IMPROVEMENTS IN WOODEN PAVEMENTS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WOODEN PAVEMENTS."
A communication from abroad by Edward Whitehead, of Cincinnati, State
of Ohio, United States of America.
Sealed the 18th April 1879, and dated the 12th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th November 1878.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firin of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WOODEN PAVEMENTS." A communication from abroad by Edward
Whitehead, of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, United States of America.
The Invention relates to that class of wooden pavements comprising a series of
blocks having the grain of the wood presented upward, and consists in interlocking
the blocks by constructing said blocks of or with upper or lower members, shoulders,
and ledges, in such manner that any pressure is communicated from one block to its
immediate neighbour, thus distributing the bearing surface and rendering the
pavement more durable while preserving the integrity of its contour. The
Invention also consists of a metallic frame, casing, or curb for receiving and
holding a suitable number of said blocks, which arrangement enables the pavement
to be laid in sections very rapidly and accurately, and also facilitates the taking up
of portions of the pavement by curbs or sections, and the transportation from place
to place in the same form..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
May 1879.
'
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN WOODEN PAVEMENTS." A communication from abroad by Edward Whitehead,
of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, United States of America.
The Invention relates to that class of wooden pavements comprising a series of
blocks having the grain of the wood presented upward, and consists in interlocking
the blocks by constructing said blocks with upper and lower members, shoulders, or
ledges, in such manner that any pressure is communicated from one block to its
immediate neighbour, thus distributing the bearing surface and rendering the
pavement more durable while preserving the integrity of its contour. The Inven-
tion also consists of a metallic frame, casing, or curb for receiving a suitable
number of said blocks, which arrangement enables the pavement to be laid in
sections very rapidly and accurately, and also facilitates the taking up of portions
of the pavement by curbs or sections, and the transportation from place to place in
the same form. In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a
section of pavement laid on my improved plan, some of the blocks being removed
from the frame; Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections through the frame and its
contents taken respectively at the lines X-X and Z-Z of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a
perspective view of a modified form of the blocks. The paving-blocks are rect-
angular pieces of wood of any durable species, and are composed of an upper
portion A and a lower portion A', the upper face of this lower portion A¹ having a
fedge B, while the lower face of said upper portion A is provided with a shoulder
C. The upper edges of the blocks may be chamfered as at a, so as to form when
the pavement is laid. a series of V-shaped grooves intersecting each other at right
angles, and thereby affording a firm foothold for horses and other animals. D is an
open rectangular frame, curb, or casing of cast iron or other suitable metal, upon
whose upper edge or rim d the shoulders C of the blocks A, A¹, have their bearings.
This frame D is provided at the bottom with a ledge or flange D¹, which flange
serves as an additional support to the outer row of blocks. The sides of the frame
D may be flush with the outer courses of blocks, or, as represented, the face of the
metallic frame may project so as to allow the shoulders of the blocks in the
adjoining section to rest upon it. The street having been properly graded and
gravelled the frames D are laid in position, and the first series of blocks 1', 21, 31,
&c., are placed into the frame, the shoulders C resting upon the rim d, after which
act the succeeding rows of blocks are added, their shoulder resting upon the ledges
of the preceding blocks, and so on until all the frames have been filled. Although
a rectangular form of block has been preferred for this Invention it is obvious that
other forms both of blocks and frames may be employed, such as hexagonal,
rhomboidal, &c. For a superior durability and finish the foundation may consist of
a concrete bed, and the frames may be curved upward in their transverse direction
to correspond with the swell of the street between the gutters, and the blocks
made to taper downward. In swampy places the corners of the frames may rest
upon piles. The frames may first be filled with blocks and conveyed in this
condition to their place in the street; and to permit the laying of pipes, digging of
sewers, &c., one or more entire sections may be lifted up bodily with the frame.
The interstices between the various blocks may be filled with a grouting of lime
and sand or any other suitable composition. In some cases the frames D may be
wholly dispensed with. In the modified form of the Invention, Fig. 4, the blocks
are shown with shoulders at front and back only, the lateral shoulders being
omitted. Claims:-1. The combination of wooden paving-blocks constructed with

page_text: upper members A, lower members A', shoulders C, and ledges B, substantially as
and for the purposes described and illustrated. 2. The arrangement of a series of
wooden blocks A, A, C, B, with a metallic frame, curb, or casing D, d, substantially
as described and illustrated. 3. In a wooden pavement, the blocks A chamfered
on their edges at a so as to form grooves intersecting at right angles, substantially
as herein specified."
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of May, A.D. 1879.