Improvements in Blocks, Tiles, or the like for Pavements, Sidewalks, Floors, Platforms, Steps or similar Places, and in the Manufacture thereof.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 23rd May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Blocks, Tiles, or the like for Pavements, Sidewalks,
Floors, Platforms, Steps or similar Places, and in the Manufacture
thereof.
I, SAMUEL MCDOUGALL of Marsh Farm, Sealand near Chester, Farmer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in blocks, tiles or the like, and in
the mode of manufacturing the same, such tiles or blocks being designed mainly
for use in pavements, side-walks, floors, platforms, steps and other places subjected
to the wear and tear of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
The object of the invention is to produce a durable and comparatively cheap
block or tile which shall afford a large amount of grip to the feet, and vehicular
traffic.
In carrying the invention into effect, I construct a block or tile having, on its
upper surface, a series of holes or recesses, preferably of a rectangular contour or
shape, and into each of these recesses I insert a block or peg of wood or other
suitable material calculated to give a large amount of grip, the upper ends of the
wooden blocks or pegs may be flush or project a short distance beyond the upper
surface of the block. It is preferable to extend the recesses or holes only partly
through the block or tile.
The tile or block may be formed of clay, cement, concrete or any other suitable
durable material or composition. The holes or recesses may be formed in it by
means of a press, while it is still in a plastic state, and either at the same time that
the block is moulded, or afterwards. It is preferable, however, to form them
during the moulding operation, and to provide each block with a series of vent
holes which extend upwards from the bottom of the block to the lower ends of the
recesses or holes. These vent holes serve to facilitate the withdrawal of the
plungers or dies, which form the holes, and also to facilitate the insertion of
the wooden blocks or pegs aforesaid.
In another modification of my invention, I make the entire block of wood and
surround it with a band of iron which is placed some distance below the upper
surface of the block so that it does not come into contact with the feet or vehicular
traffic until the block is worn down considerably. .
The spaces left between the various blocks may be filled with asphalt, concrete,
cement, lead or any other material usually employed for the purpose. The first
named blocks or tiles may also be similarly covered on their upper surfaces to the
level of the wooden blocks or pegs.
My improved blocks afford increased security against the slipping or falling of
pedestrians, horses or other draught animals, while they, at the same time, by
affording a better grip, increase the drawing power of the latter.
Dated this 17th day of July 1890.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Blocks, Tiles, or the like for Pavements, Sidewalks,
Floors, Platforms, Steps or similar Places, and in the Manufacture
thereof.
I, SAMUEL M°DOUGALL, of Marsh Farm, Sealand near Chester, Farmer, 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 invention relates to certain improvements in blocks, tiles or the like, and in
the mode of manufacturing the same, such blocks, tiles or the like being designed
mainly for use in pavements, sidewalks, floors, platforms, steps and other places
subjected to the wear and tear of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
The object of the invention is to produce a durable and comparatively cheap tile,
block or the like which shall afford a large amount of grip to the feet and vehicular
traffic; reference being had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, which shows a
perspective view of a block or tile constructed according to my invention, and to
letters of reference marked thereon.
In carrying this invention into effect, I construct a block or tile A, having, on
and in its upper surface B, a series of holes or recesses C, preferably, though not
necessarily, of a rectangular contour or shape, and into each of these holes or
recesses C, I insert a block or peg D of wood, or other suitable material calculated
to give a large amount of grip, the upper ends of the wooden blocks or pegs D D
may be flush or project a short distance beyond the upper surface B of the block
or tile. It is preferable to extend the holes or recesses C only partly through the
block or tile, as shown on the drawing.
The block, tile or the like, may be of clay, cement, concrete or any other
suitable durable material or composition. The holes or recesses may be formed in
it by means of a press, while it is still in a plastic state, and either at the same time
that the block is moulded, or afterwards. It is preferable, however, to form these
holes or recesses C during the moulding operation, and to provide each block or
tile A with a series of vent holes E E which extend upwards from the bottom of
the block to the lower ends of the holes or recesses C. These vent holes E E are
formed independent of and at a different operation to the holes or recesses C and
they serve to facilitate the withdrawal of the plungers or dies, which form the
recesses or holes C by destroying anything like a vacuum which would otherwise
form, and also to facilitate the insertion of the wooden blocks or pegs D D aforesaid
by providing an escape for the air.
In a modification of my invention, I make the entire block or set of one entire
piece of wood without any recesses and plugs and surround it with a band of iron
or similar inetal which is placed some distance below the upper surface of the
block or set so that it does not come into contact with the feet or vehicular traffic
until the block is worn down considerably. The spaces left between the various
blocks so made which go to make up a pavement, sidewalk, floor, etcetera, may be
filled with asphalt, concrete, cement, lead or any other material usually employed
for the purpose.
My improved blocks afford increased security against the slipping or falling of
pedestrians, horses or other draught animals, while they, at the same time, by
affording a better grip, increase the drawing power of the latter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An improved block, tile or the like, for the purpose herein before set forth,
having in it a series of holes or recesses, such as ℃ (partly or wholly extending

page_text: through the same and with or without vent holes E E) which holes or recesses are
provided with blocks or pegs D D of wood or other suitable material, substantially
as herein before described and shown.
2. In the manufacture of a block, tile or the like having a series of holes or
recesses to be fitted with blocks or pegs, providing such blocks, tiles or the like
with a series of vent holes E E substantially in the manner hereinbefore described.
3. An improved block or set for the purpose hereinbefore described consisting of
a body entirely of wood surrounded with a band of iron or similar metal placed at
some distance below its upper surface, substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 16th day of April 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham and London, Patent Agents.