IMPROVE- MENTS IN ILLUMINATING GRATINGS SUITABLE FOR STREETS, ROADS, FOOTWAYS, ROOFS, AND OTHER PARTS OF BUILDINGS, AND IN THE GLASSES FOR THE BAME.
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thaddeus Hyatt, of Gloucester Gardens, Hyde
Park, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ILLUMINATING GRATINGS SUITABLE FOR STREETS, ROADS, FOOTWAYS,
ROOFS, AND OTHER PARTS OF BUILDINGS, AND IN THE GLASSES FOR THE
BAME.
"
.
Sealed the 31st October 1871, and dated the 3rd June 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thaddeus Hyatt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd June 1871.
I, THADDEUS HYATT, of Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATING GRATINGS SUITABLE FOR STREETS, ROADS,
FOOTWAYS, ROOFS, AND OTHER PARTS OF BUILDINGS, AND IN THE GLASSES FOR THE
SAME," to be as follows :—
This Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions of illumi-
nating perforated plates or gratings, and to the glasses to be employed
therewith.

page_text: According to my improvements, I cast wirework or netting in the
metal plates intended to form the illuminating gratings, such wirework
extending across the apertures intended to receive the glasses, the object
being to prevent the glasses from falling into the apartment below in
cases of fire.
Sometimes I cast wirework or netting in the centre of the thickness
of the glass by the use of a metal frame of the desired size and shape of
the glass, across which frame I stretch a piece of wirework or netting
having a larger opening or mesh in the centre for the introduction of the
hot glass below the netting. The glass thus introduced rises through 1
or permeates the netting, and on being then subjected to pressure will
completely enclose the netting, both sides of the glass being thus cast
over the net- ting at one operation. I also propose to use for the above
purpose wire prepared in such a manner (by bending or undulating it,
or coiling it in the form of a helix, for example) as to admit of its 1
contracting readily with the glass when coaling, and thus avoiding
fracture of the glass.
In order to increase the durability of the knobs, which are cast on
illuminating metal gratings for the purpose of protecting the glasses
from wear, I propose to cast those portions in "chills." I also propose 2
to introduce the glass into the perforations of illuminating plates or
gratings whilst the glass is in a heated and plastic condition, so as to
mould the glass directly in its place, and thereby obviate the necessity
for using cement of any kind when fixing the glasses.
.
In those cases where cement is used- for-fixing the glasses I employ a 2
layer of putty, on which I bed the glass, and then apply round the upper
surface a layer of Portland or other hydraulic cement having the
property of hardening or setting quickly. By this means I am enabled
to turn out the work more rapidly, as, from the fact of the Portland
cement securing the glasses in their places and setting quickly the 3
plates can be delivered without the delay of waiting until the putty has
had time to harden.
I propose also to construct illuminating plates for forming roofs of
thin sheet steel perforated with a number of small holes equally
distributed and covered with thin glass laid thereon, by which means 3
a light and fireproof roof is obtained, and the light admitted is more
diffused and equally dispersed throughout the space below than by the
ordinary construction of what are known as skylights.
.

page_text: In some roofs where ventilation is requisite, I employ corrugated
perforated sheet steel or other metal, and cover the same with plain
sheets of thin glass; or I use plain sheets of metal in combination with
shects of corrugated glass, in both of which cases I utilize the enclosed
spaces left between the corrugations for purposes of ventilation; or I
sometimes apply to some of the openings in a sheet steel or other
perforated metal roof plates cup-shaped glasses which fit on to raised
rims round the openings; and are kept tight by a ring of india-rubber
shrunk on to the rim. These cup-shaped glasses can be taken off or
replaced again according to the amount of ventilation required.
•
I also propose to make what I call illuminating mosaic lights by
combining squares, octagons, or other forms of glass capable of being
fitted together neatly with a metal frame or grating, the glasses being
rebated so as to partly fit into the openings and partly rest upon the
surface of the gratings with their upper or junction edges flush and in
contact with each other. Or, in lieu of having the glasses rebated, they
may simply rest upon the surfaces of the cross bars of the metal grating,
and be confined at their corners only by buttons or undercut projecting
knobs. These mosaic lights are suitable not only for floors and ceilings,
but also for the partitions or walls of buildings.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thaddeus Hyatt in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 2nd December 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THADDEUS
HYATT, of Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patont, bearing date the Third day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the 34th year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Thaddeus Hyatt, Her special license that I,
the said Thaddeus Hyatt, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Thaddeus Hyatt, my executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
ا.

page_text: .
Sometimes I cast the glass c on both sides of the wirework or
netting a in the frame 6 so that the wirework may be in the centre of
the thickness of the glass, as shewn in Figure 3. In some cases where
the mesh of the wire netting is small a larger opening or mesh e
(Figure 4) may be left in the centre for facilitating the passage of the
hot "metal" from one side to the other of the netting. The glass thus
introduced on being subjected to pressure between suitable pressing
surfaces will completely enclose the netting, both sides of the glass being
thus cast over the netting at one operation. When a large mesh, as
shewn in Figures 1 and 2, is used the special central opening c is not
requisite. I also propose to use for the above purpose wire prepared in
such a manner (by bending or undulating it, as shewn at a¹ in Figure 6,
or by coiling it in the form of a helix, for example,) as to admit of its
contracting readily with the glass when cooling, and thus avoiding
fracture of the glass.
In order to increase the durability of the knobs, which are cast on
illuminating metal gratings for the purpose of protecting the glasses
from wear, I propose to cast those portions in "chills." I also propose
to introduce the glass into the perforations of illuminating plates or
gratings (with or without wire cast into such gratings or secured thereto)
whilst the glass is in a heated and plastic condition, so as to mould the
glass directly in its place, and thereby obviate the necessity for using
cement of any kind when fixing the glasses as will be clearly under-
stood on referring to the sectional views, Figures 7 and 8, the sides of
the openings being so formed as to lock the glass effectually in its place,
as shewn at ff.
In those cases where cement is used for fixing the glasses I employ a
layer of putty, on which I bed the glass, and then apply around the
upper surface a layer of Portland or other hydraulic cement having
the property of hardening or setting quickly and of resisting fire. By
this means I am enabled to turn out the work more rapidly, as from the
fact of the Portland cement securing the glasses in their places and
setting quickly the plates can be delivered without the delay of waiting
until the putty has had time to harden.
I propose also to construct illuminating plates for forming roofs in
the manner shewn in section in Figure 9, the said roofs consisting of
thin sheet steel 9 perforated with a number of small holes equally

page_text: distributed and covered with thin sheet glass h laid thereon in a similar
manner to slates, and held in position by pins i, by which means a light
and fireproof roof is obtained, and the light admitted is more diffused
and equally dispersed throughout the space below than by the ordinary
construction of what are known as skylight roofs.
In some roofs where ventilation is requisite I employ corrugated
perforated sheet steel or other metal, as shewn at g in Figure 10, and
cover the same with plain sheets of thin glass h in the form of tiles, or
I use plain sheets of perforated metal g, as shewn in Figure 11, in com-
bination with sheets h of corrugated glass, in both of which cases I
utilize the enclosed spaces left between the corrugations and the flat or
plain surface for purposes of ventilation. I sometimes apply to some
of the openings in perforated sheet steel, or other perforated metal roof
plates g (Figures 12 and 13), cup-shaped glasses k, which fit on to or over
raised rims formed round the openings for the purpose of keeping out
moisture, and are kept tight, if ventilation is not an object, by a ring of
india-rubber n (Figure 12) shrunk on to the rim ; but when ventilation.
is the main object to be attained then the india-rubber ring is dispensed
with and the cup allowed to fit loosely. These cup-shaped glasses can
be removed and replaced again according to the amount of ventilation
required, and may be made to cover either a single aperture of large size
or several smaller apertures, both of which are shewn in Figures 12
and 13.
I also propose to make what I call illuminating mosaic lights by
combining (as shewn in Figures 14 and 15) squares, octagons, or other
forms of glass c, capable of being fitted together neatly in a metal frame
or grating 6, the glasses being rebated, as shewn in Figure 15, so as to
partly fit into the openings and partly rest upon the surface of the
gratings b, with their junction edges flush and in contact with each
other. Or in lieu of having the glasses rebated, as in Figure 15, they
may have plain edges, as shewn in Figures 16 and 17, and simply rest
upon the surfaces of the cross bars 6 of the metal grating, and be
confined at their corners only by buttons or by undercut projecting
knobs n, n, screwed or otherwise secured to the grating. When the
undercut buttons are cast on the grating then the glasses should be
sufficiently small to be entered, and are secured by cement. These
mosaic lights are suitable not only for floors and ceilings, but also for the
partitions or walls of buildings.

page_text: Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The combination of wirework or netting with the frames or
gratings intended to receive glasses for use as illuminating roofs, floors,
partitions, or ceilings, for the purpose of supporting the said glasses in
case of fire, and for protecting the public against injury in case the glass
gets broken and removed, as herein-before described.
Second. The casting of the glasses for illuminating plates or gratings
on both sides of the piece of wirework or netting distended across the
light openings of an illuminating grating, as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
Third. The use of spiral or undulated wirework or netting when cast in
the centre of the glasses, as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Fourth. Casting the foot-holding knobs or projections of illuminating
gratings or foot plates in "chills" for the purpose of hardening those
particular portions of the gratings or foot plates which are most exposed
to wear. .
Fifth. Introducing the glass whilst in a hot and plastic state into the
light apertures of illuminating gratings or plates, as and for the purpose
herein-before described.
Sixth. The application and use of Portland or other hydraulic cement
having the property of hardening or setting quickly to and in tho
securing of the glasses of illuminating gratings or plates, as and for
the purpose herein-before described.
Seventh. The construction of illuminating roofs of thin perforated
sheet steel or other metal in combination with an upper layer of plain
glass sheets or tiles, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described.
Eighth. The construction of ventilating illuminating roofs of perforated
corrugated sheet steel or other metal in combination with an upper layer
of plain glass sheets or tiles, substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described.
Ninth. The construction of ventilating illuminating roofs of plain or
non-corrugated perforated sheet steel or other metal in combination

page_text: with corrugated glass, substantially as and for the purpose herein-before
described.
.
Tenth. The use of inverted cup shape glasses in combination with a
raised rim enclosing or surrounding one or a group of perforations
on a perforated illuminating metal roof plate combined or not with 5
an india-rubber packing ring, as and for the purpose herein-before
described.
Eleventh. The construction of roofs, floors, or partitions of rebated
glasses fitted partly on to and into a metal frame, and forming flush
joints round the edges of the glasses, as herein-before described.
Twelfth. The construction of roofs, floors, or partitions of plain edged
glasses secured on to the face of the metal supporting frame by under-
cut knobs or buttons at the angles only, substantially as herein-before
described.
1
In witness whereof, I, the said Thaddeus Hyatt, have to this my 1
Specification set my hand and seal, the Twenty-ninth day of
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thaddeus Hyatt, have to this my 1
Specification set my hand and seal, the Twenty-ninth day of
November One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.