An Improved Method of Jointing Building-blocks, Jointing Blocks and Slahs for Roads, Pavings, Floors, and Ceilings, Jointing Fipes and Tubes for Sewage, Water, Gas, and other Useful Purposes
Year: 1887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Jointing Building-blocks, Jointing Blocks
and Slahs for Roads, Pavings, Floors, and Ceilings, Jointing
Fipes and Tubes for Sewage, Water, Gas, and other Useful
Purposes.
We, THOMAS STORY HORN, of Tulse Hill, Surrey, Gentleman, and JOHN JAMES
ROBSCN, of Cleveland Road, Wanstead, Essex Contractor, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to ho
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This our invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in building-
blocks, pavings, floors, drains, pipes, retorts, etc., and which invention has for its
object of rendering said building-locks, pavings, floors, drains, pipes, retorts etc.,
capable of being jointed together in such a manner that they cannot easily become
disjointed by local earth subsidences, water preassure or other disturbing influences.
Hitherto, when piers, landing-stages, sea-walls, light-houses and other structures of
a like nature have been erected as heretofore, their construction has oftentimes become
disjointed and destroyed by the constant action of the water upon them.
This our invention is also invaluable in the construction of blast and other furnaces
in which great heat has to be maintained. When blast and other furnaces have been
constructed as heretofore. they have been constantly falling in, owing to the
consumption of the mortar or cement used for the purpose of binding the bricks
together.
By this our invention, all the above mentioned and other disadvantages heretofore
experienced, are entirely overcome in a simple, cheap, and efficacious manner
hereinafter described, set forth in the claims and fully illustrated in the drawings
hereunto annexed, reference being had to the figures marked thereon.
The aforesaid building-blocks may be hewn from the natural stone, but they may
also be constructed of artificial stone, concrete, burnt or baked clays, cements or
limes, cast iron or any other suitable substances. The aforesaid pipes for sewage,
water, gas and other purposes may be made of any of the aforesaid substances, but are
preferably made of cast or wrought iron, or other suitable metals.
In order to carry out this our invention, we form V shaped projections on the sides
of the blocks, which projections fit into corresponding V shaped depressions on the
adjoining block. These said V shaped projections and depressions are sometimes
formed horizontally, and sometimes vertically on the faces of the said blocks, and on

page_text: the bed joints of said blocks, sometimes longitudinally and sometimes transversely
according to the position and purpose to which the said blocks are put. When the
said blocks are made of artificial stone, concrete or like substances, they are cast in
moulds made for the purpose, and the said V shaped projections are preferably made
harder than the rest of the body, by adding an increased quantity of cement or other
hardening substance or submitting the part to a chemical process of hardening
quickly. The aforesaid pipes are also preferably cast in moulds and have that
portion which forms the joint hardened in a similar or other suitable manner.
Fig. 1. Plate 1 represents a building block with horizontal V shaped projections
and depressions on the sides and ends. When this block is placed in its proper
position in the structure the V projections fit into the corresponding depressions of
the adjoining block.
Fig. 1 Plate 2 represents a building block with ▼ shaped horizontal projections and
depressions on the sides and ends, as in Fig. 1 Plate 1, but having two V shaped
projections on the bottom bed and two ▼ shaped depressions on the top bed:-this
block is intended to be used as a "header" to break joint with the courses both
below and above it, and the two longitudinal projections above and below it, fit
corresponding projections and depressions upon the courses above and below thus
being bound one to another.
Fig Plate represents a vertical double block with two horizontal V shaped
projections and depressions upon the vertical sides, and one V shaped projection and
depression upon the top and bottom respectively. The object of this block is to
tie each course of blocks to the course below, thus forming a method of vertical
bonding.
Fig. 1 Plate 4 is a section, and Fig. 2 is a plan of foundation blocks with
horizontal shaped projections and depressions horizontally in the vertical
faces only.
"
Fig. 3 Plate 4 is a section and Fig. 4 an elevation of a wall built of blocks one
block thick with V shaped projections and depressions horizontally on the end or
vertical faces, and longitudinally on the bottom and top of said blocks.
Fig. 5 Plate 4 is a section and Fig. 6 is an elevation of a Dock or Quay wall
constructed of blocks, one block thick, with V shaped projections and depressions
18ngitudinally on the bottom and top joints and horizontally on the vertical or
end joints.
This method of construction is especially adapted for constructing walls under
water without coffer dams."
Fig. 7 Plate 4 is a section and Fig. 8 an elevation of a wharf or Quay wall built of
blocks between high and low water marks, each block provided with V shaped
projections and depressions both horizontally and longitudinally on their vertical
sides respectively.
..
In this case the wall may be constructed without a coffer dain, and the foundation
and top of wall above high water may be formed of concrete en masse.
Fig. 1 Plate 5 is a section and Fig. 2 is an elevation of the wall of a gas holder
tank built of blocks, one block thick with V shaped projections and depressions
horizontally and vertically on their horizontal and vertical joints. In Fig. 2 is
shewn a tier of vertical double blocks which tie each successive course to the one
below, and also bind the courses together, thus forming a compact and solid inass.
Fig. 3 Plate 5, represents a transverse section of a break-water constructed of
blocks with V shaped projections and depressions horizontally and longitudinally on
their vertical and horizontal joints respectively. In this structure, each block is so
interlocked with the adjacent blocks as to render the structure perfectly rigid and
proof against any local subsidences or the disintegration of the waves.
Fig. 4 Plate 5 represents a plan and Fig. 5a transverse section of a foundation
cylinder or lining to a well formed of blocks, provided with V shaped projections and
depressious formed vertically and horizontally on their vertical and horizontal joints
respectively.
"Fig. 6 Plate 5 represents a transverse section and Fig. 7 an elevation of a break-

page_text: water bonded in the usual way, and provided with V shaped projections and
depressions horizontally on all vertical joints, and longitudinally on all bed joints
thus effectually interlocking the blocks together.
Fig. 1 and 2 Plate 6 represents the application of our invention to sill and arch
blocks on which V shaped projections and depressions are formed as shewn.
Fig. 4 Plate 6 is a section and Fig. 5 is an elevation of a string course with
V shaped projections and depressions formed in the end or vertical joints which so
strengthens the wall as to act as a bond-course to the said wall, in place of hoop iron
usually employed.
Fig. 6 Plate 6 represents the application of our invention to the voussoirs of an
arch, upon which voussoirs are formed ✓ shaped projections and depressions
horizontally on all vertical joints, thus binding the whole arch together and preventing
any of the said voussoirs from slipping out, or by local subsiden destroying the
stability of or symmetry of the arch.
Fig. 3 Plate 6 is.a transverse section and Fig. 7 a plan of a flat arch with abutments
built of blocks with V shaped projections and depressions formed horizontally on
all vertical joints and longitudinally and on all bed faces. There are also double vertical
blocks alternately at the end of each course, in order to tie down the arch to the
course below.
Fig. 1 Plate 7 represents a transverse section through a floor formed of wooden
slabs with a V shaped projection on one edge and a corresponding V shaped
depression on the other edge. These floor slabs or battens are nailed as shewn, by
driving nails through the lower part of the V shaped depressions on the edges, before
the insertion of the V shaped projections of the next block.
•
Fig. 2 Plate 7 represents a transverse section through a floor as in Fig. 1 except
that the blocks are nailed down in the usual manner from the upper surface.
Fig. 3 Plate 7 represents a section and Fig. 4 a plan of a floor constructed of
blocks or slabs of wood with V shaped projections formed on two edges and
corresponding V shaped depressions on the other two edges. These blocks, which
may be laid to either a plain or herring-bone or other fancy pattern, are laid with
their projecting edges fitted closely into the corresponding depressed edges of the
adjacent blocks thus forming a perfectly rigid floor.
Fig. 1 Plate 8 represents a plan and Fig. 2 a section of ordinary paving slabs with
V shaped projections formed in two edges to fit into corresponding depressions on
the edges of adjoining slabs, and V shaped depression on the other two edges to
receive the projections on edges of adjoining slabs.
Figs. 3 and 4 Plate 8 are respectively plan and section of floor or path way formed
of paving blocks or bricks jointed as in Fig. 2.
Figs. 5 and 6 Plate 8 represent plan and section respectively of a road way formed
of pitching blocks, jointed as already described. In some cases it may not be
necessary to have the V shaped projections and depressions on the ends of the blocks or
slabs hut only on their side edges. Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively section, and elevation
of a kerb and gutter to the edge of a road-way, formed of blocks with V shaped
projections and depressions on their end or vertical joints. Fig. 9 Plate 8 represents
a section through a fire proof ceiling and floor, shewing how a ceiling may be
constructed of blocks jointed with V shaped projections and depression on their side
edges, and in some cases their end edges also. Figs. 1 and 2. Plate 9 are respectively
longitudinal and transverse sections, and "Fig. 9, an elevation of the face of the joint
of an iron pipe as used for. gas water supply, sewage, hot water steam and other
purposes. In this case a good and effectual joint may be formed by increasing the
thickness of the metal at each end of said pipes, and turning them up accurately in a
lathe, so that the V shaped projection fits neatly into the V shaped depression of
the corresponding pipe. The said pipes are also provided with suitable lugs through
which bolts are passed and screwed up tightly. Figs. 3 and 4 Plate 9 are transverse
and longitudinal sections respectively of an egg-shaped sewer formed of blocks
or slabs which are jointed with V shaped projections and depressions as already
described,

page_text: Figs. 5 and 6, Plate 9 are respectively transverse and longitudinal sections of a
pipe or tube for sewage purposes or water supply with joints made with V shaped
projections and depressions formed upon the end of the pipe, and which projection
and depression fit nicely one into the other. In this instance the pipes when laid in
position have their joints bedded in fine cement and then driven up tight and neatly
pointed with cement.
Figs. 7 and 8 are transverse and longitudinal section respectively of a retort used
in the manufacture of gas, the joints of which retorts are formed exactly in the same
manner as in Figs. 5 and 6. excepting that the joints are bedded in fine fire clay and
neatly pointed.
Fig. 1 Plate 10 is an elevation of a building block provided with V shaped
projections and depressions upon its sides and under surface, and having its upper
longitudinal edges bevelled as shewn. This block may conveniently he used for
piers etc. as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3 of which Fig. 2 is an elevation and Fig. 3 a
transverse section.
It will be readily understood that when our building blocks are jointed together as
heretofore described and shewn, that the said blocks may be fixed in position
with mortar, of cement, or hydraulic or stone limes or other suitable adhesive
material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is -
1. Blocks for building construction, said blocks made of natural or artificial stone,
concrete, burnt or baked clays, cements, limes, wood, or other suitable materials, also
cast iron and other suitable metals, said blocks formed with V shaped projections and
depressions upon their surface, and said blocks formed with V shaped projections and
depressions upon their surfaces and provided with bevelled edges, all substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
2. In paving and flooring blocks and slabs, said paving and flooring blocks and
slabs formed upon their edges with V shaped projections & depressions and said
projections adapted to fit their corresponding depressions, all substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto
annexed.
3. In pipes and tubes used for sewage or gas and water supply, said pipes and
tubes provided at their ends with V shaped projections and depressions and said pipes
and tubes may be held in position by bolts passed through lugs upon said pipes
substantially as and for purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings
bercunto annexed.
4. In a gas-retort, said retort formed at its one end with a V shaped projection,
and at its other end with a V shaped depression, substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings hereunto.annexed.
5. The construction and general arrangement of our said invention, substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings
hereunto annexed.
Dated this 24th day of December 1887