Improvements in the Construction of Fireproof Buildings.
Year: 1894

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883), as required by
the decision of the Comptroller General of the 10th day of March 1896.
Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 14th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 5th Oct., 1895
PRO ISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Fireproof Buildings.
I WILLIAM YOULTEN of 34 New Bridge Street London, Architect, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I construct upon or within any suitable framework, either in floors or in walls,
hollow or solid blocks of polygonal or convexly curved outline sections alternately
(or at other desired intervals) placed in juxtaposition with inversely polygonal or
concavely curved outline sections.
The abutting faces of the sections referred to may be roughed or fluted to afford
a key for any grouting which may be desired and the remaining surfaces of the
sides of the polygons may be suitably keyed to receive any finishing materials or
be left smooth, or be finished in any other manner. This system of construction
ensures an uniform thickness or distance between the top surface and soffit of
the floor and between the two exposed faces of the tubes in the case of walls. It
further distributes any weight directly bearing upon any one block over several
blocks, and renders the use of concrete in connexion with fireproof floor construction
unnecessary.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in the Construction of Fireproof Buildings.
I WILLIAM YOULTEN of 159 Victoria Street, Westminster, (late of 34 New
Bridge Street) in the County of London Architect, 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of fire-proof buildings,
and has for its object chiefly to render such buildings considerably stronger than
those constructed as at present. This system of construction ensures an uniform
thickness or distance between the top surface and soffit of the floor, or between the
two exposed surfaces in the case of walls.
According to this invention I construct upon or within any suitable framework,
either in floors or walls, tubes or solid blocks of polygonal or convexly curved
Го

page_text: outline in cross section placed alternately (or at other desired intervals) in juxta-
position to other tubes or blocks with inversely polygonal or concavely curved
outlines in cross section.
And in order that my said invention may be more clearly understood I will now
proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawing accompanying this
Specification in which
Fig. 1 shews a general plan representing tubes laid in position on joists.
Fig. 2 is a section through line A B Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a section through line CD Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a section of a partition constructed according to this invention.
The same letters of reference are employed to denote the same parts in all the
views.
a shews tubes of polygonal shape in cross section, placed in juxtaposition to
other tubes having corresponding re-entrant angles, to fit the exterior angles of
the tubes a, the ends of these tubes a and b are shaped so as to fit over the joists c 1
(as shewn in cross section at Fig. 3), d shews keyed faces formed on the tubes a
and b for cement, e represents plaster. f (Figs. 1 and 2) represents the wall of a
building.
The tubes b may be strengthened by ribs g (shewn dotted in Figs. 2 and 4).
With reference to Fig. 4: Where partitions are in long lengths, without others
intersecting, or where additional lateral strength is required, iron ties h are inserted
at intervals in the tubes. It will be seen on reference to the drawing at Fig. 4
that I employ a special half tube i at the bottom of the partition.
The abutting faces of the tubes a and b may be roughed or fluted to afford a key
for any grouting which may be desired, and the remaining surfaces of the sides of
the polygons may be suitably keyed to receive any finishing materials or be left
smooth or be finished in any other manner.
Instead of employing polygons with rectilinear sides as shewn in the drawing,
I may employ those having curved sides (convex and concave), or a combination of
the two.
It is obvious that instead of tubes I may employ blocks of a similar form in
cross section.
It will be seen, on reference to the drawings that 1 place the tubes or blocks a
and b at right angles to the joists, which I prefer, but they may be placed at any
other suitable angles to such joists.
It will easily be understood that great strength is obtained by constructing
buildings according to this invention, on account of the wedging of the blocks being
analogous to the wedge principle which is used in the construction of the arch.
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 I am aware
of Thomas Rollo Walker Mossman's Specification No. 19325 A.D. 1894 and it is
to be understood that I do not claim anything described and claimed therein, but
what I claim is :-
1. In the construction of fire-proof buildings the employment of tubes or solid
blocks of polygonal outline in cross section, placed alternately in juxtaposition to
other tubes or blocks having corresponding re-entrant angles to fit the exterior
angles of the polygons of the neighbouring blocks or tubes, in such a way as to
fill the space between two planes, substantially as set forth.
2. In the construction of fire-proof buildings the employment of tubes or solid
blocks of curved outline in cross section placed alternately in juxtaposition to
other tubes or blocks having corresponding concave outlines in cross section,
to fit the convexities of the neighbouring tubes, in such a way as to fill the space
between two planes, substantially as set forth.
3. In the construction of fire-proof buildings, a combination of the tubes or
blocks claimed in Claims 1 and 2 substantially as set forth.

page_text: 4. In the construction of fire-proof buildings the employment of tubes or
blocks such as those claimed in the preceding claims, placed at an angle to
the joists.
5. The improvements in the construction of fire-proof buildings substantially
as set forth,
Dated this Fourteenth dexo ANGGIST LASA
BROWNE & Co.,
9 Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.