Improvements in Fire Proof Floors and Roofs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1891—Accepted, 14th Nov., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Proof Floors and Roofs.
1, THOMAS ARMSTRONG LEE of Kansas City, in the County of Jackson, and
State of Missouri, United States of America, Builder, 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 :-
The object of my invention is:
1st. In fire proof floor and roof construction to bind together in contiguity from
one end of the ends of the floor or roof carrying support to the other ends thereof,
parallel courses of the floor blocks without the intervention of the ordinary I beam
within the floor or roof.
2nd. To join the blocks together so as to form an artificial joist and to unite
tension rods with the joist so formed, so as to sustain the weight at determined
points in a floor or roof.
3rd. To prevent in fire proof floor construction in which the blocks are partly
supported by the tension strength of rods, the deflection of one block beneath
another.
4th. In fire proof floor and roof construction in which the courses of floor blocks
are supported at the base by means of the tension strength imparted from tension
rods in the base of the blocks, to clamp the end blocks in a course to the floor
carrying support so as to prevent the floor from parting from the support.
5th. To form a vertical dowel joint between the sides of the contiguous floor
blocks.
My invention further consists in the novel construction and combination of parts
which will first be fully described and specifically pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the supports for the respective end
blocks of the courses forming the floor, the courses of blocks extending in length
continuous from one carrying support to the other carrying support, the blocks of
the course breaking joints with the blocks in adjoining courses, the temporary
platform beneath all the blocks in the courses, the tension rods in the base of the
courses of the blocks, the vertical dowel joint between contiguous sides of the
courses of blocks, and the end blocks of a course clamped to the floor carrying
supports, and the courses of blocks linked together in contiguity continuous from
one end of the ends of the carrying supports to the other ends of the carrying
supports.
Figure 2 is a view in detail of one of the courses of floor blocks united together
so as to form an artificial floor joist with one of the blocks removed to show the
means of uniting the tension rod with each block, and the link connecting the
tension rods with each other.
Figure 3 is an alternate view of the course of floor blocks, one of the blocks
being divided to show the cavity in the base of the blocks for the single tension
rod.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
Referring to the drawing:-
:-
A represents the side wall of a building in which is built or laid a wall plate B
which plate projects horizontally a suitable distance to support the blocks at one end
of the courses.
The other support for the blocks at the other end of the courses is represented
by the parallel girders e, c', upon the top flange of one of which girders Ĉ the end
blocks are laid as hereinafter described..
In narrow or ordinary buildings the girders C are not used, as the courses of

page_text: floor blocks are constructed in length sufficiently long to reach from one side wall
to the other side wall of the building. Between the wall A and girder C is placed
the temporary horses or scaffolding DD upon which is laid a temporary floor E
slightly cambered upon the upper surface and in a position at the ends a slight
distance below the line horizontal with the top portion of the wall plate B and the
upper flange of the girder C.
The floor blocks F F which are used in my construction of the floor, are
ordinarily composed of hollow fire proof material, preferably porous terra cotta and
the ends of the blocks are cut at an angle or key shaped to attain the proper
support from each other in the floor. Each hollow floor block is formed with a
vertical inner wall or partition f*, which extends from the inner surface of the
upper wall to the inner surface of the lower wall, and is equi-distant from and
parallel with the outer vertical sides of said block, also with two horizontal inner
walls or partitions and f, which extend at right angles to the partition f*, and
form both sides of said partition fo, and to the inner side of the outer walls of the
block. Thus the block is divided into several compartments or hollows.
Between the partition and the base are the compartments or hollows ƒ. In
the outer surface, at the base of each block and upon one side is made a longitudinal
cavity, and upon the other side a longitudinal recess or cavity f. In the outer
surface of the sides of the block are made the vertical grooves f,f which extend
from top to bottom of the block.
The cavity grooves and recess are made in the blocks while they are in the
process of manufacture.
The blocks are received at the place for executing the work, all formed, cut and
ready for use.
To impart the required tension strength to the floor, I employ the tension rod G,
the length of which is slightly in excess of a length of a course of the floor blocks.
Each end of the rod G is screw-threaded at g, and provided with a washer I and a
nut g', fitted to the screw-threaded end g. This is my preferred way of retaining
the washer. In practice however, I sometimes provide the rod G with an eye at a
suitable distance from each end, into which after the washers I, I are placed upon
the rod, a small pin is pushed, thus retaining the washer upon the rod. The rod G
while in manufacture is made with small projections g³, which are placed at short
distances apart. These projections enable the cement to unite firmly to the rod and
prevent rod from pulling loose or slipping through the cement.
Around both ends of the rod G against the inner side of the washers I I is looped
a strand of wire H and at regular points of three or four feet along the rod between
the washers II similar strands H are placed upon it. The wires are twisted or
linked slightly to cause them to remain at the points where placed while the rod is
being put in position.
The strands of wire are placed at such distances apart as to exactly correspond
to the length of a certain number of floor blocks usually three or four.
In preparing to execute a piece of work under my invention, these rods are thus
fully prepared with projections, nuts, washers, threads and strands of wire, in
advance, and hence go into the hands of the workman who executes the floor or
roof work, complete and ready to be laid in place in the cavity of a course of
blocks.
To secure the end blocks of a course and thereby the whole floor, to the floor or
roof carrying supports as also to tie the building together, I employ the block
clamping rods K and L which are alike in effect but slightly different in shape, so
as to be adaptable to the different kinds of carrying supports. These rods unite
the floor and supports or walls together by being made fast at one end within and
at the lower end of the first or end block at each end of a course of blocks.
Sometimes however it is desirable to make them of sufficient length to enable
them to be made fast within and at the inner end of the block second in position
from the ends. The other ends of the rod K and L are made fast to the carrying
supports or within the walls.

page_text: Preferably these block clamping rods occur in the third course from the end of
the floor or roof first, and afterwards about in each sixth course throughout the
length of the floor or roof carrying supports. The rods are placed in position in
the following manner:
The block clamping rod K has attached thereto upon one end a cross bar k.
This end with the cross bar k, is built in place within the walls of the building as
the same are erected, and the rod is placed in position at a suitable height and
intervals along the wall to come in line with a course of floor blocks. The other
end of rod K is screw-threaded and is provided with washer, and nut. Upon
the girder c' directly opposite and in line for the same course of blocks as that
opposite the rod K is the other block clamping rod L upon one end of which is a
hook which end is hooked over the upper flange of the girder C¹. The other end
of the rod L is screw-threaded and provided with a washer and nut P. the same
as block clamping rod K. These block clamping rods occur as often as necessary
to properly secure the floor or roof to its carrying supports and to form suitable ties
for binding the building or the walls of the building together.
In constructing the floor or roof, after having provided the carrying supports,
the temporary scaffolding, and the block clamping rods as described, I first take
one of the tension rods already prepared and completed as described, and place it
horizontally in position next to the end wall of the building (or the wall at an
angle to the wall A) and support the rod temporarily in position a slight distance
above the respective carrying supports B, C. The free ends of the wire H against
the washer I are then drawn or laid outwardly in position at right angles to the
rod or transversely to the course of blocks to be laid. Likewise all the other
strands of wire along the rod are laid out.
One of the floor blocks F is then spread with mortar in the recess f³, which is
to come into contact with the tension rod just laid, and upon the whole broad side
which is to adjoin the end wall of the building, and also upon the end which is to
touch the washer and wire H at the end of the tension rod and the side wall of the
building. The block is then set upon the temporary scaffolding with the hollows
toward wall A and is then shoved or pressed firmly endwise against washer L
wire H, and wall A, and sidewise against the tension rod G and the end wall of the
building, the flat bottom surface at the outer end resting directly upon carrying
support B. The tension G is received partly within the recess, and imbedded
in the cement. The cement which has been spread upon the side of the block, &
part of which has entered the vertical grooves, is now pressed upon and around the
tension rod G, and its projections so that the tension rod and the block, by means
of the cement and by means of its attaching to the vertical grooves in the block,
and the projections on the tension rod are bonded and united together in such a
manner that the cement when hardened prevents longitudinal movement of the
blocks one upon another.
The strand of wire H is then drawn straight across the inner end of the block,
after which another block is taken, spread with cement in the same manner, and is
set and shoved in place in the same manner, one end against the inner end of the
first block and said strand of wire H and one side against the tension rod G and
said end wall of the building, care being taken to fill the vertical joints between the
ends of the blocks so that the shell or wall portions of the second block bear fairly
against the like portions of the first block.
A third block is then laid in like manner, after which a fourth and fifth block is
laid. A strand of wire H is then drawn across the inner end of a block whenever
the point at which a wire is located is reached. When the blocks set reach a point
near the centre of the floor, work is begun at the opposite end of the course and
upon the carrying support C and the same process of setting the blocks is followed
until a point near the centre is reached, when the course is completed by setting
the key shaped block in the centre. After the cement has hardened an artificial
joist is formed of great compression strength. The cavity f, is thereby made

page_text: continuous the whole length of the course, the cavity in each block registering one
with another longitudinally. Likewise the recess or cavity f', in each block
registers longitudinally and both recess f³, and cavity f¹, register with each other
in adjacent courses. Care is taken that the vertical joints between the contiguous
ends of all the blocks are filled with cement and struck, that the blocks may have a
fair bearing endwise against the other.
I then take a second tension rod G which is complete with projections, washers,
nuts and strands of wire, and place it in the cavity f¹, in the base of the course of
the blocks just set, and temporarily support it in said cavity, the washers I I
bearing against the ends of the shell portion of the vertical outer walls of the ends
of the end blocks already set, and I at once twist around the rod G the free ends
of the strand of wire H that extends across the course from the previously set
tension rod at the outer end of the blocks and also those between the ends of the
interior blocks wherever occurring. Said second tension rod G is thereby tied to
the first course of blocks by a metal tie, and this tie is a part of the metal tie which
is to bind the second course of blocks to the first course of blocks. I then draw or
lay out at right angles to the course set, the strand of wire H from said second
tension rod in position the same as in the first instance ready to receive the next or
second course of blocks and to project beyond it and its cavity as in the first
instance. I start the second course of blocks respectively upon the carrying
supports B and C and complete it in the centre with key block as in the first
instance.
The length of the end block is such as to break joints with blocks in the first
course. Before setting the end block F, I place and pack cement in the cavity f¹,
of the first course over and around the said second tension rod G for a distance
back from its end equal or more to the length of the block to be set in the second
course. I then spread cement upon the end block upon its end which is to go
against washer I, wire H, and wall A, and within its recess and upon its side which
is to come in contact with said second tension rod G and the first course of blocks;
said cement upon the side being in quantity sufficient to enter the grooves in its
side together with those in the side of the blocks in the first course, against which
it is to lie when pressed into position. Cement is then placed in cavity, of the
first course over and around said second tension rod G à distance equal or more to
the length of another block, and a second block is spread with cement upon its
end in the recess, and upon its whole side, and in the grooves which are to adjoin
the said second tension rod and side of the first course of blocks. It is then shoved
in position, one of its ends being against the inner end of the end block just set.
It breaks joint with the blocks in the first course. The vertical dowel is made
complete by thus bringing together in contact the grooved side of the two courses
of blocks. The cement hardens on and around the projections of the said second
tension rod G also in the grooves of the blocks, also between the grooves and the
sides of the two courses of blocks thus brought into contact.
By reason of the cement thus used between blocks so prepared and so set in
courses and resting upon and so united to tension rods so prepared together with
the metal ties (the completion of which tying the courses together is hereafter
referred to) the separate courses of blocks are bound together in contiguity and in
a novel manner and prevents the longitudinal movement of a single block or a
course of blocks upon another or (by reason of the cement joints particularly in
the cavity and recess) the deflection of a single block or a course of blocks one
beneath the other, or the separation of a single block or a course of blocks one
from another.
In the cavity of the latter or second course I then lay a third tension rod G
which has been prepared with projections, washers nuts and strands of wire as
before stated and while supported in the cavity I draw the free ends of the strands
of wire H and twist said ends around the end portion of the said rod G inside the
washers II and next the outer end of the end blocks, and likewise twist the other

page_text: wires that appear at the several intervals throughout the length of the said rod G,
thereby tying the two courses of blocks together in contiguity. The metal tie
uniting the several courses is thereby made complete.
This process of tying the courses together and also the courses to each other is
repeated throughout the floor. By means of this metal tie linking the courses
together one with the other continuously the cement bond between the courses and
between the tension rod and the courses is made secure and greatly strengthened,
hence there cannot be a separation between the courses or a movement longitudinally
or vertically of one course of blocks upon the other or of one course of blocks upon
the tension rod.
There can be no dislodgement of the block in the floor or deflection of one
portion beneath another as often occurs now with the system of flat arches between
I beams. By this means of constructing a floor or roof whereby the hollow blocks
are laid and united in contiguity at the ends in courses continuous from one
carrying support to the other, and the courses are laid, united and linked together,
side by side in contiguity, continuous from one end of the ends of the carrying
supports to the other ends I am enabled to construct a fire proof floor or roof,
lighter stronger safer, more substantial and cheaper than by the means methods and
systems now in use.
The end blocks F F when laid in the next or third course receives the screw
threaded end of the clamping rod K which as the block is shoved in place enters
one of the hollows fat one end of the block F and entends through the said
hollow beyond the other end of said block and at the side of the vertical partition f*
in the said block.
Upon the screw threaded end of the rod K is then placed a washer k¹ which
rests against the outer portion of the vertical portion fx of the block F and the
nut Kis turned upon the rod against the washer . Upon the girder C the screw
threaded end of the block clamping rod L is inserted through the hollow f* along-
side of the partition f× of the end block F at the time the same is laid which
block is in line with the end block upon support B into which block clamping rod K
has been received. Upon the screw threaded end of the rod L is then fitted a
washer which bears upon the partition fx in said block and a nut which bears
against the washer, and in this manner the end blocks of a course are clamped
to their supports. I then continue setting blocks in this course in the same manner
as in the other courses and complete the course, supply it with a tension rod bind
the course to the course previously set in the same manner as the other courses
were linked together thereby the whole becomes clamped in the carrying supports.
The cement which is in place between the side walls of the blocks and the
courses enters the respective vertical grooves f. which register with one another in
the courses and a vertical dowel is formed which adheres to the sides of the blocks
and thereby increases the resistance to longitudinal strains and by the breaking of
joints of the blocks in a course, with the blocks in adjoining courses I strengthen
the course of blocks in compressive resistances at the top and in tensio™ resistance
at the base, which in conjunction with the metal tie linking and binding the courses
together greatly increases the strength and safety of the floor or roof in
every part.
By this method of constructing a fire proof floor and roof and clamping it to its
supports or the walls of the building I am enabled to make use of the ordinary
hollow ware fire proof material placed in contiguity in each direction throughout
the floor or roof and bind each separate piece to the other by cement dowel joints
and metal ties so that not a single piece or block can be dislodged thereby
eliminating the dangers attendant upon the means, methods, and systems of fire
proof floor and roof construction now in use.
In my improved construction of floors and roofs there is no thrust and therefore
my floors and roofs may be built perfectly flat or level on the under surface (or
ceiling) or may be crowned domed or angle shaped and may be built in widths

page_text: corresponding to the length of joists of every kind now in use say fourteen sixteen
or twenty feet wide.
In constructing my floors and roofs I prefer to use the ordinary hollow ware fire
proof material such as porous terra cotta, but other materials may be used such as
manufactured blocks of straw, paper, cement, plaster etc. The temporary floor is
retained in place beneath the blocks until the cement between the blocks has
hardened, when the floor is self sustaining.
Heretofore flat fire proof floors have been formed with I beam joists of steel or
iron which rest upon the carrying supports and which were set at distances apart
of about five feet and tied with rods and between were filled with hollow blocks
usually in the form of flat arches, the thrust being sustained by the eye beams.
Often the beams spring and allow the deflection of one arch below the other and
cause cracks in the ceiling, still more often arches and portions and single blocks
are dislodged.
In my improved method I dispense with the beams and separate arches and so
construct the blocks as to use them directly to sustain the weight of the floor upon
the carrying support throughout the length of the supports.
By constructing the blocks in courses which are continuous in length from one
carrying support to the other carrying support, and then placing one tension rod in
one cavity in one side in the base of a course of blocks and then binding the courses
together in contiguity by means of dowel joints, metal ties, cement bonds and
tension 1ods as described I am enabled to obtain the united compression and tension
resistance of the courses of the blocks throughout the length and breadth of the
floor or roof to strains from loads upon the floor or roof. The blocks composing
the floor or roof may be either square or arch shaped. The tension rods and
binding links are composed preferably of steel of high tension strength but wrought
iron or other material may be substituted.
In my construction the blocks are also enabled in the compression and tension
strength afforded in each course by the respective blocks and rods to be self
supporting and in Fig. 2 I have shown a broken detail view of a separate course of
these blocks so laid as to constitute an artificial joist in which the cavity is
preferably formed in the under side portion of the base of each block and the
tension rod cemented therein.
The ends of each block are made with notches in which the binding cement
enters and the blocks are more effectually joined together. The separate artificial
joists constructed in this manner are subsequently laid upon their carrying supports
in the same manner in which a floor beam is laid and as the blocks in their manu-
facture are given the requisite compression strength to sustain a determinate
crushing weight, the strength is therefore uniform and with the tension rod in the
base of the blocks utilize the compression strength of the fire proof blocks to its
full capacity.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
1. In fire proof floors and roofs an artificial joist composed of separate blocks
united together and having a cavity in the base of each block extending the length
of said joist and a tension rod cemented within said cavity and to the said blocks in
said artificial joist substantially as described.
2. In fire proof floors and roofs an artificial joist composed of separate blocks
united together and having a cavity in the base of each block, and extending the
length of said joist and a tension rod cemented within said cavity of said blocks
having a cement engaging surface substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In fire proof floors and roofs an artificial joist composed of separate blocks
united together and having a cavity in the base of each block and extending the
length of said joist, grooves extending in an upward direction in said blocks in the

page_text: sides of said cavity and a tension rod cemented within said cavity and united with
the grooves in said cavity substantially as described.
4. In fire proof floors and roofs an artificial joist composed of separate blocks
united together and having a cavity in the base of each block and extending the
length of said joist and grooves in the said blocks in the side of said cavity, and a
tension rod having cement engaging surface cemented within said cavity of said
blocks substantially as described.
5. In fire proof floors and roofs an artificial joist composed of separate blocks
united together and having a longitudinal cavity in both sides of said joist and in
the base of said joist, the combination of tension rods within said cavities, and a
link connecting said rods substantially as described.
6. In fire proof floors and roofs an artificial joist composed of separate blocks
united together and having a longitudinal cavity in the base of said joist, the
combination of a tension rod cemented within said cavity and block clamping
washers upon said rod as and for the purposes described.
7. In fire proof floors and roofs an artificial joist composed of separate blocks
united together and having a longitudinal cavity in the base of said joist, the
combination of a tension rod cemented within said cavity provided with screw
threaded end portions and suitable clamping nuts upon said rod for the purpose
described.
8. In fire proof floors and roofs an artificial joist composed of separate blocks
united together and having a longitudinal cavity in the base of said joist the
combination of a tension rod cemented within said cavity provided with screw
threaded end portions and suitable clamping nuts and washers between said nuts
and blocks substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. In fire proof floors and roofs composed of separate courses of hollow floor
blocks in contiguity having a cavity in the base of each block and extending the
length of and registering with each other in each course, the combination of a
tension rod cemented within the said registering cavity of a course of said blocks
and a link connecting the said courses of blocks with each other substantially as
described.
10. In fire proof floors and roofs composed of separate courses of hollow floor
blocks in contiguity having a cavity in the base of each block and extending the
length of and registering with each other in each course, the combination of a
tension rod cemented within the said registering cavity of a course of said blocks
and a vertical dowel uniting the said courses substantially as described.
11. In fire proof floors and roofs composed of separate courses of hollow floor
blocks in contiguity having registering cavities in the base of the blocks and
extending the length of each course, a tension rod cemented within the said
registering cavities of a course of said blocks suitable carrying supports upon
which the courses rest at each end and the means substantially as described for
uniting the contiguous sides of the adjacent courses whereby the strength of one
course is imparted to another course continuously throughout the length of the
carrying supports substantially as described.
12. In fire proof floors and roofs composed of separate courses of hollow floor-
blocks having registering cavities in the base of the blocks extending the length of
each course the combination of two adjacent courses having meeting cavities, and a
tension rod cemented within said meeting cavities substantially as and for the
purpose described.
13. In fire proof floors and roofs composed of separate courses of fire proof blocks
having suitable supports for the end blocks in each course and a cavity in each
block extending the length of and registering with each other in each course and a
tension rod cemented in the said registering cavities of the courses of said blocks,
the combination with the end blocks in said course of blocks of clamping rods
connected with the said supports at one end and clamped against the inner end of
said end blocks at the other end substantially as described.
14. In fire proof floors and roofs composed of separate courses of hollow fire

page_text: proof blocks having partitions within said blocks and a cavity within the base of
each block extending the length of each course and suitable end supports for the
end blocks in each course, the combination with said end supports and end blocks of
clamping rods having one end connected with said supports and the other end screw
threaded and extending within the hollow of said end blocks and a clamping washer 5
upon the said end of said rod against the inner end of said partition in said end
block and a nut on said end of said rod for the purpose described.
Dated this 13th day of October 1891
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.