Improvements in Roofs, Ceilings, and the like, and in Building Blocks therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roofs, Ceilings, and the like, and in Building
Blocks therefor.
I, FEODOR MÜLLER, of 8 Motz-Strasse, Berlin, in the Empire of Germany,
Architect, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
Hitherto it has not been feasible, in the building trade, to construct surfaces, such
as roofs or ceilings, for example, of a number of separate parts, and so that, without
resorting to the aid of iron girders, they should possess sufficient stability, under all
circumstances to withstand both the pressure of a heavy weight and the strain
resulting from a wide span. Now this invention relates to a process enabling
surfaces of any size or extent, and more particularly ceilings or roofs, capable of
bearing comparatively great weights or loads, to be formed with or without the aid
of iron structures; a further advantage of the improved process is, that the roofings
constructed in accordance therewith are light, so far as their own weight is
concerned; and that their sectional area may be relatively small. Thus in the case
of buildings consisting of more than one storey, a material saving both in the space
available and in the cost of construction is effected. In addition to this, surfaces of
this description are impermeable, sound-proof, and fire-proof, and, when formed of
hollow bricks, or hollow blocks of stone, afford ready means for a very thorough and
ample ventilation.
As compared with devices of this class, that have been known before, the novel
construction exhibits, moreover, a number of additional differences of some
importance, owing to the fact that, where an iron framework is used to support the
roof (or the like) it is not placed underneath the forming blocks or bricks, but half-
way up the depth (or height) of the joints. The consequence is that, while,
formerly, the iron framework (or skeleton) was almost invariably crushed in and
bent out of shape by the weight of the stones or bricks, which, to a proportionate
extent, subsided or collapsed with it; any such disadvantage is most effectually
obviated by the method of construction herein described. The iron and stone
combines into one massive body wherein the iron ensures the requisite degree of
resistance to tensile and crushing strains, as well as the desired elasticity, in the
bulk or mass of stone which in itself is sufficiently rigid. This result is attained
without any break occurring in the continuity of the roof surface, and without such
surface ever being disfigured by any streaks produced by rust (or by contact with
rusty iron).
Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings are two perspective views of surfaces
formed in accordance with this invention.
Fig. 1 represents such a surface constructed without the insertion of a metal
framework.
Fig. 2 shews a surface with metal stiffeners or stays inserted into (or embedded
in) it.
These metal stiffening pieces may vary in shape or section almost indefinitely, the
shapes shewn at a, b, and c being given only by way of example. According to
the span of the structure, and to the nature of the weight it is intended to
sustain, angle-iron stiffeners such as these may be inserted either into each or
into every other joint. But in all cases the metal is inserted half-way up the
depth of the joint, with a view to realizing the advantages mentioned above.

page_text: 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
1. A process of construction of surfaces for building purposes, characterized by
an arrangement of stone blocks, wherein such blocks are united to each other by
means of a suitable cement, such as mortar, forming steps or off sets in relation to
each other, so that each extends nearly half-way up the depth of the next block,
which it serves to support, substantially as described and shewn.
2. In the process claimed in Claim 1, the insertion of stiffening metal bars (or
angle-irons) of any suitable outline or section, between the steps or off-sets, for the
purpose of increasing the resistance of the complete structure to tensile strains and
pressure, and of enhancing the elasticity (or resiliency) thereof.
3. The method of constructing roofs, ceilings, and the like, in which the blocks
used are so shaped in their joints, that one block interlocks and engages with the
blocks next adjoining, substantially as shewn and described.
4. The method of constructing roofs, ceilings, and the like in which the blocks
used interlock and engage with each other, and in which metallic bars or stiffeners
are inserted at intervals for the purpose of strengthening and binding together the
whole mass, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 14th day of November 1896.
WILLIAM J. MUNDEN,
75, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.