CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN WOOD PAVING
Year: 1843

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSEPH
CRANNIS, of Southwark, in the County of Surrey, Furrier, and ROBERT KEMP,
of Southwark aforesaid, Furrier, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-first day of February, in the sixth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs, and successors, give and grant unto us, the said Joseph
Crannis and Robert Kemp, our exors, adññiors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the said Joseph
Crannis and Robert Kemp, our exors, adñiors, and assigns, and such others as
we, the said Joseph Crannis and Robert Kemp, our exors, adiñors, or-assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully.
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of Her said Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion
of Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN WOOD PAVING;" in which said Letters Patent there is con-
tained a proviso, that we, the said Joseph Crannis and Robert Kemp, or one
of us, shall cause a particular description of the nature of our said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, under our or one of our
hands and seals or hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High

page_text: Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Joseph Crannis and Robert Kemp, do hereby declare that the nature of our
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully
ascertained and described in and by the following Specification thereof,
reference being had to the three Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed,
marked A, B, and C, that is to say :-
Our said Invention consists; in the first place, of certain improved foundations
for wood paving, which foundations are to consist also of wood, and are to be
formed in manner following:-Figure 1, Sheet A, of the said Drawings, is a
plan of a foundation which offers great facilities for streets where the paving
requires to be frequently taken up to get at the water, gas, and other pipes.
Two or more planks a, a, are laid at suitable distances in the direction of the
length of the street, and joined together at the ends by any of the twelve
different methods represented in Figures 3 to 14, both inclusive. On these
planks there are laid transversly a number of short planks b, b, b, b, which are
double bevelled at the ends, in the manner shewn in the detached view given
of one of these planks in Figure 2, so that each plank interlocks with the
planks at its two ends, but small vacant spaces c, c, c, c, (caused by the ridge d
between the double bevels) are left between the sides of the planks. for the
purpose of drainage. The transverse planks abutting against the curbs are
squared to fit the curbs, and may be secured to the outer longitudinal planks
by pins or bolts; we also pin the longitudinal and transverse planks together
at any places where there may happen to be openings to the sewers or water
mains, but we do not pin them together in any other parts than those which
have been mentioned, because the effect of all superincumbent pressure on a
foundation, the parts of which are jointed in the manner which has been
described; can only be to-bind them more firmly together. When it is desired
to take up such a foundation or any part of it, one of the transverse pieces
next the curb, which have their outer ends plain, and are therefore easily
removable, is first taken up, when the rest come readily asunder, and as soon
as room is made by the removal of the transverse planks the lower longitudinal
ones are prized up with the greatest ease. In Figure 15 there is shewn a
modification of the foundation just described, in which five longitudinal sleepers
are used, and the transverse planks are cut at the ends in the form of what is
called a ship lap, as shewn separately in Figure 16, and abut against or overlap
the longitudinal sleepers; they are also laid either diagonally in respect of the

page_text: longitudinal sleepers, as shewn in the half C of Figure 15, or at right angles
with them, as in the half D, Figure 15. Figure 1 (Sheet B) represents a
plan of a foundation-suitable for dry and hard ground. It consists of a number
of-short planks bevelled both at the ends and sides, so that. any number of
them may overlap and underlap each other, and every plank be at once sup-
ported and supporting. A plan side view and end view of one of these planks
so bevelled are given separately in Figures 2, 3, and 4, Sheet B. Instead of
the lower planks being laid lengthwise and the upper crosswise, as represented
in Figures 1 and 15, Sheet A, their relative positions may be reversed; that is,
the 'lower-may be laid crosswise and the upper ones may be laid lengthwise;
or diagonally; or the lower planks a may in some cases be dispensed with
altogether by cutting a groove along the faces of the upper planks which
abut against the curb stones, and inserting a long fillet or dowel into these
continuous grooves, which will bind the whole pavement securely together..
Where the curb stones happen not to be laid evenly, or are liable to much
disturbance, it will be found useful to insert a thin plank laid on edge between
the outer planks of the pavement (whether there are two layers of planks
used or one only) and the curb stones; and, further, instead of the longitudinal-
and transverse planks being jointed together in any of the modes before
described, they may have notches made in their ends and dowells to suit
inserted therein, which dowells may, for the sake of greater security, be
extended from any couple of planks to the next adjoining planks either at the
ends or sides.
. Secondly, our Invention consists in certain improved forms of blocks or
improved combinations of blocks of known forms for wooden paving, which
may
be used either with or without such foundations, but all, excepting as is
herein after excepted, have for their especial object the affording a sure foot-
ing for horses in all weathers and under all diversities of local circumstances.
Figure 17, Sheet A, is a plan, Figure 18 an end view, and Figure 19 a side
view, of the first of these iniproved forms or improved combinations of known
forms. The blocks are of a parallelogramic form, and of two different sizes in
point of height and thickness, and they are laid with the grain of the wood in
a vertical position in rows side by side, in such manner that the high and low
blocks alternate in each row, and the high blocks of each row are opposite
the low blocks of the adjoining row, whereby a surface is produced having an
equal number of raised and sunken parts, the former of which afford so many
points of support to the feet of horses as well sideways as lengthwise. In
Figure 19, Sheet B, we have given a section of an entire breadth of the
carriage-way of a street laid on this plan," upon a substructure such as is

page_text: represented in Figure 1, Sheet A, and has been before described. Figure 20
.Sheet A, represents a pavement consisting of a number of narrow blocks of a
.parallelogramic form, and of equal heights with the grain of the wood, at an
angle, chamfered at top and bottom in the manner shewn in the Drawing, and
laid in rows at reverse angles, whereby a ridged surface is produced, possessing
similar advantages in respect to foot-holding to the former pavement shewn in
Figures 17, 18, and 19. Figure 21 represents a form of paving similar to
that last described, with the exception that the blocks are chamfered at top and
bottom a little differently, having three facets at their ends instead of two.
The blocks of both of the two forms of pavement last described when worn on
one side may be turned upside down, so as to present a new surface; or, when
they are more worn in the direction of the angles at which they are laid than
in the opposite direction, they may be taken up, and the angles at which the
rows are laid be respectively reversed. Figures 22 to 34, both inclusive,
represent the surfaces of various forms of blocks, any one of which may be
used in wood paving, with the fibre placed vertically or at an angle, and made
to afford a good footholding, either by surface grooving or cutting, or by
causing rows of blocks of the particular form selected to alternate with shorter
blocks of any convenient form, or by a combination of both of these methods.
In Figure 35 we have shewn how, for example, blocks of the circular form,
Figure 31, may be grooved and combined so as to produce a surface that will
afford security equally against slipping lengthwise as sidewise; one half of the
blocks have grooves cut across their centres, and the other half have segments
cut away at each side to the same depth as the grooves, and by laying them in
rows consisting of one of each sort alternately, the surface will be found to
exhibit a regular alternation of raised and sunken parts both longitudinally
and transversely. Figure 36 shews how a similar effect to that obtained by
the arrangement last described may be produced, cutting away a segment
from the top surface of the block, Figure 31, to any convenient depth, and
inserting in the vacant spaces left, when a number of such circular blocks
are laid together, small diamond or square blocks of the forms Figures 25
or 29. Figure 37 is a plan of a pavement. composed of blocks, presenting
on their surface, previous to grooving, the form shewn at Figure 25, but
having two sides inclined to the horizon; angular grooves are cut across the
centre of the top surfaces of these blocks, and they are also cut away at one
end to the same depth as these grooves. The blocks when so grooved are so
arranged in rows that one row has all its grooves inclining in one direction,
while the next row has all its grooves inclining in the opposite direction,
the result of which is, that every hollow part is stopped at both ends by a

page_text: raised part, and a sure foot-hold is 'thus presented to the feet of horses
in every direction. Figure 38 is a plan of a pavement formed of a series
of blocks of the form Figure 33, each block being of a hexagonal shape,
with two of the facets cut away to any convenient depth to form the
groove; or a pavement of the like form may be constructed by making use of
two sets of blocks in alternate rows, one of the form of a parallelopiped,
having the two end faces narrower than the others, and the other block of
the form of a parallelogram, shorter than the former, to form the groove
between the parallelopipedal blocks. Figure 39 is a plan of a pavement
composed of blocks of the forms Figures 22 and 28. Two rows of blocks
of Figure 28 are first laid face to face at a little distance apart, and then
a row of shorter pieces of a parallelogramic form to suit the intervening space
introduced between them, after which follow two rows of small pieces of the
parallelogramic form, Figure 22, the one shorter than the other. By a continued
repetition of this arrangement a surface is produced, which, though it differs
from all those before described, inasmuch as its principal lines of grooving,
namely, those between the pentagonal blocks, Figure 28, are continuous
instead of divided, will probably be found in practice to be equally efficaceous
for the prevention of slipping, as the lines referred to, though continuous, are
of a zig-zag form, and present at every turn a sufficient resistance to any
outward thrust. Figure 40 is a plan of a pavement composed of blocks of tlie
form of Figure 23, having the upper face of the blocks cut away on one side
to form a groove in conjunction with the high side of the adjoining block, and
instead of being laid in rows parallel with the curbs, they are laid in rows
running angularly across the street, which brings the hollow part of each block
opposite the raised portions of the blocks of the two adjoining rows. Figure 41
is a side view of a pavement composed of blocks of the .form Figure 22, but
with one-balf of them rounded at top; and about twice the thickness of and a
little lower than the others, laid alternately in rows, with the hollow spaces
produced by those with curved surfaces placed opposite the solid of the other
blocks. Figure 42 is a side view of a pavement the same as Figure 41,
excepting that the rounded blocks are less than half the thickness of the others.
In both the sorts of pavement last described the curves may be cut at top and
bottom of the same form, so that when worn on one surface a new surface may
be produced by turning them upside down. Figure 43 is a side view of two
square blocks, which by being cut away on two sides; in the manner shewn,
mutually support each other, and may be grooved on the top surfaces in any
of the modes before or herein-after described, or any others deemed more
suitable. A pavement formed of a series of such blocks will be exceedingly

page_text: durable, and, like some of the others before described, may after years of use
be made as good as new by simply turning the blocks upside down. Figure 44
shews a mode of keying together a number of square blocks with the fibre
placed vertically, in order to form a secure pavement. H, H, are two blocks
which are cut away on two sides from corner to corner, but at each side in an
opposite direction to that of the cut on the other side. K is the key piece, of
the form of an inclined parrallelogram, and of double the thickness of the cuts
from the sides of each of the blocks, and an inch or two less in height than these
blocks. When this key is inserted, as shown in the Figure,) into two of the
side cuts so formed, it projects half way to take a similar hold of two other
blocks corresponding to H, H, and by a repetition of the same arrangement a
pavement is formed which is held inseparably together by the keys, but may
be drawn asunder in an instant by the taking out of any one of them. The
hollow spaces occasioned by the difference in height between the keys and
blocks will furnish considerable footholds for horses, but additional grooves
may be cut in the surfaces of the blocks if found desirable. Figure 45 is a
side view of a modification of the plan of paving last described. Instead of
the square blocks being cut away at two of the sides from corner to corner,
the corners themselves (m, m.) are cut away, and a projecting piece (n) left
in the middle; k is the key piece, as before. Figure 46 is a modification of
Figure 45, in which the key piece is dispensed with, and the blocks are
interlocked directly with one another. Figure 47 is a side view of a block,
of two tiers each, of an inverted pyramidal form, by joining to which other
blocks of the same form, turned the reverse way, the blocks rest by their
ledges one upon the other, and a combined pavement is formed of-great-
strength and durability; this also may be grooved on the top if required.
Figure 48 is a side view of a block with the fibre placed at an angle, cut i
on the opposite sides, in the same way as in Figure 43, so that the block's
shall mutually support each other. In Figure 49 the block is of the same
form as 48, but each block is cut away on its four sides in such a manner,
that in a pavement formed of a series of such blocks the top half of each
block rests at one side on the projecting ledge of the block next adjoining.
Figure 50 shows a block in every respect the same as the last, with the
exception that it is placed with the fibre vertically. Figures 51, 52, and 53
represent a mode of forming a pavement of square upright blocks, in which
they are combined in sections of four each, and these again with other
sections of the like number. Small triangular grooves .s, s, s, s, are cut out
of the four corners of the blocks, which meet inside, and into these grooves
are inserted small square key pieces t, t, (Figure 53). Figure 54 .repre-

page_text: sents a mode of. forming a pavement out of round poles in their rough state;
they are to be cut slantingly into short blocks, which are to have three
notches n, n, n, made in their sides, (two only of which are seen in the Figure,)
and pieces of quartering 9 are to be inserted in the triangular space formed by
the coming of two of these notches together, as shewn in Figure 55, so that
any three blocks when thus brought together will be mutually supported by
the quartering. Figure 56 is a side view of five of these blocks placed in a row
together. Figures 57 and 58 shew the forms of construction, represented in
Figures 49 and 50, applied to round blocks of the description of Figure 54).
Figure 59 shews a mode in which any two or more blocks which are
not so shaped as to interlock with each other may be united, by cutting
corresponding grooves of a triangular shape in each v, v, and introducing
into the grooves a piece of quartering or key piece to fill the space so formed.
Figures 60 to 75, both inclusive, represent side views of various forms of
grooves which may be given to the upper surfaces of blocks either by cutting
them wholly or in the solid of a single block, or partly out of the side of one
block and partly out of the side of a second, made to fit the other, or by inserting
a short centre block (shaped at top to suit any of the given figures) between
two single blocks. Figures 76 and 77 represent a mode of forming, by the
vertical application of a hand tool, grooves in blocks or wooden pavement
which has been laid down without lifting the blocks out of their places. We
employ for this purpose a common centre bit, and bore out the wood in a series
of circles in the line of the intended groove; but instead of the circles being
independant of each other, as shewn in Figure 77, each circle return's half way
back on the preceding one, as represented in Figure 76, so that all interstices.
between the circles are removed, and nearly as clear a groove is formed as if it
were cut out longitudinally. A number of such centre bits might be fixed in
a frame, and so connected together as to be worked simultaneously by a winch
or other suitable means: Figure 13 is a side view, and Figure 14 (Sheet B) a
plan, of a form of pavement suitable for steep inclines. The blocks are inclined
parallelograms, chamfered, of two facets at top and bottom, and laid in regular
transverse rows, but inclining backwards at a considerable angle to the ground.
The blocks in each row are so arranged in respect to the blocks in the adjoining
rows that the hollows of each row come opposite the raised parts of the adjoin-:
ing rows, and in this way, whether horses are ascending or descending, a sure
foothold is afforded to them in every direction. When the blocks are worn.
on the upper surface a new surface may be formed by reversing them. Figures
15 and 16 represent vertical blocks of the same form as those last described;
with the double facets on the upper surface only, which when laid on an

page_text: inclined plane forms an upper surface, having the same properties as Figures
13 and 14. Figure 17 is a side view, and Figure 18 a plan, of a form of pave
ment also suitable for inclined surfaces, which is similar to Figures 13 and 14,
with the exception that the blocks are chamfered at top and bottom of three
surfaces instead of two, and thus present a deeper foothold for horses. Instead
of several forms of pavement, before described, being composed of entire blocks
cut of the forms represented, they may be composed of a number of small
blocks or parts of blocks, which when joined shall produce the same effect, and
in many cases there may be considerable economy in such a substitution of
smaller blocks for larger. Where also any of the forms before described is
produced by employing two half blocks or four quarter blocks instead of one
entire block, the parts may be connected together when deemed desirable by
means of glue or any other suitable cement, or by means of pins or bolts, or
other fastenings. And in laying down pavements composed of any of the pre-
ceding descriptions of block this general rule should be observed, namely, so
to lay the blocks that they shall everywhere break joint, or, in other words,
so that the joinings of each couple of blocks shall come against the solid parts
of the blocks adjoining. We do not limit ourselves to any particular dimen-
sions especially in respect to the thickness of the blocks; but it deserves to be
noticed, that where the grooves for forming footholds are produced by com-
bining blocks of two sizes and shapes, the one shorter than the other, there is
a great saving both of material and labor in comparison with the plan of
cutting out grooves in the solid faces of the blocks. A foundation of three-
inch planking formed as aforesaid, with blocks of four or five inches deep laid
upon it, will generally be strong enough for all-purposes of traffic.
Thirdly, for stables, cow-houses, and other like buildings, we propose to
make use of pavements of the forms represented in Figures 5 and 6, Figures
7 and 8, and Figures 9 and 10, of Sheet B. The head of each stall may be
laid with blocks of any of the sorts herein described, and the body of it with
blocks or planks laid with the fibre longitudinally, or nearly so, and brought
flush up the one with the other, but having channels a, a, a, ploughed in their
upper surfaces at a distance from the joints, which channels lead either in
straight lines to one common drain, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6, or in angular
lines to the centre and bottom drains, as shewn in Figures 7 and 8 or in
angular lines to two side drains and one bottom drain, as shewn in Figures
9 and 10. The channels a, a, a, carry off the urine or any other water or
moisture, and prevent it from finding its way between the joints, or settling
anywhere. The drains may be made either of grooved planks, or of iron, or
of brick, or any other suitable material.

page_text: Fourthly, and lastly, we form pavements suitable for the footways of public
streets, the interiors of public and private buildings, the court yards of private
mansions and other similar places, as also for decks of vessels, and generally
for all footways, of wooden blocks laid on end, or with the fibre upwards, of
various forms and of various colors (produced either naturally or artificially),
and assorted and arranged in the manner known by the name of mosaic or
tesselated pavements. Twelve different specimens of this sort of pavement are
given in Sheet C. Where the ground is firmn and even on which the blocks
are to be laid, and there are good curb pieces to hold them tight, they may
be laid down without any fastenings; but where circumstances require it, they
may be connected together by any of the modes. of interlocking, herein-
before described, or by pins and bolts, or by any suitable glue or cement,
or by laying them in sections of 4, 8, or 12, or more, in wooden or iron
frames, which would also enable them to be removed more readily when
required.
And having now described our said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is,―
First, the methods herein-before described of forming wooden foundations
for wooden pavements.
Second, the several forms herein-before described of forming and joining the
blocks used in the superstructure of wooden pavements; also the methods
herein described of grooving or placing the blocks high and low to form grooves
and stops, with the exception of that represented in Figs. 51, 52, and 53,
which we believe to have been proposed before, and whether the same are used
in combination with our wooden foundations or in combination with any other
sort of foundation.
:
Third, the methods herein-before described of paving with wood, stables,
cow-houses, and other like buildings.
And, fourth, the employment for footways of blocks of wood, laid on end,
or with the fibre upwards, of various forms and of various colours (produced
either naturally or artificially), and assorted and arranged in the manner
known by the name of mosaic or tesselated pavements.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Kemp (party hereto), on behalf.
of myself and the said Joseph Crannis, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of August, One thousand eight hundred
and forty-throo
ROBERT (L.S.) KEMP.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED that on the Twenty-first day of August,
in the year of our Lord 1843, the aforesaid Robert Kemp (party hereto, on
behalf of himself and the said Joseph Crannis), came before our said Lady
the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification aforesaid,
and all and every thing therein contained and specified; in form above written.
And also the Specification. aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three.