Improvements in and relating to Paving and Paving-blocks.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 3rd Dec.,
1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Paving and Paving-blocks.
I, WILLIAM HANCE NORTHCUTT, of Troy, County of Uiami, State of Ohio, in
the United States of America, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to a combination paving-block for gutters, curbs, etc., and
system of paving to be employed in the construction of roadways and walks of
streets, alleys, public or private thoroughfares, or when formed of curved shape in
arching tunnels, large sewers, etc., and it consists in their peculiar construction
and novel form and system of laying same, as will be hereinafter fully described,
and pointed out in the claims.
The object of my invention, and which furnishes it with special advantages over
all similar inventions of like class, is to provide paving-blocks distinguished by
their durability, strength and simplicity in system of laying and repairing (it
being impossible to get out of order like most pavements,) also in leaving no debris
or rubbish to handle and remove, the blocks being manufactured at one point and
shipped and hauled to the street to be paved or arch or sewer to be built, and
forming an even surface or roadway over which the lightest or heaviest loads alike
can pass without the least jarring or jolting.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention and in
which similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, Figure 1
is a perspective view of my improved paving-block, partly in section. Fig. 2
is a side elevation of said block. Fig. 3 is a front end elevation of said block.
Fig. 4 is a plan view of top of said block. Fig. 5 is a plan view of bottom of
metallic shell of a paving-block previous to being filled. Fig. 6 is a perspective
view, partly in section, of curb-block embodying the features of my invention.
Fig. 7 is a side or edge view of curb and gutter block properly adjusted together,
and Fig. 8 is plan view of same. Fig. 9 is a front view of section of curb-blocks
ready to be fitted together. Fig. 10 is front view of curb blocks, showing tongue
and ledge slightly inclined where it is necessary to lay street with summit for
drainage. Fig. 11 is a view partly in section of roadway of street from curb to
curb laid with my improved paving-blocks, showing manner of breaking joints.
Fig. 12 is end view, partly in section, taken on line y y of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a
plan view of keyblock and adjacent blocks of other rows slightly apart to show
tongues and half tongues, with ledge beneath for reception of key-blocks. Fig. 14
is edge view of blocks shown in Fig. 13 when pushed together. Fig. 15 is plan
view of an ordinary lock-block. Figs. 16 and 17 views of rear and forward ends,
respectively, of block shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 18 is plan view of lock-block in
rear of key-block, having its forward end smooth. Figs. 19 and 20 are views of

page_text: rear and forward ends, respectively, of blocks shown in Fig. 18. Fig. 21 is view
of one of the key-block lifters. Fig. 22 is a plan and Figs. 23, 24, are views, of
a modification of my form of construction. Fig. 25 shows a portion of a mould in
elevation. Fig. 26 shows a bottom view of a closed mould ready for filling. Fig. 27
is a plan view of the same mould open, such as it is when the block is detached.
A are whole and half paving-blocks cast of or pressed from metal of suitable
thickness, their top portions a formed with raised portions a² of squares or any.
suitable design and far enough apart to prevent slipping or sliding of horses,
vehicles, or persons and being somewhat thicker than its side and end walls so as
to more readily, in connection with its inside flanged locks a², sup-
port the weight of any vehicle, 110 matter how heavily loaded, that
may pass over it. Said flanged locks a extend across the width
of each block, and thus traversing width of street, so that wagons or other
vehicles will have to pass over and across them, and are located inside of the shell
and are a part of and formed integral with top a, from which they depend down-
wardly about half the depth of block, being so formed at their depending ends a³
as to firmly hold or lock in the shell the filling X as it sets or hardens. Said
filling can be of any composition of cement, mortar or suitable plastic sub-
stance, so that when firmly pressed or stamped into the metallic shell of block as
it becomes seasoned will set, becoming as hard and heavy as stone. at is lower
or bottom flange extending inwardly and continuously around the four walls of
the shell, to assist in locking and keeping filling X in place after it hardens.
The forward or front end wall and right-side wall of metallic shell of each and
every one of my ordinary paving-blocks (excepting key-blocks, lock-blocks, com-
prising the lock-row, and the blocks adjacent to on right and left hand sides thereof
of said lock-row) are cast or pressed with a continuous tongue as to two sides of
the blocks or what may be termed a front end tongue a and right-hand tongue a
according to their respective locations, and are situated exactly at or about midway
of the depth of said block, the inside face of said tongues being necessarily con-
caved so that the plastic filling after it sets and hardens is not alone thereby locked
in the shell, but said filling helps to retain the outside convexed contour of said
tongues a and a.
Rear-end grooves a and left-hand grooves as are situated about midway the
depth of the block, formed integral and continuous with rear-end and left-side
walls of metallic shell, being exactly similar to, as above described, tongues a
and as, excepting their convexed and concaved faces being reversed, so that the
convexed face of said grooves and 8 will now come on inside of shell, thus
assisting, with other locking parts above referred to, in holding or keeping said
plastic filling X, when it sets or hardens, in its proper position in the shell while
their outside or concaved faces form the rear-end groove a and left hand groove a³,
said rear groove a fitting tightly against and around the tongues a³ as of two
blocks directly in rear and left-hand groove a fitting tightly against and around
right-hand tongue a of the block directly to the left.
Some of these ordinary paving-blocks A, as well as every alternating block in
the rows on left and right side of lock-row and two of the lock-row blocks, for the
purpose of breaking joints and thus forming a stronger, durable, and more com-
plete and simple system of paving, are laid in half-blocks, as shown in Fig. 11,
and can, when there is a street with exceptional wide roadway having an excep-
tional amount of heavy travel and traffic, if preferred, have more than one
tongue a³ and aª and more than one groove a² and 8, although I do not think it.
will be necessary to construct my paving blocks with but one tongue on front
end and one tongue on right-hand side, one groove a² on rear end, and one
groove a on left-hand side of the whole and half blocks A, B and b, as I have
shown.
B and are whole and half blocks and are laid directly adjacent to and on the
left-hand side of the lock-row, and are constructed identically the same as whole
and half block A with front-end tongues and right tongues and rear and left

page_text: grooves with the addition of a right-angle ledge or extension 1 (see dotted lines,
Fig. 11, and Figs. 13 and 14) from their bottom or base the entire length of their
right-hand sides, just below their right-hand tongues a, upon which rest and slide
the lock-row blocks E up to the opening left by taking out the key-block D when
it is necessary to move the blocks for repairing, as will be more fully described
hereinafter. "The two blocks b b in this row on left-hand side of lock-row are con-
structed with tongues as a and grooves a7 as same as blocks A and other blocks B
in this row, excepting from the center of rear side up and along to its front side
one-half of tongue a" is omitted, thus presenting a smooth face, and from center
of forward block b down to its rear end one half of its tongue a is in like manner
cmitted, thus presenting a smooth face, which, together with smooth face of its
twin block just above it, as described, and in connection with the two blocks c c
directly opposite on right-hand side of lock-row, allows of key-block D being
inserted when laying the pavement or by being lifted out when necessary to repair
any portion thereof by its two lifters or handles d¹ d¹, (see Figs. 13 and 21) said
handles or lifters being on any suitable form of construction so long as pro-
vided with screw-threaded shanks to fit corresponding screw-threaded openings
or holes d d in said key-block D, said key-block being constructed with the
angular grooves e² e² on edge of right and left bottom sides to fit over ledges or
extensions b and c¹, respectively, while its forward or front and rear end walls or
sides are perfectly smooth.
as
C and are whole and half blocks laid directly adjacent to and on the right-
hand side of lock-row and are constructed the same whole and half
blocks B and b, being similarly provided with right angle ledges or extensions c
(see dotted lines, Fig. 11, and Figs. 13 and 14) from their bottoms or base the
entire length of their left-hand sides, (just reverse side of blocks B and b). Said
ledges or extensions c¹, in connection with ledges or extensions 61 on blocks B
and on left of lock-row, answer the purpose, viz., of allowing lock-blocks E and
lock-block e to slide to or from opening of key-block D when laying and repairing,
as herein before described. Said ledges or extensions c, on blocks C and c, as above.
described, are below a left-hand tongue a³, and said blocks are the only blocks in
my whole system of paving having tongues on three sides-viz., front tongue a³,
right-hand tongue a6, and left-hand tongue a".
The two blocks c e in right-hand row are formed the same as other blocks C in
this row, being provided with bottom ledges or extensions c¹ forward tongues a
right-hand tongues a, and left-hand tongues a excepting that the upper and
lower halves, extending from their centers out along their left-hand sides instead
of right-hand side, same as the two blocks b b on opposite side of key-block D
and which they act in connection with have half of their left-hand tongues a
omitted, thus presenting a perfectly smooth side, so that key-block D by having
its two handles or lifters did screwed into the openings d d can be lifted out at
will and the blocks shifted or worked to the opening this left by key-block ]) and
taken entirely out for the purpose of relaying one or more blocks should it be
necessary to do any repairing as hereinbefore referred to, although it will seldom
be necessary so to do, as my paving-blocks will last indefinitely.
The lock-row is laid in center of street, except when there may be a street-car
or railroad track to interfere, and in this case I prefer to lay two lock-rows, each
row being in center of driveway left on each side by rails of track, and is com-
posed of whole and half blocks E, key-block D, (which are laid anywhere from
every fifteen to twenty blocks,) and block e. (See Fig. 11.)
Blocks E and block e differ from all other blocks (excepting gutter-blocks F
on right-hand side,) which are similar in having a right-hand groove
on their
right side which fits tightly against and around left-hand tongues and half-
tongues a, and being further provided with a left-hand groove a8, which fits
tightly against and around right-hand tongues and half tongue a, thus permitting
them to be slid or moved to opening left by key-block D, as already fully described;

page_text: but lock-block e differs in one particular from all other blocks and the rest of
blocks in lock-row in having front-end tongue a omitted, so as to present a
perfectly smooth and free front end or side to allow of reception or removal of
key-block. Lock-blocks E and lock-block e are further provided with right and
left angular grooves ee which fit tightly around and against bottom ledges cl
on right-hand row of blocks C and c and ledges or bottom extensions 61 on
blocks B and b in row on left of lock row, for the purpose, as heretofore described,
of assisting in being moved or slid to and removed from opening left in lock-row
when lock-block D is removed.
Gutter-blocks F are made in whole and half blocks (for purpose of breaking
joints) and are located on right side of pavement of roadway, and are formed with
grooves as on left-hand side to fit tightly against and around right-hand tongues a
on right-hand side of adjacent block A on left of said gutter-blocks F, and e' are
grooves formed on right side of gutter-blocks I to fit tightly against and around
tongue g on curb blocks G. Said gutter-blocks Fare also provided with front or
forward end tongues a³ and rear-end grooves a said grooves a fitting against
and around the tongue a³ of its rear mate gutter-block F.
Gutter-blocks F1 are made in whole and half blocks (for purpose of breaking
joints) and are located on left-hand side of pavement of roadway and are formed
with tongues a³ on front or forward end and grooves a on end exactly similar to
and for like purposes, as already described; right-hand tongue a to fit in grooves a³
in blocks A, directly on its right left-hand grooves (8 011 its left
side to fit around and against tongue on curb-blocks G.
Curb-blocks G are made exactly similar on each side, being provided with
tongues g to fit in the grooves e and grooves as on right and left hand sides of
right and left gutter-blocks, respectively, and a bottom ledge g¹, which comes
directly under the outside edge of each row of gutter-blocks and acts as a support
for same. Said tongues and ledges g₁ are placed straight across the face of
curb-blocks (see Figs. 6 and 9) except when it is necessary to incline the pavement
for a summit for drainage, and in this case said tongues 9 and ledges g¹ are
inclined, as shown in Fig. 10.
Curb-blocks G and every block in any portion of my system of paving are con-
structed with the plastic filling X, which, as it hardens and sets in the metallic
shell, is held in position by locking-flanges a², having ends in connection with
other locking devices already fully described and as I have clearly shown in Fig. 1.
Every other curb-block G is provided at each of its two ends with either
tongues g² g² or grooves g³ g³; the two grooves g³ extending from its lowest
point, no matter how far it may be embedded in the earth, to within a short
distance of its top, so as to receive the tongues 92 92 (see Figs. 7 and 11) on other
curb-block G, placed on side, and thus be firmly held in position and yet readily
displaced by any curb-block G in row and along edge of sidewalk, being pulled
up and out when necessary to repair curb and place new blocks.
The whole pavement from curb to curb and all walks are laid on not less than
one inch of good sand, which is placed upon a prepared foundation, first leveled,
thus forming an elastic cushion, which also allows of and adjusts itself to any action
of contraction and expansion, as the blocks at their top are somewhat loose and
not very tight together. These blocks, if so desired, may be laid with a narrow
strip of tarred paper at their bottoms between each one, thus further assisting
to overcome the action of contraction and expansion and also prevent the blocks
from corroding together. On side-walks and very narrow driveways the lock-
10w may be omitted and only my ordinary blocks used.
It will be seen that my peculiarly-formed paving blocks laid as described will
form a complete system of interlocking pavement, of which it will be practically
impossible to displace or remove any block or blocks up or down or sidewise without
first lifting the key-block out of its place and moving lock-row blocks to key-
opening, as described.
To reach any desired point in the work after the lock-rows have been opened

page_text: as described, the blocks can be moved at right angles in either direction, across
or parallel with the street. I am well aware of metallic blocks for street purposes
with various fillings, such as sand and other material, but I am not aware of a
single claim on a block having a filling to be as hard as stone and so heavy that
its weight will help to retain it in position, or am I aware of any blocks for street
purposes having my exact form of construction of metallic grooves, tongues, and
other features.
In Figs. 22, 23, and 24, I have shown a modified form of my system of tonguing
and grooving as applied to solid wooden blocks (not having any filling or locking
devices), having front or forward end tongues a, right-hand tongues a", rear
grooves and left-side grooves a³.
The metallic shell blocks, such as they have been described while preserving
the same form, can be manufactured in cement or other suitable matter which
becomes as hard as stone, but without metallic shell.
The mould shown in Figs. 25, 26 & 27 is an ordinary block mould and is com-
posed of a frame m n o p whose sides are provided with suitable grooves as indi-
cated in Fig. 25; moreover this frame is articulated at by means of a hinge
and is fastened at p by a bolt, or in any well known manner.
The plastic matter is compressed in this mould where it is left to dry during
36 or 48 hours, then it is removed by opening the frame.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A paving-block having a metallic shell, comprising a top of raised or
roughened design, formed with internal depending locking-flanges; four sides
or walls provided on the inside with continuous tongues on two sides and con-
tinuous grooves on two sides or walls; open bottom with continuous inwardly-
projecting flange around its four walls, all formed integral, and a hard, heavy
interior filling, substantially as set forth and described."
2. A paring-block having a metallic shell, comprising a top of raised or
roughened design, formed with internal locking-flanges depending from the top;
four sides or walls provided with continuous tongues on two sides and con-
tinuous grooves on the remaining two sides or walls; angular ledge or extension
extending outwardly along one side near the bottom; open bottom with con-
tinuous flange at the bottom projecting inwardly around its four walls, all formed
integral, and a hard heavy interior filling, substantially as set forth and described.
3. An improved paving-block consisting of a metallic shell; having a top of
raised or roughened design formed with internal depending locking-flanges;
four sides or walls provided with a tongue on one side, a half-tongue on one side,
two continuous grooves on two sides; bottom angular ledge or extension along one
side open bottom with continuous flange around its four walls all formed integral;
a hard heavy interior filling; substantially as and for the purposes specified.
4. An improved paving-block for lock-rows of pavements, consisting of a
metallic shell, having a top of raised or roughened design, formed with internal
depending locking-flanges; four sides or walls provided with tongue on one side,
a continuous groove as to three sides; an angular groove on bottom of two sides;
open bottom with continuous flange around its four walls all formed integral;
a hard heavy interior filling substantially as described.
5. An improved paving-block for lock-rows of pavements, consisting of a
metallic shell, having a top of raised or roughened design, formed with internal
depending locking flanges; four sides or walls provided with continuous grooves
as to three sides; angular grooves on bottom of two sides; one side or end perfectly
smooth open bottom with continuous flange around its four walls all formed
integral a hard heavy interior filling, substantially as and for the purposes
specified,

page_text: 6. In a key-block for pavements consisting of a metallic shell, having a top
of raised or roughened design, having screw-thread holes to receive screw-thread
shanks of lifters; and formed with internal depending locking-flanges; four sides
or walls, two opposite ones of which are smooth, in the bottom of other two along
their entire length an angular groove open bottom with continuous flange around
its four walls all formed integral; a hard heavy interior filling substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
7. An improved paving-block consisting of a metallic shell, having a top of
raised or roughened design, formed with internal depending locking-flanges; four
sides or walls provided with tongues continuous on three sides, groove on one
side, angular ledge or extension along bottom of one side; open bottom with con-
tinuous flange around its four walls all formed integral; a hard heavy interior
filling, substantially as and for the purposes indicated and described.
8. An improved paving-block consisting of a metallic shell, having a top of
raised or roughened design, formed with internal depending locking-flanges; four
sides or walls provided with tongues continuous on two sides, a tongue along half
of one side, groove on one side; angular ledge or extension along bottom of one
side; open bottom with continuous flange around its four walls all formed integral;
a hard heavy interior filling substantially as and for the purposes indicated and
described.
9. A paving-block having a metallic shell; comprising a smooth top, formed
with internal depending locking-flanges; four sides or walls, provided with a
tongue on one side and grooves continuous on three sides; open bottom with con-
tinuous flange around its four walls, all formed integral; a hard heavy interior
filling substantially as shown and described.
;
10. An improved paving-block for gutters, consisting of a metallic shell, having
a smooth top or surface, formed with internal depending locking-flanges; four
sides or walls provided with continuous tongue as to two sides, continuous groove
as to two sides, open bottom with continuous flange around its four walls all
formed integral; a hard heavy interior filling; substantially as and for the
purposes set forth and described.
11. An improved paving-block for curbs, consisting of a metallic shell, having
internal locking-flanges a tongue and ledge in a straight line across its face, a
groove on its two opposite edges, open back with continuous flange around the
four walls or edges, all formed integral; a hard heavy interior filling; substan-
tially as and for the purposes set forth and described.
12. An improved paving-block for curbs, consisting of a metallic shell, having
internal locking-flanges, a tongue and ledge at an incline or slant across its face
when a summit is needed; a groove or tongue on its two opposite edges, open back
with continuous flange around the four walls or edges, all formed integral; a
hard heavy interior filling; substantially as and for the purposes set forth and
described.
13. An improved paving-block for curbs, consisting of a metallic shell, having
internal locking-flanges, a tongue and ledge on its face, a tongue on its two
opposite edges, open back with continuous Hange around its four walls or edges
all formed integral; a hard heavy interior filling; substantially as and for the
purposes indicated and described.
14. In a pavement, the combination of a row of paving lock-blocks, rows
of interlocking blocks on eacli side of the lock-blocks, a row of gutter blocks and
curb-blocks on the outside of the interlocking blocks, a key-block 1, in the
middle of the row of lock-blocks for holding all the blocks intact, substantially
as set forth.
15. A paving-block claimed from 1 to 14 and distinguished by the shell and
the whole metallic part being suppressed the block being entirely manufactured
of cement or any other suitable plastic matter and becoming as hard as stone.
16. A mould; for the block claimed'in 15 distinguished by a frame in wood or

page_text: other suitable matter, the sides of the said frame being of suitable dimensions
and shape, and the frame being joined at one of its angles by means of a hinge and
fastened at the opposite angle by a bolt, or in any suitable manner.
Dated this 2nd day of December 1897.
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicant,
Rue des Princes 8, Brussels, Belgium.
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicant,
Rue des Princes 8, Brussels, Belgium.