IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRANARIES AND OTHER RECEPTACLES FOR CORN, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE IN BUILDING HOUSES AND OTHER STRUCTURES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRANARIES AND OTHER RECEPTACLES
FOR CORN, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE IN BUILDING HOUSES
AND OTHER STRUCTURES."-A communication from abroad by Charles
Joseph Emile Pavv. of Paris, France.
Sealed the 13th February 1874, and dated the 19th August 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 19th August 1873.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF Granaries
AND OTHER RECEPTACLES FOR CORn, Part of whicH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE
IN BUILDING HOUSES AND OTHER STRUCTURES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of
granarios and receptacles for corn, part of which improvements is

page_text: applicable in the building houses and other structures. The Invention
consists,-
First. Of an improved corn bin for regulating or controlling the
supply of corn in stables whereby all waste is avoided and frauds are
entirely prevented. It is illustrated in Figure 1, 2, and 3, of the a
accompanying Drawings. A, Figure 1, is the cover of the bin or reservoir
B, provided with a trap, through which the grain is supplied from sacks
or loft above through a suitable pipe connecting with trunk A. C
measure, holding, say, one quart between the upper and central knobs,
and two between that and the bottom knob, or three quarts in one by :
opening the central valve.
Each valve is opened and closed in one motion by striking its knob
with the hand. The capacity of the measure may be regulated by the
aid of a movable plate recessed at one side. The measure and its valves
are made of square form, and provision is made to prevent the valves:
crushing the grain in closing.
D, corn recipient graduated to enable the contents to be equally
divided amongst the horses to be fed. It lodges in a recess in the
reservoir, and slightly projects in front of the same so as to be readily
withdrawn when filled. E, index attached by a chain to a float con-
sisting of cross arms having nearly the same diameter as the bin or
reservoir, so as not to become embedded in the corn with which it
descends, as it is withdrawn at bottom, the gauge acting automatically.
This gauge denotes the delivery of the corn, which descends horizontally
with it, but that which descends in the centre in the form of a funnel
or inverted cone perpendicularly to the measure, escapes the control of
the gauge. To remedy this it is accompanied by a plummet (corre-
sponding to the index F) which gauges the depth of the cone, but
which, being sustained by the float at the required distance therefrom is
only immersed to just the extent necessary to regulate the slope of the
corn by the slight disturbance which it causes when raised. This
plummet is free like the float, but unlike the latter, it requires to be
raised each time it is desired to gauge the contents of the bin or
reservoir. For this purpose it is simply necessary to pull the chain and
raise the plummet out of the few inches of corn which cover it, to pull
it up once or twice gently against the float and then to let it down on to
the corn again. A comparison of both scales will then show the

page_text: quantity which remains. G, openings, four in number, in which may be
placed sponges, leathers, cloths, and other grooming requisites, and
which also serve for the introduction of poles for lifting the bin or
reservoir when required off its basc to which it is bolted. H, similar
openings in the base for holding stable brushes, currycombs, and such
like stable articles, and also for enabling the same to be readily lifted as
above described. I, dog kennel or rat trap.
In the simplified arrangement of corn bin, shown in Figure 2, one
chain and scale is made to answer the same purpose as the two scales in
the first apparatus. The float in this case simply rests on the grain, not
being hung on a separate chain, while the plummet chain, which passes
through the centre of the float, serves to raise the latter when the
reservoir is empty, and also indicates on the scale the level of the grain
both at the circumference and at the centre, the chain being provided
with two indices E, F, which are placed at a distance apart equal to the
average depth of the inverted cone formed by the corn. By raising up
the plummet until it touches the float the depth of the cone will be
indicated on the scale. In some cases it may be convenient to place the
bin proper in the loft above the stable, from which a pipe descends to
the measuring apparatus below.
These reservoirs may be adapted with but trifling modification for
containing and delivering flour and bran in regulated quantities. By
increasing the size of the receptacle it may also be applied for storing
grain on a larger scale. In this case I construct these reservoirs or
granaries in the form of towers or turrets (see Figure 13) built fire-proof
of bricks of peculiar construction, herein-after described, in which towers
wheat, oats, barley, or rye may be stored for any length of time without
liability to loss or waste, and drawn out at the base by the bushel or
sack as required.
A shows the roof or top of the granary made either of clay or metal
covered with thatch, reeds, or heather; B, aperture at which the contents
of the sacks are discharged into the granary; C, pulley bearing and.
Twindlass for raising the sacks; D, platform. For small granaries a
ladder may be used instead of the hoisting apparatus. E is the measuring
scale with float and plummet, as in Figures 1, 2, and 3; F, index con-
nected by a chain with the float; G, index of plummet; H, measure
which may be made with one, two, or three divisions for measuring

page_text: Figure 23 shows a magazine or store constructed of flat and curved
bricks combined, and connected by dowels as before described.
Figure 12 shows a circular structure for storing corn sheaves, also
constructed of bricks, united in the manner above described; B, aperture
for filling in the sheaves, closed by an iron door; A is the roof. This
storehouse may also be made rectangular with towers at the angles,
forming as many granaries for receiving the grain when threshed.
Figure 17 shows a group of circular grain reservoirs constructed of
bricks united by dowels above described, the intervening spaces being
also utilized. Provision is made for the passage of wagons beneath
each row to facilitate the transfer of the grain into sacks. The reservoirs
are surmounted by a platform on which the grain may be cleaned before
it is passed into the reservoirs.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 18th February 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special
licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRANARIES AND OTHER RECEPTACLES
FOR CORN, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE IN BUILDING HOUSES AND
OTHER STRUCTURES," a communication to me from abroad by Charles-

page_text: Joseph Emile Pavy, of Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying two Sheets of Drawings and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates to an improved system of storing grain, either 1
in bulk or in sheaves, in receptacles of entirely novel construction, as
will be herein-after fully described. I use for this purpose bricks inter-
locking with one another, and with the door and window frames, which
may also be employed generally in crecting circular or other structures,
whereby greater expedition, solidity, economy, and salubrity are attained
than with the ordinary modes of construction.
I will first describe the construction of small grain receptacles or bins
which I make of metal, and which are the same in arrangement
(although on a smaller scale) as the larger granaries built with the
interlocking bricks, door cases, and window frames.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings shows an improved corn bin
composed of sheet metal painted and varnished, of a size to contain from.
2 to 3 bushels.
Figure 2 shows a similar bin of simplified arrangement and of rather
larger capacity.
Figure 3 shows a similar receptacle of a capacity for containing about
80 bushels.
The reference letters serve for all three Figures.
Description of Corn Bin, Figure 1.-A, cover of the bin or reservoir B

page_text: which the grain is supplied from sacks, or from an upper floor through
a spout connected with a trunk A'; C, measure holding, say, one quart
between the upper and central knobs, and two quarts between it and
the bottom knob, or three quarts in one by opening the valve corre-
sponding to the central knob when filling the measure, a few seconds
being sufficient for filling and discharging its contents into the sieve D
placed beneath.
Each valve is opened and closed in one motion by simply striking it
with the hand. The capacity of the measure may be regulated by
the aid of an adjustable plate lodging in a recess or against one side
of the measure, which plate is moved outwards by a thumbscrew when
the capacity of the measure is to be reduced. When on the other hand
the capacity is to be increased the thumbscrew is withdrawn, and a
small spring returns the plate into its recess, or more or less close to
the side; or it may be drawn back by the screw. By this means the
measure may be regulated to a nicety, it being constructed a little
larger than the measure required, so as to allow of its being regulated
to the exact size desired. Moreover, by this means the weight as well
as the measure of the grain may be ascertained by one and the same
operation. The measure is provided with 2, 3, or 4 valves made like
it, of square form, and serving to divide it as before mentioned. A
space of th or th of an inch is left between each valve and the side
of the measure (except in the case of the lower one, which forms a
bottom and never has to be pushed through the mass of grain), so as
to prevent the crushing of the grain, which may be caught between
it and the side, and in addition to this a ledge is fixed against the side
of the measure projecting about 4th or th of an inch over the end of
the valve, and from th to i̟th of an inch above it.
Or instead of this arrangement a slit may be made opposite the end
of each valve for the escape of any grain pushed forward by the latter,
which grain falls into a small gutter, and from thence through into the
bottom compartment.
D, corn recipient fitting into a recess beneath the measure, stops
being fixed in such position as to ensure its being properly placed
3 for receiving the corn, and also for being readily withdrawn when
filled; E, index attached by a chain to a float, consisting of cross
arms of nearly the same diameter as the reservoir, so as not to become

page_text: .
embedded in the grain upon which it descends always in a horizontal
position as the grain is withdrawn at the bottom. This gauge acts
automatically, the float only requiring to be raised when the reservoir
is to be refilled; it serves to show the amount of corn withdrawn,
and descends with it, as already mentioned, but as the corn in the
centre passes out more quickly than the rest a funnel or inverted
cone-shaped hollow is formed at the centre, the depth of which would
not be indicated by the gauge. To show this a plummet. corresponding
to the index F is employed; this plummet is sustained by the float
at-such a distance therefrom as to be only immersed in the grain to
just a sufficient extent to determine the natural slope of the grain
by the slight disturbance which it causes when raised. This plummet
is free like the float, but unlike the latter requires to be raised each
time it is desired to gauge the contents of the reservoir. For this
purpose the chain is just pulled sufficiently to raise the plummet out
of the few inches of corn covering, which is then brought up once
or twice against the float, and finally let down gently on to the corn
again.
°
When both the gauges indicate the same quantity on the scales
it is the correct amount of the contents, but if they vary, a mean
between the two will give nearly the exact amount; G, openings, four
in number (two being on the opposite side of the reservoir are not seen
in the Drawings) in which to place sponges, leathers, and cloths, for
the purpose of drying the same, and they also serve for introducing two
poles of about six feet in length, with the aid of which two men may
readily lift the reservoir off the base to which it is simply bolted. H,
four similar openings below the openings G for holding stable brushes,
curry combs, and such like stable requisites, and also for enabling the
base to be readily lifted by means of poles, as above described. I, dog
kennel, which in the simplified arrangement, Figure 2, is replaced by a 3
rat trap. The sieve or receptacle D into which the corn falls from the
reservoir is graduated in quarts to assist in dividing the contents equally
amongst the horses to be fed.
Description of Simplified Arrangement of Corn Bin, Figure 2.-The
small portable corn bin shown in Figure 2 occupies but little room in 3
the stable or coachhouse and serves for regulating or controlling the
supply of corn which can be quickly measured out in the graduated
receptacle D in the desired quantity either one, two, or three quarts-at

page_text: a time. The corn in the bin is completely protected from the attacks
of vermin, and in addition to the saving in time and space gained by its
use it also affords a guarantee against all frauds and waste. In this
arrangement the chain and scale is made to answer the same purpose as
the two scales in the former. The float in this case simply rests on the
corn without being hung on a separate chain, the plummet chain which
passes through the centre of the float serving to raise the same when
the reservoir is empty, and also to indicate on the same scale the level
of the corn both at the circumference (under the float) and at the centre
(under the plummet) in the following manner:-The chain is provided
with two indexes E, F, which are placed at a distance apart equal to the
average depth of the conical hollow formed in the corn. In order to
ascertain the level of the corn at the circumference the chain is gently
pulled so as to bring the plummet up against the float when index E
› connected with the latter will at once indicate the amount on the scale.
In order to find the quantity which corresponds with the level of the
bottom of the conical hole, if any, the plummet is allowed to fall therein
whereupon the index F connected therewith ascends the scale to a point
above that of the float; in this case the mean of the two is taken, but
if index F stops at the same figure as that of the float the amount
indicated is correct. It is necessary that the bin or reservoir should bo
fixed in a perfectly upright position.
When there is a want of room in a stable and there is a loft above I
place the bin there, which bin would in this case consist merely of the
3 cylindrical reservoir, cover, and hopper, from which the corn would be
conducted by a pipe placed either vertically or inclined to an angle of
about 50 degrecs into the measuring apparatus placed in the stable,
where would also be placed the scale upon which the float and plummet
indexes show the amount of corn withdrawn, the chain passing down
a small pipe through the floor of the loft.
The following is a description of the method of using these improved
bins-Before filling the reservoir the float and plummet are first raised
and kept in that position by temporarily making fast the end of the
chain. When the reservoir is filled from sacks instead of by a spout
from above the chain is moved out of the way. The reservoir is then
filled and the corn caused to settle down by striking the side of the
receptacle, after which the float and plummet are placed thereon and the
chain is unhooked. The indexes E, F, should mark the total contained

page_text: at the bottom of each scale, and they rise gradually as the corn is with-
drawn, but the plummet, as it has been before observed, requires raising
cach time in order to gauge the contents.
If the reservoir is not
entirely filled up some portion of its contents must be taken out before
consulting the gauge, or a funnel shaped hollow must be made in the
corn.
entirely filled up some portion of its contents must be taken out before
consulting the gauge, or a funnel shaped hollow must be made in the
corn.
•
In order to adapt these reservoirs for containing bran or flour the
following modifications are requisite :—
1st. The bottom of the reservoir is inclined more perpendicularly.
2ndly. The measure is made quite vertical and supplies one quart
only at a time.
3rdly. Iron rods are provided near the bottom of the reservoir, and
also in the measure, which being alternately moved in and out by means
of their knobs keep the mass of flour in motion and cause it to run into
and fill the measure. The latter may be at once emptied by closing the
top slide and opening the bottom one. As the level of the flour at the
float is very irregular the delivery cannot be so perfectly controlled, and
consequently the scale would not be marked in fractions of bushels, it
being only possible to obtain approximate estimates of the quantity
contained.
By increasing the size of these receptacles they may be employed for
storing grain on a large scale. I construct these granaries and
receptacles for storing shcaves in the form of towers or turrets, or they
may be made rectangular, and employ for this purpose the interlocking
bricks before referred to, which may be of various dimensions, as shown
in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the Drawings. Both economy and
solidity as well as wholesomeness are obtained by the employment of
this peculiar construction of brick, which is also applicable for building
chimney shafts, lighthouses, reservoirs, water channels, hollow columns,
wells, and other uses.
I will here limit myself to a description of the method of constructing
a water tank on this improved system.
In cases where the tank is contained in another building and sheltered
from the cold, and is of small size (say of a capacity to contain from six
to seven thousand gallons only) the wall of the tank need only be one
brick in thickness,

page_text: Larger reservoirs are built two bricks thick, both for, the sake of
strength and to guard against frost. For the latter reason I cover the
tank with an arched roof built of the same bricks, the joints being made
with Portland, Roman, or other cement, with which the tank is more-
over lined. The two rows of bricks forming the base of the reservoirs
are placed at about one or a half brick apart, and this space is partitioned
either by bonding bricks at suitable intervals, or by half bricks interlock-
ing with the two walls, or the latter may be interlocked by the dowels
only. The vacant spaces between the walls may be filled with mortar or
cement. The bottom of the reservoir is of strong sheet iron, and the
edges of this diso are strengthened by angle irons above and below, which,
embracing the bottom course of the reservoir and the top course of the
base, effectually support the bottom. Figure 14 is a view of this reservoir,
while Figure 15 shows how the two walls may be connected by dowels.
If necessary I support the bottom of the reservoir on joists, the width
of the wall being increased by a pillar connected to the wall by the
dowels of cach brick, and moreover a hollow pillar constructed of inter-
locking bricks may be placed in the centre.
For greater strength two or three iron rings may also be introduced in
the base of the reservoir, said rings being superposed, the one above the
other, at a distance of about 16 to 20 inches apart, and placed in the
inner wall and space between.
It will thus be apparent from the above description that the bottom
of the tank is supported by tension at the circumference (like the parchi-
ment of a drum head, for instance). As however the cement does not
adhere to the metal I place between the sheet iron and the course of
bricks next above a thick layer of india-rubber, which being compressed
of the wall upon it effectually prevents leakage at this point.
For rectangular buildings (Figure 10) this system of supporting the
floor by tension, which dispenses with joists and beams beneath, presents
no difficulties, as by means of angle irons, to which the floors are bolted
at the ends, the weight thereon is carried by the opposite walls, which,
being moreover strengthened and supported by the angles and bearing
walls, cannot yield.
For greater safety a second floor may be laid crosswise upon the first,
and scoured in the same manner to the two other walls The role in

page_text: that each floor stays the lateral walls internally, and each neutralizes the
effect of the tension of the other, the external angle irons sustaining the
walls outwardly. These floors may be made very thin, and to avoid
noise the intervening space may be filled by a layer of sawdust or other
substance.
The forms of the bricks and frames of this Invention may be infinitely
varied.
Figure 16 shows a factory chimney constructed with interlocking
bricks, and having a thickness of two bricks' length at the base, and one
at the summit, that is to say, it may have a double interior wall con-
nected to the outer one by transverse or bonding bricks, or by dowels, so
as to leave a space between the two, as shewn in Figure 18. The bricks
for the interior wall are narrower and shorter than those of the external
wall.
For houses, barracks, and other buildings, cases, and frames in cast:
iron, wood, stone, terra cotta, cement, or other material are employed,
with which the bricks interlock.
The means of interlocking the bricks consists of cramps or dowels d,
Figure 5, having a double dovetailed form. These dowels or cramps are
fitted in corresponding recesses in the ends of the bricks, which are thus å
readily locked together.
In some cases the bricks may be so interlocked at the sides, also either
to connect the two faces of a double wall with the bearing walls or
buttresses, as the case may be, or for the purpose of connecting together
the columns grouped, as shown in Figure 17.
The Invention thus consists in the application of this method of inter-
locking in all materials cast or run in metal or moulded in clay, cement,
beton," or plaster, whether the cramp or dowel be of double dovetailed
form (which is preferable), or whether the same result is obtained by
another form, the object being to interlock the materials.
I do not of course claim its application to carpentry and joinery, as
this principle has long been employed, although not in exactly the
same way, the dovetails having been always single, and not double, and
cut in the wood itself at the expense of its length.
2
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page_text: dowel is inserted, the other half being engaged in the adjacent brick.
In this frame a door or window is fitted.
The frame is intended chiefly for dwelling houses, and I prefer to
construct the latter with four towers at the angles connected to the
main walls by dowels as above described.
The party walls are also similarly united to the outer ones by dowels.
Bricks of special form having recesses for two, three, four, five, or six
dowels are to be used in building corner pillars, which are substitutes
for the corner towers, which bricks are shown in Figures 7 and 8.
The interlocking frames may be in wood with or without an ornamental:
facing in cast iron, terra cotta, stone, or other material before mentioned
fixed thereon, or it may be cast or moulded in one with the casing of
the doors and windows.
In constructing large granaries of interlocked bricks they are made of
the form shown in Figures 12 and 13. In these circular granarics large
amounts of grain may be kept without risk of damage by vermin, fire,
or otherwise, it being simply necessary to prevent damage to the grain
to draw off about a sackful per week, which may easily be done by the
measure.
The advantage of this arrangement is that no grain can be withdrawn
without causing a movement and disturbance of the rest, which effectually
prevents it becoming agglomerated and heated, and destroys or prevents
weevils, which cannot be hatched or damage the grain if there is any
movement of the latter.
The granary constructed of bricks shown in Figure 13 (shown also on
a larger scale in vertical section, Figure 25, and horizontal section,
Figure 26) has a roof A in terra cotta or metal, or may be covered with
thatch, rushes, heath, bricks, asphalte, or beton. This roof is shown on
a larger scale in detail, Figure 27. B, door opened for emptying sacks
into the granary; C, bracket supporting the tackle; D, platform, on
which the man stands to receive and empty the sacks raised by the
winch T. These adjuncts may be dispensed with in small granaries, the
sacks being raised by a ladder or steps; E, scale to show the contents;
F, index connected by a chain with floats inside the apparatus, as beforc
described; G, index corresponding to plummet; H, measure having

page_text: one, two, or three compartments of any size, its capacity being moreover
regulated by a screw.
M, Figures 25 and 26, shows an internal wall serving to support the
hopper shaped bottom of the receptacle.
In Figure 27 it will be seen that the top of the granary is provided
with circular angle iron N on which is placed the sheet-iron ceiling O of
the roof, retained by a capital of bricks Q, and covered by a layer B of
concrete, hydraulic lime, or other suitable material.
Figure 12 shows a circular structure for storing corn sheaves, also
constructed of bricks united in the manner above described. B, aperture
for filling in the sheaves, closed by an iron door; A is the roof. This
storehouse may also be made rectangular, with towers at the angles,
forming as many granaries for receiving the grain when threshed.
Figure 17 shows a group of circular grain reservoirs constructed of
bricks, united by dowels above described, the intervening spaces being
also utilized. Provision is made for the passage of wagons beneath each
row, to facilitate the transfer of the grain into sacks. The reservoirs are
surmounted by a platform on which the grain may be cleaned before it is
passed into the reservoir.
The platform may be of asphalte, wood, or cement, and is covered by a
roof, which thus shelters all the group of reservoirs. This group is an
assemblage of the circular granaries, useful for the purposes of commerce,
and facilitating dealings in grain.
I will now sum up the main features of the Invention, which are the
simple and practical system for storing grain, cither in bins or granarics,
and with small cost of construction, owing to the use of the interlocked
bricks.
The granaries are built in the open air, and require no shelter, are
fire-proof, preserve the grain without exhaustion or shovelling by merely
extracting a small quantity from time to time, so as to disturb and move
the whole bulk, and so prevent heating and insects.
The supply and withdrawal of the grain is automatically controlled,
and its measure and weight in the sack indicated at once and with
precision.
By means of the interlocked bricks and frames, buildings of great
strength may be erected with great rapidity and small cost, only half