IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF BUILDINGS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS OF WALLS APPLICABLE TO OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES." ARE ALSO
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Philip Cornish, senior, of Stamford Hill, in the County
of Middlesex, Builder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION
OF BUILDINGS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS
OF WALLS
APPLICABLE TO OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
ARE
ALSO
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Philip Cornish at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th October 1877.
PHILIP CORNISH, senior, of Stamford Hill, in the County of Middlesex, Builder.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS OF BUILDINGS, WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
This Invention consists of a new or improved mode or method of constructing the
walls of buildings generally by means of slabs or "ashlar," to be composed of plain
tile or other hard substance, gravel, burnt ballast, or similar suitable material mixed
with cement and sand, forming a slab or "ashlar," say, of about two feet three inches
long, one foot one wide, and three inches thick, though these dimensions may be
varied, but this size is found to be well adapted for easy handling and fixing. These
slabs or "ashlar" thus formed are placed in the operation of building in the following
manner, viz. :-One row is placed on the sides or edges, and a similar row placed
opposite, at the distance required for the thickness of the proposed wall, then slabs
of a similar size are placed longitudinally or flatwise on the top, thus forming a
secure and perfect bond by "breaking joint," the space so formed being hollow. I
construct the walls to any height required, by this means obviating the use of bricks,
stone, or other expensive material, and the operation of erecting a wall or building
can be performed in a very much shorter time than in the present; likewise plastering
is obviated, none being necessary.
At the ends of the slabs I form an aperture or opening, so that when they are
placed in their positions I secure a continuous current of air freely circulating through
the walls.
Hot air for warming could also be introduced, and allowed to pass through them,

page_text: and water, if required, be stored to prevent the occurrence of fire in the buildings
thus constructed; the water can be kept in tanks or reservoirs at suitable places.
Buildings erected according to my Invention will be found dry and free from
damp; good ventilation can be secured, and no risk of fire.
I also introduce a fire main running up inside, furnished with suitable valves, by
means of which each separate floor can be flooded in a very short space of time, a
stop valve being placed on each floor.
One of the advantages of this Invention is the simplicaty and security of this
mode of casting the slabs.
Another and most important advantage of these improvements consists in its being
impossible for vermin to obtain any hold in the buildings.
This Invention is also applicable to other useful purposes, such as garden walls,
water courses, vaults, and other such like structures.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Philip Cornish in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th April
1878.
ง
PHILIP CORNISH, senior, of Stamford Hill, in the County of Middlesex, Builder,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF WALLS OF BUILDINGS, WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
This Invention consists of a new or improved mode or method of constructing the
walls of buildings generally by means of slabs or "ashlar," to be composed of plain
tile or other hard substance, clinker, gravel, burnt ballast, or similar suitable material
mixed with Portland or other suitable cement and sand, forming a slab or "ashlar,"
say, of about two feet three inches long, one foot one wide, and three inches thick,
though these dimensions may be varied, but this size is found to be well adapted
for easy handling and fixing. These slabs or "ashlar" thus formed are placed in
the operation of building in the following manner, viz.:-One row is placed on the
sides or edges, and a similar row placed opposite at the distance required for the
thickness of the proposed wall; then slabs of a similar size are placed longitudinally
or flatwise on the top, thus forming a secure and perfect bond by breaking joint,"
the space so formed being hollow. This "ashlar" can be bonded or joggled, or any
piers or plasters can be formed or introduced at intervals; likewise any portion may
be filled in solid where great strength is required, as circumstances may require. I
construct the walls to any height required, by this means obviating the use of
bricks, stone, or any other expensive material, and the operation of erecting a wall
or building can be performed in a very much shorter time than in the present;
likewise plastering is obviated, none being necessary.
At the ends of the alabs I form an aperture or opening, so that when they are
placed in their positions I secure a continuous current of air freely circulating
through the walls, and I apply covered gratings, which can be opened at pleasure
for ventilation, so doing away with the dangerous practice of leaving open
windows.

page_text: Hot air for warming could also be introduced, and allowed to pass through the
apertures, openings, or gratings, and water, if required, be stored to prevent the
occurrence of fire in the buildings. In buildings thus constructed water can be
kept in tanks or reservoirs at suitable places.
Buildings erected according to my Invention will be found dry and free from
damp; good ventilation can be secured, and no risk of fire.
I also introduce a fire main running up inside, furnished with suitable valves, by
means of which each separate floor can be flooded in a very short space of time, a
stop valve being placed on each floor.
•
One of the advantages of this Invention is the simplicity and security of this
mode of casting the slabs.
Another and most important advantage of these improvements consists in its being
impossible for vermin to obtain any hold in the buildings.
This Invention is also applicable to other useful purposes, such as garden walls,
water courses, vaults, shafts, and other such like structures, and can be also applied
for ornamental purposes.
And in order that my said Invention may be clearly understood I have annexed
a Drawing of these different views of a building constructed according to ny
Invention, and wherein Fig. 1 shews part front elevation of a house; Fig. 2 shews
section of a wall, and also shewing water main and stop valves; and Fig. 3 shews
cross section of a building constructed according to my Invention.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said Invention, I declare that
what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is, the new or improved mode or method of constructing the walls of
buildings generally by means of slabs or "ashlar," as herein-before described, and
shewn on Drawings.
.
In witness whereof, I, the said Philip Cornish, senior, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
PHILIP CORNISH, SENIOR. (LS.)