IMPROVEMENTS IN BUILDINGS, BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS, & BUILDING MATERIALS WITH REFERENCE TO ORNAMENTATION, LIGHTING, AND FIRE- PROOFING BUILDINGS, AND IN MEANS, MODES, AND PROCESSES CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thaddeus Hyatt, of 21, Addison Gardens, Kensington,
London, in the County of Middlesex, Inventor, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BUILDINGS, BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS, & BUILDING
MATERIALS WITH REFERENCE TO ORNAMENTATION, LIGHTING, AND FIRE-
PROOFING BUILDINGS, AND IN MEANS, MODES, AND PROCESSES CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
Sealed the 13th February 1880, and dated the 10th December 1879.
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION left by the said Thaddeus Hyatt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th December 1879.
THADDEUS HYATT, of 21, Addison Gardens, Kensington, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Inventor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BUILDINGS, BUILDING CONSTRUC-
TIONS, AND BUILDING MATERIALS WITH REFERENCE TO ORNAMENTATION, LIGHTING,
AND FIRE-PROOFING BUILDINGS, AND IN MEANS, MODES, AND PROCESSES CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
Fire-proof floors as usually constructed are made by means of a filling between the
the beams, composed of either concrete or brick, the latter usually in the form of
arches. Cross-metals are sometimes combined with the concrete, the spaces between
the metals being usually as wide in proportion to the metals as the spaces between
the beams are to the beams, the strength of the filling material between the beams
being relied upon to form the flooring or walking surface of the construction.
My Invention of improvements in fireproof flooring consists in making floors and
roofs fire-proof by means of a continuous or nearly continuous metallic strength in
substantially grating form spread over the entire space, and of such beam strength
with reference to the load-bearing capacity of the floor as to be proportionately
equal to the beams themselves, the metals composing the grating being so near to
cach other that a person or load passing over or resting upon the floor would be
wholly sustained by metal, the gratings of themselves affording a reliable support
as a walking surface even with the apertures left open, the material employed to
Duins 171

page_text: fill the apertures of the grating and in which it is imbedded being designed solely
to give fire-proof protection thereto.
The gratings may be composed of cast steel, or cast iron, or they may be made of
wrought metal; in either case I proportion the depth and thickness of the blades
or bars of the grating to the span, giving to them in this way a strength propor-
tionately equal to the beams that carry them. I also employ perforated plates,
and sometimes "metal lathing" or crimped sheets formed with dove-tailing recesses,
but, of preference, use gratings made from thin blades of metal placed edgewise.
These gratings imbedded in concrete or fire-resisting material, and thus made into
the form of plates, sheets, or slabs with continuous surfaces, I make and claim as a
new manufacture, together with their use and application to and combined with
beans of either wood or metal to form floors, roofs, and walking surfaces. They
may be used between the beams as filling and bracing, or as flooring above and
upon, and as ceiling plates below and against the beams to protect them from heat
and flame. When rolled or web and flange beams are employed to carry the
gratings I prefer to use the gratings as a flooring above and resting upon the tops
of the beams. I also prefer to apply them nakedly thereto, the plastic material
being put upon them after they are fixed in position, but as ceiling plates to be
applied underneath and against the beams I prefer to employ them in their com-
pleted and dry state. When thus used to make continuous floors and ceilings the
beams will be embraced between two layers of fire-proof plates, the flooring above
and the ceiling below, and hence need no fireproofing materials at their sides. But
where the under face of the flooring forms the ceiling I then protect the bottoms of
the beams by ceiling plates made in widths suited to the beams. These narrow
ceiling-plates I apply to the bottom flanges of the beanis, fastening them thereto in any
well known mechanical manner; or, and preferably, I attach them to the flooring
above by means of long bolts, afterwards concealed within the plastic filling against
the web of the beam. Where I make a continuous ceiling of the ceiling-plates, as
aforesaid, I prefer to bolt them to the flooring above, as already stated, by means
of long bolts, a part of my Invention consisting in making the ceiling-plates with
an extra thickness of fireproofing material where they underlap the bottoms of
the beams.
Permanent Load of Beams.-The beams of fireproof floors made of 4 brick
arches leveled up with concrete between the beams in buildings used for offices,
assemblages of people, or storage of light goods, may ordinarily be taken at 70 lbs.
per square foot of floor for the weight of the arches and concrete; the carrying
capacity of the beams to this extent being thereby reduced with reference to the
variable load designed to be borne by the floor.
My improvements relate to the permanent load aforesaid produced by the filling
between the beams, and to means of lessening the weight of the same for the
purpose of increasing the carrying capacity of the floor with reference to the
variable load, and is as follows:-I have discovered that moulded plaster of Paris
when hard and dry possesses greater strength for its weight than any of the
cements usually employed for building purposes. I am aware that this material is
used for filling between beams and in the making of arched floors, but in all cases
mixed with materials heavier than itself. I, on the contrary, mix no materials
with the plaster of greater weight or density than itself, and prefer under all
circumstances to employ it pure, except as hereinafter mentioned. A special
advantage connected with the use of plaster of Paris as a fireproofing material is
its quick setting and hardening propertios, qualities of great importance in the
construction of cement floors. Taking advantage then of these qualities, my
improvement in the construction of roofs and floors with reference to protection
against fire and convenience and cheapness of construction, consists, first, in
combining plaster of Paris, pure as aforesaid, with tie netals in the construction of
plates and sheets for flooring and ceiling purposes, and as a filling and bracing when
employed between beams; the tie-metals and plaster of Paris together producing
beam strength of equivalent character to that produced by the combination of

page_text: Portland cement or concrete with tie metals; and, secondly, combining plaster of
Paris with gratings made as aforesaid, where the gratings of themselves possess the
required strength independently of the covering material, and by means of this
combination making floors and roofs of exceptional lightness and strength; such
application of plaster of Paris, in manuer as aforesaid, enabling me to reduce the
permanent or construction-load upon the beams of fireproof floors from 50 to 75 per
cent. as compared with brick arches and concrete.
Another part of my Invention as a method or process of construction consists in
making ceiling-plates as aforesaid, and when hard and dry attaching them to the
beans before the flooring above is put in; the contemplated flooring in such case being
designed to serve as a filling and bracing between the beams. In such case I first
attach the ceiling plates to the under faces of the beams, preferably by means of
staples made to clasp the beam, the screw ends of the staples entering the ceiling plates
and being there secured within the body of the plate. This ceiling I then employ
as a centering to sustain the concrete or plaster filling which I put in upon the tie-
metals previously laid in position upon the bottom flanges of the beans; a part of
the Invention consisting in providing the dry ceiling plates with metal pieces that
project upwards and interlock with the filling, so that when hard the two combine,
the ceiling receiving thereby support from the flooring. A further part of my
Invention connected with flooring and ceiling plates consists in adding additional
fire-proof qualities to the same by incorporating alum or other salt possessing water
of crystallization with the plaster or cement of the plate, which I do by employing
the same in lump form, of preference previously made waterproof on the outside by
a coating of varnish.
Where the beams are wood, and the flooring materials are required between the
beams, I fasten either battens of wood or metal to the sides of the beans upon
which to rest the tie metals of the floor-filling, and then having previously attached
the ceiling-plates in manner as already described I put in the plaster or filling
upon the same, as described. Where the flooring is not required as a filling
between the beams I sometimes make saw-cuts in the top of the wood and let in
the tie-metals continuously across the beams, after which I put in the plaster or
material.
Another part of my Invention, as a method or process of construction, consists
in the employment of bar metal in place of rolled beams, the same being used pre-
ferably in the form of "flitches" between wood stiffners at the sides thereof, and
combining with the same flooring and ceiling plates made and attached thereto in
manner substantially as hercinabove described and set forth with respect to rolled
beams in the inaking of fire-proof floors and roofs.
Ornamental Tiles.-According to another part of my Invention relating to
ornamention, I make a cheap ornamental tile of cement or concrete inlaid with
ornaments as follows, viz. :-Having laid out the design upon a piece of strong paper I
then glue or otherwise attach the ornaments (the same being encaustic or colored
tiles, slips, and dots, or otherwise) to the paper each in its proper place. This paper
I place in a mould or frame with the paper downwards, and upon the same I
then pour the cement or concrete. When sufficiently hardened I remove the paper
by wetting it, and then have a slab or tile inlaid with ornaments. These tiles I
make of any shape and size, and where requisite I strengthen them with an interior
metallic core or grating of metal, a part of the Invention consisting in combining
smaltz, emery, corundum, or crushed pottery in colors with the cement face or
ground of the tile or slab to form a foot-holding surface.
According to another part of my Invention I employ polished plate glass cut up
into small pieces, from one inch in diameter and upwards, and of various geometrical
and other shapes; these glasses I color on the back and ornament with various
designs painted on or attached to the same or otherwise. These glasses I then set
in metal gratings after the manner of making pavement lights, the same being then
ready for use for paving halls, courts, or floors.
Day-light Reflectors.-The day-light reflectors in common use are made of

page_text: expensive polished metals. My Invention is designed to cheapen the article, and
thus extend its use. Plain looking-glass reflects the light in concentrated form,
whereas for the illumination of apartments it is necessary to diffuse it, the best
means of doing this being by means of crimped or corrugated polished surfaces, as
established by long usage. My improvement, designed to produce cheap day-light
reflectors, consists according to one method in providing a crimped or corrugated
back-ground or foundation made of wood, papier maché, or other suitable material,
and upon this foundation I fasten strips or pieces of looking glass by means of glue
or otherwise. According to another method I silver or otherwise make reflecting
rolled and blown fluted glass, and use and apply the same as day-light reflectors.
Reflecting Pavement Lights.-The ceilings of basements lighted by illuminating
gratings are usually low, end day-light reflectors of ordinary width and as
ordinarily placed would be an obstruction, the reflectors being made of a single
slope. On this account for combination with pavement lights I make the reflectors
of strips or slats which I place one behind the other under the lights of the grating. 1
To produce wider intervals between the reflectors, in order to prevent the forward
ones from intercepting the rays of those in the rear, I prefer to omit every other
one from those immediately underneath the grating, and set them below upon
another level.
Another part of my Invention relates to illuminating gratings or pavement lights
where the reflectors form a substantial part of the grating itself, as in the case of
"prismatic lights." A serious objection to the prism light is the projection of the
reflecting tails of the glasses below the under face of the grating, causing great
inconvenience and expense in carriage and otherwise. My improvement, designed
to remedy these evils, and to furnish the trade and general public with an
illuminating light-reflecting grating ready for immediate use and application, and
as readily and cheaply transported to any distance as common pavement lights, is
as follows, viz.-I make the illuminating gratings in sections or panels of small
size for combination with the large or foundation grating, preferably making them
short in depth and long in width, and in sizes ranging from 4 x 16 to 12 x 16
inches; to the underside of these gratings, and attached thereto by hinges or
otherwise, I fasten the day-light reflectors, made in strips or slats as already
herein before described. By this mode of manufacture day-light reflecting gratings
may be furnished ready for immediate uso for packing and for transportation, it
being only necessary to fold up the reflectors against the under face of the
grating.
Plate-glass Quarries in Geometrical and Ornamental Shapes.-As commonly
employed plate glass is used either in sheets too large for being safely walked
upon, or in small squares, or strips cut by the diamond from the rough plato; but
when sufficiently small to form safe walking surfaces they are so objectionable on
account of the roughness of their edges and the wide seams around them, due to
the unevenness of the irregular and sloping sides produced by being cut with the
diamond and broken apart, that lights of this description are comparatively
unsaleable, although stronger and tougher than pressed glasses, and not liable to
crack as the pressed ones constantly do, causing leakage and consequent expense to
the makers and users of the lights.
My Invention is designed to remove the above evils by removing the objections
existing to rolled plate glass when cut by the diamond into pieces as above set
forth, and consists in the use and application of the sand blast process to the
manufacture of pavement lights or small glasses designed for combination with
metal gratings to give light, and for other purposes, such glasses when made by
means of the sand blast process being as readily obtained in ornamental and
geometrical shapes as otherwise. My Invention consisting in the manufacture of
such ornamental and geometrical glasses by the process aforesaid, and in combining
them with metal gratings cast with openings to match the glasses, and in the use
and application of such glass-set gratings as a building material for pavements and
other uses in the lighting and ornamentation of buildings. In carrying my said
]

page_text: Invention into practice I first prepare in paper or strong material the shapes I wish
to be cut out of the plate of glass; these shapes I attach to the face of the glass by
glue or other means, setting the same at the distances apart over the face of the
plate necessary to leave the proper cutting lines or spaces for the operation of the
sand-blast; the glasses thus obtained have smooth and regular edges, sides, and
faces, and may be set in metal gratings with the same ease as those made from
pressed glass, and when so set are not liable to crack of themselves as pressed
glasses do constantly, even while in the shop, and before being applied to use.
It is to remedy the great loss and inconvenience arising from this source in the use
of pressed glasses combined with metallic gratings that I have made this my
Invention; the difference between the two kinds of glass as to toughness and
strength with respect to changes of temperature and other causes that destroy the
one while not affecting the other arising, as I suppose, from the difference in the
annealing processes between the two sorts of glass, one (the "pressed") merely passing
through "the lear," and the other ("the rolled") being annealed by many days
baking in a sealed oven.
Another part of my Invention consists in the use & application and manu-
facture of wood gratings to cheapen construction, and as substitutes for the metallic
gratings aforesaid as applied to the floors and roofs of buildings.