IMPROVE- MENTS IN ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTIONS AND MATERIALS, AND IN MEANS, MODES, AND PROCESSES CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thaddeus Hyatt, of 66, Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park,
London, in the County of Middlesex, Inventor, for the Invention of " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTIONS AND MATERIALS,
AND IN MEANS, MODES, AND PROCESSES CONNECTED THEREWITH,"
Sealed the 2nd Anril 1878 and dated the Wth Notember 197
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thaddeus Hyatt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th November 1877.
THADDEUS HYATT, of 66, Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Inventor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTIONS AND MATERIALS, AND IN MEANS, NODES, AND PROCESSES CON-
NECTED THEREWITH.”
Fire-proof Floors and Roofs.-I make these constructions as a new manufacture
of fireproof materials, such as alag, bricks, and rocks that are fireproof, such as
Rowley rag rock, by reducing such materials first to a very fine condition, pre-
ferably an impalpable powder or dust, and then combining them by means of
soluble glass, using such mixture as a concrete for imbedding and surrounding the
ironwork of the structure, and also in some cases as the compressive portion in
combination with tie-metal, according to the principles of making my concrete
beams; a part of the Invention consisting in combining the aforesaid materials with
glass and metal for illumination.
Another part of my Invention is based on discoveries made by mne in experi-
menting to ascertain the law of heat-conduction by concrete. I find that where
one inch of concrete outside of or surrounding a piece of metal will protect it for
three hours, an additional inch will protect it for six hours, another inch for twelve
hours, and still another inch for twenty-four hours. My improvement therefore
consists in surrounding, encasing, and enclosing the metallic portions of concrete
floor constructions with fireproof concrete, in accordance with the heat-conducting

page_text: properties of concrete which I have discovered; in this way I am enabled to
guarantee the fireproof qualities of such constructions for definite periods of
time.
Another part of my Invention is based on discoveries which I have made by
experimenting to ascertain the ratio of expansion when heated, and contraction
when cooled, of concrete as compared with iron, with reference to combining the
two in beam form:-1st. The concrete acting as web and top flange to a metal tie.
2ndly. The concrete serving as web to connect metal top and bottom flanges, my
improvement consisting with regard to the first in so proportioning the concrete (the
nature of the concrete with reference to its hardness being considered) to the metal
tie as to make one balance the other, as in web and flange beams, this principle
being carried through the entire floor or roof, and thus making it a perfect beam
throughout; and, secondly, my improvement is based on the cohesive power of con-
crote acting as the web of a beam to withstand the shearing strains that tend to
cripple a web when the beam is under bending stress, and 'consists in giving to
such concrete web the required thickness for connecting metal in compression at
the top of the beam or floor with its balancing metal in tension at the bottom of the
beam or ceiling portion of the floor, such thickness of web being proportioned to
the metal at top and bottom, and in accordance with experiments made by one to
ascertain the laws governing the same.
Another part of my Invention relating to fireproof floor and roof constructions
has reference to the disposition of the metals of the same, as to convenience of con-
struction, economy of material, and lightness, and in some cases with respect to set-
ting the same with glass for illuminating purposes, and consists, according to one
method, in spreading or distributing the tie-metal through the concrete so as to
form a continuous surface or tie-metal ceiling in combination with top metal or
metal to take the compressive strains concentrated at intervals on parallel lines,
leaving spaces or bays between, such a floor when finished being in effect a bottom
flange or continuous ceiling of a certain thickness, from three to six inches in some
cases, with webs of concrete at intervals of a foot or more rising up from the face
of the ceiling or bottom flange, a wood flooring being afterwards laid upon the
same, the joists of the flooring being laid in the bays or spaces between the webs.
According to another method the construction is the same as above, except that
everything is reversed, the distributed or spread metal being at top and forming the
walking or upper surface, and the concentrated metals being below and forming the
tie-metals, the bays forming hollows or sunk pannels in the ceiling for ornament or
for the better distribution of light when the floor level is set with glass, a part of
the Invention consisting in the use and application of blades or bars of metal in
"gridiron " form in making the aforesaid constructions
Another part of my Invention consists in making lighthouses of concrete and
metal, the metal giving fibrous or tensional strength to the concrete, and being
extended downwards into the foundations of the lighthouse to give a secure hold,
somewhat as the roots of a tree hold to the earth, the strands of metal, blades, or
Lars running vertically upwards to the top, and being bound together by curved
rods (the lighthouse being circular) forming complete circles, the sides or walls of
such a lighthouse being preferably also set with glass to give light.
Another part of my Invention consists in making chimnies for factories, and other
shafts usually made of great height and built of bricks, of concrete and metal, sub-
stantially in manner and form as above described for lighthouses, the same method
of construction being also applicable to towers of all kinds, and church spires; also
as marine foundations, piers, &c.
Another part of my Invention having reference to illumination consists in making
curved illuminating surfaces by combining concrete and glass with curved metals in
guliron or other convenient forms, and applying the same in constructing arched
or curved roofs in dome or other form, a part of the Invention consisting in making
such illuminating surfaces self-supporting to serve as beams for covering spaces of
considerable span.

page_text: Another part of my Invention consists in the mode of forming illuminating con-
crete surfaces to make them leave the moulds without sticking, the method consisting
in forming one large splayed opening for the light of several glasses, such splayed
openings in some cases forming two or more layers of openings, as in "cases where
the floor or roof thickness is so great as to require it to be made on the before-
described beam principle of concentrated tie-metal at the ceiling surface, and dis-
tributed metal at the floor or upper surface.
Another part of iny Invention consists in making artificial stone illuminating
gratings without any interior metal, such slabs being consequently of limited size
and requiring in some cases to be combined with metal gratings having apertures to
suit the illuminating stone gratings, and in other cases I combine such stone lights
with other suitable supports; the stone may be Portland cement or its concretes,
or Victoria," or other artificial stone.
"
Another part of my Invention consists in making movable concrete or artificial
stone slabs, or coal-hole plates, by moulding the same within a metallic rim to pro-
tect the edges of the same, such slabs, when desired, being set with glass.
Another part of my Invention consists in making concrete or artificial stone slabs
to receive coal-hole plates, the same being made with an opening formed with a
metal circle or band to protect the edges of the opening.
Another part of my Invention consists in making glass lens' surfaces more easy
to be walked upon by arranging the lenses in parallel lines in both directions, like
the squares of a chess board, and combining the same with supporting gratings to
forin illuminating surfaces for being walked upon.
Another part of iny Invention consists in making ventilating glasses of proper
shape for combining with gratings for foot-ways and other places where illuminating
gratings of other and ordinary kinds are employed, such glasses being formed with
lenses or raised parts, through which the ventilating openings are made, or a flat
surface perforated may be channeled between the openings in the glass.
Another part of my Invention consists in producing a washable and clean surface
upon the underface of concrete or artificial stone lights by the application to the same
of soluble glass used as a paint, and when desired, combined with any suitable
material for giving body and color.
Another part of iny Invention has reference to giving increased fireproof protection
at the ceiling line of fireproof floor and roof constructions, and consists in a facing
of baked brick, preferably re-brick or glazed tiles with a concrete backing, the
bricks being made with a retaining surface at the back to hold or cling to the con-
crete, which retaining surface may be a blade or web, or otherwise. By a modifica-
tion of the method I use thin bricks or tiles placed edgewise, so that a great side
surface is presented to the concrete, such a ceiling being then formed by alternate
vertical layers of brick and concrete, the bricks preventing the concrete when heated
and suddenly cooled by water from falling off.
Another part of my Invention relates to concrete fireproof stairways, and con-
sists in making the same with a wearing surface of tiles, or other material, that
may or may not be fireproof, the object of such surface being to protect and ornament
the main body of the concrete step.
Another part of my Invention consists in making concrete slabs or surfaces
weather-proof by saturating or impregnating the weather surface with coal oil, coal
tar, or other equivalent water-repelling substance or substances.
Another part of my Invention relates to concrete columns or piers, and consists
in strengthening the same by means of bands or coils of wrought iron arranged to
embrace the periphery of such columns or piers, so as to prevent the material from
giving way under the influence of shearing strains produced by the superincum-
bent load.
Another part of my Invention consists in the use and application of the stone or
rock called "Rowley rag," as an aggregate for combination with Portland cement or
equivalent hydraulic cement, the same (the Rowley rag) in its nature being fire-

page_text: proof, a part of the Invention consisting in crushing, sifting, separating, assorting,
and preparing the same, and putting up the same in suitable shape and condition as a
merchantable aggregate or article for sale and transportation, and to be readily
handled and applied to practical use.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thaddeus Hyatt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th May
1878.
THADDEUS HYATT, of 66, Gloucester Gardens, Hyde Park, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Inventor "IMPROVEMENTS IN ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING
CONSTRUCTIONS AND MATERIALS, AND IN MEANS, MODES, AND PROCESSES CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
In the making of fireproof floors, roofs, and other building constructions, such as
partitions and stairways, my Invention consists in making, using, and applying
concretes made from materials capable of resisting intense heat, such as asbestos,
slag, Rowley rag rock, and equivalent fire resisters, using the same in a comminuted
form as aggregates, and the combining them with soluble glass, the same being
treated as to moulding and pressure as hydraulic lime and cement concretes are
treated for building purposes. A part of my Invention consisting in applying such
soluble glass concretes to the making of fireproof floors, roofs, and walking surfaces,
according to methods set forth by me in previous Patents for making such con-
structions from hydraulic cements and concretes, including illuminating surfaces
made by combining the aforesaid soluble glass concretes with glass.
Another part of my Invention is based on discoveries which I have made by ex-
perimenting to ascertain the ratio of expansion when heated, and of contraction
when cooled, of concrete as compared with iron with reference to combining the two
in beam form. 1st. The concrete acting as web and top flange to a metal tie; and,
secondly, the concrete serving as a web to connect metal in the top of the concrete
beam, put there to resist compression, with metal at the bottom of the concrete beamn
put there to resist tension, the metal at the top in compression being the com-
plement to the tie metal at the bottom in tension
In illustration of this part of my Invention,-
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, represents a concrete beam A, in which the amount of tie metul
B is just sufficient to balance the mass of concrete at the top of the beam.
Fig. 2 represents a beam of the same size when the amount of metal in the tic
B is too great for the amount of concrete at the top of the beam.
Fig. 3 represents the same cured by the introduction of sufficient metal C into
the top of the beam, the concrete material between B and C forming the web
which connects the two, the same as a metal web in an iron beam connects the top
and bottom flanges. This ability of simple concrete to serve as a web, with power
sufficient to hold in its grip the metals of a beam, is a discovery of my own, resulting
from many experiments with beams made of concrete and tie metal, and in some

page_text: cases with beams made of baked brick and tie-metal; hence this web principle
distinguishes my fireproof floor and roof constructions, made either of concrete or of
baked bricks, from all preceding ones.
Figs. 4 and 5 shew the method of making floors and roofs of these beams. When
made, as in Fig. 4, with only the ceiling surface d, d, the upper or walking surface
being left to be otherwise formed, the metals C, C, are needed; but when the con-
struction is made, as shewn in Fig. 5, with the walking surface e, e, then the metals
c, c, inay be dispensed with, the concrete e, e, being for resisting compression the equal
of B, B, to resist tension. The metals, as seen in the preceding Figures, are represented
in concentrated form, but in practice I prefer to use them in "gridiron " shape, as set
forth in my previous Patents.
Another part of my Invention consists in making concrete chimnies for factories
and other buildings where the same stand alone and are of great size and height,
and require to be of immense strength, the same principle of construction equally
applying to lighthouses, the mode of construction consisting in combining metals
with the concrete, after the manner of making my concrete beams, the bars or blades
of metal running vertically through the concrete upwards and downwards, the same
being crossed at intervals by wires or rods shaped to take the curve of the chimney
or lighthouse, the latter being of preference set with glass combined with the
concrete, and placed between the metals in the upper part of the structure or other-
wise.
Another part of my Invention, having reference to illuminating concrete surfaces,
consists in producing them in curved form by moulding the concrete and glasses
upon a metal or gridiron core previously curved to the required shape, and then
applying such new construction to the making of roofs for churches and other
buildings requiring ornamental coverings, especially of large span.
My Invention of illuminating concrete constructions being already known and
fully illustrated in my previous Patents, no illustration of the special improvement
or modification herein set forth is required.
Another part of my Invention consists in making artificial stone illuminating
gratings without any interior metal gratings or cores. A part of the Invention
consisting in combining these stone gratings in quarry form of small squares,
triangles, diamonds, or lozenges, or other ornamental shapes, in some cases made of
divers colours, with metal gratings or perforated plates of large size, as coal plates,
or area covers, and in the form of illuminating platforms, steps, sills, and risers, the
openings in such gratings being shaped and made of a size to suit the stone
illuminating quarries aforesaid. Or the quarries may be shaped to be laid upon
supports or joists instead of being set in iron gratings.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, shew such quarries set with glasses; Fig. 6 being a face view, and
Fig. 7 being a cross section of the same through x-x; Fig. 8 shews the manner
of joining them when laid edge to edge, each quarry for this purpose being formed
with a projection or lip all around at top, so that the quarries meet and conceal the
iron bars on which they rest, the joints between the quarries and the metal being
made good by means of hydraulic cement.
Fig. 9 represents a mode of shaping the quarries when required to be laid upon
and between parallel bars or supports without cross bars. These illuminating stone
quarries I make either of hydraulic cement, or Victoria stone, or magnesian cement,
or other suitable materials of similar character.
Another part of my Invention consists in making movable concrete or artificial
stone slabs or coal hole plates by moulding the same within a metallic rim to protect
the edges of the same from being accidentally broken in handling. These slabs may
be set with glass when desired. Fig. 10 illustrates this part of my Inveution,
D being the stone, and E the metal surrounding rim; Fig. 11 is a cross section
of the same through x-x.
Another part of my Invention consists in making concrete or artificial stone slabs
formed with a coal hole at its centre to receive a coal plate, the opening or coal hole
in the slab being formed with a protecting metal ring to provent the edges of the stone

page_text: from becoming spalled when the coal plate is removed to let in coal. These slabs,
like the plates, I also sometimes set with glass to give light to the space below,
covered by them. Fig. 12 shews such a slab in cross section, F, F, being the concrete
slab, and G, G, the protecting metal rim around the opening or coal hole.
Another part of my Invention, Fig. 13, consists in arranging the lenses of a cluster
lens glass or translucent plate in parallel lines to render such surfaces more pleasant
for being walked upon, A, A, being the glass plate, and a, a, the lenses
Another part of my Invention, having reference to illuminating surfaces made to
give ventilation, consists in making and applying illuminating platos or blocks of
glass to close the openings of the gratings, such glass plates being perforated to
admit air As a means of preventing flowing wator and dirt from entering the
perforations, each hole is surrounded with a raised curb or ring of glass, which is
formed on the plate when it is moulded. Fig. 14 represents such a glass plate,
x, x, x, x, x, being the ventilating apertures of the plate H, H.
Fig. 15 is a cross section through x-x, shewing the apertures x, x, increasingly
larger to the bottom, so that any dirt accidentally getting into the apertures may
not stay there and choke them.
Another part of my Invention has reference to facing the under surface of concrete
floor and roof constructions with fire-brick, or other good brick or fire resisting
materials, shaped and placed so as to be locked in with the concrete mass as a part
of the same, the object of the Invention being to make reliable fireproof floors of
cheap concretes, not really fireproof in themselves, but only fire-resisting By
sheathing concretes of this kind with fire-brick or other fireproof tiling, good fire-
proof constructions may be made. The tiles or bricks may also be of glazed or
ornamental character, so that the ceiling will be a finished one when the work is
done. Plain flat tiles may be employed for this purpose, placed edgewise, but I
prefer bricks moulded, as shown in Fig 16. The tie-metal is seen between the
bricks, with the wire g, g, passing through both the bricks and the blades of metal.
The webs of the bricks are preferably made wedge shaped, as shewn.
"
Another part of my Invention relates to fireproof aggregates, and consists in
substituting the cheap rock called "Rowley rag' for baked clay and brick as an
aggregate when combined with hydraulic cement in the construction of fireproof
floors, roofs, partitions, stairways, and other parts of buildings. My improvement
being confined as an Invention to preparing the same for the market by crushing,
sifting, and assorting the same into grades suitable to be used as aggregates, and
putting the same upon the market in portable and convenient shape for handling,
the same being a new manufacture.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thaddeus Hyatt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.