An Improved Apparatus or Arrangement of Blower or Draw Plate or Plates for Use in connection with Fire Grates and Ranges, also applicable as a Means for Airing Linen, and for other purposes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of App ication, 9th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 9th Mar., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus or Arrangement of Blower or Draw Plate
or Plates for Use in connection with Fire Grates and Ranges,
also applicable as a Means for Airing Linen, and for other
purposes.
I, ARTHUR EDWARD HARRIES of No. 2 Bank Terrace Llandilo in the County
of Carmarthen, Engineer and Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Reference being had to the drawings accompanying this Specification and to the
figures and letters shewn thereon, which illustrate my invention, and which relates
firstly to an improved arrangement which acts as an effectual means for blowing or
drawing up the fire quickly and it consists in suitably hinging jointing or otherwise
attaching together horizontally any required number of metallic plates, or leaves,
preferably of tin, these are of the same width laterally as the opening of the fire-
place, and may be attached to the mantel-piece in various ways, but preferably
counected by loops or eyelets, to studs or hooks, fixed in the mantel-piece beneath
the mantel board. When not in use the metallic plates or leaves are folded up
underneath cach other, the one lying against its neighbour the whole set folding up
to the front of the mantel-piece and being securely retained by a suitable catch (or
catches) or by one or more thumb screws which are of sufficient length to pass
through a slot or slots in the metallic plates and can then be adjusted.
The advantage of the plates or leaves folding inside each other is that the top
plate or leaf retains its colour when painted etc. as it does not come into contact to
be affected by the fire.
I will proceed to fully describe my invention with the aid of the drawings.
Figure 1. shews in front elevation an ordinary fire place and mantel-piece with
my improved apparatus connected thereto the same being drawn down.
Figure 2. shews the plates folded up as they lie beneath the mantel-shelf.
Figure 3 shews the plates and their manner of folding and unfolding.
Figure 4. shews in front elevation a kitchen fire grate with oven and chimney
piece, and the method of attachment of the apparatus.
Figure 5 shews the arrangement when used as a trough or hot chamber for airing
linen or for other purposes.
(A) Figure 1. are a series of folding metallic plates or leaves four or more,
suitably hinged or otherwise connected each to each as at (B) the top plate or leaf
is attached or hung to the mantel-piece by loops or eyelets (C) to studs or hooks (D)
or otherwise connected.
The folding metallic plates (A) having been let down as in Figure 1. the entire
opening of the fireplace is completely blocked up for the time being this obviously
causes the draught passage to be confined so that the air must of necessity pass
upwards through the grate and so quickly blows or draws the fire up.
It will be clearly seen that the number of plates or leaves employed will be
according to their depth as the case may be and having regard to the size of the
opening.

page_text: The plates or leaves (A) when folded up to the front of the mantel-piece assume
the position seen in Figure 2. being fastened up by the catch (E), when being let
down over the fireplace they appear as in Figure 3.
Or when desired I may attach the topmost folding plate or leaf to a separate
board or slab which is screwed or otherwise connected to the front of the mantel-
piece, or if preferred I may attach the folding plates or leaves to the side of the
mantel-piece so that they shall fold and unfold vertically from side to side after the
manner of a folding shutter, or screen, and fastened back by a catch or other means
when not in use; the effect and action will be practically the same whether unfolded
from the top or drawn across the opening, though the former arrangement will
probably be found most convenient, as the parts will be more out of the way.
It will be understood that the above described arrangements will equally well
apply to kitchen grates and ranges being particularly useful therefor, the method of
action may be precisely similar.
When an oven is situated alongside the fire grate or range as seen in Figure 4.
I may extend the topmost plate or leaf (A) which gives a better appearance to the
front of the chimney piece, the other folding plates or leaves being of sufficient
width to cover the opening, the apparatus will fold up as before described. Thus
a saving of metal is effected instead of having the plates or leaves the full width of
the grate and oven, which is unnecessary as will be seep.
In making the plates or leaves, I form them to templates so that the lower two
plates which come continually in contact with the fire and may get burnt or
damaged can be replaced easily by simply withdrawing the wire rod which is a part
of the hinge or joint, and substitute fresh plates.
The folding plates or leaves may be embellished with any form of decoration as
desired.
By my improved means I effectually provide an apparatus for the purpose or
purposes named and the frequent and dangerous method of using sheets of paper
(liable to ignite) or the trouble of blowing the fire with bellows, is dispensed with,
moreover the apparatus is always at hand and ready for use.
A further development of my invention consists in so arranging the plates or
leaves (A) upon their hinges (B) that they shall form a trough, tray, or hot
chamber Figure 5. in this case when say, five metallic plates are used, they assume
the position shewn when turned up as required, the bottom plate or leaf being
attached to the chimney-piece front or mantel-board by means of a hook or nail (F)
and slotted portion (G) this will be found a convenient means for airing linen or
for other purposes.
For purposes of transport all the parts will compactly fold together and occupy
but little space.
It may be added that the apparatus can be manufactured at a
minimum cost.
I do not limit myself to the particular arrangement or arrangements herein more
fully set forth as I may vary the same to comply with different requirements
without departing from the main features of my invention.
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.
Firstly. The improved apparatus consisting of a series of metallic plates or
leaves attached each to each either horizontally or vertically which fold and unfold
by means of hinges or otherwise and which act in the manner and for the purpose
substantially as described and illustrated.
Secondly. The improved apparatus forming a blower or draw plate (or plates)
as described or other similar acting means for the purpose set forth.
Thirdly. The improved apparatus in connection with the mantel-pieces of
ordinary grates or kitchen ranges and the like and operating for the purpose or
purposes as set forth and described.

page_text: Fourthly. The improved apparatus consisting of an arrangement of any given
number of metal plates or leaves convertible in manner as described and thus
forming a trough, tray, or hot chamber for the purpose or purposes set forth.
Dated this 7th day of February 1895.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Patent Agents for the Applicant.