Improvements in and relating to Paving.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Paving.
I, GEORGE AUGUSTUS MANSFIELD of 279 Uxbridge Road in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman, 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:
This Invention relates to improvements in paving roads and pathways or footways
along roads particularly, and other paving generally.
The object of this Invention is to reduce the time of the laying down and the
taking up of roadways and pathways.
There are many causes for the opening up of roadways; this Invention speedily
opens a roadway in the particular part actually required and reinstates it in short.
space of time; thereby reducing the time and, consequently, cost of labour in
closing a roadway or part of a roadway, thus rendering a benefit to the traffic
of such roadway. For instance to pave a roadway that, now, takes about fifty
days to complete, can, by this Invention, be accomplished in about sixteen days.
The road would have to be excavated a depth of fifteen ins. and completely cleared;
and, at this depth, subways would be strongly and securely made for the special
purpose of conducting pipes and wires pertaining to water-gas, electric (for public
lighting) hydraulic, &c., and for the post office telegraph and telephone underground
wires, and pneumatic tubes, &c.; the surface ground would be made level and firm
upon which would be laid a subpavement of compound blocks of sixteen ins. square
surface and seven ins. depth. The moulded compound blocks made of a composition
resembling stone and of suitable strength and durability. Such blocks would fit close
together on the right-angle or square principle, and would not have or require any
cohesive cement or mortar when laid down. The said blocks of the subpavement
would be laid down horizontally from either right to left side or vice versa according
to the nature of the road, and at the termination of each horizontal layer would
be placed a key block of similar substance; such key block to serve as a wedge
to the whole line of horizontal blocks so laid, and the said key block would be
of various widths according to roadway formations. Key blocks and the sub-
pavement blocks would have two orifices through them from top to bottom bored
transversely for inserting a pair of dogs for lifting. When the key block is so lifted
all the blocks in the same horizontal line of position would be loosened and quickly
lifted. The key blocks act as secure wedges to each line of blocks and all the lines of
blocks of the whole length and width of the subpavement would be laid down in
similar manner.
The solid moveable subpavement would afford great strength to the
upper pavement or permanent way. Easy and speedy access to the subways would
be a beneficial result. Provision is taken to meet all the requirements, now existing,
relating to drains, water courses, sewer or manhole openings, and water and gas
perpendicular pipes fixed for special purposes.
The subpavement would be covered with a wooden platform of a formation of right-
angled square crosses of two feet. The spaces between the longitudinal and horizontal
lines of the said formed crosses are sixteen ins. square. The formation of the crosses
is hereinafter fully described. The kyanizing or creosoting process of the platform
would be adopted. The object of the platform upon the subpavement is to serve as a
wedging power and give an elasticity to the permanent way.
Blocks of the same kind
The permanent way is formed in the following manner.
of compound or representation stone mixture are used, the size being eight ins. square
surface by four ins. depth. Such blocks, named key blocks, would be placed on the
centres of all the crosses forming the wooden platform; the said blocks would have
two transversely bored orifices through from top to bottom for lifting. When any
one of such key blocks is lifted out of its position, described, it would, thus, set tree

page_text: the wedge for which purpose it serves, and the whole of the paving could then be
easily and speedly removed without damage to any portion. On each side of such
key blocks would be placed similar blocks, but without orifices on the wooden plat-
form throughout the road; and the sixteen ins. square spaces between the horizontal
and perpendicular lines of the wooden crosses comprising the platform, would be
placed similar blocks in material, shape, and surface dimensions, but, with a depth of
eight ins. or double the thickness of the platform blocks. The lower parts of such
blocks clutch or grip and strongly wedge the platform while the upper parts strongly
wedge the blocks on the platform. When all the blocks are so placed in their
position the permanent way would be ready to receive its traffic. Provision is taken
to formulate and manufacture and lay down curbstones, drain channel-course stones,
brick stones, yard stones and any other shape and size stones from any composition
of stone resemblance that will be strong and durable and serve my purpose. No
pretence is here made for either originality or novelty in the manufacture of such
articificially produced stones, provision being taken for their make and use from
various compositions that will suit my purpose; and that the stones I so manufacture
be named "Mansfield's Stone Compound" under this Invention.
The benefit to the public of my Invention for improvement in paving are:-all the
parts forming the road paving, from the subpavement to the permanent way, are
reversible which will greatly contribute to economy; and any block or blocks could
be inverted or replaced or the roadway opened and completely closed in a very short
space of time. Other advantages for the public benefit may be stated, vizt.: safety to
horses; easy riding; durability and economy; expedition in the work of paving,
mending taking-up and re-opening roadways; freedom from damp to subways; no
need for the use of mortar, cement, boiling pitch or tar or asphalte in laying down. the
paving slush-mud in the road would be minimised; no throwing up of earth as the
whole body of earth to a depth of fifteen ins. in a roadway would be taken away
permanently, thus getting rid of the unsightly mess of mounds of earth and other
matter; subsidence or sinking of parts of the roadway would be avoided.
In laying down a roadway of one mile in length and twelve yards width' by my
Invention there would be a saving in the paving, of the use of hundreds of thousands
of blocks; also, the materials for mortar and cement making and the vessels for
pitch and asphalte boiling being brought through the traffic of the streets.
Provision is taken to substitute iron boxes with steel cappings or lids in the place
of the compound blocks, and which are more particularly referred to in the plans
relating to this Invention the drawings of which accompany this specification.
As to the side pavements of roads and streets for foot passengers.-Provision is
taken to develop this Invention by improving the side pavements, and, this is accom-
plished by using the same kind of compound or imitation stone of hard, durable,
rough and gritty surface. Blocks of suitable dimensions, with key blocks, would be
used for the permanent way of paths, and such would be laid upon a subpavement
formed also of suitable sized blocks of similarly constituted material, but without the
use of any cohesive cement, mortar or substance whatever, and which are more
particularly described in my plans herewith.
+
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a general plan showing. the digging out
of a roadway to the depth of fifteen ins. and giving a representation of a nominal
five subways but, more than thi: number, if necessary, would be made, for the
exclusive use of the pipes of various companies and the overhead and other wires and
tubes of the Post Office. The subways or subterranean passages are indicated, by
A to E. They are on plan ad lib. in measurements, and each subway would.,be
securely and strongly made in accordance with the special requirements of the occasion,
and 'authoritatively examined and certified only by a skilled engineer; but all the sub-
ways would be covered with planks of wood horizontally placed across, and so
completely closing the openings, of suitable width and length but four ins. thickness.
Such planks would rest upon a sill cut four ins. deep from the top of the opening
downwards on each side of the subway, so, that such closing may be brought level
with the excavated ground marked B. The parts marked Ca represent the sides of

page_text: the exavation of the roadway. The part marked na represents the roadway paved
with granite blocks, not excavated, and showing where the excavated ground reaches.
The parts marked E F G and H represent, respectively, road channel courses,
curbstones, key blocks and their side pavement to which such blocks belong, but,
E F G and H are more particularly dealt with and fully shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 2 represents the subpavement of roadway. The blocks marked A' are made
of moulded imitation stone of great strength and durability and are reversible; they
are seven ins. depth and have square surface of sixteen ins.; each block has two
orifices bored transversely through from top to bottom for lifting: they are right-
angled accurately to fit close, and do not require any cohesive cement or substance.
The blocks marked A² are key blocks for wedging purposes, the width of them must
depend upon the requirements of the particular roadway; they are of the same depth
and length like the other blocks, and they have similar orifices bored through them
for similar purposes.
The key blocks when drawn set free the whole horizontal
line of blocks which are, then, readily and quickly lifted to reach the subways.
Parts marked A³ represent the sides of the excavated roadway.
Fig. 3 represents the wooden platform as laid throughout on the subpavement.
It is a continuation of square crosses fastened to each other by means of iron staples
dropped loosely into transverse orifices. The dimensions of each cross are four ins.
depth and a square surface of eight ins. The parts marked B1 and B2 are twenty-four
and eight ins. in length, respectively-and, thus, the cross of two feet each way is
formed. Parts marked B³ represent the subpavement shown in Fig. 2. Parts
marked B represent the excavated sides of roadway. All the orifices in the platform
are bored straight through from top to bottom and are bevelled at the orifices to
permit the staples to drop a little below the surface of the platform so that blocks
which mount platform shall not have a hindered level surface when placed thereon.
All the pieces forming the wooden platform would be kyanized or creosoted
throughout for preservation and durability, and they would be reversible. B* shows
the orifices and staples used for fixing or keeping in position the crosses during
the process of laying the blocks. B marks 4 ins. thickness of platform.
Fig. 4 represents permanent way or completed roadway for traffic showing thirty-
six square feet of my Invention; it reaches to that part of the old road work
represented as paved with granite blocks marked C. Provision is taken to substitute
iron boxes, if necessary, and on requirement by any Metropolitan or Provincial
Local Board when the traffic is extra rough and very heavy, which might
necessitate an extra strong road paving in the place of the compound blocks, made
of a suitable composition and an excellent imitation stone very hard and durable as
well as safe running for horses. The iron boxes, with steel cappings or lids, will be
more fully described in Fig. 5. Parts marked 2 represent the iron boxes, with
their cappings or lids and roughened for horses' feet. They are placed longitudinally
and horizontally on the wooden platform. The three longitudinal and three horizontal
columns marked C3 and C4, respectively, show apparently nine iron boxes (including
three key boxes in centres of each cross) to each of the six columns, and a total of
forty-five iron boxes including nine key iron boxes. C³ shows the iron key boxes. All
the parts comprising these iron boxes will be more particularly described and referred
to in Fig. 6. Having given a careful but partial reference here to the iron boxes,
provision is, only, taken for their adoption when needed as a substitute for the intended
compound blocks which will form the general paving of this Invention; the com-
pound blocks will be placed, where the iron boxes are now represented on the wooden
platform. Therefore, the forty-five squares formed in the three longitudinal and three
horizontal lines marked,,,, and represents so many compound blocks
of imitation stone, placed on the wooden platform. These compound blocks are
tour ins. depth or thickness, and have a square surface of eight ins. The nine key
compound blocks are marked C and occupy a centre of each of the nine crosses upon
the wooden platform." Between these longitudinal and horizontal lines of formed
crosses, dressed with compound blocks, are placed and wedged other compound
blocks marked and the total number of them on the plan shows thirty-six such
717

page_text: blocks, of which the first line of six at top of plan is so marked Co. These compound
blocks are eight ins. thickness and have a square surface of eight ins. The whole
formed and wedged tight, gives a strong permanent-way for traffic with a good
roughened foot-hold for horses. All the blocks forming the permanent-way or top-
road paving are reversible. The C³ or key compound blocks have two orifices bored
through them from top to bottom in a transverse direction for lifting them by the aid
of a pair of dogs. Any one of C³ compound blocks, when lifted out of position, will
cause all the blocks, the wooden platform, and the subpavement to be readily and
quickly taken up to reach the subways. Crepresents a road water course, made of
compound imitation stone. C8 represents a curbstone of compound form. C shows
the thickness of such curbstone. Co shows side pavement slabs of the like compound
form. Crepresents the key blocks benefitting the side pavement slabs. But
C7, C, and (will be fully referred to in Fig. 5, and C1 and C will be fully
described in Fig. 6.
Fig. 5. The following blocks and slabs hereunder marked D (with indices) are
moulded and made of composition representing stone of very hard and durable
kind, and they form the several parts of Figs. 2, 4, and 6 and the blocks of wood,
also hereunder marked D (with indices), refer to the wooden platform Fig. 3.-
D sixteen ins. square is a block of the subpaving shown in Fig. 2. D² shows
thickness seven ins. It has two orifices tranversely bored through from top to
bottom for lifting, and is reversible. D³ is block relating to permanent way paving
shown in Fig. 4.-Its dimensions are eight ins. square surface. a to represents
four ins. and 6 to c four ins. making total eight ins. thickness. D marks thicknes
a to c of blocks placed (wedged) between perpendicular and horizontal columns of
wooden platform Fig. 3. D marks thickness a to b of blocks placed on wooden
platform Fig. 3. All blocks Fig. 4 are same size in surface square measurement,
and differ, only, in depth or thickness, being four ins. and eight ins., respectively.
D marks a kyanized plank of wood two feet long, four ins. width and four ins. depth.
It has two orifices bored straight through from top to bottom for staple fastening; it
has two rows of dotted lines eight ins. apart, showing where the 2 pieces 16 & 7 join
Part marked X on De joins at X marked on D5, and part marked N
on D7 joins at N marked on D³. D8 shows curbstone representing thirty ins. length,
ten ins. width and eight ins. depth. D° shows road water-course or gully drain,
comprising four compound brick imitation stones laid side by side and showing
sloping incline both on curbstone side and roadside of the course. The length is ad lib.
according to run of road to be paved. The width is sixteen ins. for a wide road-
way and less for a narrow roadway and three ins. depth, respectively. Do and D
show the imitation brick stones forming road drain course in D. D₁ shows brick
stone of four ins. cube, also, for drains in smaller roads.
to form the cross.
Side pavement for pedestrians.-1)12 and D13 refer to the parts comprising side or
walking pavement of roads. D12 marks a block for foot subpavement or the first
layer that is placed on well beaten and solidly formed earth. It is two ins. depth and
has square surface of sixteen ins. It will have its attendant key blocks and two
orifices bored transversely for lifting. It will be wedged tight by the keys and will
not require any cohesive substance, such as mortar or cement. D¹³ represents blocks
which are placed on D1 and form upper pavement ready for foot traffic. The blocks
are three ins. depth and have square surface of eight ins. The drawing shows seven
of such blocks. D" marks key block of a layer of top or permanent blocks of foot
side pavement; it is wedged against the curbstone and thus, keeps tight in position
the entire row of blocks; it has two orifices transversely bored for lifting and when
.drawn it sets free the line of blocks which are promptly moved and stacked on curb-
stones and each line of blocks would be, thus, treated. All parts of foot pavement
are reversible. Mortar or cement is not required to be used, the wedging principle
does away with such use. There would not be any subsidence in paving by this
Invention. D8, D2, D¹³, and D14 will be shown more extended in Fig. 6.
The iron boxes with steel cappings or lids are, thus, shown:-E' shows a complete
iron box with steel capping rivetted to the box. Its dimensions are four ins. depth

page_text: and eight ins. square surface: each of the four walls of the box is one and a quarter
ins. thick, and the thickness of the capping is one and a quarter ins. throughout.
The capping rests upon an iron bar in the centre which is supported by iron strong
pieces thrown out from the four sides converging to centre. The box is reversible, it
having similar capping, strength and formation at the bottom. E' represents box E',
just described, but open, and waiting for its top capping. E³ represents the inside of
the capping and shows its thickness and strength. E' shows key box capping ready
to be rivetted on the open box E2; it shows two orifices for lifting, and its place,
when used, is in the centre of the cross on the wooden platform. The cross marked
on the capping of E and the two orifices thereon, denote, to workmen, that it is a
key box and where to place it when laying it down as pavement. These boxes are
very strong and, with the compound blocks, a durable road paving would be constructe I,
strong enough for any kind of extra heavy traffic.
Fig. 6 represents a whole piece of foot pavement, open to traffic, with key blocks
fixed or wedged against the curbstones; also the road water channel-course; it also
shows three coal shoots let into the pavement for the use of houses; there are eight
blocks placed horizontally and fifteen blocks placed longitudinally. F' to F³ represent
a horizontal line of blocks laid down upon the subpavement from the houses' side
towards the curbstone side. is key block belonging to same row of blocks and
has two orifices transversely bored right through from top to bottom for lifting. The
blocks are reversible. The close wedging of upper blocks, as laid upon subpavement,
would avoid any subsidence of pavement. F1 is a curbstone. F shows the depth
or thickness of the curbstone. Fshows the road watercourse to gully-hole. F' key,
when lifted, will set free F1 to F8 blocks for opening pavement for gas or other
purpose. F13 to F1s represent three coal-shoots for houses.
Fig. 6. Dimensions. F¹ to F each block is eight ins. square surface and three ins.
depth. F same depth and length but the width of key blocks must vary according
to space left near curbstones. F10 curbstone thirty ins. length and ten ins. width.
F depth of curbstone eight ins. F" width of watercourse twelve ins. sbowing
sloping sides. F¹³ to F1 three coal-shoots each eight ins. diameter.
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. The making of subways in existing old roadways for the reception of pipes,
wires, etc. to run road lengthways and to join from road to road, and to have such
subways securely built and covered; substantially as described.
2. A subpavement made of an artificial stone, in blocks, and laid horizontally on
the subways with key blocks made of the same kind of material; a key block being
attached to each horizontal layer of such subpavement blocks; substantially as and
for the purpose described.
3. A wooden kyanized platform comprising a series of crosses laid longitudinally
and horizontally upon subpavement, each cross being made up of three pieces of
timber fastened together by a staple to form a square of two feet; substantially as
described.
4. A square artificial stone moulded and laid upon the entire platform; also a
square artificial moulded stone named key block with two orifices transversely bored
through from top to bottom for position in centres of all the crosses forming wooden
platform; also, à inoulded artificial stone of square surface, and greater depth, to be
placed and wedged between the longitudinal and horizontal lines of wooden platform;
substantially as described.
5. An iron box with steel cappings or lids, of square dimensions, to fit on platform
and to be used, as paving, when needed in the place of compound blocks made of a
moulded composition producing artificial stone; also a similar box, named key box,
of equal strength, with two transverse orifices bored through from top steel capping
to bottom steel capping, to be placed in the centre of every cross on the wooden
platform; boxes reversible; substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

page_text: 6. A moulded artificial slab, of square surface measurement, with two orifices
bored transversely from top to bottom for lifting; and a slab corresponding, but of
less width, named key block, to serve as subpavement of pathways or footways;
substantially as described.
7. A moulded artificial block or slab, of square surface measurement, to serve as
upper foot pavement and to be placed or fixed upon subpavement in horizontal layers
towards the curbstones with a block or slab of similar dimensions, but, of less width,
named key block, with transverse orifices bored through from top to bottom for
lifting; substantially as described.
8. Also to mould any form, shape or size of compound or imitation stone for
improvements in and relating to paving; substantially as stated.
9. And in the case of coal shoots or other openings through the foot pavement, to
make my compound slabs in such sized squares as will meet all requirements;
substantially as stated.
10. The several forms and arrangements shown by the drawings Figs. 1 to 6
inclusive; substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this Thirty-first day of March 1890.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS MANSFIELD.