An Improved Means of Decorating Walls, Ceilings, and the Like.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Means of Decorating Walls, Ceilings, and the Like.
I, JAMES JOSEPH WILLIAMS of 42 Burma Road, Stoke Newington in the County of
London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This my invention relates more especially to that kind of ceiling and wall decoration
known as "lincrusta" in which the pattern or design is given and shown in high relief.
At the present time these patterns and designs are attached to the wall or ceiling "en
bloc," that is to say that each block square or length constitutes at least an entire
pattern and as the whole ceiling or wall is covered in its entirety by these blocks
squares or lengths which butt on to each other in every direction a number of joints
have to be dealt with which presents a difficulty and an unsightly appearance even at
the best. Another unsatisfactory thing also presents itself, and that is when the
ceiling or wall is of such a size or of such irregular proportions that the pattern or
design will not fit in to give harmonious effects or satisfaction to the eye. These
several points are entirely obviated by my invention, and the means I here set forth
for carrying them into effect.
SO.
In the first place I clean and prepare the ceiling or wall should it be necessary to do
Upon this I attach by the ordinary method the chosen pattern or design but with
this difference that instead of the pattern or design going up "en bloc" and covering
the whole ceiling or wall, it would be split up into four, five or as many parts as may
be deemed advisable. The object of this is that the pattern or design may be either
compressed or extended by leaving a smaller or greater space of bare ceiling or wall
between the several parts in conformity with the size or irregularity of the space to be
covered, and at the same time doing away with all joints which at the present time
give a great deal of trouble and are a constant eyesore.
By my invention then it is apparent that the same pattern or design may be made
to fit symmetrically upon any ceiling or wall of whatever dimension while the absence
of all joints gives the work when finished a cleaner and far superior appearance.
Although I have referred to that class of ceiling and mural decoration known by the
name "lincrusta" it must be understood that I do not confine the application of my
invention to that alone.
While admitting that it is more especially applicable to that class of decoration
where the pattern or design is projected in high relief, yet the same end is attained
whatever material is used provided the pattern is dissected in such a way as to admit
of a compression or extension of the several parts so as to cover a lesser or greater
area as already fully described.
These several parts being attached to the ceiling or wall without any filling up of
the intermediate spaces greatly enhances the general effect and gives the pattern or
design greater prominence than that which is at present attained.
I also provide a suitable moulding of the same section as the principal outer
member of the pattern or design, and wherever a ceiling or wall is cut off in its outline
at any angle it is bounded by this moulding and mitred at every point of contact so
as to give completeness and finish to the whole work.
Thoth da.. af Anil 1907

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Means of Decorating Walls, Ceilings, and the Like.
I, JAMES JOSEPH WILLIAMS of 42 Burma Road, Stoke Newington in the County of
London, Inventor, 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 my invention relates more especially to that kind of ceiling and wall decora-
tion known as "Lincrusta" in which the pattern or design is given and shown in high
relief.
The method adopted at the present time is to cover the whole of the ceiling or wall
with panels of "Lincrusta" or other suitable material upon which has been moulded
the desired patterns, each panel usually though not necessarily constituting an entire
pattern. This method is exceedingly clumsy and faulty, for as the panels butt on
edge to each other, the numerous joints present an unsightly appearance. It also
generally happens that the panels do not adapt themselves to the space required to be
covered, the result being that a portion of the pattern or design has to be let in to fill
up the space, thus giving an unfinished and unsatisfactory appearance to the whole
work.
I remedy these faults by my present invention in the way I now proceed to describe
aided by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 represents a portion of a ceiling with design upon it. A being the actual or
naked ceiling and B, B', B and B panels of "Lincrusta" or other suitable material
constituting the entire pattern or design, which is repeated as often as necessary in
accordance with the space required to be treated.
It is obvious that by this means no joints of any kind present themselves, as the
several panels (which carry a raised ornament or moulding at the edge or side) are
never brought into contact with each other, while the actual ceiling being visible
around each panel gives a depth, boldness and finish to the whole design.
Fig. 2 represents a portion of a ceiling with the same design upon it. A being the
actual or naked ceiling and B B' B" and B being identically the same panels in size
and design as those shown in Fig. 1. There is however this difference that more
of the ceiling A is exposed to view in consequence of the panels being further
apart.
It will now be readily seen that by my invention no matter what the size of the
ceiling or wall may be the same design may be made to fit perfectly in every direction
by diminishing or increasing the spaces between the several panels, thus leaving no
part of the design unfinished.
Fig. 3 represents a portion of a ceiling A with an irregular outline C. I have
already referred to the raised ornament or moulding at the edge or sides of the
panels D.
I provide a detached moulding in every detail the same as that upon the panels D
which I employ when an irregular outline has to be dealt with, in the following
manner.
Presuming that on a ceiling the pattern is started from a square end with a margin
say of 6 inches from the cornice as at E, the same margin would be continued all
round the room and maintained along the irregular side as shown at F and the
detached moulding referred to would be cut off and mitred at every point of contact
with the panels as shewn at G, H, I and J, thus giving a complete finish and proper
terinination to the whole work.
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 what I
claim is :-
1. The division and dissection of the pattern or design in the way described and

page_text: shown in Figs. 1 & 2 on the drawings, whereby the same pattern or design may be
perfectly and symmetrically displayed upon any given sized area.
2. The attaching to the ceiling itself of the detached parts only, which constitutes
the pattern or design, thus avoiding all joints and giving thereby a bolder and higher
relief.
3. The detached moulding of the same pattern as that which constitutes the raised
moulding on the edge or side of the panels, which is cut off and mitred at every point
of contact into the said panels where an irregularly shaped wall or ceiling has to be
dealt with, and which is rendered easy of accomplishment in consequence of the said
panels being fixed in the way set forth under Claim No. 2. See Fig. 3 on
drawings.
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