Improved Foundation for Light-houses and other Heavy Structures in Deep Water.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th July, 1894-Accepted, 1st Sept.. 1994
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Foundation for Light-houses and other Heavy Structures
in Deep Water.
I, PERCY RICHARD JULIUS WILLIS, of 55 Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention-a
communication to me from abroad by George Thomas Mayo Blanchard, of
279 Marion Street, Brooklyn, New York, N.Y., U.S.A., Gentleman,―to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a foundation for light-houses and other
heavy structures in deep water and which, although of light construction, is of equal
strength if not stronger than the ordinary brick foundation.
In carrying out my invention, I construct two walls which are arranged parallel
to each other so as to form a double wall to enclose the space to be built upon.
These walls may be constructed of either stone, concrete or the like, or of metal.
Suitable metal beams and girder-work are arranged between the walls so that the
outward pressure of the water is taken by both walls.
Dated this 27th day of October 1893.
:
PERCY R. J. WILLIS,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Foundation for Light-houses and other Heavy Structures
in Deep Water.
I, PERCY RICHARD JULIUS WILLIS, of 55 Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Manager, (a communication to me from abroad by George Thomas Mayo
Blanchard, of 279 Marion Street, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.A., Gentleman,) do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention has for its object to construct a foundation for light-houses and
other heavy structures on the open coast, where there is considerable depth of
water, or in open harbours and other places, which are subjected to heavy storms.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1. is a perspective view of the foundation.
Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views.
-
The foundation is preferably circular, and has a bottom or base a, made of metallic
plates joined together by lap seams or otherwise. The vertical walls b and inner
walls c are likewise made of metallic plates; said walls being concentrically arranged
with a suitable space between them. All the plates are united in such manner as to
form a water-tight structure. The annular space between the outer walls and
inner walls is divided in sections by bulkheads a which extend vertically from top
to bottom. These bulkheads are made up of metallic plates joined together and
stiffened by angle irons d³, or other suitable means. There are four such bulkheads
shewn in the drawings, yet any other désirable number may be employed.
Stringer plates e pass around the annular space between the inner and outer walls;
four such stringer plates being shewn. Vertically arranged in each section between
the bulkheads are frames ƒ and g ; the frames consisting of vertical angle-irons

page_text: for the sides, and diagonal braces connecting them between their ends, and a hori
zontal angle-iron connecting them at their ends. The frames g consist of vertical
angle-irons united by horizontal bars which are strengthened by a vertical rod
passing through them. These frames ƒ and g are arranged alternately, and are
supported by the stringer plates as well as being secured to the outer and inner
walls b, c.
There may be as many frames fand g as desired. Stays or girders h
extend across the upper end of the foundation as shewn, and at the place where
they cross a rectangular plate i is secured, and forms standing room. Circular
plates j, k, are secured around the top of the foundation as shewn. Tapering
Hukes m are secured to the underside of the bottom or base plate, and point
diagonally downwards in the same direction. These flukes are intended to enter
the mud or soft bottom and plough the way to a solid foundation, by turning the
structure when sunk.
The structure may be sunk in any desirable way, but preferably by filling it
When
partially with concrete, properly packed, and stones, and finally with water.
sunk the float may be turned by arranging upon it suitable winches and providing
it with hawse holes through which a cable runs to an anchor dropped tangentially
to the structure, after which the cable will be drawn in thereby slowly turning the
structure to any particular way of settling the foundation in place.
...
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The hereindescribed foundation for light-houses and other heavy structures in
deep water, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Dated this 27th day July 1894.
PERCY R. J. WILLIS,
Applicant.