IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON HOUSES, AND IN THE INTERNAL FITTINGS OF CERTAIN KINDS OF SUCH HOUSES
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Elsdon, of 76, Manor Road, New Cross,
and Richard Herbert Ayres, of Carrisbrooke Villas, Forest Hill,
both in the County of Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON HOUSES, AND IN THE INTERNAL FITTINGS
OF CERTAIN KINDS OF SUCH HOUSES."
Sealed the 9th April 1875, and dated the 12th October 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Elsdon and
Richard Herbert Ayres at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 12th October 1874.
We, ROBERT ELSDON, of No. 76, Manor Road, New Cross, and
RICHARD HERBERT AYRES, of Carrisbrooke Villas, Forest Hill, both in
the County of Kent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON HOUSES, AND IN THE INTERNAL
FITTINGS OF CERTAIN KINDS OF SUCH HOUSES," to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates especially to the construction and fittings of
iron greenhouses, hothouses, and conservatories, but parts thereof are

page_text: also applicable to the construction of iron houses used for other
purposes. Heretofore it has been the practice in the construction of
such houses to unite the various bars forming the framework for the
most part by means of rivets or bolts, or bolts and nuts. This process,
besides being costly, reduces the strength of the material employed by
reason of the numerous holes that have to be formed therein for the
reception of the rivets or bolts.
The object of one part of our Invention is to enable such structures to
be produced cheaper than by the process now in use, and to retain a
greater proportion of the strength of the material. It consists in certain
peculiar arrangements of channel, tec, angle, and flat iron bars to form
the framework of the house, such bars being jointed together in all cases
where practicable by a system of shouldered tenons, slots, and keys or
pins. For example, we sometimes make the wall plate of the house of
a channel iron, with its opposite flanges disposed horizontally, tee iron
vertical bars forming the framing of the sides of the house being tenoned
into slots formed in the lower horizontal flange of such channel iron.
Tee iron bars form the rafters and sash bars of the roof, tenoned in like
manner at their lower ends into the upper horizontal flange of the
channel iron, both verticals and rafters being keyed to the said channel
iron by keys or pins. The lower ends of the tee iron vertical may be
tenoned and keyed in like manner into a sole plate of flat, tee, channel,
or angle iron, the upper ends of the tec iron rafters being similarly
keyed into angle irons forming either the ridge of the roof or the curb
of the lantern or ventilator opening, as the case may be. We prefer to
finish the gable ends, by employing comparatively large sizes of angle
iron for the corner verticals and end rafters, and bolting them to the
channel iron wall plate at each corner by a bolt passing through the foot
of the rafter, the two flanges of the channel iron wall plate, and the
squared top of the vertical corner angle iron, the upper ends of the
angle iron bars forming the gables being secured to the ridge or to the
angle iron curb above mentioned, and the lower ends of the angle iron
corner verticals keyed to the sole plate. We then cover the hollows of
the channel iron wall plate and angle iron vertical corner bars with
sheet iron, zinc, brass, or other suitable material, so as to hide the keys,
bolt heads, and other unsightly parts. The outside or principal gutters,
and (in the case of greenhouses, hothouses, or conservatories) an upper
inside staging or shelf to support plants may also be attached to the said
channel iron wall plate.

page_text: The lantern or ventilator above the roof may also be constructed in a
similar manner to that above described in reference to the general
framing of the house.
Another part of our Invention consists in certain means of fixing the
glass and making the joints more or less water-tight without putty. We
effect this by placing upon the upper sides of the inverted tee irons
forming the sash bars strips of wood, cork, gutta percha, or other suitable
material, tapered so as to allow for the lap of the glass, and bound round
or covered with tin or lead foil; or (when wood is employed) pickled
with a preserving liquid. These strips so covered or prepared form an
even and smooth bed for the sheets of glass to lay upon, and such that
water will not easily pass between it and the glass. A strip of lead is
then laid along over the upper edge of the tee iron sash bar, extending
over the edges of the two adjacent sheets of glass resting on the before-
mentioned bearing strips. Pieces of copper or other suitable wire are
then strained over pins attached to the sash bar, so that the said wires
extend along near the edges of and close to the upper surface of the said
lead covering, whereby the latter is securely held down in contact with
the glass, so as to prevent the entrance of water. A similar wire may
also be stretched by the side of the bearing strips to keep them in place.
The bearing strips rest, by preference, on bent strips of sheet lead laid
in the angles of the tee iron sash bar, such strips of lead forming gutters
for conducting any water that might enter between the glass and lead
covering to the general cave gutters of the building; or instead of the
last-mentioned strips of lead the tec iron sash bars may be rolled with a
lip or lips forming gutters inside the flanges, and within which the
covered or prepared bearing strips are placed, and when such tee iron
sash bars are employed the wire for retaining the said bearing strips in
place may be dispensed with..
We sometimes employ small guides or gutters beneath the lap joints
of the glass to convey the condensed water which accumulates on the
inside thereof to the above-mentioned gutters in the tee iron sash bars.
Purlines of tee or other suitable section of iron may be employed to
ensure rigidity to the rafters or sash bars.
Another part of our Invention consists in constructing the lower
ventilating louvres of iron greenhouses, hothouses, or conservatories of a
frame of wood furnished with plate, sheet, channel, or angle iron rebates

page_text: or grooves for holding cement slabs or panels, which are then cast or
otherwise formed therein. The ventilating louvre thus formed is centred
on a pipe or bar running through it or on studs fixed thereto. A series
of such louvres may be opened or closed simultaneously by means of
chains or wire ropes attached to the top or to the top and bottom of
each, and wound round a shaft or drum placed in any suitable position,
and operated by a handle or otherwise, as may be required.
Another part of our Invention consists in means for raising the top or
lantern ventilator in greenhouses, hothouses, or conservatories, instead
of the arrangement of levers, shafts, et cetera, usually employed. For
this purpose we employ one or more cast-iron columns, placed by
preference in the centre line of the house, in which a hydraulic ram or
rams works or work, or in connection with which other mechanical
contrivances, such as racks and pinions, or chains and pullies are
arranged in order to carry and to raise and lower the ventilator, which
is suitably guided at the ends and sides, as may be necessary. The
column or columns may be made ornamental, and to serve as a fountain
or fountains if required, and the sides and other parts of the building
may be tied to it or them in any required manner, so as to increase the
rigidity of the structure.
Another part of our Invention consists in the employment for foot
plates instead of chequered or other cast-iron plates, of short lengths
of tee, angle, or channel iron laid with their webs downwards, resting
in notches in cast-iron bearers or sleepers arranged to receive them;
or such lengths of tee, angle, or channel iron may be laid with their
webs upward, and the spaces between such webs filled in with cement.
Another part of our Invention consists in an improved construction of
the stages sometimes employed in iron greenhouses, hothouses, or con-
servatories. Instead of rivetting or bolting together a framework of
angle iron, forming recesses into which cement slabs which have been
previously cast and solidified are placed, we employ an arrangement of
tubular or other suitable supports, double tee iron cross bearers, and
angle iron longitudinal bearers pinned or keyed together, the angle iron
longitudinals forming continuous rebates for the reception of the cement
slab, which is then cast or formed, preferably in one length in the place
it is intended to occupy, bearing boards being employed to support.the
slab until it is properly set, after which the said bearing boards may be
removed.

page_text: When constructing stages in the manner above described it will be
found convenient to employ a roller for levelling the upper surface of the
cement slab, and forming therein the recesses or channels sometimes
employed for holding water.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Robert Elsdon and Richard Herbert Ayres in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th April 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ROBERT
ELSDON, of No. Seventy-six, Manor Road, New Cross, and RICHARD
HERBERT AYRES, of Carrisbrooke Villas, Forest Hill, both in the County
of Kent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said Robert Elsdon and Richard Herbert
Ayres, Her special licence that we, the said Robert Elsdon and Richard
Herbert Ayres, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said Robert Elsdon and Richard Herbert Ayres, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF IRON HOUSES, AND IN THE INTERNAL FITTINGS OF CERTAIN
KINDS OF SUCH HOUSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we,
tho said Robert Elsdon and Richard Herbert Ayres, our executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the datę
of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Robert Elsdon and Richard
Herbert Ayres, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the accompanying Sheets of Drawings, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
Our Invention relates especially to the construction and fittings of
iron greenhouses, hothouses, and conservatorics, but parts thereof are
also applicable to the construction of iron houses used for other purposes.
Heretofore it has been the practice in the construction of such houses to
unite the various bars forming the framework, for the most part by
means of rivets or bolts, or bolts and nuts.
The object of one part of our Invention is to enable such structures
to be produced cheaper than by the process now in use, and to retain a
greater proportion of the strength of the material than is usually
retained when such process is employed. This part of the Invention
consists in certain peculiar arrangements of channel, tee, angle, and in
some cases flat iron bars, to form the framework of the house, such bars
being jointed together in all cases where practicable by a system of
shouldered tenons, slots, and keys, or pins. For example, the eaves'
plate (sometimes called the wall plate) may be made of a channel iron
with its opposite flanges disposed horizontally, tee iron vertical bars
forming the framing of the sides of the house being tenoned into slots
formed in the lower horizontal flange of the said channel iron, tee iron
bars, or bars of other suitable section form the rafters and sash bars of
the roof, being tenoned in like manner at their lower ends into the upper
horizontal flange of the said channel iron, both verticals and rafters
being keyed to the said channel iron by keys or pins. The lower ends
of the said tee iron verticals may be tenoned and keyed in like manner
into a sole plate of flat, tec, channel, or angle iron, the upper ends of
the rafters being similarly keyed into angle irons forming either the
ridge of the roof or the curb of the lantern or ventilator opening, as
the case may be. The gable ends may be finished by employing com-
paratively large sizes of angle iron for the corner verticals and end
rafters and bolting them to the channel iron eaves or wall plate at each
corner by a bolt passing through the foot of the rafter, the two flanges
of the channel iron eaves or wall plate, and the squared top of the
vertical corner angle iron, the upper ends of the angle iron bars forming

page_text: the gable being secured to the ridge or to the angle iron curb above-
mentioned, and the lower ends of the angle iron corner verticals to the
sole plates by keys or pins. The hollows of the channel iron eaves or
wall plate, angle iron vertical corner bars, and angle iron end rafters,
may be covered with sheet iron, zinc, brass, or other suitable material,
so as to hide the keys, bolt heads, and other unsightly parts. The out-
side or principal gutters and (in the case of greenhouses, hothouses,
or conservatories) an upper inside staging or shelf to support plants
may also he attached to the said channel iron or well plate

page_text: thereto by the key or pin E. The upper end of the principal rafter E
is tenoned at E³, and keyed in like manner by the key or pin E' into the
angle iron F. Such angle iron F forms in the example illustrated the
curb of the opening for the lantern or ventilator, but it may obviously
if desired form the ridge of the roof when no lantern or ventilator is
employed.
•
When, as in the illustration, the angle iron F forms the curb for the
ventilator opening, and the angle iron strut G is employed at each
principal rafter, it may be tenoned and keyed at each end to the angle
iron curb, as shewn at G. H, H, represent a tee iron purlin extending
from one principal rafter to the next, being tenoned and keyed to the
webs of such principal rafters, as shown more clearly at Figures 8 and 8*.
The purlin H, H, assists in supporting the sash bar rafters in the usual
manner, as seen in Figures 2 and 8.
.
In order to form the lintel of the lower or louvre ventilator frames,
and the sill of the glazed portion of the walls of the house, a string
course may be framed in with the tee iron vertical standards, and for
this purpose we prefer to employ wood lintels I and sills J with a filling
of cement K, kept in place between them by sheet or plate iron lips I'
and J¹ fixed to the wood sills and lintels, as shown.
.
If preferred instead of wood lintels and sills I, J, suitable sections of
iron may be employed.
The intermediate verticals or sash bars L to support the sheets of glass
in the glazed part of the walls are tenoned at their upper ends into the
lower flange of the channel iron eaves or wall plate in the same manner
as the principal vertical standards B, as seen in Figure 2. At their
lower ends they rest on the sill J, being secured in place by suitable
cement M, such as asphalte, mastic, or if iron sills be employed their
lower ends may be tenoned and keyed thereinto in a manner similar to
their upper ends.
The intermediate sash bar rafters N are also tenoned and keyed to the
channel iron eaves plate, and to the angle iron curb F, as shown in
Figure 2, in a manner similar to that described in respect of the principal
rafters.
The lantern or ventilator surmounting the opening formed by the
curb F is also framed by a system of tenons and slots and keys or pins.

page_text: as shown in Figure 1. O is an angle iron forming the bottom rail of
the said ventilator; P, an inverted angle iron forming the ridge thereof;
Q, principal rafter of angle iron; R, tie bar, also of angle iron; and S,
tee iron sash bars.
It will be seen that the lower ends of the principal rafters Q, and of
the sash bars S, are tenoned and keyed into the bottom rail O, while
their upper ends arc tenoned and keyed into the ridge P, the tie bar R
in its turn being tenoned and keyed into the angle iron principal
rafter Q.
The inverted angle iron ridge P and curb F may be filled with asphalte,
mastic, or other suitable cement, as shown at P¹, F¹, in order to exclude
water or moisture therefrom.
It will be found convenient to cover the lower external portion of the
tee iron vertical standard with a piece of channel iron B* (see Figures 1
and 7), the back thereof forming a fair surface externally between two
adjacent louvre ventilators, and the sides thereof forming the vertical
ends of the frames in which the said louvre ventilators work.
Figure 6 of Sheet 2 represents a partial elevation of the skeleton
frame composing the gable end of a house, showing the parts connected
together in accordance with this part of our Invention. A is the channel
iron eaves or wall plate, as in Figure 1; B, angle iron corner vertical,
which may be fixed at bottom in the manner explained in reference to
the vertical tec iron standards B in Figure 1, but at the top we prefer to
forge it square and with a flange, as shown, by means of which it may
be connected to the channel iron A by the long bolt B', which passes
through the flange of the vertical angle iron B, the two flanges of the
channel iron A, and the foot of the end rafter E, which is also of angle
iron, having its lower end forged to the proper angle to fit on to the
upper flange of the channel iron A, as shown. The upper end of the
end rafter E may be continued over in one bar to the caves or wall plate
on the other side of the house, being bent so as to form the end G of the
lantern or ventilator opening when such is employed, as in the Figure,
or the rafter E may be separate from the strut piece G, and jointed
thereto by scarfing or any other suitable known means. The end of the
lantern or ventilator may also be constructed in a similar manner, as
shown. The door frame is composed of angle iron vertical posts T, T,
fixed at bottom in the manner shown in reference to the vertical

page_text: corner standard B, at top to the strut piece G, and having the angle
iron lintel U framed to them. The eaves or wall plate A is by preference
continued round the end, as shown at A'. The same arrangement of
string course I, J, and sill pieces D as that described in reference to
Figures 1 and 2 may also be employed. We prefer to frame with the
general framework of the house tee iron sash bars L, L, L, for supporting
the glass, and where necessary small angle irons L', L', L', must be fixed
for the same purpose to such parts of the main framing as are not of
suitable section to support the glass without such addition. See also
Figures 7, 8, and 9. Or in some cases it may be found more economical
and convenient to employ sections of iron specially prepared to serve as
main frames, and to support the glass as well; for example, instead of
employing plain channel iron at A', and fixing small angle irons L³, I',
thereto, a section, such as that shown in the detached Figure A², may be
employed.
As the hollows of the channel iron eaves or wall plate of the angle
iron corner verticals and of the angle iron rafters, with the tenons, keys,
and bolt heads of the parts connected to them would be unsightly, we
cover such hollows with sheet iron, zinc, brass, lead, or other suitable
material in any way that may be found convenient or ornamental. In
Figure 9 an example is given at V where the strip of lead for covering
the edges of the sheets of glass, as herein-after to be described, is made
to answer also the above-named purpose. In Figure 8 W represents an
ornamental covering of zinc or other suitable material, and in the case of
the angle iron corner verticals the rain-water pipe X may be utilized for
this purpose, see Figures 6 and 7. In the case of the channel iron
eaves or wall plate the main gutter Y may be adapted to cover it, as
shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6; or as in the case of the channel iron
framing bar A¹ in Figure 6 these hollows may be filled in with cement Z,
suitable keying plates Z' or other convenient means being employed to
retain such cement in the said hollows.
Another part of our Invention consists in certain means of fixing the
glass and making the joints thereof more or less water-tight without
putty. We effect this by placing upon the upper sides of the table of
the inverted tee irons forming the sash bars, strips or wood, cork, gutta
percha, or other suitable material tapered so as to allow for the lap of
the glass, and bound round or covered if necessary with tin or lead foil,
or (when wood is employed) "pickled" with any suitable known pre-

page_text: serving liquid. These strips so covered or prepared form an even and
smooth bed for the sheets of glass to lay upon, and such that water will
not easily pass between it and the glass. A strip of lead is then laid
along over the upper edge of the tee iron sash bar extending over the
edges of the two adjacent sheets of glass resting on the before-mentioned
bearing strips. Pieces of copper or other suitable wire are then strained
over pins attached to the sash bar, so that the said wires extend along near
the edges of and close over the upper surface of the said lead covering,
whereby the latter is securely held down in contact with the glass so as
to prevent the entrance of water. A similar wire may also be stretched
by the side of the bearing strips to keep them in place. The bearing
strips may rest on bent strips of sheet lead laid in the angles of the tee
iron sash bar, such strips of lead forming gutters for conducting any
water that might enter between the glass and lead covering to the
3 general eave gutters of the building. Or instead of the last-mentioned
strips of lead the tee iron sash bars may be rolled with a lip or lips
forming gutters inside the flanges, and within which the covered or
prepared bearing strips are placed, and when such tee iron sash bars are
employed, the wire for retaining the said bearing strips in place may be
> dispensed with.
This part of our Invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1,
and Figures 7, 8, and 9, Sheet 2, wherein a, a, represent the strips of
wood or other material covered or not, as may be preferred, with tin or
lead foil, or "pickled," as herein-before explained. These strips are laid
as shown upon the upper sides of the table of the inverted tec iron sash
bars, being tapered from end to end, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, to allow
for the lap of the glass. The sheets of glass b, b, are then laid upon
those strips as shown, and a strip of lead c is then laid along over the
upper edge of the tee iron sash bar extending over the edges of the two
adjacent sheets of glass, as already explained; d, d, are the wires strained
over the edges of the lead covering c passing over the pin e (see also
Figure 1), driven through the web of the tee iron sash bar, and which
serves the double purpose of preventing the sheets of glass from slipping
down, and of taking the tension strain of the wire so as to prevent the
latter from acting on the lapped edge of the glass and thereby breaking
it. The wires then pass under the pin f which may be notched as
shown, in order to keep the wire in place or round it as in Figures
2 and 8. One end of each wirc is by preference connected to any

page_text: suitable tightening apparatus g, by means of which is can be tightened
up from time to time as may be required. It will be readily understood
that the wires d, d, will maintain the lead covering c in close contact
with the upper surface of the sheets of glass, and that the entrance of
water will thereby be prevented. Should however any water enter
between the lead coverings and the glass the bearing strips a, a, will
prevent its passing to the under surface of the glass, and will conduct it
down the table of the tee iron to the general eaves gutter. And in order
still further to facilitate the guidance of such water down the tee iron
sash bar the bearing strips may be made to rest in bent strips of sheet
lead or zinc h, h, (see Figures 8 and 9), laid in the angles of the tee iron
sash bars or principals as the case may be, forming small gutters for
conducting such water to the eaves, or the teo or angle iron sash bars or
principals may be rolled with a lip or lips i, i, as shown in Figures
8 and 9, so as to form gutters in which the bearing strips are placed as:
shown. The bearing strips may be conveniently made of a hollow
section if preferred, by bending a strip of lead into a U form, as shown
at a', Figures 1, 8, and 9, and when employing such bearing strips it
will be found convenient to cut notches in the side or sides thereof, as
shown at a, a, in Figure 1, whereby the water will be enabled to enter
the hollow of such bearing strip, and thus have a freer passage down the
tee iron than when a solid bearing strip is employed. The Figures
8 and 9 show this system of glazing as applied to the roof and ventilator,
and Figure 7 as applied to the upright glazing of the walls.
Instead of the wire and lead covering wood beads j, j, (see Figure 7) :
may be employed to maintain the glass against the strip, such beads
being secured in place by screws or pins. Or iron rods k, k, with
angular strips of lead in the angles may be employed, such iron rods
being secured by screws or pins to the sash bar, or by passing at their
ends into holes in the sash bars provided to receive them; or the lead a
covering and glass may be secured against the bearing strips by means
of a small channel iron which may be secured to the sash bar by a pin
or pins m.
Another part of our Invention consists in constructing the lower
ventilating louvres of iron greenhouses, hothouses, and conservatories of 8
a frame of wood furnished with plate, sheet, channel, or angle iron
rebates or grooves for holding cement slabs or panels, which are then
cast or otherwise formed therein. The ventilating louvre thus formed is

page_text: centred on a pipe or bar running through it or on studs fixed thereto.
A series of such louvres may be opened or closed simultaneously by
means of chains or wire ropes attached to the top or to the top and
bottom of cach, and wound round a shaft or drum placed in any suitable
position, and operated by a handle or otherwise, as may be required.
This part of our Invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1 of
the Drawings, wherein 22 represents the wooden frame of the louvre ;
o, o, iron plates attached thereto so as to form rebates and grooves, as
shown; p, the cement slab or panel; q, the centre or pivot on which
the louvre turns; ", r, chains or wire ropes passing round drums 8, 8,
the shaft or axle of one of which drums may be made to extend from
end to end of the house, and thus to operate all the louvres at once in a
manner readily understood.
Another part of our Invention consists in means for raising the top or
lantern ventilator in greenhouses, hothouses, conservatories, or other
buildings instead of the arrangement of levers, shafts, ct cetera, usually
employed. For this purpose we employ one or more hydraulic rams
working in suitable cylinders, such rams being arranged to carry and
raise and lower the ventilator, as may be required. This part of our
Invention is illustrated at Figures 1 and 3, Sheet 1 of the Drawings,
which show a simple method of applying hydraulic power to this
purpose. represents one of a pair of hydraulic cylinders adapted to
form part of the framing or truss of the roof principal, they may be
made of strong tube with stuffing boxes at their upper ends through
which rams or pistons pass, such rams or pistons being keyed or other-
wise attached to the framing of the ventilator. The number and
dimensions of hydraulic cylinders and rams or pairs thereof must be
determined by the weight of the ventilator to be raised and their
positions by the shape thereof and the disposition of its parts, they
should all be connected together by a common supply pipe w, whereby
the water or other pressing fluid delivered from the force pump shall
have an equal effect upon all the rams employed.
Another part of our Invention consists in the employment for foot
plates instead of chequered or other cast-iron plates of short lengths of
iron, such as tee, angle, or channel iron laid with their webs downwards,
resting in notches in cast-iron bearers or sleepers arranged to receive
them; or such lengths of iron may be laid with their webs upward, and
the spaces between such webs filled in with cement. This part of our

page_text: Invention is illustrated by Figures 4 and 5, Sheet 1, in which Figure 4
is a section showing short lengths of tee, angle, and channel iron placed
with their ends taking into notches in cast-iron bearers or sleepers, as
above described. Figure 5 is a plan of the same arrangement.
Another part of our Invention consists in an improved construction of
the stages sometimes employed in iron greenhouses, hothouses, or con-
servatories. Instead of rivetting or bolting together a framework of
angle iron forming recesses into which cement slabs which have been
previously cast and solidified are placed we employ an arrangement of
tubular or other suitable supports, double tee iron (or other suitable
section) cross bearers and angle iron longitudinal bearers pinned or keyed
together, the angle iron longitudinals forming continuous rebates for the
reception of the cement slab which is then cast or formed, preferably in
one length, in the place it is intended to occupy, suitable bearing boards
being employed to support the slab until it is properly set, after which
the said bearing boards may be removed. This part of our Invention is
illustrated in Figure 1 Sheet 1 of the Drawings, in which represents
a tubular support entering the ground at the bottom or otherwise fixed,
its
upper
end is notched out in order to receive one end of a double tee
iron or other suitable cross bearer y, the other end of such bearer being
tenoned and keyed into a principal vertical wall standard; it is secured
to the head of the tubular standard by a pin y¹. z, z, are the angle iron
longitudinal bearers pinned or keyed to the cross bearer y by pins or
keys is the continuous cement slab cast or otherwise formed in
the space between the two angle iron longitudinals z, z. Holes ³ for
the passage of heated air through the slab are formed theroin as usual,
as also the recesses or channels on its upper surface for holding
water.
When constructing stages in the manner above described it will
be found convenient to employ a roller for levelling the upper surface
of the cement slab, and for forming therein the aforesaid recesses or
channels for holding water.
It will be understood that the sections of iron employed and the com-
binations of such sections must be adapted to the character, dimensions,
and purpose of the intended structure, those we have described and
shewn being such as we have deemed most suitable to the class of house
illustrated.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the

page_text: manner in which the same is to or may be performed, we would have it
understood that what we claim as our Invention is,-
First. Uniting together the parts of iron houses and of the stages
belonging thereto by the system of tenons, slots, and keys or pins, sub-
stantially as herein described and illustrated.
Second. The arrangement and adaptation to each other of the parts of
the framing of iron houses and of the stages thereof, substantially as
described and illustrated.
Third. The method of fixing sheets of glass to the iron sash bars by
means of bearing and covering strips and strained wires, substantially as
described and illustrated.
Fourth. The use of bearing strips of wood or other suitable material
interposed between the glass and the sash bars prepared, arranged,
adapted, or applied, substantially as described and illustrated, and for
the purpose set forth.
Fifth. The application and use of strained wires for holding the
covering strips or retaining the bearing strips in place, substantially as
described and illustrated.
Sixth. The construction of ventilating louvres, substantially as
described and illustrated.
Seventh. The application and use of hydraulic apparatus for opening
and closing the lantern or ventilator, substantially as .described and
illustrated.
Eighth. The application and use of longths of iron for the construction
of foot plates, as described and illustrated.
Ninth. Constructing the cement staging slabs in the place they are
intended to occupy, as described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Elsdon, on behalf of myself
and the said Richard Herbert Ayres, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.