IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL STONE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL STONE," A communi-
cation from abroad by James Harry Thorp, of the City and State of New
York, United States of America.
Sealed the 9th July 1878, and dated the 29th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th April 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
ARTIFICIAL STONE." [A communication from abroad by James Harry Thorp,
of the City and State of New York, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to the manufacture of artificial stone, and consists in a
composition formed of the herein-described ingredients, chemically treated, to
produce a hard crystallized material, which is impervious to water, and will with-
stand the action of frost, thereby particularly adapting it for use as a building
material in any climate.
In practising this Invention, I place forty quarts of soft water in a suitable
vessel or receptacle, and add thereto one and a quarter pounds of soapstone, one
pound of carbonate of magnesia, two pounds of sesqui-oxide of iron, one and one
half pounds of litharge, two and one half pounds of gypsum, and ten pounds of
asphaltum, the latter dissolved in one gallon of alcohol.
I then add to the above a solution composed of one pound of silicate of soda and
one pound of alum, dissolved in thirty quarts of water.
I also add for fire-proof stone or retorts five pounds of pulverized flour-clay
or fire-clay, mixed, when dry, with the above ingredients.
These ingredients are next thoroughly incorporated by stirring.
I then mix, while dry, eight parts of clean, silicious, sharp sand, or sand and
gravel, and one part of cement.

page_text: After this I dilute three quarts of the chemical liquid or compound above described
with thirty gallons of water, and thoroughly mix them. I then use a sufficient
quantity of the last-mentioned diluted mixture to dampen the said mixture of
sand and cement, so that it can be tamped in the ordinary manner.
The stone, after being made as described, should continue to be dampened with
water for about six days, I am thus enabled to produce an artificial stone of great
durability and superior hardness.
I am aware that artificial stone has been produced in various ways, but as hereto-
fore made the ingredients do not lie compactly together to form a solid mass, the
whole interior of the stone being porous and allowing the frost to enter the stone;
consequently changes of temperature cause the stone to split.
By my improved process the dampening of the sand and cement with the above-
described chemical solution produces a crystallization of the compound, whereby it
is solidified to such an extent as to be impervious to water, when dry, thereby
preventing the entrance of moisture and the consequent injury or destruction of the
stone by frost when exposed to low temperatures.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
October 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
ARTIFICIAL STONE." A communication from abroad by James Harry Thorp,
of the City and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to the manufacture of artificial stone by the employment
of a composition formed of the herein-described ingredients, chemically treated,
to produce a hard crystallized material, which is impervious to water, and will
withstand the action of frost, thereby particularly adapting it for use as a building
material in any climate.
In practising this Invention, I place forty quarts of soft water in a suitable vessel
or receptacle, and add thereto one and a quarter pounds of soapstone, one pound
of carbonate of magnesia, two pounds of sesqui-oxide of iron, one and one half
pounds of litharge, two and one half pounds of gypsum, and ten pounds of asphaltum,
the latter dissolved in one gallon of alcohol.
I then add to the above a solution composed of one pound of silicate of soda and
one pound of alum, dissolved in thirty quarts of water.
I also add for fire-proof stone or retorts, five pounds of pulverized flour-clay or
fire-clay, mixed, when dry, with the above ingredients.
These ingredients are next thoroughly incorporated or mixed by stirring.
I then mix with them, while dry, eight parts of clean, silicious, sharp sand, or
sand and gravel, and one part of cement.

page_text: Then I dilute three quarts of the chemical liquid or compound above described
with thirty gallons of water, and thoroughly mix them together. I then use a
sufficient quantity of the last-mentioned diluted mixture to dampen the said mixture
of sand and cement, so that it can be tamped in the ordinary manner.
The stone, after being made as described, should continue to be dampened with
water for about six days. I am thus enabled to produce an artificial stone of
great durability and superior hardness.
I am aware that various kinds of artificial stone have already been produced, but
as heretofore made the ingredients do not lie compactly together to form a solid
mass, the whole interior of the stone being porous and allowing the frost to enter
it; consequently changes of temperature cause the stone to split.
By my improved process the dampening of the sand and cement with the above-
described chemical solution produces a crystallization of the compound, whereby it
is solidified to such an extent as to be impervious to water, when dry, thereby
preventing the entrance of moisture, and the consequent injury to or destruction
of the stone by frost when it is exposed to low temperatures.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
First. The chemical mixture or compound formed of the ingredients and diluted
as specified for the purpose of producing the crystallization of the artificial stone,
as above set forth.
Second. An artificial stone composed of sand and cement, moistened with the
diluted chemical mixture or compound, formed of the above-specified ingredients,
as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.