Improvements in Fire-bars and Furnace-grates.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 10th Jan., 1891-Accepted. 14th Feb
1801
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire-bars and Furnace-grates.
I DAVID JOHN MORGAN of 33 Fitzhamon Embankment in the County of
Glamorgan Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My present invention relates to certain improvements in those kind of fire bars
5 or furnace grates described and illustrated by me in my prior Patents numbers 3344
of the 3rd March 1890 and 14738 of the 18th of September 1890 and one object of
my present improvements is to so construct and arrange the fire bars and furnace
grate that the said bars may when desired be reversed either end for end or upside
down so that when the upper faces thereof become burnt the said bars may be
turned over in order that the fire may rest on their inverted faces as will be well
understood and should any bar become burnt more at one end thereof than the other
it may be casily and expeditiously reversed end for end as before stated and where
two or more sets of bars are employed in the same furnace grate they are inter-
changeable.
The second object of my invention is to what I will term mechanically lock the
bars in position in the grate by which means when a bar requires to be replaced
or removed this can be accomplished without it being necessary to draw
the fire.
The third object of my present invention is to arrange the fire bars and furnace
grate so that the said bars become locked or interlocked laterally that is to say the
side of one bar locks that of the adjoining bar and the outer side bar or bars are
finally locked either mechanically or by fixtures made with or secured to the side
frames of the grate.
To attain the object first before set forth I preferably construct my improved fire
bars of a corresponding form and thickness at their upper and lower edges or faces
or of any convenient form in cross section in order that they may be reversed or
inverted and either edge face or side used for the fire to rest upon and I arrange
the ends of each bar with either a projection or recess corresponding with the recess
or projection formed in the dead plate bridge plate or centre bearer the ends of each
bar are therefore similar in shape and size and likewise each projection or recess on
the dead plate bearer or bridge plate is similar in shape and size so that it will be
obvious that the bars may be interchanged. Where two sets of bars are employed
fore and aft of the furnace grate and the centre bearer is a fixture I employ a
locking plate or plates either at the bridge plate middle bearer or dead plate and
the said locking plate is secured in position either by means of screws or wedges
and is adjustable and a separate recess may not be formed in the ends of the bars
for its reception inasmuch as the said locking plate or plates forms part of the
projection on the bridge plate bearer or dead plate.
In attaining the second object of my present invention that is what I term the
mechanical locking of the bars. Where two sets of bars-one fore and the other
aft of the furnace grate-are used I employ a mechanical middle bearer which may
be oscillated moved or partly revolved upon a suitable shaft or pivot. The said
bearer is preferably triangular in cross section and is carried either by the shaft
aforesaid which extends from one side of the furnace grate to the other and bears
therein or is pivotted as stated to each side in either case the pivots or shaft are
or is arranged as to cause the bearer to work eccentrically. In order to oscillate
or move said mechanical bearer it may have secured to or made therewith a suitable
oothed quadrant which gears or meshes with a worm secured to a longitudinal shaft
which is supported under the furnace grate and which extends to the stokehole or
Price 81

page_text: front of furnace and has secured thereto a hand wheel or lever. Or instead of a
toothed quadrant being employed as aforesaid the said mechanical bearer may be
oscillated or moved by means of a lever connected with a screw rod the latter
working through a hand wheel arranged in front of the furnace or stokehole or it
will be obvious that the said mechanical bearer may be partly revolved or oscillated
by any other ordinary mechanical means.
Where the fire bars are not interchangeable the middle or mechanical bearer
may be in the form of a portion of a circle in cross section in which case of course
the grooves in the ends of the bars which rest thereon are semicircular in form or
the said mechanical bearer may be partly taper round oval or other shape in cross
section and may have an undercut or receding portion so that the rebated ends of
the fore set of bars may rest thercon and the grooved ends of the aft set of bars
may extend to the undercut or receding part of said bearer or vice versa.
Where my improved furnace grate is composed of one set of bars only either the
back part of the dead plate or front part of the bridge plate may be arranged with
a mechanical locking bar or bearer which may be worked oscillated or partly
revolved in the manner described with reference to the middle mechanical bearer
as before described. By the use of mechanical bearers constructed and worked in
accordance with my present invention any bar may be removed from its place
and a fresh bar placed in its stead without it being necessary to draw the fire.
To attain the third object of this invention which is the automatic locking of the
bars laterally or from their sides I accomplish this in several ways for instance
where two sets of bars are used fore and aft of the furnace grate I arrange them
so that they interlock each other laterally at the middle bearer that is to say one
side of one bar has a groove undercut or rebate and the adjoining side of the next
bar has a rebate or projection so that the said portion of one bar overlaps or projects
into the next bar or the said sides of the ends of the bars which rest upon the
bearers may be tapered one side of one bar holding down the next bar or suitable
projections may be arranged on the sides of each bar the projection on one bar
resting on that of the other or next bar.
In employing fire bars arranged to automatically lock each other laterally they
may be finally locked either from the side of the bridge plate middle bearer or dead
plate for which purpose either or all of said plates may be made with projections
grooves or undercuts which fit into or over the sides of the outer bars or a separate
locking plate may be arranged to finally lock the bars from the sides which plate
may where preferred be worked mechanically in any of the ways described with
reference to the oscillating or mechanical bearer or plate hereinbefore described
with reference to the second object of my invention. It will be obvious that where
only one set of bars are employed the lateral locking may be arranged at either or
both ends thereof or at any other convenient part or parts of the bars.
Dated this 11th day of November 1890.
H. F. BOUGHTON, M.I. Mech. E.,
Barnsley and Sheffield, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire-bars and Furnace-grates.
1, DAVID JOHN MORGAN, of 33 Fitzhamon Embankment, Cardiff, in the
County of Glamorgan, Engineer, 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 present invention relates to certain improvements in those kind of fire-bars or
furnace-grates described by me in my prior Patents numbers 3344 of 3rd March
1890 and 14738 of the 18th September 1890 and one object of my present improve-
ments is to so construct and arrange the fire-bars and furnace-grate that the said
bars may when desired be reversed either end for end or upside down so that when

page_text: the upper faces thereof become burnt the said bars may be turned over in orde
that the fire may rest on their inverted faces as will be well understood and
should any bar become burnt more at one end thereof than the other it may easily
and expeditiously be reversed end for end as before stated and where two or more
sets of bars are employed in the same furnace grate they are interchangeable.
The second object of my invention is to what I will term mechanically lock the
bars in position in the grate by which means when a bar requires to be replaced or
removed this can be accomplished without it being necessary to draw the fire.
The third object of my present invention is to arrange the fire-bars and furnace-
grate so that the said bars become locked or interlocked laterally that is to say the
side of one bar locks that of the adjoining bar and the outer side bar or bars are
finally locked either mechanically or by fixtures made with or secured to the side
frames of the grate.
In order to clearly describe how the several objects hereinbefore set forth are
attained hereunto attach drawings and will proceed to more particularly describe
my invention by their aid.
Fig. 1 is a cross sectional elevation and Fig. 2 a plan of one form of my improved
reversible and interchangeable fire-bar.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken on line a a of Fig. 5 and
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken on line of said Fig. 5 the
latter figure being a plan of my improved furnace grate.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, are longitudinal sectional elevations of modifica-
tions of my improved furnace-grates showing various means or arrangements for
mechanically locking and unlocking the bars and the interchangeableness of
said bars.
Fig. 13 is a cross sectional elevation showing one means of laterally interlocking
the bars and
Fig. 14 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of said arrangement.
Figs. 15, 16, and 17, are cross sectional elevations taken through the ends of the
bars where they lock laterally illustrating modifications of the same and
Fig. 18 is a cross sectional elevation illustrating a modified arrangement of
finally locking the outer side bars in the furnace grate.
Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The bars A are made of a corresponding form
and thickness at their upper and lower faces so that they may be inverted and
either face used for the fire to rest upon as desired.
The ends of said bars also correspond in shape in order that either end of the
same may rest upon the dead plate, middle bearer or bridge plate by which
arrangement the said fire bars may be turned end for end. And where two sets of
bars are used or the bars are arranged fore and aft of the furnace grate they may
be interchanged.
In Fig. 3 each end a¹ of bar A has a V shaped recess and the middle bearer G
s formed with corresponding projections b'. Likewise the dead plate D has a
projection and the bridge plate E a projection e¹.
Referring to Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the sides of the furnace grate receive the inter-
hangeable and reversible bars A. as shown at Figs. 3 and 5 and the middle portion
f said furnace grate is made up of my ordinary bars A' constructed and arranged
accordance with my prior inventions as described in Specifications numbered
344 and 14738 of 1890 respectively. In this arrangement the bars A are
rst slid laterally to positions in the furnace-grate so as to occupy both sides
hereof and subsequently the bars A' are placed so as to occupy the middle
ortion as shown at Fig. 4 and the whole of the bars so placed are finally
cked by means of the locking plates M.
Instead of the ends a' of the bars A having recesses they may be arranged
project as shown at Fig. 6 in which case recesses are formed in the dead
late D middle bearer G bridge plate E and locking plate M.
I would have it understood that any convenient form of recesses or projection

page_text: may be arranged at the ends of the bars A and corresponding forms of pro-
jections or recesses may be arranged in the dead plate D middle bearer G
bridge plate E or locking plates M and I do not confine my invention
exclusively to the special forms illustrated as the same may be modified to suit
requirements.
Referring to Figs. 7 to 12 which illustrate means for attaining the second
object of my present invention the middle bearer G may be arranged as shown
at Fig. 7 so as to be capable of being partly revolved upon suitable pivots g'
which bear in the sides of the furnace grate or the said pivots may be formed
at the end of a suitable shaft extending through the said bearer G and to which
the same is fixed.
The mechanical middle bearer G may be of a form as shown in cross section
Fig. 7, and may have a toothed quadrant. secured thereto which gears with
a worm secured to a horizontal shaft / extending to the stokehole or front of
the furnace where it receives and has secured thereto a suitable hand wheel k.
The said shaft 1 is supported by means of suitable bearings which are secured
to the sides or other suitable parts of the furnace. Instead of a toothed
quadrant a lever may be fixed to or made with the mechanical bearer G as
shown at Fig. 8 in which case the rod or shaft is jointed at 12 and its end is
threaded at and screws through the boss of the hand wheel k.
In Fig. 9 the mechanical middle bearer G is in the form of a portion of a
circle in cross section and by partly revolving said bearer to one side or the
other the bars A may be removed either from the fore or aft set in accordance
to which side the flat part 2 of the bearer G may be turned.
In this case it is necessary to place supporting rods Q under the bars A as
shown in order to prevent the ends of said bars A. falling when the mechanical
bearer G is turned.
In Fig. 11 the bars A. are interchangeable that is to say the same bar may
be fitted in the furnace-grate either fore or aft but they cannot be turned round
or inverted. The locking plates M. slide in grooves formed in the dead plate D
and bridge plate E respectively and the bars A. are made with corresponding
grooves a for the reception of the locking plates M as shown.
The locking plate M situated in the bridge plate E may be moved to locked
or unlocked position by means of the hooked rod as shown.
Referring to Fig. 12 the bars A. are interchangeable that is to say the same
bar may be fitted in the furnace grate either fore or aft but it will not fit
therein when turned round or inverted it is therefore similar in this respect to
those described with reference to Fig. 11.
The locking plates M in this case slide in grooves formed in the dead plate D
and middle bearer G and not in the dead plate E. The said locking plate M
which works in the groove y³ formed in the fixed middle bearer Gis worked
or moved mechanically by means of the lever which is pivotted at 12 and
connected to the rod which extends to the front of furnace or stokehole.
Where my improved furnace grate is composed of one set of bars only either
the back part of the dead plate D or front part of the bridge plate E may be
arranged with a mechanical locking bar or bearer similar to any of the middle
mechanical bearers Ghereinbefore illustrated and described and the said
mechanical bearers may be worked oscillated or partly revolved by any of the
means set forth.
By the use of the mechanical bearers constructed and worked in accordance
with my present invention any bar may be removed from its place and a fresh
or new bar placed in its stead without it being necessary to draw the fire for
the purpose.
To attain the third object of this invention which is the automatic locking of
the bars A laterally or from their sides I accomplish this in several ways for
instance where two sets of bars A are used one fore and the other aft of furnace I
preferably arrange the said bars A so that they interlock each other laterally

page_text: where they rest upon the fixed middle bearer G as shown at Figs. 13 to 18
that is to say one side of one bar A of the fore set of bars has a groove
undercut or rebate a² and the side of the bar A coming in line therewith in
the aft set of bars has a projection a³ which fits therein or thereon in this
case it will be obvious that the aft set of bars lock the fore set or vice versa
but it will be obvious that where only one set of bars are employed the bars
in the same set may be arranged to lock each other laterally upon a similar
principle.
The final locking of the bars A. where arranged to interlock each other
laterally can be accomplished by arranging the outer bars A. with flanges a as
shown at Fig. 13 or with recesses as as shown at Fig. 18 in each case the
locking plate M is fixed as shown or it will be obvious that the final locking
may be effected by arranging either at one or both sides of the grate any
similar mechanical locking bars as hereinbefore described and set forth it
merely being necessary to arrange the side frame or frames of the furnace and
the sides of the outer bars to suit such arrangements.
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 1
claim is :-
:-
1. In furnace grates the use of fire-bars made and arranged so as to be
invertible in combination with the means for locking the same substantially as
described and illustrated.
2. In furnace grates the use of fire-bars made and arranged so as to be
interchangeable in combination with the locking arrangements substantially as
described and illustrated.
3. The mechanical means of locking furnace-bars or fire-bars substantially
as described and in part set forth in the drawings annexed.
4. Arranging fire-bars or furnace-bars so as to interlock or lock each other
laterally in the manner substantially as described and shown or any mere
modification of the same.
Dated this 9th day of January 1891.
H. F. BOUGHTON, M.I. Mech. E.,
124, Temple Chambers, London, Sheffield, and Barnsley, Agent.