IMPROVEMENTS IN KITCHENERS AND KITCHEN RANGES, AND IN COOKING AND BATH HEATING APPARATUSES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Huntley, of Manchester, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN KITCHENERS AND KITCHEN RANGES, AND IN COOKING
AND BATH HEATING APPARATUSES,"
Sealed The 28th April 1863, and dated the 4th November 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Huntley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th
November 1802:
I. THOMAS HUNTLEY, of Manchester, do hereby declare the nature of the
said. Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN KITCHENERS AND KITCHEN RANGES, AND
IN COOKING AND BATH HEATING APPARATUSES," to be as follows, that is to
say:--
My Invention relates to kitcheners, ranges, and cooking and bath and
water-heating, apparatuses, and consists, first, in forming the whole of the
parts (steam and water vessels excepted) usually fitted and fastened together
with screws and other similar media with male and female or lap joints, by
the latter or improved mode of construction the ranges can be more readily
and easily put up and removed at all times, greater facilities are afforded for
repair, and the liability to breakage consequent upon the corrosion of all
Screw fastenings is avoided.
Secondly, in concentrating the products of combustion and economizing
fuel and heat by forming and arranging the fire-grates, flues, dampers,
ovens, boilers, and other parts of the apparatus in the manner herein-after
mentioned.
And, thirdly, in dispensing with intermediate feed cisterns and other com-
plicated mechanism and forms of construction hitherto used in the water and

page_text: bath-heating apparatuses connected with kitchen ranges by the substitution of
the simple hydraulic and steam appliances hereby described.
In carrying the first-mentioned improvements into effect, I form all the
joints (those of the water and steam vessels excepted) on the groove and
tongue or double or single flange or lap-over principle, merely using a little
common stopping where required.
7
The means by which 1 effect the second above-mentioned improvements are
as follows, viz.-The range and cooking apparatus takes the general form of
an ordinary kitchener. The fire-place is formed with open bars in the front
for roasting and other purposes, as in the usual form of range; but in this
Invention is divided into two compartments, one above the other; the dividing
bars are made hollow, and have water passing or circulating through them;
these dividing bars connect the two side boilers. The boilers and steam part
of the apparatus is described in the explanation of that particular portion of
the improvements. The under compartment of the open fire-grate has fire-
brick sides for increasing its roasting efficacy, and the front bars are so fitted
that they rise and fall; they can be let down to the hearth, if necessary, and
this lower compartment only may be in operation as a sitting fire; it may be
raised for roasting, and it may also be in operation when raised into con
junction with the upper grate, the two thus forming one powerful body of fire
for any and all of the purposes of the apparatus. The lower portion of the
grate is carried by a jointed frame or supports, which fold under the bottom
bars, and the feet of this frame or supports rest upon notched sleepers at the
sides, so that it can be raised to any height required by the simple aid of
the poker as a lever, no rack or pinion being necessary. The upper compart-
ment, over which a grilling stove is fitted, is fed with fuel from the top, and the
lower compartment is fed through the aperture caused by lowering the same
upon the foot rests, or by a drop bar or plate from the top thereof. This
improvement is applicable to all ranges. At each side of the top. portion of
this grate, and at the back thereof, I place cavity plates divided by any con-
venient internal space; these internal spaces are filled with water, and are in
connection with the steam boiler at the back of the fire-grate, and this portion
of the boiler with the hollow bars, before mentioned, with the front bars forms
the top portion of the fire-grate. These-branches of the boiler by their form
and weight and disposition thus bind or hold the whole of the parts together.
Under these cavity plates at the sides brick pillars are brought from the floor,
leaving flue space at top and bottom for the passage of heat, and the produce
of combustion from the fire to and in through the heating flues. At the back
of the under portion of the fire-grate a fourth cavity plate is formed, the

page_text: internal space of which is filled with water and is in connection with the hot
water boiler. The hot water boiler and steam boiler are distinct vessels, the
former being placed at the back of and in a line with the fire plate, and the
latter at each side thereof; these boilers are upright vessels of a cylindrical
or other form: the steam boiler rests upon the floor, and the hot water boiler
is raised at the foot a little above the floor level, and spaces are left for the
circulation of the heat round their external area. and, if necessary. internal
pipes are fitted therein, through which the caloric can pass, thus increasing the
heating surfaces, and diminishing the quantity of fuel required to produce the
necessary temperature therein; these are enclosed in a chamber at the bottom
of the chimney. The heat passes over and under the back cavity plates of the
upper compartment of the grate, and over the top of the cavity plate of the lower
compartment of the grate, and descends between the front of the boilers and
the back of the cavity plates, and then under the hot water boiler, and up the
sides and through the internal flues, as the case may be; when required both
of the openings can be closed, and the heat directed upon the ovens and other
parts of the apparatus at the sides. The ovens are placed on each side of the
fire-grate and immediately adjoining thereto, being separated therefrom by the
said side cavity plates and the brick pillars below. The ovens or roasters extend
from top to bottom and to the full extent of the boilers at the back, and run
flush with the fire-grate in the front when large oven space is required; in
smaller ranges, however, they may be flush with the back of the fire-grate. The
ovens are entirely surrounded with flues except in the front, and the doors are
made double to prevent their giving off the heat; a flue space divides the
oven from the cavity plates and brickwork, and a similar flue space divides
the steam-cooking portion of the apparatus, which are placed beyond the
ovens at the right and left sides of the apparatus, the whole of the ovens
and steaming apparatus and fire-grate are covered with hot plates, under
which flues or spaces are left for the circulation of heat. Moveable pro-
tecting plates, and saddles are fitted in the flues which, are so formed that
they answer the double purpose of protecting the surface of the oven from the
intense action of the fire, and at the same time act as dampers for changing
the direction of the current or currents of heat; these saddle plates are so
formed that they can he readily actuated by the aid of an ordinary kitchen
poker, and thus dispense with all draw rods and other complicated dampers.
The steam cooking apparatus consists of a steam chamber, the top of which
is a boiler for boiling purposes; the top of this boiler forms a continuation of
the hot plates, in which an opening is formed covered with a moveable cover,
this boiler thus forms an integral part of the steaming apparatus.

page_text: The third above-mentioned improvement of my said Invention, which relates
to the water and bath heating apparatus, is partially described under the head
of the 2nd part of this Specification, and consists, with the cavity plates and
hollow bars herein-before mentioned, of two boilers. one for boiling water.
which always remains full. and the other for steam, the latter, although
forming but one boiler is in two parts or upright cylindrical or other formed
ressels. The water from the house tank or main is first heated in the hot
water boiler, which is supplied in the following manner-A supply pipe con-
veying the water into it is connected thereto at the bottom, and a discharging
pipe fitted thereto at the top for supplying the hot water as described; this
discharging pipe is carried up to and over the side of the house tank: a
branch from this discharging pipe is carried into the steam boiler, and upon
this branch a stop-cock or weighted valve is placed; the steam vessels which
form this boiler being connected, the water rises to the same height in each.
and a heavy float which actuates a rod or wire working through a stuffing box
in the top opens and closes the valve on the supply branch of this boiler,
which comes from the discharge pipe of the hot water boiler, and as the
water in the steam boiler rises and falls the supply pipe and valve in con-
nection therewith is thus opened and closed. The space above the float forms
the steam chest, and suitable pipes and connections are inserted therein and
carried to the steaming apparatus and where else required. A safety valve
is placed upon the hot water boiler to prevent the possibility of accident in
case of frost, and another is placed upon the connecting pipe of the steam
boiler for its protection. From these boilers pipes can be carried to any
desired point, hot water being delivered by gravity at any point below the
water line in the vessels, and by the gravitating power of the cold over the
hot water the latter can be raised to any convenient height, and thus a bath
or other body of water may be thereby heated by suitable pipes, and merely
opening the connection therewith when the same result has to be obtained,
using only one vessel, then a heavy float is placed therein, and the top is
converted into a steam chamber, from which the cooking apparatus is supplied
as before mentioned; and when it is required to make this one vessel supply
a bath or other body of water at any required clevation above its own level.
a small lever opening and closing suitable stops and connections is fitted
thereto, and the steam is either used as a vapour bath or for heating purposes,
or is discharged and the boiler fills up with water, which being heated therein
is then raised to any required point by the superior column of cold water from
the tank, and when the desired quantity, or the operation of the apparatus
in this vessel is no longer needed, the stop taps are closed, and. the pipes

page_text: empty themselves and remain in the empty state safe from all frost or other
obstruction till they are again wanted, and the floats and valves again act, and
this vessel again acts as a hot water and steam boiler.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Palent, filed
by the said Thomas Huntley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th May 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I. THOMAS
HUNTLEY, of Manchester, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria. by Her Leiters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Huntley. Her special licence that I, the said Thomas Huntley.
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Thomas Huntley. my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 "IMPROVE.
MENTS IN KITCHENERS AND KITCHEN RANGES, AND IN COOKING AND BATH. HEATING
APPARATUS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas
Huntley, 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 Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Huntley, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to kitcheners, ranges, and apparatus for cooking,
and water and bath heating purposes, and has for its object improvements in
their forms, construction, and arrangement.
First, I form the whole of the parts which fit together, and which are usually
fastened with screws and other similar media, with male and female flanges or

page_text: tongue and groove, or lap over joints; this improved form of joint gives strength
to the plates by the flanges: ranges thus constructed can be made more readily
and easily put up and removed when required, greater facility is thereby
afforded for repairs, and the liability to breakage consequent from the corrosion
of all screw fastenings is avoided.
Secondly. I so form the fire-grates. flues, and dampers, and construct and
place the ovens and other parts of the apparatus that the products of combus-
tion from the fuel in the grates are converted into a clear heat. free or nearly
so from smoke, and which heat or product of more perfect combustion is
concentrated upon any part of or disseminated through the entire apparatus.
thus economising the fuel necessary to produce the required degree of heat,
while the less quantity of smoke passing through the flue prevents the usual
accumulation of soot, and the coating of the surfaces of the parts of the appa-
ratus therewith, whereby the draft is impeded, the effective action of the heat
is diminished, and the operation of the apparatus retarded.
Thirdly, I dispense, where the service is constant with the necessity for any
house, tank, or intermediate feed cisterns, and all kinds of water vessels, (hot.
or otherwise) together with the usual complicated mechanism for bath heating
by the substitution of an improved construction of steam and water boilers,
which, together with the other parts of the improved apparatus of this Invention
except the supply and service pipes, are all adapted to and contained in the
fire-place or chimney opening.
In carrying the first-mentioned improvement into effect, I form the joints of
all the separating parts with doublé parallel or dovetail flanges and tongues or
single lap over edge joints, and fill or make the said joints good with a little
common stopping or iron cement. The water and steam vessels when not
subjected to pressure can also be formed and jointed in the same way; the
boilers are jointed in the usual way.
In carrying out the second above-mentioned improvement, the range may
take the general form of an ordinary kitchener, the fire-grate being formed
with open bars in front for roasting and other purposes, the fire-place or
improved grate of this Invention is divided into two compartments one above
the other; the upper is divided from the lower compartment by bars, which
are made hollow to contain water for their preservation; these water bars at
one or both ends may be connected with hollow or cavity plates, also containing
water, and forming the back and sides of the upper compartment of the grate;
these water cavity plates and bars are kept filled with water by being con-
nected with the boiler or boilers herein-after described; the fuel is supplied to
this compartment through a falling, sliding, or hinged plate or closing bar at

page_text: the top or bottom, or the front bars for that purpose may be fitted to rise and
fall wholly or in part in side grooves. The under compartment of this fire-
place has a rising and falling bottom grate; the front bars are fitted to the
side frames, and may be attached to and rise and fall with the bottom sliding
grate or be fixed as desired. When the bottom and front are made entire,
this compartment is fed with fuel by simply lowering the grate, when the front
bars are fixed an opening is formed for that purpose, as before explained in
describing the upper compartment. The lower grate can be let down to or
nearly to the hearth if necessary. and this lower compartment only may be in
operation as a sitting fire; it may be partially or wholly raised for roasting
only when raised into conjunction with the upper compartment, both thus
forming one powerful body of fire may be made to operate for any and all the
purposes of the apparatus. The lower portion of this grate is carried by a
jointed frame or folding supports, which fold under the bottom bars, and the
feet of which supports rest upon notched sleepers at the sides, so that it can
be raised to any height required by the simple aid of the kitchen poker as a
lever, no rack or pinion being necessary; or the said lower grate may be
supported upon notches in the side grooves; the grooves being made of a
little extra width, so that the grate may fix itself; being raised or lowered by
the aid of the poker as before described, or a ratchet pawl may be fitted to
the grate without widning the groove if necessary.
Another modification of this double grate, which I use for obtaining the
improvement of more perfect combustion and concentrated heat and economy.
of fuel is effected by fitting two fixed grates at a little distance one above the
other, one or both of which may be in operation according as circumstances
may require. Over the top of the upper compartment a grilling stone is fitted;
the back of the lower compartment is formed by a cavity plate, as before
described; the sides are formed of fire-brick brought up from the hearth; an
opening is left between the top of this cavity plate and the cavity plate forming
the back of the upper compartment, and openings are also left between the
top of the brick sides just described, and the bottom of the side cavity
plates of the upper compartment; these openings are respectively closed when
required by dampers, also of an improved construction, which are herein-after
described. This mode of dividing the grate for the supply of fuel is applicable
to all ranges. The back and side cavity plates (being attached to and thus
forming part of the boilers herein-after described) by their weight, form, and
position, act as binders to hold the parts of the apparatus together. The heat
from the upper fire passes over and under the upper cavity plates, and the
heat from the lower fire passes over the top of the lower cavity plate and over

page_text: the side fire-brick walls, and under the side cavity plates before-mentioned.
Flue spaces are left all round between the side walls and side and back
cavity plates of the fire-grates, and the boilers, ovens, and other parts of the
apparatus, the forms, construction, and arrangement of which I now proceed
to describe.
The improved apparatus in its complete form comprises the grates and
enclosures above mentioned, which are placed in the centre at the front of the
stove. A hot water boiler placed at the back of and in a line with the fire-
grates, having two steam boilers connected with each other, and with the hot
water boiler by suitable connections placed one on each side thereof. These
boilers are enclosed in a chamber at the bottom of the chimney opening behind
the stove. One, two, or more ovens, rosters, steamers, or boilers and steaming
chambers placed at the right and left of the fire-grates with intermediate side,
bottom, and top flues, the latter being covered with a hot plate running over
the whole. The flues are so arranged that the heat from the fires can thereby
be conducted to any part of the apparatus and concentrated thereon by the
action of the oscilating and sliding dampers herein-after described; these
boilers are upright vessels of a cylindrical or other form; the steam boilers
rest upon the floor a little above the floor level, and spaces are left for the
circulation of heat under and entirely round its external area, and if necessary,
internal pipes are fitted therein through which the caloric can pass, thus
increasing. the heating surface and diminishing the quantity of fuel required to
produce the necessary temperature therein. The heat passes over the upper
and between the upper and lower cavity plates of the grate, and thence into
the boiler chamber, descends between the front of the boilers and back of the
cavity plates, thence under the hot water boiler, and up their opposite sides.
Also passing through the internal flues when the boilers are fitted therewith;
when required, both these openings can be closed and the heat directed upon
the ovens. The ovens are placed at each side of the fire-grate and immediately
adjoining thereto, being separated therefrom by the side cavity plates above
and the brick pillars below; the side cavity plates are made in brick shape, so
as to form a continuation of the fire-brick division below. The ovens or
rosters may be single, extending from the floor to the top of the stove, leaving
a space underneath or double, having a centre flue, and extend backwards
to the boilers, run flush with the fire-grate in the front. When large ovens
and cooking spaces are required, the front of the stove is advanced beyond the
chimney breast in smaller ranges; however, this plan may either be adopted or
dispensed with. The ovens are entirely surrounded with flues, except in the
front, the doors of the ovens, steaming chambers, and other portions of the front

page_text: of the stove near the fire-place, where most necessary, are made in double plate
to prevent their giving off the heat. A flue space divides the ovens from the
steam cooking portions of the apparatus, which are placed beyond the ovens at
the right and left sides of the chimney opening. The usual spaces are left
between the hot plate and the ovens for the circulation of heat. Moveable
protecting plates and saddles are fitted in the flues, these plates are so formed
that they answer the double purpose of protecting the surfaces of the ovens
from the too intense action of the fire, and at the same time act as dampers
for changing the direction of the currents of heat, and are also formed that
they can readily be actuated by the kitchen poker, draw rods and other com-
plicated media for this purpose being thereby dispensed with.
The steam cooking apparatus consists of one or more steam chambers, in the
top of one of which a boiler is fitted for boiling purposes, the top of which is
formed by a continuation of the hot plate in having an opening therein covered
with a moveable cover; this boiler forms an integral part of the steaming
apparatus. The steam cooking chambers have ribs placed along their sides
one over the other, upon which moveable grids with shallow drippers or
perculators rest, and which take in and out after the manner of oven shelves.
Upon these grids various meats may be cooked at the same time without the
admixture of their different gravies, which are separately collected and
removed by the drippers before described.
The third above-mentioned improvement of my said Invention which relates
to the water and bath heating apparatus is partially described under the head
of the second part of this Specification, and consists with the cavity plates and
hollow bars herein-before mentioned of two boilers, one for boiling water,
which always remains full, and the other for steam; the latter, although
forming but one boiler, is in two parts, or upright, cylindrical, or other formed
vessels. The water from the house tank or main is first heated in the hot
water boiler, which is supplied in the following manner: A supply pipe con-
veying the water into it is connected thereto at the bottom, and a discharging
pipe fitted thereto at the top for supplying the hot water, as desired; this
discharging pipe is carried up to and over the side of the house tank, or
enlarged and carried up a sufficient height to give the necessary column, a
branch from this discharging pipe is carried into the steam boiler, and upon
this branch a stop-cock or weighted valve is placed, the steam vessels which
form this boiler being connected, the water rises to the same height in each,
and a heavy float which actuates a rod or wire working through a stuffing box
in the top opens and closes the valve on the supply branch of this boiler;
which branch comes from the discharge pipe of the hot water boiler, and as

page_text: the water in the steam boiler rises and falls, the supply pipe and valve in con-
nection therewith is thus opened and closed. The space above the float forms
the steam chest, and suitable pipe and connections are inserted therein, and
carried to the steaming apparatus, and where else required. A safety valve is
placed upon the hot water boiler to prevent the possibility of accident in case
of frost, and another is upon the connecting pipe of the steam boiler for its
protection. From these boilers, pipes can be carried to any desired point, hot
water being delivered by gravity at any level below the water line in the
vessels, and by the gravitating power of the cold over the hot water, the latter
can be raised to any convenient height, and thus a bath or any other body of
water may be thereby heated by suitable pipes merely opening the connection
therewith. When the same result has to be obtained, using only one vessel,
then a heavy float is placed therein, and the top is converted into a steam
chamber, from which the cooking apparatus is supplied as before mentioned,
and when it is required to make this one vessel supply a bath, or other body of
water, at any required elevation above its own level, a small lever, opening and
closing suitable stops and connections, is fitted thereto, and the steam is either
used as a vapour bath or for heating purposes, or is discharged, and the boiler
fills up with water, which being heated therein is then raised to any required
point by the superior column of cold water from the tank, and when the
desired quantity, or the operation of the apparatus in this vessel, is no longer
needed, the stop taps are closed, and the pipes empty themselves and remain in
the empty state from all frost or other obstruction till they are again wanted,
and the floats and valves again act, and this vessel again acts as a hot water
and steam boiler.
In the application of my improved construction to ranges for cottages,
which however may be required to supply steam and hot water for baths and
other purposes, as well as for cooking, one or more of the cavity plates of the
grate may be dispensed with, and one vessel or boiler only used.
The boilers constructed and fitted upon my improved principle, where the
supply of water is constant, take the place of the house tank, no intermeate
cistern being necessary for its supply.
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a plan, and Fig. 2, a sectional elevation of the apparatus in its
complete form.
a, the fixed grate; b, the moveable grate; c, dividing bars; d, d, side cavity
plates; e, the upper back cavity plate; f, the lower back cavity plate; g,
descending flue; h, hot water boiler; i, feed pipe from house tank or constant

page_text: service main; this pipe is carried down and enters the hot water boiler near the
bottom; k, branch pipe to steam boiler k¹ and stop valve thereon for
regulating the hot water feed to the steam boiler. The steam boilers k¹ and
are connected near the bottom by a junction pipe; k, a float, which regulates
the water line therein by opening and closing the valve as the water rises
and falls; and, steam chambers, also connected, and from which the
steam cooking apparatus, baker, baths, &c., are supplied. the hot water
supply pipe, rising from the top of the hot water boiler to the bath or other
vessels requiring hot water supply; m, m, flue; n, the boiler chamber; o,
saddle dampers; p. oscillating dampers; q", q", openings for inserting the
poker for actuating the dampers; p', the hot plate; q. loose lid of steaming
boiler q'; q, steaming closets; r, r, double ovens or rosters; r', single ditto;
s, the opening between the upper and lower grate; t, fire-brick wall; u, hot
water tap.
In smaller ranges, the boilers may be in one vessel, in which the float is
then fitted, and the top of which in the vessel thence becomes the hot water
and steam boiler; this boiler or those previously described, may be raised or
carried up, so that water may be drawn from them on the floor above or at
any point below the top water tine therein, and this last-mentioned boiler may
be made in any convenient shape.
In the reduced apparatus, the ovens or rosters may be placed one on one
side of the fire, and the steaming boiler and steam closet on the other, and
the side cavity plates may be either used or dispensed with. When the single
boiler or hot water boiler before described is made sufficiently large it may
take the place of a house tank.
Having thus described & ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and
illustrated by Drawing the general form of construction and arrangement of
my said improved apparatus, I would here state, that I do not confine myself
to the particular forms illustrated, as the principle of construction and
arrangement upon which my said improvements are founded is capable of being
variously modified in practice.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Huntley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
THOMAS HUNTLEY. (L.S.)