IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING ROADS, STREETS, AND OTHER SURFACES, AND IN THE TREATMENT OR PREPARATION OF WOOD TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR OR FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Powley Alexander, of 14, Sonthampton Buildings,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING ROADS, STREETS, AND OTHER
SURFACES, AND IN THE TREATMENT OR PREPARATION OF WOOD TO BE
EMPLOYED THEREFOR OR FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES." A communication
from abroad by Henry Désiré Du Mont, of Paris, in the Republic of France,
Civil Engineer.
Scaled the 27th April 1877, and dated the 11th November 1876
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin Powley Alexander at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th November 1876.
EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER, of 14, Southampton Buildings, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent. IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING
ROADS, STREETS, AND OTHER SURFACES, AND IN THE TREATMENT OR PREPARATION
OF WOOD TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR OR FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
communication from abroad by Henry Désiré Du Mont, of Paris, in the Republic of
France, Civil Engineer.
A
This Invention relates to an improved wood pavement which the Inventor
designates "Ligno-Pierreux" pavement, and which is applicable to roads, streets,
footways, and other surfaces, and possesses the advantages of being non-inflammable,
impervious to moisture, more durable, and perfectly inodorous, whilst it also presents
a safer foothold for horses and deadens the noise of traffic.
In carrying out the said Invention the wooden blocks, which may be of any
desired form and of any kind of wood (preferably of beech or of sea pine) cut across
the grain, are to be impregnated with a chemical composition prepared in the
following manner and composed of the following ingredients, in or about the pro-
portions given, that is to say :-
1. Sulphate of lead
2. Phosphate of ammonia
3 Chloride of calcium
-
30 parts by weight.
15
"
"
32
15
"
39
13

page_text: These ingredients are to be heated in a water-jacketted boiler until they are
dissolved, and the wood blocks are to be immersed therein until they are thoroughly
impregnated with the said solution, after which they are to be withdrawn and.
allowed to dry in the open air. When dry the impregnated blocks are to be coated
on all sides with the following composition prepared in the manner herein set forth
and composed of the following ingredients in or about the proportions given, that is
to say:-
The two first ingredients are to be first thoroughly mixed together in a water-
jacketted boiler, and the three other ingredients after having been reduced to a
powder are to be mixed with the first two ingredients. The blocks as fast as they
are coated are to be enveloped in river sand when they will be ready for use, and
may be laid either upon sand or upon ordinary concrete. The joints of about half
an inch in width are filled in with sand or with hydraulic mortar, care being taken
to fix them thoroughly. So soon as about two yards of surface has been laid it
should be well rolled to render it even and uniform.
For brick floors and flagging the same method is pursued, but the wood should
be cut along the grain in lieu of across it. It may be laid with plaster or bitumen,
and with or without joints.
When applied to timberwork or to carpentry for floors or other purposes the
chemical composition will impart thereto the property of non-inflammability, and
will also render the woodwork impervious to moisture, thereby considerably
increasing its durability.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edwin Powley Alexander in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th May 1877.
EDWIN POWLEY ALEXANDER, of 14, Southampton Buildings, in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING
ROADS, STREETS AND OTHER SURFACES, AND IN THE TREATMENT OR PREPARATION
OF WOOD TO BE EMPLOYED THEREFOR OR FOR OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
communication from abroad by Henry Désiré Du Mont, of Paris, in the Republic of
France, Civil Engineer.
A
This Invention relates to an improved wood pavement which the Inventor
designates "Ligno-Pierreux" pavement, and which is applicable to roads, streets,
footways, and other like surfaces, and possesses the advantages of being non-
inflaminable, impervious to moisture, more durable, and perfectly inodorous, whilst
it also presents a safer foothold for horses, deadens the noise of traffic, is free from
mud in wet weather, and from dust in dry seasons.
In carrying out the said Invention the wooden blocks, which may be of any
desired form and of any kind of wood (preferably of beech or of sea pine) cut across
the grain, are to be impregnated with a chemical composition prepared in the

page_text: following manner and composed of the following ingredients in or about the pro-
portions given, that is to say:-
1. Sulphate of lead
2. Phosphate of ammonia -
3. Chloride of calcium
30 parts by weight.
15
"
,,
"
-
15
..
..
These ingredients are to be heated in a water-jacketed boiler until they are
dissolved, and the wood blocks are to be immersed therein until they are thoroughly
impregnated with the said solution, after which they are to be withdrawn and
allowed to dry in the open air. When dry the impregnated blocks are to be coated
on all sides in any convenient manner with the following composition, prepared in
the manner herein set forth and composed of the following ingredients in or about
the proportions given, that is to say :-
1 Huzdanonhurst of
จะ
"2
"
"
The two first ingredients are to be first thoroughly mixed together in a water-
jacketed boiler until a perfectly homogeneous mass is obtained, and the three other
ingredients after having been reduced to a fine state of division are to be mixed
with the said mass composed of the first two ingredients. The blocks of wood as
fast as they are coated are to be enveloped in river sand when they will be ready
for use, and may be laid either upon sand or upon ordinary concrete. The joints of
about half an inch in width are filled in with sand or with hydraulic mortar, care
being taken to fix them thoroughly. So soon as about two yards of the roadway
has been laid it should be well rolled to render it even and uniform.
For surfaces ordinarily laid with bricks or with flags the same method is pursued,
but the wood employed should be cut along the grain in lieu of across it. With
the exception of the kirb the blocks or slabs of wood are covered with sand on the
under side, thereby enabling them to be laid with plaster or bitumen, and with or
without joints.
The "Ligno-Pierreux" pavement may be applied not only to public thorough-
fares (roads and footways) but also to private establishments, the yards of manu-
factories, warehouses, and other buildings, railway stations, quays, barracks,
hospitals, prisons, stables, coach houses, and the like. The latter description of
wood pavement may also be advantageously substituted for the flooring laid on
bitumen or on concrete or "béton" on ground floors, and for floors hitherto laid
with tiles, marble, or earthenware slabs.
The same chemical compositions herein-before mentioned when applied to timber-
work or to carpentry for floors or other purposes will impart thereto the property of
non-inflammability, and will also render the woodwork impervious to moisture,
thereby considerably increasing its durability, and hence it will be found of great
service in all civil, military, and naval structures wherein wood is largely employed.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 herein-before described peculiar pavement or covering for roads,
streets, footways, floors, and other like surfaces.

page_text: Second. The treating or preparing of wood to be employed for pavements or
coverings of roads, streets, footways, floors, and other like surfaces, or to be used in
structures generally by impregnating and coating the same with the chemical
compositions herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edwin Powley Alexander, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
EDWIN P. ALEXANDER. (L.S.)