IMPROVEMENTS IN BLOCKS FOR BUILDING AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES, AND IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF PRODUCING THE SAME
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
.
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BLOCKS FOR BUILDING AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES, AND IN THE MODE OR
MEANS OF PRODUCING THE SAME." A communication from abroad by Albert
Hartmann, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
"
Sealed the 30th November 1877, and dated the 1st June 1877:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June 1877.
⚫ JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,:
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLOCKS FOR BUILDING AND OTHER LIKE PUR-.
POSES; AND IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF PRODUCING THE SAME," A communication
from abroad by Albert Hartmann, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to the production of blocks for use in buildings, and for
other like purposes, in the manufacture of which there are employed the various
argillaceous or other earths, which can be mixed with sand, broken stones; and
vegetable fibres, the materials being rammed or packed in moulds or-formers
of wood, metal, or other suitable material, either by manual labour, or by
mechanical means, such for example as the hydraulic press.
The blocks may be constructed of a bulk or volume equal to that of, say from
25 to 50 bricks of ordinary dimensions, or more if required, whereby a great-
saving of labour is effected; the blocks may also be provided with projections and
recesses which admit of their being fitted into or engaging with one another as
they are placed in position. Certain parts, either external or internal, may, during
the manufacture, that is to say, during the process of moulding, running, or pressing,**
be composed on suitable partial sections of a mixture of substances better adapted
to resist compression than those of which the main body of the block is com-
posed:
Suitable openings or cavities may also by the moulding process be formed in the.
blocks, which openings or cavities are subsequently to be filled up with the sub-
stances herein-before referred to, more adapted to resist compression, and-which
may consist, for example, of a mixture of gravel or sand, with lime or cement,

page_text: or of a mixture of gravel or sand with tar, pitch, bitumen, or asphalte, and
the like.
The surface of the blocks is covered with an impervious coating consisting either
of tar and sand, or of a composition similar to that employed for paving footways
of cement or sand, or with alternate layers of these different substances.
The face of the block which is to be turned outwards is covered with a coating of
this impervious substance, of sufficient thickness to enable it to resist the action of
the weather, and the other faces may be covered with a thin coating simply for the
purpose of preserving them during the transport to the shed, and during the work
of construction.
In the case of blocks to be used for internal walls the coating or coatings may
be dispensed with if desired.
The blocks may also receive a white or grey coat, with lime or cement, in such a
manner as to have the colour of ordinary stone work.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th.
November 1877.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BLOCKS FOR "BUILDING AND OTHER LIKE PUR-
POSES, AND IN THE MODE OR MEANS OF PRODUCING THE SAME." A communication
from abroad by Albert Hartmann, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
The said Invention relates to the production of blocks to be used. for building
and other like purposes, of great strength and durability, in an expeditious and
economical manner.
In carrying out the said Invention the blocks are composed of very dense
argillaceous earths, and covered externally with a coating impervious to moisture
for the purpose of protecting them from the action of rain. In order to impart
strength to the blocks, internal or external portions of the same are made with
substances more adapted to resist compression than those of which the body of the
block is composed. Thus, in constructing blocks for building purposes, a former or
mould (of metal, wood, or other suitable material) is employed, into which are first
placed stones, such, for example, as gravel stones or small fragments of stone, and then'
sand, with nearly dry argellaceous earth, in conjunction, if required, with vegetable
fibres; the argellaceous earth is then placed in the mould, which is to be filled up,
the contents-being-well-rammed or pressed down; it is preferred to place.gravel in
-the-bottom-of-the-mould, as herein-before indicated, instead of earth directly. The
=ramming-and-pressing-may be effected by manual labour; or by mechanical means.
The bottom of the mould may be smooth or provided with projections.
When-the-block- is dry the part containing the stones is covered with cement
mixed with sand, or with bituminous substances mixed with gravel or sand.
If it is desired to impart greater power of resistance to the internal portions,
this object may be effected in various ways, as, for example, by inserting solid
pieces of metal or wood during the manufacture, and on the withdrawal of such
pieces after the ramming, and when the block is dry, filling the hollows thus formed
with firmer substances, especially cement, incorporated with sand or other materials,

page_text: in one piece, that is to say, in the form of bricks made to the shape of the hollow to
be filled up, and baked, and then added to the argillaceous earths, or with sub-
stances capable of adhering together, such, for example, as cement, bitumen, and
the like.
The external portions are covered, before being used, with preservative coatings of
cement or bitumen of sufficient thickness.
The blocks which are intended for use in the interior of buildings need not be
covered with preservative coatings, but they are formed with grooves, or recesses,
and projections of any convenient shape, so as to be capable of interlocking for
the purpose of obtaining greater power of adhering. The blocks employed in
forming the external walls of buildings may also be constructed in a similar
manner.
In general it is preferable to slightly coat and whiten the blocks finally on their
different surfaces.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is, constructing blocks for building and other like pur-
poses substantially in the manner and by the means herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Speci-
fication set my hand and seal, the Twenty-seventh day of November, One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TOONDY JOHNSON