Improvements in Conduits for Electric Light and other Wires.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 21st Feb., 1890-Accepted, 5th Apr., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Conduits for Electric Light and other Wires.
I, GEORGE GOLLOP, of 3 Paddock Street, Chatham, in the County of Kent,
Manager of Works, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
My invention relates to an improved construction of conduits for electric light and
other wires, and it consists in utilizing the kerbstones of pavements for such conduits,
the objects being to facilitate laying, replacing, or inspecting the wires or cables
without breaking up the roads, and consequently obstructing the vehicular traffic.
I construct my conduit in outward form as a kerbstone. It is made in suitable
lengths with a longitudinal hollow channel of a V or other suitable section. The
conduits may be either made with a continuous loose top, or with a solid top and loose
covers at intervals, as found most convenient for the situation where they are laid.
In all cases the loose tops or covers are made with internal flanges or webs to keep
them in place and are of the necessary thickness to make the top of the conduit
flush with the pavement. I do not bind myself to the employment of any particular
substance or material for the manufacture of these kerbstone conduits, so long as the
substance or material gives the necessary strength and durability under wear, but I
prefer for convenience in manufacture to make them of concrete, or other analogous
compound of which cement is the essential component.
The loose tops or covers are cemented down in place when the wires or cables are
permanently laid.
At or about the centre of each conduit, the internal vertical faces of the channel
are formed with slots or grooves to receive carriers for the wires or cables, so that
each wire or cable is kept apart and may be removed without disturbing the others.
These carriers take the form of plates having one or more vertical slots from
which branch off on either side a series of short slots terminating in boles in which
the wires lie. Soine lengths of the kerbstone conduit are provide with suitable
branches for leading the wires into adjacent houses, and they are also made of the
required shapes for corners, cross roads etc. Sumps are provided at intervals for the
purpose of drainage, such sumps preferably being combined with corner posts, which
may also be utilized as ventilators.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Conduits for Electric Light and other Wires.
I, GEORGE GOLLOP, of 3 Paddock Street, Chatham in the County of Kent,
Manager of Works; 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:-
My invention relates to an improved construction of conduits for electric light
and other wires and it consists in utilizing the kerbstones of pavements for such
conduits, the objects being to facilitate laying replacing or inspecting the wires or
cables without breaking up the pavements or roads and consequently obstructing the
foot and véhicular traffic.
I construct my conduit in outward form as a kerbstone. It is made in suitable
lengths with a longitudinal hollow channel of a suitable section. The conduits may

page_text: he either made with a continuous loose top, or with a solid top at intervals, as found
most convenient for the situation where they are laid. In all cases the loose tops or
covers are made with internal flanges or webs to keep them in place, and are of the
necessary thickness to make the top of the conduit flush with the pavement, and the
top of the conduit without the cover above the level of the road. I do not bind
myself to the employment of any particular substance or material for the manufacture
of these kerbstone conduits, so long as the substance or material gives the necessary
strength and durability under wear, but I prefer for convenience in manufacture to
make them of concrete, or other analogous compound of which cement is the essential
component.
The loose tops or covers are cemented down in place when the wires or cables are
permanently laid.
At or about the centre of each conduit the internal vertical faces of the channel
are formed with slots or grooves to receive carriers for the wires or cables, so
that each wire or cable is kept apart and may be removed without disturbing the
others. These carriers preferably take the form of plates having one or more vertical
slots from which branch off on either side a series of short slots terminating in holes
in which the wires lie. Some lengths of the kerbstone conduit are provided with
suitable branches for leading the wires into adjacent streets and they are also made
of the required shapes for corners, cross roads etc. Sumps are provided at intervals
for the purpose of drainage such sumps preferably being combined with corner posts.
These posts or lamp posts are also utilized as ventilators.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention and the manner
of carrying it into practical effect. Figures 1. and 2. are views in elevation and
Figures 3 and 4 views in plan showing the practical adaptation of my invention to
the public highway. Figure 5. is a view in sectional elevation on an enlarged scale
of my kerbstone conduit. Figure 6. is a view in end elevation thereof. Figure 7. is
a view in transverse section thereof, and Figure 8 is a view in plan thereof with one
of the covers removed. Figures 9. and 10 are views in side and end elevation
respectively of a modification of my improved conduit.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
The conduit A is constructed of an outward form suitable for use as a kerbstone
and it is made in suitable lengths adapted to be fitted together by means of suitable
joints to form a continuous length, and it is formed with a loose top or cover A¹ the
joint of which is as near to the surface as possible. This cover A¹ is provided with
internal flanges a¹ a¹ adapted to fit within the hollow of the conduit and so keep the
cover in position to be cemented down in place after the cables are laid, but as it is
not absolutely necessary either for the laying of the cable, or for its maintenance in
effective order, that all the lengths of the conduit should be provided with removable
tops or covers, I sometimes make some of the lengths with solid tops as illustrated by
Figures 9. and 10.
In each of the lengths of the conduit, or in as many of them as it is found
necessary, are formed vertical slots in the sides of the said conduit, adapting them to
receive carriers B for the wires. These carriers may be of the form illustrated or of
any other suitable and convenient form or shape.
When the mains have to cross roads or streets at frequent intervals I prefer to
make the conduits of such a depth (as illustrated by Figure 2.) that the wires can be
carried under the said cross roads or streets in suitable conduits such as illustrated by
Figures 9. and 10, without materially altering their level.
For branch mains, corners or other positions the outward shape of the kerbstone
conduit is varied to meet the particular requirements of the situation.
At suitable points I form sumps C for drainage and I preferably combine these
with corner posts X which may be adapted also for pumps for removing the drainage
water. Ventilation is provided for by means of lamp posts Z or by means of the
corner posts X hereinbefore described.
By utilizing the kerbstones as conduits the mains or cables are placed in a

page_text: convenient part of the street or highway for laying, relaying, or inspection, without
breaking up the roadway or obstructing traffic.
As the joints of the tops or covers are above the surface of the street, the
joints can be broken and the covers removed without disturbing or breaking up
the surface of either the road or the pavement, and as the conduit is below the level
of the pavement, branches can be laid into houses by simply boring through with a
hollow drill from the basement of a house into the conduit, and laying in a pipe
through which to lead the wire or wires.
The conduit kerbstones are made of stone, concrete, stoneware, iron, or any other
suitable material, or combination or combinations thereof.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular shape
and construction of the conduit as hereinbefore described and shown by the
accompanying drawings, but hold myself at liberty to make it of any desired shape
and construction within the spirit and scope of my invention.
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 ;-
1st. The improved conduit for electric light and other wires substantially as set
forth.
2nd. A conduit for electric and other wires adapted in outward form for use
as a kerbstone, and having the joint of the removable top or cover in such a position
that it will be above the surface of the road when laid as and for the purpose set
forth.
n
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers, 70-72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.