IMPROVED ORNAMENTAL BRICKS, APPLICABLE FOR VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES, AND I MIGUINERY FOR MANAGING THE GAME " PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ferdinand Potts, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Tube Manufacturer, and Charles Harvey, of Elmdon, also in
the County of Warwick, Plumber and Glazier, for the Invention of
"IMPROVED ORNAMENTAL BRICKS, APPLICABLE FOR VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES,
AND I MIGUINERY FOR MANAGING THE GAME
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ferdinand Potts and
Charles Harvey at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on the 21st April 1864.
We, FERDINAND POTTS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Tube
Manufacturer, and. CHARLES HARVEY, of Elmdon, also in the County of
Warwick, Plumber and Glazier, do hereby declare the nature of our said
Invention for "IMPROVED ORNAMENTAL BRICKS, APPLICABLE FOR VARIOUS USEFUL
PURPOSES, AND IN THE MACHINERY. FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME," to be as
follows (that is to say):-
Our Invention, consists in moulding from suitable clay bricks of any orna-
mental or irregular shape, and, when partially dry we purpose pressing them
in suitable moulds, so as to condense and press the clay into a hard and
compact mass of the desired design, or this pressing may be performed with
the clay in a dry, wet, or partially wet state, according to the strength or

page_text: power or convenient means of pressing.
Bricks thus formed we purpose
(after burning in a kiln) in some instances to glaze on the surface with any
suitable glass, enamel, or other suitable coatings, and these bricks we purpose
using for garden borders and other like or suitable purposes to which such
bricks may be used or applied.
And our improvements in the machinery for the manufacture of our
improved bricks consist in the mode of constructing and actuating the top or
top and bottom part of the necessary moulds in which they are to be formed,
the tops of which moulds may be simple or compound, or composed of one or
more parts, according to the form or relief in the ornamentation we may desire
to impress. The top of the mould is to be lifted or elevated in a direction at
right angles from the general face of the article moulded, so as to leave the
ornament in bold relief, which could not be effected if the top of the mould
rose perpendicularly, unless the design was of such a character as to admit of
its being so removed, viz., without overhanging projections or undercuts.
This top simple or compound part of the mould we purpose lifting by a treaddle
with the foot, or by a side lever actuated by hand or otherwise, as convenient,
and to cause this part to rise or retire along angular grooves or guides formed
on the outer ends of the mould frame, the object of these grooves or guides
being to preserve the parallel action of the top or cover in such cases where
the top is in one part; but if in two parts, and the design to be formed is of
such an irregular shape as to render it necessary, the top or cover compound
part of the mould may divide and separate as it is elevated from the work
for the purpose of removing the brick from the mould after formation. This
is effected by means of a suitable lever actuating the bottom of the mould
which lifts out the moulded brick. The grooves at the ends of the mould
frame before referred to form the guides for angular pins to work in in
connection with the top or cover, so that as the top or cover is elevated it is
obliged to rise according to the direction of the groove. In cases where such
bricks are intended for garden bordering or such like purposes, we purpose
causing one, two, or more pins to advance through the ends of the mould, and
to enter the clay to a required depth during the time the brick is being
moulded, which pins are again pulled back before the brick is removed from"
the mould, leaving a cavity or cavities equal to the size of the pin or pins
impressed in the brick. The purpose of these holes is for receiving dowels for
supporting the continuity of such bricks for garden borders or otherwise, as
required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Ferdinand Potts and Charles Harvey in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 21st October 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, FERDINAND
POTTS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Tube Manufacturer, and
CHARLES HARVEY, of Elmdon, also in the County of Warwick, Plumber and
Glazier, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Ferdinand Potts and Charles Harvey, Her special license that we, the
said Ferdinand Potts and Charles Harvey, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said Ferdinand Potts and Charles Harvey,
our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVED ORNAMENTAL BRICKS,
APPLICABLE FOR VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES, AND IN THE MACHINERY FOR MANU-
FACTURING THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said
Ferdinand Potts and Charles Harvey, our executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal
of one of them, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to. be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Ferdinand Potts and Charles
Harvey, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement (that is to say) :-
Our Invention consists in moulding from suitable clay bricks of any orna-
mental or irregular shape, and when partially dry we purpose pressing them
in suitable moulds, so as to condense and press the clay into a hard and
compact mass of the desired design, or this pressing may be performed with the
clay in a dry, wet, or partially wet state, according to the strength, or power,
or convenient means of pressing. Bricks thus formed we purpose (after
burning in a kiln) in some instances to glaze on the surface with any suitable

page_text: glass, enamel, or other suitable coatings, and these bricks we purpose using
for garden borders and other like or suitable purposes to which such bricks
may be used or applied.
And our improvements in the machinery for the manufacture of our
improved bricks consist in the mode of constructing and actuating the top
or top and bottom parts of the necessary moulds in which they are to be
formed, the tops of which moulds may be simple or compound, or composed
of one or more parts, according to the form or relief in the ornamentation
we may desire to impress. The top of the mould is to be lifted or elevated
in a direction at right angles from the general face of the article moulded, so
as to leave the ornament in bold relief, which could not be effected if the top
of the mould rose perpendicularly, unless the design was of such a character
as to admit of its being so removed, namely, without overhanging projections
or undercuts. This top simple or compound part of the mould we purpose
lifting by a treadle with the foot, or by a side lever actuated by hand or
otherwise, as convenient; and to cause this part to rise or retire along angular
grooves or guides formed on the outer ends of the mould frame, the object
of these grooves or guides being to preserve the parallel action of the top or
cover in such cases where the top is in one part; but if in two parts, and the
design to be formed is of such an irregular shape as to render it necessary,
the top or cover compound part of the mould may divide and separate as it
is elevated from the work for the purpose of removing the brick from the
mould after formation. This is effected by means of a suitable lever actuating
the bottom of the mould which lifts out the moulded brick. The grooves at
the end of the mould frame before referred to form the guides for angular
pins to work in in connection with the top or cover, so that as the top or
cover is elevated it is obliged to rise according to the direction of the
groove. In cases where such bricks are intended for gardening or such like
purposes, we purpose causing one, two, or more pins to advance through the
ends of the mould, and to enter the clay to a required depth during the time
the brick is being moulded, which pins are again pulled back before the brick
is removed from the mould, leaving a cavity or cavities equal to the size of
the pin or pins impressed in the brick. The purpose of these holes is for
receiving dowels for supporting the continuity of such bricks for garden
borders or otlierwise, as required.
But in order to be more completely and 'clearly understood as the nature
and extent of our Invention, we will proceed to describe the Drawings bere
unto annexed, reference being had to the various figures and letters marked
thereon.
..

page_text: Fig. 1 is a front view, and Fig. 2' an end view of a brick moulded according:
to our improvements, and designed as being suitable for a garden, border, and
in this case we have intended for each side of the brick to correspond; that is,
to bave no front or back side. A, A, Figure 2, are two dowel holes, formed:
as hereafter described or otherwise, for the purpose of inserting dowels of
wood, lead, galvanized iron, or other material, so as to preserve a uniform:
continuity of such bricks around or along a garden border. When required i
to edge a circular bed the brick itself may be moulded according to the curve:
required, or it may be parallel in its formation, and more or less bevilled at:
the ends.
Figs. 3 and 4 are simply a front and end view of another example of our.
improved edging tiles, in which the design is confined to one side, still pre-
serving the principle of securing the union by dowels as at B, B, and C, C,
the one representing the dowel projecting from the brick, and C, C, the:"
corresponding holes for receiving them. The parts marked D, D, and E, E,
are simply the parts that are intended when in use to be bedded firmly in the
soil for supporting these kinds of bordering bricks or tiles in position; but of
course both this and the upper part may be diversified in any desired way, or
with any design. And bricks thus formed we purpose glazing on that part
intended to be exposed, such glazing being of one or more colours, such as
are simply produced on, red clay or other common earthenware, the said
vitreous colour or colours being burnt on during the process of burning or:
passing such kinds of bricks through, the necessary kiln.
:
.. And our improvements in the making of such kinds of bricks vary only. as:
regards the shape or form, as some may be beneficially moulded on the flat,
while others would be more conveniently moulded edgeway and with a divided
mould, in which is formed the design intended to be impressed, in order that.
each die or part may be lifted from the clay, to which it has given form, at
such an angle that it may freely disengage itself from the, clay without.
injuring the form or character of the design it has impressed, as will be:
hereafter seen.
'
:
Fig. 5 is an end and Fig. 6 a side view of a machine, in which bricks
herein described may be conveniently moulded, which is composed of two end.
standards as at F, F, secured together at the bottom by stays marked G, G,
and which stays may form the axis for wheels, as here shown, if so desired;
for assisting the ready removal of the machine. The top part may form a
square or rectangular opening, by having a back and front cast or wrought
iron plate, marked H, united to the standards. In the general construction
here shown, the front side of Figure 6 and. the left-hand side of Figure 5:

page_text: may be considered as the front of the machine, all the parts being represented
in the same position they would assume, provided a brick was being formed
in the interior. From side to side of the machine a strong stay is formed,
marked L, L, having a hole in its centre for receiving a strong circular bar,
partly shown in dotted lines in each; Figure, marked M, M; this bar is fitted
at the top end to the false or moving bottom of the machine, shown in dotted
lines in Figure 5, and partly seen beneath the lower edge of the front H
marked N. On the under side of this part N is secured a hollow socket
marked O, having a spirally formed lower surface, which abuts on the cor-
responding part P, which bears on an open collar on the stay L; to the part P
is attached a strong socket for receiving the lever Q, for the purpose hereafter
to be referred to; and R is an axis united at right angles to the inner end of
the lever S, S, best seen, as broken off for convenience of space, at Figure 5,
and which lever works on a fulcrum or stay bar at T. To the ends of the
axis, R. the connecting rods U, U, are attached, which are connected to a
forked rod or bar marked V, V, V, extending up each side, and over the top
of the machine, where it is attached to a strong piece of iron, wood, or other
material marked W, to which is secured the metal die or parts for impressing
the desired ornament or design on the clay within; and which part W we
further hold in position by a strong clip marked X, which works on a hinge-
joint behind, and falls down in front between two projections marked e and f,
against which and an angular termination to the clip X a metal wedge 'is
placed in, as shown at Figure 6, marked g, for holding the cover W firmly in
position while the clay within is being pressed by the false bottom N, having
been forced up by the lever Q being brought from the corresponding position
on the right-hand side to the one here shown, which has elevated the false
bottom and socket O in proportion to the spiral inclination given to the
bottom edge of the socket O and top edge of the part P, which has fully com-
pressed the clay and formed the brick desired to be moulded. For explicitness
we will now assume that it is desirable to remove such a brick from the
machine; and in order to proceed to this operation, the parts I, I, which
are shown detached in a vertical position at Fig. 7, are forced apart by a
circular friction roller or pin secured to the connecting rod J, and which rod
is united to the lever K, the depression of which will cause the parts I and I
to expand at right angles through the clips A', A', by, as before stated, the
circular pin or friction roller a travelling down the inclined planes. The inner
end of the pin or axis of the friction roller a we prefer to work in a small
vertical groove formed in the front of the mould frame H for that purpose;
and as the two parts 1, I, are pressed out at right angles, they bring with

page_text: them two pins secured by set screws to the angles of the parts I, I, as shown;
marked by the same letter at Figure 5; the set screws there seen for holding
the pins before referred to are marked b and c, these pins forming the cavities
for receiving the dowels in the ends of the brick that has been moulded. And
in order to hold the parts I, I, in the position as here shown, a strong helical
spring may be applied to the pins d, d, or an india-rubber band; but, if
preferred, the action, may be entirely reversed by placing the friction roller a
in the V part below formed by the meeting of the inclines, in which case the
pins forming the holes in the clay would be actuated by the force of the lever
instead of by the contracting force of the spring. But in either case we will
assume that by means of the lever or other equivalent means, the pins forming
the dowel ways in the now. moulded. brick, are withdrawn, the wedge.g also
withdrawn, the clip X thrown back, when the extreme end of the lever S may
be depressed, which will elevate the top W; but as it may be desirable to
remove this back from being directly over the machine. we form, as in this
case, an angular groove in each of the standards F, and which groove is only
shown in Figure 5, marked.h, h; and at that part of the side rods V indicated
by a dotted circle. marked a. projecting pin is secured on the inside for
working in these grooves, so that as the lever is being depressed and the
cover W elevated, it will be carried back as it is being raised by the pin
working up in the angular groove, as before stated, and removing the, top of the
mould, at which time the part of the lever S marked m will be brought in contact
with the lower end of the iron rod M, forcing it up, and with it the false
bottom of the mould, lifting up the brick bodily to be removed, when the lever S
may be again elevated and the lever G passed to the other side, and a fresh
lump of clay placed in to continue the operation, and which clay for the suc-
ceeding brick may- liave been finely ground, rudely formed, and partially dried
before being brought to this operation, as we prefer to turn out the bricks
desired to be made after pressing in as dry a condition as possible. And we
may in some instances, by increasing the power of our machine, even work the
clay in nearly a dry state, after the manner in which buttons and chinaware
have been formed, as they would not in that condition require drying before
going to the kiln, nor would they be so liable from contraction to warp or alter
in shape as when moulded and formed of clay in the ordinary way.
In giving form to the ornamental part of a brick, as exhibited at Figure 1,
the said form or design may be impressed so as to give the design full relief,
either by dividing the die into two parts, top and bottom, and forming the
brick between them, or by dividing the top of the mould and placing the
divided die forming the ornament on the under side of each part, the said

page_text: divided cover being lifted more or less angularly from the work by having a
double set of the rods U and V, and another groove at the like or any suitable
angle, as shown here marked h, taking care in that case that the moment
the lever is applied for lifting the covers they at once are being elevated in
the direction of the inclined grooves.
'
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in
which the same may be diversified as taste, size, and requirement may desire,
we wish it understood that what we claim as new and of our Invention, and
wish to protect, by these our in part recited Letters Patent is, the forming,
ornamenting, and coating with a suitable vitreous material in one or more
colours the surface of bricks for garden bordering and other like suitable
purposes, by the means or their equivalents herein. described and to a certain
extent exhibited.
In witness whereof, we, the said Ferdinand Potts and Charles Harvey,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twentieth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
DANTS
Witness,
WILLIAM LOACH,
Clerk to James S. Cockings,
Patent Agent,
Birmingham.
FERDINA
POTTS.
CHARLES HARVEY. (L.B.)