Improvements in Conduits for Electric Wires, Pneumatic Transmission, and other Purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1889-Accepted, 12th Oct., 1009
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Conduits for Electric Wires, Pneumatic Transmission,
and other Purposes.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, (which has
been communicated to me from abroad by Ranald Macdonald, of Brooklyn, in the
County of Kings and State of New York, one of the United S.ates of America,
Gentleman.) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention comprises certain novel means whereby a series of parallel sub-
terranean conduits or channels are provided, said channels being capable of use
for the protection of subterranean electric wires, or for the purposes of the pneumatic
transmission of parcels, etc.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are transverse sectional views representing various modifications
of said invention, Fig. 4 is a detail view, further illustrating the manner in which,
when the conduit is used for the protection of electric wires, branch wires may be
extended therefrom.
Referring first to Fig. 1. A, represents a cross bar, of which any desired number
may be used, placed transversely to the line of the conduit at suitable distances
apart. B, is a longitudinal plank laid upon the cross-bars, A. C, C, etc., are planks,
in each of which is provided any desired number of parallel grooves a.
these grooves has its upper lateral edges rabbetted, as shown at a¹ to receive a
cover b, which may be of comparatively thin wood.
Each of
The grooved planks C, C, are superposed one upon another. Between the lower-
most of the planks C, and the plank B. is interposed a layer e, of tarred paper.
Upon the uppermost of said planks C, is placed a similar layer f, of tarred paper.
Upon the latter is placed a plank D, corresponding to the plank B, at the bottom,
and across said plank D, are placed any desired number of cross-bars E, corre-
sponding to the cross-bars A, at the bottom. Bolts F extend through suitable
holes in the several parts, their heads g, being below the cross-bars A, while their
upper ends extend through and above the cross-bars E. Slits or eyes are formed in
the upwardly projecting ends of the bolts F, and into these eyes are driven keys
or wedges, G, by the action of which the parts are bound tightly together in a
vertical direction and access of air and moisture is practically prevented. Shield
planks H, are placed vertically at the sides of the multiple conduit as thus constructed,
and these shield planks may have cleats h, along their lower edges which serve as
supports for the ends of the cross-bars A. These lateral shield planks, H, may if
desired be lightly nailed to the contiguous edges of the planks C, or they may be held
in place by the lateral pressure of the earth in which the conduit is embedded.
Referring now to Fig. 2. The planks C, provided with the longitudinal grooves a,
are arranged in such manner that spaces between any two of the grooves a, are placed
above the corresponding grooves of the next lower plank, so that with the exception
of the uppermost plank C, the grooves a, of each plank are closed at the top by the
bottom of the plank immediately above. As conversely, the bottom of each groove a,
is immediately over the space between the grooves of the plank below, it follows that
the planks may be readily secured together by nails, spikes or screws m, driven through
the relatively thin bottoms of the grooves a, into the solid spaces between the
grooves a, of the plank below. In this construction the packing or layers e, of
tarred paper, as also the longitudinal planks B and D at the bottom and top
respectively, and also the lateral shield planks, H, H, with the cleats h, h, sub-
stantially as represented in Fig. 1, and also in said Fig. 2, may be retained.
Referring now to Fig. 3. The grooves, a, of the planks C, are so arranged that
the grooves in one plank shall be inverted over the corresponding grooves of the
.”

page_text: plank below as will be clearly understood by reference to said Fig. 3. Each plank
is secured to the one below by suitable spikes, n, and a packing or layer e, of
tarred paper may be interposed between the contiguous flat surfaces of the adjacent
planks. It will be observed that aside from the upper and lower planks, (, each
plank may be grooved at its upper and under side for arrangement as shown in said
Fig. 3. The cross-bars A, and E, when the apparatus is constructed as shown in
Fig. 3, are connected at their opposite ends by the bolts F, which in this case, instead
of being extended through the planks as in Fig. 1 are placed externally thereto and
at the sides thereof, and are provided with nuts by which the superposed planks C,
may be compressed together in a vertical direction.
In order to permit branch wires from electric wires to be carried out from the
conduit a hole may be bored communicating with the requisite conduit and into this
may be inserted a flanged sleeve, M as represented in Fig. 4 said flanged sleeve boing
preferably of metal.
When constructed as represented in Figs. 1 and 3, the lateral movement of the
planks with reference to each other may be further prevented by means of longitudinal
keys r fitted into corresponding grooves formed externally in the opposing surfaces of
the contiguous planks as illustrated in Fig. 1.
The planks are to be treated with creosote or any other suitable preservative by
any known or suitable means, to secure them against the effects of moisture and
consequent decay. Each of the grooves a, should be coated internally with a layer
or coating of paraffine. By means of my said invention I am enabled to provide
a suitable number of parallel conduits which may be used for any of the purposes
herein before indicated and the cost of construction is comparatively light.
It is
of course to be understood that the conduit may be of any desired length by
placing the requisite number of planks, etc., end to end in a manner well understood
in the art.
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 :-
1st. The combination with the superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, of
cover b, fitted into the rabbetted edges of the grooves and mechanical devices for
preventing the lateral displacement of the planks with reference to each other, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
2nd. The combination with the superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, of
covers b, fitted into the rabbetted edges of the grooves and longitudinal keys r, for
preventing the lateral displacement of the planks with reference to each other,
substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
3rd. The combination of the superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, of
covers 6, fitted into the rabbetted edges of the grooves, mechanical devices for
preventing the lateral displacement of the planks with reference to each other, and
bolts F, arranged to compress the planks one against another, substantially as and for
the purpose herein set forth.
-
4th. The combination with superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, of
mechanical devices for preventing the lateral displacement of the planks with
reference to each other, and side pieces H, having cleats h, substantially as and for
the purpose herein set forth.
5th. The combination with superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, of mechanical
devices for preventing the lateral displacement of the planks with reference to each
other, and one or more packings of tarred paper f, or e, substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
6th. The combination with superposed longitudinally grooved planks (, of covers b,
fitted into the rabbetted edges of the grooves, mechanical devices for preventing the
lateral displacement of the planks with reference to each other, one or more
packings of tarred paper, f, or e, bottom plank B, and top plank D, substantially as
and for the purpose herein set forth.

page_text: 7th. The combination with superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, of mechanical
devices for preventing the lateral displacement of the planks with reference to each
other, one or more packings of tarred paper, f, or e, bottom plank, B, top plank D,
and cross-bars E and A, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
8th. The combination with superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, of spikes
or nails driven from each superincumbent plank into that below, substantially as
described to unite said planks in position.
9th. The combination with superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, of pins,
nails or spikes driven through the bottoms of the grooves in a superincumbent plank
into the spaces between the grooves of a substantially corresponding plank below,
substantially as described for the purpose specified.
10th. The combination with superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, the grooves
in the superincumbent planks being coincident with those of the planks below, of
means substantially as described for retaining the planks with their grooves in proper
position, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
11th. The combination with superposed longitudinally grooved planks C, the
grooves in the superincumbent planks being coincident with those of the planks below,
of the cross-bars E and A, and bolts F, arranged to compress the planks one upon
another; substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this 20th day of June 1889.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.