AN IMPROVED SAFETY TREAD OR FOOT- HOLD SURFACE, ADAPTED FOR THE FOOTBOARDS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER VEHICLES, FOR THE TREADS OF STEPS OR STAIRS IN EDIFICES, AND ...ALSO FOR FLOORS AND OTHER SURFACES SUBJECT TO HEAVY TRAFFIC
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Rhodes, of Bow, in the County of Middlesex,
Brassfounder, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SAFETY TREAD OR FOOT-
HOLD SURFACE, ADAPTED FOR THE FOOTBOARDS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND
OTHER VEHICLES, FOR THE TREADS OF STEPS OR STAIRS IN EDIFICES, AND
...ALSO FOR FLOORS AND OTHER SURFACES SUBJECT TO HEAVY TRAFFIC."
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Rhodes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd May 1878.
BENJAMIN RHODES, of Bow, in the County of Middlesex, Brassfounder. AN
IMPROVED SAFETY TREAD OR FOOTHOLD SURFACE, ADAPTED FOR THE FOOTBOARDS
OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER VEHICLES, FOR THE TREADS OF STEPS OR
STAIRS IN EDIFICES, AND ALSO FOR FLOORS AND OTHER SURFACES SUBJECT TO
HEAVY TRAFFIC."
1.
J
My Invention has for its object the construction of a safety foothold surface,
adapted for various applications as indicated in the title of my said Invention,
in carrying out which I proceed as follows, that is to say:-
:
I employ metal plates or frames, preferably of cast iron, and of convenient size
for the intended applications; the shape of the said plates or frames being made to
correspond with the form of the surface to which the plates or frames are to be
secured.
The said plates or frames are cast with taper or conical holes or apertures in the
same, leaving a portion of metal between each. Into the said apertures are
securely fitted and fastened corresponding cones, by preference of lead, white motal,
or 'other suitable metal (as distinguished from the harder metals), or metallic
compound adapted for the particular application to which my said Invention is to
be put. The greatest" diameter of the said metallic cones is 'placed upwards

page_text: when inserted in the plates or frames; the said metallic cones project above the top
surface of the plates or frames, and at the bottom are flush or level therewith.
In applying my said Invention to the footboards of railway carriages and other
vehicles, as also when applied outdoors generally, the intervening spaces between
each of the conical pieces of metal are left free or open to allow of the passing
away of wet, but in the other applications of my said Invention I prefer to fill up
the said intervening spaces with cement or bituminous or other suitable waterproof
composition.
When required for ornamental purposes, the apertures may be grouped together
or arranged into various forms, devices, or patterns, and the ornamental effect may
be increased by filling in to the apertures in the plates or frames metals of different
colours, and similarly also as to the material filled in between the projecting
metallic cones.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Rhodes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
November 1878.
"AN
BENJAMIN RHODES, of Bow, in the County of Middlesex, Brassfounder.
IMPROVED SAFETY TREAD OR FOOTHOLD SURFACE, ADAPTED FOR THE FOOT-
BOARDS OF RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER VEHICLES, FOR THE TREADS OF
STEPS OR STAIRS IN EDIFICES, AND ALSO FOR FLOORS AND OTHER SURFACES
SUBJECT TO HEAVY TRAFFIC."
My Invention has for its object the construction of a safety foothold surface,
adapted for various applications, as indicated in the title of my said Invention, in
carrying out which I proceed as follows, that is to say :—
I employ metal plates or frames, by preference of cast iron, and of convenient
size for the application intended; the shape of the said plates or frames is made to
correspond with the form of the surface to which the plates or frames are to be
secured.
The said plates or frames are cast with conical holes or apertures in the
same, leaving a portion of metal between each. Into the said apertures are
securely fitted and fastened corresponding cones, by preference of load, whito
metal, or other suitable metal (as distinguished from the harder metals) or
metallic compound, adapted for the particular application to which my said
Invention is to be put. The greatest diameter of the said metallic cones is placed
upwards when inserted in the plates or frames; the metallic cones project above
the top surface of the plates or frames, and at the bottom are "flush"
therewith.
or level
In applying my said Invention to the footboards of railway carriages and other
vehicles, as also when applied generally outdoors, the intervening spaces between
each of the conical pieces of metal above the plate or frame, into which they are

page_text: fitted, are left free or open, to allow of the passing away of wet, but in the other
applications of my said Invention, I prefer to fill up the said intervening spaces
with cement, or bitumenous or other suitable waterproof composition.
When required for ornamental purposes, the apertures may be grouped together
or arranged into various forms or devices, and the ornamental effect may be
increased by filling into the apertures in the plates or frames metals of various
colours, and similarly also as to the material filled in between the projecting
metallic cones.
.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings I have shewn in the plan views, Figures
1 and 2, by way of illustration, two out of the various arrangements I may adopt
for the grouping together of the apertures in the frames or plates A and the metallic
cones B inserted therein.
The views, Figures 3 and 4, are sections of the views Figures 1 and 2
respectively.
I do not confine myself to the use of conical shaped plugs, as these may be of
various shapes, and to fit into corresponding holes in the plates or frames A. The
said plates or frames may be refilled with fresh plugs as often as the latter are worn
down.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Rhodes, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.