AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE WALLS, AND WALLS PARTLY CONSTRUCTED OF CONCRETE AND PARTLY OF MATERIALS, ALSO OF CONCRETE WALL COPINGS, CORNICES, AND OTHER ARTICLES USUALLY MADE OF STONE."
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Potter, of Alresford, in the County of Hampshire,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE
WALLS, AND WALLS PARTLY CONSTRUCTED OF CONCRETE AND PARTLY OF
MATERIALS, ALSO OF CONCRETE WALL COPINGS, CORNICES, AND
OTHER ARTICLES USUALLY MADE OF STONE."
OTHER
Sealed the 24th April 1878, and dated the 29th October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Potter at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th October 1877.
THOMAS POTTER, of Alresford, in the County of Hampshire. "AN IMPROVED
SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE WALLS, AND WALLS PARTLY CONSTRUCTED
OF CONCRETE AND PARTLY OF OTHER MATERIALS, ALSO OF CONCRETE WALL
COPINGS, CORNICES, AND OTHER ARTICLES USUALLY MADE OF STONE."
My Invention consists in an improved system of constructing concrete walls, and
walls partly constructed of concrete and partly of other materials, also of concrete
wall copings, cornices, and of other articles usually made of stone, and relates to the
use of concrete slabs or tiles which are made to form the framework of walls and
other portions of buildings, the interior of such walls or spaces between the
slabs being filled with concrete made in the ordinary way and from the usual
description of materials. The methods hitherto employed in constructing walls
of this description have been to connect the framework of slabs together by
means of tie bars, slabs, wall gauges, or cramps made of metal or cement, which
are inserted into slots or metal eyes made or cast in the facing blocks.
According to my Invention, I construct the facing blocks with projecting flanges
or lugs at each end, of a peculiar shape, so that the semi-liquid concrete used as a
filling-in material between the slabs, keys or dovetails the whole into one solid mass
without the intervention of any permanent kind of transverse tie or cramp. The
slabs on the inner side of any wall being thus connected to the bulk of the material
I Price 6d1

page_text: independently of the assistance of the outer slab, I am enabled to employ bricks,
terracotta, stone, or other material as an external facing in place of concrete,
if so required, for the sake of appearance or from other motives, and to introduce
projecting cornices or ornaments into the external portion of the walls.
When economy is necessary in the employment of concreted materials, I deposit
the concrete employed as a filling-in material in a soft state in layers of various
thicknesses, according to the required strength, filling up the cavities witl: chalk and
ashes, gravel or similar materials. I thus form concrete walls with a minimum of
materials, but possessing great strength and durability, and which I designate
"tubular concrete walls." I sometimes also make them with transverse divisions
also in a similar manner and which I call "cellular concrete walls."
My Invention consists also in constructing in an economic and simple character
the moulds employed in making the facing blocks which are formed of ordinary
wood planking, having a side piece securely fixed to one edge, and a similar piece
hinged to the opposite edge, so that it may be quickly removed and allow of the
facing block being withdrawn. Iron guides are fixed to each side piece, having
grooves therein to allow of sheet-iron dividing pieces being used to make the facing
slabs of the necessary length.
I also make wall copings, curbs, sinks, troughs, and similar articles usually. made
of stone, by casting concrete in a soft state into wood moulds of a similar description
to those previously described, but by using cores of wood or other materials inserted
in the body of the material and afterwards withdrawn, I reduce the cost and weight.
I sometimes fill the cavities thus created with concreted materials of an inferior and
less costly character.
I sometimes also make the moulds of iron, and line the wood moulds with sheet
metal,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Potter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th April
1878.
THOMAS POTTER, of Alresford, in the County of Hampshire. "AN IMPROVED
SYSTEM OF CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE WALLS, AND WALLS PARTLY CONSTRUCTED
OF CONCRETE. AND PARTLY OF OTHER MATERIALS, ALSO OF CONCRETE WALL
COPINGS, CORNICES, AND OTHER ARTICLES USUALLY MADE OF STONE."
This Invention relates to improvements in the method of constructing concrete
walls, and walls partly constructed of concrete and partly of other materials, as
bricks, terracotta, or stone, also of concrete wall copings, cornices, and other articles
usually made of stone, brick, or other durable substances.
The first part of my Invention consists of the construction and use of concrete
slabs or tiles, which are made to form the framework or shell of walls, chimneys,
and other portions of buildings, the interior of such walls or the void or cavity
between the slabs being filled with concrete made in the ordinary way, and from
the usual description of materials employed for that purpose.
The methods hitherto practised in constructing walls of this description have.
been to connect the framework of slabs together by means of tie bars, rods, wall
guages, or cramps made of metal or cement; the ends of which are inserted into
slots or metal eyes, made or cast in the facing blocks, but by my method I form the
facing blocks with projecting flanges or lugs at each end, of a peculiar shape, so
that the semi-liquid concrete used as a filling-in material between the slabs, keys or
dovetails the whole into one solid mass, without the intervention of any permanent
kind of transverse tie or cramp.
The slabs of the inner side of any wall of a building being connected to the bulk
of the material independent of the assistance of the outer slab, I am thus enabled
to employ bricks, terracotta, stone, or other material, as an external facing in
place of concrete, if so required, for the sake of appearance or from other motives,
and to introduce projecting cornices, mouldings, or ornament of any description
into the external or internal sides of walls. I thus avoid the inconvenience of
being compelled to arrange the slots or holes in the slabs forming the inner
shell of walls, to correspond with the slots or holes in the corresponding slab of
the external shell of wall.
I form the slabs.or tiles by casting them in moulds made of wood or metal, and
with the faces of the said slabs downwards, enabling me to obtain smooth and finished
surfaces to the outer side of the slab, and leaving the reverse or inner side of slab
rough and irregular, whereby additional hold is secured to the concrete core.
Where greater economy is necessary in the employment of concreted materials,
or when from other causes walls of a less substantial character are equally suitable,
I deposit the concrete employed as a filling-in material (in a soft state) in layers of
various thicknesses, according to requirements, filling up the interstices or cavities
with chalk, sand, ashes, gravel, earth, or debris of any kind that may be most readily
procured. I thus form concrete walls with a minimum of materials, but possessing
great strength and durability, and which are also serviceable as division walls
or partitions in positions where heavy walls are objectionable. These I
designate "tubular walls." Sometimes I construct these walls with transverse
divisions also in a similar manner, and I then call them "cellular walls."
Another part of my Invention consists in the peculiar form of mould or frame
employed in making the facing blocks, and which consists of ordinary wood planks,
having each a side piece securely fixed to one edge, and a similar piece hinged
to the opposite edge, so that it may be quickly removed, and allow the facing slabs
to be withdrawn easily and quckily. Iron, or other metal guides are fixed to each
side piece, having grooves therein to allow of sheet-iron dividing pieces being employed
to guage the slabs of the exact length required.

page_text: I also make wood copings, curbs, sinks, troughs, and similar articles, by casting
concrete in a soft state into wood or metal moulds of a similar form and character to
those, previously described, but by using cores of wood made in sections (and wedge-
shaped to facilitate removal), and which are inserted in the body of the concrete
when in a soft state, and afterwards withdrawn, I reduce the cost and weight of
articles manufactured in that way. I sometimes fill the cavities thus created with
concreted materials of an inferior and less costly character.
I sometimes make the moulds of metal, and also line wood moulds with sheet
.metal.
In order that my Invention may be clearly understood, I will describe the Drawings
.herewith annexed.
Fig. 1 is a plan of straight slab or facing tile, the dotted lines showing the
difference in size of the lug or flange at bottom and at top of the said slab.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same slab, looking from the inner or rough side of
.same.
Fig. 3 is a transverse or cross section of a portion of wall when completed, and
also showing how similar slabs may be made to form constructional skirtings,
plinths, bases, &c.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the slabs arranged to form a wall with a chimney breast
and fire-place in conjunction, and it will be evident that by making angle slabs with
their relative sides of different length, efficient bond can be obtained, and each course
break joint with the one iminediately above and below it.
Fig. 5 is a part perspective elevation of wall.
Fig: 6 is a plan showing the easy application of the slabs to form quoins and
angles of buildings.
Fig. 7 et 8 are also plans of a similar wall showing an external doorway, and
an improved method of building in the door frames, whereby it is impossible. they
can become detached from the walls, and draughts through the joints or crevices are
thereby prevented.
Fig. 9 is a plan of a wall composed of concrete slabs on the inner side, and
ordinary bricks externally. Two of the bricks are shown with their corners cut
'off, thereby allowing space for the concrete to key itself to the brickwork in addition
to the cohesion natural between the concrete and bricks.
Fig. 10 is a plan of a "cellular slab wall."
Fig. 11 is a perspective elevation of a similar wall, the end section of same 3
showing the arrangement of the horizontal tie or layer of concrete placed between
the courses.
or
Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the same wall with hollow concrete coping.
Fig. 13 is a cross section of the way previously described for forming cornices,
troughs, &c., hollow, and of the "mould " "frame" in which they are cast.
Having thus described the nature of my Inventions, and the manner of performing
the
same, I wish to be understood that I claim as my improvements in the con-
struction of concrete walls, of walls partly of concrete and partly of other materials,
and in the manufacture of copings and other accessories to buildings.
1st. The peculiar form of concrete slab or tile, whereby walls may be built 4
without the aid of permanent transverse ties or cramps, herein-before described, and
shown in the accompanying Drawings.
2nd. The construction of walls composed of the said concrete slabs on one side,
and of bricks, terracotta, stone, or other suitable material on the opposite side, and
a core of concrete between the two wall facings, as herein-before described.
3rd. The construction of walls in all respects the same as previously described,
but in which the concrete core is deposited in horizontal layers, (with an inferior
material between, if considered necessary); or in vertical divisions with or without
the said horizontal layer, and herein-before respectively described as "tubular walls,"
or "cellular walls.”
4th. The construction of concrete cornices, mouldings, troughs, sinks, or similar
5
5

page_text: articles by making them hollow, and afterwards filling the centres with an inferior
material, as herein-before described.
5th The peculiar forin of the moulds and appliances for the economical
manufacture of the said slabs, cornices, mouldings, &c.,, substantially as herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Potter, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
THOMAS POTTER. (L.S.)