IMPROVEMENTS IN ROOFS AND ROOF COVERINGS FOR THE PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS IN COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AND RAISING THE SAME
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ROOFS AND ROOF COVERINGS FOR THE PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS IN
COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AND
RAISING THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Le Comte Albert
Conti de Barbaran, of Paris, France, ex-Naval Officer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st December 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of 53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROOFS AND ROOF COVERINGS, FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS IN COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION AND IN APPARATUS
FOR SUPPORTING AND RAISING THE SAME." [A communication from abroad by
Le Comte Albert Conti de Barbaran of Paris, France, ex-Naval Officer.]
This Invention relates to a system of roofing for the protection of buildings in
course of construction from rain, and also to apparatus for raising the roofing as
the construction of the building progresses.
Buildings in course of construction have in some cases been entirely covered in,
and in others a fixed wooden roof has been constructed at about the full height of
the building when finished. The first plan is very expensive, and the second is
ineffectual to protect the foundations and lower stories during their construction
as the height of the roofing is such that the least wind carries the rain onto the
work. The means most generally employed to protect the work are tarpaulins and
planks.
The improved system of roofing of this Invention which is more particularly
intended for use in building operations is raised progressively by means of apparatus
represented in the accompanying Drawings fixed to the walls whereby both the
workmen and building in course of construction are entirely protected during the
progress of the work.
The improved roofing of this Invention combines lightness and strength; it may

page_text: The
be placed only just high enough to give head room and thus entirely protect the
work during the laying of the foundations and lower courses of the walls.
roof is capable of being raised at intervals as the work progresses so as at no time
to be more than a few feet above the top course of the outside walls and prevent
the rain from being carried by the wind into the interior of the building. This
and the mode of fixing the supporting stanchions of the roof to the walls without
damaging them are important features of improvement. The roofing may be
mounted upon a scaffolding and removed after the building is completed, or it
may be so constructed as to form a permanent part of the building in which case
its form is arranged beforehand and the suspension girders are removed and
replaced by the necessary framework, or any other suitable means of fixing may
be adopted. In this case also, the roof and framing is employed to cover in the
work as it progresses.
The accompanying Drawings represent by way of example one arrangement of
the Invention applied in various ways. Figure 1 represents a roof capable of
being raised; it is a rigid structure supported on iron stanchions a a' by means of
chains bb passing over sheaves c, c¹, c, c, and winding upon windlasses d, d',
for the purpose of raising the roof. In the case of large buildings all the wind-
lasses might be driven at once by belts from a portable engine as shown in
Figures 14 and 15.
A B C D E is the framework of the roof to which are fixed four shoes L,,,
Figures 1, 3 and 4 sliding on guides n, which in Figure 1 are fixed vertically to
stanchions a a¹, and in Figures 3 and 4 to a timber upright m. The stanchions a, a¹
or uprights m, are fixed to the outer walls o, o, of the building (which in Figure 1
do not extend higher than p, p¹) by means of clamps q, q', which embrace the
stanchions a, a, at r, and upright m, the latter arrangement being shown
separately on a larger scale in Figures 2 and 3.
To resist wind pressure the stanchions or uprights should be fixed by successive
clamps q, q', at intervals of a few feet, to the walls o as the work progresses. The
means of suspension may be varied, two examples being shown in Figures 3, 4
and 9. In the latter Figure the window openings are utilised for the purpose of
fixing the holding clamps.
S, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8 Figure 1 are eyes fixed a short distance above the
principals of the roof through which wire cords are passed and stretched from
principal to principal as represented in Figures 6, 8, 11 and 15 and u, u, u, are
eyes fixed on the principals through which other wire cords are passed. The cords
thus form supports arranged stepwise upon which waterproof sheets are stretched
the sheets thus overlapping lower-wise to prevent the entry of rain and permit free
circulation of the wind.
Figure 1 shows the walls built as high as the ground floor the adjustable roof
being fixed at such height as to prevent the rain being driven in while the
foundations were dug out and the lower courses of brickwork laid. Z indicates
the continuation of the iron stanchion which may be added on as required when
it is desired to raise the roof as shown at v. Sheaves c are also placed at higher
points and additional chains are attached at " and made fast to the winches ;
the other chains are then unhooked and pulleys c, c', cl, cl, removed. Figures 2
and 3 represent a plan and side view of the clamps for fixing the uprights to the
walls. a a are cast iron sockets provided with laterally projecting lugs, which
are built into the walls with their faces bb₁ slightly countersunk as shown. They
are screw threaded to receive screw rods c, c', by which the clamp d, g embracing
the upright m or stanchion before described is firmly fixed to the wall at such a
distance as to clear any projecting parts of the building. The rods c c¹ are screw
threaded at each end and the clamp is made in two parts to enable it to be fixed
after the upright or stanchion has been planted in the ground by screwing the
rods c into the sockets through the ears of the part q and then tightening up
the nuts e c¹. The part of the clamp is then applied and fixed by
nuts ff1 fll fill

page_text: When the roof is no longer required the nuts and rods cc are unscrewed the
stanchion or post removed, and the screw sockets which remain embedded in the
wall are greased and plugged with cement. They will serve for fixing scaffolding
for repairs at any future time.
Figure 4 is a cross section of upright m vertical guide n, and shoe 1, o is the
suspension ring. Figures 5 and 6 represent a roof in which the eyes S through
which pass the wire ropes c³, c³, c³, c, c³, upon which the covering fabric is stretched
are entirely below the girder E. In order to shelter the workmen upon the scaffold
outside the wall a wire rope is passed through eyes d to which are fixed at suitable
distances apart rods e supporting coverings fƒ ƒ ƒ³ f* the rods being inclined
and resting upon the tie rod g. Any one of the rods and the coverings stretched
between them may be removed to make way for the scaffold poles. The tie bar g g is
hinged by rings to the frames A. B. C. D to allow of the necessary freedom of action.
The different coverings and mode of stretching the same are represented in Figure 6.
i is the covering of waterproof fabric. CC¹ &c. are the wire ropes passing through
rings. is another similar arrangement. m is a covering formed of step like surfaces
as in Figure 1; it is a plain surface fixed and traversed by the wire ropes C*C³. ? is
a covering of tarpaulin or other waterproof fabric compressed between galvanised
wire-work above and below it; the covering is thus sufficiently stiff to be used in
Jieu of sheet metal roofing.
A
Figure 7 represents a rising roof suitably constructed to form the framing of the
permanent roof on the completion of the building. After having served to protect
the work while in course of construction the roof is placed in position and the
girder E and slides are removed, the necessary beams or other framework to
receive it having been previously fixed. In this case it is necessary to suspend
and raise the roof on iron stanchions such as those a a¹ Figure 1.
Figure 8 represents a rising roof in which the wire ropes are replaced by rods.
Figure 9 shows clamps for fixing the stanchions or uprights to the window
openings instead of to the wall as in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 10 shows a rising
roof constructed entirely of wire ropes and supported by chains o as before.
strong wire rope is stretched between the upper shoes and from it depend rods
or ropes which support two inclined wire ropes A B, BC one below the other and
fixed to the bottom shoes m n. Eyes S S S S are fixed on rope m p m and
eyes S¹ S¹ S¹ S¹ to the under rope nqn through which the longitudinal wire ropes
are stretched. In this arrangement the upright a² is placed at one side of the main
doorway. The suspension chains are led from the winch d round the guide
pulleys e e e e to uprights a a³. Figure 11 is a plan on line F G Figure 10.
Figures 12 and 13 show a roof constructed of wire ropes, the covering being in the
form of rectangular surfaces superposed stepwise. Figure 14 is an elevation, and
Figure 15 a plan of a roof of large dimensions made in several rectangular sections
placed at right angles to one another and forming separate roofs. The arrangement
of the stanchions a a a and framing will be readily understood from the Drawing.
The sections CD are entirely constructed of wire ropes and E is constructed as
described in Figure 1. The pulleys d are driven by an engine at D and the whole
of the roofing can be raised at one time. The special arrangement of the principals
at the re-entering angles f f' is clearly shown. The stanchions may either be
placed on the outside or inside of the walls as circumstances may require. Sites of
the most irregular form surrounded by the walls of adjoining properties may be
easily covered in with the same plant, the dimensions of the framework being
varied as required by bolting it together in lengths and the same tarpaulins may
be used without being cut.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th June 1882.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of 53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ROOFS AND ROOF COVERINGS FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS IN COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION AND IN APPARATUS
FOR SUPPORTING AND RAISING THE SAME." A communication from abroad by
Le Comte Albert Conti de Barbaran of Paris, France, ex Naval Officer.
This Invention relates to a system of temporary or permanent roofing for
protecting buildings in course of construction from rain, and also to apparatus for
raising the said roofing as the building progresses.
It is known that buildings in course of construction have in some cases been
entirely covered in, and in others a fixed wooden roof has been constructed at
about the intended height of the complete building. The first plan is very
expensive, and the second plan is ineffectual to protect the foundations and lower
stories during their construction as the roofing is at too great a height to prevent
the least wind carrying the rain onto the work. The means most generally
employed however to protect the work are tarpaulins and planks. Roofs movable
in the horizontal direction have also been used but they have nothing in common
with the mechanically raised roofing of this Invention. This improved system of
roofing is raised progressively by means of apparatus (represented in the accom-
panying Drawings) fixed to the walls whereby both the workmen and building are
entirely protected during the progress of the work.
This rising roof which combines lightness and strength, may be placed only just
high enough to give head room to the workmen and thus entirely protect the
work during the laying of the foundations and lower courses of the walls. As it is
capable of being raised at intervals commensurate with the progress of the work
it need never be more than a few feet above the top course of the outside walls
and will therefore prevent the wind driving rain into the interior of the building.
This, and the mode of fixing the supporting stanchions of the roof to the walls
without damaging them, are important features of the Invention. The rising
roofing may be carried upon a scaffolding and removed after the building is
completed, or its framework may be so constructed as to form a permanent part of
the building. In the latter case its form is arranged beforehand and the suspension
girders are removed and replaced by the necessary framework, or any other
suitable means of fixing may be adopted. In this case also, the roof and framing
is employed to cover in the work as it progresses.
The accompanying Drawings represent by way of example one arrangement of
the Invention applied in various ways. Figure 1 represents a rising roof, being a
rigid structure supported on iron stanchions a a¹ by means of chains bb' passing
over sheaves c, c', c, cl, and winding upon windlasses d¹ for the purpose of
raising the roof. In the case of large buildings the windlasses might be driven
altogether by belts from a portable engine as shown in Figures 14 and 15.
A. B. C D E is the framework of the roof to which are fixed four shoes
,,,,Figures 1, 3 and 4 sliding on guides n. which in Figure 1 are fixed
vertically to stanchions a. a¹ and in Figures 3 and 4 to a timber upright m.
The stanchions a a' or uprights m, are fixed to the outer walls oo of the building
(which in Figure 1 do not extend higher than 2 p¹) by means of clamps q, q'
which embrace the stanchions a a' at similar clamps are used to support the
uprights m, as shown separately on a larger scale in Figures 2 and 3.

page_text: To resist wind pressure the stanchions or uprights should be fixed by successive
clamps at intervals of a few feet, to the walls o as the work progresses. The
means of suspension may be varied, two examples being shown in Figures 34
and 9. In the latter Figure the window openings are utilised for the purpose of
fixing the holding clamps.
S, S1, S2, S3, S5, S5, S6, S7, S³. Figure 1 are eyes fixed a short distance above the
principals of the roof through which wire cords are passed and stretched from
principal to principal as represented in Figures 6, 8, 11 and 15 and u uu are eyes
fixed on the principals through which other wire cords are passed. The cords thus
form supports arranged stepwise upon which waterproof sheets are stretched the
sheets thus overlapping louvre-like to prevent the entry of rain and permit free
circulation of the wind.
Figure 1 shows the walls built as high as the ground floor the rising roof being
fixed at such height as to prevent the rain being driven in while the foundations
were dug out and the lower courses of brickwork laid. Z indicates the continuation
of the iron stanchion which may be added on as required when it is desired to
raise the roof to the position shown at v. Sheaves c are also placed at higher
points and additional chains are attached at land made fast to the winches; the
other chains b are then unhooked and pulleys c c² c¹¹ c'll removed.
Figures 2 and 3 represent a plan, and side view of the clamps for fixing the
uprights to the walls. a a are cast iron sockets provided with laterally projecting
lugs, which are built into the walls with their faces bb'slightly countersunk as
shown. They are screw threaded to receive screw rods c c by which the
clamp d, g, embracing the upright m or stanchion before described is firmly fixed
to the wall at such a distance as to clear any projecting parts of the building.
The rods c c¹ are screw threaded at each end and the clamp is made in two parts
to enable it to be fixed after the upright or stanchion has been planted in the
ground by screwing the rods c into the sockets through the ears of the part q and
then tightening up the nuts e e¹. The part d of the clamp is then applied and
fixed by nuts fƒ ƒ¹ƒ" ƒ".
When the roof is no longer required the nuts and rods c c are unscrewed the
stanchion or post removed, and the screw sockets which remain embedded in the
wall are greased and plugged with cement so as to serve for fixing scaffolding for
future repairs.
Figure 4 is a cross section of upright m vertical guide n, and shoe l, o is the
suspension ring. Figures 5 and 6 represent a roof wherein the eyes S through
which pass the wire ropes c' c² c³ c¹ c³ upon which the covering fabric is stretched
are entirely below the girder E. In order to shelter the workmen upon the
scaffold outside the wall a wire rope is passed through eyes d to which are fixed
at suitable distances apart rods e supporting coverings ƒƒ ƒ ƒ³f the rods being
inclined and resting upon the tie rod g. Any one of these rods and the coverings
stretched between them may be removed to make way for the scaffold poles. The
tie bar g g is hinged by rings to the frames A. B. C. D to allow of the necessary
freedom of action. The different coverings and mode of stretching the same are
represented in Figure 6. is the covering of waterproof fabric. CC &c, are the
wire ropes passing through rings. is another similar arrangement.
covering formed of step like surfaces as in Figure 1; it is a plain surface fixed and
traversed by the wire ropes C C³. is a covering of tarpaulin or other water-
proof fabric compressed between galvanised wire-work above and below it; the
covering is thus sufficiently stiff to be used in lieu of sheet metal roofing.
m is a
Figure 1 represents a rising roof suitably constructed to form the framing of the
permanent roof on the completion of the building. After having served to protect
the work while in course of construction the roof is placed in position and the
girder E and slides are removed, the necessary beams or other frame work to
receive it having been previously fixed. In this case it is necessary to suspend
and raise the roof on iron stanchions such as those a a' Figure 1.
Figure 8 represents a rising roof in which the wire ropes are replaced by rods.

page_text: Figure 9 shows a single and double clamp for fixing the stanchions or uprights to
the window openings instead of to the wall as in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 10
shows a rising roof constructed entirely of wire ropes and supported by chains o as
before. A strong wire rope is stretched between the upper shoes and from it
depend rods or ropes which support two inclined wire ropes A. B, B C one below
the other and fixed to the bottom shoes m m. Eyes S S S S are fixed on
rope m pm, and eyes S¹ S₁ S¹ S₁ to the under rope nqn through which the
longitudinal wire ropes are stretched. In this instance the upright as is placed at
one side of the main doorway. The suspension chains are led from the winch d
round the guide pulleys e ce e to uprights a a³. Figure 11 is a plan on line F G
Figure 10. Figures 12 and 13 show a roof constructed of wire ropes, the covering
being in the form of rectangular surfaces superposed stepwise. Figure 14 is an
elevation, and Figure 15 a plan of a roof of large dimensions made in several
rectangular sections placed at right angles to one another and forming separate
roofs. The arrangement of the stanchions a aa and framing will be readily
understood from the Drawing. The sections C D are entirely constructed of wire
ropes, and E is constructed as described in Figure 1. The pulleys & are driven by
an engine at D and the whole of the roofing can be raised uniformly at one time.
The special arrangement of the principals at the re-entering angles ff is clearly
shown. The stanchions may either be placed on the outside or inside of the walls,
as circumstances may require. Sites of the most irregular form surrounded by
the walls of adjoining properties may be easily covered in with the same plant, the
dimensions of the framework being varied as required by bolting it together in
lengths, and the same tarpaulins may be used without being cut.
Having described the nature of the said Invention for "Improvements in Roofs
and Roof Coverings for the Protection of Buildings in course of Construction, and
in Apparatus for Supporting and Raising the same," and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patents is.
1st. A temporary or rising roof for the protection of buildings in course of
construction constructed, arranged, and applied substantially as herein shown and
described.
2nd. The employment in combination with a temporary or rising roof, of the
apparatus for supporting and raising the roof, substantially as herein shown and
described.
3rd. The construction of a temporary or rising roof, of wires or wire cords
stretched upon frames to carry the covering fabric, substantially as shown and
described.
4th. The means of fixing the scaffolding to the walls both whilst in course of
construction and for subsequent repairs, substantially as shown and described.
5th. The general arrangement of the apparatus for raising temporary roofs
applied over the same or different parts of a building.
6th. A roof covering composed of waterproof fabric compressed between
galvanised wire netting, as herein described.
In witness whereof I the said Alexander Melville Clark have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Thirtieth day of June, A.D. 1882.