IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMPOSITION EMPLOYED FOR FLOORING PURPOSES AND IN THE METHOD OF LAYING THE SAME
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Barrett, of Shipley, near Leeds, in the County of
York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMPOSITION EMPLOYED FOR
FLOORING PURPOSES AND IN THE METHOD OF LAYING THE SAME."
Sealed the 1st November 1878, and dated the 11th May 1878.
:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Barrett at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th May 1878.
SAMUEL BARRETT, of Shipley, near Leeds, in the County of York.
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE COMPOSITION EMPLOYED FOR FLOORING PURPOSES, AND IN THE METHOD
OF LAYING THE SAME'
"
•
The composition consists of cement mixed with a combination of stones, sand,
spar, limestone, granite, dross, or other suitable inaterial. These are brought to a
semi-dry state by being mixed with lime water or water without lime, and in this
case the composition is spread on the floor, path, or road in a similar manner to
that adopted in the laying or spreading of asphalte. This being done, it is pounded
and well rolled, and when partially set or hardened a solution of lime water is
sprinkled over the composition each day for several days, which has the effect of
hardening it.
These improvements produce a great saving both in labour and cost of material.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Barrett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th November
1878.
SAMUEL BARRETT, of Shipley, near Leeds, in the County of York. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE COMPOSITION EMPLOYED FOR FLOORING PURPOSES, AND IN THE METHOD
OF LAYING THE SAME.”
ע
The composition consists of cement mixed with a combination of stones, sand,
spar, limestone, granite, dross, or other suitable material. These are brought to a
semi-dry state by being mixed with lime water, or water without lime, and in this
case the composition is spread on the floor, path, or road in a similar manner to that
adopted in the laying or spreading of asphalte. This being done, it is pounded and
well rolled, and when partially set or hardened a solution of lime water is sprinkled
over the composition each day for several days, which has the effect of hardening it.
These improvements produce a great saving both in labor and cost of material.
My Invention relates to that class of flooring made by mixing Portland cement,
sand, and stones together in suitable proportion, and in laying the same.
In practice I mix small stones, spar, iron dross, burnt clay, ashes, or other hard
substances with sand, fine spar, and Portland cement in such proportions as may bo
required.
The whole of the materials to be turned over and well mixed in a dry state,
then add a small proportion of water, and again well mix. When the mixing of the
material is finished it must be in a semi-dry state.
The composition being now ready for use, it is then laid on a properly prepared
bed or ground, in layers of which (being of the thickness required) in the bottom
layer of the bed I use the roughest material, and the top bed the fine material.
The composition having been laid on it is thoroughly pounded and rolled. When
it is partially set so that it will not wash away, which generally takes a few hours,
I sprinkle lime water or water freely thereon, and continue this operation about
twice each day for several days.
If a very strong and thick floor is required I first scatter a thin layer of cement
and sand, mixed, as above described, over the prepared bed or ground, then a layer
of stones, burnt brick, and dross, or other suitable materials (broken to the size
required) spread over the same; it is then well pounded and rolled, then another
layer of cement and sand, to be well brushed in between the stones, and also
sufficient beding of another layer of stones; again it is rolled and pounded, another
layer of cement and sand being brushed in until the whole is as thick as required.
The top layer of cement and sand must be well rolled and pounded so as to form a
finished surface; when partially set, water, as before described, is applied.
Having now described the nature of iny said Invention, and how the same may
be carried into practice, what I claim, and desire to be secured to me by Letters
Patent is, the process of laying cement concrete floor, as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Barrett, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.