A NEW AND IMPROVED MODE OR METHOD OF PAVING AND COVERING ROADS AND OTHER WAYS AND SURFACES
Year: 1844

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PETER
ARMAND LE COMTE DE FONTAINEMOREAU, of Skinners Place, Sise Lane, in the
City of London, 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 Fifteenth day of May, in the seventh year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Peter
Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontainemoreau, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England and Wales and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
the said Invention for "A NEW AND IMPROVED MODE OR METHOD OF PAVING
AND COVERING ROADS AND OTHER WAYS AND SURFACES," communicated to me by
a certain Foreigner residing abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, should
cause a particular description of the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in

page_text: 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
Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau, do hereby declare that the
nature of the said Invention communicated to me, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say):-
The New or Improved Mode or Method of Paving and Covering Roads and
other Ways or Surfaces consists in the manner in which I set, assemble, and
join together wooden blocks by means of rods, key rods, pins, or bolts, which
I adapt to every block and row of paving, so as to consolidate, connect, and
bring together every row, that they may mutually sustain one another and form
thus a whole of adequate solidity, but very easily raised and removed in case of
repairs or any other underground operation, and in combining wooden blocks
with granite, or wooden blocks with bricks, indian rubber, asphalte, cement,
marine glue, and other similar substances, to prevent horses slipping, and to
increase the durability of the wood by diminishing its exposure to the influence
of air and water. The ground for laying my new and improved mode of paving
does not require any setting; it is only to be rendered smooth and even, and
then to be covered with a bed or layer of sand, by laying the blocks upon a
body of sufficient elasticity to yield to the jolts and weight of the passing
carriages. The continual resistance offered by a rigid, firm, underground
foundation, when heavy loads pass, is therefore avoided. It is easy to con-
ceive that the paving will last much longer if allowed slightly to yield under
the pressure of horses and carriages, since by these means the grooves cut out
in the wooden blocks will not be so soon worn out as now happens to every
wood paving having masonry or a hardened underground. I cut my wooden
blocks by the means usually employed. As some of the several forms of wooden
blocks I use, and also my combined paving, require a separate and different
mode of jointing and connecting, I will successively describe the several means
I have adopted, and those I found to answer best.
Figure 1, Drawing 1, shows that I form my jointing by means of grooves
cut transversely in each block at half its height. The depth and width of the
grooves varies according to the size of the blocks; for blocks five and a half
inches high, the grooves ought to be from three quarter inch to one and a
quarter inch wide, and from an inch to one and a quarter deep; for blocks of
four, three and a quarter, three, two and three quarters, two, and one and
three quarter inches high, the grooves may be respectively three quarters,

page_text: five eighths, half, three eights, quarter of an inch wide. The rods which are
to be fitted into these grooves are to bind each row of blocks to its succeeding
row, one after the other, as far as required. Each row of blocks is inclined
alternately to the right or to the left of the street, and terminates in the vous-
soir a, which occupies the centre of the road, the longitudinal section giving a
view of the larger faces of the blocks, and the extremities of the rods shows
that the blocks in this view appear perpendicular. The moveable key shows
the facility with which repairs may be made. My firm jointing is very easily
separated, and will facilitate the taking up and replacement of paving so
frequent in streets under which pass numbers of pipes for gas, water, &c.
The ease with which these moveable keys are removed does not in any degree
injure the solidity of the combination. An examination of the Plan will prove
to the contrary, that they even contribute to the solidity by the shape of the
rods. These keys, by means of the rods, are bound to the solid blocks, which
can neither rise nor sink. These moveable keys are seen in a front view at
the extremity of the ground plan, and may be indifferently sloped upon two,
three, or four sides, according as it is required.
Figure 2, Drawing 1, shows that I form my jointing by the same means as
those of the Figure 1. The paving blocks, instead of being inclined as those
of the said section, half of them to the right, and half to the left of the road,
are sloped longitudinally without a voussoir. The transverse section shows the
rods at their extremities, and the paving blocks in this view appear vertica
on their largest face. The longitudinal section shows the manner in which
the blocks are bound together by the rod, and by overlapping each other.
This rod pierces half the wood in each row of blocks. It may be of any
length, but it must be scarfed, that is to say, every joint must take place in
the middle of a block, in order to maintain the firmness of the blocks between
them. The moveable keys are seen in front view in the transverse section,
and seen horizontally in the ground plan. It is easy to comprehend the
firmness which the rods give by their shape, and the facility with which the
moveable pieces may be taken up without disturbing the solid parts.
Figure 3, Drawing 1, exhibits a combination of wooden blocks of eight
sides, grooved upon every side at half the height, and square blocks grooved
upon their four faces. In these grooves I insert small pins of the same
length as the sides, which serve to bind the octagonal to the square blocks.
This form of paving allows the employment of round blocks. Any log of
wood may be used for this kind of paving. For the rods which fasten together
the blocks, chips of wood may be used. In the transverse section is seen
the jointing of the eight sides with the rods. The longitudinal section differs

page_text: in no respect from the transverse. The moveable keys are placed in the same
manner as the preceding; but they differ, in that each block can form by
itself a key. The key block is divided into three parts, as is shown in the
Drawing of the moveable keys. The middle part, which is used to render
the other two parts firm, can be raised with a crowbar; and when once this
is raised, the rest is taken to pieces easily. I can offer this form of paving at
a lower price. It is especially suitable for footpaths, warehouses, shops,
factories, &c. It is also more elegant than the other kinds.
Figure 4, Drawing 1, shows that the joints are effected in the same manner
as in Figure 3, with rods and grooves on the six faces of the blocks, in which
are fitted the small pegs, which are of the same length as the faces, and
which connect the blocks together. The longitudinal section is similar to the
transverse section. The moveable keys are similar, and as seen at the extre-
mity of the Plan. Instead of hexagonal I can employ, with equal advantage,
circular blocks, as shewn in the Plan, and two sections which compose
Figure 17, Drawing II.: the blocks are laid in juxtaposition, one with
another, and can be of different sizes, that is to say, I can place one row of
one size, and the next row of a smaller size, without decreasing the strength
or durability of that mode of paving. They are jointed as the blocks herein-
before described, either with rods or pegs, which connect them horizontally.
The longitudinal section shews the wooden blocks in a vertical view. The
moveable keys are similar to those of Figure 3. Any kind of wood, what-
ever may be its size, can be used for this form of paving, because this form
approaches very nearly to the shape of the trees, and it is more easily pre-
pared, and does not require any particular labour. The horizontal section
shows the round logs, and that between the blocks triangular hollows or
spaces are left into which I pour a material herein-after mentioned, and
which, on account of its elasticity and softness, does not pulverize.
Figure 6, Drawing II., shows that I form my jointing by means of cones,
which are grooved horizontally at half their height. In the transverse section
may be seen between the cones little cuneiform pieces also grooved at half
their height.
In these grooves I fit the key rods which bind together the
little cuneiform pieces and the cones. By means of this shape the facility of
removal is increased, and when one of the blocks is raised, the rest are easily
taken to pieces. The part that is cut out of each block in no respect injures
the strength of the block. These blocks may be bevilled on their four faces;
but then I am obliged to place cuneiform pieces upon two of their faces.
The longitudinal section shows the square wooden blocks placed vertically.
Figure 7 shows the square blocks laid on one face in oblique juxtaposi-

page_text: tion with each other. The little bracket projecting from each block serves
to support it from the preceding block, and which is fixed with pegs or in
any other manner, such as by marine glue, &c. I employ indifferently for
this jointing, brackets, rods, or pegs, in accordance with the diagonal form.
The longitudinal section represents the square wooden blocks reclining one on
another. These blocks slope diagonally; this is the only form which has a
double inclination. Each block reposes upon two others. The ground plan
exhibits the alternations of lozenges side by side. To obtain the slope of this
form, it is necessary to cut the log from one angle to the other.
I will now describe my mode or method of paving by means of wooden
blocks combined with bitumen, bricks, cement, asphalte, indian rubber, and
similar substances. The combined paving is exhibited, firstly, in a transverse
section; secondly, in a longitudinal section; thirdly, in a ground plan; and,
fourthly, moveable keys. The transverse section, Figure 8, represents a front
view of a row of alternate blocks of wood and stone. The blocks and the
cuneiform pieces have a longitudinal groove at half their height, and in these
grooves fit the rods which fasten these together, and bind also the blocks to
the adjacent row, that the cuneiform pieces so placed leave an empty space
between the two wooden blocks. It is this space that the stone blocks are to
occupy. In examining the longitudinal section it may be thought, at first
sight, that the rods shown longitudinally fasten together the stone blocks and
the wooden blocks; but when the transverse section is examined, it is easy to
see the contrary, because the stone blocks are bevilled upon two of their faces,
and the wooden blocks are square upon their four faces. The cuneiform pieces
occupy the place which is left between the wooden and the stone blocks, and
hide the rod which joins them to the wooden blocks. Thus firmness is
gained by the joint of the rod and of the groove. Then the granite blocks,
fitting into the empty spaces which are left between the cuneiform pieces of
the right and of the left rows, complete, by their pressure on the wood, the
firm joint began by the rod and groove. The horizontal section represents
the chequered surface by the alternate juxtaposition side by side of stone and
wood. The moveable key has been figured front view at the extremity of the
ground plan.
Figure 9 shows a front view of alternate stone and wooden blocks of a
wedge shape. The blocks of wood being larger at their base, the first row is
made to cross by its lower part with the second, and the peg shown in the
transverse section binding the two rows together, forms, therefore, successively
a solid joint. This mode of support may be obtained in two ways, by a peg
or by a small rod and a groove which is cut on the square face of the blocks.

page_text: This joint is preferable to that of the peg, because it requires less work, is of
great simplicity, and very solid. The longitudinal section shews the wooden
and granite blocks placed vertically and alternately side by side. The move-
able key is shewn at the extremity of the ground plan. The ground plan
shews the chequered alternation of wood and stone. This shape would
be of a very good construction if made entirely of wood. Figure 10
shews a transverse section alternately wood and stone; it may be equally
all wood. The cuneiform pieces which are in contact with the sloping sides
of the wooden blocks are mitre cut as the block. The wooden paving blocks
fit to the cuneiform pieces, and in the space between the stone or granite
wedge-shaped blocks joint themselves. If they are all wooden, they ought to
be cut as shewn in the transverse section B. The cuneiform pieces exhibit
their two mitre cuts on the two transverse faces. The wooden blocks are cut
in the manner shewn in the transverse section. This form offers the advantage
of easy removal in any part whatever. It can be done by means of a crowbar;
and when once a single block is out, the rest takes to pieces with ease. If the
paving is laid down, as shewn above, in the transverse section of wood and
stone, the brackets repose on a longitudinal rod such as is shewn in the
transverse section. It is this rod alone which, being between them, gives
support to each row of blocks. The horizontal section represents a chequered
figure alternately wood and stone in juxtaposition side by side.
Figure 11 represents a combination alternately wood and stone; it may be
indifferently all wood. The blocks of wood of the first row cross those of the
second, as is seen in the transverse section by the dotted lines. It is by the cross-
ing of the wooden blocks that I form my joint with the small key rods, which are
seen endwise in the transverse section, between the plain and the dotted lines.
The moveable keys are represented at the extremity of the ground plan.
Figure 12 shows a row of blocks alternately stone and wood crosswise.
The wooden blocks are supported by small brackets cut angularly. These
small brackets repose on the longitudinal rods which render the right and left
rows firm. Between these brackets fit the stone wedge-form blocks. The
longitudinal section shews the wooden and the stone blocks placed vertically
and alternately. In the base of these wooden blocks are seen the rods figured
longitudinally which pass behind the granite blocks. The moveable keys are
placed at the extremity of the ground plan. As I combine the wooden block
paving with several substances, I have considered those which would resist
more effectually the abrasion caused by the wheels and horses' feet, and to
choose those which, whilst giving a better and more sure footing, should be
less liable to be worn out by the friction, and should present at the same time

page_text: economy, durability, and simplicity of laying equal to wood. I have also
investigated the several relative properties which the substances I had in view
possess, as regards expansion and contraction, when compared with wood.
Wood during heat contracts, and asphalte, bitumen, india rubber, marine glue,
and other similar substances expand at the same time. On the other hand,
during humid and cold seasons, these last contract and the former swell or
expand. I have had, therefore, to discover the exact and relative proportions
of these properties in a ratio such that the expansion of the one should be
compensated by the contraction of the other when laid together. The failure
of all the attempts to combine different materials is due to the want of proper
attention to these very proportions. The four last forms of wood paving I
have described, videlicet, those of Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12, I can combine
with bitumen, asphalte, india rubber, as well as with granite, herein-before
described. These forms cause a great economy of wood, half of which is
saved in thickness, for wooden paving blocks two and a half to three inches
high may be used instead of five or six inches, as has been thought necessary,
and the labour of grooving dispensed with.
Figure 13 shows a transverse and longitudinal section and a horizontal
view. The transverse section represents the wooden blocks and those of
bitumen, asphalte, or brick alternately laid. The bitumen blocks are cast, and
their form is shewn in the transverse section. They are bound to the paving
blocks the whole length of the street. The longitudinal section represents a
side view of the wooden, bitumen, and brick paving blocks. The brick
paving blocks are provided with holes in order to receive the pins by which
they are united to the other blocks. The pins which are to be inserted in the
bitumen or asphalte blocks are placed in the moulds before the casting of
the blocks. The moveable keys are represented at the extremity of the
horizontal view, in which are exhibited the brick and bitumen or asphalte
paving blocks.
Figure 14 is composed of transverse and longitudinal sections of a horizontal
view of moveable keys and of two blocks marked A, A. The transverse
section shows some paving blocks vertically laid. I compose this mode of
paving in two different ways. I use for the first blocks in which I cut on the
face grooves half an inch deep, and from one half to one and a half inch wide,
into which I firmly fix the small lengths of boards or laths; these grooves are
distant one from the other three quarters to one and a half inch; the hollow
parts between the boards are filled up with bituminous substances. According
to the second method I insert in every mould the ends of boards from two
to two and a half inch long. Their thickness is represented on the transverse

page_text: I turn
section, their width on the longitudinal section. These pieces are cut in the
middle of their height, and placed in the cast-iron mould, which keeps them
steady until the base of the block be cast. This base is composed of prepared
bitumen, the cost of which is at least two thirds less than the price of the
asphalte, and is as efficient. I make use of the asphalte for the upper part
or surface of the paving block, the base being cast as before stated.
over the block and cast the asphalte in the hollow part, and thus, by means
of the wooden pieces, unite the inferior and superior part of the block. The
modes of putting together this kind of block renders them easy of removal
in any part of the paving. I cut at half the height of the wooden block, on
the four faces, grooves from three quarters to one and a quarter inches square;
for the bituminous blocks, I insert four small laths in the four sides of the
moulds which form the grooves of the moveable blocks, and for the permanent
blocks the small rods are fixed into each of them. The transverse section will
demonstrate the solidity and facility of removal of this paving as it represents
the small pegs.
Half of the surface is occupied by the small laths, and the
other half by the bitumen, which forms and unites the whole road.
Figure 15 comprises a transverse section, a longitudinal section, a plan,
moveable keys, two paving blocks, surface views, and a third paving block.
Figure 18, also surface view. The transverse section is composed in two ways:
first, like the preceding, of grooved logs from two to three inches square, or
grooves and holes are cut alternately; in the second method I employ the
ends of planks or laths of wood of equal length. These planks and laths may
vary from one quarter to half an inch in thickness, and the bitumen in the
same proportions (see the figure of the two blocks a, a, at the extremity of
the Figure 15. This mode of combination differs from the other. This form
is put together by small pegs projecting from the middle of the four faces
of the block, or equally well from the four angles. The two rows are laid at
the same level, and driven together from the jointing. If the blocks are made
of asphalte, the four faces of the mould ought to be provided with a small
plug of three quarters of an inch, and one and a quarter inches in circum-
ference, to form the holes for the pegs which bolt the blocks to each other.
If the blocks are wooden, holes three quarters of an inch deep must be bored
in the four faces with a brace and bit; in these holes are inserted small wooden
pegs or pins one and a quarter inch thick; half of each peg enters the block
on its right and the other half the block on its left. The pegs may also be
made of metal. These holes ought to be accurately pierced from the side
of contact. In this form also I lay a foundation of logs, and the holes
intended to receive the pegs or pieces are bored obliquely; from this obliquity

page_text: results still greater firmness.
The crossing of the pins also prevents the
shifting of the surface. The facility of removal is obtained in the same
manner as in the key, Figure 16. In the longitudinal section the thickness
of the peg or pin is shown, and the place it occupies is shewn in Figure E, E.
Figure 16 comprises a transverse section, a longitudinal section, a surface
view, moveable keys, a paving block. Figure 19, a small ground plan, and
two longitudinal sections. The transverse section shews a row of blocks placed
vertically. This kind of paving is composed, like the preceding, of a foundation
of asphalte, the square pegs or bits being fixed in this foundation alternately
like a chequer board (see surface view). I also use for the foundation of this
kind battens placed flat one against the other; and pierced alternately with
holes to the surface to receive the pegs or bits, which foundation is more
economical than the planks mentioned in the preceding kinds. I have never-
theless shewn that it can be composed of planks; see longitudinal section. The
longitudinal and transverse sections show the manner in which the pavement is
put together by means of small circular discs projecting horizontally from the
four angles or from the side of the blocks. The size of the disc is shewn in
the block and in the small ground plan. The surface view shows that the
square pegs or bits form the alternation of a chequer board. In order to
alternate the rods or the pegs, I arrange the holes as in a chequer board. If
I make the foundation of planks, they are grooved half an inch apart, the
ridge of the first facing the hollow of the second, and so on. It will be seen
by this construction that the bitumen is always protected by the small ends
of the pegs or bits, and the feet of the horses find resistance and security.
The construction of these last four kinds can also be adapted to wood paving.
Although I have represented the bitumen in the Plans as covering three fourths
of the paving, this will only be done in those countries where bitumen is not
so dear as wood. I can also arrange the paving blocks so as to give resistance
to the feet of the horses by allowing half of the blocks to project three quarters
of an inch above the other half; I can also do this in some of the other forms.
In countries where wood is cheaper than bitumen, the lower part may be of
wood; if, on the contrary, the foundation is in bitumen, the pegs ought to be
inserted in an iron plate which is provided with mortices or holes sunk in the
plate about three quarters, one, or one inch and a half; this plate is adjusted
in the mould according to the thickness of bitumen required. That being
done, I place in the small mortices or holes the pegs, which only penetrate to
the above-mentioned depth. When this operation is finished, the mould must
be turned over in order to cast the block. This plate serves three purposes:
firstly, it supports the pegs; secondly, it forms the bottom of the box; thirdly,

page_text: it regulates the thickness of the bitumen surface. If wooden blocks are
used, the four corners should be cut off with a saw previous to the fixing of
the peg or pin.
As I have stated in the preceding Figures that grooves are cut in the
paving, I shall here describe more particularly the way, inanner, and form in
which the same are to be performed. To commence with the surface of the
block (see Figure 5, Drawing II.), I cut grooves vertically, and always with
the fibre of the wood, from one to one and a balf inch deep, but I do not
confine myself to any particular size; that is to say, I reserve to myself the
right of leaving more or less space.
In each block are cut longitudinally
with the street grooves from one half to one inch wide, and about one inch
deep, and transversely grooves of the same dimensions, which form on the
surface a kind of reticulation in which the bitumen is poured and unites the
whole. I make indiscrimately holes or channels. These holes appear at
the surface somewhat similar to a plank for bottles (see Figure 6). I make
another arrangement by cutting away from the faces of the block three
quarters or one inch of wood, which space will be afterwards filled with
bitumen. I make also a surface of which half of the blocks are alternated
as in a chequer board. In order to make this kind of paving, half of the
blocks ought to be at least one or two inches shorter than the rest. All these
blocks are pierced with holes in which pegs are driven crosswise, and which thus
connects the bitumen with the wood. I can equally well connect the block and
the bitumen by a dovetail on the four faces. I make also another arrange-
ment by pouring the bitumen in a mould of the same form as the blocks, the
block of wood and the block of bitumen being laid down alternately as in a
chequer board; that is to say, that the block of bitumen coming from the
mould will have a channel of the same form as that in the wooden block, and
is to be put together with the rod of wood. To complete my systems of
paving, I have adapted kennels of my own construction. They serve three
distinct purposes. They serve, first, as a border to the foot pavement;
secondly, as conduits for the rain and other water; and thirdly, they carry off
the mud which accumulates in the old gutters. It is easy to understand their
construction from the various sections of paving, where they are represented
at the two extremitics. I place the kennels on a bed of masonry to maintain
them perfectly even. They are cast in iron in the ordinary manner, and can
be of any length, but the extremities of each length must be of an angular
form so as to jut into each other.
And having now described the New and Improved Mode or Method of
Paving and Covering Roads and other Ways or Surfaces, I declare that I

page_text: do not claim as of the Invention communicated to me the several forms or
shapes of the paving blocks of wood, granite, bitumen, asphalte, or brick,
as they are already in use. But what I claim as the Invention is,-
First, the mode or method of preparing the ground by a layer of sand
for the wooden, and combined wood and granite, wood and brick, asphalte,
bitumen, kinds of paving, as I have before described.
Secondly, the mode of combining the several forms of wooden blocks, also
of wooden blocks with granite, and wooden blocks with brick, asphalte, or
bitumen blocks, as I have before described.
Thirdly, the mode of combining wooden blocks with bitumen and asphalte
to form paving blocks in such proportions as to allow for their expansion and
contraction, as I have before described.
Fourthly, the mode of uniting, jointing, connecting, and supporting the
paving blocks, by means of rods, pegs, nuts, or keys, so that every block is
jointed, consolidated, and supported by the adjacent one, and each row of
blocks forms a whole along the transverse section of the way, as I have before
described.
Fifthly, the mode of constructing moveable keys, by means of which any
part of the surface can be raised in case of need, and replaced without per-
manently deranging the paving blocks or the surface itself, as I have before
described.
Sixthly, the mode of grooving or preparing the wooden paving blocks with
cement, mastic, bitumen, asphalte, marine glue, and india rubber, to prevent the
horses from slipping, as I have before described.
And such the Invention being, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
entirely new and never before used within that part of Her said Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her said
Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, I do hereby declare
this to be the Specification of the same, and that I do verily believe that this
Specification doth comply in all respects fully, and without reserve or disguise,
with the proviso in the said herein-before in part recited Letters Patent con-
tained; wherefore I hereby claim to maintain exclusive right and privilege to
the said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Armand le Comte de Fontaine-
moreau, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of
November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
P. DE FONT (L.S.) AINEMOREAU.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that, on the same Fifteenth day of Novem-
ber, in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Peter Armand le_Comte
Fontainemoreau 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.
h