IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CONCRETE MATERIALS AND IN BLOCKS MADE THEREOF FOR PAVING, BUILDING, AND SIMILAR PURPOSES.
Year: 1878

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CONCRETE MATERIALS AND IN
BLOCKS MADE THEREOF FOR PAVING, BUILDING, AND SIMILAR PURPOSES. A
communication from abroad by James Sykes Wethered, of the City and State
of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 28th June 1878, and dated the 2nd May 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd May 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
CONCRETE MATERIALS, AND IN BLOCKS MADE THEREOF FOR PAVING, BUILDING,
AND SIMILAR PURPOSES. A communication from abroad by James Sykes Wethered,
of the City and State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to the manufacture of concrete materials, and to the for-
mation and treatment of pressed or moulded blocks thereof for road pavements,
Bubmarine or exposed walls for fortifications and for other like purposes.
Concrete material for paving purposes, composed of limestone or calcareous matter
and asphalt has long been known, and these substances have also been used in
combination with various other substances for the same purpose.
Concrete mixtures of various kinds have also been formed into blocks in a mould
under pressure, for the purpose of being afterwards laid as a road pavement.
This Invention relates to improvements herein-after described in the process by
which a concrete mixture composed wholly, or partially of furnace slag, limestone,
or other calcareous material and asphalt is prepared, and in the treatment of
paving or other blocks made from such concrete after they have been moulded
under pressure.
It is to be understood that the material of which this improved concrete is to be
composed may comprise any ingredients in any preferred proportions, so long as

page_text: furnace slag, limestone, or other calcareous substance and asphalt are employed
in the composition.
An excellent concrete for example may be made of the following ingredients,
namely-Eighty parts of furnace slag or limestone suitably crushed or granulated,
and twenty parts of asphalt tempered with mineral oil. The proportion of the oil
to the asphalt will depend upon the richness of the latter, but in general, should be
from eight to ten per cent.
In order that the furnace slag, limestone, or other calcareous matter and asphalt
may combine completely, and the latter be absorbed by the former to the fullest
extent practicable, it is necessary to heat the calcareous matter to a high degree
after it has been suitably crushed or granulated, and before it is mixed with the
heated asphalt; and the said invention partly consists in so heating the calcareous
matter. The degree of heat should be more than enough to merely effect the drying
of the material. It should be sufficient, not only to drive off all the moisture and
carbonic acid which the material contains, but to open the pores, and so expand the
material as to enable the heated asphalt to readily permeate the substance, and
become thoroughly incorporated with it.
By "heating the calcareous matter" in this Specification is meant applying to the
crushed furnace slag, limestone, or other calcareous substance, before it is combined
with the melted asphalt, a degree of heat above that which is sufficient to expel the
moisture it contains, and within that which is sufficient to calcine limestone.
For heating the calcareous matter, an oven of common and well-known construc-
tion or either of the many varieties of furnaces for roasting ores may be employed.
After the crushed furnace slag, limestone, or other calcareous material has been
heated as described, it is, while in its highly heated state, to be mixed with the
heated asphalt, and with the other ingredients which are to compose the concrete
in any suitable apparatus used for mixing concretes. A horizontal cylinder of iron
mounted in bearings, and made to revolve around a shaft furnished with radially
projecting arms for mixing the mass, will furnish a simple and effective apparatus
for the purpose, and it will be found advantageous to apply heat to said revolving
cylinder while the process of tumbling and mixing the material is going on.
The concrete having been so prepared, is now in proper condition to be spread as
a side walk pavement and rolled smooth.
For paving road beds, it is necessary that the concrete material prepared as above
described should be condensed under heavy pressure, while in a mould, into the
form of blocks. This operation should be performed while the concrete is still hot,
as thereby the block is rendered more homogeneous, and the particles composing it
more thoroughly compact. When however the block in a highly heated condition
is expelled from the mould by the discharging plunger of the compressing machine,
it often happens that it will crumble; and to avoid this injury, time must be allowed
for the mass to become set before it is removed. This delay interferes with the
economy of the manufacture, and therefore this part of the said improved process
consists in subjecting the heated block, after it has been moulded and compressed,
to the chilling effect of cold water applied to its surface. This treatment is best
performed at the instant that the block is raised out of the mould, or as soon as
possible after it has been deposited upon the endless apron or conveyor for removing
it from the machine. The water may however be applied to the block while it still
remains in the mould, or the mould itself may be chilled by means of a circulating
stream of cold water. The effect of this chilling process is to harden the exterior
surface of the moulded block, so that it will preserve its form and integrity during
the subsequent handling of it.
Compressed blocks, the material of which has been prepared, and which blocks
have been moulded as above described, are not only valuable for paving road beds,
but possess great utility as an artificial material for the construction of submarine
or exposed sea walls, or for other building purposes. Experiments too have shewn
that compressed blocks of this character can be used for the walls of fortifications
with great advantage in comparison with natural stone. They are enabled from

page_text: their great density to sustain without any greater injury than indentation to a
limited extent, the impact of heavy projectiles, while their peculiar toughness and
slight elasticity prevent injury from splintering or fractioning.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,―
First. The improvement in the manufacture of concrete, containing among its
ingredients, limestone, or other calcareous matter and asphalt, which improvement
consists in heating the calcareous substances to a high degree before mixing the
same with the asphalt, and mixing these two ingredients while they are both highly
heated, as above specified.
Second. The improvement in the manufacture of compressed concrete blocks,
which are moulded and condensed by pressure while hot, which improvement con-
sists in chilling the surface of the compressed block while it is in, or as it comes
from the mould, by the application of water to the block, as herein-before specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this First day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
W. ROB². LAKE. (L.S.)

page_text: In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to William Robert Lake of
the firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co Patent Agents, Southampton
Buildings, London for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
"
MANUFACTURE OF CONCRETE MATERIALS AND IN BLOCKS MADE THEREOF
FOR PAVING BUILDING AND SIMILAR PURPOSES A communication from
James Sykes Wethered of the City and State of New York, United
States of America dated the 2nd May 1878 No 1771 which Letters
Patent and all right title and interest therein have been assigned to and
are now vested in John P. Putnam of Boston, Massachusetts and
William J King Junior of Geneva, New York, both in the United States
aforesaid
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION proposed to be
entered by the said John P. Putnam and William J King Junior
WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty by Her Letters Patent bearing date
the second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
seventy eight in the Forty first year of Her Reign did for Herself Her Heirs and
Successors give and grant unto the said William Robert Lake his executors
administrators and assigns the sole privilege of making using exercising and
vending within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland the Channel
Islands and Isle of Man the said invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OF CONCRETE MATERIALS AND IN BLOCKS MADE THEREOF FOR PAVING
BUILDING AND SIMILAR PURPOSES" for and during the term of fourteen years
thence next ensuing a complete specification of which invention was filed with the
petition for the said Letters Patent
And whereas by an assignment dated the 28th day of April One thousand eight
hundred and eighty one and duly registered in the Great Seal Patent Office
aforesaid the said Letters Patent and all right title and interest therein became
vested in the said John P. Putnam and William J. King Junior.
And whereas on the 3rd day of March last application was made on behalf of
the said assignees for leave to enter a Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration
with respect to the Title and Specification of the said Letters Patent

page_text: And whereas the said John P. Putnam died in America on the Fifth day of
January 1882 and by his Will dated the Twenty fifth day of April 1876 his
interest in the said Letters Patent became absolutely vested in his Wife Harriette
D. Putnam and probate of his said Will was granted to the said Harriette D.
Putnam as sole executrix thereof out of the Probate Division of Her Majesty's
High Court of Justice.
And whereas since the said Letters Patent were so assigned the said assignees
have been advised that with regard to the improvement forming the subject of the
first claiming clause of the specification thereof the said invention was not new as
to the public knowledge and use thereof at the date of the said Letters Patent.
"
NOW KNOW YE therefore that we the said Harriette D. Putnam and William
J. King Junior by and with the consent of Her Majesty's Attorney General do alter
and amend the said Letters Patent and specification as will be seen by reference to
the Queen's Printers' Copy of the said specification that is to say we alter the title
of the said Letters Patent as in page 1 lines 4 and 5 by striking out the word
Improvements" the words "materials and in" and the words "made thereof"
and inserting the words “An improvement" and we strike out of lines and 9 the
words "materials and to the formation and treatment of" and out of line, 9 the
word "thereof" and we strike out the whole of the matter commencing with
the word "concrete" in line 11 and terminating with the word "
pressure" in
line 20 and we strike out of line 21 the words "this improved" and substitute
therefor the word "the." We strike out of line 12 page 2 the word "and" and all
the words following to the end of this line and we strike out of line 13 the word
"matter." On the same page we strike out the whole of the matter commencing
with the word "The" in line 32 and terminating with the word "smooth" in
line 33 and in line 42 we strike out the words "part of the said improved process
and substitute therefor the word "invention;" and we strike out of line 52 the
words "the material of which has been prepared and" and the word "blocks" and
on page 3 we strike out the whole of the matter commencing with the word
"First' in line 7 and terminating with the word " specified in line 11 and
constituting the first claiming clause and in line 12 we strike out the word
" second."
"
And in order that the effect of the said Disclaimer may be fully understood we
annex a copy of the specification as it will appear when such disclaimer and
memorandum of alteration have been made
<
"
"
"
" TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I WILLIAM
"ROBERT LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co Patent Agents, Southampton
Buildings London send greeting WHEREAS Her Most Excellent Majesty
Queen Victoria by Her Letters Patent bearing date the Second day of May in
"the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight in the
Forty first year of Her Reign did for Herself Her Heirs and Successors give
" and grant unto me the said William Robert Lake Her special license that I the
"said William Robert Lake my executors administrators and assigns or such
"others as I the said William Robert Lake 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 "AN IMPROVE-
“ MENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CONCRETE BLOCKS FOR PAVING BUILDING AND
SIMILAR PURPOSES -A communication to me from abroad by James Sykes
"Wethered of the City and State of New York United States of America upon the
"condition (amongst others) that I the said William Robert Lake 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
66
<<
ין

page_text: "
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 William Robert Lake 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:—
"This Invention relates to the manufacture of concrete pressed or moulded
"blocks for road pavements, submarine or exposed walls for fortifications, and for
"other like purposes.
"It is to be understood that the material of which the concrete is to be com-
"posed may comprise any ingredients in any preferred proportions, so long as
"furnace slag, limestone, or other calcareous substance, and asphalt, are employed
"in the composition.
"An excellent concrete for example may be made of the following ingredients
namely Eighty parts of furnace slag or limestone suitably crushed or granulated,
"and twenty parts of asphalt tempered with mineral oil. The proportion of the
"oil to the asphalt will depend upon the richness of the latter, but in general
"should be from eight to ten per cent.
"In order that the furnace slag limestone, or other calcareous matter and asphalt
may combine completely, and the latter be absorbed by the former to the fullest
"extent practicable, it is necessary to heat the calcareous matter to a high degree
"after it has been suitably crushed or granulated, and before it is mixed with the
"heated asphalt. The degree of heat should be more than enough to merely effect
"the drying of the material. It should be sufficient, not only to drive off all the
"moisture and carbonic acid which the material contains, but to open the pores
"and so expand the material as to enable the heated asphalt to readily permeate
"the substance, and become thoroughly incorporated with it.
16
"
"By "heating the calcareous matter in this Specification is meant applying to
"the crushed furnace slag, limestone, or other calcareous substance, before it is
" combined with the melted asphalt, a degree of heat above that which is sufficient
"to expel the moisture it contains, and within that which is sufficient to calcine
limestone.
"
"
'For heating the calcareous matter, an oven of common and well known
"construction or either of the many varieties of furnaces for roasting ores may be
employed.
"
"After the crushed furnace slag, limestone, or other calcareous material has been
"heated as described, it is, while in its highly heated state, to be mixed with the
"heated asphalt, and with the other ingredients which are to compose the
"concrete in any suitable apparatus used for mixing concretes. A horizontal
cylinder of iron mounted in bearings, and made to revolve around a shaft
"furnished with radially projecting arms for mixing the mass, will furnish
a simple and effective apparatus for the purpose, and it will be found advan-
tageous to apply heat to said revolving cylinder while the process of tumbling
"and mixing the material is going on.
44
4
<<
<
"
For paving road beds, it is necessary that the concrete material prepared as
"above described should be condensed under heavy pressure, while in a mould,
"into the form of blocks. This operation should be performed while the concrete
"is still hot, as thereby the block is rendered more homogeneous and the particles
composing it more thoroughly compact. When however the block in a highly
"heated condition is expelled from the mould by the discharging plunger of the
compressing machine it often happens that it will crumble; and to avoid this
injury, time must be allowed for the mass to become set before it is removed.
"This delay interferes with the economy of the manufacture, and therefore this
"invention consists in subjecting the heated block after it has been moulded and
" compressed to the chilling effect of cold water applied to its surface. This
treatment is best performed at the instant that the block is raised out of the
"mould, or as soon as possible after it has been deposited upon the endless apron
" or conveyor for removing it from the machine. The water may however be

page_text: "
applied to the block while it still remains in the mould, or the mould itself may
" be chilled by means of a circulating stream of cold water. The effect of this
chilling process is to harden the exterior surface of the moulded block so that it
"will preserve its form and integrity during the subsequent handling of it.
66
«
"
"
Compressed blocks which have been moulded as above described, are not only
" valuable for paving road beds, but possess great utility as an artifical material
" for the construction of submarine or exposed sea walls, or for other building
purposes. Experiments too have shewn that compressed blocks of this character
can be used for the walls of fortifications with great advantage in comparison
" with natural stone. They are enabled from their great density to sustain
" without any greater injury than indentation to a limited extent, the impact of
heavy projectiles, while their peculiar toughness and slight elasticity prevent
injury from splintering or fractioning.
"
"
"Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it under-
"stood that I claim-
<<
"The improvement in the manufacture of compressed concrete blocks, which are
"moulded and condensed by pressure while hot, which improvement consists in
chilling the surface of the compressed block while it is in, or as it comes from,
"the mould, by the application of water to the block, as hereinbefore specified."
In witness whereof we Harriette D. Putnam sole executrix of the will of the
said John P. Putnam deceased, and William J. King Junior have hereunto
set our hands and seals.
Witness to Honnietto D
HADDIETTEn DILTNAM
HARRIETTE D. PUTNAM (L.S.)
sole executrix of the will of
John P. Putnam
To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my Fiat giving leave to the above named Harriette D. Putnam
(as sole Executrix of the Will of the said John P. Putnam) and William J. King 4
Jun. to file in the Office of the Commissioners of of Patents for Inventions, with the
Specification to which the same relates the above written Disclaimer and
Memorandum of Alteration.