Improvements in Fire Proof Buildings and Structures.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, 1897-Accepted, 28th Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Proof Buildings and Structures.
We, FRIEDRICH DETLEF THEODOR LEHMANN, and PETER NICOLAUS KOHLSAAT,
both of 548 and 550 North Halsted Street, in the City of Chicago, in the County of
Cook, State of Illinois, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained, in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a novel fireproof construction, the object being to pro-
vide a strong, durable and efficient construction of this character which will permit
of easy and quick setting and will permit of lighter and cheaper construction than
has heretofore been possible.
The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts
hereinafter fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention:-.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wall or partition constructed in accordance with
this invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the angle irons we employ, taken
on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a
plan view of a plate adapted to receive the cud portions of the angle irons. Fig. 5
is a side elevation of a wall or partition, showing another manner of building same.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of same on the line 66 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7. is a similar
section on an enlarged scale. Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional view showing the manner
of building a wall or partition of greater thickness. Fig. 9 is a detail view in
elevation showing another manner of setting the angle irons. Fig. 10 is a sectional
view of a floor constructed in accordance with this invention, taken on the
line 10-10 of Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a plan view of same. Fig. 12 is a top plan
view of a ceiling constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 13 is a
sectional view of same on the line 13-13 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a detail view in
elevation showing the manner of hanging the angle irons. Fig. 15 is a sectional
view on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14. Figs. 16 and 17 are detail views in elevation
of the hangers we employ in connection with our ceiling. Figs. 18 and 19 are
views in elevation of another form of support for the angle irons employed in walls
and partitions. Fig. 20 and 21 are detail sectional views of a modified construction
of our ceiling. Fig. 22 is a horizontal section of a wall or partition provided with
a large air space. Fig. 23 is a sectional view showing our construction as applied
to a roof.
The invention consists mainly in providing a fireproof construction in which
angle irons are employed in combination with tiles which are so formed that they
interlock with said angle irons and with each other in such a manner as to make
a wall, partition, floor or ceiling built of the same practically indestructible.
To this end we employ a hollow tile 1 having parallel side walls 2, a front end
wall 3, rear end wall 4 and one or more middle walls 5, the three last named being
also preferably parallel with each other, though said middle walls 5 may vary in
this particular. Said front wall 3 projects beyond the ends of the side walls 2 and
comes to a point midway between the same, the two portions thereof extending at an
angle greater than ninety degrees to each other. Said rear wall 4 being parallel
with said front wall 3 obviously forms a recess in the rear end of the tile in which

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the projecting front wall or nose of another tile is adapted to fit. Said middle
wall or walls 5 may either be parallel with said, front and rear walls 3 and 4, as
shown in Figs. 6 and 7, or they may extend transversely between said side walls 2
as shown in Figs. 8, 10 and 13. For walls of greater thickness said tiles are
adapted to be duplicated, triplicated or increased still more in width, as shown in
Fig. 8, according to the desired thickness of the wall and in this case are provided
with a plurality of projections and recesses of the samo size as the projection or
nose and recess of the tile above described.
In the construction of walls or partitions the angle irons are set upright at
regular intervals in such a manner that a line drawn through the meeting edges
of the flanges thereof will divide the angles formed thereby into two equal parts.
Said angle irons 6 are preferably cut at their lower end portions at the meeting
edges of the flanges and the divided ends 7 of said flanges bent outwardly as shown
in Figs. 2 and 3 to form a base upon which said angle irons stand. At their upper
ends, said angle irons are adapted to enter slots 8 in plates 9 Fig. 4 which are
adapted to be secured to the ceiling joists.
When tiles of greater width, such as shown in Fig. 8, are employed we prefer to
employ a plurality of angle irons and in this case we prefer to set their lower ends
in slotted plates having a plurality of slots 8 and to secure them therein by means
of-pins- 10-passing through openings through the meeting edges of the flanges;
thereof, which are adapted to engage the upper faces of said plate.
Said angle irons are adapted to receive the projecting front walls or noses of
said tiles and to enter the recesses in the rear walls of the tiles
on the other side thereof whereby they will obviously interlock with
- said tiles and form a very solid wall.
The construction shown in
Fig. 1 is particularly strong and durable. In this construction we begin
by setting a tile of half the regular height on the floor or foundation and a tile
of regular height on top of same, the noses thereof entering the recess in the
angle iron. A tile of regular height is then set so that its nose enters the recesses
in both of the tiles first set, whereby it would obviously hold the rear ends of said
tiles in alignment with each other. Behind said tile we set another of half the
regular height and so on until we have reached the point at which the next angle
iron is to be set. We then continue to build upwardly with tiles of regular height,
until the required height is reached and then fill in the recesses at the upper end
with half tiles In this manner it will be seen that every tile of regular height:
will engage and be engaged at each end by two other tiles with which it interlocks
so as to form a practically indestructible wall or partition. After this section has
been set another angle iron is set in place and enters the recesses of all of the
last column of tiles and thus binds them into vertical alignment. This procedure
may obviously be varied as may be found most practical. The tiles used in this.
construction may obviously have the transverse middle walls shown in Figs. 8, 10
and 13.
In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 we have shown another construction which we consider
inferior to the above, but which may be more practical in some instances and
which would, at all events, be stronger and more durable than any construction
now in use. In this construction we do not vary the height of the tiles, ut break
them adjacent the middle wall which must coincide in shape with the front and
rear walls so as to form tiles of half the regular length. We then proceed as in
bricklaying, by setting each tile so as to lie partially upon two of the next lowest
tiles.
"
It will be obvious that in building walls or partitions of greater thickness it is
advantageous that the thickness of the tile be increased instead of setting several
tiles side by side. For such walls or partitions we therefore make the tiles as
shown in Fig. 8 which amounts practically to the same thing as setting a plurality
of narrow tiles side by side and cementing their side walls together, but it will a
obviously make a stronger, lighter and cheaper wall. In this construction' we
prefer to employ a plurality of angle irons, though it is obvious that it is not

page_text: necessary to make the number coincide with the number of so-called noses on the
tile, in order to obtain the requisite strength. A smaller number will suffice..
We desire also to call attention to the fact that by making the angles of the
noses and recesses of the tiles greater than ninety degrees and, consequently,
greater than the angles of the angle irons, we provide air spaces around said angle
irons, and thus partially insulate them to a greater extent than would otherwise
be possible, without detracting from the strength of the wall. This partial insu-
lation is obviously very advantageous as it prevents the angle irons from heating,
in case of fire, as quickly as 'they otherwise would, which increases the life of the
wall to a great extent.
The manner of setting our angle irons in the slotted plates 9 is also of in-
estimable value as it permits the ready expansion and contraction of the same
under variations of temperature. It is obvious that if this is not provided for,
said angle irons would be forced to bend under an unusually high temperature,
and as such bend would be toward either side of the wall, the least resistance
being offered there, it would probably cause a premature falling of such wall. As
no so-called fire-proof construction is absolutely fireproof but serves only to prevent
the rapid spread of fire, it will be obvious that every minute of increase of the
life of a wall or partition is very valuable.
Heretofore it has been customary to lay the tile floor and ceiling of a fireproof
building between the steel I-beams in flat arches. This construction is very
disadvantageous, inasmuch as it subjects the flanges of the beams directly to the
heat as they are protected only by a thin layer of plaster below and a floor either
of wood or thin tile or mosaic above. The air spaces between said beams are also
limited and each section of the same shut off from communication with the
adjacent section. This makes such construction very short lived and of very little
protective value. It is also expensive, inasmuch as almost every tile of every
section must have a different shape and it requires skilled workmen to set these
tiles properly.
By the use of our tile we are enabled to overcome all of the above disadvantages
and to provide a very long lived construction under the severest tests.
The I-beans of a building are usually set so as to form squares of greater or
less extent according to the required strength. In laying the floor shown in
Figs. 10 and 11, we lay an angle iron across the beams in one direction and against
the wall or other rigid portion, in such a manner that it projects therefrom, and
then place tiles against the same so that said angle iron will enter the recesses in
the rear walls thereof. The first tiles laid lie so that their middle portions lie
upon the flanges of the beams running crosswise of said angle irons. Owing to
the fact that the thickness of said tiles is greater than the greatest width of said
angle irons the same will be supported by said tiles and be held out of contact with
the beams. Said row of tiles is then completed and the next row laid so that each
tile thereof will engage adjacent halves of two tiles in the first row.
Another row
is then laid to coincide in position with the first row, and an angle iron, or a
plurality of angle irons according to the length of the row, is then laid to engage
the noses of said last named row. This procedure is continued until the floor is
completed, temporary supports for said tiles being employed until the floor is
complete or until several sections are complete, when they may be removed. In
this manner it will be obvious that we make a floor which is perfectly solid and is
"supported entirely by the tiles lying upon the upper faces of the beams, but of
which the several sections are firmly locked by the angle irons supported thereby
and by the interfitting noses and recesses thereof.
The ceiling shown in Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15 is constructed by hanging the
angle irons from the beams at regular intervals by means of metal hangers 11
which are provided with a portion 12 coinciding in form with the angle irons
and adapted to receive the same. Said portion 12 is secured at its upper portion
to an overhanging rib or projection 13 provided along its lower edge with flanges 14
adapted to rest upon one of the lower flanges of the I-beams. In this construction

page_text: an angle iron is provided between each row of tiles which are temporarily sup-
ported while being hung until a sufficient number of rows have been completed
to so wedge the angle irous between the tiles as to prevent them from swinging
out of place and so drop the tiles.
In this manner we provide a protecting layer of tiles above and below the
beams and leave an air space between said layers of tiles greater in depth than the
depth of said beams and thus establish communication between the several sec-
tions of air space between said beams. We also provide air spaces above and
below said beams, owing to the fact that we employ hollow tiles.
In Figs. 18 and 19 we have shown a modified construction of a holder
adapted to be substituted for said plates 9 and which comprises a portion 16 coin-
ciding in shape with said portion 12 of said hanger, and is provided with out-
wardly extending flanges 17. by means of which it is adapted to be secured to
the beams or joists.
In Figs. 20 and 21 we have shown another manner of constructing a ceiling in
which the hangers are not used. In this construction we cut grooves 18 into
the ends of the first row of tiles which are adapted to receive the edges of the lower
flanges of said beams. The angle irons are also notched at their ends in the same
mauner and extend between two parallel beams, but in this construction the
number of said angle irons is vastly decreased, owing to the fact that said beams
support said tiles to a large extent so that very much additional support is
unnecessary.
In Fig. 22 we liave shown our method of providing a large air space between
two light and independent partitions or walls without the usual danger of falling
in. This consists in building said walls or partitions the required distance apart
and at regular intervals laying Z irons 19 between the same, the ends of which lie
upon the tiles and are covered by the next tile laid thereon. The mortar introduced
between said tiles holds said irons rigid and thus binds said two partitions to form
a light, strong and durable wall with a perfect air space therein of any desired
width.
In Fig. 23 we have illustrated our construction as applied to a roof. This
coincides with the construction of the floor except that another layer of tiles is
laid over the first layer, after all joints in same bave been made water-tight, and
the joints in said second layer are then also made water-tight. Obviously said
second layer of tiles should be so laid as to cover all joints in said first layer with
the solid tiles.
In all outside constructions and in places where the tiles are exposed to damp-
ness, we employ impregnated tiles which are both waterproof and fire-proof and
much stronger than those ordinarily used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a fire proof construction, the combination with a series of parallel angle
irons, of interlocking tiles having one end conforming in general shape with the
outer projecting angular face of an angle iron and adapted to enter the recessed
portion of the same, and the opposite end angularly recessed in general accordance
with the outer projecting angular face of an angle iron and adapted to receive the
same or the projecting end of the next succeeding tile, whereby said tiles interlock
with said angle irons and with each other.
2. In a fireproof construction, the combination with a series of parallel angle
irons, of interlocking hollow tiles having parallel frout and rear ends respec-
tively projecting and recessed at angles greater than the angles of said angle irons
and adapted to interlock therewith.
3. In a fireproof construction, the combination with a series of angle irons, of
hollow tiles having front and rear ends adapted to interlock with each other and
with the angular faces of said angle irons, said tiles being of greater thickness than

page_text: the greatest width of said angle irons to enable said angle irons to be completely
embedded between said tiles.
4. In a fireproof construction, the combination with a series of angle irons
having the angular faces respectively parallel, of tiles having parallel front and
rear angular faces adapted respectively to enter the recessed portions of said angle
irons and to receive the outer angular faces thereof, said front faces of said tiles
being adapted to enter the recessed rear faces of the next preceding tiles and to
interlock therewith.
5. In a fireproof construction, a floor comprising a series of angle irons having
their angular faces respectively parallel, of tiles having front and rear faces
respectively conforming in shape with and adapted to interfit with the angular
faces of said angle irous, said tiles and angle irons being so arranged that said
angle irons are supported by said tiles and serve as a means of transferring the
strain from an unsupported tile to the tiles supported upon the beams or joists and
thus to said joists.
6 In a fireproof construction, a floor comprising a series of parallel angle irons
adapted to interlock with tiles having edges adapted to engage said angle irons and
to interlock with each other, said angle irons being supported by said tiles.
7. In a fireproof construction, a ceiling comprising a plurality of angle irons
secured to the beams by suitable hangers and adapted to support tiles between
the same, said tiles being provided with projecting edges adapted to enter the
angular recesses in said angle irons, and with recesses adapted to receive the pro-
jecting corner formed by the meeting edges of the flanges of said angle irons.
8. In a fireproof construction a partition comprising a series of parallel upright
angle irons split at their lower ends at the meeting edges of their flanges and
having said ends bent outwardly to form a base to support said angle irons, anıl
held at their upper ends in socket pieces provided with recesses conforming in shape
with and adapted to receive said angle irons, and tiles having angular ends
adapted to interlock with said angle irons and with each other.
9. In a fireproof construction, a hollow wall comprising two parallel walls con-
sisting of angle irons and tiles adapted to interlock therewith, and Z irons inter-
posed between said parallel walls and rigidly secured at the ends thereto to bind
said parallel walls.
10. In a fireproof construction, the combination with a series of angle irons, of
tiles adapted to interlock therewith, said tiles having projecting and
recessed front and rear ends respectively projecting and recessed at
angles greater than the angles of said angle irons, said tiles being also of greater
thickness than the greatest width of said angle irons to enable said angle irons
to be imbedded between said tiles.
11. In a fireproof construction, the combination with a series of irons having
their two opposite faces respectively recessed and projecting, of tiles having one
face conforming in general shape with the shape of said irons and adapted to enter
the recessed portion thereof, and having their opposite faces recessed in general
conformity with the shape of said irons and adapted to receive the projecting faces
of said irons or the projecting ends of the next succeeding tiles, whereby said tiles
will interlock with each other and with said irons.
12. In a fireproof construction, the combination with a series of irons having
their two opposite faces respectively projecting and recessed, of tiles having two
opposite faces conforming in general shape respectively with the respective faces
of said irons said projecting ends of said tiles being so formed as to fit only
partially into the recessed faces of said irons, and said recessed ends of said tiles
being so formed as to receive said projecting faces of said irons, so as to leave a
space between the outer portion of the projecting faces of said irons and the outer
portions of recess in said tile to receive a cement.
13. In a fireproof construction, the combination with a series of irons having
two opposite faces respectively recessed and projecting, of tiles having two opposite

page_text: faces conforming in general shape respectively, with said, faces of said irons and
adapted to interlook therewith.
be
adapted to interlock therewith.
1.
Dated this 5th day of May, A.D. 1091.
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FRIEDRICH D. T. LEHMANN.
PETER N., KOHLSAAT.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.
43