Improvements in Plaster Slabs.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1891
Improvements in Plaster Slabs.
I, ROBERT ROSE COURSEN, of 151, Roseville Ave, in the City of Newark,
County of Essex and State of New Jersey, United States of America, Mason
& Builder, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for PLASTER SLABS, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is to furnish a plaster slab for the interior walls
of buildings which can be easily and quickly applied and that will be fire-proof
or nearly so; and that will be very firm and durable, easily repaired and not easily
broken.
The invention consists in the improved slab and in the arrangement and
combination of the parts thereof, as herein set forth and finally embraced in the
claim.
Referring to the accompanying drawing,
Figure represents in plan, a plaster slab embodying my improvements:
Figure 2 represents a portion of a partition and my improved slabs shown in
central vertical longitudinal section in position against the studding.
Figure 3 is a sectional view through line a of Figure 1, and
Figure 4 is a detail showing how the wires are bent to form nail holes.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever they occur.
In said drawing a indicates wires which are arranged about two inches apart and
extend longitudinally through the centre of the slab b, and are bent to form nail
holes 6, whereby the slabs may be securely nailed to the studding d, when they are
dried and hardened, ready for use the nail holes being arranged at certain
distances apart, so as to correspond with the studding, as will be understood.
I usually employ number 17 galvanized wire, and make the slabs about four feet
long, thirteen inches wide and half of an inch thick, the edges being slightly
bevelled to facilitate their removal from the moulds in which they are made and
which assist in securing the slabs in position by means of plaster, &c., as herein-
after specified. Said wires also add to the stiffness of the slabs. I make the slabs
in moulds, corresponding in size and shape with the slabs, as will be understood.
The bottom of the mould is provided with upwardly projecting wires or headless
nails reaching to the level of the top of the mould and spaced and numbered to
correspond with the studding and number of wires in the slabs, as will be manifest
upon reference to the drawing. The wires are stretched and coiled around the said
nails, at their centres, before the plaster is laid or deposited in the moulds.
The plaster, being reduced to the required consistency in the usual manner, is
then deposited, care being taken not to bend the wires, and after being levelled off
on the top or outside are left till dry and hard when, by turning the mould upside
down the slab will drop out by gravitation with the wires through the centre
thereof and with perforations through the slab, formed by the said headless nails,
or wires through which to drive the nails in securing the slabs to the studs, as will
be understood upon reference to the drawing.
After the slabs are secured to the studding by means of the nails, as above
described, the bevelled joints, at the meeting ends and sides, may be filled with
plaster of paris and then immediately hard finished, so that the slabs will all be
securely cemented or joined together and no dampness will emanate from the walls
or ceilings except that which emanates from said hard finish.
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 I
claim is :-
1. A perforated plaster slab, for walls of buildings, having a series of wires

page_text: through the centre thereof with apertures or perforations registering with those in
the slab and formed therein for the reception of nails for fastening said slabs to said
walls, as described, for the purposes set forth.
2. A perforated plaster slab, for walls of buildings, having a series of wires
arranged parallel with one another through the centre thereof longitudinally with
perforations formed thereon; and a series of perforations through the slab
coinciding with those on the wires, as described, for the purposes set forth.
3. A plaster slab for walls of buildings provided with perforations or means
whereby it may be secured in position by suitable fasteners, and having its edges
bevelled, as described, and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 27th day of January 1801
ROBERT ROSE COURSEN.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.