An Improved Apparatus applicable for Use in connection with Fire-places as a Clothes-maiden, Fire-guard, and for other purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 31st Oct., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus applicable for Use in connection with
Fire-places as a Clothes-maiden, Fire-guard, and for other
purposes.
I, JOHN ROBERTS of 22 High Street, Cleator Moor in the County of
Cumberland, Tinsmith, 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 :-
This invention has for its object an apparatus applicable for use in connection
with fire places as a clothes-maiden, fire-guard and for other purposes.
It will be understood from the following description, reference being had to
the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a front view of a kitchen grate with my invention applied thereto;
Figure 2 a side elevation,
Figures 3 and 4 detail views.
In these figures, A are long vertical bars which extend from the floor to the
shelf B, C sleeves sliding on the vertical bars A, to which sleeves is hinged a frame
or yoke on which the articles are hung in front of the grate. This frame comprises
the telescopic arms D hinged to the sleeves C, and the rails E which are supported
by the arms D. The rails are retained parallel by the short vertical bars F
whose ends are provided with sleeves loosely mounted on the rails E. The
sleeves C are supported on upright bars A by collars c and set screws which are
made fast to the bars at the required height from the floor, and support the whole
frame or yoke. Furthermore the arms D being telescopic enable the horizontal
rails E to be adjusted as regards their distance from the fire as shown by the
dotted lines F in Figure 2. The hinges d being provided with shoulders keep the
arms D horizontal, while forming no impediment to their being raised to assume
the required angle. When not required for use the frame or yoke can be folded
parallel against the vertical bars, and raised bodily into a higher position, as
shown by dotted lines G, and the rails fastened to the hook H. When the device
is required for use again, it is detached from the hook and the sleeve will slide
down the upright bars until they reach the collars c. The articles can then be
hung on the rails before the fire to dry. The sleeves f may be made with teeth at
one end and a sliding sleeve I provided with similar teeth. This sleeve I is
prevented from rotating on the rail by the stud J. The result is that if the rails
be raised to the angle shown by the dotted lines K, and the non-rotatable sleeve I
slid into engagement with the teeth on the sleeve, the device will be supported at
the required angle. In some cases I may hinge a prop L to the bottom rail to
support the frame or yoke on the floor. This when folded will be in line with
rail E. It may be made in two pieces so as to telescope.
It will be obvious that the long vertical bars A may be made shorter if desired.
and fixed to the jambs by brackets or otherwise, or these vertical bars may be
dispensed with and the yoke affixed hooked or hinged to the jambs direct. If
hooked the device can be altogether removed. Small spikes may be provided
on the horizontal rails E to prevent the clothes from slipping off.

page_text: 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. The improved appliance or fittings for use in connection with fire-grates as a
clothes-maiden, fire-guard, etcetera, consisting of the uprights A, the rails E,
arms D and sleeves C to which the arms are hinged, the hinge being so formed as
to hold the arms horizontal whilst enabling them, together with the rails, to be
folded upwards against the uprights when so required, substantially as described.
2. In combination with a fire-grate, a frame or yoke for carrying an article and
means for so affixing or hinging it to the fire place or to fixed vertical bars, as to
hold the frame or yoke at the required distance from the front of the fire, while
allowing it to be folded against, and raised clear of, the fire place or altogether
removed when not required for use, substantially as described.
3. In combination with the matter set forth in Claim 2, the prop L substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The mechanism for supporting the rails at any required augle substantially
as described.
5. The general combined arrangement and construction of parts forming my
improved appliance or fittings for use in connection with fire grates, substantially
as set forth.
Dated this 18th day of September 1800.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant..