Improvements in Roof and Floor Coverings.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 10th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roof and Floor Coverings.
I, ROBERT AUGUSTUS CHESEBROUGH, of 24 State Street, New York, in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in roof and floor coverings, the object
being to make them watertight and durable, under the action of the elements, and
under the wear strain and jar to which floors and roofs are subjected.
The roof is formed of tiles of any suitable form and size, for example, six inches
long by nine inches wide, and from one half of an inch to an inch thick, embedded in an
elastic cement, the basis of which is mineral wax, either prepared from the natural
product ozokerite, or obtained by distillation of petroleum; which cement is laid
over a suitable foundation or support, the tiles being laid closely edge to edge over
the layer of cement, the interstices between the meeting edges of the tiles being
compactly filled with the cement, so as to form a smooth exterior surface. The
substance I have referred to as ozokerite, is that product of petroleum which may
be obtained around the sucker rods of oil wells and from the settling of oil tank,
and is also called mineral wax. .
Ozokerite also exists naturally in the earth in various locations, but this variety,―
being harder, is not so well adapted to my present purpose. To prepare the wax
for use as a cement for roofing purposes, I first subject it to a continued heat of
from 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, in either closed or open kettles, until all oil or
light petroleuum bodies it may contain are evaporated off, and then I filter it
through animal charcoal, in order to remove any earthy or other impurities which
may be mixed with it.
In one example which I have chosen to illustrate my invention, I have the
foundation or support as consisting of boards, closely laid to form a fairly smooth
surface. Over this surface, there is laid a layer of hot melted ozokerite, and on,
and embedded in, the layer there is a covering of tiles laid edge to edge, and
having the interstices between their edges filled with the wax.
Another example of my invention is to lay over the boards a layer of heavy
roofing paper, or common muslin, which has first been soaked in the mineral wax,
nailing it down carefully, so as to form an even surface, and on this to lay the tiles
embedded in more wax, in the manner already described.
In practice, and according to the purpose for which it is to be used, I may treat
the mineral wax with certain additional substances, such as rosin, mineral paint,
and a dryer, in the proportion of about 60% of wax, 30% of rosin, and 5%
each of mineral paint and a dryer, such as linseed oil.
After the wax is prepared for use, it should be heated in a kettle to at least
250° Fahrenheit, and the rosin, mineral paint, and dryer, then mixed in and stirred
until thoroughly incorporated with it.
But in case the harder variety of natural ozokerite from the earth is used, the
proportion of rosin would need to be much less, say, from 20% to 30%, according
to the nature of the wax used.
1
1005
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Roof and Floor Coverings.
I ROBERT AUGUSTUS CHESE BROUGH of 24 State Street, New York in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 relates to improvements in roof and floor coverings, with a view to
making them water-tight and durable under the action of the elements, and under
the wear, strain, and jar to which floors and roofs are subjected.
A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying
drawings, in which,―
Fig. 1 is a view of a portion of a roof partially broken away to show the
construction;
Fig. 2 is a transverse section of a portion of the roof, the relative thickness of
the component parts being exaggerated to more clearly show them ; and
Fig. 3 shows tiles laid on roofing paper.
The roof is formed of tiles of any suitable form and size, for example, six inches
long by nine inches wide, and from one-half an inch to an inch thick, embedded in
an elastic cement, the basis of which is minerel wax, either prepared from the
natural product, ozokerite, or obtained by distillation of petroleum, which cement
is laid over a suitable foundation or support, the tiles being laid closely, edge to
edge, over the layer of cement, the interstices between the meeting edges of the tiles
being compactly filled with the cement, so as to form a smooth exterior surface.
The substance I have referred to as ozokerite, is that product of petroleum which
may be obtained around the sucker rods of oil wells, and from the settling of oil
tanks, and is also called mineral wax. It differs from paraffin in not being a product
of destructive distillation, and has not the crystalline form of the latter, being
amorphous in character, and not therefore liable to flake, scale, or crack. Ozokerite
also exists naturally in the earth in various locations, but this variety, being harder,
is not so well adapted to my present purpose. To prepare the wax for use as a
cement for roofing purposes, I first subject it to a continued heat of from 400° to
500° Fahrenheit, in either closed or opened kettles, until all oil or light petroleum
bodies it may contain are evaporated off, and then I filter it through animal
charcoal, in order to remove any earthy or other impurities which may be mixed
with it.
In one example which I have chosen, to illustrate my invention, I have the
foundation or support as consisting of boards A, closely laid to form a fairly smooth
surface. Over this surface, there is laid a layer of hot melted ozokerite B, and on,
and embedded in the layer B, there is a covering of tiles C, laid edge to edge, and
having the interstices between their edges filled with the wax.
As the mineral wax hardens quickly by cooling, and as it takes a better and
firmer hold of the tile when hot, in practice the best method is to pour a small quantity
of ozokerite at a time on the boards, and then quickly set one or two tiles in place
before the wax can cool, repeating the process until all the tiles are laid, and then
filling up carefully all unfilled interstices between the tiles.
Another example of my invention, Fig. 3, is to lay over the boards one or more
layers of heavy roofing paper, or common muslin, which has first been soaked
in the mineral wax, nailing it down carefully, so as to form an even surface, and on
this to lay the tiles, embedded in more wax, in the manner already described. The
tiles may be made of wood, covered by fire-proof material, iron slag, cement, sand,
burnt clay, or glass, and for inside work, may be glazed, or made of hard wood or
varied styles and patterns, or any other suitable material,

page_text: In practice, and according to the purpose for which it is to be used, I propose
to treat the mineral wax with certain additional substances, to render it harder, and
less likely to soften under the heat of the sun, and prevent it from adhering to the
body or dress of those who may use the covering as a floor. I have found by
experience that if rosin, mineral paint, and a dryer, be combined with the mineral
wax made from the sucker rods or tank settlings in the proportion of about 60% of
wax, 30% of rosin and 5 % each of mineral paint and a dryer, such as linseed oil,
the result will be a cement which will harden sufficiently to withstand the sun's heat,
and form a firm, non-adhesive surface, while, at the same time, the cement will
have sufficient elasticity to prevent it from cracking under sudden shocks, and will
have a tenacity which will effectually prevent it from cleaving, either from itself or
from the article to which it is applied.
After the wax is prepared for use, it should be heated in a kettle to at least
250° Fahrenheit, and the rosin, mineral paint, and dryer, then mixed in and stirred
until thoroughly incorporated with it.
But in case the harder variety of natural ozokerite from the earth is used, the
proportion of rosin would need be much less, say, from 20% to 30%, according to
the nature of the wax used.
I therefore do not confine myself to any fixed ingredients or proportions thereof,
but give such a formula herein as will afford excellent results.
Mineral wax is a strong repellant of water, whether employed alone, or after
being treated with the hardening ingredients, and hence forms a perfectly water-
tight covering in connection with the tiles which are embedded in it. It is the
nature of ozokerite to remain unchanged under the influence of the weather, or of
time and temperature, and hence the roof becomes lasting as well as effective, while
the cost of construction is moderate.
I am aware that it is not new to use tiles for roofing purposes, nor to use a cement
consisting of asphalte, coal tar, pitch, and similar substances, as a base to lay slate
in, but my invention consists in the use of an elastic cement the base of which is
mineral wax prepared from the natural product, ozokerite, by boiling and filtration,
or which may be obtained by distillation from petroleum, being then known as
paraffin. I can use paraffin, either crude or refined, for my cement, but I prefer
the ozokerite, on account of its homogeneity.
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 roof or floor comprising tiles laid in mineral wax, and resting upon a suitable
support, substantially as set forth.
2. A roof or floor comprising tiles laid in prepared mineral wax, and resting upon
a suitable support, substantially as set forth.
3. A roof or floor formed of tiles laid on heavy paper coated with mineral wax, the
tiles being embedded in an additional outside coating of the same, substantially as
set forth.
4. The use of an elastic cement the base of which is mineral wax, in which
cement tiles are laid to form a roof or floor, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of November 1893.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.