IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DECKS AND OTHER PARTS OF SHIPS, WHICH INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR THE FLOORING OF HOUSES AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Galley Hartley at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd June 1880.
JOHN GALLEY HARTLEY, of Billiter Street, in the City of London, Merchant.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DECKS AND OTHER PARTS OF
SHIPS, WHICH INVENTION IS ALSO APPLICABLE FOR THE FLOORING OF HOUSES
AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to an improved manner of constructing or covering the
decks and other parts of ships. It is also applicable to the construction of floors
and other parts of houses, and for other like purposes.
The said Invention is chiefly designed to afford the incans for applying a covering
to the decks of iron ships, for the purpose of forming a composite deck, and thereby
obviating the disadvantages inseparable froin uncovered or bare iron decks. Some
of these disadvantages are the transmission of heat to the spaces below deck, to the
great discomfort of the inmates thereof, and injury to the cargo; also the heating
of the surface of the deck, whereby, in some cases, it is rendered extremely
uncomfortable to the feet. By my Invention, I provide the means for covering an
iron deck with a surface or flooring of wood or other material, as hereinafter
specified, which is practically a non-conductor of heat, and affords all the convenience
of an ordinary wooden deck; this wooden portion or surface being secured solidly
upon the iron deck without any bolts, screws, or similar fastening, that would
necessitate the forming in the latter of holes or apertures, which in case of severe
weather or accident, might seriously impair the safety of the vessel.
According to one method of carrying my Invention into practice, I utilize the
waste pieces or cuttings of wood in shipwrights' yards, or the like, that is to say, I
take these pieces and cut them into pieces of any required size, which I secure
together by cement or glue, in two or more layers, to form a wooden body or bed
about 3 inches, more or less, in thickness. I may use cement formed of pitch mixed
with a small quantity of lime. I prefer that the different layers should have the
pieces of which they are formed, laid so that those of one layer cross or break joint
with those of the next layer or layers. I lay this structure down upon the deck in
slabs or sections, so as to completely cover the same. I sometimes use nails in
addition to, or instead of cement, for uniting the pieces of wood; and I unite and
secure this wooden structure solidly and permanently on the iron surface of the
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page_text: deck by the said cement or adhesive substance, without using bolts, screws, or the
like, so that the waterproof structure and condition of the deck remains unimpaired.
Then I lay upon this wooden body or substructure the planks or boards to form the
surface of the deck; these planks being secured by nails or otherwise in the usual
manner to the said wooden body or substructure.
I modify the said Invention by making the upper portion or surface of my
improved composite deck of Portland or other cement, or of asphalt or similar
material, laid upon the surface of the wood.
I also apply my improved composite structure to the top and sides of the spaces
below deck, to keep them cool, and thereby aid in preserving cargoes shipped in or
carried to or from hot climates.
It is obvious that the said Invention may be advantageously applied in all cases
for the construction or covering of floors, where it is necessary or desirable to use
iron or other metal in the construction of the same, and to cover or protect the iron
or other metal surface from exposure to heat or otherwise.