IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS.
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Bell, of Westland Row, Dublin, Esquire,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS.".
A communication from abroad by Joseph Mamelin, residing at Boulogne-
sur-Mer, in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 21st January 1863, and dated the 23rd July 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Bell at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 23rd July
1862.
I, ROBERT BELL, of Westland Row, Dublin, Esquire, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BRICKS," a communication from abroad by Joseph Mamelin, resident at
Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the Empire of France, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in certain improvements in the manufacture of bricks
by means of which they are enabled to register with each other in the process
of building, and to bind the work in such manner that it shall form a mass
incapable of being riven asunder or cracked.
The bricks are to be formed with projections across or along one surface
and with grooves or recesses of corresponding size on the opposite side, whereby
they may be laid down one on the other, with the aid of a small quantity of
morter or Portland cement, in such order as to fit or bind together the upper
layer with the lower layer and to tie each other longitudinally so as to prevent

page_text: any lateral deviation or fissure occurring in the work. With regard to bricks
for arches, I propose to adopt a similar system of construction by means of
which it is evident that centres will not be required in the construction of
arches and vaults, for as soon as one single layer of bricks has been thrown
across the arch, the series may be continued by inserting the second layer
into the first into which it will register and be self-supporting, and so on
with the entire length of arch, tunnel, or vault. By the adoption of this
Invention a wall or arch may be constructed with great rapidity and with
much greater strength, durability, and saving of expense, than by the use of
the bricks now in use.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Robert Bell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
January 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
BELL, of Westland Row, Dublin, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Robert Bell, Her special licence, that 1, the said Robert Bell, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Robert
Bell, my executors, administrators, and 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS," a communication to me from abroad by Joseph
Mamelin, resident at Boulogne-sur-Mer, in the Empire of France, upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Robert Bell, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, 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 I, the said Robert Bell, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,

page_text: to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment:-
This Invention consists in certain improvements in the manufacture of
bricks, by means of which they are enabled to register with each other in the
process of building, and to bind the work in such manner that it shall form
a mass incapable of being riven asunder or cracked. The bricks are to be.
formed with projections or tongues across or along one surface, and with
grooves or recesses of corresponding size on the opposite side, whereby they
may be laid down one on the other, with the aid of a small quantity of mortar
or Portland cement, in such order as to fit or bind together, the upper layer
with the lower layer, and to tie each other longitudinally and crosswise so as
to prevent any lateral or transverse deviation or fissure occurring in the work.
With regard to bricks for arches a similar system of construction is adopted
by means of which it is evident that centres will not be required in the
construction of arches and vaults, for as soon as one single layer of bricks has
been thrown across the arch the series may be continued by inserting the
second layer into the first, into which it will register and be self-supporting,
and so on with the entire length of arch, tunnel, or vault. By the adoption of
this Invention a wall or arch may be constructed with great rapidity and with
much greater strength, durability, and saving of expense than by the use of
the bricks now in use.
In order that the Invention may be completely understood, I proceed to
describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into
practical effect, reference being had to the accompanying Drawing, which
represents an isometrical perspective view of the bricks when laid together to
form a wall.
a, a, shew the longitudinal serios of bricks, having transverse tongues b, and
grooves c cut therein so that one brick ties two, and so on continuously
whatever may be the nature of the work; d, d, shew the cross series of bricks
having longitudinal tongues c, and grooves f, formed therein; the tongues and
grooves of all the bricks are of such dimensions as to register one with
another.
The bricks are to be composed of suitable clay or other earthy material, or
suitable composition, and formed into the required shape by moulds or by any
ordinary process of producing forms in plastic materials. These bricks may
be adapted for arches, tunnels, and vaults, by forming them of a wedge-like
shape, the grooves and tongues corresponding accordingly. The bricks are
also suitable for fortifications, embankments, wells, sewers, light-houses,
harbour works, and breakwaters, and for general building purposes.

page_text: Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed,. I would remark in conclusion that I
do not limit myself to the precise details herein described, as the same may
obviously be varied or modified without in any way departing from the principles
of the Invention; but what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the
herein in part recited Letters Patent are, the improved forms and construction
of bricks (of whatever size they may be) having grooves and tongues formed
thereon, substantially as herein specified and illustrated by the Drawing
hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Bell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
Witness,
T. J. HUTTON WOOD,
18, Rue de Maguêtra,
Boulogne-/m.
ROBERT BELL. (L.S.)