Improvements in Bricks or Blocks to be Employed in the Construction of the Floors of Fire-proof and other Buildings.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1894--Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bricks or Blocks to be Employed in the
Construction of the Floors of Fire-proof and other Buildings.
I, CHARLES GORDON PICKING, of Bounds Green, New Southgate, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
--
This invention relates more particularly to the floors of buildings such as malt
kilns in which the floor is formed tubular and in some cases perforated in order
that a current of heated air may be passed therethrough for the purpose of
facilitating the germination of the grain as is well understood but floors of this
character are also applicable to the construction of fire-proof buildings and for
ventilating purposes.
Now, the primary object of the present invention is to form the bricks or blocks
which comprise the floor hollow and with vertical transverse partitions in such
manner that a number of such bricks or blocks arranged side by side will form
flues or passages running longitudinally of the girders or joists and the floor as a
whole will possess the necessary degree of strength whilst at the same time the
total weight thereof will be greatly reduced as compared with similar structures.
And, in order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully
Figure 1. is a vertical section taken transversely of the girders, representing a
portion of a floor constructed of bricks or blocks according to the present invention
in readiness to receive the concrete filling.
Figure 2. is a horizontal section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1.
Figure 3. is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figures 4, 5, and 6. are similar views to Figure 1. but representing slight
modifications.
Figure 7. is a frame partly in section representing a portion of a floor constructed
of diagonally laid bricks or blocks.
In the several figures like parts arc indicated by similar letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3. a. represents the bottom of the brick or block
which is formed with a number of dovetail grooves a¹ therein to constitute keys
for the plaster of a ceiling or the like and the bottom a. is of such dimensions
that it extends about half way across the under side of the flange b' of the girder b.
by which the brick or block is supported and is there met by the corresponding
part of one of the next row of bricks or blocks and the underside of the flange
of the girder is thus protected against atmospheric influence or fire.
The end walls a² of the brick or block rise from the bottom a. at a suitable
distance from each end and curve outward whence they rise vertically to the crown
or arch a³ of the brick thus forming a notch for the reception of the flange b' of
the girder.
The arch a of the brick or block springs from the end walls a² and forms a
single span and is supported at its mid-length by a vertical webb or partition a**
which also serves the purpose of dividing the hollow brick or block transversely
into two chambers a* which when a number of bricks or blocks are placed in
C

page_text: position between the girders b. form continuous channels or flues a* arranged
longitudinally of the girders b. as represented more particularly at Figures 2.
and 3.
Some of the bricks or blocks are formed along both sides with overhanging
flanges such as a³* whilst others are formed without such flanges so that if they
are alternately arranged as shown more particularly at Figure 3. the flanges a³*
will overlap the meeting edges of the bricks and make a comparatively tight
joint.
Or, instead of forming flanges a³* upon both sides of every alternate brick a
single flange, such as a³, may be formed upon one side of each brick, as will be
readily understood.
In lieu of forming the flanges a³* above the crown a³ of the brick as herein-
before described and shown, the crown of the bricks may at one or both sides be
formed undercut so as to leave a flange whilst the side or sides of the next brick
or bricks is or are correspondingly stepped or recessed so that the flange of one
brick will rabbit or be received into the stepped or recessed part of the next brick,
whereby the continuous arch formed by the bricks will present a level or unbroken
surface.
In placing a brick or block in position upon the girders, it is inserted at an
angle and when its notches have engaged the flanges of the girders it is turned at
right angles therewith, or, where circumstances permit, they may be slidden into
position from the ends of the girders b, or, at a break or opening in the flanges 61
thereof; but in order to facilitate the placing in position of the last brick it is
divided transversely the flanges a* affording the necessary support as shown at
Figure 3.
The divided brick or block is preferably formed with two partitions a²* as
represented at Figure 4, in order to efficiently support the crown a³ whilst the line
of division is arranged at an angle to a vertical plane as indicated by the dotted
line in Figure 4.
The flues or channels a* may be usefully employed as conduits for heated air in
the drying floor of a malt kiln or the like or for the passage of refrigerated air
in the floor of a cooling chamber, whilst, when employed for the floor of a
dwelling house, the contained air will usefully act as a non-conductor of sound
and heat.
In the example given at Figure 4, the brick or block is sub-divided by means
of two partitions a²* into three ways a* but it will be understood that the number
of the partitions and divisions may be varied according to circumstances.
In the example given at Figure 5, one end of the brick or block is formed to
"skew back" a' **which is notched to engage the flange 6 of the
girder in the same manner as the opposite end of the brick or block.
seat upon a
The object of employing the "skew back" a** is to facilitate the placing in
position of the brick or block as the latter may then be made of such a length
that it may be lowered squarely into place by first resting its notched end on the
flange of the girder and then lowering the other end on to the "skew
back a**
"
The example given at Figure 6. is similar to that lastly hereinbefore described
except that "skew backs" a are employed for both ends of the brick or block to
seat upon and the placing of the latter in position is thus further facilitated.
In the example given at Figure 7. the bricks or blocks are arranged diagonally
between the girders b. and their ends are shaped to lie parallel with the girders b.
"whilst the partitions a²* are correspondingly arranged.
By the latter arrangement, the placing in position of the bricks or blocks is
greatly facilitated as they may be lowered in between the girders b. and then
horizontally turned until their angular and notched ends engage and lie against
the flanges b¹.
Bricks or blocks of the character hereinbefore described are light to handle,
easy to make and a floor composed thereof is practically sound and fire proof whilst

page_text: the longitudinal flues a* are not only useful as couduits for the gas or other pipes,
electric wires or the like and for hot or cold air but will also afford an excellent
means of ventilating buildings, as will be readily understood, whilst by reason of
the bricks or blocks forming a continuous arch from end to end of the girders a
floor constructed in this manner possesses great strength to resist downward
pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a hollow brick or block, the combination of a crown or arch springing
from the end walls, one or more transverse partition walls and side flanges upon
the crown for overlapping adjacent bricks, the partitions arranged to lie parallel
with the girders, substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose
stated.
2. In a hollow brick or block, the combination of a crown or arch springing
from the end walls, one or more transverse partition walls and angularly cut ends
to allow of the bricks lying diagonally with relation to the supporting girders, the
partition walls and end walls being arranged to lie parallel with the girders,
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
3. A hollow brick or block divided transversely and augularly into two parts
and formed with a crown or arch springing from the end walls and with one or
more transverse partitions and overlapping side flanges, substantially as herein
shown and described and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 19th day of November 1894.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.