Improvements in Artificial Blocks for all kinds of Paving and the like
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1899
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Artificial Blocks for all kinds of Paving and the like
A communication by ORESTE COARI, of 20, Via degli Artisti, Rome, in the
Kingdom of Italy, Engineer:
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS, THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign.
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,, and. 6, Bank Street,. Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham,, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of, Middlesex, Civil Engineer,.
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:-
This invention has for its object to utilise the resistance of cast iron, steel or
other metals for the construction of artificial blocks of all shapes and for any kind
of paving or the like, and consists in forming the blocks of a metallic head having
a continuous or non-continuous surface or a grating which is embedded in
cement or other material forming the body and base of the block. The metallic
part of these blocks- may be also arranged, so as to be decorative.
These blocks are formed of cement, mortar or beton or of any other suitable
material having, the desired resistance, the upper surface of which, that is, the
one which forms the paving being strengthened by a head or cover of metal of
suitable thickness:
The accompanying drawings show various examples of blocks, made in accord-
ance with the present invention.
Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a complete block;
Figure 2 a plan view of a block having a metallic grating for its surface;
Figure 3 a transverse section on the line X Y of Figure 2:
Figure 4 a plan view of a portion of a tramway track showing tramway rails.
set with special blocks in contact with the rail;
Figure 5 a transverse section of a tramway rail and two artificial blocks one
on each side;
Figure 6 a plan view of two blocks intended to be placed in contact with the
rail:
In all these figures the same letters of reference represent the same parts. The
grating A is pressed on the cement B in such a way as to penetrate with all its
thickness, so, that the said cement rises into one plane with the upper surface of
the metal grating A. The cement B may be of any thickness capable of adapt-
ing itself to the grating and the latter may even be formed of a simple frame
forming the edge of the block.
The perforations or slots of the metallic grate for protecting the top of artificial
blocks may be of any shape and their width must be calculated in such a way
that the cement intended to fill them may have in combination with the metal
parts of the cover the necessary resistance according to the use to which the
blocks are to be put.

page_text: As may be seen by the dotted lines in Figure 5, the grating A may be pro-
vided with wedge pieces or hold fasts of any suitable kind in order to enable
it to be more solidly encased in the material B.
As regards the form of the artificial blocks it will be at once evident that it
may also vary according to the nature of the materials and kind of paving and
the destination of the blocks whether for streets, sidewalks, courts, yards, stables,
shops or stores or even the rooms of dwelling houses, or whether they are for
decorations, for covering walls or the like.
One of the most remarkable applications of the artificial blocks forming the
object of the present invention is that which may be made for tramways and rail-
ways as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. An absolutely perfect contact between the
artificial block and the rail R is insured not only by an edge of the grating A
placed beside the rail, but also by the form which is given to the material B so
that the whole block adheres to the head neck and base of the rail R. In order
that the block may rest in perfect contact with the rail and solid with it, the
junction of it with the head and foot of the rail may usually be deemed sufficient
without extending this perfect fit up to the neck of the rail.
With blocks of this kind the drawback so frequently apparent of an elevation
or projection and sinking of the rail above the paving of the street is entirely
avoided, such projection being very dangerous for other vehicles in the streets.
The use in practice of the blocks forming the object of the present invention
affords the following advantages.
1st. A greater resistance to wear than hitherto as regards the material em-
ployed is obtained and consequently greater durability and greater economy.
2nd. Slipperiness is avoided by reason of the metallic parts alternating with
the cement parts.
3rd. A more level surface is obtained consequently less noise, dust or mud.
4th. The projection or depression of the rails of tramways over or below street
pavements is avoided and thus an even surface is preserved for such street
pavements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A paving or similar block formed of cement, mortar, beton or the like suit-
able material, having its upper surface, which forms the pavement faced with a
continuous or non-continuous metallic cover (head) or a perforated cover such as
a grating of cast iron, steel or other suitable metal, substantially as herein before
described and shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. A paving or similar block formed in the manner herein before described but
shaped so as to be adapted to fit in perfect contact with the head, neck and foot
of a tramway or railway-rail substantially as hereinbefore described and shown
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Qud dow of Wahuawe 1000