Mr. Pycroft, of Rolleston, near Burton-upon-Trent, took out a patent for improvements in fire-places, in 1831, the principle of which consists in connecting with the fire stove a chamber for hot air, to be admitted at pleasure either into the apartment where the fire is situated, or into one adjoining thereto. The hot-air chamber extends from below, up behind, and on each side, and over the top, under the mantel. The air passes into the chamber by a series of registers situated below the fire, and when heated, passes out into the chamber by a series of registers situated over the fire. When it is intended, for the sake of ventilation, to receive the air to be heated from the external atmosphere, instead of from the room where the fire is situated, the registers below the fire must be closed, and a communication opened between the external air and the lower part of the chamber; and when it is intended to throw heated air into an adjoining apartment above the fire, the registers are to be closed, and a communication opened between the upper part of the chamber and the apartment to be heated.

For the purpose of exciting a draught at pleasure, and of preventing any smoke issuing into the room, a hood or blower is hinged to the upper part of the grate, which may be brought out towards the front or top bar of the fire. Behind this is another hood or blower, which is raised or lowered by a knob passing through the first; this inner hood is provided with angular side-flaps, which, when the blower is brought down and projected forwards, inclose the side of the fire. This stove has likewise a flap valve at the back, acted upon by a handle in front, by which the flue or throat into the chimney may be regulated in its dimensions, and the draught increased, diminished, or entirely stopped at pleasure.