IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF ROADS AND WAYS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles William Bradshaw, of Birmingham, in the County
of Warwick, Contractor, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF ROADS AND WAYS."
d the 20th February 1880, and dated the 25th August 1879
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles William Bradshaw
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th August 1879.
CHARLES WILLIAM BRADSHAW, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Contractor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND WAYS."
The improvements sought to be hereby protected refer to the formation of roads
and ways, and the foundations for the same, by means of "asphaltic macadum."
I first provide a foundation of concrete to a depth of 6 to 12 inches, according to
the locality in which the works take place and the nature and weight of the traffic
to be provided for.
Upon this surface I place three layers of "asphaltic macadun," which is mixed
or composed as hereinafter described. The stones or metal for the first or lowest
layer is put through a 3 inch mesh; the metal for the second or middle layer is
put through a 1 inch mesh, and the 3rd or upper layer of inetal is passed through
a / inch mesh. As each layer is laid upon the road desired to be formed it is
rolled with a very heavy roller, which by preference is about 10 tons in weight.
I prepare the asphaltic macadum of each of the layers as follows:-By preference
I employ Mount Sorrel granite (or other suitable hard stone) for the metal of my
improved roads, and after this has been riddled to the required sizes before men-
tioned it is heated in a kiln or by other convenient means, and maintained at a
temperature of about 240° Fahrenheit for three hours. I then add to it a compo-
sition of the following substances:-Trinidad pitch, 20 parts; shale oil or other
liquid hydrocarbons of high boiling temperature, 8 parts; powdered Seyssel,
Limmer, or Sicilian asphalte, 5 parts.
The important features of my Invention consist in the employment of the improved
asphaltic composition named to bind the macadum, and in the manner of laying the
same, which prevents slipperines, cause the roadway to be noiseless, impervious to
damp, and in consequence of its hard nature it is free from mud and dirt, and as it
presents an even and continuous surface tractile force on my improved roadway
is reduced to a minimum.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles William Bradshaw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th February 1880.
CHARLES WILLIAM BRADSHAW, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Contractor. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND WAYS."
The improvements sought to be hereby protected refer to the formation of roads
and ways, and the foundations for the same, by means of "asphaltic macadam." I
first provide a foundation of concrete to a depth of six to twelve inches, according
to the locality in which the works are carried on, and the nature and weight of
traffic to be provided for. Upon this surface I place three layers of "asphaltic
macadam," which is mixed or composed as hereinafter described.
The stones or "metal" for the first or lowest layer is put through a three inch
mesh; the metal for the second or middle layer is put through a one and half inch
mesh, and the third or upper layer of metal is passed through a five eights inch mesh.
As each layer is laid upon the road desired to be formed it is rolled with a very
heavy roller, which by preference is about ten tons in weight.
I prepare the asphaltic macadam of each of the layers as follows:-By preference
I use or employ Mount Sorrel granite (or other suitable hard stone) for the metal
of my improved roads, and after this has been screened to the required sizes before
mentioned it is heated in a kiln or by other convenient meaus, and maintained at a
temperature of about two hundred and forty degrees (Fahrenheit) for about three
hours. I then add to and thoroughly mix and incorporate with it a composition of
the following substances (in the proportion by preference of one part by measure-
ment to nine parts of granite or "metal"):-Trinidad pitch, twenty parts; shale
oil or other liquid hydrocarbons of high boiling point, eight parts; powdered
Seyssel, Limmer, or Sicilian asphalte, five parts.
The important features of my Invention consist in the employment of the
improved asphaltic composition named to bind the macadam, and in the manner of
laying the same. By these means the roadway is caused to possess a firm "foothold,"
to be noiseless, impervious to danp, and in consequence of its hard waterproof
nature it is free from mud and dirt, and as it presents an even and continuous
surface tractile force on my improved roadway is reduced to a minimum..
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same may be carried into effect, I desire it to be understood that without limiting
myself to the precise details herein before described (as the same may be to some
extent modified or varied without departing from the nature of my said Invention)
what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
The improved construction of roads and ways herein described, and which consists
in providing an asphaltic composition which will resist the action of the weather,
and not be affected by urine, acids, or the like, and in preparing the macadam in
such manner that it may be compressed by rolling or pressure, so as to form a hard
and durable asphaltic surface, substantially as herein before described and explained.
. In witness whereof, I, the said Charles William Bradshaw, have hereunto set
my hand and seal,. this Nineteenth day of February, in the year of our
Lord 1880.
CHARLES WILLIAM BRADSHAW. (L.S.)