AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS FOR BUILDINGS MAINLY DESIGNED TO PREVENT DAMP AND MOISTURE THEREIN OR THEREUPON
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mullett of Brierley Hill in the County of Stafford
Gentleman, for an Invention of < AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS
FOR BUILDINGS MAINLY DESIGNED TO PREVENT DAMP AND MOISTURE THEREIN
OR THEREUPON
,,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mullett at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1883.
WILLIAM MULLETT, of Brierley Hill, in the County of Stafford, Gentleman,
"AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS FOR BUILDINGS MAINLY DESIGNED TO
PREVENT DAMP AND MOISTURE THEREIN OR THEREUPON
"
This Invention relates to an improved construction of walls for buildings, the
object of the Invention being to arrange and combine the constituent bricks in
such an improved manner as that the joints in the successive courses shall break
joint, both sides of the wall shall preserve an even face, and the wall shall be of a
strong construction, the especial object of the improved construction being to
prevent the passage of damp or moisture from one side of the wall to the other.
In carrying the invention into effect according to a principal modification, the
wall is built of two parallel independent parts principally if not wholly of
"stretchers" the joints of the successive courses of each wall breaking joint, and
the joints of the opposite courses of the opposite wall also breaking joint. At
suitable intervals "headers are placed transversely of the "stretchers" and of
the space intervening between the walls, and act as ties to the same. The headers
have holes made through them, and they are arranged to lap over each other with
the holes opposito each other.
By this improved construction a current of air will circulate through the headers
and between the opposite walls throughout the structure, and thus any passage of
damp or moisture from the onter to the inner wall is quite prevented.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Mullett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th August
1883.
WILLIAM MULLETT of Brierley Hill in the County of Stafford, Gentleman
"AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS FOR BUILDINGS MAINLY DESIGNED TO
PREVENT DAMP AND MOISTURE THEREIN OR THEREUPON
"
This Invention has reference to an improved construction of Walls for habitable
buildings and other brickwork erections, the especial object of the Invention being
to form in an improved manner a continuous air way throughout the structure of
the Wall so as to prevent the passage of damp or moisture from one side of the
wall to the other.
22
The improved construction of Wall is illustrated in perspective view in Figure 1
on the accompanying drawings. The Wall is constructed with two parallel parts,
each formed principally of
stretcher" bricks 1 of the size and width of ordinary
bricks or of any other desired size and width, and with the joints of the successive
courses breaking joint. These parts of the Wall are spaced apart as shewn at 2,
but at suitable intervals they are bonded or tied together by vertical series of
horizontal "header" bricks 3 which are placed transversely of the Stretchers.
These header bricks are of an improved formation shewn in the detached view
Figure 2, and they are each made of a length sufficient to stretch across the width
of one of the side parts of the Wall and the spare 2 intervening between it and
"the other side part of the Well. At the part where these headers cross the said
space 2 they are formed with a transverse groove or air passago 4 preferably across
one face of the brick; and in laying these headers, their plain parts are set
alternatively in the opposite side parts of the wall, and their grooved faces opposito
each other so as to make an enlarged throughway, and permit of a through draught
between all parts of the space between the side parts of the Wall. The openings
in each side part of the wall opposite the inner ends of the headers, are closed by
half or three quarter bricks 5 so as to preserve an even face to both sides of
the wall.
By this improved system of construction and by the use of header bricks of the
improved formation hereinbefore described, a hollow wall of very strong and
durable construction can be erected, and which will permit of the circulation of
air throughout the structure, thus ensuring perfect dryness to the wall
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be or may be performed
or carried into practical effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting the Invention secured
to me by the bereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is :-
The improved system of constructing brickwork walls with opposite sides or
parts spaced apart, and composed principally of "stretcher" bricks, and bonded or
tied at intervals by vertical series of "header" bricks of the improved formation
specified, and closed by other pieces, all substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described.
In witness whereof I the said William Mullett have hereunto set my hand
and seal the thirtieth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three