IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF TELE- GRAPH AND OTHER WOODEN POSTS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Tomlinson Bousfield, of Sutton, in the County of
Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF TELE-
GRAPH AND OTHER WOODEN POSTS." A communication from abroad by
Messrs. Archinard and Socin, of Zurich, Switzerland.
Sealed the 21st July 1876, and dated the 2nd February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Tomlinson Bousfield
"
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd February 1876.
GEORGE TOMLINSON BOUSFIELD, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF TELEGRAPH AND OTHER WOODEN POSTS."
This Invention has for its object to prevent the decay of timber fixed in the
ground. This decay takes place especially in the neighbourhood of the surface of
the ground.
Whatever may be the cause of this decay it occurs universally, and all means
of impregnative and preservative and antiseptic applications fail to prevent a
considerable abridgment from the cause of the possible duration of the timber.
This observation is of especial importance in relation to telegraph posts.
Experience has shown us that posts which are protected from contact with the
earth in which they are planted for a distance of about six inches above and ten
inches below the surface completely escape this local decay.
For this purpose we envelope the post over the whole of this zone with sheet
zine or iron or other suitable substance, taking care slightly to groove the post
beneath the upper edge of sheet so as to leave a flush surface; this prevents the
water from above entering between the post and the sheet metal or other covering,
and prevents this portion of the post being wetted by the rain.
The covering may be formed in any suitable way so long as it closely envelopes
the post and protects from moisture the whole of the zone liable decay.
It will be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the dimensions indicated,
which may be varied.
The insertion of the upper edge of the sheet is not absolutely indispensible
provided moisture be excluded by means of a mastic or stopping.
This Invention is applicable not only to telegraph posts but also to barrier posts,
and to the timber of erections exposed to the effects referred to above; also to tree
stakes, props, hop poles, and timber of all sorts fixed in ground exposed to climatic
influence.

page_text: SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by Edwin Chabot, of South Norwood, in
the County of Surrey, Executor of the late George Tomlinson Bousfield, in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th August 1876.
EDWIN CHABOT, of South Norwood, in the County of Surrey, Executor of George
Tomlinson Bousfield, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, who departed this life on
the 30th day of July 1876. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF TELEGRAPH
AND OTHER WOODEN POSTS." A. communication from abroad by Messrs. Archinard
and Socin, of Zurich, Switzerland.
This Invention has for its object to prevent the decay of timber fixed in the
ground. This decay takes place especially in the neighbourhood of the surface of
the ground.
Whatever may be the cause of this decay it occurs universally, and all means
of impregnation and preservative and antiseptic applications fail to prevent a
considerable abridgment from this cause of the possible duration of the timber.
This observation is of especial importance in relation to telegraph posts.
Experience has shown us that posts which are protected from contact with the
earth in which they are planted for a distance of about six inches above and ten
inches below the surface completely escape this local decay..
'
For this purpose we envelope the post over the whole of this zone with sheet
zine or iron or other suitable substance, taking care slightly to groove the post
beneath the upper edge of sheet so as to leave a flush surface; this prevents the
water from above entering between the post and the sheet metal or other covering,
and prevents this portion of the post being wetted by the rain.
The covering may be formed in any suitable way so long as it closely envelopes
the post and protects from moisture the whole of the zone liable to decay.
It will be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the dimensions indicated,
which may be varied.
The insertion of the upper edge of the sheet is not absolutely' indispensible,
provided moisture be excluded by means of a mastic or stopping.
This Invention is applicable not only to telegraph posts but also to barrier posts,
and to the timber of erections exposed to the effects referred to above; also to tree
stakes, props, hop poles, and timber of all sorts fixed in ground exposed to climatic
influence.
What we claim is the preservation of telegraphs and other posts by means
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edwin Chabot, as such Executor as aforesaid,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.