IMPROVED APPARATUS AND MODE OF CONSTRUCTING PIERS, BREAKWATERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR STRUCTURES."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Josiah Latimer Clark, of 6, Westminster Chambers,
Victoria Street, Westminster, and John Standfield, of the same address, for
: the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS AND MODE OF CONSTRUCTING PIERS,
BREAKWATERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR STRUCTURES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Josiah Latimer Clark and
John Standfield at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st
November 1879.
JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK, of 6, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, West-
minster, and JOHN STANDFIELD, of the same address. "IMPROVED APPARATUS
OTHER SIMILAR
CONSTRUCTING PIERS, BREAKWATERS, AND
AND
MODE
STRUCTURES."
OF
Our Invention consists of a locomotive machine and apparatus suitable for
forming breakwaters of blocks of concrete of much larger size than have been
hitherto usually employed.
To effect this we construct the blocks on platforms or grids on the shore, and
when they are hardened we transport them by means of a railway to the end of
the pier that is being constructed, and there deposit them in their position by
means of an apparatus which we term a locomotive block depositor.
This machine consists of a tow platform supported on numerous wheels running
on a corresponding number of rails. The frame supports at one end an engine and
boiler, by which the whole machine is propelled from place to place, and by which
the hydraulic pumps are worked.
The frame carries also a water tank, which serves as a counterbalance weight,
and it has at the front end a sloping frame work, which we call the slide, on which
the blocks repose while being transported, and which by preference inclines back
at an angle of about sixty degrees with the horizon, more or less. The blocks are
moulded in frames over the lines of railway, being supported between the lines of
rails by moveable platforms or blocks. The sloping framework or slide extends
nearly to the ground, but at the lower portion it is divided into fingers or slanting
projections, which pass between the platforms. The object of these fingers will be
explained hereafter. The upper part of the slide carries a number of short pro-
Price 6d 1
.

page_text: jecting brackets, each carrying a large pulley, and from these pulleys depend chains
which support the block upon the slide.
The other ends of these chains are attached to the cross heads of hydraulic
presses or other mechanical gear, by which the block may be slightly raised if
requisite, and afterwards lowered to its place. The presses may either lie hori-
zontally or at an inclined angle, or they may, if preferred, be hung on trunnions
and project upwards in the air directly over the block, in which case pulleys are
not required. The block depositor is run up to the blocks, which stand one behind
the other in a row over the line of railways, and the attachments being made to
one of the blocks it is hauled over in a slanting position on to the slide, the fingers
before described projecting two or three feet beneath the lower edge of the block.
In order to assist the overturning of the block we jack up one side of it by means
of a new form of pneumatic or bydraulic jack, consisting of a single flexible bag of
india rubber cloth, which is inserted on a trolly beneath the block, or under one
edge of it, and inflated with water so as to overturn it, or if necessary to raise it
and tip it in the desired direction. One of these bags on a suitable truck is placed
over each pair of rails, the bags being protected from injury by wooden boards or
frames. We also place in recesses on the face of the slide similar pneumatic bags
inflated with air, which form a soft cushion, against which the block rests or
falls.
We use similar hydraulic jacks of a lengthened form for forming slides between
the blocks as they are being lowered into position on the pier. They are placed
in the grooves left in the backs and faces of the blocks, and are inflated only while
the block is being lowered, so as to prevent the surfaces of the. blocks grinding
together, and are then withdrawn. The exposed surfaces of the hydraulic jacks are
faced with iron, on which the blocks slide. After they are withdrawn the grooves
are filled in with concrete.
As soon as the block is lifted on to the slide the depositor takes it away and
lowers it into position at the end of the pier.
The engine is provided with hydraulic pumps and other necessary gear, and it
may if preferred be so constructed that the engine may be detached, and be in fact
an ordinary locomotive, which can run into its place in the depositor, and be then
coupled up to the machinery which actuates the wheels and pumps. When not
in use for depositing the locomotive can be detached and used for other purposes.
The form of the blocks may be varied indefinitely. If the pier be shallow a
single block will be sufficient; if the depth of water be greater two or three blocks
may be deposited one on the other to the requisite height. We prefer to deposit
them in a slanting position at an angle similar to that of the slide of the depositor,
so that each block first slides down the face of the slide and then down the face of
the blocks previously deposited until it rests in its position. We prefer that each
block should be of the same length as the width of the pier, with its bottom end
sloped off to any convenient angle, the bottom block being somewhat longer than
that above it, and the top of the upper block forming the width of the finished
pier. The blocks may with great advantage be made hollow, the interior being
afterwards filled with cheap concrete or shingle or other ordinary filling. We
leave grooves on both the faces of the blocks, which are afterwards grouted in with
cement, so that the whole may be made solid.
In some cases we form these blocks of a special form, so that they may be used
for forming cofferdams. For this purpose the blocks not only have holes or hollow
spaces through them, but also deep grooves at their bottom and ends, so that when
placed end to end they present in plan a series of large holes at equal distances,
through which puddle may be passed down, so as to make the joints water tight,
and to form the interior of the block and the bottom grooves into a continuous
puddle chamber.
Although we prefer to deposit the blocks at an angle of about 60 degrees, it is
obvious that the blocks may be deposited horizontally if preferred. The iron
moulds in which the blocks are formed are in separate parts mounted on wheels or

page_text: trollies, with a convenience for lowering the bottom plates which mould the block
between the platforms, and they are also provided with derrick cranes for lifting
the back of the mould, so as to bring it forward and use it over again.
The front piece, or that most distant from the last finished block, being a fixed .
frame standing erect on the trollies, which also carry the mixing mills and appliances
for hoisting the cement into the moulds, the moulds may in some cases be built in
close contact with each other, the finished block forming one side of the mould for
the succeeding one.
The exterior faces of the blocks may also with advantage be faced during con-
Before
struction with cenient of extra quality, or with brick or stonework.
depositing each bottom block its bed is scoured out by allowing the tank of water
to be discharged through suitable pipes, and when necessary we increase the force
of discharge of injecting air or steam on to the surface of the water at a high
pressure.
In order to enable the rows of blocks to be laid out in convenient position on
shore we employ a large turntable at the shore end of the pier, from which radiating
lines of rails extend in convenient directions.
When it is desired to form a bend or angle in the pier we also use a corner
pivotting turntable, on which the depositor is turned round to any desired angle.
This differs from an ordinary turn table, inasmuch as it is pivotted at one corner,
and can thereby be turned at any angle on the width of the pier itself, so that it
utilises the whole width of the pier.
Although we have thus far described the machine as locomotive, there are
situations in which it is preferable to have the machine fixed at the end of the
pier with its lifting presses and appliances, the blocks being brought up to it by a
locomotive or trucks, and in such case the blocks have to pass through the centre
of the machine, where they are lifted and lowered to their place. The machine
is then thrust forward a certain distance ready for the deposition of a new set of
blocks.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Josiah Latimer Clark and John Standfield in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 1st May 1880.
JOSIAH LATIMER CLARK, of 6, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, West-
minster, and JOHN STANDFIELD, of the same address. IMPROVED APPARATUS
AND MODE OF CONSTRUCTING PIERS, BREAKWATERS, AND OTHER SIMILAR
STRUCTURES."
Our Invention consists of a locomotive machine and apparatus suitable for
forming breakwaters of blocks of concrete of much larger sizes than have been
hitherto employed.
To effect this we construct the blocks on platforms or grids on the shore, and
and when they are hardened we transport them by means of a railway to the end
of the pier that is being constructed, and there deposit them in their positions by
means of an apparatus which we term a locomotive block depositor.
The machine consists of a low platform supported on numerous wheels running
on a corresponding number of rails. The frame supports at one end an engine and
boiler, by which the whole machine is propelled from place to place, and by which
the hydraulic pumps are worked.
The frame carries also a water tank, which serves as a counterbalance weight, and
it has at the front end a sloping framework, which we call the slide, on which the
blocks repose while being transported, and which by preference inclines back at an
angle of about sixty degrees with the horizon, more or less. The blocks are moulded
in frames over the lines of railway, being supported between the lines of rails by
moveable platforms or blocks. The sloping framework or slide extends nearly to
the ground, but at the lower portion it, may be divided into fingers or slanting
projections to pass between the platforms. The upper part of the slide carries a
number of short projecting brackets carrying large pulleys, and over these pulleys
depend chains which support the block upon the slide. The other ends of these
chains are attached to the cross heads of hydraulic presses or other mechanical gear,
by which the block may be slightly raised if requisite and afterwards lowered to
its place. The presses may lie either horizontally or at an inclined angle, or they
may if preferred be hung on trunnions and project upwards in the air directly over
the block, in which case pulleys are not required. The block depositor is run up to
the blocks, which stand one behind the other in a row over the line of railways,
and the attachments being made to one of the blocks it is hauled over in a slanting
position on to the slide.
In order to assist the overturning of the block we in some cases jack up one side
of it by means of a form of pneumatic or hydraulic jack, somewhat similar to the
hydraulic or pneumatic jack described in the Specification of a former Patent
granted to us, No. 170, in the year 1877, and consisting of a single flexible bag of
india rubber cloth, which is inserted on a trolley beneath the block or under one
edge of it, and inflated with water so as to overturn it, or if necessary to raise it
and dip it in the desired direction. One of these bags on a suitable truck is placed
over each pair of rails, the bags being protected from injury by wooden boards or
frames. We also place in recesses on the face of the slide similar pneumatic bags
inflated with air, which form a soft cushion, against which the block rests or falls.
We use similar hydraulic jacks of a lengthened form for forming slides between
the blocks as they are being lowered into position on the pier; they are placed in
grooves left in the back and face of the blocks, and are inflated only while the
block is being lowered, so as to prevent the surface of the blocks from grinding
together, and are then withdrawn. The exposed surfaces of the hydraulic jacks are
faced with iron, on which the blocks slide; after they are withdrawn the grooves are
filled in with concrete.

page_text: As soon as the block is lifted on to the slide, the depositor takes it away and
lowers it into position at the end of the pier.
The engine is provided with hydraulic pumps and other necessary gear, and it
may if preferred be so constructed that the engine may be detached, and be in fact
an ordinary locomotive, which can run into its place in the depositor, and be then.
coupled up to the machinery. which actuates the wheels and pumps. When not in
use for depositing the locomotive can be detached and used for other purposes.
The form of the blocks may be varied indefinitely. If the pier be shallow a
single block will be sufficient; if the depth of water be greater two or three blocks
may be deposited one on the other to the requisite height. We prefer to deposit
them in a slanting position at an angle similar to that of the slide of the depositor,
so that each block first slides down the face of the slide, and then down the face of
the blocks previously deposited until it rests in its position. We prefer that each
block should be of the same length as the width of the pier, the top of the upper
block forming the width of the finished pier. The blocks may with great
advantage be made hollow, the interior being afterwards filled with cheap concrete
or shingle or other ordinary filling. We leave grooves on both the faces of the
blocks, which are afterwards grouted in with cement, so that the whole may be
made solid. In some cases we make these blocks of a special shape, so that they
may be used for forming coffer dams; for this purpose the blocks not only have
holes or hollow spaces through them, but also deep grooves at their bottoms and
ends; so that when placed end to end they present in plan a series of large holes at
equal distances, through which puddle may be passed down so as to make the joints
watertight, and to forin the interior of the block and the bottom grooves into a.
continuous puddle chamber.
Although we prefer to deposit the blocks at an angle of about 60 degrees, it is,
obvious that the blocks may be deposited horizontally if preferred, in which case,
the slide of the depositor would be vertical. The iron mould in which the blocks
are formed is in separate parts mounted on wheels or trollies, with a convenience
for detaching the bottom plates which mould the block between the platforms;
and they are also provided with derrick cranes for lifting the back of the mould, if
a back is used, so as to bring it forward and use it over again.. The front piece,
or that most distant from the last finished block is a fixed frame standing erect on;
the trollies, which may also carry the mixing mills and appliances for hoisting the
cement into the mould; the moulds may in some cases be built in close contact
with each other, the finished block forming one side of the mould for the
succeeding one.
The exterior faces of the blocks may also with advantage be faced during con-
struction with cement of extra quality or with brick or stonework. Before or after,
depositing each bottom block its bed is scoured out by allowing the tank of water
to be discharged through suitable pipes, and when necessary we increase the force
of discharge by injecting air or steam on to the surface of the water at a high
pressure. The top of the upper blocks forming the surface of the pier or other
structure may be made good and levelled off with concrete, or be otherwise
brought to a level surface.
In order to enable the rows of blocks to be laid out in convenient positions on
shore we employ a large turntable at the shore end of the pier, from which
radiating lines of rails extend in convenient directions. When it is desired to
form a sharp bend or angle in the pier we also use a corner pivoting turntable, on
which the depositor is turned round to any desired angle; this differs from an
ordinary turntable, inasmuch as it is pivoted at one corner, and can thereby be
turned at any angle on the width of the pier itself, so that it utilizes the whole
width of the pier.
Although we have thus far described the machine as locomobile, there are
situations in which it is preferable to have the machine fixed at the end of the
pier with its lifting presses and appliances, the blocks being brought up to it by a
locomotive on trucks, and in such case the blocks have to pass through the centre.

page_text: of the machine, where they are lifted and lowered to their places; the machine is
then thrust forward a certain distance ready for the deposition of a new set of
blocks.
Referring to the Drawings accompanying this Specification, Figure 1 represents
a side elevation of the locomotive block depositor in the act of taking up a block A,
which originally rested on the platforms C, C, C, one of which only is shown in
Figure 2 (removed in Figure 1 to show the truck B, but all three platforms are
shown in plan in Figures 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10). It now rests on trollies B, B,
which pass in under the block between the platforms C, C, C, and carry flexible
cushions E inflated with air or water, by which it has been tipped over on to the
slide of the depositor. These platforms and trollies may be as numerous as is
thought desirable, and they practically form a system of fingers which enter in
between the platforms, and resemble in their action the pontoons of our depositing
dock, as described in Patent No. 514, of 1875; Figure 3 shows a front view of the
depositor, and Figure 9 shows the same in plan.
As the block falls over on to the slide S, S, Figure 1, it is steadied by bydraulic
presses, and there are air cushions or jacks attached to the face of the slide, against
which it is cushioned when it tips. The weight of the block is then taken on to
the main presses, the bottom cushions are allowed to collapse, and are removed
with their trollies, the block now hanging on the hydraulic presses.
A locomotive engine and tender, shown at F, F, Figure 4, within the frame of
the depositor are now put into action, and the whole machine with the block is
taken away to the turntables, Figures 11 or 12, where it is turned with the
block facing towards the pier.
This locomotive is coupled on to the apparatus, and is provided with steam pipe
connections to enable it to work the pumping engines of the hydraulic presses, and
also of the water reservoir. The depositor may also be fitted with engines and
driving wheels worked with the steam derived from the locomotive. When the
depositor is not in use the locomotive is used for other purposes. It is obvious
however that the locomotive may, if preferred, form an integral and permanent
part of the machine.
A few blocks only are shown in Figures 2 and 8, but the object of the platforms
and turntables, shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, is to permit of a very large
number of blocks being formed and allowed to harden in sufficient quantity to form
an entire pier.
In Figures 1 and 4 the presses are shown supported on trunnions, but it may be
preferable in many cases to support them on ball and socket joints instead of
trunnions, the press passing through the centre of the ball; this method of support
allows of their movement in every direction.
It is equally obvious that the presses instead of standing above the block may
be laid horizontally or at any angle at the back of the machine, and that the
communication with the blocks may be made by jointed flat link chains connected
in pairs with each press by cross heads.
In
Where the depth at which the block is deposited is considerable it is necessary
to add links of chain from time to time at each lowering of the press, the weight
being meanwhile supported by clamps, which hold the chains by which the block is
supported while the ram of the press is raised and a fresh descent made.
Figures 3 and 4 three presses are shown, but it is obvious that one, two, or any
other number of presses and chains may be employed according to the size and
weight of the blocks to be deposited.
The turntables shown at Figures 11 and 12 are of the ordinary construction, but
the swinging table shown at Figure 13 is of peculiar construction, being pivoted at
the corner H, so that the depositor can be turned round to a right angle, as shown
in the Drawing, or to any other desired angle.
Figure 4 shows a portion of a pier already constructed, and the depositor in the
act of laying another block A, which slides down to its position upon the face of
the blocks previously deposited. In some cases the blocks have grooves on the

page_text: front and back faces, which grooves are afterwards filled up with concrete so as to
consolidate the whole work; these grooves are also used to receive elongated
sliding jacks of peculiar construction, which serve as elastic slides to guide the
blocks down into their places without rubbing the surfaces of one block upon the
other. One of these sliding jacks is shown in sectional elevation in Figure 14, and
in end section in Figure 15; I, I¹, are two channel irons, the one fitting into the other;
K is an elastic tube fitting within them, which can be inflated with water at
pleasure. The sliding jacks are placed in the grooves on the face of the block
already deposited, and slabs of oak are placed in the corresponding grooves of the
new block; the jacks are then inflated with water, which causes the channel irons
to move apart and separate the blocks from each other; in this condition the block
with its oaken faces slides down upon the channel irons, which form elastic
launchways, and enable the block to glide easily into its position. The jacks are
then allowed to collapse and the whole are withdrawn from their grooves.
In moulding the blocks we first form a single block as shown at A", Figure 2;
we then place tarred paper or canvas upon its back, and bring up against it the
portable mould M, which is supported on wheels and forms the back and two sides
of the mould, the remaining side being formed by the block previously formed.
The mould is then filled with concrete, and as soon as this has had sufficient time to
set the two sides N, N, which are hinged at 0, 0, are opened, and the mould is
drawn back to a sufficient distance to form another block. In this way any
number of blocks are formed, all standing in close contact, but separated from each
other by paper, canvas, boards, or any other suitable material. The necessary
grooves on the face of the block are formed by boxes on the mould, and the blocks
may obviously be built hollow, or if necessary faced or built with brick and stone.
When it is desired to form a watertight coffer, dam, or puddle chamber, we
employ a series of hollow blocks of the form shown in side elevation in Figure 16,
in transverse section in Figure 17, in longitudinal section in Figure 18, and in plan
in Figure 19, the blocks being placed end to end; P is a hollow space running
through the whole of the blocks so as to form a continuous puddle chamber, which
may be filled either temporarily with clay, or permanently with cement, in which
latter case it forms a permanent wall or pier. The puddle or cement is introduced
by means of holes R, R, R, communicating with the puddle chamber below. T, T,
are two half grooves at the ends of each section, which are also filled with puddle
or concrete so as to unite the whole into a watertight continuous coffer dam. These
blocks may be deposited in any position by a suitable derrick and afterwards filled
with puddle.
Figure 20 shows a section of a retaining wall of peculiar construction held back
by iron ties and earth plates; X, X, represents the ties; Z, Z, the struts; and Y, Y,
the earth plates. This wall is constructed above the water line, and when quite set
is deposited in sections, and the joints are afterwards made good with concrete, and
the whole wall is backed up with earthwork; no claim is however made to
constructing retaining walls in this manner.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention and the manner of performing
the same, we would have it understood that we claim,-
First. Constructing piers, breakwaters, and and other similar structures of
concrete blocks deposited in a slanting position, and slid down into position over
the face of the blocks previously deposited, the blocks having grooves or channels
formed down their adjacent faces to be afterwards filled in with concrete,
substantially as described.
Second. The combined means for forming transporting and depositing concrete
blocks, substantially as described, the blocks being formed on parallel lines of
supports with lines of rail between them to carry a depositing apparatus, and a
turntable being provided to permit of the depositing apparatus being turned half
round to enable it to first take up and afterwards deposit the blocks, substantially
as described.

page_text: Third. The construction of the locomotive hydraulic block depositor, substantially
as described.
Fourth. The corner swinging turntable for forming angles in the pier or break-
water.
Fifth. The method of moulding the blocks in contact, substantially as described.
Sixth. The construction of the portable mould, substantially as described.
Seventh. The construction of a continuous puddle wall, substantially as described
with reference to Figures 16, 17, and 18.
In witness whereof, we, the said Josiah Latimer Clark and John Standfield,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this First day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
J. LATIMER CLARK. (L.S.)
JOHN STANDFIELD. (L.S.)