Year: 1889

page_text: I, CHARLES CARROLL GILMAN of Eldora, Iowa in the United States of America
Manufacturer of Porous Terra Cotta, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
«
My invention involves the use of porous or cellular terra cotta, otherwise known
as terra cotta lumber" and it consists in combining slabs of this material with the
other parts or elements hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification, is represented
a perspective view of a construction embodying my invention.
Terra cotta lumber as is well known is a non-combustible material which more
effectually resist the action of fire than brick, is to a very high degree a non-conductor
of heat and cold, and also of sound, is easily sawed and wrought with edged tools,
and will receive and hold spikes or nails. This material I apply directly to the
wooden joists of a building, making close joints, and on the slabs of said material I
spread a layer of cement, upon which the wooden flooring is laid. This, in
connection with the ceiling slabs effectually protects said joists against destruction
by fire.
Referring to the drawing, I represents the wooden joists, which should be three
inches in width; or when two-inch joists are used they should be laid in pairs and placed
twelve to sixteen inches apart from centre to centre. The floor slabs K of terra
cotta lumber, of a corresponding length and two inches thick are laid on said joists,
with their edges dressed so as to closely fit each other, and separately nailed thereto.
A thin layer of cement or lime-mortar L is then spread over said slabs, and on this
the wooden flooring M is laid, being nailed by nails driven into said slabs. The
Terra-cotta lumber slabs N for the ceiling, are about one and one half inch thick, are
dressed, if necessary, by sawing or by the use of other edged tools to make close joints,
and are nailed to the joists in the same manner as the flooring slabs. Holes may be
punched in the corners of the slabs when in a plastic state to facilitate the work of
nailing, and preferably a small washer of zinc, say an inch square, is slipped over
each nail, to avert the possibility of the nail head pulling through the slab. The

page_text: ceiling slabs are finally plastered like the ordinary ceiling of lath and plaster; but
this, since the ceiling slabs are closely fitted, is not essential to protect the joists
against fire. .
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :
1. The combination, with wooden floor joists of slabs of terra-cotta lumber
separately nailed to the upper surfaces thereof, a layer of cement spread over said
slabs and a wooden flooring laid thereon and secured by nails passing into said slabs
substantially as described.
2. The combination, with wooden floor joists, of slabs of terra-cotta lumber
separately nailed to the upper surfaces thereof, wooden flooring bedded in cement
secured by nails passing into said slabs, and slabs or sheets of terra-cotta lumber
closely fitted together nailed to the under surfaces of said joists, substantially as
described.
Dh
1011
1
1000