AN IMPROVED FLOOR COVERING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Morgan, Secretary of the Inventors' Patent Right
Association, Limited, 21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED FLOOR COVERING." A com-
munication from abroad by John Fox Gloyn, of Astorias, Long Island City,
Queen's County, and State of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Morgan at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th August 1876
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patent Right Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED
FLOOR COVERING." A communication from abroad by John Fox Gloyn, of Astorias,
Long Island City, Queen's County, and State of New York, United States of
America.
My Invention consists of a foundation of strong canvas or other like woven
fabric stretched over the floor and tacked or otherwise suitably fastened, on which
is laid a body of strong thick coarse paper, such as straw board or any heavy paper,
secured to the canvas by paste, glue, or cement of any kind, and over this body is
a top finishing layer of fine paper of any approved kind, which is also cemented,
pasted, or glued. The surface of this finishing layer is to be grained or otherwise
figured in imitation of fine woods and finished with varnish Thus is made a
covering for floors having a smooth and hard finished surface superior to fine woods
in appearance and facility of cleaning, and at the same time much cheaper. The
cement, glue, or paste, unites the different layers in a very firm and substantial
fabric capable of sustaining heavy wear for a long time without material injury.
In point of cleanliness it is superior to any other covering, and even to the bare
wood floors, for there are no cracks as in the latter.
Before laying down the foundation I prefer to smooth and even the surface of
the floor and fill the cracks with putty, plaster, or cement; then I stretch the
canvas well and nail or otherwise secure it at the edges, then cover the surface well
with any approved paste, glue, or cement, and spread on the body a layer of heavy
paper, and after letting it stand a sufficient length of time for the paste or cement
to dry thoroughly lay on the finishing paper and secure it in the same manner.
[Price 6d.

page_text: The canvas will preferably be made up of wide strips sewed together in a breadth
equal to the breadth of the room before being put down, as the wide strips make
paper will
fewer seams, which it is desirable to avoid as much as possible, but the
be put down in single strips in about the same manner as wall paper is put on.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
Baid Thomas Morgan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th February
1877.
THOMAS MORGAN, Secretary of the Inventors' Patent Right Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street, Charing Cross, in the County of Middlesex. "AN IMPROVED
FLOOR COVERING." A communication from abroad by John Fox Gloyn, of Astorias,
Long Island City, Queen's County, and State of New York, United States of
America.
My Invention consists of a foundation of strong canvas or other like woven
fabric stretched over the floor and tacked or otherwise suitably fastened, on which
is laid a body of strong thick coarse paper, such as straw board or any heavy paper,
secured to the canvas by paste, gluo, or cement of any kind,, and over this body is
a top finishing layer of fine paper of any approved.kind, which is also cemented,
pasted, or glued. The surface of this finishing layer is to be grained or otherwise
figured in imitation of fine woods and finished with varnish. Thus is made a
covering for Hoois having a smooth and hard finished surface superior to fine woods
in appearance and facility of cleaning, and at the same time much cheaper. The
cement, glue, or paste unites the different layers in a very firm and substantial
fabric capable of sustaining heavy wear for a long time without material injury.
In point of cleanliness it is superior to any other covering, and even to the bare
wood floors, for there are no cracks as in the latter.
In the accompanying Drawing a section of my improved floor covering is shewn
in perspective view and with the different layers raised in one part, to enable them
to be more clearly distinguished.
A represents the floor to be covered'; B is the foundation layer of strong canvas or
other woven fabric; C, the intermediate body layer of strong thick coarse paper;
and D, the top finishing layer of fine quality such as is used for decorating walls,
ceilings, and such like, and being grained or otherwise figured in imitation of fine
woods (or in other figures if preferred) and varnished.
Before laying down the foundation I prefer to smooth and even the surface of the
floor and fill the cracks with putty, plaster, or cement; then I stretch the canvas
well and nail or otherwise secure it at the edges, then cover the surfaces well with
any approved paste, glue, or cement, and spread on the body layer C of heavy
paper, and after letting it stand a sufficient length of time for the paste or cement
to dry thoroughly lay on the finishing paper and secure it in the same manner.
The canvas will preferably be made up of wide strips sewed together in a breadth
equal to the breadth of the room before being put down, as the wide strips make fewer
seams, which it is desirable to avoid as much as possible, but the paper will be put
down in single strips in about the same manner as wall paper is put on.
Muslin or other woven material may also be used in connection with the top or
finishing paper, the muslin being pasted to the paper and used either on the top or
under side of the paper; or it may be pasted on the upper side of the body paper
and the finishing paper pasted down on it. When the muslin is pasted on the top of
the finishing paper it will have the ornamental colours printed on it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in practice, I hereby
declare that I claim, the improved floor covering herein described, consisting of a
foundation of strong canvas or other woven fabric stretched over and fastened to

page_text: the floor; a body of strong heavy paper laid on and pasted, glued, or cemented to
the canvas; and a finishing top layer of fine paper laid on and pasted, glued, or
cemented to the body, and having an ornamental surface finish, substantially as
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Morgan, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.