IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS AND TILES FOR CHIMNEYS AND FLUES, AND FOR OTHER USES
Year: 1844

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wе, СHARLES
WEARG CLARK, of Westbourne Grove, Paddington, in the County of Middle-
sex, Surveyor, and JAMES REED, of Hamworthy, in Dorsetshire, Brick and
Tile Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twelfth day of September, in the eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her beirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Charles Wearg Clark and James Reed, Her especial licence, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that we, the said Charles Wearg Clark and
James Reed, our exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
Charles Wearg Clark and James Reed, our exors, adiñors, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed; our Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS
AND TILES FOR CHIMNEYS AND FLUES, AND FOR OTHER USES;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that we, the said Charles Wearg Clark
and James Reed, or one of us, shall cause a particular description of the
nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said

page_text: in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Charles Wearg Clark and James Reed, do hereby declare that the nature of
our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, arc
fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon (that is to say):-
:
Having for many years turned our attention to the various evils arising
from the imperfect construction of flues for chimneys, we have been much
gratified in noticing very many very ingenious plans which have been devised
for constructing them of a circular form, which we believe is now generally
admitted to be better adapted than any other for the intended purpose, but
we believe that none of the Inventions carry out all the important points in
connection with so important an object as the construction of flues upon the
safest principle, regard being had to the present mode of sweeping so that
they may be thoroughly cleansed. It is proposed to effect the bonding in with
the general work, and also by the most careful selection of form in the bricks
to effect a similar object in the construction of the parts of the flues themselves
with regard to bond, which we conceive to be quite as important as the
bonding in with the general work. We believe that the latest Patent
enrolled for circular brick flues is one by James Moon; which although
shewing considerable ingenuity in conforming with an essential principle, viz,
that of bonding in with the general work; does not bond in perfectly in itself.
Mr. Moon's Patent sets out with a very valuable point; which is that of
forming every flue so distinct from' another and adjoining one that it could be
removed without injury to it, but this cannot be carried out in many instances
in consequence of the want of space. To effect the object it would be
necessary to have eighteen-inches longitudinally in every wall for each flue,
being four and a half inches more than is required in the old construction
where the flues are placed across the 'wall, and yet we frequently perceive that
the party wall is entirely filled with flues. We therefore think that the
minimum space as well as the maximum should be afforded the archi
tect, which will in many instances enable him to have some portion of his
wall solid which would not be the case if eighteen inches were required
for every flue; at all events, we do think that the adoption of eighteen inches
square for each flue should not 'be' a' sine qua non: In Mr. Moon's Patent
the quoins are not perfect; every other course has to be filled in with a "bat"
at the angles, which we consider does not make so good work as may be

page_text: otherwise accomplished. The gathering portions (according to Mr. Mom's
Invention) of the flue presents a straight joint throughout, which is objection-
able, that is, the joints of one course are immediately over those of the others.
And, amongst other things, we propose to obviate the above objections. In
the first place, to economise space and also conform strictly with the new
Buildings Act, we propose introducing a brick which we call a small
coupler, and marked A in the Plan, and to effectually bond in this brick with
the external face, we propose the brick marked B, which we designate a
large coupler; and to work in the range of flues, or form toothings for "bond
with the general work, we propose the bricks marked C, which we designate
small bricks;" and with respect to the angles or quoins, we propose the
formation of a brick, shewn on the Plan and marked D, designated "quoin
brick," which will effectually bond in with the other bricks. Note, in the
Drawings the bricks of one course are shown by red dotted lines in their
places over those of the other, in order that the bonding may be more clearly
seen.
The Plans, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, shew a series of flues formed of the
above-mentioned bricks, videlicet, A, B, C, D, and one marked F, which
completes the said series, and all of which we claim, with the exception of the
brick marked F, called a bonder, which brick is similar to that invented by
Mr. Moon, Figures V, W, X, Y, & Z, Z', shew other forms of bricks or
tiles which we sometimes use. To accomplish the gathering portion of the
flue, we propose the following forms :-A brick or tile to work in an eighteen
inch wall or otherwise, with an aperture in the centre to form the flue, and
marked G in the Drawing, and designated a whole gatherer. Secondly, we
propose to effect this object by a half tile or brick marked H. And thirdly,
by the bricks A, B, C, D, F, being so shaped as to produce that object, as
shewn at Figures 2 and 3*, producing perfect bond; and with the bricks C
and D, aided by ordinary bricks, we propose forming a throat to each chimney
springing from the jambs of the fireplace. In some cases, instead of gathering
over from the jambs, as in the ordinary manner, we support the flue upon an
iron frame, as is shewn at Figures 21 and 22, Figure 23 shewing this iron
plate separately. In gathering over between two square flues, we propose
to introduce bricks, such as are represented at Figure U, and which we
denominate "angular wyth bricks."

page_text: the pallet board to the hacks, we propose to obviate by using wooden receivers
with handles (shewn at Figure 20), which we call counterparts, being similar
in form to the mould, by which means we shift the bricks from the ordinary
pallet board to the hacks, not only preserving the "arrises or angies of the
bricks from the injury they would sustain by the ordinary method, but
preserving the form as turned out of the mould, a very important object
indeed with regard to irregular formed bricks which have to be applied to a
particular purpose, and which should consequently fit as nearly as practicable
without causing any additional trouble to the workman.
serving the
arrises
angres
TBC
pallet board to the hacks, not only pr
bricks from the injury they would sustain by the ordinary method, but
preserving the form as turned out of the mould, a very important object
indeed with regard to irregular formed bricks which have to be applied to a
particular purpose, and which should consequently fit as nearly as practicable
without causing any additional trouble to the workman.
BURNING.
And for the more effectually preserving the shapes of the bricks and tiles in
burning, and carrying out at the same time a far more economical and efficient
mode, we propose doing away with the ordinary "dead horses," which are
expensive and occupy much space in the kiln and consume fire needlessly, and
substituting in lieu thereof lumps marked I, J, as shewn in the Drawing at
Figure 6, or otherwise, for a similar object, by which means the heat ordinarily
consumed by "dead horses" is made available for raw goods. Now, having
arrived at this point, after having levelled the bottom of the kiln in the
ordinary way, we propose stowing or loading with the above-mentioned bricks,
as shewn in the Drawing at K, the advantages of which will be a continua-
tion of ovens for the reception of articles which ordinarily are so frequently
injured by weight, and which by this process are left entirely free from any
incumbrance either laterally or vertically, and which in all cases is peculiarly
adapted for burning light or ornamental goods, or any articles of earthenware
which, from their irregularity or peculiarity of form, would be injured by
pressure, and their value consequently very much depreciated.

page_text: weight and the expence are objectionable, in addition to which it litters the
field and causes cattle, dogs, poultry, &c. to come on to the backs, injuring
the bricks; and also on being put on or taken off the hacks it drags the bricks
and injures the arrises or angles, which lessens their value, and in addition to
which it is impossible to proceed with the moulding in consequence of this
mode of covering and there being no protection to the off bearers or other
workmen; the consequence of which is that the works of the field are sus-
pended when it may be of the greatest importance they should proceed, the
earth being prepared in the winter at a very considerable outlay in most
instances, and which cannot be used up, because the means are not provided
for sheltering the men and enabling them to proceed with their work in wet
weather; and how often do we see bricks which are fit for skintling left in
that state when they are wanted for the kiln, which, when once set light to,
will go on, and should be supplied instead of of being shut up, which is fre-
quently the case, causing greater expence and loss of kiln ground and goods
badly burnt, from their being crowded in a damp state.
These frequent
checks in the works of a brick field are very injurious to the men, they
generally rush to the public house, and it is extremely difficult to induce
them to see that their Lricks are covered; and it is well known that in all
cases where men work in gangs, how necessary it is to keep them together.
Now having noticed all these great evils, we propose in our mode of covering
the bricks to remedy, to some extent at least, the most prominent of them.
There is much more at stake than is generally imagined, and the very great
anxiety with regard to the exposure of goods in inclement seasons is so well
known to all masters that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon it. We first
propose, as is shewn in Figures 7 and 8, to drive into the ground in a firm
manner wooden stumps a, of a suitable size, and rising from the surface of the
ground as high as may be required at such distances from each other as the
nature of the material used for covering may determine, and also at such
distances from the hacks as shall leave sufficient space for a barrow path
between the said stumps and the hacks. And we propose using these stumps
as supports for swivel rods b, which may be of iron or any tough and straight
wood suitable for the purpose, and at one end of these rods is to be an eye b',
formed with regard to the iron rods; it would be merely flattening the end and
punching a hole; and with the wooden rods a wrought-iron eye would be
formed similar to that on the prop stick of a cart, and the mode of fastening to
the stump would be by having a strong wrought iron hook or bolt c driven into
the side of the post about six inches from the ground, and which would be
passed through the eye b' of the swivel rod b.
Another mode we propose is,

page_text: that of having pins with sockets at the end, into which the swivel poles would
be placed securely wedged. The pins c would work in holes bored through
the posts a at different heights, which would enable the covering to be raised
or lowered as required. And for the purpose of keeping the rod 6 in a per-
pendicular position when not in use, a short length of iron chain d is attached
by a staple to the top of the post a, which chain would pass round the rod >
and be attached to a hook e, also driven into the top of the post in such a
way that it could be easily fastened and unfastened. Rope, or any suitable
material, might be used instead of the chain, or the rods b may be retained in
a perpendicular position by other means.
Now having shewn the modes of attaching the swivel reds to the posts, it will
be necessary to state the use to which they are to be applied. We propose
them for the purpose of supporting in various ways a material for a covering to
the hacks, which is hereafter more particularly described. It will be therefore
necessary that the rods 6 should be of such a length as when inclined they
should reach beyond the centre of the hack, at a height of at least five feet
from the ground in that part, and for supporting the cuds of the rods; and at
the same time keep them at a right angle with the line of hacks, we propose
driving into the centre of the hacks, and opposite each swivel stump, strong
stakes f, at the top of which, about five feet from the ground, we propose
spiking a cross piece or crutch of elm or other suitable wood or iron, which
should serve not only as bearers for the ends of the rods, but be so cut out or
formed for their reception as to prevent them from being moved laterally, and
at the same time offer no resistance to the free working of them. The
material then to be employed as a covering we propose should be of Anglesea
or other matting, canvas, or any other suitable material, and we apply it in
various ways. One method is that of straining from one swivel post to another
wire or string h, of such a distance apart as nearly the width of the covering
to be used, through which at top and bottom of the material or covering the
wire or string had been previously passed, and which covering might be in one
or many pieces, and when not required for use might be drawn horizontally in
as small a coinpass as possible without injury to it, as shewn at Z. When
required for used it would be merely drawn tight on the wire, and the swivel
rods unattached and thrown forward on their supports or crutches f'.
Another mode we propose is that shewn at Y, where the material used as a
covering is firmly bound top and bottom, and stretched from one swivel post to
the other, and when not in use let down from the top of ench swivel post by
means of a string or chain i running over a small pulley 62 on the rod b, and
secured to the corner of the material forining the covering, the other end of

page_text: the string or chain i having a ring to attach to a hook at the bottoni of the
rod when the covering was drawn up for use. Another plan is that of having
a tube of iron or bamboo or any other suitable material to slip.over the swivel
rod and constitute a roller, to which would be attached the material used for a
covering, which could be rolled or unrolled when required; the other end
would be attached to the next swivel post by means of rings and hooks. And
with respect to the covering of those small spaces which would be left between
the posts a, we propose a flap of sufficient width for the purpose. And for tho
protection of the ends of the hacks in driving rams, we should propose a hurdle
secured at the top to the first crutch post.
We now come to the description of the chimney, so far as it appears abovo
the roof, which will be seen in Drawings. Figure 9 shews the entire external
appearance and design of the whole, the detail of which we describe as follows:
-First, the section Figure 10 and the plan Figure 11 shew that the circular
flue formed by the circular bricks terminates at the projecting moulding
marked L, from which line to the top of the chimney the internal part becomes
a parallelogram, as seen in plan Figure 11, through which we obtain a draft
by means of bricks marked M, or otherwise, and as also an up draught, as
shewn in the darkened part, marked N, in the section Figure 11, by the spaces
between the projecting bricks, which may be termed dentels. Second, we
next insert within the aforesaid parallelogram an earthen or other funnel O, of
like shapes, as shewn, in the sides of which funnel wo make cavities, marked O';
as an outlet for smoke, or to obtain draught, which cavity will be seen pro-
tectod from a direct side wind by the external brickwork, as shewn in plan
Figure 11, and section Figure 10. Having, by these means, obtained an up
and side draught protected from a direct sido wind, we now come to provide
against the weight of damp air or rain on the top of chimney, which we effect
by means of a roof, constructed of iron or other suitable material, which wo
cover with a peculiar ornamental tile, the construction of which we hereby
claim, and which are also applicable to the ordinary purposes of roofing, as
shown in the Drawings. The great object of this part of the Invention is to
make tiles in the form of leaves, preferring that of the architectural oak leaf or
vine leaf; and the peculiar form of the tile will be better. understood by
examining Figure 15, where one of the tiles M', M, is shewn in outline; and
it will be seen that each tile is made up of two curves in its length, which is
best seen at the section c, d, Figure 15, where is a concave curvature from (1)
to (2) on the upper surface, and from (3) to (4) on the under surface. The
sections to b and e to f, Figures 15 and 15°,.shew the form of the tile cut in
those directions on Figure 15, and it is these curvatures which peculiarly

page_text: :
adapt the tile to a leafage character, and make the tiles at once useful and
ornamental. Figures 12 and 13. shew the parts of a roof, with half the valley
tile N and half the hip tile O working up the internal and external angles of
roofs, for which angular arrangement the tiles are peculiarly constructed and
adapted, while they represent the foliage of architectural oak, vine, ivy, or any
other leaf. Figures M, M', shew tiles designed for architectural oak and
architectural vine leaves, the convex and concave curvatures and foliage
represented, by which form a security against the drifting of snow or the
overflow of water driven by strong winds, and at the same time distribute the
water by the channels formed of the ribs or curves of the represented leaf, thus
drawing the water from the lapping part of the tiles and giving perfect security
against weather, while it produces a character of luxuriance and lightness to
the roof never before attempted. Figure N shews a valley tile. Figure O
shews a hip tile. Figure P shews a barging tile. Figures Q, Q, Q, shew a
ridge tile. Figure 14 shews. the arranging of the barging tiles on the end
of a roof.
It will be seen from the above description, that while we maintain the
architectural or ornamental character of the chimney, we likewise include and
combine all the advantages and various principles which have been hitherto
adopted by means of zinc tops, cowls, and other unsightly and harlequin
contrivances, in order to procure, or prevent, or regulate draughts, as found
necessary to cure smoky chimneys.
Having described the tiles in detail, we now come to the mode of making
them, which is as follows:-We first mould, by means of any suitable machine,
sheets of clay, of suitable size and thickness, which we dry in the ordinary way
to the consistency of (what is usually termed by tile makers) a "leather hard-
ness."
We then stamp them by means of any ordinary mode of pressure
between a die and a pallet board, so formed as to produce the designed shape
or ornamental character of the tile.
We then dry and burn them in the usual
way, save so far that we prefer that
formed in the kiln by flue or other
described, by which means the tiles are preserved from undue pressure, so as
to injure and deform them; as is the case in the ordinary method of burning.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the best means
we are acquainted with for performing the same, we would have it understood
that what we claim is,―
mode of burning in chambers or ovens
bricks, as herein and herein-before
First, the formation of circular flues by means of the bricks, as shewn in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, V, W, X, Y, & Z, Z'.
Secondly, gathering or angular bricks, so as to keep the opposite side or

page_text: face of each brick forming the "wyth" between the flues, parallel to each
other, whether of circular or other constructed bricks, as shewn at Figures
2, 3, G, H, and U.
Thirdly, the peculiar shape of bricks, shewn at I and J, Figure 6.
Fourthly, the method of handling the peculiar formed bricks herein and
herein before described, by means of a false mould the counterpart of the
bricks.
Fifthly, the peculiar mode of constructing chanbers or ovens in the kiln for
the purpose of burning light or ornamental tiles or bricks by the peculiar modo
of stacking the before-mentioned bricks, as described at Figure 6.
Sixthly, the peculiar means of regulating the draughts of the flue on the top
of the chimney, as described with respect to Figures 9, 10, and 11.
Seventhly, the peculiar formation and construction of ornamental roofing
tiles, to give an ornamental finish to the chimney tops and other roofs, as
described in respect to Figures 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, M, N, O, and P.
Eighthly, the peculiar formation of a ridge tile in two separate parts, which
can be used to a roof of any pitch, and which we prefer as more convenient and
useful than ridge tiles made to a fixed pitch, as shewn by Figures Q, Q',
and Q.
And, ninthly, we claim the modes of covering hacks of bricks when drying,
as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Reed, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord One.
thousand eight hundred and forty-five
JAMES (L.S.) REED.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twelfth day of March, in
the year of our Lord 1845, the aforesaid James Reed came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and forty-five.