An Improved Box-iron.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Box-iron.
I, FRANCES ELIZA HUNTER of No. Freeman Street, North Fitzroy, near
Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, Spinster, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be perforined, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has been devised in order to remedy some of the defects in box
irons as at present constructed.
Its main object is to provide means for enabling the charcoal to burn brightly in
the box without the aid of bellows. It has also been designed for the purpose of
making such irons lighter and more durable as well as neater in appearance and
more convenient in use than the ordinary ones.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1, represents a side elevation of a box iron constructed according to this
invention.
Figure 2, is a central vertical longitudinal section thereof,
Figure 3, is a vertical transverse section on line 3-3, Figure 1.
Figure 4, is a plan of the underside of the lid of the iron, whilst,
Figure 5, is a plan of a wire grating which is fitted over the inside of the bottom
of the iron.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
The body A of the iron is made of sheet iron and its bottom B of cast iron.
The latter is cast with upwardly projecting flanges b around its edge within which
the lower edge of the sheet iron body A fits, and to which it is fastened preferably
by rivets, such as b. This makes a much lighter and better article than when it
is cast in one piece as is now commonly done.
The lid C is also made of sheet metal and is connected to the back of the body
by hinges c¹. It is provided with supports d carrying a wooden or other handle D
said supports being preferably made of bent rods rivetted to said cover C, the
handle being secured to said supports by screws d', as indicated in Figure 2.
E represents a shield the ends of which are clamped between the supports d
and handle D by said screws d'. It is preferably lined on its upper and inner
surface with asbestos (as indicated at e) or other similar non-conductor of heat.
A small catch or button F passes through the forward end of the cover C and
when turned into the position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 engages underneath a
stout cross bar f in the front end of the body of the iron said catch or button
being provided with a handle f', whereby it may be conveniently operated when it
is required to either open or close the lid or cover C. A slot G is made in the
centre of the lid and is covered by a cap G' in which are openings or perforations g
along each side to provide a vent for the products of combustion to pass out from
the body of the iron.
The grating H shown in Figure 3 is made of woven wire extending across
a frame of stouter material and of a shape and size to correspond with the
interior of the iron. It is formed with downward projections or legs h' at intervals
in order to raise it slightly above the bottom of the iron. Upon this grating H is
secured a tapering spirally wound wire flue I the rear and larger end of which is
arranged to come opposite the opening K in the back plate A¹ through which the
air is supplied to brighten the charcoal used in the iron.

page_text: This opening K may be closed by a small plate or cover adapted to slide
around a pivot whereby the size of such opening may be varied in order to
regulate the amount of air allowed to enter the iron.
Openings are provided in the back of the box iron below the grating Handar
covered or closed by sliding dampers or plates L. These openings enable a small
scraper to be inserted so as to clear out any fine dust that may have passed
through the grating on to the bottom of the iron. M-M represent two guide
pieces which are rivetted on the underside of the lid or cover C'and fit inside the
body A thus keeping said lid or cover in position.
It will be evident that a box iron constructed as above described possesses
many advantages over the ordinary ones. It is much lighter, requires no chimney
for the escape of the fumes, there is no necessity for the repeated use of
bellows to keep the charcoal bright, and the hand is specially protected by the
shield E.
Moreover the fuel will keep incandescent over a larger surface owing to the air
supply being more evenly distributed throughout the mass by means of the
tapering wire flue I, the only precaution necessary to ensure the satisfactory
working of the iron being to always keep the flue I, thoroughly covered with fuel
and to regulate the air inlet by means of the small plate k'.
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,
First. A box iron having its body made of sheet metal and its bottom of cast
iron the latter having upwardly projecting flanges around its edge to which said
body is attached substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
Second. In a box iron a tapering spiral wire flue (such as I) constructed and
arranged substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Third. In a box iron a vent formed by a slot in or about the centre of the lid or
cover and provided with a perforated cap or cover substantially as herein described
and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of February One thousand eight hundred and
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F. E. HUNTER.
Wm. P. Thompson & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.