Improvements in Facing Bricks.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th July, 1892-Accepted, 20th Aug., 1892
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Facing Bricks.
I, CHARLES HERBERT SHOPPEE of 22 John Street, Bedford Row in the
County of Middlesex, Architect and Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows
The object of this invention is mainly to provide a brick to supersede ordinary
bricks for vaulting and arching where either a circular or flat soffite is required so
as to avoid weight and the thrust which arises when ordinary bricks are used. The
brick I make of the form of an ordinary brick which has been cut away at the back
along its two sides, so as to leave a dovetail projection standing out from the front
or face portion of the brick which remains unaltered. This dovetail projection
may be made to run from one end of the brick to the other or one of the ends may
be left solid and not cut away so that the bricks may be used for coursing or
ranging with other brickwork. The front face or the front face and end may be
glazed or unglazed as desired. The web of the dovetail may have perforations
formed crosswise through it so as to give an opportunity of inserting cramps or
bonders when the dovetail bricks are used instead of tiles &c. for facing up old
walls vertically.
In using the bricks for making a segmental, arched or flat soffite the bricks
would be united together by a concrete backing the spaces between the dovetail
projections at the back of the bricks being filled in with fine cement and breeze or
with ordinary cement concrete.
Dated this 19th day of October 1891.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Facing Bricks.
I, CHARLES HERBERT SHOPPEE, of 22 John Street, Bedford Row in the
County of Middlesex, Architect and Surveyor, 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 object of this invention is mainly to provide a brick to supersede ordinary
bricks for vaulting and arching where either a circular or flat soffite is required so
as to avoid weight and the thrust which arises when ordinary bricks are used. The
brick 1 make of the form of an ordinary brick which has been cut away at the
back along its two sides so as to leave a dovetail projection standing out from
the front or face portion of the brick which remains unaltered. This dovetail
projection may be made to run from one end of the brick to the other or one of the
ends may be left solid and not cut away so that the bricks may be used for coursing
or ranging with other brickwork. The front face or the front face and end may
be glazed or unglazed as desired. The web of the dovetail may have perforations
formed crosswise through it so as to give an opportunity of inserting cramps or
binders when the dovetail bricks are used instead of tiles &c. for facing up old walls
vertically.
In using the bricks for making a segmental arched or flat soffite the bricks
would be united together by a concrete backing the spaces between the dovetail
projections at the back of the bricks being filled in with fine cement and breeze or
with ordinary cement concrete.

page_text: In the drawings annexed I have shewn three forms in which the bricks may
advantageously be formed.
Figure 1 is a cross section and Figure 2 a side elevation of bricks of one form
set together with concrete.
Figures 3 and 4 shew similar views of bricks somewhat modified in form.
Figures 5 and 6 show another modified form.
Figure 7 shews an arch faced with bricks formed as described.
The bricks may be of any desired depth from front to back, and of any desired
length and width.
When forming a flat or curved soffite the bricks may be set in rows one after
the other upon a flat or curved support'the bricks as they are put into place having
suitable mortar or cement spread over the flat surfaces which are to abut closely
together.
Parallel lines may be marked on the support to help the workman to keep the
lines of brickwork true.
Preferably I use in every alternate row deeper bricks than in the other rows as
shewn in Figure 7.
When the whole has been completed concrete may be filled in above and between
the dovetail projections of the bricks to bind all together and form a solid block
as shown in the drawings.
As above stated the bricks might be formed with a flat rectangular face at one
end if desired but this is seldom necessary.
The bricks are formed of brick earth moulded to form, and burnt, and when
desired are glazed on the face, or face and end in the ordinary way of making
glazed rectangular bricks.
Having now particularl; 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 :-
The manufacture of a facing brick with one central dovetail projection along the
back substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of July 1892.
CHARLES HERBERT SHOPPEE.