IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PAVEMENTS AND ROADWAYS WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE TELEGRAPH AND OTHER WIRES, GAS PIPES AND THE LIKE
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Gregson Banner of Billiter Square, in the City
of London, Sanitary Engineer for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF PAVEMENTS AND ROADWAYS WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO
ACCOMMODATE TELEGRAPH AND OTHER WIRES, GAS PIPES AND THE LIKE,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Gregson Banner at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd June 1883.
EDWARD GREGSON BANNER of Billiter Square in the City of London, Sanitary
Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PAVEMENTS AND ROAD-
WAYS WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE TELEGRAPH AND OTHER WIRES,
GAS PIPES AND THE LIKE
My invention is designed to enable telegraph and other wires, also gas pipes and
the like to be readily and economically laid along and across streets in such a way
that they will not be productive of inconvenience, and, in the case of electrical
conductors, will not be liable to vibrations such as they are in some cases subjected
to when laid as heretofore usual.
According to my invention wires or pipes such as referred to are arranged within
channels or passages formed in kerbs and blocks made of concrete.
.
To facilitate laying the wires or pipes within such channels or passages and to
provide access thereto when laid I provide at suitable intervals kerbs or blocks
of special construction as follows (that is to say): They are made in two
longitudinal parts with projections of one taking into recesses of the other, a
channel or passage or channels or passages being formed between them to receive
the wires or pipes, and the upper longitudinal portion of each kerb or block being
capable of removal and being furnished for this purpose with rings or lugs let in
below the top surface. To ensure alignment of the passages or channels of the
several concrete kerbs or blocks constituting a row I sometimes form the ends of
such kerbs or blocks with projections and recesses such that the projection or
projections of ono may enter the recess or recesses of another.

page_text: At street crossings similar concrete blocks may be used to carry the wires or
pipes the blocks being so laid that their top surfaces shall not extend above the
general surface of the roadway.
In order to form a continuous passage through the kerbs of a street or streets
along which wires or pipes are to be laid and through blocks or their equivalent
laid across a roadway to be traversed by the said wires or pipes I connect the
passages of the kerbs with the passage under the roadway according to one
arrangement by providing at either side of the crossing kerbs of increased depth
having passages formed obliquely therethrough.
Concrete blocks according to my invention may also be used with advantage to
accommodate wires, pipes and the like running crosswise of foot pavements.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Gregson Banner in the Patent Office on the 22nd December
1883.
EDWARD GREGSON BANNER of Billiter Square in the City of London Sanitary
Engineer IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PAVEMENTS AND ROADWAYS
WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE TELEGRAPH AND OTHER WIRES, GAS
PIPES AND THE LIKE..
My invention is designed to enable telegraph and other wires, also gas pipes and
the like, to be readily and economically laid along and across streets in such a way
that they will not be productive of inconvenience; and, in the case of electrical
conductors, will not be liable to vibrations such as they are in some cases subjected
to when inid as heretofore usual.
According to my invention wires or pipes such as referred to are arranged
within channels or passages formed in kerbs and blocks made of concrete.
To facilitate laying the wires or pipes within such channels or passages, and to
provide access thereto when laid I provide at suitable intervals kerbs or blocks of
special construction as follows (that is to say) They are made in two longitudinal
parts with projections of one taking into recesses of the other, a channel or passage
or channels or passages being formed between them to receive the wires or pipes,
and the upper longitudinal portion of each kerb or block being capable of removal
and being furnished for this purpose with rings or lugs let in below the top surface.
To ensure alignment of the passages or channels of the several concrete kerbs or
blocks constituting a row I sometimes form the ends of such kerbs or blocks with
projections and recesses such that the projection or projections of one may enter the
recess or recesses of another.
At street crossings similar concrete blocks may be used to carry the wires or
pipes, the blocks being so laid that their top surfaces shall not extend above or shall
extend below the general surface of the road way.
In order to form a continuous passage through the kerbs of a street or streets
along which wires or pipes are to be laid, and through blocks or their equivalent
laid across a roadway to be traversed by the said wires or pipes I connect the
passages of the kerbs with the passage under the roadway according to one
arrangement by providing at either side of the crossing kerbs of increased depth
having passages formed obliquely therethrough.
Concrete blocks according to my invention may also be used with advantage
to accommodate wires, pipes and the like running crosswise of foot pavements.
Referring to the accompanying 5 sheets of illustrative drawings Fig 1 illustrates one
form of concrete paving block, set, or kerb-stone according to my invention. Fig 2 is
a longitudinal section of the same, and Fig 3 is a plan. This block is provided with
two longitudinal channels or passages a, a, in it for the reception of the wires,
pipes and the like, and at one portion an opening b is made from these channels to
the surface of the block to facilitate the laying, inspection or adjustment of the
pipes or wires. It is not always necessary that there should be such an opening in
every block; usually it will be sufficient to havo one (say) every fifty feet, and to
use perforated solid blocks, that is blocks with no upward opening between. These
openings are covered, according to one arrangement, by iron plates c roughened
on the surface, and provided with rings or key grooves to facilitate their
removal.
Fig 4 is a section of a concrete block made in two pieces d, e, so formed that,
when laid one upon the other, they will maintain their respective positions, the

page_text: projections of one fitting into the indentations of the other. When the upper one,
which is provided with ring bolts, key grooves, or lewis holes, is removed, the
whole of the contents of the channel at that point are laid bare.
It is convenient
to provide the upper blocks, d, with small hand holes or man holes (with removable
lids) for inspection at suitable intervals, so that access to the passages may be
obtained on trifling occasions without the labour of lifting the large blocks.
Figs 5, 6, 7 and 8 shew four other sections of blocks, in each case made in two
parts. It is, however, by no means necessary that every block in a long channel
should be in two pieces, the frequency of the occurrence of the divided blocks
depending upon the nature of the contents of the channel; for instance with thin
wires, such as telephone wires, the openings may be at considerable intervals.
With wires of large section for incandescence electric lighting they would be nearer
together, and with pipes they would probably be continuous, the channel being a
covered trench. In Fig 5 the upper portion d has two longitudinal projections d'
and the lower piece two similar grooves. If the lower grooves be made large, and
partly filled with soft cement, and the upper portion be pressed on to it, and
removed before adhesion is effected, a joint almost watertight will be produced.
In Figs 6 and 7 the upper portion fits partly or wholly between the walls of the
lower, and is shewn provided with key grooves to facilitate lifting. These are of
iron and are moulded into the concrete. In Fig 8 the upper portion overhangs the
lower to protect it from the impact of heavy vehicles. This has the additional
advantage of allowing the formation of drip or weather channels to lead off the
rain. There are holes in the botton of the channel, with pipes to conduct any
water to the drains
Fig 11 is a cross section of a block in which means are provided for insulating
wires, such as telephone or electric light conductors from one another. A series of
longitudinal grooves are made, and in each a wire is laid, and, if necessary,
embedded with cement, bitumen or asphalt. To gain the maximum number of
channels within the space a double incline e' is used, or a section like a W may
be used, or a series of vertical walls with channels one above another in their
sides.
To secure alignment of continuous blocks, their ends may be provided with
projections, joggles, or lips, and with corresponding recesses. In Figs 2 and 3
there is shewn a projection at one end, and a recess at the other. There may also
be vertical projections and recesses at the ends; when these have been placed in
position they are run up with cement. Fig 9 also shews one method of fitting the
ends of the upper portion, there being drip channels provided for the escape of
storm water which runs into the nicks.
When a street is curved it is necessary to use blocks of a corresponding shape,
ns shewn in Fig 12. In other respects these blocks may be similar to any of those
above described, and the passages may be circular, oval, square, or of other shape
in cross section.
In order to form a continuous passage through the kerbs of a street when it is
entered by a cross street, it is necessary that in crossing the road the channel or
channels should be carried either above or below the level of the existing pipes
and other obstructions which it or they will cross at right angles. It is usually
most convenient to go over these pipes as they exist at various depths. Fig 13
shews one method of doing this. The blocks are carried as kerb or paving blocks
to the corner, and then they are changed to sets when they enter the roadway,
their surface being cut into squares or other convenient forms to give a foothold to
horses, etc. The last two or three blocks of the kerb bave an inclined channel in
them, (a a³) and those in the road are shaped to conform to its curvature. It is
convenient to make all these latter in two pieces so that the roadway can be easily
renewed. Holes a' are provided through the bottom of the channel to carry off
water, as shown-Other arrangements illustrated herein may be provided with
similar holes.
Fig 14 shews a method to be adopted when the authorities object to the nature

page_text: of the roadway being altered, and permits of sets, wood pavement, or asphalte.
being laid over the block.
Fig 15 illustrates the construction and arrangement of the blocks for crossing a.
road at some distance below the surface. In such a case the channel under the
road may be concrete blocks, or a brick channel, or an iron pipe or other convenient
arrangement.
Figs 154, 15, and 15° shew the channel carried under the street in blocks, similar
to those used in the kerbs, the junction between the two sets being made by a special -
block with an inclined passage. When part of the wires or pipes have to cross the
road and part go down the side street, the arrangement shewn in Fig 16 may be
used, the last two or three blocks having diverging channels.
When a connection has to be made from one side of the street to the other it is
convenient to use blocks of extra depth with vertical, inclined or curved channels
diverging from the main channels and joining them to cross channels at a lower
level.
.
=
Figs 17 and 17ª shew one arrangement for doing this, and Figs 18, 19 and 20
another. Fig 21 shews a cross connection made by a metal pipe.
When the branch wires are led off at the same level special blocks may be cast,
three, four, or more passages converging into them, and as at such points there will
generally be couplings, joints, and connections, extra space should be provided to
form junction boxes, and these should have the upper parts removable and also
provided with hand holes. Fig 22 shews such a block, and junction boxes are also
shewn in Figs 23 and 18.
When the channels contain wires for electric lighting, provision must be made
for attachments for house wires at frequent intervals. This may be done by
casting spigots at frequent intervals into which iron, earthenware or concrete pipes
may be cemented as required, the holes being temporarily stopped with concrete
eyes or plugs. This arrangement is shewn in Fig 24. Or channels with or
without pipes may be covered in the wells of the blocks through which leading
wires may be carried when required. If the blocks have double passages or more
it will often be convenient to carry positive conductors in one, and negative in the
other, as shewn in Fig 25, and carry the two leading wires to a coupling box where
the safety fuse, etc, may be placed. Fig 7 also shews an arrangement for the
entrance of house leading wires
Connections should be made at intervals between the channels and the drains.
It will be noted that by the use of concrete according to my invention I obviate
the liability to induction which exists when metallic conduits are used to enclose
electrical conductors. Any suitable kind of concrete may be employed for the
purposes of my invention. Conveniently it may be made with ground slate, such
ground slate being mixed with water to render it plastic, and the mass being then
moulded into the required forms which should be dried and subsequently burned in
a kiln as well understood
Keys of lead may be used for joining together kerbing blocks according to my
invention; such a mode of joining is illustrated in Fig 15
Having described the nature of my said invention and the manner of performing
it, I hereby declare that what I consider to be novel and original and thereforo
claim as secured to me under the Letters Patent hereinabove first in part recited is :—
1. A pavement kerb composed of a series of blocks constructed of concrete
arranged end to end with a passage or passages therethrough suitable to
accommodate telegraph and other wires, gas pipes, and the like, and provided at
intervals with removable parts or covers affording access to the said passage or
passages as hereinabove described.
2. In a pavement or roadway the use to accommodate telegraph and other
wires, gas pipes, and the like, of compound kerbs or blocks constructed of concrete
in the manner shewn in and described with reference respectively to Figs 1 to 3
inclusive, Fig 4, Fig 5, Fig 6, Fig 7. Figs 9 and 10 and Fig 11, of the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 3. The use to accommodate telegraph and other wires, gas pipes and the like, of
blocks constructed of concrete with descending passages to connect two lines of
passages at different levels, as for instance those under the pavement, and those
under the roadway, substantially as hereinabove described.
4. The application and arrangement of concrete kerbs or blocks as illustrated in
and described with reference respectively to Fig 13, Fig 14, Fig 15, Figs 154, 15
and 15°, Fig 16, Figs 17 and 174, Figs 18, 19 and 20, Fig 21, Fig 22, Fig 23,
Fig 24, and Fig 25 of the drawings for the purposes set forth.
In Witness whereof I the said Edward Gregson Banner have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty second day of December in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and.eighty three.
EDWG BANNER (18)