CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING STREETS, ROADS, AND WAYS WITH BLOCKS OF WOOD, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING OR FORMING SUCH BLOCKS
Year: 1840

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
HARVEY, of Basing Place, Waterloo Road, in the County of Surrey, Timber
Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Second day of June, in the third year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James
Harvey, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said James Harvey, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such
others as I, the said James Harvey, my executors, administrators, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING
STREETS, ROADS, AND WAYS WITH BLOCKS OF WOOD, AND IN THE MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS FOR CUTTING OR FORMING SUCH BLOCKS;" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said James Harvey, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and
ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately

page_text: after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same, reference being thereunto, had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with. the said proviso, I, the said
James Harvey, do hereby, declare that the, nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is, to. be. performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention of -Improvements in Paving. Streets, Roads, and Ways with
Blocks of Wood consists, in the first place, in. the adaptation of. certain novel
shapes or configurations, forming blocks of wood, to be applied to paving;
and, secondly, in an improved machine,, whereby, I am enabled to cut and
form blocks to the required shape in a quicker and more economical manner
than has heretofore been done.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood, I have annexed to
these Presents Drawings explanatory of the different shapes of blocks I intend
to use in paving streets, roads, and ways, and also several views of the
machinery I employ for forming certain of the blocks therein shewn.
The Figures in Sheet 1 represent the forms of various shaped blocks which
I employ for the purpose of paving. Figs: 1; 2, 3, and 7 are different views
of one block. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 8 are similar views of another or companion
block, which, when put together, support each other.
Fig. 1 represents one of the blocks as it would appear if seen cornerwise;
Fig. 2 shews the flat side of the same, and Fig. 3. is the reverse side, ex-
hibiting that surface of the block which is indented or formed into two equal
pyramids. Fig. 4 is the fellow or companion block to the one just described,
-and-represents its angular side, formed by two pyramids in-a similar view-to
that shewn at Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view of the flat-side of the block.cor
responding with the position shewn at Fig. 2. Fig. 6: is the reverse side. of
the same, corresponding to the view-shewn at Fig. 3. Figs. 7 and 8: are-end
views of the two blocks seen in perspective:
Figs. 9 and 10 represent an elevation and horizontal view of four blocks
combined; that is, two pairs placed togetlier and fitting into each other. These
blocks, when combined to form a pavement; are so arranged that they
support each otlier, as, from their double-wedged shape, no one block can
rise without disturbing those which are contiguous:
Figs. 11, 12; 13, and 14 are views of another block, which is produced
'from a cylinder cut into six sections through its axis so as to form
wedges, the sides of which subtend angles of 60°. Fig. 11 is an elevation of

page_text: a single block of the above form, presenting its curved face, and Fig. 12 is a.
plan view of the same. Fig. 13 is an elevation of several of these blocks.in
connection, and Fig. 14 is a plan view of the same.
.
Figs. 15 and 16 represent the plan and elevation of a continuation of several
blocks of another shape, which may be described as consisting of segments
of a cylinder cut parallel to the axis in a meniscus form. Fig. 15 shews an
elevation of two of these blocks, and Fig. 16 is a plan or horizontal. view
of four of these blocks arranged as they would be when laid down for the.
pavement of a road. It will be seen that these segments are set upright
in alternate rows, the one row presenting the concave surface, and the other
row the convex surface, so as to afford a convenient holding for the feet of
horses.
Fig. 17 represents an elevation of two blocks of another form, and Fig. 18
is a plan view of the same. This block may be described as an oblong four-
-sided prisın, having each of its extremities bevelled off in parallel planes at
oblique angles to the sides. These blocks, when laid down, are arranged in
the manner represented at Fig. 19, which is a horizontal view of a portion of
each row of blocks tending to support one of the contiguous rows, whilst it is
itself supported by the other row with which it is in contact.
Figs. 20 and 21 represent a side elevation and plan of another block; which
is shaped as the last described, but has a rebate cut in each of its acute angles.
Fig. 22 exhibits two of these blocks placed in contact as laid down for
paving.
Fig. 23 and 24 are a top view or plan and clevation of another shaped:
block; formed as if two oblong four-sided prisms were each cut off at one of
their angles and conjoined to constitute one block.
Figs. 25 and 26 are similar views of another block, which may be described
as a four-sided prism, having angular recesses cut in two of its corners half
way down, and similar recesses cut in the other two corners half way up, so as
to constitute rebated ledges. When these blocks are employed for paving; by
their peculiar shapes and ledges they both support and are supported by the
surrounding blocks, so that the pavement being completed by the combination
of several blocks, no one block can be withdrawn without disturbing the
others. The Plan, Fig. 27, shews the manner of connecting them.
Fig. 28 represents in elevation a modification of the last-described block; but
in this instance cut out of a cylinder instead of a cube. Fig. 29 is the hori-
zontal view of the same, and Fig. 30 shews the manner in which several of
these blocks are to be combined to constitute a pavement.
Figs. 31, 32, and 33 exhibit another peculiarly-shaped block; which; from its

page_text: wedge form, may also be called self-supporting, as each block bears up the
two contiguous blocks. These may be geometrically described as parallel
rectangular blocks on their upper and lower surfaces, but wedge-shaped at
the sides, having the grain or fibres of the wood placed obliquely. The upper
surface of the conjoined beams may be ribbed with parallel grooves, about one
fourth the width of the smooth portions for the horse's feet to hold by.
Fig. 31 is a side elevation of two blocks placed together; Fig. 22 is an'
end elevation of the same; and Fig. 33 is a horizontal view of two blocks as'
laid down for paving. It will be perceived that the sides of the block a gra-
dually taper towards the base, but the ends gradually taper towards the summit.
The reverse, however, is the case with the block b, for the sides of this block
gradually taper towards the summit, while the ends thereof taper towards the
base. From this description it will be evident that the block a is supported
by the block b, by resting on its inclined sides, and the block b will be sup-
ported at its ends by two blocks similar in shape to the block a. Thus each
block supports and is supported by the adjoining blocks with which it is in
contact, as above described.
Figs. 34 and 35 represent a block in the form of a cross, all the sides being
equal and at right angles to each other. If considered necessary the upper
edges of the block may be bevilled off, as shown in the preceding Figures, so
as to give a good hold to the horse's feet, or grooves may be cut in the top
face of the block for the same purpose.
Figs. 36 and 37 are similar views. of a modification of the cross-shaped
block, in which two of its arms are made a little higher than the other two,
in order that their upper surfaces, when several are combined, may not be in
the same plane, but leave a hollow for the holding of the horse's feet.
Figure 38 represents another shaped block, which may be considered as a
modification of the block shewn-at. Figs. 15 and 16, being a segnent of a
cylinder cut in a meniscus form; Fig. 39 exhibits in elevation three of these
blocks connected, and Fig. 40 is a plan or horizontal view of nine of these
blocks combined so as to constitute part of a pavement.
I will now proceed to describe the machine by which I am enabled to ent
or form certain of the blocks above described in a very speedy and economical
manner.
Sheet 2, Fig. 1, represents a vertical section taken longitudinally through
the machine; Fig. 2 is a horizontal view of the same, and Fig. 3 a transverse
section, taken vertically. The framework is shewn at a, a, a, a, and should
be made of cast iron in order to obtain a sufficient degree of strength. A
crank shaft b, actuated by a steam engine or other convenient power, is mounted

page_text: in the fraining at about the middle of the machine. Two connecting rods
c, c, are attached to the crank, and to the reverse ends of each of the rods a
cross head d, d, is connected. This cross bead slides in guides e, e, formed in
slots in the framework. The rough block of wood intended to be operated
upon is shewn at f. supported but not fixed upon the table g, in front of the
stationary knife or cutter h. The form of the cutter or knife edge. blades
being of course variable, according to the shape of the block desired to be pro-
duced, the operations of the machines will be as follow:-When the block of
1ough wood f has been placed on the table g (but not fixed thereon) the crank
shaft 6 in its revolution will cause the cross head to force or thrust the block
of wood fa certain distance forward against the edges of the stationary knife h;
the further rotation of the crank b will then canse the cross head d to recede,
when another rough block of wood must be placed upon the table behind the
former, and on the next advance of the cross head its pressure against the
second block, will force the first block through the cutter that is beyond the
knife edges, and deliver the block beyond the cutter, shaved or cut to the
required form. It will be seen, by reference to Fig. 3, that the knife or cutter
shewn as fixed in the machine, is intended to produce octagonal blocks; such
cutter may, however, be removed from the machine by unscrewing the bolts
i, i, i, i, when a cutter of any other shape or construction may be adapted in.
its place to produce another shaped block. I would here observe, that, although
I have shewn in the Drawing a cutter formed apparently of one piece of steel,
yet I sometimes make the cutter of two or more- pieces, and I have further
found it eligible, in the case of a cutter being constituted of two parts, to place
the under cutter in advance of the upper cutter, in order that the advanced
knife may first perform its operation upon the block, and allow the second
cutter to finish the said block whilst the first cutter is beginning to operate
upon the following block. Although I have shewn the machine as acting
horizontally, yet I sometimes place the cutter immediately below the crank
shaft, and cause the block to be formed by the downward thrust of the cross
head: This last arrangement may be employed in situations where the hori-
zontal space occupied by a machine of the construction shewn in the Drawing
is a consideration worth attending to, as a machine with the downward thrust
would not occupy more than half the space of the horizontal one. I have
not, however, thought it necessary minutely to describe a machine of this
construction, as any good mechanic would from the foregoing description be
enabled to construct a machine possessing the same principles, to suit the
circumstances and situation as might be required.

page_text: In conclusion, I wish it to be understood that I claim, as-my Invention, in
the first place, the shapes or configurations of all the blocks above described;
and, secondly, the application of a stationary knife or cutter of any shape in
connection with the machinery described to cut or form blocks of wood for
paving streets, roads; and ways, in whatever manner such cutter may be
applied.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Harvey, have hereunto set my
band and seal, this Second day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Second day of December, in
the year above mentioned, the aforesaid James Harvey came before our Lady
the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written. And also
the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute
in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the Second day of December, in the year above written.