Process and Means for Framing Up Glass and other Tiles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 27th Feb., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Process and Means for Framing Up Glass and other Tiles.
I, WILLIAM HERMAN WINSLOW, of 761 Rookery, Chicago, County of Cook,
State of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of my 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 relates to processes and means for uniting or bringing together a
series of tiles particularly glass tiles into groups so as to make a window or
covering for an aperture through which it is desired to introduce light into an
apartment. My invention relates to and is applicable to various kinds of glass or
tile, but I have particularly illustrated it in connection with prismatic window glass
and vault lights, which is the particular field at present intended by me to be
occupied by this invention so far as it relates thereto.
Prismatic tile or the like commonly consists of glass bodies more or less smooth
on one side and provided with inwardly or downwardly projecting ribs or the like
on the opposite side. These ribs have faces set so that the rays of light entering
for example at the flat or smooth side will be refracted or reflected as the case
may be by the inclined walls or faces or surfaces of said ribs. Referring to the
particular kind of tile which is illustrated in the drawings, I would explain that
these tiles consist each of a body of glass with a smooth outside surface and
inwardly projecting refracting ribs, one face of each rib being nearly at right
angles to the surface and the other being inclined thereto. In the preferred form
of my device, each tile or separate piece of glass bas its ribs extending clear to
the extremity of the tile in every direction except perhaps on the outer edge or on
one edge or those edges of the tile where, when the tile has been made up into a
body, they are exposed along or form part of the outer edge of such body. Here
there may be, if desired, a projecting ledge or border. Now, in such case, there
are several important objects to be obtained and among them the following: The
separate sections of glass are to be brought together firmly and held securely in
position; this ought to be done with the least possible obstruction of the light or
in other words the connecting ribs or devices which join the several sections of
glass together should be as thin as possible; again, the prismatic ribs or projecting
parts should cover the greatest possible portion of the inner surface of the tile,
for since these ribs tend to distribute the light, any break between them, as for
example, by means of ledges which surround the prismatic portion will of course
present a wide surrounding or intervening strip which will not distribute the light;
again, the connection must be such as to make the completed body of tile water-
proof, and of a nature to resist the action of the atmospheric air; again, if the
complete body of glass or tile is to be of any considerable extent, and particularly
if it is to be inclined or laid horizontally or if the tile are to be made of heavy
weight as in the case of vault lights, it is necessary to support the several sections
or the complete body through the middle and I have shown means for that; again,
it is highly important that the ribs should be arranged in such manner as to make
it easy for the same to be cleaned and to leave as little as possible in the way of
corners and obstructions to prevent cleaning, in other words, it is desirable to have
each rib as nearly as possible continuous across the whole width of the plate or
body when completed.
All these results and many more are well accomplished in my device; particularly

page_text: when the same is applied to such prismatic window and vault lights as are illustrated
in the accompanying drawings, wherein
Figure 1 is a plan view of a series of window lights laid in position in the frame
ready for treatment;
Figure 2 is a cross section to an enlarged scale on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 ;
Figures 3 and 4 are details of the conducting strips which are inserted between
the several sections of the glass;
Figure 5 exhibits the various kinds of tiles used, and shows the projecting ledges
so situated that out of specimens of such tiles a complete body or frame can be
made up with a surface of practically uniform ribs, and also a view of a tile
having the ribs running all the way around which may be used if desired;
Figure 6 is a view of the vault light or series of vault lights with a heavy
intervening rib between the sections and the projecting supporting part thereon;
Figures 7 and 8 are modifications.
Fig. 9 an enlarged sectional detail of Fig. 1.
Like parts are indicated by the same letters in all the figures.
A A indicate generally the prismatic glass tile, the different species of tile being
indicated by the letters B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K and L, M and N indicate
metallic strips preferably notched at distances substantially equal to the length of
the glass tile to be formed up into the body. O is a metallic frame which may or
may not be the permanent frame for the complete made-up body of glass, though
it is perhaps preferable to have this frame in which the glass is formed into the
body permanent therewith. Any other frame or sash can then be applied as may
be thought proper. P is a table.
Now the application of my invention or the method of putting the glass together,
I would describe as follows: I take a suitable table P, or this may be the bottom
of the bath tub, and I place upon it the frame O, it only being necessary to have
such a frame as will hold the glass in position. Perhaps the preferred form would
be to have the frame O a light metallic frame. I then lay the glass tile sections
on the table within the frame, the frame being of such size as to enclose the
number of tile sections desired to be brought together, and so as to leave a slight
slot or space between them. Into these slots or spaces the strips M and N are
dropped, the intention being that they should snugly fit the slots reserved for them.
The table with the frame held in position thereon, for example, by the pins R, is
immersed in the bath in such manner as not to disturb the relative position of
frame, tile and strips in the electrolytic bath. The current is now applied. To
make the application of the current entirely satisfactory, of course, as close
contact as possible should be made between the frame portions and the ends of the
strips. These strips preferably extend slightly above the surrounding surface of
glass between which they lie and where the ribs abut against each other, the strips
extend slightly above the lower portion of the slots between the ribs, on the flat
surfaces they extend slightly above the surface. This is the preferred form. The
current now being applied, the electro-deposition takes place with the result of
depositing metal on the surface of the strips between the glass so as to completely
seal the joint. At the same time a firm contact is made between the edges and
the metal so as to quite securely hold the tile together. In addition to this, and if,
as in the preferred method, the ribs project, then a deposit is made about such
projecting ends which is equivalent to forming on the outside of the glass and upon
the metal edge, ledges which engage the glass and thus form as indicated in the
drawing, a binding body of metal on each side, as indicated at S. These results
appear to me to be best accomplished by electro-deposition, but to a certain extent
a similar result could be accomplished by mechanically upsetting or overturning
the edges of the interposed metallic strips or ribbons. In some cases and for
certain purposes this might be sufficient and desirable. This, however, would not
probably make the tight joint between the metal and the glass so as to make the
finished product waterproof. The object which I seek to attain may also be in
part accomplished. by fusing. the metal and the glass together in position, and

page_text: though this might form a close contact between the edges of the glass and the
metal strip, it would not be, under existing conditions, an easy and finished method
of accomplishing the desired result, but all these processes or methods to which
I have alluded as well as others more or less closely approximate the electrolytic
bath method, which I consider the best exemplification of my invention. Various
kinds of metal can be used according to conditions and the work required to be
done for each job, but I ordinarily consider copper strips or ribbons as most
desirable. By any of the several processes referred to, these strips would
be closely secured together at all intersecting and connecting points and thus
a comparatively strong and safe frame would be obtained independent of the
sealing of the edges of the glass and independent of the support whic' the glass
receive along their edges. In the case of the vault lights, which I have illustrated
in Figure 6, T is the body of glass and U and V the downwardly projecting
prismatic ribs. W is the strip, in this case being much wider than the thickness of
the ledge or edge of the glass, and X is the heavy metal portion of same, capped
with the deposit which in this case rises above the surface of the vault light and
serves as a rib or stop to prevent the foot from slipping. Y is a mass of deposit
or other such metal upon the lower surface of the vault lights, which thus serves
to hold the lights up in position. The downwardly projecting end of the strip may
be covered with wax or the like to prevent electro-deposition, and upon this strip
the finished glass body may rest for support. There may be as many of these
strips as desired, varying in number and in strength, according to the circumstances
of each case, the size of the total body of prismatic vault lights and the weight to
be put on them. Z Z are grooves on the adjacent edges of the tile sections and
adapted to receive ribs on the strips preferably formed by electro-deposition, and
in this case the strips may or may not project beyond the surface of the tile. If
they project overhanging ledges as in the other cases may be formed. ZZ' are
recesses formed along the borders of the edges of the tile sections so as when the
parts are brought together, to form a sort of groove and the metal strip in this
case need not extend beyond, but may come flush with the top surface of the tile
so that when the electro-deposition is made, it will bring the metal flush with the
surface or if the strip is to be mechanically treated, it may project enough so that
when the rib is formed, it will just fill the slot and thus make a uniform top
surface.
I have undertaken, as will be evident, in a general way to describe and explain
my invention without attempting to set forth every minute detail or to give all the
modifications of each detail, but I have attempted to explain enough to enable any
mechanic to utilize the invention in the several different ways and to exhibit as my
intention to claim what is illustrated quite broadly.
The tile may be set with either the smooth or ribbed surface outside and indeed
my invention is applicable to any kind.
The vault lights may have projections cast on the surface thereof. The ribbon
or strip of metal between the tiles may or may not extend beyond the surfaces of
the adjacent tiles.
To facilitate the closing up of the space between the adjacent sections of tile,
it may be necessary to introduce a metal addition to the ribbons or strips, and I
have therefore proposed where the edges of the glass are somewhat irregular so
as to make the spaces between the tile sections of varying width, to put into
such spaces alongside of the ribbon when in position, metal filings, which will
serve as soon as the electric process begins to fill up the space rapidly at that
point.
I do not desire to be limited in the application of my invention to the particular
form of tiles used, as any sort of ornamental form of tile or glass can be employed
in my invention. In Figure 1, the ribs are shown as shorter than the length of
the tile. In Figure 2 this feature is modified, the ribs being extended in length
and the complete body being extended so as to show another form of fastening.
I have spoken of the use of metal filings and of course I mean any sort of substance

page_text: which would answer the same purpose. The bed or table on which the frame is
formed may be of glass and after the frame has been partially formed, it should be
turned over perhaps on another bed and formed on the opposite side after which it
can be suspended in the solution free from any bed or table and the process of
formation be continued.
Figure 9 shows the crossing keys A¹ which are sometimes employed as fellows:
The strips are secured in the surrounding frame and the tile sections then dropped
into position. Then the crossing keys, being little washers are placed with a drop
of solder at the crossings on one side, the whole is then turned over and a like
key placed on the opposite side. This forms a frame which is sufficient to hold
the glass tiles in position for inside work. I prefer however, to then apply as
above suggested the electrolytic process at least until the joint is made between
the strips and the edges of the sections. This process can then be continued
until the ledges are formed on the edges of the strips as above suggested,
if desired and indeed to get the very best result this is the proper course to
pursue.
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 method of securing tile sections together in a metallic frame which
consists in arranging them in proper relation edge to edge inserting between their
edges metal strips of relatively strong material, then exposing the métal to an
electrolytic bath and thus depositing a homogeneous tuass of metal between the
strips and the edges of the sections and along the edges of the strips and over-
hanging the sections so as thus to form the frame and make tight joints between
the metal and the tile sections.
2. The method of securing tile sections together in a metallic frame which
consists in arranging them in proper relation edge to edge inserting between their
edges metal strips of relatively strong material, filling the spaces between the
metal and the sections so far as may be convenient with metal filings then exposing
to an electrolytic bath and thus depositing a homogeneous mass of metal between
the strips and the edges of the sections and along the edges of the strips and over-
hanging the sections so as thus to form the frame and make tight joints between
the metal and the tile sections.
3. The method of securing tile sections together which consists in arranging
them in proper relation edge to edge, inserting between their edges metal strips,
then exposing such metal to the action of an electrolytic bath until a homogeneous
mass of metal has been deposited between the strips and the opposed edges of the
sections so as to form tight joints between the metal and the tile sections.
4. The combination of a series of tile sections placed together edge to edge,
with metallic strips between the edges of the tile sections, some of said strips of
relatively large cross-section and projecting considerably beyond the surface of
the tile sections on one side, electrically deposited metal in a homogeneous mass
between the strips and the tile sections to secure them together, and electrically
deposited metal on the flush edges of the strips overhanging the edges of the tile
sections, and on the edges of the strips which project beyond the tile sections so as
to form ledges to support such tile sections.
5. A compound window comprising a series of sections, strips interposed between
such sections, fastenings at the crossings of such metal strips, projecting plates or
keys at such crossings to overhang the sections and keep them in position, and a
homogeneous mass of metal in the interstices between the strips and the edges of
the sections to make a tight joint.
Dated this 7th day of December 1896.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70 Wellington Street, Glasgow. Agent