CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WOODEN PAVEMENTS, AND IN THE FORMATION OF THE BLOCKS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Mansfield Lloyd at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st April 1878.
CHARLES MANSFIELD LLOYD, of Nine Elms, in the County of Surrey. " CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WOODEN PAVEMENTS, AND IN THE
FORMATION OF THE BLOCKS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
The object of this Invention is the construction of a wooden pavement or roadway
for vehicular traffic, which will form an uniform permanent structure of great dura-
bility and compactness, not liable to shrink or get loose, and thoroughly impervious
to damp and the action of the weather.
First. The improvements relate to the formation or shape of the wood blocks
employed in the construction of the roadway.
And, Second. To the laying down and construction of the pavement or roadway
by means of such blocks in combination with granular substances.
The improvements may be thus described :-The length or lengths of timber from
which the peculiar form of block is cut is somewhat similar to the lengths of timber
out of which the brick-like blocks are formed now employed in the construction of
ordinary wood pavements, but in lieu of cutting such lengths of wood into plain
oblong blocks I provide them with grooves, one on each of their longitudinal
sides.
I effect the severing of the block and the cutting of the grooves in the same
simultaneously by means of circular saws, one secured upon its spindle in a vertical
direction, and two others slanting. The spindles to which these saws are secured
revolve in bearings fixed to a table or bench, one being placed above and the other
below the table or bed upon which the length of wood to be cut is supported.
The lower spindle is provided with two saws, the outer one of which is vertical
and adjustable as to its distance from the fence plate, determining the length of
block to be cut, and the other is skewed or placed at an angle which is adjustable
upon its spindle, as is also a similar saw on the upper spindle. The angular positions
of these saws, together with their distance apart, which is also adjustable, deter-
mines the depth and width of the grooves to be cut in the sides of the block.

page_text: When these saws are adjusted and in position for work the length of wood to be
cut into blocks is placed against the fence plate of the bench, and as it is successively
brought into contact with the saws it is not only cut up into uniform sized blocks,
but each block as it is being cut simultaneously receives the before-mentioned grooves
in its sides.
Secondly. When constructing the roadway with these blocks I proceed as
follows: The substratum or bed of the roadway upon which the blocks are to be
laid I prepare out of the maiden soil, or of concrete floated in cement, or planks
of timber placed in layers one above the other, as is usual and well known. In any
case I give this substratum the right curvature or contour before I commence placing
thereon the upper pavement.
Upon the substratum so formed I place the blocks of wood, either in a longitu-
dinal, transverse, or diagonal direction to the line of road, and in a position which
will bring their grooved surfaces opposite each other, so as to present, when laid
continuous, grooves, channels, or keyways between the substratum or foundation
and the upper surface forming the roadway.
When the blocks are so set the keyed recesses or channels and spaces between
each layer or set of blocks I fill in with granular concrete or small stones, which
have been previously washed and thoroughly cleansed from all exterior impurities.
Into these spaces or channels, when so filled, Portland or other coment is poured,
which fills in the interstices or crevices formed by the small stones or concrete;
this cement, when set, firmly knits together in one compact mass the entire layers
of wooden blocks, which presents an even, uniform upper surface, which will resist
proportionately and throughout its entire surface the load or weight pressing
upon it.
The cement, concrete, and wood blocks when sot form a solid structure, which
resists the action of damp, and so prevents the absorption of water, which keeps
the substratum hard and dry, the whole presenting when set a pavement which is
solid, durable, and permanent.