IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GLASS ROOFING
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF GLASS ROOFING." A communi-
cation from abroad by Edmond François Briere, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 15th October 1878, and dated the 30th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th April 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
GLASS ROOFING." [A communication from abroad by Edmond François Briere, of
Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of glass roofing, and is
designed to provide means whereby the leakage of water which is so common and
objectionable with exposed glass-covered roofs may be avoided.
It is well known that such leakage takes place frequently at the points of junc-
tion between the glass and the frame, and is caused by defects in the putty or other
material used to unite them.
My said Invention consists in constructing the pieces of glass of curved form, so
that a concave surface may be presented to the water falling thereon, which water
will therefore be prevented from remaining at the said points of junction, and will
be constantly carried to the centre of the glass.
This improved method may be applied with all kinds of glass suitable for roofing
purposes, as it is only necessary to slightly bend the glass at the time of manufacture
in the direction of its width.
The pieces of glass so formed may be applied in the same manner as practised
with ordinary flat glass, no change being necessary in the framework or in the
manner of fixing the glass; and glass roofing pieces formed according to this Inven-
tion may be used for all kinds of coverings in which it is desirable to prevent

page_text: leakage of water; they may also be applied to hothouses and other structures where
the prevention of leakage is not of so much consequence.
The pieces of glass may be curved in proportions varying from one-twentieth part
to one twenty-fifth part of their width, that is to say, as an example, for a piece
forty-five centimetres in width the curve may be about two centimetres.
The upper surface of the glass being curved as described, it is not indispensable
for the under surface to be curved, and the latter may therefore be straight or flat.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th
October 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
GLASS ROOFING." A communication from abroad by Edmond François Briere, of
Paris, France.
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of glass roofing, and
is designed to provide means whereby the leakage of water which is so common and
objectionable with glass-covered roofs may be avoided.
It is well known that such leakage takes place frequently at the points of junc-
tion between the glass and the frame, and is caused by defects in the putty or other
material used to unite them.
But this Invention affords the means for preventing this leakage as follows, that
is to say:
According to the said Invention I prevent the accumulation or staying of the
water at the points where such leakage ordinarily occurs by constructing the panes
or pieces of glass curved or concave, and so placing them in the roof as to conduct
the water falling thereon from such points of junction to the centre of the panes of
glass.
This Invention may be applied with all kinds of glass, either plain, rough,
striated, or any other suitable for roofing purposes, as it is only necessary to slightly
bend the glass at the time of manufacture in the direction of its width..
The said curved panes or pieces of glass may be applied in the same manner as
ordinary flat glass, no change being necessary in the framework or in the manner
of fixing the glass; and glass roofing pieces formed according to this Invention may
be used for coverings for shops, courtyards, and other places into which it is
desirable to prevent leakage of water; they may also be applied to hothouses and
other structures where the prevention of leakage is not of so much consequence.
In order more fully to explain the said Invention, I have shown in the accom-
panying Drawing, merely as an example, its application to a portion of a roof.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the said roof; Figure 2 is a plan of
the same.

page_text: a. a, are the curved panes or pieces of glass; b is the iron framing; c shows the
lower edge of the glass curved; d shews the same straight.
As clearly shewn in Figure 1, the panes or pieces a are slightly curved or
deflected to the extent of from 1/20th to 1/2th of their width; for example, in a pane
45 centimetres wide the deflection or concavity may be about 2 centimetres. They
will rest equally on the frame b, in which they may be secured by common
putty.
By reason of this curvature of the surface of the glass panes, the curved form
shown at c, Figure 2, of their lower part is not indispensable, and they may without
inconvenience be terminated at this part by a straight line, as shewn at d.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim, the improved construction of glass roofing consisting essentially in the
application to the same of panes or pieces of glass slightly curved, and arranged in
such a manner as to conduct the water which falls thereon away from the joints or
points of junction with the frame to the centre of the pane, thereby preventing
leakage, at such joints, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.