IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING OR SURFACES FOR COVERING ROADS, WAYS, AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1877

page_text: ..
LETTERS PATENT to John William, Dennison, of 33, King Street, Cheapside, in
the City of London, Architect, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING
OR SURFACES FOR COVERING ROADS, WAYS, AND OTHER PLACES."
Sealed the 20th October 1877, and dated the 16th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Dennison at
..the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th June 1877.
JOHN WILLIAM DENNISON, of 33, King Street, Cheapside, in the City of London,
Architect. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING OR SURFACES FOR COVERING ROADS, WAYS,
AND OTHER PLACES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in asphalte and other similar roads
or surfaces by increasing the foothold for horses without affecting the ease of
traction, and other advantages of a smocth impervious surface; and my improve-
ments are for the purpose of counteracting the disadvantages arising from sudden
changes of weather and other causes, and so that asphalte may be used on inclines
and in other positions where the same is impracticable or unsafe.
For this purpose I insert by compression or otherwise (at certain spaced distances
in the horses' track) into the asphalte, level with the surface, circular discs or other
forin's of solid lead or alloys of lead of sufficient size to give a grip to and to form
a break for horses slipping, of sufficient thickness to resist the heavy crushing
weight of wheels of vehicles, and with dovetailed lugs cast on the under side, to
secure them into the road material, say, for each disc to be eight inches in diameter
and half an inch thick or thereabouts, and spaced in a geometrical pattern, advan-
tageously about four to every superficial yard.
2,
I wish it to be understood that I do not restrict myself to any precise details as
to size, thickness, or shape of the lead or alloys of lead, or the mode of securing it,
as variations may be made therefrom without affecting the broad principle or muin
feature of my Invention, the novelty of which consists in inserting lead or alloys of
lead in bulky or substantial pieces into ordinary asphalte and other smooth roads as
a material that will afford a grip or break to horses when the surface is slippery in
til

page_text: condition, and that without detracting from the many advantages of a smooth
impervious pavement, and also so as to increase the foothold on inclines and at
corners of streets, and certain positions for pulling up and starting heavy loads,
and so that asphalte may be used in many positions where now impracticable or
unsafe.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John William Dennison- in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th
December 1877.
JOHN WILLIAM DENNISON, of 33, King Street, Cheapside, in the City of London,
Architect. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PAVING OR SURFACES FOR COVERING ROADS, WAYS,
AND OTHER PLACES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in asphalte and other similar rods
or surfaces by increasing the foothold for horses without affecting the ease of
traction, and other advantages of a smooth impervious surface; and my improve-
ments are for the purpose of counteracting the disadvantages arising from sudden
changes of weather and accumulation of dirt and other similar causes, and so that
asphalte may be used on inclines and in other positions where the same is now
impracticable or unsafe.
For this purpose I insert, before the material is set, by compression or otherwise
(at certain spaced distances in the horses' track), into the asphalte or cement or
other snooth road covering, level with the surface thereof, circular discs, or oval,
square, oblong, or other forms of solid plates of lead or alloys of lead of sufficient
size (say, not less than 12 square inches of surface area) to give a grip to and to
form a break for horses slipping, and of sufficient thickness to resist the heavy
crushing weight of the wheels of vehicles. The discs or plates are formed with
dovetailed lugs on the under side to secure them into the material forming the road.
Advantageously each plate or disc should be, if circular, about eight inches in
diameter and half an inch thick or thereabouts, being honeycombed on the under
side, with one lug in the centre, and having six lugs at equal distances around the
edge. The plates are spaced or arranged on the surface of the road in a pattern or
otherwise advantageously about four to every superficial yard.
In order to facilitate the laying of asphalte paving or other smooth road covering
having plates of lead or alloys of lead combined therewith in accordance with my
Invention, I find it advantageous to place the plates of lead with the lugs uppermost
in the centre of hexagonal or other shaped iron trays or moulds of suitable depth,
say, about eighteen inches in diameter, and then fill such moulds with liquid or
other asphalte, or other sinooth road covering. When set, these blocks of asphalte
and plates of lead combined therewith are taken from the works to the place where
they are to be laid as paving blocks, and when laid the joints are then cemented
together with mastic or other suitable cementing material.
I am aware that it has been proposed to combine lead with asphalte by inserting
it the form of plugs and rings, and in small pieces to afford a foothold for horses; I
therefore make no claim to such coinbinations which hitherto have failed to
accomplish the desired object; at the same time I wish it to be understood that I
do not restrict myself to any precise details as to size, thickness, or shape of the

page_text: discs or plates of lead or alloys of lead, or the mode of inserting and securing them
in the roadway, as variations may be made therefrom without affecting the broad
principle or main feature of my Invention, the novelty of which, according to the
improvements claimed by me, consists in inserting lead or alloys of lead in bulky or
substantial pieces in the form of discs or plates of various forms into ordinary
asphalte and other smooth roads, as a material that will afford a grip or break to
horses when the surface is slippery in condition, and that without detracting from
the many advantages of a smooth impervious pavement, and also so as to increase
the foothold on inclines and at corners of streets, and certain positions for pulling
up and starting heavy loads, and so that asphalte may be used in many positions
where it is now impracticable or unsafe, such bulky pieces or plates of lead or
alloys of lead-being arranged and applied substantially in the manner herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John William Dennison, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.