IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PORTABLE BUILDINGS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Taylor, of Birchington, in the Isle of Thanet, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PORTABLE
BUILDINGS."
Sealed the 31st October 1879, and dated the 6th May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Taylor at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th May 1879.
JOHN TAYLOR, of Birchington, in the Isle of Thanet.
CONSTRUCTION OF PORTABLE BUILDINGS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of portable buildings,
and consists chiefly in preparing the panels of which the walls are to be composed,
so that they shall be separate but complete in themselves without the other or
more constructive parts of the building, but when fixed thereto in place they will
be held securely, mainly without the use of nails or screws, or equivalent attach-
ments. The panels I propose to make of wood or of wood and metal combined,
and to fit them between standards set at suitable distances apart, and grooved to
receive the vertical edges of the panels.
These panels I propose to make of a length corresponding to the height of an
apartment. Supposing a house of one storey is required to be built, I prepare for
it panels, say, eight fect high and four feet in width. The standards to receive
these panels being corner pieces and intermediate pieces I set up at suitable
distances apart, say, four feet, to receive the panels between them, and I secure
these standards by dowels or other convenient means to the plinth or base of the
building.
The panels I form, when using wood for their construction, of weather boards for
their outer face, placed horizontally, or the grooved weather boards described in the
Specification of a Patent granted to me, and bearing date 21st April 1873, No. 1438,
and to the back of these weather boards I attach tongued, matched, and bedded
boarding laid transversely of the same, interposing between the inner & outer
boarding felt sheeting. The width of boarding forming the inner face of the panel
will be such with respect to the width of the weather boarding forming the outer
face as to extend some two inches more or less beyond it. Thus a vertical rebate

page_text: will be formed on opposite edges of the panel. These projecting edges of the panel
are intended to fit into corresponding vertical grooves in the standards, which
grooves will hold the panels securely in place without further means of attachment.
The ends of the weather boarding butt up against the solid portion of the standards.
Thus a rebated weather proof joint is formed, and the labor of fitting the groove to
the ends of the weather boards is avoided. To the lower groove of the lower
weather or grooved weather board I fit a longitudinal key, which enters also a
corresponding groove on the plinth, and I thus form a tight joint between the
panels and the plinth. On the top of the panels when in place a cap piece is
fastened to the soffit of the panels that form the roof, and the underside of the cap
is grooved so as to fit down upon and secure the panels.
The gable ends of the building will have a grooved cap fitted down onto the
panels, and in the upper part of this cap is a groove to receive a key, onto which
other panels suitably shaped to fill in the gable may be fitted.
When internal partitions are required to divide the building into compartments
the standards in the outer walls from which these partitions are to run will be
grooved on their inner faces, as well as their sides, and the panels for these par-
titions will be made of two layers of tongued, matched, and beaded boards, one side
laid horizontally, the other perpendicularly, with intervening felt sheeting, the
edges of the panels having in this instance no rebate, but entering into the vertical
grooves of the standards prepared to receive them.
It should be remarked that where the doors and windows occur the frames will
be grooved in the same way as the standards, and the head will be suitably grooved
to receive a key so as to ensure a weather tight coupling with the panel above it,
as explained with reference to the plinth.
When preparing panels with a metallic face I use by preference in the place of
weather boards corrugated galvanized sheet iron. Sheets of this metal I secure
together (with the corrugations running vertically) in such number and sizes as to
form the required width of panel.
To the vertical edges of the panel, and also at the vertical joinings of the sheets
I attach quarterings of wood, which will run from end to end of the panel. The
quartering on the side which is to be against the metal I shape so as to fit the
corrugations, and the corrugations at the vertical edges of the panel I flatten so nя
to enter the grooves in the standards. These quarterings I secure to the inner
boarding by screws passed through the metal, and to the quarterings I attach cross
pieces at suitable distances apart. This framing I overlay with felt sheeting, and
over this sheeting I apply tongued, matched, and beaded boards, as before explained,
securing them firmly to the quarterings, their ends being flush with the quarterings
at the vertical edges of the panel. Thus a panel complete in itself is formed ready
for fixing to the standards and other parts before described.
In constructing panels of this kind with an opening for a door or window I fit at
the lower edge of the corrugated iron opening at the top of the door or window a
projecting strip of metal for turning off the rain. The upper part of this strip will
be corrugated to fit beneath the corrugations of the panels to a height or lap suffi-
cient to keep out the rain. The lower part of the strip where it is not beneath the
corrugated iron will not be corrugated.
In order to attach the door and window frame to the standards and to facilitato
their disconnection I fit into the standards threaded sockets for receiving coupling
screws, which are passed through the frames that are to be secured in place. On
the outer periphery of these sockets I cut a wood screw, and I screw them per-
manently into the standards at the proper level to meet the coupling screws.
arrangement will also serve for fitting swinging lights and ventilators to their
frames, and it may be used generally throughout the building as a detachable
boldfast.
This

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Taylor in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th November
1879.
"
JOHN TAYLOR, of Birchington, in the Isle of Thanet. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF PORTABLE BUILDINGS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of portable buildings,
and consists chiefly in preparing the panels of which the walls are to be composed
so that they shall be separate but complete in themselves without the other or more
constructive parts of the building, but when fixed thereto in place they will be held
securely, mainly without the use of nails, or screws, or equivalent attachments.
The panels I propose to make of wood or of wood and metal combined, and to fit
them between standards set at suitable distances apart, and grooved to receive the
vertical edges of the panels.
These panels I propose to make of a length corresponding to the height of an
apartment. Supposing a house of one storey is required to be built I prepare for it.
panels say eight feet high, and four feet in width. The standards to receive these.
panels being corner pieces and intermediate pieces I set up at suitable distances
apart, say four feet, to receive the panels between them, and I secure these standards
by dowels or other convenient means to the plinth or base of the building.
The panels I form, when using wood for their construction, of weather boards for
their outer face placed horizontally, or the grooved weather boards described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to mo, and bearing date the Twenty first
day of April, One thousand eight hundred and seventy three, Number 1438, and to
the back of these weather boards I attached tongued, matched, and beaded boarding
laid transversely on the same, interposing between the inner and outer boarding felt
sheeting. The width of boarding forming the inner surface of the panel will be
such with respect to the width of the weather boarding forming the outer face as
to extend some two inches, more or less, beyond it. Thus a vertical rebate will be
formed on opposite edges of the panel. These projecting edges of the panel are
intended to fit into corresponding (vertical grooves in the standards, which grooves
will hold the panels securely in place without further means of attachment, the
ends of the weather boarding butt up against the solid portion of the standards.
Thus a rebated weather proof joint is formed, and the labour of fitting the groove
to the ends of the weather boards is avoided.
In the lower groove of the lower weather or grooved weather board I fit a
longitudinal key, which enters also a corresponding groove on the plinth, and I
thus form a tight joint between the panels and the plinth. On the top of the
panels, when in place, a cap piece is fastened to the soffit of the panels that form
the roof, and the underside of the cap is grooved so as to fit down upon and secure
the panels.
The gable ends of the building will have a grooved cap fitted down onto the
panels, and in the upper part of this cap is a groove to receive a key, on to which
other panels suitably shaped to fill in the gable may be fitted.
When internal partitions are required to divide the building into compartments
the standards in the outer walls, from which these partitions are to run, will be
grooved on their inner faces as well as their sides, and the panels for these par-
titions will be made of two layers of tongued, matched, and beaded boards, one
side laid horizontally, the other perpendicularly with intervening felt sheeting,
the edges of the panels having in this instance no rebate but entering into the
vertical grooves of the standards prepared to receive them.
It should be remarked that where the doors and windows occur the frames
will be grooved in the same way as the standards, and the head will be
suitably grooved to receive a key, so as to insure a weather tight coupling with
the panel above it, as explained with reference to the plinth.
When preparing panels with a metallic face I use, by preference, in the place of

page_text: the herein before described weather boards, corrugated galvanized sheet iron.
Sheets of this metal I secure together (with the corrugations running vertically) in
such number and sizes as to form the required width and height of panel.
To tho
vertical edges of the panel, and also at the vertical joinings of the sheets, I attach
quarterings of wood, which will run from end to end of the panel. The quarterings
on the side which is to be against the inetal I shape so as to fit the corrugations,
and the corrugations at the vertical edges of the panel I flatten so as to enter the
grooves on the standards. The iron I secure to the quartering by nails and washers
or by screws. I attach cross pieces to the quartering at suitable distances apart.
The framing thus formed I overlay with felt sheeting or other suitable material. I
apply tongued, matched, and beaded boards, as before explained, securing them
firmly to the quarters, their ends being flush with the quarterings at the vertical
edges of the pancl.
Thus a panel complete in itself is formed ready for the fixing to the standards
and other parts before described.
In constructing panels of this kind with an opening for a door or window I fit
at the lower edge of the corrugated iron opening at the top of the door or window
a projecting strip of metal for turning off the rain. The upper part of this strip
will be corrugated to fit beneath the corrugations of the panel to a height or lap
sufficient to keep out the rain. The lower part of this strip, where it is not
beneath the corrugated iron will not be corrugated.
In order to attach the door and window frame to the standards, and to facilitate
their disconnection, I fit into the standards threaded sockets for receiving coupling
screws, which are passed through the frames that are to be secured in place. On the
outer periphery of these sockets I cut a wood screw, and I screw them permanently
into the standards at the proper level to meet the coupling screws. This arrange-
ment will also serve for fitting swinging lights and ventilators to their frames, and
it may be used generally throughout the building as a detachable hold fast.
But to make my Invention better understood I will proceed to describe the same
by reference to the
companying Drowings
Figure 1, Sheet 1, shews a horizontal section of an external panel of a portable
building constructed according to my Invention. A is the outside weather boarding
placed horizontally, or I may use grooved boards similar to those described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to me bearing date the Twenty first day of
April, One thousand eight hundred and seventy three, Number 1438; B is the inside
tongued, matched, and beaded boarding laid transversely to the outside boarding A,
and being of such a width as to extend beyond it at cach end, as shewn at a, a;
C is the felt sheeting or other suitable substance laid between the inside boarding B
and outside boarding A, such boards A and B being nailed together and clinched;
D shews one of the angle posts or standards having vertical grooves b, b, into which
the projecting edges a, a, of the inside boards B extend, and which grooves will
hold the panel securely in place without further means of attachment; Eshews one
of the intermediate or junction standards having grooves b, similar to those described
for the anglo posts.
By this construction it will be seen that the ends of the outside weather
boarding butt up against the solid portion of the standards and the projecting
portions a, a, of the inside boarding B fit into the grooves b, thereby forming
together a rebated weather-proof joint, the labour of fitting the groove to the ends
of the weather boarding being thus avoided.
Figure 2, Sheet 1, shews a vertical section through one of the hereinbefore
described external panels; F is the plinth, having a groove on the top as shewn,
into which is fixed a longitudinal key c, which key also enters a corresponding groove
in the hereinbefore described lower or grooved weather board A, and thus a tight

page_text: joint is formed between the panel and the plinth; G is the cap, which is fastened
to the soffit of the panels H that form the roof; and the underside of the cap is
grooved, as shewn, so as to fit down over a key fastened to the head of the window
frame L, and thus secure it; in the case of there being no window frame the
herein before described groove fits down on to the top of the panels and secures
them; I is the felt sheeting placed between the internal and external boarding;
J shows a window sill grooved on the underside to receive the panel; K is the
usual sash; and L, the sash frame.
Figure 3, Sheet 1, shows a vertical section through one of the external panels
with a gable above it; M is the grooved cap fitted down on to the panels, and in
the upper part of this cap is a groove to receive the key d, over which I fit other
panels N suitably shaped to form the gable or other part above it; O is a cap, with
a groove to secure the panels forming the gable, and this cap is previously fastened
to the soffit of the roof panels in a similar manner to that shewn in Figure 2.
Figure 4, Sheet 1, shews a horizontal section through a junction stand, and
having external and internal panels; P is the external standard or junction,
grooved on the inside face to receive the internal panel R, and on the sides to
receive the external panels Q. The internal partition R is made of two layers of
tongued, matched, and beaded boards, one side laid horizontally, the other side
perpendicularly, having felt sheeting C or other suitable substance between them.
The edges of these panels have no rebate but enter the vertical grooves of the
junctions and other standards prepared to receive them as shown.
Figure 5, Sheet 1, shews an internal angle standard, grooved to receive internal
panels on two sides.
Figure 6, Sheet 1, shews an internal junction standard, grooved to receive panels
on three sides.
Figure 7, Sheet 1, shews an internal door jamb, grooved to receive an internal
panel.
Figure 8, Sheet 1, shews an internal junction standard grooved to receive panels
on four sides.
Figure 9, Sheet 1, shews an external angle standard grooved to receive two
external panels.
Figure 10, Sheet 1, shews an external intermediate standard, grooved to receivo
an external panel on each side.
Figure 11, Sheet 1, shews an external junction standard grooved to receive an
external panel on either side and an internal panel on the inside.
Figure 12, Sheet 1, shews an external door post grooved to receive an external
panel.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, shews a horizontal section of an external panel with a metallic
face constructed according to my improvements.
A, A, are corrugated galvanized iron sheets secured together in any suitable
manner, the corrugations running vertically; B, B, are the quarterings of wood at
the vertical edges of the panel running from end to end thereof, and to which the
iron is secured and flattened, so as to enter the grooves on the standards F and G ;
C is a quartering of wood at the vertical joining of the iron sheets, to which the
sheets are secured, and is shaped to fit the corrugations as shewn; D, D, are similar
quarterings, to which the iron sheets are secured, and they are also shaped to fit
the corrugations; E is the tongued, matched, and beaded boarding, nailed to the
quarters as shewn; F is one of the hereinbefore described wooden junctions or
standards, grooved to admit the ends of the panels; G is a wooden angle or
standard grooved on two sides to admit the ends of the panels; H, H, are cross
pieces at suitable distances apart abutting against the quarterings; I is the felt
sheeting or other suitable material.
Figure 2, Sheet 2, shews a vertical section of the external panel, shewn in
Figure 1, Sheet 2; A, A, are corrugated galvanized iron sheets; H, H, are cross
pieces abutting against the quarterings; E is the tongued, matched, and beaded

page_text: boarding nailed to the quarters; I is the felt sheeting or other suitable material;
Jis the wooden cap piece grooved to receive the top of the panel.
Figure 3, Sheet 2, shews a view of the upper part of an opening for a door or
window; A is a projecting strip of lead, zinc, or other suitable material for turning
off the rain; it is corrugated at the upper part (so as to fit behind the corrugations
of the place above it) to a height sufficient to form a lap, as shewn by the dotted
line
The lower part of this strip which is not behind the corrugations is flat. My
improved coupling screws are shewn in Figures 4 to 8, Sheet 2.
Figure 4, Sheet 2, shews a horizontal section of a door frame attached to a
standard by my improved coupling screws and sockets; A, A, are threaded sockets
to receive the coupling screws B, a wood screw thread is cut on the outer periphery of
the socket as shewn. These sockets are permanently screwed into the frame C and
standard D at the required height, and the coupling screw B is then screwed
through the two sockets, thereby firmly and solidly holding the frame and standard
together, and at the same time allowing of their being easily taken apart.
Figure 5, Sheet 2, shews a horizontal section of an arrangement for fitting
swinging lights or ventilators to their frames by means of my improved couplings;
A, A, are the threaded sockets similar to those last described, screwed into the
swinging light C and frame D; and B is the coupling screw. It will be noticed
that by this arrangement the heads of the two sockets work against each other.
Figure 6, Sheet 2, shews a horizontal section of my improved coupling used also
as a detaching holdfast; A, A, A, A, are the threaded sockets, as hereinbefore
described; and B, B, are the coupling screws.
Figure 7, Sheet 2, shows the head of the socket perforated and slit for screwing,
and Figure 8 shews the head of the screw.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to
the precise details herein laid down and shewn in the Drawings, but what I
claim is,
Firstly. The general arrangement and construction of portable buildings, as
herein before described and shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The employment in portable buildings of panels so composed that they
shall be separate and complete in themselves without the other or more constructive
parts of the building, but when fixed thereto in place they will be held securely,
mainly without the use of nails or screws, or equivalent attachments, substantially
ns herein before deecribed and represented in Figures 1 to 12, Sheet 1 of the accoin-
panying Drawings.
Thirdly. The peculiar construction of panels for portable buildings, whether with
or without metallic faces, as hereinbefore described.
Fourthly. The construction and employment of internal and external screw
threaded sockets in combination with a coupling screw, as and for the purposes
herein before described and represented in Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Taylor, have hereto set my hand and
seal, this Thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
night hundred and carranty nina