Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1887
Complete Left, 3rd Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 30th June, 1888
I JOSEPH PRATT of 12 Kirkdale Sydenham in the County of Kent, Horticultural
Builder do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates more particularly to a new and improved mode of constructing
in Wood the arched principals and framings for the roofs and structure generally of
horticultural buildings such as greenhouses Conservatories, Cucumber frames, Plant
houses of every kind and is also applicable to other buildings or structures especially
those of a portable character or tenants fixtures.
The Principals or ribs or rafters which form the framing are often made of iron
in consequence of the facility with which the material can be bent to the proper
shape.
Wood is a preferable material for the construction of horticultural buildings if it
can be brought into proper form and this my invention does in a very simple & easy
mode.
The first and main feature of my invention connects in a novel mode of construction,
Wood Angular Ribs or principals so joined or fitted together in three or more
consecutive pieces which may be used to form the arched angular principals or
framing, to carry the purlins which carry the glass of conservatories & horticultural
buildings and other buildings so forming roof.
The second feature of my invention is the manner of constructing an angular,
Bevelled purlin with the under side grooved, which is let in to the above referred to
principal and screwed thereto so that it forms at whatever angle may be requisite a
receiver for top of Glass to lay in.
The third feature of my invention is that of making a metal sliding receiver for the
bottom side of Glass to rest in, which is so fitted that it slides on the top of the
referred to purlin and is adjusted to suit the panes of Glass (any size) which is
raanisite

page_text: The fourth feature of my invention is that the mode of Glazing without putty or
cement which is that of simply cutting the panes of glass to any required size and
butting them side by side in the top groove herein before mentioned and sliding the
bottom metal receiver, above referred to, so that two panes rest in one receiver which
secures the glass from removal by accident or wind, & also by this method the
condensation from the inside escapes between the purlin and the glass & falls on the
outside of the pane of glass below.
The various features in the before mentioned building being especially the
horticultural structure before the public, at a labour saving, and cheap price.
The advantages of the Horticultural Building is that
It requires no brickwork beyond levelling.
11

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Constructing Horticultural and other Buildings.
I, JOSEPH PRATT of 12 Kirkdale Sydenham, in the County of Kent, Horticultural
Builder, 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 :-
My Invention relates more particularly to a new and improved mode of constructing
in wood, the arched principals and framings for the roofs and structure generally
of Horticultural Buildings, such as green-houses, Conservatories, Cucumber frames
Plant houses of every kind, and is also applicable to other buildings or structures
especially those of a portable character or tenants fixtures."
"
The principals or ribs or rafters which form the framing are often made of iron
in consequence of the facility with which the material can be bent to the proper
shape.
Wood is a preferable material for the construction of horticultural buildings if it
can be brought into proper form and this my invention does, in a very simple and
easy manner.
The first and main feature of my invention connects in a novel mode of construction
(which is cheap effective and strong) of wood, Angular ribs or principals, these
principals are made in three or more sections, and each section is made of five or six
or more (as the size of Structure may require) consecutive pieces, shewn on drawings
accompanying this specification Figures 4 and 5. and marked 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. so fitted
together, and each section nailed to each other, crossing the joints and so forming the
rib or principal shewn in Figures 1. and 2. on the drawings herewith.
These Ribs or arched principals or rafters carry the purlins (as shewn also in figure 1
resting thereon) and these purlins carry the glass of Conservatories and horticultural
buildings, and other buildings, wherever this manner of construction can be adopted
so forming roof.
The second feature of my invention is the manner of constructing an angular
bevelled purlin with under side grooved as shewn in figure 6 on the drawings herewith
which is fixed on to the above referred to principal (shewn in Figure 1) so that it
forms at whatever angle may be requisite, a receiver for top of glass to lay in.
The third feature of my invention, is that of making a sliding metal receiver for the
bottom side of glass to rest in (shewn in figure 7, on the drawing herewith) this receiver
is so made and fitted that it slides on the top of the referred to purlin and is adjusted to
suit the panes of glass (any size) which may be required.
•
The fourth feature of my invention is the novel and simple mode of glazing horti-
cultural buildings without the use of Putty, Cement or Varnish, being what may be
termed "dry glazing."
This is in two ways, the first being as follows, viz. The panes of glass (any size) are
laid side by side the edges simply butted together, the top laid in the groove of purlin
before mentioned the bottom laid in the sliding met il receivers aforesaid.

page_text: In the second way, the glass is fitted and laid precisely in the same manner, with
this only difference that for more permanent structures, I provide a lead, (such as
used for Cathedral glazing) or other metal, or India rubber rebated receiver, shewn
in Figure 3 and marked B this receiver is fitted & placed between each pane of glass
so enclosing the joint, but is not necessary, as water does not come through the joint
should the last mentioned receiver not be used. This manner of glazing is shewn in
Figure 1 also, the glass marked A, and the lead receiver before described marked B,
on the drawings referred to herewith shewing also the sliding metal receiver which
takes two panes of glass-at joint, by this method the condensed vapour inside escapes
between glass and purlin, and drops on the pane below, outside.
The fifth feature of my invention is that if necessary or desirable, Sheets of Zinc,
Iron, Copper or other metal may be used in the place of glass, hereinbefore described or
for sheds or other buildings Slates may be used in the same manner.
Having now particularly described the nature of my said Invention and ascer
tained in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1st. That the Structure above referred to is a building quickly erected, readily
portable, cheap and effective very small cost to repair, or keep in repair, no. painting
being required after once done, all the woodwork being covered from atmosphere
weather, can be fixed by anyone not necessarily a mechanic.
2nd. That no Brickwork is required beyond levelling the foundation, and if required
to be removed at any time can be so without damage, in any way.
3rd. That the various features combined makes it adaptable for other buildings,
such as sheds or wharfage roofs &c.
4th. The Glazing is very simple & requires neither putty or cement.
5th. It is easily repaired at sinall cost.
6th. It is specially adapted for structures of a portable and ornamental character
at a cheap price but can also be used for permanent buildings.
Dated this Twenty ninth day of March 1888.