IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING-TILES AND CONSTRUCTIONS MADE THEREFROM, AND IN THE MODE OR PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING, AND IN CONSTRUCTING WITH THE SAME
Year: 1885

page_text: therefrom, and in the Mode or Process of Manufacturing
and in Constructing with the same.
I, ARTHUR WELLESLEY LAKE of Grosvenor House, 13 Colville Gardens
Bayswater in the County of Middlesex Gentleman do hereby declare the nature'
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING-TILES AND CONSTRUCTIONS
MADE THEREFROM, AND IN THE MODE OR PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING, AND IN
CONSTRUCTING WITH THE SAME," (A Communication to me from abroad by
Thaddeus Hyatt of 81 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York, in the United
States of America) to be as follows:-
"
My present invention' relates more especially to that class of illuminating-tile
constructions, known as "Concrete Lights," in which the weather or walking.
surface of the tile between the glasses consists of hardened hydraulic cement,
overlaid while in a plastic state on the underlying grating. My improvement
applies to this class of illuminating tiling, whether made in what is known as the
'one-casting" panel tile system wherein each panel-space is filled with a grating.
cast in one piece; or whether made in what is known as the Fractional system;
such as is shown and claimed in my former application No 4454 filed on the Tenth
day of April 1885-wherein the panel is filled with fractional gratings junctured
directly together to form the complete tile; and made without dead-work borders
on their junction-sides.
Heretofore in concrete tiling, particularly in the one casting tile. system, the
grating has been made like a dish; or with a rising rim around its border to hold
and confine the plastic cement; which rimmed grating has been then fitted within
the surrounding rim of the panel space of the foundation frame, and filled with
cement flush with the tops of the glasses; and the construction-seam or crevice
between the rimmed grating and the rim of the panel-frame, is also filled witli
cement to make a water-tight joint; such gratings. being held to the foundation-
frame by bolting, or other mechanical means.
2
J
j

page_text: In my former fractional system referred to showed the fractional gratings as
faced with hardened bydraulic cement before they were placed in the panel-frame,
to form the tile.
Now in my present improvement I omit the raised marginal rim on the tile
(whether in the one-casting panel, or in the fractional panel system) and these tiles
are first fitted naked into the rimmed panel-frame, and the glasses being then (or
previously) put in over the light holes, the whole face of the tile between the
glasses is then overlaid with plastic hydraulic cement flush with the rim of
the panel. Hence by this means the cement is carried in a homogeneous manner
over the joints between the tile and the, panel-rimand over the joints between
the fractional gratings, if made in fractions, and these joints are thus not only
concealed, and rendered water tight, but the tile is secured firmly in the panel,
and the sections thereof bound together; and the glasses, when so desired, are by
the same overlayer of plastic cement secured in the grating, and a weather and
walking surface of uniform appearance is produced over the face of the panel, which
results are all effected at the one action in filling the panel with the plastic cement,
thereby presenting most desirable advantages.
My invention therefore consists in the features above outlined as hereinafter.
fully set forth.
In the ordinary method of manufacture as before stated, the grating or tile is
made in the form of a dish; that is to say, the tile or perforated plate is cast with
sides or a standing rim around its edges, so as to hold the plastic cement when
poured or put upon the face of the tile. This device was made originally in
concrete lights when as yet the article was designed merely to cover coal holes
in sidewalks, and for this purpose possessed decided utility, inasmucli as the
peripheral rim encircling the concrete, gave protection to its edges, and prevented
spalling, vault-covers or coal hole plates being liable to rough usage in constant
handling.
But made in the form of tiling for construction purposes the same reasons for
the existence of this rim around the grating, do not exist, especially when the
concrete is added to the face of the gratings after they have been put into
the panel spaces of the foundation frame or structural frame-work.
When concrete illuminating surfaces are composed of combination tiles made of
fractional gratings that have been concreted and hardened before being placed
within the panel spaces of the structural framework such gratings present a
different shade of color from that of the fresh cement employed to join them
together at the joint seams, and to confine them to the foundation-frame at the
construction seams; the consequence of which is very serious to this sort of work,
for every such line or streak of lighter or darker colored cement on the face of the
panel betrays the union of the parts at those spots, and thus ruins the primary
design of the fractional grating construction, to wit; a homogeneous surface in
appearance the equal of constructions composed of one-casting tiles. But made
according to my present improved method of making the tiles directly in the
panel-spaces of the structural framework no such defects appear, the plastic
cement forming a homogeneous face over the whole of the gratings and all the
joints therein.
'
The novel features that constitute my invention I consider to be as follows,
viz:-
:-
1st In illuminating tile constructions, the combination with a panel frame or
casement having an enclosing rim or border of a tile-grating made without a rising
rim or border set into said panel frame, and therein overlaid or filled with plastic
cement flush with the level of its glasses and panel frame.
2nd In illuminating tile constructions, the combination with a panel. frame
having an enclosing marginal rim or border of a tile grating let into said panel
without a rising rim or border, and set with glasses, and finally overlaid or filled
with plastic cement around the glasses and flush with the panel frame, whereby

page_text: the glasses are fixed in the grating, and the grating fixed in the panel, and a
uniform cemented surface produced in the panel at one and the same action.
3rd In illuminating tile constructions, the combination with an enclosing panel
casement or frame having a rising rim or border, of fractional tile gratings adapted
to be set with glasses, made without rising rims, set into said panels, and junctured
directly together and overlaid or fitted with plastic cement flush with the level of
the glasses and panel-frame whereby the fractions are fixed to each other and to
the frame in a homogeneous manner at one action.
4th In illuminating tile constructions the combination with a panel frame having
an enclosing rim or border, of tile-gratings made in fractional sections junctured
together in said panel frame, set with glasses, and finally overlaid or filled with
plastic cement around said glasses, and flush with the panel frame, or, nearly so,
whereby the glasses are fixed in the grating, the fractions of the tile are secured to
each other and to the panel frame by the same mass of cement, at one action, and
a uniform cement surface produced in the panel.
5th In illuminating concreted tile constructions fractional gratings, placed naked
in the panel spaces, adapted to be set with glasses, and finally overlaid with plastic
cement, flush with the panel frame, whereby the fractions are secured together, and
all the joints of the panel covered, and a homogeneous or uniform concrete surface
produced at one cementing action.
6th In illuminating concreted constructions, fractional gratings placed naked in
the panel spaces; set with glasses, and finally overlaid with plastic cement flush
with the glasses and panel frame.
:

page_text: Improvements in Illuminating Tiles and Constructions made
therefrom, and in the Mode or Process of Manufacturing
and in Constructing with the same.
I ARTHUR WELLESLEY LAKE of Grosvenor House 13 Colville Gardens Bayswater
in the County of Middlesex. Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a Communication to me from abroad by Thaddeus Hyatt of 81 Columbia
Heights Brooklyn New York in the United States of America) and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
"
My present invention relates more especially to that class of illuminating tile
constructions known as Concrete Lights;" in which the weather or walking
surface of the tile between the glasses consists of hardened hydraulic cement put
while in a plastic state upon the grating after the glasses have been placed in
position thereupon:
My improvement applies to this class of illuminating tiling whether made in
what is known as the one-casting panel-tile system wherein each panel space is
filled with a grating cast in one-piece; or whether made in what is known as the
Fractional System such as is shown and claimed in my former application N° 4454
filed on the 10th day of April 1885 wherein the panel is filled with fractional
gratings junctured directly together to form the complete tile; and made without
dead work borders on their junction sides.
Heretofore, in concrete tiling, particularly in the one-casting tile system, the
grating or tile has been made like a dish or with a rising rim around its border
to hold and confine the plastic cement which rimmed grating or tile has been then
fitted within the surrounding rim of the panel space of the foundation frame, and
filled with cement flush with the tops of the glasses and the construction seam or
crevice between the rimmed grating or tile and the rim of the panel frame is also
filled with cement to make a water tight joint, such gratings or tiles being held
to the foundation frame by bolting or other mechanical means. In my former
fractional system referred to I showed the fractional gratings as faced with hardened
hydraulic cement before they were placed in the panel-frame to form the tile. Now
in my present improvement I omit the raised marginal rim on the tile (whether in
the one-casting panel or fractional-panel system) and these tiles are first fitted
naked into the rimined panel frame the glasses being placed in the light holes
either before or after the gratings are laid in place and the whole is then overlaid
with plastic hydraulic cement flush with the rim of the panel-Hence by this
incans the cement is carried in a homogeneous manner over the joints between
the tile and the panel rim and over the joints between the fractions of the grating
if made in fractions, and these joints are thus not only concealed and rendered
water tight but the tile is secured more firmly in the panel and the sections thereof
bound together, and the glasses are secured in the grating and a weather and

page_text: walking surface of uniform appearance produced throughout the panel which results
are all effected at the one action in filling the panel with the plastic cement thereby.
presenting most desirable advantages
My invention therefore consists in the features above outlined as hereinafter
fully set forth.
In the Drawings annexed, Figure 1 presents a cross section of a panel filled with
a rimmed cemented grating according to the old system. Fig. 2 is a similar section
showing my improved unrimmed grating set into the panel previous to the insertion
of the glasses and the application of the cement-Fig. 3 is the same as Fig. 2 with
the glasses inserted in the light holes of the grating-Fig. 4 is a similar section
showing the work finished by the flooding or spreading of the plastic cement over
the naked unrimmed grating between the glasses and flush with the rim of the
panel-frame-Fig. 5 is a plan view of two panels filled with fractional gratings
which were concreted before being placed in the panel--Fig. 6 is a similar plan
view showing my improved construction-Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a
panel filled with fractional gratings made and concreted according to my present
improvement.
In the ordinary method of manufacture as before stated the grating or tile is
made in the form of a dish-that is to say, the tile or perforated plate is cast with
sides or a standing rim around its edges so as to hold the plastic cement when
poured or put upon the face of the tile. This device was made originally in
concrete lights, when as yet the article was designed merely to cover coalholes in
the side-walk as a "vault-cover" and for this purpose possessed a decided utility
inasmuch as the peripheral rim encircling the concrete gave protection to its edges
and prevented spalling, vault covers being liable to rough usage in constant
handling; but made in the form of tiling for construction purposes the samo
reasons for the existence of this rim around the grating, do not exist especially
when the concrete is added to the face of the gratings after they have been put
into the panel spaces of the foundation-frame or structural frame-work.
When concrete illuminating-surfaces are composed of combination-tiles made of
fractional gratings that have been concreted and hardened before being placed
within the panel spaces of the structural frame-work such gratings present a
different shade of color from that of the fresh cement employed to join them
together at the joint seams and to confine them to the foundation frame at the
construction seams the new cement being always of a lighter color than the old-
The consequence of this is very serious to this sort of work, for every such line or
streak of light-colored cement on the face of the work betrays the union of the
parts at those spots and thus ruins the primary design of the fractional-gratings
construction to wit, a homogeneous surface in appearance the equal of constructions
composed of one-casting tiles.
+
Referring to the Drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation in cross section representing a
dish concrete light of ordinary construction made in tile form and placed between
two-rafters or cross-bars within the panel-space of a foundation-frame-A A is the
grating or bottom of the dish; B B the sides or standing rim of the dish; 'a a light
holes of the grating; b b glases, C Crafters or cross-bars of the structural frame
work, d d web or blade of the cross-bars or rafters; e. e bottom flange of cross bars.
Fig. 5 represents a portion of an illuminating surface or construction made of
.fractional gratings that have been concreted before being placed within the panel
spaces of a foundation frame-Panel space D' represents the fractions in position
before the joint and construction seams have been filled with cement-Panel
space D2 represents the same after the cement seams have been made-ff indicate
construction-seams f¹ fl same cemented g g. joint seams g¹ g¹ same cemented-The
stippling indicates concrete-E indicates the border or margin of the foundation-
frame at the rear, F the border of the same at the front-G the left hand border at
the side of the foundation frame; ii rebate in foundation-frame panel-spaces for
seating the tiles or gratings.

page_text: "
Fig. G'represents my improved process of making concreted fractional grating
construction-surfaces. Panel space:D! represents four naked fractional gratings with
open light-holes, being neither concreted nor set with glasses: ! Panel space.D?
represents a combination-tile formed of four fractional gratings as shown in D'after
the light-holes of the same have been closed by glasses and the entire surface
between the glasses and over the joint-seams and construction-seams have boen
filled in with the concrete facing.
Fig. 7 is tan elevation representing in dongitudinal section an enlarged' view
showing two fractional tiles between the xxx vertical lines and a portion of a third;
numbered respectively Nos 1,2,3 g representing a joint seain between two fractions
before the cement is put in and grepresenting a join-seam when closed by cement
or concrete.
The nature and value of my improvement with reference to the first part of my
invention or that relating to dish-shaped illuminating concrete gratings is plainly
seen by reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4-and by comparing the dish-formed grating
shown in Fig. 1 with the more simple and inexpensive formishown by Figs. 2, 3, 4.
A comparison of the construction-seam of Fig. 4 with that of Fig. 1 shows-that
the concrete as employed in the mode of construction illustrated by Fig. 4 is capable
when the sides of the dish are removed as illustrated by Figs. 2, 3, 4, of performing
the triple function of fastening the glasses in position, securing a water-tight joint
at the construction-seam. and likewise cementing by a direct cementation the whole
facing of concrete as well to the sides of. the rafters or cross-bars as to the flat face
of the perforated plate or grating underneath it, thus producing an immediate direct
and permanent bond between the stone face of the grating and the structural
foundation of the work and converting what is ordinarily only a waterproof
construction-seam between otherwise detached and independent portions of the
structure into an integral and homogeneous portion of the actual structural
foundation of the work.
Viewed mechanically and aside from the saving effected in the iron portion of
the work the improvement is an exceedingly advantageous one in the light of mere
constructional policy.
When we compare Fig. with Fig. 1, it is plain to be seen. that the cavity
contained between the standing blades C C¹ of the cross-bars of the structural
foundation, taken in connection with the flat grating A. A which rests upon the
bottom flanges e. e is equal for all practical purposes to that of the cavity. between.
the sides B B of the dish-grating A Fig. 1.and in addition thereto possesses all the
advantages above enumerated.
The great value of the new method of construction by direct combination of
naked or open-hole gratings with the structural framework of illuminating
constructions by means of plastic cement applied to the combination becomes more
conspicuously manifest when we come to constructions made of fractional gratings
and combination-tiles for when the fractions are set with glasses and concreted as
articles of manufacture separate and distinct from the structural foundation that is
to contain them we have all the striking defects of surface disfigurement seen in
Fig. 5 where the dark concreted face of the fractions that compose the combination-s
tile within the panel-space D is seen in striking contrast with the lighter cement
lines ff and g¹g that mark and indicate both the construction-seams and joint-
seams of the work; and when now we compare this mode of construction with the
improved mode herein set forth by contrasting the combination-tile of D2 Fig. 5,
with that of D2 Fig. 6, we perceive without argument the value of the new method; 5
for whereas in the one case the whole face of the work is disfigured by lines which
betray the piece work nature of the construction, we have in the other a complete
and homogeneous! over-layer that not only covers and conceals and makes water-
tight and perfect all the joint and construction seams, but at the same time presents
a level; smooth; and uniform surface both in color and quality over the whole face 5
of the tile.
.. ☐☐
.
"

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be-performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In illuminating-tile constructions, the combination with a panel-frame or
casement having an inclosing rising rim or border, of a tile-grating made without
a rising rim or border set into said panel frame and therein overlaid or filled with
plastic cement flush with the level of the glasses and the panel frame substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth and illustrated.
2. In illuminating-tile constructions, the combination with a panel-frame having
an inclosing marginal rim or border, of a tile-grating let into said panel without a
rising rim or border set with glasses and finally overlaid or filled with plastic
cement around and between the glasses and flush with the panel-frame whereby
the glasses are fixed in the grating and the grating fixed in the panel and a uniform
cemented surface produced in the panel at one and the same action substantially as
herein set forth and illustrated:
3. In illuminating-tile constructions, the combination with an inclosing-panel
casement or frame having a rising rim or border of fractional-tile gratings adapted
to be set with glasses made without rising rims, set into said panels and junctioned
directly together and overlaid or filled with plastic cement flush with the level of
the glasses and panel-frame whereby the fractions are fixed to each other and to
the frame in a homogeneous manner at one action substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth and illustrated.
4. In illuminating-tile constructions, the combination with a panel, frame having
an inclosing rim or border, of tile-gratings made in fractional sections junctioned
together in said panel frame, set with glasses, and finally overlaid or filled with
plastic ceinent around said glasses and flush with the panel frame, or nearly so,
whereby the glasses are fixed in the gratings, the fractions of the tile are secured
to each other and to the panel-frame by the same mass of cement at one action and
a uniform cement surface produced in the panel substantially as set forth.
5. In illuminating concreted tile constructions fractional gratings placed naked
in the panel spaces adapted to be set with glasses and finally overlaid with plastic
cement flush with the panel-frame whereby the fractions are secured together and
all the joints of the panel are covered and a homogeneous or uniform concrete
surface is obtained at one cementing action, substantially as set forth.
.6. In illuminating concreted constructions fractional gratings placed naked in
the panel-spaces, set with glasses, and finally overlaid with plastic cement flush
with the glasses and panel-frame substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 7th day of December 1885.