Improvements in or relating to Fire Grates.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left; 3rd July, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1895
Improvements in or relating to Fire Grates.
I JAMES MARCROFT of 126 Platting Lane off Oldham Road Rochdale in the
County of Lancaster Shoe Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a new combustion apparatus or fire grate to be used in
connection with domestic fire grates or places.
The objects of my invention are to provide an adjustable appliance or grate of
suitable form to fit within an ordinary fire place by the use of which invention
atmospheric air may be freely admitted underneath and behind the fire or burning
fuel on the grate. The essential feature of my invention consists in the formation
of an air space or passage of certain dimensions or area behind the burning fuel
such space being formed between the back part of my grate and a separate piece
or plate of suitable material such as fire clay but in the case of the application
of my grate to a fire place having a fire brick back then such brick back will act
as a substitute for the separate piece. My grate is adapted for and is capable
of being raised or lowered within the fire place inore or less by which means
more or less fuel may be used within the grate or fire place. According to my
present construction I form my new appliance or grate in one piece or casting such
being of a certain form. In connection with the grate I employ a piece or plate of
tire clay the front part of which is provided at the bottom thereof with suitable
adjustable attachments by which the grate may be supported in position on any
one of the fire bars of the ordinary fire grate the back of my now grate or
appliance being formed at any convenient angle with relation to the bottom side and
extending upwards and the upper part of which bick is provided with a projecting
side which projecting side-when my appliance is in position-rests against the fire
clay piece or fire brick back as the case may be thus a space is formed between the
back of my grate and the fire clay piece or the fire back. An important element
of my invention consists also in the proper proportion or height of the back of my
grate which is so arranged that when in its proper position within the fire place
such back shall extend for a short distance upwards so that when in use the space
before referred to shall be always at the lower part of the burning fuel and the
back of the grate always covered thereby by which means or under such conditions
the most beneficial results may be effected that is, a bright fire or great heat may
be obtained from the burning fuel or coal.
When the grate or appliance is adjusted on any one of the ordinary bars a space
more or less is thus formed thereunder consequently enabling a free admission of air
thereunder and being combined with the formation or existence of the space behind
the burning fuel consequently air heated by contact with the heated fire clay piece
or the fire back or the heat radiated therefrom as the case may be during its
passage through the air spaces greatly facilitating combustion or effects complete
combustion of the fuel thus the creation of a maximum of heat may be attained
with a minnimum amount of fuel in a domestic fire place and thus economy effected
with the most beneficial results.
1005

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Fire Grates.
1 JAMES MARCROFT of 126 Platting Lane Rochdale in the County of Lancaster
Shoe Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My invention relates to a new combustion apparatus or fire grate to be used in
connection with domestic fire grates or places but more generally in kitchen ranges.
The objects of my invention are to provide an adjustable appliance or fire grate
of suitable form to fit within au ordinary fire place by the use of which invention
atmospheric air may be freely admitted underneath and behind the fire or burning
fuel on the grate.
The essential or salient feature of my invention consists in the formation of
an air space or passage behind and enclosed or covered in by the burning fuel
such space being formed between the back part of my grate and a separate piece or
plate of suitable form and material such as fire clay or other refractory substance,
and which space is, according to my invention covered in by the burning fuel for a
purpose which will be hereinafter described. An or linary fire brick back will act
as a substitute for the fire clay piece but the same must have an even or level
surface in order that the back of my grate may rest thereon for the formation of a
cover or closure of the space hereinbefore mentioned.
My grate is adapted for and is capable of being raised or lowered within the
fire place more or less, by which means more or less fuel may be used within
the grate.
According to my present construction I form my new appliance or grate in one
piece or casting such being of a certain form.
I
In connection with the grate 1 employ a piece or plate of fire clay which piece
may be solid or may be provided with openings or apertures in order to allow of
heated air in the space herein before mentioned-when this invention is applied to a
range having a hot water boiler at the back thereof as may be required and as the
case may be to pass under or around such hot water boiler.
The front part of my adjustable grate is provided at convenient parts with
suitable loosely fitted attachments or hooks, by which means the grate is supported
in position, which may be on any one of the fire bars of the grate or range.
The back of my grate is formed or situate at any convenient angle with relation
to the bottom thereof, which back extends upwards and which back has a return
or projecting side, which projecting side is adapted to fit or rest against the
fire clay piece, thus a space is formed between the back of the grate and the fire
clay piece.
An important element of this invention consists in the proper proportions of
the back of my grate which back extends only for a short distance from the floor
or bottom of the grate, so that when in use fuel shall cover io, the back from view,
and thus at this part the space before referred to is enclosed or covered in, as by
these means the most beneficial results will accrue therefrom i.e. a bright fire may
be maintained as the heated air is by these means caused to pass through the
burning fuel at the lower part of the grate or under a hot water boiler instead
of being allowed to escape through the top and at the back of the fire into
the flue.
In order that my invention may be clearly comprehended I now proceed to refer
to the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrating several figures and in which
similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the figures therein
shewn.
Fig. 1. is an elevation in perspective shewing the grate and fire clay piece.

page_text: Fig. 2. is a perspective view of a hook or attachment.
Fig. 3. is a sectional elevation shewing grate and plate in position within a
fire place.
Figs. 4. 6. 8. and 9 are sectional elevations showing adaptations of the grate
and plate to a range having a hot water boiler being modifications of Fig. 3.
Figs. 5. 7. and 10. are figures showing the front elevations of plates or fire clay
pieces employed in arrangements as shewn in Figs. 4. 6. and 9.
a. is the grate of peculiar or certain form and of any convenient dimensions,-
which grate may be applied to a kitchen range or to a parlour register or other
grate which is suitably formed to fit within such a grate, having its back part a¹
formed at a convenient angle with relation to the bottom of the grate and provided
with a return end or side a³ which part a³ rests against a fire clay piece b. which is
placed against the ordinary fire brick back or boiler front as may be desired and
as the case may be. The front side of the grate is supported in position on one
of the fire bars a. by means of attachments or hooks d. which are loosely fitted in
the slots at a see Fig. 1. so that the studs d² shall lie or rest in the slots a*.
The grate may be adjusted more or less on any of the fire bars, c.
When the grate and the fire clay piece the subject matter of this invention
are to be used in connection with a hot-water boiler I provide the fire clay piece
or plate b. with openings or apertures d' which may be of any convenient form or
number for the purpose of admitting heated air underneath or in contact with the
boiler e. as shewn in Figs. 4. 6. 8. and 9.
I provide more particularly when using my invention with boilers, fire clay
pieces on the grate surface which may if desired be employed in arrangement
shewn in Fig. 3., the object of providing such pieces being to ensure only the
admission of heated air to the boiler or to regulate the proper quantity of cold
air in the arrangement as shewn in Fig. 3. in dotted lines.
It is evident that many forms of perforations or apertures may be employed in
the said fire clay plates but the principles of which are embodied in the figures
berein described and shewn in the drawings, which I consider a sufficient number
of illustrations for the purpose of explaining the principle of my invention for
this particular purpose.
When the grate a. is adjusted on any one of the ordinary fire bars c. a space ƒ.
more or less is thus formed underneath the grate a. consequently enabling a free
admission of air thereunder, which space f. being combined with the space g. formed
behind the said grate or burning fuel . and being enclosed at the upper part g¹ by
the said fuel, thus the air drawn from the outer atmosphere within the space g.-
when the plate b. is heated-becomes heated, thus a current of heated air is created
which is deflected, directed or is caused to pass through the burning fuel h. or
partly through the burning fuel and underneath the boiler, e. accordingly as my
invention is applied to a range or fire place not having or having a boiler thus in
either or both cases the heated air is utilised i.e. great heat is caused to be emitted
from the burning fuel or from the hurning fuel and at the same time water is
heated by the hot air.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In combination the adjustable grate a. the solid or perforated fire clay piece
or plate b. the essential features of which combination are, the formation of a space
or cavity in which heated air may be created and allowed to pass through the
burning fuel, or, and simultaneously may be utilised for water heating purposes
substantially as herein fully set forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
2. The grate a. whereby a space g. is formed and enclosed by the burning fuel
as herein fully set forth.

page_text: 3. The air heating space g. in combination with thoroughfares d¹ provided in a
plate or piece b. and communicating with a boiler e. for the purposes herein fully
set forth.
DAL! 1-4 JT... 100K