A New or Improved Device for the Prâvention of Smoky Chimneys, and for the Better Consumption of Fuel in Household Fire- places.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1893-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1894
A New or Improved Device for the Prâvention of Smoky Chimneys,
and for the Better Consumption of Fuel in Household Fire-
places.
We; WILLIAM BENNING of 18 St. Thomas' Crescent in the City and County
of Newcastle on Tyne Agent, and Julius FriedriICH HANS MAASS of Osborne
House Tynemouth in the County of Northumberland Merchant, 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 relates to a new or improved device for the prevention of smoky
chimneys and for the better consumption of fuel in household fireplaces.
To effect our purpose we form a false back of fire-clay, metal or other suitable
material adapted to be fitted to ordinary fire-places.
The false back may be arranged towards the back of the fire-place so as to leave
a space between it and the ordinary backing: the lower edge of the false back
may be arranged with a sliding or adjustable damper for regulating the air supply.
We will fully describe our invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure 1 shows a front elevation, Figure 2 a. plan and Figure 3 a sectional
elevation and in the following description like marks of reference designate like
parts.
Referring to the drawings, it will be observed that an ordinary fire-place is
illustrated with bottom bars 4, front bars 5, being the masonry of the fire back
and 7 the ash and cinder space.
To improve the combustion of the fuel and to prevent chimneys sending down-
draughts of smoke into the compartment we place a false back B, preferably
constructed of metal though it may be made in fire-clay or other refractory material,
as shown in the drawings in an intermediate position between the burning fuel in
the grate and the masonry of the fire back.
At or near the base of the false back B, we make an opening O which can be
closed or opened as required by the sliding damper D; the latter may be worked
by a rod attached to it and extending so far up behind the false back and a chain
connected to the rod top can then pass over a pulley P and he connected to a
lever L passing through the front of the fire place and terminating in a
bandle H.
The lever L may be serrated so that any one of its serrations or notches can
catch in a fixed plate M and thus hold the damper D in any desired position with
regard to the opening O.
A front plate F may be fitted as shown to direct the air into the fuel instead
of allowing it to pass directly below the grate and up the space S between the
false back and the fire back..
By the arrangement described the air is thus more or less caused to travel as
indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3, whereby an intimate mixture of the air with
the hydrocarbon gases of the fuel is effected and in consequence an improved and'
more economical combustion ensues.
In certain cases it may be advisable for the more effectual distribution or splitting
of the air current to slightly throttle the passage of the air in front of the false
back and in such cases a hood h may be arranged as shown in sectional elevation
at Figure 4. This hood may have an opening in it covered by a door d, so that

page_text: by regulating the position of the sliding door, the extent of opening in the hood
can be adjusted to the special requirements of the particular case.
A handle d' is shown for adjusting the position of the door in the hood.
The base of the false back 13 at the opening may be provided with a toe so that
the damper D will continue to provide an air passage even when fully lowered.
This is clearly shown in Figure 3.
The damper may work in grooves in the false back to guide its motions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The use in fire-grates of a false back B with opening O and adjustable
damper D all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
2. The use in fire-grates of a false back B, opening O, adjustable damper D
and front plate F all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein set
forth.
3. The combination with the subject matter of either Claim 1 or Claim 2 of
the hood device at h`substantially as herein set forth.
Dated this 20th day of December 1893.
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
3,. St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent.