IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FLOORING OF RIDING SCHOOLS, TRAINING AND TROTTING TRACKS, HORSE AND OTHER REPOSITORIES, STABLES AND SHEDS FOR ANIMALS, CIRCUS RINGS, ATHLETIC GROUNDS AND OTHER LIKE FLOORS AND ROADWAYS.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Norris, of South Street, Park Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FLOORING OF
RIDING SCHOOLS, TRAINING AND TROTTING TRACKS, HORSE AND OTHER
REPOSITORIES, STABLES AND SHEDS FOR ANIMALS, CIRCUS RINGS, ATHLETIC
GROUNDS AND OTHER LIKE FLOORS AND ROADWAYS.
"
Sealed the 10th May 1878, and dated the 14th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Norris at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th November 1877.
JOSEPH NORRIS, of South Street, Park Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FLOORING OF RIDING SCHOOLS, TRAINING AND TROTTING
TRACKS, HORSE AND OTHER REPOSITORIES, STABLES AND SHEDS FOR ANIMALS,
CIRCUS RINGS, ATHLETIC GROUNDS, AND OTHER LIKE FLOORS AND ROADWAYS."
This Invention has for its object the formation of a suitable flooring for riding
schools, training and trotting tracks, horse and other repositories, stables and sheds
for animals, circus rings, athletic grounds, and other like floors and roadways, in
order to obtain a comparatively soft, dry, elastic surface of sufficient hardness, free
from dust and smell, and almost impervious to rain, suitable for the above
purposes.
Heretofore tan or sawdust have been generally employed for many of the above
purposes, but are found objectionable as they absorb moisture and crente dust, being
otherwise unsuitable.
Now I have discovered that waste shavings, cork cuttings, or comminuted cork
produced in the manufacture of corks, is the best material for forming a flooring,
track, or roadway, for the purposes of my Invention, particularly when combined
with any or either of the following materials, viz., sand, tan, sawdust, gravel, earth,
cinders or ashes, pebbles or broken stone, shells of all descriptions, cocoa-nut fibre,
and shell manure, coal or quartz, in suitable proportions, according to the nature
and solidity of the road surface required.

page_text: I have found a mixture of about two parts of cork shavings in bulk to one part
of river or other sand in bulk forms a suitable flooring for a riding school. The
above-named materials being imperishable are most economical for the purpose,
only requiring a little moisture applied thereto occasionally in order to maintain
the floor in perfect condition.
The elasticity of a floor or roadway made in accordance with my Invention
materially lessens concussion to horses or animals exercised thereon, being far
superior to any other materials hitherto used for such purposes.
My improvements are also applicable for forming the floors of stables and sheds
for animals, and of athletic, exercising, and other grounds, and for other like
purposes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Norris in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th May
1878.
JOSEPH NORRIS, of South Street, Park Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FLOORING OF RIDING SCHOOLS, TRAINING AND TROTTING
TRACKS, HORSE AND OTHER REPOSITORIES, STABLES AND SHEDS FOR ANIMALS,
CIRCUS RINGS, ATHLETIC GROUNDS, AND OTHER LIKE FLOORS AND ROADWAYS."
This Invention has for its object the formation of a suitable flooring for riding
schools, training and trotting tracks, horse and other repositories, stables and sheds
for animals, circus rings, athletic grounds, and other like floors and roadways, in
order to obtain a comparatively soft, dry, elastic surface of sufficient hardness, free
from dust and smell, and almost impervious to rain, suitable for the above
purposes.
Heretofore tan or sawdust have been generally employed for many of the above
purposes, but are found objectionable as they absorb moisture and create dust, being
otherwise unsuitable.
Now I have discovered that waste shavings, cork cuttings, or comminuted cork
produced in the manufacture of corks, is the best material for forming a flooring,
track, or roadway, for the purposes of my Invention, particularly when combined
with any or either of the following materials, viz., sand, tan, sawdust, gravel, earth,
cinders or ashes, pebbles or broken stone, shells of all descriptions, cocoa-nut fibre
and shell manure, coal or quartz, in suitable proportions according to the nature
and solidity of the road surface required.
I have found a mixture of about two parts of cork shavings in bulk to one part
of river or other sand in bulk forms a suitable flooring for a riding school. The
above-named materials being imperishable are most economical for the purpose,
only requiring a little moisture applied thereto occasionally in order to maintain
the floor in perfect condition.
The cork and other materials may be solidified by rolling or otherwise, or may
beformed into blocks by pressure and laid as paving, if desired.

page_text: The elasticity of a floor or roadway made in accordance with my Invention
naturally lessens concussion to horses or animals exercised thereon, being far
superior to any other materials hitherto used for such purposes.
My improvements are also applicable for forming the floors of stables and sheds
for animals, and of athletic, exercising, and other grounds, and for other like
purposes.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
or carrying the same into practice, what I claim is, the improved construction of the
floors of riding schools, training and other trotting tracks, horse and other repositories,
stables and sheds for animals, circus rings, athletic grounds, and other like floors
and roadways, by the application thereto in the formation of such floors or road-
ways of waste cork shavings, cork cuttings, or comminuted cork, either alone or
combined with sand, tan, sawdust, gravel, earth, cinders or ashes, pebbles or
broken stones, shells, shell manure, cocoa-nut fibre, coal, or quartz, substantially as
and for the purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Norris, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-eight.
JOS”. NORRIS. (L.S.)