of construction and arrangement, and the
dimensions of the apparatus must be governed and regulated according to the
necessary requirement of circumstances; and the apparatus may be constructed

page_text: either of wrought or cast metál, or other substances or materials, the principle
of construction being always adhered to.
Having now described the nature and object of our said Invention, together
with the method of carrying the same into practical effect, we wish it to be
distinctly understood that we claim,―
First, the novel application, employment, and use of a sifter, separator, or
grid in combination with a pan (or alone) used for the reception of dust,
cinders, &c., such separator or sifter being employed for the purpose of sepa-
rating or dividing the dust and refuse arising from the fire from the larger
cinders and particles of coal also falling therefrom.
And, secondly, the use of ribs or bars of metal forming the heat reflectors,
and used for the purposes of reflectors and screens; and also for covering in
the ash-pan to prevent the dust rising during the operation of separating,, as
herein-before described and fully set forth, without wishing to confine ourselves
to the precise details herein mentioned.
In witness whereof, we, the said Peter Brown and George Brown
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-third day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-six.
PETER BROWN.
(L.S.)
GEORGE BROWN. (L.S.)
PETER BROWN.
(L.S.)
GEORGE BROWN. (L.S.)