Improvements in Piles and Dock Logs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, .16th June, 1891-Accepted, 18th July,.1891
Improvements in Piles and Dock Logs.
I, ROBERT AUGUSTUS CHESEBROUGH of No. 24 State Street, in the City and
County of New York, in the State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturer, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in piles and dock logs subject to the
attacks of marine insects, and to more or less attrition in driving or imbedding or
otherwise securing them in position.
It is well known that piles and dock logs become honeycombed by marine
worms, and gradually broken away and rendered rough and injurious to the sides
of boats, by the sharp, hard shells of barnacles, and also that they become soft
and break away by the alternate action of sun and water.
The object of my present invention is to provide a pile or log which shall be
proof against injury under the above named influences, and which will retain their
integrity and strength for a prolonged period of time.
To this end, my invention consists in a pile or dock log having an exterior
coating of ozokerite.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a view of a portion of an ozokerite-covered pile, and
Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of an ozokerite-covered dock log.
A represents the body of the pile, and A¹ the body of the dock log. The
covering of ozokerite is represented in each case by B.
The coating which I have termed ozokerite, is that product of petroleum which
may be obtained from around the sucker rods of the oil pumps, or from the
settlings of the oil tanks, and is sometimes called mineral wax. It also exists in
the natural state in the earth.
It should be noted that paraffine which would result from distilling ozokerite
would not answer, on account of its crystalline form, as it would then flake off, and
the important qualities which ozokerite possesses would be lost.
It may be raised to a temperature of about 140° Fahrenheit, at which point it
becomes a free flowing liquid, and may be readily applied to the pile or log by an
ordinary brush. I prefer, however, wherever it is possible, to immerse the pile or
log in the melted ozokerite.
The ozokerite, when applied, has such a strong affinity for the wood, that it
creeps into and thoroughly lines all the interstices, and forms a coating which
adheres with such tenacity that its integrity cannot be broken by the attrition due
to driving or laying. The said coating is water repellent, and also forms a
complete guard against the attack of marine insects, the face of the pile or log
remaining smooth and intact under the wash of the water, and any ordinary
rubbing to which it may be subjected during the landing of boats.
If the piles or dock logs to be coated are of iron, instead of wood, before applying
the ozokerite, it would be better to heat it in iron kettles to about 400° to 450° Fah.,
so as to expel any moisture or light petroleum bodies which might be mixed
with it. Iron coated with ozokerite will resist the corrosive action of sea
water.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
An ozokerite-coated pile or dock log, substantially as set forth.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.