Improvements in Ventilators and Ventilator Braces.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Sept., 1898
1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ventilators and Ventilator Braces.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the Firm of G. F. Redfern & Co., The
General Patent Office, No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of London,
Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me by Richard M. Pancoast, of Camden, New Jersey, United States of
America, Civil Engineer,) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in ventilators and ventilator braces
and has for its object to provide a ventilator which shall be comparatively cheap
in first cost, simple in construction, effective in deflecting off down currents of
air and rain without materially interfering with the free egress of air from
the interior, which will be effective when the wind blows in whatever direction
it may, and which will not choke in a calm; and also to provide a ventilator
brace which can be cheaply made and quickly and easily applied, which will
unite and hold the several parts of a ventilator together very rigidly and securely,
thus preventing deformation or sagging, which will not appreciably obstruct
the egress of air, and which will insure relative uniformity and symmetry in
construction.
With these objects in view my invention consists in constructing a ventilator
with a neck, two cones having their bases adjacent each to the other but with
an opening between, the diameter of the upper cone being greater than the
diameter of the lower cone and that of the neck, and a deflector surrounding
the opening between the cones and
the lower
the opening between
and in forming ventilator brace of thin
serrated jaws
malleable metal and providing the
with plain or
adapted to receive between them the edges of constituent parts of a ventilator
and to be closed down upon the said edges so as to hold the parts rigidly and
firmly in their proper relative positions.
cone
the neck;
and
same
al
In a suitable arrangement for carrying out the invention the neck of the venti-
lator is made slightly flaring at the edge and the cones are located some distance
apart in parallel planes so as to provide an opening between them. The diameter
of the lower cone is approximately the same as that of the neck at the edge in
small sizes, but is greater in larger sizes and the diameter of the upper cone is
sufficiently greater to insure the rain or snow or other matter falling thereon
being deflected over the drip edge so as to pass outside the flaring edge of the
neck.
An outside deflector is provided and is made tapering both upwardly and down-
wardly. It is located some distance from, and surrounds the opening between,
the cones and the opening between the lower cone and the neck. If desired, this
deflector may be made in two pieces joined together. Its lower edge should lie in
a plane below the plane of the upper edge of the neck and its upper edge should
lie in a plane sufficiently above the plane of the edge of the upper cone as to
prevent ingress at an angle to the neck opening from above. As thus constructed
the, ventilator is "stormproof," for it guards off down currents of air, and

page_text: deflects rain, snow and cinders, &c., in falling, to the outside of and beyond
the flaring edge of the neck. It is likewise adapted to increase the up draught
by reason of the peculiar construction of the outside deflector from whatever
direction the wind may blow; for the air impinging against the surface of the
upper part is deflected, and induces a current outwardly from below the cones.
It is to be particularly observed that the exit passageway between the outside
deflector and the edges of the cones is of uniform area throughout and sub-
stantially of the same area as the opening of the neck; also that the path of the
outwardly flowing air has an exceedingly short lateral divergence, and forms a
widely extended obtuse angle, characteristics of much importance in view of the
laws governing the movement of air in pipes. The lower cone is adapted to
deflect the upwardly moving curents of air to the opening between the outside
deflector and the edges of the cones without producing choking eddies or counter
currents, which are themselves effective obstructions to free delivery.
In the specification of my former Patent No. 15,204 of 1893 there is shown a
ventilator having an arrangement of two cones connected by a flange or band
forming a closed head. In manufacturing, it was found that such an arrangement
cost in time of adjusting and labour of putting together as much as all other
expenses connected with the making of the cowl. In order to overcome this
objection I devised the ventilator hereinbefore described in which the cones are
not thus united together.
The several parts of the ventilator may be held in their relative positions in any
desirable way; but I prefer to use for that purpose my novel edgewise clamp-
jaw brace. This brace is preferably made of malleable cast metal, or cast to
shape and afterwards made malleable by any well known methods, so that certain
parts may be bent without breaking; but it can be cold-forged or cut from soft
metal.
In a suitable form of brace especially adapted to unite the several parts of the
ventilator hereinbefore described the body of the brace has arms integral there-
with and is provided with a number of jaws for receiving the edges of the several
constituent elements of the ventilator. These jaws may be made with teeth, those
on one jaw adapted to fit the spaces between the teeth on the opposite jaw or to
register the recesses therein; or they may be made plain. Some of the said jaws
are preferably somewhat wider than the others and are formed quite strong and
rigid so as to keep their proper shape. The other jaws are, however, adapted
to bend whereby the two jaws in each pair may be brought together and grip
the edges of the metallic elements of the ventilator placed between. It should
be observed that the outer jaws in each pair are designed to be bent only at one
point, and not throughout their length, thus insuring frictional contact of the
jaws and interposed metal throughout their entire surfaces.
In small sized ventilators the body of metal at the weak points is sufficient to
give the required strength and rigidity, but the larger size require a lateral
reinforcement at these points and I therefore provide the brace with lugs on one
side only or on both sides if desired. These lugs, besides adding strength and
rigidity to the ventilator when constructed, are serviceable in preventing the
flexible jaws from being broken off when the casting is drawn from the sand,
or when subjected to careless handling or rough usage during the process of
cleaning and whilst being rendered malleable.
In assembling the parts of the ventilator, first the edge of the neck is inserted
between pairs of jaws of the brace, one jaw of each pair is then supported on an
anvil or otherwise and the other is hammered down so as to firmly grip or crimp
the metal edge between the jaws or force the teeth into or through it.
The edge of the bottom cone is next inserted between jaws and similarly
secured.
The upper cone and outside deflector are each respectively secured between
jaws in an analogous manner, the upper part of the deflector resting, when in
position, upon one of the arms of the brace. The number of braces used for

page_text: each ventilator is determined by the size and the strength and rigidity required,
and is left to the choice and judgment of the manufacturer. The number and
location of the teeth on the jaws is likewise to be determined by particular
conditions.
I also prefer to cut out part of the metal from the body of the brace for the
purpose
of diminishing the weight of the same, also to aid in leading off any water
which might flow down the side of the brace and otherwise make its way inside
the neck.
An
My style of brace has several advantages over others heretofore known.
edgewise brace, flat towards the centre of the cone presents as much less obstruc-
tion to the egress of smoke, foul air, &c., as it is narrower than wide.. Edgewise
braces are in some use, for this purpose, but are expensive to make; being formed
of flat malleable iron strips, by bending or twisting the ends to a right angular
position to the body of the brace for adapting the same to be riveted to the sheet
metal edges of the parts of the cone. But the usual practice is to simply use
flat braces, flat-wise toward the centre, thus seriously, or at least objectionably
interfering with the free and uninterrupted outflow of smoke, gases, &c.
My design of brace, whether cast iron and made malleable by baking which
is cheaper, or cold forged from soft iron, is necessarily true and accurate as
designed; every one, of each size, being of exactly the same dimensions. This
ensures accuracy of construction in the cowl, and also greatly facilitates its con-
struction. No measuring or cutting by hand is required and no measuring and
driving of holes in the sheet metal parts and the braces for riveting; and if not
exactly true the cone-head will set skewed out of shape; nor is there any placing
in and heading of rivets in my arrangement.
The mouths of my design of brace are the unmistakeable measure for the edges
of the ventilator pieces. These pieces being made true, it simply remains to put
their edges into the mouths of the braces and close the jaws, which can be done
by cheap labour instead of skilled labour as is required by the methods adopted
heretofore.
<<
"
It is to be observed that when the edges of the ventilator parts are properly in
the mouths of my braces, the said edges and parts are necessarily in their true
relative positions, and the ventilator cannot have a cant" or be "lopsided or
in any way other than "just about "
as proportioned and designed to be. There-
fore every part is required to be in its designed position by simply using these
clamp-jaw braces.'
Moreover, an edgewise brace is far more rigid than any other, and being made
with clamp-jaws is stronger.
The smaller sizes of the ventilator are commonly made up of black sheet
metal; the several parts (cones, deflector and neck) being joined to my edgewise
braces; then the entire structure is galvanized thus leaving no raw or unprotected
edges to rust, and the closed jaws are at the same time cemented to the sheet-
metal parts making the structure as strong as though it were formed integral.
The larger sizes, (too large to "dip") are generally made of galvanized metal,
and the points where the jaws grip the sheet-metal are soldered. However the
brace is applied, it forms a very strong and rigid structure which cannot be
seriously distorted or bent out of shape when subjected to careless handling in
shipment or severe strains in service.
.. 1
1 1
Cantam 1000
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Ventilators and Ventilator Braces.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the Firm of G. F. Redfern & Co., The
General Patent Office, No. 4, South Street, Finsbury, in the County of London,
Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me by Richard M. Pancoast, of Camden, New Jersey, United States of
America, Civil Engineer) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in ventilators and ventilator braces
and has for its object to provide a ventilator which shall be comparatively cheap
in first cost, simple in construction, effective in deflecting off down currents of
air and rain without materially interfering with the free egress of air from
the interior, which will be effective when the wind blows in whatever direction
it may, and which will not choke in a calm; and also to provide a ventilator
brace which can be cheaply made and quickly and easily applied, which will
unite and hold the several parts of a ventilator together very rigidly and securely,
thus preventing deformation or sagging, which will not appreciably obstruct
the egress of air, and which will insure relative uniformity and symmetry in
construction.
With these objects in view my invention consists in constructing a ventilator
with a neck, two cones having their bases adjacent each to the other but with
an opening between, the diameter of the upper cone being greater than the
diameter of the lower cone and that of the neck, and a deflector surrounding
the opening between the cones and the opening between the lower
cone and the neck; and in forming a ventilator brace of thin
malleable metal and providing the same with plain or serrated jaws
adapted to receive between them the edges of constituent parts of a ventilator
and to be closed down upon the said edges so as to hold the parts rigidly and
firmly in their proper relative positions.
One example only of a ventilator constructed by, perhaps, the best mode so
far devised for embodying the principle is illustrated in the drawings. Several
examples, however, of the ventilator brace are shown, each example modified to
adapt it for uniting the several elements of differently shaped or constructed
ventilators. From a study of these forms others can be readily devised adapted
for other styles.
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a ventilator embodying the invention, showing
the relative disposition of the cones, deflector and neck, the several parts being
united by the novel brace:
Figure 2 is a view in elevation of an edgewise clamp-jaw brace with four pairs
of jaws in open position and reinforced adjacent to the bending-points of the jaws
by integral lugs:
Figure 3 shows an edgewise brace having three pairs of jaws and adapted
to a particular form of ventilator:
Figure 4 is a view of a ventilator having its parts united by braces. having
two pairs of jaws :
Figure 5 shows a ventilator made up of a cone-cap and a neck united by an
edgewise brace having two pairs of jaws:
Figure 6 is a view of a ventilator in which a cone-cap and a neck provided with
an apron are united by a brace having two pairs of jaws:
Figure 7 is an example of a brace having three pairs of jaws uniting a cone-cap,
a neck provided with an apron, and a deflector within the area of the circumference
of the cone-cap:

page_text: Figure 8 is a view of a ventilator similar to that shown in Figure 7, but with
the deflector located adjacent to the edges of the cone and apron, all the elements
being united by an edgewise clamp-jaw brace provided with three pairs of
jaws.
In Figure 1A is the neck of the ventilator, made slightly flaring at the edge B
as shown.
C is the lower, and D the upper, cone. These cones are located some distance
apart in parallel planes, so as to provide an opening between them, as at E. The
diameter of the lower cone C is approximately the same as the diameter of the neck
at B in small sizes, but is greater in larger sizes, and the diameter of the upper
cone 1) is sufficiently greater to insure the rain or snow or other matter falling
thereon being deflected over the drip-edge, so as to pass outside the flaring edge B
of the neck, as illustrated by a dotted line at the right in Figure 1.
F is an outside deflector, made tapering both upwardly and downwardly
from the point d. It is located some distance from and surrounds the opening
between the cones and the opening between the lower cone and the neck. If
desired, this deflector may be made in two pieces a and b, joined together. Its
lower edge should lie in a plane below the plane of the upper edge of the neck
and its upper edge should lie in a plane sufficiently above the plane of the edge
of the upper cone as to prevent ingress at any angle to the neck-opening from
above. (Sec oblique dotted anti-ingress line to left of vertical dotted drip-line,
Figure 1).
As thus constructed the ventilator is "storm-proof" for it guards off down
currents of air and deflects rain, snow, cinders &c., in falling to the outside of
and beyond the edge B of the neck. It is likewise adapted to increase the updraft,
by reason of the peculiar construction of the deflector F, from whatever direction
the wind may blow, for the air in motion impinging against the surface of the
upper part is deflected and induces a current outwardly from below the cones.
It is to be particularly observed that the exit passage-way between the
deflector F and the edges of the cones is of uniform area throughout and sub-
stantially of the same area as the opening of the neck; also, that the path of the
outwardly-flowing air has an exceedingly short lateral divergence and forms a
widely-extended obtuse angle, characteristics of much importance in view of the
laws governing the movement of air in pipes. The cone C is adapted to deflect
the upwardly-moving currents of air to the opening between the deflector F and
the edges of the cones without producing choking eddies or counter-currents,
which are themselves effective obstructions to free delivery.
In the Specification of my former Patent No. 15204 of 1893 there is shown a
ventilator having an arrangement of two cones connected by a flange or band,
forming a closed head. In manufacturing it was found that such an arrangement
cost, in time of adjusting and labour of putting together, as much as all other
expenses connected with the making of the cowl. To overcome this objection, I
devised the ventilator hereinbefore described, in which the cones are not thus
united together.
The several parts of the ventilator may be held in their relative positions in
any desirable way; but I prefer to use for that purpose my novel edgewise clamp-
jaw brace, as shown. This brace is preferably made of malleable cast metal or
cast to shape and afterward made malleable by any well-known method, so that
certain parts may be bent without breaking; but it can be cold-forged or cut
from soft metal.
Figure 2 shows a form of my brace especially adapted to unite the several
parts of the ventilator. hereinbefore described, and illustrated in Figure 1.
1 is
the body of the brace, 2 and are arms integral therewith, and 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11 jaws for receiving the edges of the several constituent elements of the venti-
lator. These jaws may be made with teeth as shewn, those on one jaw adapted to
fit the spaces between the teeth on the opposite jaw or to register with recesses

page_text: therein, or they may be made plain, as shown by jaws 10, 11. The jaws 5, 7,
9, 11 are preferably somewhat wider than the jaws 4, 6, 8, 10 and formed quite
strong and rigid, so as to keep their proper shape. The jaws 4, 6, 8, 10 are,
however, adapted to bend at the points 12, whereby the two jaws of each pair
may be brought together and grip the edges of the metallic elements of the
ventilator placed between. It should be observed that the outer jaws in
each pair are designed to be bent only at the point 12 and not throughout their
length, thus insuring frictional contact of the jaws and interposed metal through-
out their entire surfaces.
In small-sized ventilators the body of metal at the points 12 is sufficient to give
the required strength and rigidity; but the larger sizes require a reinforcement
at the point 12, and I therefore provide the brace with lugs 13 on one side only, as
shown, or on both sides, if desired. These lugs, besides adding strength and
rigidity to the ventilator when constructed, are serviceable in preventing the
jaws 4, 6, 8, 10 from being broken off when the casting is drawn from the sand
or when subject to careless handling or rough usage during the process of cleaning
and whilst being rendered malleable.
In assembling the parts of the ventilator first the edge B of the neck is inserted
between the jaws 6, 7 of the brace, as shown at the left in Figure 1, where each
pair of jaws is represented in open position. The point 14 of the jaw 7 is then
supported on an anvil or otherwise and the jaw 6 is hammered down, so as to
firmly grip or crimp the metal edge between the jaws or force the teeth into or
through it. The edge of the cone C is next inserted between the jaws 8, 9 the
point 15 supported on a rest, and the jaw 8 closed down. Then the cone D and
deflector F are cach respectively secured between the jaws 10, 11 and 4, 5 in an
analogous manner, the upper part of the deflector resting when in position upon
the arm 3 of the brace. At the left in Figure 1 all the jaws are shown closed
down on the several parts.
The number of braces used for each ventilator is determined by the size and
the strength and rigidity required and is left to the choice and judgment of the
manufacturer. The number and location of the teeth on the jaws are likewise to
be determined by particular conditions. In Figure 1 I have shown the jaws
which hold the neck and deflector each provided with two teeth and the jaws which
grip the upper cone made plain, inasmuch as the upper cone is subjected to much
less strain than the neck and deflector. I also prefer to cut out or omit part
of the metal from the body of the brace, as at a, for the purpose of diminishing
the weight of the same and also to aid in leading off any water which might flow
down the side of the brace and otherwise make its way inside the neck. (See
dotted line at the left in Figure 1).
Other
The particular edgewise clamp-jaw brace specially described is adapted for
securing together the several parts of the ventilator shown in Figure 1.
examples of the brace are illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
In Figure 3 the brace 16 is provided with three pairs of jaws 17, 18, 19 which
grip the edges of the cone-cap 20, disc 21 and neck-apron 22.
In Figure 4 two sets of braces are employed, 23, 24 each having two pairs
of jaws for uniting the cone-cap 25, deflector 26 and neck 27.
In Figure 5 braces 28, with two pairs of jaws each, unite a conc-cap 29 and
neck 30.
In Figure 6 braces 31 of a different form, each having two pairs of jaws, engage
the edges of the cone-cap 32 and the apron 33 of the neck 34.
In Figure 7 braces 35 are shown, each having three pairs of jaws for engaging
respectively a cone-cap 36, an apron 37 and a deflector 38, located adjacent to
the inner edge of the brace.
In Figure 8 the braces 39 also have three pairs of jaws, one pair gripping the
edge of the cone-cap 40, another the apron 41 and a third pair the deflector 42
located exterior to the outer edges of the cone and apron and braces. These

page_text: various examples of braces are shown for the purpose of illustrating their adapta-
tion to different constructions of ventilators, hoods, cowls and caps and not as
being exhaustive of all possible forms of their embodiment.
My style of brace has several advantages over others heretofore known. An
edgewise brace, flat toward the centre of the cone, presents as much less obstruc-
tion to the egress of smoke; foul air, &c., as it is narrower than wide, and every
brace is several times narrower than wide. Edgewise braces are in some use, I
believe, for this purpose, but are expensive to make, being formed of flat malleable-
iron strips, by bending or twisting the ends to a right-angular position to the
body of the brace for adapting the same to be riveted to the sheet-metal edges of
the parts of the cone; but the usual practice is to simply use flat braces, flatwise
toward the centre, thus seriously or at least objectionably interfering with the
free and uninterrupted outflow of smoke, gases, &c.
My design of brace, whether cast and made malleable by baking, which is
cheaper, or cold-forged from soft iron is necessarily true and accurate as designed,
every one of each size being exactly of the same dimensions. This insures accuracy
in the cowl and also greatly facilitates its construction. No measuring or cutting
by hand of every brace is required and no measuring and driving of holes in the
sheet-metal parts and the braces for riveting and if not exactly true the cone-head
will set skewed out of shape. Nor is there any placing in and heading of rivets
in my arrangement.
The mouths of my design of brace are the unmistakable measure and the
uniform seats for the edges of the ventilator-pieces. These pieces being made
true, it simply remains to put their edges into the mouths of the braces and close
the jaws, which can be done by cheap labour instead of skilled labour as is required
by the method adopted heretofore.
"
66
It is to be observed that when the edges of the ventilator parts are properly
in the mouths of my braces the said edges and parts are necessarily in their true
relative positions and the ventilator cannot have a cant" or be lopsided," or
in any way other than "just about as proportioned and designed to be. There-
fore every part is required to be in its designed position by simply using the
clamp-jaw braces. Moreover, an edgewise brace, as shown is far more rigid
than any other, and being made with clamp-jaws is stronger.
The smaller sizes of the ventilator are commonly made up of black sheet metal,
the several parts-cones, deflector, and neck-being joined by my edgewise
brace; then the entire structure is galvanized, thus leaving no raw or unprotected
edges to rust and the closed jaws are at the same time cemented to the sheet-
metal parts making the structure as strong as though it were formed integral.
The larger sizes (too large to dip) are generally made of galvanized metal and
the points where the jaws grip the metal are soldered together. However the
brace is applied it forms a very strong and rigid structure, which cannot be
seriously distorted or bent out of shape when subjected to careless handling in
shipment or severe strains in service.
While I have illustrated several specific forms of my edgewise clamp-jaw brace
and its adaptation to several varieties of ventilators, I do not wish it understood
that these forms are exhaustive of the invention, inasmuch as other forms may
readily be devised which will serve the purpose and have all the functions, and
possess the desirable characteristics of my brace. All such constructions and
forms I intend to embrace within the scope of my claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The combination in a ventilator of the neck A; the cone C; the cone D
made separate from the cone C and with an open space E between; the deflec-
tor F; and means for securing the several enumerated parts in their proper
relative positions, substantially as described.

page_text: 2. An edgewise brace for holding in their proper relative positions the con-
stituent elements of a ventilator, cowl or cap, the said brace being made of
malleable metal and provided with jaws adapted to be closed down upon and to
firmly grip the edges of the said elements, substantially as described.
3. An edgewise brace for ventilators having jaws adapted to be closed down
upon the edges of the constituent parts of a ventilator, the said jaws being serrated,
substantially as described.
4. An edgewise brace for ventilators having jaws adapted to be closed down
upon the edges of the constituent parts of a ventilator, the said jaws being rein-
forced adjacent to the bending points of the jaws, substantially as described.
5. An edgewise brace for uniting the constituent parts of a ventilator, the said
brace being provided with arms as 2 and 3, and pairs of jaws adapted to be closed
upon and to finally grip the edges of the said parts of a ventilator, substantially
as described.
6. An edgewise brace for securing together in their proper relative positions
the constituent parts of a ventilator, the said brace being provided with pairs of
jaws, one jaw of each pair being made rigid and the other adapted to be bent
down, substantially as described.
7. The combination in a ventilator of a neck, two cones, a deflector, and edge-
wise braces provided with jaws which grip the edges of the neck, cones and
deflector and securely hold thein in their proper relative positions, substantially
as described.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London.
Agents for the Applicant.