Constructive Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 3rd Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 6th Dec., 1887
Constructive Purposes.
I, FAIRFAX BLOMFIELD WADE of 10 Albert Mansions Victoria Street in the
County of Middlesex Architect do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention consists of a method of applying to useful purposes small fragments
or particles of wood. The blocks of wood hitherto used for paving are found to
difference in the texture of different blocks or in
wear very unevenly owing to
different parts of the same block. This causes more rapid deterioration of the
pavement than would occur if the whole surface were of the same consistency.
My invention is directed to the removal of these defects.
I use conglomerate blocks composed of shreds or small fragments of wood cemented
together either with or without the addition of other substances and moulded so as to
form solid blocks of whatever shape may be desired.
By these means I secure uniformity of texture in the blocks and also an easy
method of shaping them. Such blocks may be used either for constructing pavement,
or other constructive purposes.
Since the material so formed can be moulded into an infinite variety of forms, it
is capable of being used for the manufacture of any article which can be conveniently
shaped in a mould.

page_text: Constructive Purposes.
I FAIRFAX BLOMFIELD WADE of 10 Albert Mansions Victoria Street in the
County of Middlesex, Architect, 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 consists of a method of applying to useful purposes small fragments
or particles of Wood and is particularly applicable for making paving blocks. In
addition to their use for paving, the blocks described may be employed for any
constructive purpose, where shaped blocks of great durability and strength are
required, and in particular for building the retaining Walls of Docks or locks.
The blocks of wood hitherto used for paving are found to wear very unevenly
owing to a difference in the texture of the different blocks, or in different parts of
the same block. This causes more rapid deterioration of the pavement than would
occur if the whole surface were of the same consistency.
My invention is directed to the removal of these defects.
>
I effect this by the manufacture of conglomerate blocks, in which shreds or
fragments of wood are amalgamated with other substances and cemented together
under pressure.
In this way I secure uniformity of texture throughout the blocks
and an easy method of reducing them to any shape which may be desired.
The fragments should be steeped in tar pitch or some other bituminous compound
in a liquid state, the wood having been previously crushed or bruised in such a
manner as to open its fibre and allow it to become thoroughly impregnated. The
wood is then placed in moulds and cement is poured into the interstices. The moulds
must then be subjected to hydraulic or other pressure, until the contents are
thoroughly consolidated. The moulds are removed after the cement is set, when the
blocks are ready for use.
The process I prefer to adopt is as follows; I divide pieces of wood either by
cleaving or sawing into narrow strips, having a sectional area of about 8ths inch
square, and crush them between iron rollers placed a sufficient distance apart to open
the fibre of the wood without destroying it. This distance will depend in each case
upon the nature of the wood used. I then cut the strips into lengths corresponding
to the depth of the blocks required. These are then steeped in tar in a liquid state
which has been previously boiled. Sometimes I mix the tar with oil and turpentine.
Sometimes I also steep the strips in creosote. When thoroughly saturated I pack the
strips in moulds side by side in such a manner that the fibre is all in the same
direction. The moulds I use are iron boxes, having either six or eight sides one or
more of the sides adjacent to the lateral fibre of the wood being compressible. The
strips are next grouted in with cement so that the moulds are completely filled. The

page_text: cement I prefer to use, is composed of 6 parts of river sand, 24 parts of boiled tar
and one part of sulphur. The moulds are then subjected to pressure as before
described, and left till the cement is set.
When used for paving it is intended that the blocks shall be laid so that the fibre
of the wood is presented endways to the wearing surface.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is ;
1st. The use for paving of conglomerate blocks composed of shreds or fragments
of wood in combination with tar, or any bituminous compound and cement and either
with or without the addition of creosote oil or turpentine and manufactured
substantially as above described.
2nd. The use of like blocks for building retaining walls and other constructive
purposes for which shaped blocks are required.
Dated this Third day of November 1887
A. C. CURTIS HAYWARD,
Agent for the Applicant.