US2740398A - Fireplace draft mechanism - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1956 w. COLLINS FIREPLACE DRAFT MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1952 INVENTOR. [AIMEE/V05 W GOAL/N5 BY QZ M WZW April 3, 1956 w. COLLINS FIREPLACE DRAFT MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 28, 1952 INVENTOR. AA Wei-W05 M GUAM/V5 BY W, M&%

A free/vans United States Patent o FIREPLACE DRAFT MECHANISM Lawrence W. Collins, Billings, Mont. Application November 28, 1952, Serial No. 323,000 Claims. (Cl. 126-143) The present invention provides special draft mechanism for fireplaces which affords to a fire in the fireplace an adequate supply of air independently of air from the room in which the fireplace is located while requiring a minimum of alteration in conventional fireplace design.

In modern building practice, houses are insulated and doors and windows are weatherstripped so that it is diflicult for aii io enter the house when the doors and windows are closed. In weather sufficiently cool to make a fire in a fireplace desirable, such house openings normally arbe closed to prevent entrance of cold air as far as possi le.

The fire in a fireplace requires adequate air both to support combustion and to produce a draft for carrying the smoke up the chimney. For the reasons mentioned, it is difiicult to supply to the fireplace sufficient air for these purposes from leakage into the modern house. As a result, the fuel burned in a fireplace is not burned efiiciently or vigorously, and the air in the house is depleted of oxygen to an undesirable extent.

It has been proposed heretofore to provide special fireplace constructions affording a supply of air to the fire in the fireplace supplemental to the air from the room, but such constructions have been complex and expensive, incorporating a considerable departure from conventional practice. It is a principal object of the present invention to incorporate supplemental draft mechanism into a fireplace structure without departing greatly from conventional fireplace construction practice so that all the advantages of a supplemental air supply may be obtained with minimum expense.

A further object of the present invention is to enable supplemental draft mechanism to be installed in a previously constructed fireplace of conventional type with little alteration in its structure. In new fireplace construction, a similar type of fireplace draft mechanism may be utilized which can be of a size designed to supply adequate air depending upon the size and type of house in which the fireplace is installed. Less supplemental air will be required if the house is large or poorly insulated, Whereas more air will be required if the house is small or well insulated.

Another object of the invention is to provide supplemental air supply mechanism for a fireplace which will supply air most directly to the fire and will not produce drafts in the room in which the fireplace is located, and which, if desired, may be utilized to improve the burning intensity by increasing the draft up the chimney as well as by supplying oxygen to support combustion.

A further object is to provide such supplemental air or draft mechanism for fireplace use which can be adjusted to vary the quantity of air supplied at any given time depending upon the size of fire desired in the fireplace and the vigor with which it is desired to burn.

A particular object is to combine draft supplying and ash disposal capabilities in a single structure so as further to increase the utility and decrease the expense of the supplemental draft installation.

In order to make the advantages of supplemental draft mechanism available for fireplaces of conventional type already constructed, it-is an object to provide draft mechanism which can be installed easily and economically in the conventional ash dump opening usually provided in the fireplace hearth. j

A construction accomplishing the various objects discussed above may incorporate an L-shaped air supply duct including a horizontal section connected to a vertical section extending through the fireplace hearth in which duct is an aperture opening into the ash pit. A gate or deflector plate is mounted in such duct to swing between a position in which the vertical section of the duct communicates with such aperture opening into the ash pit, and a position in which the horizontal duct section is in communication with the vertical duct section. Positioning of such plate in one position or the other may be effected by manual control, or, when air is supplied to the horizontal duct section, the pressure of the air may swing the plate into a position closing the aperture to the ash pit and establishing communication between the horizontal duct section and'the vertical duct section. This plate may be pivoted along its lower edge and swing in the vertical duct section. The upper end of the vertical duct can be closed by a hinged lid movable into various adjusted positions to regulate the amount of air discharged from the duct. The vertical and horizontal duct sections also may be pivotally connected so that they may be moved into alignment to facilitate installation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description of preferred forms of the draft mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a top perspective view of one type of combined draft and ash discharge duct with parts broken away to reveal internal structure. Figure 2 is a side elevation view of such duct with the duct sections aligned. Figure 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of a fireplace with the duct installed shown in side elevation but having parts broken away to disclose internal structure.

Figure 4 is a side elevation viewQparts of which have been broken away, showing a modified form of combined draft and ash discharge duct. Figure 5 is a top perspective view of such modifiedform of draft and ash discharge duct with parts broken away. Figure 6 is an elevation view of the same duct type viewed from line 6-6 of Figure 4 at to such figure and shown installed in a fireplace, such fireplace being illustrated diagrammatically. Figure 7 is a plan view of such duct installation with the fireplace shown diagrammatically.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through a combined draft and ash discharge duct of the same general type as shown in Figure 4 but providing a much larger duct passage. Figure 9 is a top perspective view of this duct with parts broken away. Figure 10 is a plan view of such a duct installed in diagrammatically.

Figure 11 is a top perspective View of a different form of draft duct embodying the invention, and Fig me 12 is an elevation view of the upper portion of such a duct having parts broken away and shown installed in a fireplace diagrammatically illustrated.

In supplying direct draft to the fire in a fireplace supplementing air available from the room in which the fireplace is located to support combustion of the fuel, it is desirable that the air be supplied to the fire as directly as possible. Since heated air and smoke rises, the ideal place for delivering the air to obtain the greatest combustion efiiciency is directly beneath the fuel. Where logs a fireplace which is illustrated of the opening.

' wa -es l whether already constructedor, newlyconstructed, in

.which an ash dump opening is locatedcentrally between the side walls of thefireplace and nearer the back than the front. This duct isconstructed so that it, may be installed readily after thefireplace has been built and is particularlywell suited, for fireplaces built in the outside wall of a house, although it may also conveniently be installed in an interior fireplace.

-The duct includes an upright section 1 and a horizontal section 10, adjacent ends of which are mitered, and which preferably are .secured together by a pivotal joint. The

duct parts may therefore be swung between the aligned position shown in Figure 2 and the L-shaped arrangement .of Figures land 3. In installing the duct in the floor of a'fireplace F, the duct section lt) mayfirst be lowered through an aperture of a size to receive it rather closely, and the section 1 may then also be lowered through the aperture in the floor until the flange 11 seats on the edge A hole horizontally aligned with the lower end of duct section 1 may then be cut in the ash pit wall and a duct section extended through it to telescope with the duct'section swung upward into the horizontal position of Figure 3. By working down .through the upper end of the upright section 1, sheet metalv screws 12 may be secured through overlapping portions of the mitcred endsto support the end of duct section 10 adjacent to section 1, while the telescoping duct section extending through the wall of the ash pit .will support the other end of section 10.

.Within the L-shaped duct is a plate movable to serve the dualpurpose of anash deflection plate and an air supply valve. Such a plate 13 may be mounted to swing about its lower edge between an inclined position, shown in broken lines in Figure 3 and in full lines in Figure 1 in which it closes the horizontal air supply duct 10 and serves as an ash deflection plate down which ashes dropping through upright duct 1 may slide through an aperture 14 into the ash pit, and the-solid line position of Figure 3. In the duct type shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the ash dischargeaperture is in the upright wall of duct 1 remote from horizontal .duct .section 10. A rod 15 secured to the lower edge of plate 13 is received in apertures at the lower edge of this opening. These apertures are arranged so that each end of rod 15 extends through an aperture both in a wall of duct section 1 and a wall of duct section 10, and the rodends both guide plate 13 for swinging movement between the solid and dotted line positions shown in Figure 3 and also serveas the pivots about-which duct section 10 can swing relative to duct section 1, as indicated by the arrow and broken line in Figure 2.

The upper end of duct section 1 is closable by a cover 16 hinged to the upper edge of duct section 1 farther from the front of the fireplace F, because the ash pit opening normally is located nearer the back of the fireplace than the front. The swinging edge of this cover may have a recess-forming bulge l'l forming a recess into which the end of a poker may be inserted to raise the cover when desired, as indicated in broken lines in Figure 3. The cover will be held in any adjusted position by a friction slide 18 at each side of the cover. 7

In operation, the fireplace may be used in the conventional manner with the cover 16 closed. When it is desired to empty 'ashes from the fireplace, thecover 16'wi1l .at its rearedge so be swung upwardly and the ashes raked into the upright duct section 1, as usual. Plate 13, being in its lower inclined position, will deflect the ashes from their vertical descent so that they will slide out through the opening 14 into the ash pit. When the fire is burning and additional air for the fire is desired, a poker will be used to swing-the'lid 16 upward' a;.greater-or.-lesser amount from closed position, depending upon the amount of additional air needed. Because-of-the draft created by rising of the smokefromthe fire, air will be-drawn. thermally upward through duct section 1, and if plate 13 is swung into substantially rupright position,:.being pressed against ledge 19 by pulling on chain 20, air will be drawn through horizontal duct section 10 from a location outside the ash pit. Instead of relying upon natural draft to supply the..supplemental ..air, ayariablespeed or constant .speed blower; may .be .incorporated in. duct 10.

w ile .plate .ll'tmrn ayebev swung manually from the ,broken line positionpt .Eigure. 3,.tolthe solid line, position for. draft purposes .bypulling on. chain. -20 as described, andthe .uppenend. of..the chain then suitably secured to hold .the plate. in ithislposition, suchplate. movement may be ettected.. autornatical1yIwhenforced draft is supplied to duct.10,,- and.perhaps even= natural draft will be suffl cient .toaccomplish. this action. No plate swinging chain is showninFigureIl and EigureZ, and its use is optional. If the plate 13 is to be swung simply by the pressure ofairupon it, itshouldube made of light metal, such as aluminum or: magnesium, or. of a. light, noncombustible and heat ,resistannplastid material.

With the. ash discharge and draft supplying aperture settowardthe rear of .the fireplaceafloor, asin Figure; 3,

it ispreferred that-the. door..16 be hinged substantially that theair suppliedwill be deflected into the rear ofa-firebuiltsubstantially centrally in the fireplace. .In. .new fireplace construction, however, it is not necessary to locate-the fireplacefiooraperture either for sairasupply or for ash disposalpurposes as far to the rear a s shown in Figure 3. On the. contrary, it may -be preferred to place this aperture quite near the front of the fireplace-F as shown for the draft mechanism of Figures 4 and 5 installed in Figures 6 and 7. In this instanc e,the upright duct. section 21 is of approximately the .same-sizeas the upright ductsection. 1 of the Figure l draftzmechanism butthe horizontal duct section projects laterally from a narrow sideof the upright duct instead of from a widerside. Thejduct section 22 is thus projected [through the side wall of the ash pit, as indicated in'brokenlines inl-" igure' 7, instead of through its back wall. Also the duct "sections'21 and 22 are joined together'permanentlyso that-this type of L-shaped'duct will be built into the fireplace base 'as its construction progresses.

Toxdivide the horizontal air-supply duct 22 from the upright duct section Ql twhen ashes are to be discharged through the vupright duct .section, the swinging plate .23

is provided. Like. the .platepl3 ,in the ,form of draft mechanism previously described, :plate 23 is swingable between-.aninclined position closingthe horizontal duct portion, and-constitutinga deflection plate on which ashes .will slicleior discharge into the ash pit through aperture ZA intheside wall of -the upright duct remote from the horizontal duct,.an'd the uprightposition shown in dotted lines in 'Figure4 in which the ash discharge aperture is closed and communication is established between theihorizontal duct section and the upright duct section. Thisplate may be moved automatically from inclined to upright position by flow of air through the horizontal-duct section in the direction indicated by the arrow. vAs in Sthe construction previously described, the

plate 23 maybe supportedifor such swinging movement by a rod .25 secured to its lower. edge and having its opposite ends engaged inapertures in the duct structure.

The upper end of the upright duct 21 is closable by a lid 26 which, in this instance, is mounted on a hinge 27 extending along the edge of the upright duct section closer to the front of the fireplace as shown in Figures 6 and 7. This lid also has a bulge 28 in its swinging edge with which a poker may be engaged to swing the cover into a desired adjusted position, and the cover is held in such position by the friction slide 29. When the supplemental air supply duct is mounted in the forward location shown in Figure 7, with the inner edge of the lid opening, air flowing through the duct will have a rearward component of movement as it is emitted from the upper duct end, so that it will be directed efiectively into the fire.

If it should be desired to provide a larger supply of supplemental air, or to supply a given quantity of supplemental air at a lower velocity, the area of opening into the fireplace floor may be increased. Such increase preferably is accomplished by enlarging the extent of the opening parallel to the fireplace opening instead of expanding the opening in a direction perpendicular to the fireplace opening. This enables the air still to be directed most effectively rearwardly into the fire instead of being discharged immediately beneath it. An inner duct opening of the maximum size which would ever be needed is provided in the duct of Figures 8, 9 and 10. It will be understood that a duct structure may be utilized having an opening of a size anywhere between that of the duct shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, and that of the duct shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10.

While the horizontal duct section 30 of Figures 8 and 9 may have the same width as the upright duct section 31, the width of both ducts being equal to the width of duct sections 21 and 22, shown in Figures 4, and 6, it is desirable for the depth of duct section to be greater than that of duct section 22, because of the greater extent of duct section 31 in a direction parallel to duct section 31'). When the upright duct section has a relatively narrow horizontal cross-sectional shape as compared to that of the upright duct section in Figures 4 and 5, a different air valve and ash deflector plate arrangement may be used. In the structure of Figures 8 and 9, the ash discharge opening 32 is in the bottom wall of the vertical duct section at a location remote from the horizontal duct section 30, instead of being in an upright wall of duct section 31 remote from the hori zontal duct section. The ash deflector plate 33 is carried and guided for swinging by pivot rod 34 at its lower end located adjacent to the ash discharge opening 32 and having its ends received in the opposite duct walls, respectively.

When the plate 33 is in the ash deflecting position, as

shown in broken lines in Figure 8, ashes falling through the upper opening of upright duct 31 either will drop directly through the opening 32 or will fall onto the inclined deflector plate and slide down it and through the bottom opening of the vertical duct section into the ash dump. t is preferred that the pressure of air supplied through horizontal duct section 30 will swing the dc flector plate from the broken line position of Figure 8 into the solid line position of that figure. In order to enable such operation to be accomplished, the plate will be made of light metal or non-inflammable and heat resistant plastic material, as discussed previously.

In the two types of ash deflector and air valve plate installations described above in connection with Figures 1 to 7, the plate 13 never will be swung quite into a vertical position. As soon as the flow of air through the horizontal duct section ceases, therefore, theweight of the plate will swing it into the inclined position closing the air duct and establishingcommunication between the upright duct section and the opening communicating with the ash pit. In the arrangement of Figures 8 and 9, however, the plate 33 can swing from the broken line position of Figure 8, past the vertical positioninto the solid line position closing the bottom opening 32. Upon cessation of the flow of air through the horizontal duct 30, the weight of the plate tends to hold it in this solid line position. To return the plate into the broken line position, a tension or tie member 35 is connected between a fitting 36, carried by the duct structure adjacent to the horizontal duct section 30, and a fitting 37 on the swinging plate which is located remote from the pivot 34. A pulling force will be exerted by this tension member on fitting 37 by a tension-producing element such as a light spring 38, or a small weight carried by the central portion of the tension member. The force exerted by the spring or weight should be sufficient to swing the plate from the solid line position past vertical position so that it will be swung by gravity into the broken line position of Figure 8 when the air fiow has ceased, but should not be great enough to require much air pressure in order to effect swinging of the plate from the broken line position to the solid line position. Such spring or weight should not exert appreciable tension in the member 35 until after plate 33 has been swung toward the solid line position of Figure 8 beyond the vertical.

As shown in Figure 10, the supplemental draft duct unit of Figures 8 and 9 preferably is mounted toward the front of the fireplace floor, and the horizontal duct section 30 will extend through the side of the ash pit comparable to the installation of the duct device shown in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive. For installation in this position, the lid 39 covering the upper end of the vertical duct 31 should be hinged along its edge nearer the fireplace opening, and a poker may be engaged with the lifting loop 40 projecting upward from the swinging edge of the lid to regulate the degree of lid opening. AS in the previously described types of duct arrangement, the lid will be held in any such adjusted position by the friction slide 41.

The duct mechanism of Figures 11 and 12 is generally similar to the types shown in Figures 4 to 7 and 8 to 10, but the vertical duct has a horizontal cross section of a size between the sizes of the vertical ducts illustrated in these other embodiments. The vertical duct portion 42 normally is separated from the horizontal duct portion 43 by the swingable plate 44, and the opening 45 through which this plate will deflect ashes from the vertical duct section 42 into the ash pit is formed partially in the upright wall remote from the horizontal duct 43 and partially in the bottom of the upright duct at its end remote from the horizontal duct. The pivot 46 about which plate 44 swings is located adjacent to the bottom of the verti cal duct and the edge of the opening 45 closest to the horizontal duct. A bafiie 47 projecting into the upright duct from its upright side remote from the horizontal duct serves as a stop for plate 44 so that it cannot swing quite into vertical position, enabling it to be moved by gravity into the solid line-position of Figure 11 when the air supplied to the horizontal duct is cut 01f. The baffie, of course, serves the additional purpose of a chute down which ashes may slide onto plate 44.

The duct structure of Figures 11 and 12 may be mounted adjacent to the fireplace opening, as shown in Figure 12 and described in connection with Figures 4 to 10, inclusive. This modification, however, has a type of lid difierent from that shown in the other forms of the device. The main lid 48 has an aperture adjacent to its hinged edge, which is closable by a subordinate cover 49. The opening of lid 48 may be adjusted as previously described by engagement of loop 50 with a poker and it may be held in any such adjusted position by the slide member 51 to direct air into the fire itself. The subordinate cover 49 will be opened with the main cover 48, but in addition, this subordinate cover may be opened relative to the main cover by engaging a poker in the loop 52 on the subordinate cover adjacent to its swinging edge. The effect of opening subordinate cover 49 mat nee is ..-i s.trated t-F ni e Ala d le tina n tp rthe .41 into-the. hi mer. t i du e or i e t e. r I i ubq ia.

sh .u w dthreushr t alt et t nate cover may be held in. any adjustedposition relative to rnain cover 48; bythe slide element 53.. It will be ppr a a y prope div tmeat of l d- 4 r l i to the ppe -end o t e et se o 4 d. d ust e t of subordinate cover 49; relative to maincover 48,. the relationship between the quantity of air delivered. directly:

to the fire and. thatproiected up the chimney. can be selected as desired.

While the positive deflector plate opening chain 20 is shown only in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure jl, it will be understood;

that a suitable deflector plate. position. adjusting member could be provided for all of tl1eforms discussed, it desired. For the typeshown in Figures 8 and 9, for example, the spring 3801' equivalent mechanism could be re-' opening in its lower portion, an air supply duct connected to said upright duct, and a plate having a lower edge hingedly mounted between the ash discharge opening and the connection of the air supply duct to the uprightv duct for guiding said plate to swing between a position closing communication between said air supply duct and said upright duct and a position in which it closes said. ash discharge opening and the air supply. duct is in com-. munication with said upright duct.

2. The draft mechanism defined in claim 1, and a hinged cover operable to close the upper end of the upright duct, and swingable into various adjusted positions to regulate the degree of opening of the upper end of the upright duct.

3. The draft mechanism defined in claim I, and a hinged cover operable to close the upper end of the upright duct and including a main portion swingable into. various adjusted positions at an acute angle to the fireplace floor to regulate the amount of opening. for supply of air to the fuel, and an auxiliary portion swingable relative to said main portion through an acute angle. for

discharge of air through said main cover portion directed above the. fuel for increasingthe chimney draft.

4. Draft mechanism in a fireplace having a floor cornprisingan upright duct having its upper end openingthrough the fireplace floortand having an-ash discharge opening in its lower portion, an air supply duct connected to and extending transversely of said upright duct, and an ash deflection plate having a lower edge hingedly mounted between the ash discharge opening and the con.- nection of the air supply duct to the upright duct for guiding said plate. to swing between. a position. closing communication between. said air supply duct and. said upright duct, in which it will deflectthroug'n such ash discharge opening ashes falling on said plate, and a position in which it closes said ash discharge opening and the air supply duct is in communication with said upright duct.

5. The draft mechanism defined inclaim 4, and means connected to the ash deflection plate and engageable to swing the plate from ductclosing position-into position closing the ash discharge opening.

6. Draft mechanism in aiireplace having a bacl a floor. anda room opening above. such floor opposite. such back,; comprising an. upright. duct. having its. upper end openingthroughthe fireplace floor. closer to..the.fire-.

pl ce haslst anfiatha a de sia a r es ate on on quat r thsi pner mi -oi id i br sht du th ne a along;

the. portion of of; said covcn, an air supply duct cotn ected Eto said up:

right; duct, and a plate having a lower edge hingedly mounted; between the ash. discharge opening andrthe connection of the air supply. duct-to the -upright duct. for

guiding said plate. to swing between a position closing communication between .-;.said air supply duetv and said pri ht dust. d a p it on i n h h; i clo e id. a h ss arse enin ns e r s pp duct is in m: munication with said upright duct.

7. Draft meehanisn i in a fireplace having a. back, a

floor anda room opening above such floor opposite: ch r mp sins. a -upri ht. u t. having i upper end opening: through the fireplace floor closer to thefireplace room opening tthan to the fireplace back and having an ash dischargeopeningtin its lower portion, a cover closing the upper end opening of saidupright duct and hinged at. its edge; closer-to the fireplace room openingforupward. swinging of its opposite edge from closedposition, an air supply ductconnected to said upright duct, and a platehaving a lower edge hingedly mounted between the ash, discharge openingand the connection of the air supply duct to the upright duct for guiding said'plate to swingbetween a position closing communication between said air. supply duct and said upright duct and a position in which it closes said ash discharge open: inghand the air supply. duct is in communication with said; upright duct.

8. Draft mechanism in. a fireplace having a floor com prising. an upright duct of rectangular cross section having.

itsupper end opening through. the fireplace floor and having. an. ash discharge opening in an upright wall. of its lower portion,.-an. air supply duct connected to the side of said upright duct opposite said ashdischargeopening and extending therefrom transverselyof said upright duct, and.

a plate hinged along the-lower edge of such ash discharge opening and swingable between a substantially. vertical.

position closing such .ash discharge opening. and an inclined. position closing the junction between said air supply duct and said upright duct.

9. The draft mechanism defined in claim 8, and pivot. means. interconnecting the. upright: duct and air supply duct for relative swinging about an axis adjacent to the plate hinge. axis between substantially aligned positionof the ducts and positions in which the air supply duct extendsv transversely of the upright duct.

10. Draft mechanism in a fireplace having a floor COl'llprisingv an upright duct. having itsupper end opening through the fireplace floor and having. an ash dischargeopening in the bottom thereof offsetvfrom. the central portion. of the duct bottom, an air supplyduct connected to said upright duct at the side...thercof remote from such ash. discharge, opening, and a plate disposed in said upright ductand having an edge, thereof hingedly supported adjacent to the edge of such ash discharge opening closer to the center of the. upright duct bottom and swingable between an. inclined position closing such ash discharge opening'andan' oppositely: inclined position closing communicationbetween said air supplydnct and said uprightduct.

11'. The draft: mechanism-definedin claim 10, and a tension membereonnectingt the upright duct and the plate at a location remote from its hinged edgeand operable to exert a pull on such plate tending to swingit from the position in which it closes the ash discharge vopening. towardthe position in which ,it' closes communication between the air, supply ductand; the up'right duct.

12.;.,Draft;- mechanism. in .a fireplace having a floor comprising-en: upright duct having its upperend open: ingg-throughxthe, fireplace; fioonand having an. ash dis: charge-openingaimits dowcri-pqrtion an air .supply duct he upr ght .du c ts .u ppen end. closer; to the t fireplace..baclc ,fo r upward swinging of the front cdge connected to said upright duct, a plate disposed to move between a position closing communication between said air supply duct and said upright duct and a position in which is closes said ash discharge opening and the air supply duct is in communication with said upright duct, and hinge means interconnecting said plate and the bottom of said air supply duct at a location adjacent to said ash discharge opening and guiding said plate for swinging between such positions.

13. Draft mechanism in a fireplace comprising an upright duct having its upper end opening into the fireplace and in its lower portion an end opening and a side opening, a plate disposed to move between a position closing said end opening while said side opening is unobstructed and a position closing said side opening while said end opening is unobstructed, and hinge means carried by said duct at a location between said end and side openings and guiding said plate for swinging between such positions.

14. The draft mechanism defined in claim 13, and 20 means connected to the plate and movable to swing the plate from its position closing the end opening into its position closing the side opening.

15. Draft mechanism in a fireplace having a floor comprising an upright duct having its upper end opening through the fireplace floor, an air supply duct connected to said upright duct, and a hinged cover operable to close the upper end of said upright duct and including a main portion swingable into various adjusted positions at an acute angle to the fireplace floor, to regulate the amount of opening for supply of air to fuel on such fireplace fioor, and an auxiliary portion swingable relative to said main portion through an acute angle for discharge of air through said main cover portion directed above the fuel for increasing the chimney draft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 105,297 Bent July 12, 1870 161,724 Winfield Apr. 6, 1875 219,530 Sage Sept. 9, 1879 656,895 King Aug. 28, 1900 1,702,710 Sparrow Feb. 19, 1929 2,409,731 Bolinger Oct. 22, 1946 2,470,430 Carter May 17, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,465 Great Britain of 1877

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