A NEW OR IMPROVED KIND OF ARCHITECTURAL WORK HAVING CERTAIN PECULIAR OPTICAL EFFECTS WHEN APPLIED TO STAINED GLASS WINDOWS BUT ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER DEBRA
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Paul Ross of Harrow on the Hill in the County of
Middlesex Sculptor for an invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED KIND OF
ARCHITECTURAL WORK HAVING CERTAIN PECULIAR OPTICAL EFFECTS WHEN
APPLIED TO STAINED GLASS WINDOWS BUT ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER
DEBRA "
"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Paul Ross at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 30th May 1882.
PAUL Ross, of Harrow on the Hill, in the County of Middlesex, Sculptor,
A NEW OR IMPROVED KIND OF ARCHITECTURAL WORK HAVING CERTAIN PECULIAR
OPTICAL EFFECTS WHEN APPLIED TO STAINED GLASS WINDOWS BUT ALSO APPLICABLE
TO OTHER STRUCTURAL AND ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES,"
My invention for a new or improved architectural work consists of frame-work
panels constructed with open work ornamental figures or designs, differing from
the ordinary fret work inasmuch as the panels are cut or perforated so that the
openings taper and are smaller at the back of the panels than in front whilst
conversely the framework is thicker at the back than in front. Besides the figures
to be represented I introduce therewith more or less of a special ground or back
ground surrounding the ornamental figures or designs, which ground or back
ground is perforated with conical holes larger in front than back. The face of the
panels thus has a raised edge tracing the form of the ornamental figures or designs.
It is important that the raised edge should have a flat superficial face and sharp
edges. The ground or back-ground surrounding such ornamental figures or designs
is sunk with splayed boundary where the ground meets the ornamental design.
The panels are to be moulded or cast in any kind of plastic material or metal.
The perforations to be covered at back with translucent glass of various colors or
with opaque reflecting substance or partly left open and partly otherwise. The
frame-work panels as well as the ground or back ground may be plain, colored,
metallised, coated or otherwise lined or colored, or partly treated one way and

page_text: partly another. The ornamental work above described is applicable for the
decoration of ceilings, walls, windows, panels of doors and fan-lights over doors and
is suitable for any bold conventional design either antique or modern.
I have discovered that the desired effect in adapting my ornamental work for a
window in an elevated position on a perpendicular wall is only to be fully
produced by arranging (in addition to the invariable tapering arrangement of
frame-work and openings) the whole frame work designs and perforated ground on
a graduated angle or bevel from top to bottom, so that all the openings converge
to one line of view.
Fig. I may be taken to represent either a perpendicular or horizontal section of
my frame-work panels when applied to a stained glass window for any other than
an elevated perpendicular position.
A A A is the frame-work. B B B are openings of ornamental designs or figures.
CCC is the sunk ground or back ground perforated with conical holes D D D.
G is the splayed boundary where C meets A. E is translucent glass if for a
window. F is cement for fixing the glass E.
Fig. II affords a representation of a perpendicular section of a stained glass
window with the openings converging to one line of view as necessary for an
elevated perpendicular position. The horizontal section of such a window would
be exactly similar to Fig. 1 placed horizontally.
In Fig. II the same letters are used to denote the same parts as in Fig. I.
In windows constructed as above the colors of stained glass when placed at
the back of the cell-like recesses and holes B B B and D DD are immensely
enhanced.
I claim the frame-work for architectural purposes constructed on the principles
above described, the essential and novel effects of which I have discovered to consist
in the combination of several features, viz :—
Firstly. The framework which traces the figures must be of taper form so as
conversely to provide tapering apertures disclosing a sufficient view of the complete
design.
Secondly. Such frame-work must be of very considerable depth in proportion to
the scale of the design and the diameter of the apertures required therefor.
Thirdly. The surface of the special perforated ground or back ground surrounding
the figures or designs which has a splayed boundary must be sunk below the
surface of the frame-work which traces the figures, generally about one fifth but
seldom more than one half of the depth of the frame-work.
Fourthly. The face of both frame-work and ground must be perfectly flat (or
even slightly concave) whilst the bevel sides of the apertures or cells must invariably
form sharp angular edges where they meet the face or surface of the frame work or
ground.
In witness whereof I the said Paul Ross have hereunto set my hand and seal
this thirtieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty two