Improvements in the Manufacture of Mosaics, Parquetry, and similar Ornamental Work.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1593-Accepted, 22nd July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Mosaics, Parquetry, and similar
Ornamental Work.
I RICHARD COCHRANE, of No. 25 Stowe Road Shepherd's Bush, in the County
of Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
In the production of this improved mosaic, parquetry and similar work I use
metals, stones, pottery, glass, wood, paper, silk, wool, flax or other suitable
substances, prepared in rods, slips, cords, wires, or other suitable forms and
hereinafter referred to as "rods," and of such number of suitable colours as may
be requisite to form any desired pattern.
" in
My improved method of manufacture consists in placing the said "rods
their relative positions prior to cementing them together, instead of fixing them
in their places at first in the cement. I effect this by means of a suitable frame
or frames upon which are stretched or fixed gauze or strings or a perforated sheet
or sheets of suitable material to sustain and support the said "rods," and I
hereinafter refer to these frames with the gauze or strings or sheet upon them as
"supports."
The pattern. from which the mosaic to be produced is to be copied is drawn
upon paper or upon a suitable board or surface prepared in squares or other
series of figures hereinafter called "
squares to correspond with the openings in
the gauze or perforations of the said "
supports.'
"
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I place a
"rod" of suitable material for the kind of work to be executed, and
of a colour matching the colour of a particular "square " of the pattern in the
corresponding "square of the "support' or supports " and I repeat this
process. until a sufficient number of "rods" has been placed to fill some or all of
the "squares" of the "supports" to correspond with the "
squares
"of the
pattern.
By preference I use a sufficient number of "supports" to keep the "rods" in
their proper relative positions at all parts of their length; but in inserting the
" rods
I keep the "supports" close together upon a tray of melted pitch wax
or other suitable substance kept in a fluid, semi-fluid or plastic state till all the
of the pattern are inserted vertically. I then allow the pitch wax, plaster
or other substance to solidify round one end of the "rods" and then I move the
support" or supports to suitable distance or distances from the ends of 'the'
"rods" fixed in. the pitch, wax, plaster or other substance.
« rods
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"
rod
21
.
"
If the pattern of the mosaic is one which needs that "rods" should be inserted
in every "square
"of "supports
"which have openings regularly throughout
their surface as in the case of a common wire gauze $5 support" with "square
openings every one of which is to be filled with a
I fill up all the interstices
between the "rods" with cement of a nature suitable for adhering to the surface
of the "rods" and keeping them firmly in their relative positions. The block of
" rods ""
and cement thus formed is sliced into sheets of mosaic by cutting it
transversely to the length of the "rods." If necessary in order to fill the
interstices perfectly I use cement in a liquid or semi-liquid state using heat or
solvents as may be most suitable for the purpose of liquifaction. In order to get
the interstices perfectly filled... sometimes perform the operation in a closed vessel
from which the air can be expelled by vapour as in creosoting timber or be drawn
by an air pump. Sometimes I expel the air by subjecting the fluid cement to the
action, of heat and immersing the rods and supports in the hot fluid cement.

page_text: When the pattern of the mosaic is one which necessitates the omission of rods
from many of the "squares" of the "supports"; I sometimes do not fill with
cement in the manner aforesaid the spaces between the parts of the mosaic formed
by the "rods," but I only fill the interstices between the "rods" themselves with
such cement. A block prepared in this way when sliced into sheets shows a mosaic
pattern with open spaces between its parts. "These sheets can be used for
ornamental lattice work. Sometimes before slicing these blocks I fill the spaces
between the mosaic work with coloured cements different from that used to fill the
interstices between the rods of the mosaic-or instead of coloured cements I use
paper pulp, gutta percha, vulcanite, shoddy, flock, cadiz, dissolved leather or some
other suitable material.
If "rods" of different metals or alloys are used in forming the mosaic so as to
obtain effects from the different colours of alloys or metals, prepare the "rods"
in such a way that they may be caused to adhere to one another by immersion in
a molten metal of the nature of a solder, or I electroplate them, and fill up the
interstices between them by electro-deposit of a suitable metal, or I coat the
"rods" of metal with another 'metal by insertion in a bath of a metallic salt and
in this way fill the interstices also. A block prepared in either of these ways,
and whether of solid or openwork pattern is sliced into sheets which can be used
in various ways for ornamental work. For instance, in the case of openwork
patterns the spaces may be filled with enamels thus producing a metallic mosaic
in an enamel ground.
In applying this "improved method of manufacture" to mosaic, tiles plaques
or panels and other articles of pottery the "rods" are prepared of clay coloured
with various colouring materials and when in their "supports" are set or fixed in
their relative positions by a suitable, slip run into the interstices between the
" rods."
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1
The larger spaces of the open-work patterns may be wholly or partially filled
with plain or coloured clays to suit the colour of the mosaic design. When the
block of clay mosaic thus prepared is sliced into sheets, these sheets may be
pressed in suitable moulds before firing, thus giving if desired more or less relief
in parts of the mosaic. The mosaic sheets may also be moistened and caused to
adhere to carved surfaces so as to ornament terra cotta or china vases, basins,
ewers, etc. prior to firing. Sheets of mosaic may also be inserted in suitable
openings cut in curved surfaces, thus allowing the mosaic pattern to appear both
inside and outside. the vase or other vessel thus ornamented. The sheets of mosaic
may also be applied to biscuit, and be secured by glazing.
-Letters in mosaic may be formed by, inserting rods in supports the "squares." of
which form a letter. A block of either a letter in mosaic of rods of one or more
colours on a mosaic ground of another colour or colours, or one with open spaces
about the outline of the letter, may thus be formed, which block can be sliced into
sheets, each of which will be a letter in mosaic, series of such blocks would form
all letters of various patterns which letters could be used for insertion or embedding,
either singly; or in words and either alone, or in conjunction with other mosaic
work for wall decorations floor ornaments, names on brooches and other jewellery,
and for various other purposes. The slices of mosaic work prepared as hereinbefore'
described may be joined to cover any extent of surface, and may be attached to
linoleum or other floor-cloths.
Blocks of mosaic work may be prepared of coloured gelatine rods with or without
gelatine cement or wax, filling in the spaces of open patterns as before described,
and the said gelatine, cement, or wax filling may be mixed with various pigments,
bronze powders, Dutch-metal mica, spar & other substances for heightening the
ornamental effects.
"
3.
Slices cut from such blocks may be used for decorating papier-maché articles and
be protected by varnish. They may also be secured on or between sheets of glass
by means of suitable varnishes.
In some cases it may be necessary to protect the face of the mosaic by covering

page_text: it with paper cloth or other pliable material before a slice is cut so that the
component parts of the slices may the better retain their relative positions in the
mosaic when the latter are pressed upon curved or moulded surfaces.
Slices of mosaic prepared from gelatine rods, coloured with dyes may be used to
print from, being used either in a press or on a cylinder.
Dated this Twenty-fifth day of August 1892.
THOS. WILKINS,
Agent for Applicant.,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Mosaics, Parquetry, and similar
Ornamental Work.
I, RICHARD COCHRANE, of No. 25, Stowe Road Shepherd's Bush in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, 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 :-
In the production of this improved mosaic parquetry and similar work I use
metals, stones, pottery, glass, wood linoleum, cloth, felt, paper, wax, asbestos,
slag-wool, silk, wool, fax or other suitable substance prepared in rods, slips cords,
wires, or other suitable forms, and hereinafter referred to as "rods" and of such
number of suitable colours as may be requisite to form any desired pattern.
My improved method of manufacture consists in placing the said "rods" in their
relative positions prior to cementing them together instead of fixing them in their
places at first in the cement. I effect this by means of a suitable frame or frames
upon which are stretched or fixed gauze or strings, wires or strips of metal or a
perforated sheet or sheets of suitable material to sustain and support the said rods,
and I hereinafter refer to these frames with the gauze, strings, wires, strips or
sheet upon them as "supports."
The pattern from which the mosaic to be produced is to be copied is drawn upon
paper or upon a suitable board or surface prepared in squares or other figures in
series, hereinafter called "squares to correspond with openings in the gauze or
perforations or spaces between the wires strings or strips of metal of the said
supports."
"
I place a rod of suitable size and material for the kind of work to be executed
and of a colour matching the colour of a particular "square" of the pattern in the
corresponding "square" of the "support" or supports" and I repeat this process
until a sufficient number of rods has been placed to fill some or all of the "squares
of the "supports" to correspond with the squares of the pattern.
"
"
By preference I use a sufficient number of "supports to keep the "rods" in
their proper relative positions at all parts of their length; but in inserting the
rods" I keep the "supports "close together upon a tray of melted pitch, wax or
other suitable substance kept in a fluid, semi-fluid or plastic state till all the rods
of the pattern are inserted vertically. I then allow the pitch, wax, plaster or
other substance to solidify round one end of the "rods" and then I move the
"support" or supports to suitable distance or distances from the ends of the
"rods" fixed in the pitch, wax, plaster or other substance.
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I
"
If the pattern is one which needs that rods should be inserted in every "square
of "supports" which have openings regularly throughout their surface as in the
case of a cominon wire gauze support with square openings every one of which is to
be filled with a "rod" I fill up all the interstices between the rods with cement of
a nature suitable for adhering to the surfaces of the rods and keeping them firmly
in their relative positions. The block of rods and cement thus formed is sliced
into sheets of mosaic by cutting it transversely to the length of the rods.
If necessary in order to fill the interstices perfectly. I use cement in a liquid or
semi-liquid state using heat or solvents as may be most suitable for the purpose' of

page_text: liquefaction. In order to get the interstices perfectly filled I sometimes perform
the operation in a closed vessel from which the air can be expelled by vapour as in
creosoting timber or be drawn by an air pump. Sometimes I expel the air by
subjecting the fluid cement to the action of heat and immersing the rods and
supports in the hot fluid cement.
Sometimes instead of by the above mentioned method putting the ends of the
rods vertically through the "squares into a tray of suitable cement, I put the
"rods" horizontally into their respective "squares" of the "supports" which I fix
in or on a suitable box, table, or frame sufficiently strong to sustain the supports
and rods in their relative positions whilst the ends of the rods projecting beyond
the end support are cut off by a suitable knife, guillotine or saw. To the ends of
the rods left all equidistant from the face of the support after such cutting off,
I apply a sheet of cloth, paper, felt or other suitable material cut to a square or
other shape and of suitable size upon one face of which I apply a suitable cement.
In this way one true end of every "rod" is caused to adhere to the cloth or other
material employed. When the cement has set the rods are pushed endways
through the support till by means of a suitable gauge they are again adjusted to
project through the strong end support to any required distance. The gauge being
removed, the knife, guillotine or saw is again used and a small portion of each rod
is cut off adhering by one end to the cloth or other material used and forming a
mosaic pattern upon it. A series of these pieces of cloth or other material with
rods upon them may be arranged the pieces being of the same or varying shapes
and the rods upon them be arranged in the same or varying patterns, and such
series may be fixed by suitable cement upon a sheet of linoleum, asbestos, cloth or
other backing with a mosaic pattern in short fibres fixed upon its face. If the rods
used are solid, as for instance strips of various coloured linoleum, the interstices
between them can be filled with a suitable cement and the cloth or other
material may be removed leaving a linoleum floor cloth the pattern of which is the
same throughout its thickness and cannot wear out.
If desired the pieces of cloth or other material with short rods affixed may be
cemented together back to back so as to have the same or different patterns upon
the two faces; and the rods of one face may be of one material or set of materials
& those of the other face of another material or set of materials. For instance a
rug can be produced being a linoleum of mosaic pattern throughout one portion of
its thickness then cloth or canvas backing, having the other face of the rug woollen
or other fibres cemented in sinall bundles (each bundle being a "rod") in mosaic
pattern to cloth cemented to the said cloth or canvas backing.
"
When the pattern of the mosaic is one which necessitates the omission of "rods
from many of the "squares" of the "supports" I sometimes do not fill with cement
in the manner aforesaid the spaces between the parts of the mosaic formed by the
rods but I only fill the interstices between the rods themselves with such cement.
A block prepared in this way when sliced into sheets shows a mosaic pattern with
open spaces between its parts. These sheets can be used for ornamental lattice
work. Sometimes before slicing these blocks I fill the spaces between the mosaic
work with coloured cements, different from that used to fill the interstices between
the rods of the mosaic, or instead of coloured cements I use paper-pulp, gutta-
percha, vulcanite, shoddy, flock, cadiz, dissolved leather or some other suitable
material.
If "rods" of different metals or alloys are used in forming the mosaic so as to
obtain effects from the different colours of alloys or metals I prepare the "rods" in
such way that they may be caused to adhere to one another by immersion in a
molten metal or alloy of the nature of a solder, or electro-plate them and fill up
the interstices between them by electro-deposit of a suitable metal or I coat the
rods of metal with another metal by immersion in a bath of metallic salt and in
this way fill the interstices also. A block prepared in either of these ways and
whether of solid or openwork pattern is sliced into sheets which can be used in
various ways for ornamental work. For instance in the case of openwork patterns

page_text: the spaces may be filled with enamels thus producing a metallic mosaic in an enamel
ground.
In applying this improved method of manufacture to mosaic tiles plaques or
panels and to other articles of pottery the rods are prepared of clay coloured with
various colouring materials, and when in their supports are set or fixed in their
relative positions by a suitable slip run into the interstices between the rods. The
larger spaces of the openwork patterns may be wholly or partially filled with plain
or coloured clays to suit the colours of the mosaic design. When the block of clay
mosaic thus prepared is sliced into sheets, these sheets may be fired in suitable
moulds before firing, thus giving if desired more or less relief in parts of the mosaic.
The mosaic sheets may also be moistened and caused to adhere to curved surfaces
so as to ornament terra-cotta or china vases, basins, ewers etc. prior to firing.
Sheets of mosaic may also be inserted in suitable openings cut in curved surfaces;
thus allowing the mosaic pattern to appear both inside and outside the vase or
other vessel thus ornamented. The sheets of mosaic may also be applied to biscuit
and be secured by glazing. Thin sheets cut from blocks of a mosaic pattern of
coloured rods of wax or gelatine may also be applied to pottery and be secured by
a varnish.
Letters and figures in mosaic may be formed by inserting "rods" in " supports."
.the "squares" of which form a letter. A block of either a letter in mosaic of rod's
of one or more colours on a mosaic ground of another colour or colours, or one with
open spaces about the outline of the letter may thus be formed which block can be
sliced into sheets each of which will be a letter in mosaic. Series of such blocks
would form all letters and figures of various patterns which could be used for
insertion or embedding either singly or in words and numbers and either alone or in
conjunction with other mosaic work for wall decorations floor ornaments names and
numbers for shops and other purposes, names or letters on brooches and other
jewellery and for various other purposes.
The slices of mosaic work prepared as herein before described may be joined to
cover any extent of surface and may be attached to linoleum or other floor cloths.
Blocks of mosaic work may be prepared of coloured wax, or gelatine "rods
with or without gelatine, cement, or wax filling in the spaces of open patterns, as
before described; and the said gelatine cement or wax filling may be mixed with
varions pigments, bronze powders, Dutch metal, mica, spar, and other substances
for heightening the ornamental effects. Slices cut from such blocks may be used
for decorating pottery, papier-maché and other articles and be protected by varnish.
They may also be secured on or between sheets of glass by means of suitable
varnishes.
In some cases it may be necessary to protect the face of the mosaic by covering
it with paper cloth or other pliable material before a slice is cut so that the
component parts of the slices may the better retain their respective positions in the
mosaic when the slices are pressed upon curved or moulded surfaces.
Slices of mosaic prepared from gelatine or wax rods coloured with dyes may be
used to print from being used either in a press, on a cylinder or for transfer
purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING.
Fig. 1. represents a method of making the blocks of mosaic by passing "rods" "a"
through several "supports" "," resting upon a tray "c" containing fluid, semi-
fluid or plastic cement.. When the "rods" are all inserted the cement is allowed
to set and the supports "," except the lower one, are during the setting process

page_text: """ in
Fig. 2 represents a method of keeping the "rods" "a" and "supports
position by clamping them in a box or frame "e" to hold them firmly in their
relative positions whilst the ends "a" of the rods are being cut off. "d" is the
piece of cloth or other material cemented to the cut ends of the rods ready for
cutting them off. The "support" at the cutting end of the box is shown made of
strips of metal halved together where they cross, thus forming a series of "squares
sufficiently long to prevent the rods springing when cut. These strong end
supports may be of a single sheet or casting with holes of a suitable form made
in them.
""
Fig. 3. represents a mosaic pattern formed of slices of blocks of different
The rods
patterns a, b, c, d, in which only part of the surface is made up of rods.
are hatched and the blank spaces between the various sets of rods represent the
ground which would be filled up with coloured cement, paper pulp or other material
as herein before described.
Fig. 4. represents mosaic pattern with the whole of the surface made up of
sections of rods, the plain squares forming the ground and the hatched squares
the pattern. The four slices a. b. c. d. have a similar pattern in both Fig. 3 and
Fig. 4. the difference being that the ground in Fig. 4. is mosaic whilst in Fig. 3.
it is not.
Fig. 5. represents four slices of a block of one pattern mosaic the parts cross-
hatched being rods whilst the parts left plain may be either left open to form a
mosaic lattice work or they may be filled up with other "rods" of a different
colour or with a ground of coloured cement or other material as before described.
Fig. 6. represents a letter. The ground is a mosaic of "rods" while the space
for the letter may be a mosaic of rods of a difierent colour or may be an open
space, to be filled up if desired by cement or other suitable material, or the letter
itself may be a mosaic of "rods" without any part outside the outline of the letter
being formed either of "rods or cement or other material, the letter alone being
fixed to or embedded in the work on which it is to appear.
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Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
"
1. The method of forming mosaic patterns with either a plain or a mosaic
ground or in openwork as herein before described the portions of the mosaic work
pattern or mosaic ground being "rods" of suitable colour and material arranged
in supports" having openings of suitable size and shape for the "rods" forming
the different parts of the mosaic pattern and mosaic ground the cement used for
securing the pieces of the mosaic work in their relative positions being applied
subsequently to their being 'placed in such relative positions forming blocks,
(a.) either solid throughout of rods in mosaic pattern and mosaic ground cemented
together, (.) or solid throughout of rods in mosaic pattern cemented together
with ground of suitable material inserted in the spaces between the mosaic parts
of the pattern, (c.) or blocks not solid throughout but of rods in mosaic pattern
with open spaces all of which three kinds of blocks are cut into slices of mosaic
work and applied to various purposes as hereinbefore described.
2. The manufacture of floor-cloths, rugs, and other articles by arranging "rods,"
without first cementing them, in a mosaic pattern, one end of all the said rods being
placed in the same plane or cut to the same plane, a suitable backing or transfer
sheet being then cemented to the said ends to secure the pieces of rods in their
relative positions when a slice is cut off all of them leaving them ready for
cementing a fresh portion of backing, or transfer sheet thereto, so that another
slice may be cut off, and so on, and finally arranging and securing the backing or
pieces of rods on transfer sheets to a suitable material or to one another to form a
complete rug, sheet of material, or other article.
3. The application of slices of mosaic work made in any or all of the ways

page_text: herein before described to the manufacture of floor-cloth, wall decorations, ceiling
decorations, flooring, furniture, pottery, fancy stationery, papier-maché ware,
japanned goods, jewellery and to decorative purposes generally.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1893.
THOS. WILKINS,
Agent for the Applicant