IMPROVED MEANS OF GLASS-ROOFING BY THE APPLICATION OF METAL TUBES AND RIBS FOR SUPPORTING PURLINS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Tracey, of Forest Gate, and William Howitt, of
Ilford, both in the County of Essex, for an Invention of "IMPROVED MEANS
OF GLASS-ROOFING BY THE APPLICATION OF METAL TUBES AND RIBS FOR
SUPPORTING PURLINS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Tracey and William
Howitt at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th May 1880.
EDWARD TRACEY, of Forest Gate, and WILLIAM HOWITT, of Ilford, both in the
County of Essex. "IMPROVED MEANS OF GLASS-ROOFING BY THE APPLICATION OF
METAL TUBES AND RIBS FOR SUPPORTING PURLINS."
Each pane of glass of any desired dimensions is inserted edgewise and vertically
in a metal tube of the like length, of cylindrical form, and having a slot from its
top to its bottom cut therein. Into this slot the glass tightly fits so as to divide
the interior of the tube into halves. To cach tube a precisely similar tube is
soldered or joined, and a pane of glass of the like size as that hereinbefore described
is inserted in manner herein before described. This process is repeated as often as
may be required to form the sides and roof of the structure. The panes are sup-
ported by metal ribs cast so as to give any desired radius or shape to the roof, and
A slot or
fixed to support purlins of wood or metal, to which they are screwed.
groove is cut in each purlin, in which the pane of glass and tube fit at the top.
The bottom of the tube rests on the top of the next succeeding purlin, and is
screwed thereto. By this arrangement no water can escape into the interior of
the structure, because any water which might flow into the tubes should be dis-
charged at the bottoms thereof; neither (from the manner in which the panes and
tubes are adjusted) is there any evaporation from the interior of the structure itself.
The glass used may be of the ordinary smooth surface or corrugated or ribbed.
Our Invention possesses the advantages of strength, combined with lightness of
form, economy of expense and labour in the constructing (no putty or cement
being required), and adaptability to forming the sides and roofs of conservatories,
hot-houses, and such like structures, as also the roofs and sides of railway stations,
sheds, and various other erections.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Tracey and William Howitt in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th September 1880.
EDWARD TRACEY, of Forest Gate, and WILLIAM HOWITT, of Ilford, both in the
County of Essex. "IMPROVED MEANS OF GLASS-ROOFING BY THE APPLICATION OF
METAL-TUBES AND RIBS FOR SUPPORTING PURLINS."
The first part of our improvements relates to the means we employ for joining
the ends of the rafters to the ridge-tree and the wall-plate respectively. In the
accompanying Drawings, Figures 5, A & B, are respectively an elevation in
perspective and a plan of the fitting used, which we will call a "step." It is made
of cast-iron (for preference). The angle which the upright part of it makes with
its base can be varied at pleasure to suit the angles which the rafter makes with
the ridge-tree and wall plate respectively. It is shown in position on the wall
plate c in Figure 2, and with the ridge-tree d in Figure 3. The position of the
projection a, Figures 5 A & B, may also be varied at pleasure when so desired so
as to the better adapt the socket b of the step for holding the rafter firmly. The
rafters are bolted to the steps as shown. We make the junction of the glass with
the ridge-tree water-tight by ordinary flashing or other convenient method. When
we want to make a curved roof like that in Figs. 1 & 2 we use the fitting illus-
trated in Figures 6 A, B, & C. It is made for convenience in fixing in two pieces,
as shown by the elevation, Figure 6 A, & sectional elevation, Figure 6 B, in
which the line marked e' is the junction line. Like the step described above it is
made of cast-iron by preference, and, like it also, it is capable of being made of
various degrees of angularity, as may be required, in order to adapt the rafter to
roofs of any degree of curvature. For instance, if the rib illustrated by Figs. 6 A,
B, & C, were required for a roof of a greater degree of curvature than the one
for which it was designed, its top and bottom lines, the bottoni lines especially,
would be as dotted in Fig. 6 (see projections marked e, e, on which the rafter rests).
This rib is shown in position in Figs. 2 & 3.
As a matter of course at every angle
in the rafter the rafter is cut (see Fig. 3), and this rib just described, in addition
to securing the desired outline of roof, makes a firm junction of the butting sections
of the rafter. This junction we effect by bolts and nuts as shown. A hole
through the sole of the rib admits of the latter being firmly screwed to the purlin
(sec Fig. 3). In forming the sash-bars we abandon in toto every thing like cement
or putty, and do away with the necessity of using it. Figs. 4B & C show
the former in section, the latter in plan, our improved sash-bar. It is made of two
metal cylinders or tubes h, h, of any suitable metal section or sizes joined together
by solder . The tubes are slit longitudinally, as shown, and into these slits are
inserted the panes, which fit therein tightly, and yet with sufficient looseness to
obviate any risk of breakage under changing temperature, or like cause.
pane is not only slipped into its slit, it reaches to the opposite side of the metal
tube. This plan of making our sash-bars does not limit us to any size of pane or
any kind of glass. Figure 4 A shows how we fasten our sash-bars to the purlins.
In the face of the purlin we cut a slot or groove f; this groove receives the top
end of the pane.
At the proper points we enlarge the groove by boring holes for
receiving the sash-bars. This secures the top end of the pane and the sash-bar
(see Figure 1). The lower end of the sash-bar rests in the grooves cut in the
uppermost angle of the purlin. Through a hole bored through the centre of the
sash-bar we drive a screw j into the purlin, and this prevents the sash-bar from
slipping. To keep the glass up in its place we use two wire clips k, k, Figure 4A 5
& C; these are passed through the purlin and bent round the lower edge of the
adjoining panes, on either sides of the sash-bar. They yield when the glass expands,
The

page_text: and are strong enough to return to their original position when cold. The lower
end of each pane and sash-bar projects sufficiently far ovor each purlin to secure
an efficient discharge to the ground of all rain water, &c.
Our Invention possesses
the advantages of strength, combined with lightness of form, economy of expense
and labour in construction (no cement or putty being required), and adaptability
for conservatories, hot-houses, and such like structures; as also for railway stations,
sheds, and various other erections.
Having thus fully described the nature of our said Invention, and the means by
which it is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that what we consider
new, and therefore secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent
to be as follows,-
1st. Step as drawn or modified, as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, & 5.
2nd. Rib as drawn or modified, as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, & 6.
3rd. Metal sash bar, as and for the purpose herein before described and illus-
trated in Figures 4 A, B, & C.
4th. The method of attaching the sash-bars and panes to the purlins, as herein-
before described and illustrated in Fig. 4 A.
5th. The method of preparing purlins with slots and grooves, as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 4 A.
In witness whereof, we, the said Edward Tracey and William Howitt, have
bereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirteenth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Signed and sealed
in presence of
P. O'HALLORAN.
EDWARD TRACEY,
WILLIAM HOWITT.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)