IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS OR SHIELDING
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Robert Shelley, of Swansea, in the County of
Glamorgan, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO
THE CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS OR SHIELDING."
Sealed the 23rd August 1878, and dated the 14th March 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Robert Shelley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th March 1878.
THOMAS ROBERT SHELLEY, of Swansea, in the County of Glamorgan, Civil
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING, WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS OR SHIELDING."
My Invention consists in the improvements berein-after described in the con-
struction of roofing of railway stations, conservatories, and other structures, in
which the roofing consists of plates, sheets, or slabs of glass, iron, slate, or other
rigid material, the edges of which are inserted in bars attached to the framing of
the roof.
My improvements are also applicable to vertical walls or shielding.
I will describe my Invention applied to the construction of the roof of a
conservatory.
I make the bars in which the side edges of the plates of glass are inserted in the
following way:Each har consists of a middle vertical web or plate, having at its
top and bottom edges flanges, disposed symmetrically on each side. I will describe
the flanges on one side only. The upper flange inclines slightly downwards from
the central web, and the lower flange inclines upwards from the central web. The
lower flange projects somewhat further from the central web than the upper flange,
and the distance between the opposed faces of the flanges exceeds but little the
thickness of the plates of glass of which the roofing is made. The groove or
recess between the opposed faces of the flanges does not extend from end to end of
the bar in the same line, but has nearly the figure of the edges of the overlapping
plates which are to be inserted in it; that is, as the lower edge of each plate over-
Dains 21

page_text: hangs the upper edge of the plate next below it the groove in the bar has a nearly
like figure, but the said groove has the figure which is produced by a much greater
overlapping than that which the plates have in the finished roof. The object of
this is to facilitate the introduction and removal of the plates of glass. In that part
of the groove in which the lower edge of the upper plate is situated in the finished
roof is a stop. This stop consists of a projection on the vertical plate or web of the
bar. This projection extends from the vertical plate about half way across the
groove. Its length is only about one-fourth that of the overlapping part of the
groove.
The plates of glass or other material are inserted in the groove in the following
manner-Supposing a bottom plate to be in its place the edge of the plate next
above it is inserted in the groove, its lower edge resting on the top of the stop.
The plate is pushed home in the groove until its edge bears against the base of the
groove, that is, the vertical web of the bar. The opposite edge of the plate of glass
now rests on the projecting lower flange of the next bar. In order to introduce the
said opposite edge into the groove in the next bar the plate of glass is moved
laterally so as in part to withdraw it from the groove it had been inserted in. By
this motion the edge of the plate resting on the lower flange of the next bar is
introduced into its groove, and the partially withdrawn edge of the plate which
had been pushed home in its groove so far withdrawn that it is clear of the stop
described, and can now slide downwards so as to abut against the angle formed by
the termination of the top overlapping part of the groove. The plate is thus fixed
in both directions; it cannot descend lower and it cannot move laterally.
In order to remove a plate for repair or other purpose it is raised in its groove
till its lower edge is clear of the stop, when it can be moved. laterally so as to
liberate first one edge and then the other.
The glass or other plate may be packed in its groove by a wedge-shaped strip of
zinc or other soft metal or alloy, or by means of a cord of vulcanized india-rubber
pressed between the plate and the upper flange. A semi-cylindrical recess is made
in the under side of the flange, into which the india-rubber cord springs when it
has been pushed sufficiently far, and becomes thereby fixed in its place.
I prefer to form the bars described of cast iron, but I do not limit myself thereto.
The space between the middle web and the lower flange forms a gutter or channel,
by means of which any water, whether rain or condensed moisture, is carried
away.
The bars may be fixed to the framing of the roof by screws or nails passed
through holes in ears made on the tops and bottoms of the bars, or by ears sliding
in grooves at each side of the bar, and adjustable to any required position.
The application of my Invention to the various other purposes to which it is
applicable differs in no essential respect from its application to a conservatory roof,
herein-before explained.
.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Robert Shelley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
August 1878.
"
THOMAS ROBERT SHELLEY, of Swansea, in the County of Glamorgan, Civil
Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROOFING, WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS OR SHIELDING."
My Invention consists in the improvements herein-after described in the con-
struction of roofing of railway stations, conservatories, and other structures in
which the roofing consists of plates, sheets, or slabs of glass, iron, slate, or other
rigid material, the edges of which are inserted in bars attached to the framing of
the roof.
My improvements are also applicable to vertical walls or shielding.
I will describe my Invention as applied to the construction of the roof of a
railway station or conservatory.
I make the bars in which the side edges of the plates of glass are inserted in the
following way: Each bar consists of a middle vertical web or plate having at
its top and bottom edges flanges disposed symmetrically on each side. I will
describe the flanges on one side only. The upper flange inclines slightly downwards
from the central web, and the lower flange inclines upwards from the central web.
The lower flange projects somewhat further from the central web than the upper
flange, and the distance between the opposed faces of the flanges exceeds but littlo
the thickness of the plates of glass of which the roofing is made. The groove or
recess between the opposed faces of the flanges does not extend from end to end of
the bar in the same line, but has nearly the figure of the edges of the overlapping
plates which are to be inserted in it; that is, as the lower edge of each glass or
other plate overhangs the upper edge of the plate next below it, the groove in the
bar has the figure which is produced by a much greater overlapping than that
which the plates have in the finished roof. The object of this is to facilitate the
introduction and removal of the plates of glass. In that part of the groove in
which the lower edge of the upper plate is situated in the finished roof is a stop.
This stop consists of a projection on the vertical plate or web and top flange of the
bar. This projection extends from the vertical plate about half way across the
groove. Its length is only about one-fourth that of the overlapping part of the
groove.
The plates of glass or other material are inserted in the groove in the following
manner- - Supposing a bottom plate to be in its place the edge of the plate next
above it is inserted and pushed home in the groove, its lower edge resting on the
top of the stop. The opposite edge of the plate of glass now rests on the projecting
lower flange of the next bar. In order to introduce the said opposite edge of the
plate of glass into the groove in the next bar the said plate of glass is moved
laterally so as in part to withdraw it from the groove it had been inserted in. By
this motion the edge of the plate resting on the lower flange of the next bar is
introduced into its groove, and the partially withdrawn edge of the plate which
had been pushed home in its groove so far withdrawn that it is clear of the stop
described, and can now slide downwards so as to abut against the 'angle formed by
the termination of the top overlapping part of the groove. The plate is thus fixed
in both directions; it cannot descend lower and it cannot move laterally.
In order to remove a plate for repair or other purpose it is raised in its groove
till its lower edge is clear of the stop (the plate above it having been previously
raised in its groove) when it can be moved laterally so as to liberate first one edge
and then the other.
The glass or other plate may be packed in its groove by a wedge-shaped strip of
zinc or other soft metal or alloy, or by means of a cord of vulcanized india-rubber
ör other material pressed between the plate and the upper flange. A semi-

page_text: cylindrical recess may be made in the under side of the flange, into which the india-
rubber cord springs when it has been pushed sufficiently far, and becomes thereby
fixed in its place.
I prefer to form the bars described of cast iron, but I do not limit myself thereto.
The space between the middle web and the lower flange forms a gutter or channel
by means of which any water, whether rain or condensed moisture, is carried
away.
The bars may be fixed to the framing of the roof by screws or bolts and nuts
passed through holes in ears made on the tops and bottoms of the bars; or by ears
sliding in grooves or slots in the bar, and adjustable to any required position.
I will now proceed to describe with roforence to the accompanying Drawings the
manner in which my Invention may be carried into effect.
Figure 1 represents in elevation a roofing bar for a railway station and for other
structures, constructed according to my Invention, the said bar being drawn to a
scale a quarter the full size; Figure 2 represents portions of the said bar broken off,
drawn of the full size; Figures 3 and 4 represent cross sections of the bar, Figure 2,
Figure 3 being taken on the dotted line A, A, Figure 2, and Figure 4 being taken
on the dotted line B, B Figure 2.
Figure 5 represents in elevation the method of joining together the ends of two
roofing bars, and Figure 6 represents the application of my Invention to curved
roofs.
Figure 7 represents in end elevation, and Figure 8 in cross section one of the
loose ears which I use for fixing the bar when a divided or shortened bar is
employed, as herein-after explained.
Figure 9 is a diagram showing the manner in which the plates are inserted and
fixed in the opposed edges of two adjacent bars.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of the
Drawings.
a, a, a³, represent the roofing bar, in which the side edges of the plates of
glass b, c, (or other material) are inserted. The said bar is made by preference of
cast iron, and is fixed to the purlin d of the roof by cars e, e, cast on the ends of
the bar, through which ears screws or bolts are passed, as represented. The
sectional figure of the said roofing bar will be best understood by an examination
of the cross sections, Figures 3 and 4. By an examination of the said sections it
will be seen that the roofing bar consists of a middle vertical web or plate a³, having
at its top and bottom edges flanges, marked respectively a and a², disposed sym-
metrically on each side.
As the construction of the parts of the bar on each side is alike, I will describe
the parts on one side only of the bar. The upper flange a inclines slightly down-
wards, and the lower flange a² inclines upwards from the central web a³, but the
said lower flange projects a little further from the central web than the upper flange.
The space left between the opposed faces of the two flanges constitutes a groove or
recess f for receiving the edge of the plate of glass or othor material. The depth
of the groove or recess f between the flanges a, a, is somewhat greater than the
thickness of the plates of glass b and c of which the roofing is made. The groovo
or recess does not extend from end to end of the bar in the same line, but has
nearly the figure of the edges of the overlapping glass or plates to be inserted in it,
that is to say, where the overlapping of the plates takes place the groove is
wider, as represented at fa, the wide part få of the groove extending to a much
greater distance than the overlapping parts of the plates. The wider parts f" of the
groove in the bar are best seen in Figures 1 and 2 and are for the purpose of
facilitating the introduction and removal of the plates of glass or other material.
In Figure 2 plates of glass are represented inserted in the groove f, the upper
plate of glass being marked b, and the plate below it being marked c. The manner
in which the lower edge of the upper plate b overhangs the upper edge of the lower
plate c is seen in the said Figure 2. Between the top of the groove f and each of
the plates of glass b, c, a cord or packing of vulcanized india-rubber or other

page_text: material, marked g, is placed to form a tight joint between the bar and plate; and
between the overlapping edges of the glass plates b, c, a packing of any required
material, marked h, Figure 2, may be placed for preventing dirt getting between
the joints. This packing renders less overlap of the plates necessary than would
otherwise be necessary. The groove f near the top end is made slightly narrower
than the other part, as illustrated at i, Figure 2, so that a greater pressure is put
upon the packing g at that part, and the plate of glass is thereby more securely
packed. The packing g may either be continuous or made of any desired length.
Near the wide part of the groove, where the overlapping of the plates takes
place, and nearly on the same level as the upper plate b, is a stop marked k. This
stop consists of a projection on the upper flange a and vertical web a³ of the bar,
and has the figure and position best seen in Figures 2 and 4. The stop k extends
from the vertical web as somewhat more than half way across the groove f (see
Figure 4). The part or angle marked Z, Figure 2, where the wide part f of the
groove sets in, constitutes a shoulder for preventing the descent of the upper glass
plate b, as herein-after explained. On the bottom or lower end of each bar I cast a
projecting piece m (see Figure 2), against which the lower plate c bears; the said
plate is thereby prevented from slipping out. The space marked n (see Figures 3
and 4) between the middle web a³ and the lower flange a² of the bar forms a gutter
or channel, by which any water, whether rain or condensed moisture, is carried
away..
When the bars are required to be joined together to form a continuous length
I give to the ends to be joined the form represented at q, q, q, Figure 5, so that
they overlap one another, about one half of the joint being made on each bar. The
end of each bar is provided with an ear e for fixing it to the purlin d of the roof,
as seen in Figure 5. The holes in the ears e, through which the screws or bolts
pass, are elongated in the direction of the bar to permit of expansion and
contraction.
In inserting the plates of glass or other material in the groves f of the roofing
bars I proceed as follows:-For the purpose of better illustrating the inserting of
the plates in the opposed edges of the roofing bars constructed according to
my Invention, I have shown at Figure 9 a horizontal section of two bars C, repre-
senting one roofing bar, and D the other bar; b, the upper glass or other plate; and
6², the bottom plate. Having placed the bottom plate b in its place in the opposed
grooves in the bars C and D, the edge 63 of the top plate b is inserted and pushed
home in the groove f in the bar D, so that the lower edge of the said plate rests
upon the top of the stop k, and the opposite edge b' of the plate b is supported on
the projecting lower flange «² of the bar C. The plate of glass or other material
has now the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 9. In order to introduce
the opposite edge b' of the plate b into the groove in the bar C the said plate bis
moved laterally or in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 9. The
edge of the plate is thereby drawn in part from the groove f in the bar D and
the opposite edge b' of the said plate resting on the lower flange a² of the bar C is
introduced into the groove f of the said bar C. Both the edges b³ andb' of the plate b
are thus inserted in their respective grooves f in the bars C and D, and the edge b³
has been so far withdrawn from its groove that it is clear of the stop k on the
bar D. The opposite edge b' of the plate b is also clear of the stop K of the bar C.
The plate b may now slide downwards in the grooves in the bars C and D
between the stops k, k, until its bottom edge abuts against the angular shoulders
formed by the top overlapping parts of the grooves f, f, as seen in Figure 2. The
top plate 6 now overlaps the bottom plate b and has the position shown in full
lines in Figure 9, and also in Figure 2. The said plate b is thereby fixed in both
directions; it cannot descend lower in consequence of the shoulders at (Figure 2),
and it cannot move laterally in consequence of the stops h, k, on the bars C and D.
For the purpose of removing a plate, say the plate b, Figure 9, for repair or
otherwise, the plate above the said plate b is first raised in its grooves and the
lower plate b is raised in the wide parts ƒ³, ƒ³, (Figure 2) of the grooves in the two

page_text: bars until its lower edge is clear of the stops h, k, when it can be moved laterally
into the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 9, so as to liberate first one
edge and then the other edge of the plate from the bars C, D.
When the roofing bar has to be divided, so as to adjust it to the length of the
roof, as indicated at the dotted line 7, Figure 2, I connect the divided bar to the
purlin of the roof by means of a loose ear of the kind represented in Figures 7
and 8. This loose ear has an undercut recess made in its middle. In the
bottom rib of the cut or divided end 1, Figure 2, of the bar, I make a wedge-shaped
recess, as indicated at 8. In fixing the divided bar to the loose ear, Figures 7
and 8, the bottom rib of the bar is introduced by a sliding motion into the slot t
in the ear, and the inclined face of the part & made to engage with and wedge
itself in the undercut part of the groove t in the car.
In applying my improved roofing bars to curved roofs I employ cars at the
upper sides of the bars to connect the bars together, as well as ears on the bottoms
of the bars to connect them to the purlins of the roof, as illustrated in Figure 6,
where the top care is employed to connect the lower bar to the bottom ear e³ of
the bar next above it, the said ears e², e³, being bolted together as represented; u is
a piece of zinc flashing of the ordinary kind for forming a water-tight joint between
the two plates or sheets of glass or other material.
The application of my Invention to the various other purposes to which it is
applicable differs in no essential respect from its application to a railway station
or conservatory roof herein-before described, and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I claim as my Invention,
the improvements in the construction of roofing and walls or shielding herein-
before described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, that is to say,
constructing the hollow and grooved bars in which the side edges of the plates,
sheets, or slabs of glass, iron, slate, or other rigid material are inserted and fixed,
with grooves, stops, and bearing shoulders, arranged and combined substantially as
and for the purposes described and illustrated.
În witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Robert Shelley, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
;
Witness,
EDWIN SHERRATT,
38, Brunswick Street,
Swansea.
THOMAS ROBERT SHELLEY. (L.S.)