CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FORM AND COMBINATION OF BLOCKS OF SUCH MATERIALS AS ARE NOW USED OR HEREAFTER MAY BE USED IN BUILDING OR FOR PAVING PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ROADS AND COURT YARDS, OR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CAUSEWAYS, OR SUBWAYS, OR ANY OTHER PURPOSES TO WHICH THE SAID FORM OR COMBINATION OF BLOCKS MAY BE APPLIED
Year: 1840

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING.
I, THOMAS JOHN DAVIS, of No. 5, Bloomsbury Place, Bloomsbury Square, in
in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster, the
Eighth day of August, in the fourth year of Her reign, did give and grant unto
me, the said Thomas John Davis (by the description of Thomas John Davis,
of No. 5, Bloomsbury Square), my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Thomas
John Davis, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said
Thomas John Davis, my exors, adñññors, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times hereafter during the
term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FORM AND COMBINATION OF BLOCKS
OF SUCH MATERIALS AS ARE NOW USED OR HEREAFTER MAY BE USED IN BUILDING
OR FOR PAVING PUBLIC OR PRIVATE ROADS AND COURT YARDS, OR PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE CAUSEWAYS, OR SUBWAYS, OR ANY OTHER PURPOSES TO WHICH THE SAID
FORM OR COMBINATION OF BLOCKS MAY BE APPLIED;" in which said Letters Patent
there is contained a proviso that I, the said Thomas John Davis, shall cause
a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manuer the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery-

page_text: within six calendar months next immediately after the date of the said in
part recited Letters Patent, reference being thereunto had, may more fully
and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas John Davis, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked.
thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention consists of improved forms or shapes of blocks of wood, stone,
iron, or such other materials as are now used in building or paving, and an
improved method or combination thereof. The said forms or shapes are a
natural series of forms or shapes of rectangular prisms, consisting of one
simple or single prism, and the rest united or compound, that is to say, of a
single rectangular prism, a double rectangular prism, a treble rectangular
prism, and so on, their strength, when combined, increasing as the number of
prisms in each particular compound form or shape of the rectangular forms or
shapes of a combination thereof. The single rectangular solid prism to be con-
tained under six equal or unequal rectangular parallelograms. The double rcct-
angular solid, or if of iron, hollow; double prism, to be of the form of a superior
and inferior rectangular prism,, and when of wood, each prism thereof to be of
unequal length, breadth,, and depth; but if other, matter or materials the prisms
of the double prism may be of any dimensions, connected together by natural.
or artificial incans, the upper one, being placed on and across the middle of the
upper, surface of the lower. one, so as to be at, right angles to each other
When the rectangular prisms of the said compound form or shape are intended
to be connected naturally, they may be so obtained from a solid rectangular
prism of matter, or other mass of matter containing their dimensions, and
formed by taking four, rectangular sections therefrom, as will. be herein-after
described in a Drawing annexed: A. similar form, or, shape may be obtained.
artificially by using two single rectangular (and if of wood unequal), prisms,to
construct the said compound form or shape, making one the superior and the
other the inferior prism, and joining or connecting them together by cement or
other artificial means in the inode and of the compound form or shape of a
double.rectangular prism,, as before described. . The treble rectangular solid,
or, if of iron, hollow treble prism,, is to be of the compound form or shape of
superior middle and inferior rectangular prisms, connected together by natural
or artificial means,. the centre of the middle one being placed on- and across
the centre of the lower one, and at right angles thereto, the upper rectangular

page_text: prism being placed in like manner on and across the middle one, and at right
angles thereto, thus completing the compound form or shape of a treble'
rectangular prism. In like manner the compound form or shape, if & quadruple
or greater number of like naturally or artificially united rectangular prisms,
may be formed, all having the same improved principle of combination herein-
after described. I further declare; that the aforesaid compound shapes or forms
of prisms are derivable from materials and substances generally employed in
building or paving, namely, iron, stone, wood, bricks, or other materials so
used, and that the said compound shapes or forms may be usefully obtained
and combined in different ways, according to the nature and quality of the said
materials employed in the manner herein-after described.
First, the shapes or forms before described are, in the case of stone, marble,
wood, and other similar substances and materials, to be made of the before-
imentioned forms of hewing, chiselling, or sawing the same out of a rectangular
prism or other solid mass. thereof, containing the required dimensions of the
above-described compound shapes or forms of prisms, leaving them entire in
their relative dimensions, so that when combined either horizontally or
obliquely, as may be required, an improved principle of mutual support derived
from their compound forms or shapes may be brought into action without or
with the aid of artificial means of adhesion or cohesion between their joints, or
of lateral means of connection partly or wholly through their substances.
Secondly, iron may be manufactured or cast in frames to form, when united,
similar external compound shapes or forms as before described, the said
frámės to be cast from models of the sides and ends thereof, and to be of such
thickness as may accord with the pressure likely to be sustained thereby; two
such cast-iron sides, and two such ends, being (when joined at the angles and
united or fastened by 'screws, or by dovetails; or other artificial means) of the
external form of one of the compound forms or shapes aforesaid, as the case
may be, and the hollow interior of nearly like form, 'which said forms may be
latérally connected together by projections and holes for the same:
The space
of the interior of the upper prisms; when. the said iron compound shapes ór
forms are intended to be for a way or road, should be filled with one or more
rectangular prisms of wood; stone, or other materials, or the whole internal
space thereof may be so filled if required, the sides or ends of the said. hollow
shapes, or both, to have holes in them when requisite to lighten them; and
also for the purpose of their entire compound forms being combined together
in like manner to the aforesaid solid compound forms or shapes of. other
materials which they represent; and further, that the said compound forms or
sliapes may be cast sold in iron. Bricks may be moulded in the said compound

page_text: shapes or forms from hollow models thereof, and, when in combination, united
by their shapes or forms and by other artificial means. The said rectangular
compound forms or shapes, when in wood or other matter, and applied to the
purpose of pavements, may be firmly combined in masses in the workshop by
one or more iron or wooden rods, with or without screw woms at each end,
and nuts to screw thereon, or by any other mode of fastening and connecting
the same; one or more rods to be passed through the upper prisms of such
combination, and one or more rods to be passed through the lower prisms of
the compound prism-shaped blocks, the rods occasionally crossing each other at
right angles if required: by which combination of small masses of blocks time
may be saved in laying down a larger combination of the same on the ground
or foundation of the intended wooden or other causeway or road, which said
ground should be prepared of such materials as are adapted to form a solid,
firm, and dry foundation; the said rectangular compound forms or shapes of
wood to be placed on the ground with the fibre of the timber in a vertical
position as it grew, or otherwise, if requisite; the depth or other dimensions of
the prisms thereof to be increased or diminished as required; generally a com-
bination thereof, for a wood or other pavement, whether consisting of single
blocks or masses of blocks of compound prisms, may be laid down, either
directly or obliquely, across the streets or ways, breaking the joints in either
case if convenient; each row of blocks or masses thereof to terminate and fit
against the stone channel or curbstone sections accordingly of the compound
prisms to be made at such terminations of the courses thereof as may form
proper mutual abutments; the sides and ends of the compound prism blocks
of the combinations to be connected according to and by their shapes or forms,
from which that improved mutual support, which is the principle of their com-
bination, will be derived, ensuing.from the upward and downward pressure of
the upper and under surfaces of the projecting ends, or a portion thereof, of
the unequal prisms of each double prism block, videlicit:-The under surface
of each of the two projecting ends of the upper prisms resting upon a portion
of the upper surface of the projecting ends of the lower prisms of the four
double prisms, when combined at the right angles or corners of each double
prism block, and the under surface of the projecting ends of the upper prisms
of the said four double prisms, when combined as aforesaid, resting upon a
portion of the upper surface of each of the projecting ends of the lower prisms
of each double prism block, by or from which reciprocation of pressure on the
aforesaid upper and under surfaces of the projecting ends of the prisms the
improved principle of mutual support in a combination of such compound
prisms is established. Some or all of the said forms or shapes are intended to

page_text: be cut or sawed rectangularly, or rabbeted at the edges of the horizontal upper
surface of each block, or they may be cut diagonally or bevelled at the edges,
as in common use, to prevent the sliding or slipping of animals thereon.
When the forms or shapes herein described are intended to be used for the
purposes of building, they may be placed in any direction in which they will
best combine with one another for such purposes, and with or without cement
or other artificial means of connection according to circumstances. I wish it
to be understood, that the naturally connected prisms of the rectangular com-
pound prisms before mentioned may be inclined or deflected from their vertical
position towards the plane of their rectangular horizontal junction with each
other, but that the projecting ends of such deflected superior prisms should
equally project beyond the sides of each inferior prism from their said junction,.
so that when such compound prisms are in combination no spaces will occur
between them, and therefore no inclined or deflected single or simple prism
will be required in any combination thereof, as I do not intend to claim to use
separately such inclined or deflected single prism as a part of my Invention.
And further, that should a road or way be required to curve when formed of
compound prisms (or as I intend to call them stereo-prisms), then the angles
of the prisms thereof should be inclined or deflected in accordance with the

page_text: No. 6. The dotted lines of this Figure represent portions of a rectangular
diaphanous or pellucia prism, within which is. inscribed, and seen as included
therein, the compound shape or form of a solid rectangular treble prism,
baving the appearance of Figure 3 placed upon and across Figure 1, the
upper. and lower prisms thereof being vertically parallel, but the middle prism
is placed at right angles between them transversally or crosswise, the ends pro-
jecting equally beyond the opposite sides of the upper and lower prisms
thereof, the centres of the three prisms being in the same vertical line.
No. 7 consists of six Figures, two of which, A and B, represent two
rectangular sectional prisms, being portions taken from the opposite sides of
the upper dotted (in part seen) rectangular diaphonous or pellucia prism
of Figure 3; and E and F represent two rectangular sectional prisms, being
portions taken from the opposite sides of the lower dotted part of Figure 3.
A, B, C, and D, may, in like manner, together with E and F, represent the
rectangular sectional prisms of the dotted portions of the rectangular pellucia
prism of Figure 6; A. and B, and C and D, being from the opposite sides of
the upper and lower dotted parts, and E and F from the opposite sides of the
middle dotted part thereof; leaving the solid rectangular treble prism entire.
Sheet 2, Drawing No. 8, consists of three Figures, two of which, Figure A
and Figure B, represent iron frames of the external form of the sides and
ends of Figure C, which consists of two of Figure A and two of Figure B,
and its vertical external surface of the shape or form of the like surface of a
rectangular double prism. Figure C is intended to be connected at the angles
by screws or dovetails, and externally by lateral projections and sockets or holes,
or in either case by any other artificial means of connecting the sides of the
said form or shape internally, or the external sides of the same, with other like
forms or shapes having a hollow internal rectangular space in the upper prism
thereof, wherein, level with the apparent external horizontal junction of the
prisms, will be two internal opposite horizontal projections of the iron framing;
in the space above which, and resting on the said projections, may be placed a
solid rectangular prism of wood, stone, or other materials contained within the
aforesaid space of the upper prism thereof, whereby, when this Figure is in my
improved combination, with others, of the same external form or shape, a
wooden or other surface, or a surface compounded of prisms of different
materials, a road or causeway may be constructed, or in like manner a platform
made to supersede an arch or a tramway for a railroad, the horizontal surfaces
thereof being the surface of the wooden or other prisms therein, which prisms
are to be made of such depth that they may rise somewhat above the iron
framing, and thereby form narrow rectangular spaces to occur between the

page_text: upper part of the sides of the wooden or other prisms forming the surface
above the said iron framing, and thereby form a purchase for animals to draw,
and to prevent their sliding or slipping thereon.
No. 9 represents a combination of several courses of rectangular double.
prisms forming part of a street or way, the projection of the ends of the upper
and lower prisms thereof extending beyond each other's sides less than one
half of the breadth of the said upper and lower prisms, leaving spaces between
the ends of the double prisms thereof, when in my improved combination.
In the said spaces is intended to be placed on the projecting ends of the lower
prismis one or more small rectangular prisms or blocks of wood, stone, or other?
materials to fill the said upper surfaces and complete the surface. The ends
of this combination are represented as abutting against the stone channel or
wooden gutter, and that against the curbstone of the pavement or pathway of
the street or road. Sections of the different terminating rectangular compound.
prisms to be made to fit and correspond with the channel, gutter, curbstone,
pavement, roadway, or other matter on which they may be intended to abut
or come in contact.
No. 10 represents the end of Figure 9, shewing two smaller blocks or single.
rectangular prisms in the place of the spaces before mentioned of the upper.
prisnis of Figure 9, and resting on the ends of the lower prisms, projecting.
beyond the sides of the upper prisms thereof.
No. Il consists of two Figures, Figure A represents the plan of an horizontal
section of the three internal transverse (or across the way) courses of Figure 9.
made at one half the height of the lower prisms, in order to shew a section of
one of the iron rods intended, when required, to pass through any of the
courses of the compound prisms, and the alternate spaces at the end of the
lower and upper prisms thereof. Figure B represents an horizontal plan of
six double prisms according to my improved combination, similar to those of
Figure 9.
Sheet 3, Drawing No. 12, consists of two Figures; Figure A represents a
section of an iron rod, with screw worms at each-end and nuts thereon; similar
rods of any lengths or materials may be used for connecting and strengthening
the combinations of the different compound forms or shapes before described.
Figure B represents a small combination or mass of rectangular compound
forms or shapes of double prisms intended to be so combined at the workshop
(more or less as may be required); the end of an iron rod, similar to Figure A,
is shewn as passing through the lower prisms thereof. The ends of the upper
prisms project beyond the opposite sides of the lower prisms one half of the
breadth thereof, and resting thereupon at right angles thereto. The ends of

page_text: the lower prisms project beyond the opposite sides of the upper prisms one
fourth the breadth thereof. When the length of the upper prisms of my com-
pound prisms are double their breadth, and the lower prisms of the same
length and breadth, their ends will project equally beyond the opposite sides of
each other, and no spaces will occur between the ends of the prisms on their
combination; but when, as in this Figure B, an improved combination of
double prisms, the upper prisms only of the double prisms project one half of
the breadth of the lower prisms, and the lower prisms have a lesser projection
than one half of the breadth of the upper prisms beyond their opposite sides,
than the ends of the upper prisms will be in contact, when in combination, but
spaces will occur between the ends of the lower prisms.
No. 13 shews a platforni intended to supersede an arch or a perfect hori-
zontal tramway for a railroad, being my combination of solid, or, if of iron, of
hollow rectangular treble prisms formed of greater and lesser or unequal
treble prisms (equal compound prisms may be used for the like purpose), their
vertical and horizontal position maintained by the same improved principle of
mutual support before described, which is further aided and strengthened by
iron or other rods passing through the alternate middle prisms, the ends of
which rods are combined by passing them through a flat iron bar or plate,
extending, if convenient, the length of the platform, and nuts screwed on cach
end of the iron or other rods, thereby confining the flat iron bar or plate to
the middle prisms. In like manner rods are to be passed through the upper
and lower prisms at right angles to the former rods from end to end of the
platform, or otherwise, as the strength of the case may require. This kind of
platform may also be constructed of any solid equal compound prisms, the
prisms thereof being either rectangular or inclined, or of similar hollow ones
of iron modelled therefrom, and small rectangular prisms of wood or other
materials may be placed therein when spaces occur, and thereby complete the
surface. If a platform or any other road or way of compound prisms be
required to curve, the angles of the prisms should be deflected according to
the angle or angles of the curve.
No. 14 consists of three Figures, one of which, Figure C, shews one of the
ends of Figure 13, and the ends of the iron or other rods, as passing through
the upper and lower prisms, also two flat iron bars or plates connecting the
ends of the said rods, which pass at right angles above and below those before
described as passing through the middle prisms of Figure 13. Figure D
represents a vertical section of the smaller treble prism of Figure 13, parallel
to the end of the middle prism, and passing through the centre thereof.
Figure E represents a vertical section of the larger treble prism of Figure 13

page_text: parallel to the longest side of the upper prism, and passing through the centre
thereof.
No. 15 consists of four Figures, A, B, C, and D, each being a species of
compound prism, having one or more inclined or deflected prisms, their ends
equally projecting beyond the sides of each other, the same being applicable,
when combined with others of the like form or shape, to the same purposes,
and having the same improved principle of mutual support as those rectangular
compound prisms herein-before described as having their ends projecting
equally beyond the sides of each other, and being in contact with each other
when in combination.
Having thus described the nature and improved principle of mutual support
of the Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be formed and con-
structed, I would have it understood that what I claim is,-
First, the mode or shape of a series of compound blocks of prisms herein-
before described, which I intend to call stereo-prisms.
Secondly, my mode of combination of the same, and the mode of employing
in combination for building, paving, or any other purposes, any blocks,
materials, or substances of such niode of form or shape.
Thirdly, I claim my application and introduction of iron or wooden rods, for
the purpose of keeping the compound prisms of a combination thereof in a
vertical position, and thereby strengthening the same.
And I also claim my
application and introduction of stone or other materials into the spaces of my
peculiar mode of combination of compound prism when such spaces occur
therein, whereby the sliding or slipping of animals on the surface of any such
combination will be very much or altogether prevented.
Fourthly, I disclaim the use of the solid double prism of wood, which con-
sist of equal oblong prisms or parallelipipedows placed at right angles on and
across each other; the combination thereof, which I also disclaim, is dis-
tinguished, and such that the upper and lower prisms of each double prism or
form (resembling two oblong blocks crosswise) stands at right angles to the
upper and lower prisms of it, surrounding like forms or shapes of oblong
blocks, their projecting ends being vertically parallel, the under surface of the
projecting end of the upper prism being placed directly over and entirely
covering the upper surface of the projecting end of the lower prism thereof.
Lastly, I disclaim the use of any inclined or deflected single prism separately
from any inclined compound prism, as I intend to use them only when in their
united forms of compound prisms. Further, I wish it to be understood, that I
do not intend to limit the dimensions or number of the prisms of any of the
said compound prisms, except as before disclaimed, but that the same may

page_text: vary in number, length, breadth, and depth, and that they may be inclined or
deflected towards the plane of their horizontal rectangular junction with each
other in any direction, that their sides and ends may or will remain parallel to
the sides and ends of their said rectangular junction or junctions.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas John Davis, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, One thousand
eight hundred and forty-one.

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
JOHN DAVIS, of No. 5, Bloomsbury Place, Bloomsbury Square, in the County
of Middlesex, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Eighth day of August, in the fourth year of Her reign, did give and grant
unto me, the said Thomas John Davis, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
Thomas John Davis, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such others as I,
the said Thomas John Davis, my exors, admors, and 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 mentioned, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within England and Wales and the Town of
Berwick-on-Tweed, my "Invention of Certain Improvements in the Form
and Combination of Blocks of such Materials as are now used or may here-
after be used in Buildings, or for Paving Public or Private Roads and Court
Yards, or Public or Private Causeways or Subways, or any other Purposes
to which the said Form or Combination of Blocks may be applied:" And
whereas the Specification of the said Patent was duly enrolled in the High
Court of Chancery on the Eighth day of February, One thousand eight
hundred and forty-one: And whereas I am desirous, for good and sufficient
reasons, to enter, a Memorandum of Alteration of the said Specification, and
have obtained leave of Her Majesty's Attorney General, certified by his fiat and
signature, according to the form of the Statute in that case made and provided.
KNOW YE THEREFORE, that I, the said Thomas John Davis, do make
and enter the following Memorandum of Alteration.
.

page_text: Figure B representing a like treble prism block, made up of parts of like or
unlike substances placed together.
Figure C represents a vertical section of Figure A or Figure B, taken
through either of their centres, and the sides having interstices or grooves.
Similar sections appear as Figures C and D in No. 14 of Sheet 3 of the
Drawings of the Specification enrolled.
Figure D representing a vertical section taken through the centre, and the
sides having projections of Figure A.
Figure E represents a like vertical section taken through the centre, and the
sides of projecting tongues of Figure B.:"
Figure F represents a detached corner of the upper and lower prisms of a
treble prism.
Figure G represents a detached projection or tongue of treble prism.
Figure H represents an orthographic plan of the treble prism Figure A.
Figure K represents a like plan of Figure B.
And I do hereby declare, that the reasons for making and entering the above
Memorandum of Alteration is, that my said Specification is indistinct in the
points set forth in such Memorandum. And I further declare, that the above
alteration is not such an alteration as will extend the exclusive right granted
by the said Letters Patent.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas John Davis, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of February, in the year
of our Lord Oue thousand eight hundred and forty-two.
To the Clerk of the Patents of England.
This is to certify, that the above-named Thomas John Davis, of No. 5,
Bloomsbury Place, Bloomsbury Square, in the County of Middlesex, Esquire,
has applied to me for leave to enter with you the above-written Memorandum
of Alteration in the Drawings annexed to the Specification of a certain Inven-
tion for which Letters Patent were duly granted to bim under the Great Seal
of Great Britain, and dated at Westminster, the Eighth day of August, One
thousand eight hundred and forty, and the Specification of which was enrolled
on the Eighth day of February, One thousand eight hundred and forty-one, and
having considered the said application, and no objection having been made to
the same, I have accordingly granted leave to the said Thomas John Davis to
file his said Memorandum of Alteration, pursuant to the Statute passed in the
fifth and sixth years of the reign of His late Majesty King William the

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-fifth day of February,
in the year of our Lord 1842, the aforesaid Thomas John Davis came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Memorandum
of Alteration aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Memorandum of Alteration aforesaid
was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-two.