Abstract: A stove comprising an elongated fuel chamber having a door at one end, a chimney communicating with the chamber at a position in close proximity to said door-end in upper surface, an air inlet opening in upper surface of said fuel chamber at a point in close proximity to the other end and a slidable spatulate member adjacent to said air inlet opening for varying the area of said opening.

Abstract: A variable speed drive of the type having opposed, and parallel-arranged, frusto-conical shaped rollers over which a flat endless belt is trained. The belt is shiftable axially along the length of the rollers to produce an infinitely variable drive between the input and output shafts. The drive mechanism is enclosed in a case and the drive is adjusted from the outside of the case. The belt is properly assembled during assembly by utilizing a belt of known size and arranging for the location of the tapered roller shafts in the case in the precise manner so that the belt is brought to its final proper tension when the second roller is assembled in its preselected openings in the case.

Abstract: A solar energy collector includes a housing having a cover transparent to solar energy. A solar energy absorber is enclosed within the housing just beneath the cover. The absorber is formed to define a plurality of narrow fluid channels of triangular cross section which are disposed in close proximity to each other. The triangular cross section fluid channels are defined by a serpentine-shaped metal top sheet which is secured to a flat metallic bottom sheet. The upper ridges of the fluid channels are disposed in proximity to and support the cover. The geometric relation between the fluid channels, the narrow air spaces defined between the fluid channels and the cover is such as to provide a low cost, high efficiency panel.

Abstract: A wood burning furnace or space heater having a jacket surrounding a firebox and forming a plenum through which air to be heated is forced by a fan. There is a door in the jacket which automatically opens in the event of a failure of a fan, and thus excessively heated air is immediately released.

Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating an indoor grill or griddle to prevent accumulation of smoke and odors. Collection inlets formed in wall members spaced around the grill draw the smoke away from the grill. A receiving chamber having a filter receives the vapor from the wall members and conducts it away from the grill.

Abstract: A refractory lattice for use in cooking above a flame source and below a cooking zone includes:(a) a series of integrally interconnected refractory bodies forming a generally horizontally extending lattice,(b) metallic members projecting lengthwise through multiple of said bodies and confined within the lattice to reinforce same,(c) whereby the bodies will be heated by flames rising from said source to radiate heat upwardly to the cooking zone, and the metallic members will not be directly exposed to said flames.The bodies are typically arranged in regular pattern over the lattice, and openings are formed at regular intervals over the lattice, and between the bodies.

Abstract: A steel-bodied, coal burning stove is provided with an improved combustion system including a one-piece fire pot having an integral, non-shakeable grate. The pot is mounted in the lower regions of the stove and is suspended by a circular mounting ring arrangement which defines the interior of the stove into upper and lower chambers. The pot projects downwardly from the mounting ring arrangement into the lower of the stove chambers. The mounting ring arrangement is constructed to enable air to flow directly from the lower chamber, peripherally about the pot to the upper chamber, bypassing the grate and means are provided to vary the flow of such bypass air.

Abstract: In a cigaret gas lighter having a plastic gas tank and a burner mounted thereon, a heat collecting tube or rod is provided along the wick of the lighter hanging from the burner to the liquified fuel gas in the tank. The upper end of the heat collecting tube or rod is in direct contact with the lower surface of a pin disk located within the burner to effectively transmit heat to the pin disk that is disposed beneath the nozzle bottom in the burner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coal and ash caddy defined by a container having a plunger plate disposed therewithin having a contour complimental to the inner configuration of the container, a plunger rod connected to the plate extending outwardly through the container terminating in a handle, and a support framework fastened to the container connected to a door on one open end of the caddy so that manipulation of the support frame will cause the door to open and manipulation of the plunger handle will cause the plunger plate to eject a quantity of fuel to be ejected from the container. Similarly, the device can be manipulated to allow the introduction of ashes from a stove or the like whereby the ashes can be removed from the building within which the stove is provided without desiminating ashes in the environment.

Abstract: An efficient zero clearance fireplace, space heater is disclosed which is adaptable for installation in either mobile homes or permanent structures. The fireplace unit consists of a stainless steel firebox with an opening for access to the interior thereof. The firebox is surrounded by a first metal skin spaced therefrom which mounts glass doors across the opening. The outer surface of the top, bottom, sides, and back of the first skin are sheathed with an insulating felt. A second metal skin surrounds the first on the sides, back, and top. Outside air is circulated between the firebox and first skin, and heated thereby as the sole source of combustion air. This heated air is also circulated into the room through vents in the front of the first skin. Cool room air from the floor circulates upwardly between the first and second skins only to cool the unit. An optional damper and combustion air control is provided.

Abstract: An indoor barbecue cooking device comprises a grill and a removeable oven cover so that the device can be used either as a barbecue grill or a barbecue oven. The device includes an electrically powered air blower which is selectively and automatically activated by either a thermostat or a photocell. When the device is used as a grill, the blower is automatically activated in response to the detection of an open flame by the photocell to blow the flame out so that the food is prevented from being burned. When the device is used as an oven, the blower is automatically activated by the thermostat when the selected temperature is exceeded, so that cooling air is blown into the oven to maintain the selected temperature.

Abstract: A refractory floor for the firebox of a heating unit including front, side and rear vertical portions with top surfaces inclined towards the respective wall. The rear and side vertical portions exceed the height of a grate or andirons positioned on the refractory floor.

Abstract: A convection flow broiler of open front configuration having an elevator-drawer carrying a food supporting and contacting griddle controllably dipped from horizontal for continuous drainage of greases therefrom, and having fixedly positioned radiant top heat to which the griddle is adjustably positioned, and held supported by weight compensator means applying substantially uniform lift regardless of elevation.

Abstract: A space heating wood burning stove, formed as a rectangular fire box, having a plurality of horizontal flue ducts leading to a flue manifold, adapted to generate substantial vertical convection currents of air, and further including vertical fins to enhance said convection currents, and further including a plurality of draft valves in substantial alignment with respective ones of said flue ducts for efficient burning of wood within said fire box. Assembly of the fire box of the stove is completed under stressed conditions to prevent warping of the fire box panels from heating and cooling cycles.

Abstract: An outdoor barbecue grill which includes a kettle containing grill means on which to support foodstuffs to be cooked, a grate for burning coals, and usually an ash pan positioned below the grate. Means are provided to move the coal-bearing grate vertically to control the spacing between the grill and the grate and the flow of fresh air into the interior of the kettle, both of which affect the intensity of the heat that is applied to the foodstuff to be cooked. The same means actuates a snuffing device for extinguishing the coals altogether when the cooking is completed.

Abstract: A steam processor for preparing or warming food items. The processor includes a cooking chamber having a steam inlet and outlet, and an adjacent steam generator for supplying steam to the chamber. The steam generator includes a water level control system for maintaining a water level within the generator within predetermined limits and an immersion heater for vaporizing the water. A steam control is provided that regulates the heater to control the rate at which steam is produced and flows into the cooking chamber. The processor includes an automatic drain feature which discharges any water within the steam generator whenever power to the processor is terminated. A steam condenser that condenses steam exhausted by the chamber is disposed near the outlet of the cooking chamber. The condenser precipitates a sub-atmospheric pressure at the outlet which serves to purge air from the chamber and enhance the flow of steam into the chamber.

Abstract: A molded refractory slab for positioning in a barbecue grill between the burner unit and the heat-supporting grate has a plurality of uniformly spaced bosses simulating coals projecting upwardly from its top surface and integral dam means connecting adjacent bosses near the periphery of the slab to form a parapet for containing grease and rendered meat juices on the slab and preventing their dripping off the sides of the slab into the fire. The mold in which the slab is formed is of light-weight disposable material and is used as a protective container for shipping unfired slabs, which can then be fired during initial use of the slabs in barbecue grills.

Abstract: A steam table adapted to hold containers of food comprises an open tank for holding the water used to heat the food. The tank has a double bottom, and water, separate from the water used to heat the food, fills the double bottom. Heat is supplied to the double bottom to heat the water there, and this heated water both heats the water in the open tank used to heat the food and, in addition, provides hot water for the sink. Water is gravity fed to the double bottom of the steam table by a reservoir mounted above the steam table.

Abstract: A combination fireplace and boiler, in which the walls of the fireplace furnace and the fireplace hood form a boiler which is connectable with a central heating plant. For this purpose, the furnace walls consist of water jackets and the hood interior forms a water tube or fire tube boiler, communicating with said water jackets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cam for actuating the valves of a reciprocating machine, the cam causing the valve to be opened via a flat-faced sliding-contact cam follower against the force of a closing spring.