Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Floors, Roofs, Ceilings, Partitions, and the like, and in Tee or Connecting Pieces Applicable therefor.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in or relating to the Construction of Floors, Roofs,
Ceilings, Partitions, and the like, and in Tee or Connecting
Pieces Applicable therefor.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street Manchester both in
the County of Lancaster and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, 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:-
The improvements berein described relate to a new mode of fastening boards to
wooden or iron beams, and to the construction of partitions, which are fire proof, free
from cracks, are not liable to rot, and are noiseless.
The invention is best described by aid of the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the girder, and shews the fastening for
securing the floor to the joist by means of a flanged iron T piece.
Figure 2 is a cross section of Figure 1 on the line A-B.
Figures 3 and 4 an altered form of the T iron for fastening the boards, the same
being provided with a flange g at the lower side of the angular opening; Figure 3
being a side view of the T iron, and Figure 4 a cross section through the board and
Tiron.
.
Figure 5 is a side view of the Ț iron when the rib g is used to hold or support the
floor.

page_text: Figures 6, 7 and 8 show various forms of T irons in which the flange is cut to
allow of the angle being more easily driven in Figure 6 being a cross section through
the iron angle, Figure 7 a plan of the same, and Figure 8 a cross section through an
iron angle, the flanges of which are provided with sharp edges.
Figures 9 and 10 are cross sections of a modification of the construction shewn in
Figures 1-8; the flanged iron is replaced here by an angle iron, whilst the boards
are joined together by tongue pieces.
Figure 11 is a cross section of another modification of the angle which replaces the
Tiron, having a sharp edge on the side which is driven into the board, whilst the
boards are joined together by means of a dowel pin.
Figures 12 and 13 show a fastening consisting of plates, dowel-pins, Figure 12
being a cross section through the joist, Figure 13 a cross section through the
fastening.
Figures 14 and 15 show a fastening for securing boards to wooden beams by means
of Tirons, Figure 14 being a cross section through the joist, and Figure 15 a cross
section through the fastening.
Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate a T iron made from plate as used for the fastening
shewn in Figures 1-8 Figure 16 being a side view, Figure 17 a cross section, and
Figure 18 a plan.
Figures 19, 20, and 21 shew a T piece made of metal plate which is used for
fastening boards to wooden beams; Figure 19 being a side view, Figure 20 a cross
section, Figure 21 a plan.
Figures 22, 23, 24 and 25 shew the new mode of constructing partitions, roofs
ceilings, etcetera, that are fire proof, free from cracks, not liable to rot, and noiseless;
Figure 22 being a cross section, Figure 23 a longitudinal section of such a con-
struction when wooden beams are employed. Figures 24 and 25 a cross and a
longitudinal section respectively of such a construction, when iron girders are
employed.
The new method of fastening boards to beams of iron or wood has for its chief
object a durable and safe fastening, by the use of which the outward appearance of
the boards is not spoilt, and which can be readily disconnected when the boards are to
be taken up.
Figures 1 and 2 show the means for fastening a flanged girder a to the boarding c.
b is a T iron in the web of which a wedge shaped opening is cut out so as to
correspond with the section of the flange of the T iron flange of the girder.
The boarding c is provided on its lateral surface with a deep groove d into which
enters the side flange of the T-iron. Each of the separate boards is fastened in
the following manner, the board c is laid on the girder a the flange of the T-iron
piece is introduced into the groove d of the board c whilst the web of the T-iron
with its wedge shaped opening is pressed or forced by means of a hammer onto the
flange of the girder a. By this means the board is held firmly against the flange of
the girder or joist and a simple, handy, neat and solid fastening is obtained.
The floor board c shown in dotted lines in the longitudinal section, Figure 2, is
driven against the contiguous floor board, so that the other flange of the T-iron
piece penetrates into its groove. Thus one T-iron piece fastens two boards to the
supporting girder. The supporting girder may be of any usual section. The method
of fastening floor boards as set forth in the foregoing is effected in the simplest and
strongest manner, and more quickly than the usual method of nailing the boards to
the floor joists with one T piece two floor hoards can be secured to the joist, and as
no nails are used a smooth flat surface without indentations is obtained, which can
be properly painted and polished. The boards can also be readily removed without
damaging them, as is the case when they are nailed. When the boards become
seasoned or dried, and thus shrink so as to leave spaces between them, they can be
driven one against another, so that the old process of filling up or tonguing the
boards is dispensed with.
For the purpose of guiding or supporting the T-iron piece b, a web or flange g
can be applied at its lower side which flange is applied either to the wedge shaped

page_text: opening itself as in Figures 3 and 4, or behind it, (Figures 5, & 6). If the flange g
is at the lower side of the wedge shaped opening as in Figures 3 and 4, the T-iron
piece receives thus a greater holding surface; if on the contrary the flap g is behind
the wedge shaped opening (as in Figure 5), it bears directly on the lower face of
the flooring or other boards, so that that part of the boards below the groove is
grasped between the top flange of the T-iron piece and its lower flange g.
By the arrangement of the flanges g the T piece cannot tilt over whilst it is being
hammered onto the rolled iron joist.
In order to be able to dispense with the continuous groove in the boards, the
construction shown on Figures and $ can be adopted. In these Figures the webs
of the T-iron piece are made pointed or with a sloping lower surface so that the
said web can be driven into the board, or the board can be driven against the
iron webs.
For the purpose of insuring a better and more uniform hold of the T-iron it is
necessary that the blows should be directed near its centre. For this purpose the
outer flange of the T piece can be made shorter at ki, as shown in Figure 7 so that
an open space his cut out which renders it possible to drive up the T-piece on the
boards. In this manner the T-piece is driven on the board without touching the
outer flange, blows being directed on the surface k Figure 7.
Instead of T-irons, iron angles may be used, if desired. Two iron angles could be
employed, one with a right hand flange, the other with a left hand flange as in
Figures 9 and 10, the flanges being shown thereon by dotted lines. One of the
horizontal flanges penetrates into one side of the board and the contiguous board is
driven on the other flange of the other angle iron; or two contiguous boards could be
joined by tongue pieces placed between two angle irons, Figures 9 and 10, or they
could be joined by pins (Figure 11).
When angle irons are used, it is more difficult to drive them into the wood, because
they are liable to tilt; it is preferable therefore to employ besides the hammer a
suitable hand tool, which prevents them tilting. The arrangement shown in
Figures 12 and 13 can also be employed, it relates also to a connection between the
iron joist a and the board c.
This latter mode of connection consists of a plate provided with a wedge shaped
opening as before described and nail holes. The plate is driven firmly onto the flange
of the joist. Nails having a point at both ends and a shoulder in the middle are used
to connect the boards, one half of the nail being driven into the board when it is laid
down and the contiguous board is driven against the other half of the nails. These
double pointed irons are driven in by means of a hollow iron tool, so that the points
do not get damaged.
For the purpose of fastening boards to wooden beams so as not to spoil the outward
appearance of the said flooring, the inventor chooses the mode of fastening shown on
Figures 14 and 15. The boards are here again provided with continuous grooves
into which the flanges of T-iron pieces penetrate. The T-piece is provided at its
lower part with a nail like projecting piece y which is placed obliquely to the upper
flange of the T piece. By driving the T piece against the wooden beam z the nail
like projection has a tendency to go downwards and pull the floor board firmly on the
wooden beam z.
In this modification, one board is first laid down; the T-piece driven fast into the
wooden beam, so that the web bears against it, the contiguous board is then driven on
the flange of the T-piece.
For the purpose of manufacturing cheaply the T-iron pieces b, (Figures 1 to 9),
they can be made in the following manner, (Figures 16-18), a plate of quadrangular
form is first bent so that the side a' forms a right angle with side b', Figures 16, 17
and 18. The plate is then cut on the lines c and d and the part bent down to form
the flange. The plate is afterwards cut on the lines and gland the part cut out,
turned down on the side opposite to flange a', so that another flange is obtained.
The cutting out of the plates can be performed, either when they are bent to an angle
or when they are still flat.

page_text: In this manner a piece of plate is obtained having the form of a T-iron possessing
flanges a¹¹e and a wedged shaped opening at c', which can be driven on T girders
for the purpose of fastening thereto, boards in the manner shown on Figures 1 to 8.
Such a piece of iron is very suitable for the purpose and at the same time is cheap to
manufacture.
For the purpose of rendering the connecting piece just described suitable for wooden
beams, the inventor gives to the lower web (Figures 19-21) the form of a point,
the lower face of which is parallel to the board, and he makes the T-piece likewise of
plate. A rectangular piece of plate is bent to a right angle such as a ", one of the
sides cut along lines cfd" and the part thus cut bent at e" at right angles to the
flange d¹¹
The flange a is cut along lines f" and g" and turned down at right angle to b¹¹ so
as to form a flange ".
The point must be so shaped that the side is sloping, so that when it is driven
into the wooden beam, the boards are pulled down firmly on the beam. The boards
are also provided with side grooves and as in Figures i and 8, laid on their support
and driven fast thereto.
The improvement in the construction of roofs and floors etcetera shown in
Figures 22-25 is characterised by the application of double T-girders laid one
against the other and made of cement, plaster (gyps), burnt clay or other suit-
able materials for the purpose of forming intermediate partitions, ceilings and
floorings.
In figures 22-23 a³ is a short double T girder about one mètre long and made of
cement plaster, burnt clay, or other suitable material, the flanges of which are as wide
as possible and their extremities formed so as to correspond to the surfaces of the
supports on which these extremities rest.
By placing such girders one against the other at right angles to and between the
beams 3, so that they rest on ledges e secured flush with the lower face of the beam 6³,
a strong and light partition is obtained, which is as much as possible fire proof, free
from cracks, not liable to rot, noiseless and can be used at the same time for forming
ceilings.
At their extremities the girders are cut away equal to the thickness of the ledge c³,
and an upper flange d³ is provided, so that the same rests fully on the ledge. The
flange d³ extends a little beyond the ledge e³ (Figures 22-23) and the ends of the
girders, are here provided with flutings ea for the purpose of shortening easily and
conveniently the girders by means of a saw in case the said girders are not quite the
required length.
After the girders have been laid on the ledges, cement or liquid plaster is run over
the top flanges for the purpose of obtaining a covering as perfect as possible. The
lower flange is smoothed (abgescheibt) for the purpose of forming the ceiling.
The lower still visible surfaces of the wooden beam are as usual covered with
laths (Figures 22-23), plastered over and smoothed; for this purpose the lower
face of the beam and ledges must be at ³ about 10 millemetres higher than the
underside of the lower flange of the girder.
This sort of girder partitions can be also employed when double T iron girders are
used instead of wooden beams. Figure 24 represents a cross section and Figure 25 a
longitudinal section of such an application.
By this means a very massive but light method of forming partition, reaching up
to the floor boards, is obtained. Instead of using ledges as before described, the ends
of the cement girders rest directly on the lower flanges g of the double T iron
girders (Figures 24 and 25). The ends of the lower flanges of the cement girders are
shaped so as to rest on those of the iron girder, and are also provided with a
projection for the reception of the laths (Figure 25) by means of which the lower
visible face of the iron girder is covered and plastered. The laths require no other
fastening for this short space, about 100 millimetres. The flanges K' of the cement
girder are preferably about 10 millimetres shorter than the web to enable them to
be inserted between the girders g* when the latter are fixed in position.

page_text: The upper openings m at both ends (Figure 25) are filled up with laths n' (same
Figure) laid on the web and covered by running thereon cement or liquid plaster m*.
The construction of the other parts is the same as in the case of wooden beams.
Girder partitions have not only the advantage of a great stability, of drying quickly,
of being as much as possible fire proof, free from cracking and rotting, and of being
noiseless, but the often harmful practice of covering with loam and straw, which dries
slowly when the weather is damp, is dispensed with.
Instead of double T-cement girders, hollow girders or beams made of the same
materials, and provided with suitably shaped ends, can be employed. These hollow
beams can be so placed that the sides that lie against each other form the web
connecting the ceiling to the flooring.
If the intermediate joists are completely filled up, simple T girders of cement laid
thus may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner, the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is':
1. The improved fastening for securing floor boards to girder joists such as a
without the use of nails, which consists of a T piece b, whose flanges enter longi-
tudinal grooves d in the boards, and whose web is provided with a wedge shaped
opening corresponding to the section of the flange of the girder, substantially as
described.
2. The combination with a T piece such as described in claim 1, of flanges g in the
web of the same, and on the sloping side of the wedge shaped opening, the said flanges
being on the underside of the flange.of the joist when the T piece is driven thereon,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
3. The combination with a T piece such as described in Claim 1, of flanges in
the web of the same and behind or beyond the wedge shaped opening, the said
flanges holding or supporting the boards, substantially as set forth with reference to
Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a fastening such as described for securing boards without longitudinal
grooves, to girder joists, the use of a T piece with sharp edged flanges and
supporting flanges g, substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of
the accompanying drawings.
5. The modification of the improved fastening for securing floor boards to girder
joists, consisting of angle pieces in lieu of T pieces, having sharp or square edged
flanges the boards being joined together by tongues or dowel pins, substantially as
described with reference to Figures 9, 10 and 11.
6. The modification of the improved fastening for securing floor boards to girder
joists, which consists of plates m in lieu of T pieces, secured to the boards by double
pointed nails such as e, substantially as described with reference to Figures 12 and 13.
7. The improved fastening for securing floor boards to wooden joists or beams,
which consists of a T piece whose flanges enter longitudinal grooves in the boards,
and whose web is provided with a spike or wedge shaped arm y directed obliquely
downwards, substantially as described with reference to Figures 14 and 15.
8. A tee piece made out of a single rectangular plate formed in the manner
described with reference to Figures 16, 17 and 15 of the accompanying drawing, the
said piece being made applicable for securing boards to girder joists by cutting its
web along the lines c and d', and bending the part thus cut at right angles to the
web, substantially as set forth.
9. A tee piece applicable for securing boards to wooden joists and beams, con-
sisting of flanges a" and " bent in the manner herein described, the web b₁ cut
along the line " (so as to form a pointed arm or spike) and along the line c", the
part thus released, being bent at right angles to the web, ", substantially
as set forth with reference to Figures 19, 20, and 21, of the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 10. The improvement in the construction of roofs, ceilings, partitions and the like,
which consists in the use of girders of single or double T section or ☐ section made
of cement, burnt clay or other suitable substance, the said girders, when wooden
beams are used, having their extremities cut out and provided with a supporting
flange d³ on which they rest, and when metal girders are used, with a supporting
flange bent or curved upwards, substantially as and for the purpose described with
reference to Figures 22 to 25 of the accompanying drawings.