Improvements in Lightning-rod Staples.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 6th July, 1892-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lightning-rod Staples.
I HENRY CHAMBERS WHINCOP 142 Sycamore Road, Smethwick in the County
of Stafford Steeple-jack do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists in the improvements in lightning-rod staples hereinafter
set forth.
By the first modification of my invention I form my improved staple with a
shank about 4 and inches in length by about of an inch in width (more or less)
and with a head about 2 inches by one inch; the improved staple when viewed
horizontally would present to view the edge of head and the face of shank, the
shank-face extending unbroken about of its total length and then branching to
the right and to the left forming two distinct arms; a series of inclined planes are
formed on the face of shank and also extended over both of the arms of shank. The
staple when viewed edgeways presents a vertical view of the inclined planes and
notches, the projection of each notch is in some cases formed with a slight outward
bevil for convenience of moulding for casting, in other cases it is under cut or
inclined inwards forming at the apex an acute compressible angle, the apex of the
notch then tapering downwards until it reaches the root of next notch. The
extreme ends of shank arms may in some cases turn downwards forming right
angled clips, in other cases the clips would be dispensed with. The under side of
shank would consist of a continuous flat surface for convenience in caulking as
hereinafter described; the flange of head that projects below the under side of
shank would be formed with a caulking hole, the caulking hole presents a clear
passage from front of head to under side of shank, the front of head would be
formed with a recess suitable to receive a flat copper tape or with a recess suitable to
receive a round cable tape, but the cap and recess in head are of old design and con-
sequently form no part of my invention. In using the first modification of my invention
the improved staples could be placed in position (as the building progresses) between
bricks, stones, terra-cotta, or other material, the cement, mortar, or other equivaleat
substance used to bind the bricks, stones or terra-cotta together would set or solidify
over the inclined planes and notches formed on the face of my improved staple and thus
secure the staple behind a series of steps and consequently prevent the staple from
moving out of its proper position where first placed; in case of disintegration of
the cement by atmospheric chemical action the loosened cement would still block
the notches formed on face of improved staple but as a further security lead could
be passed through the caulking hole provided in head of any staple that becomes
loose such lead or other equivalent material being forced under the staple by means
of a suitable caulking tool, the acute or under-cut angular notches would yield to
the gradual settling of a building, the shank being thereby compressed into a
slightly thinner section, thus still further tightening or securing the staples between
the bricks, stones, terra-cotta, or other building material, consolidating the staples
with and between the bricks or stones. In other cases the staples would be
surrounded with cement, the upper serrated face bearing direct against the upper
brick, stone, or terra-cotta and the lower side in a like manner bearing against the
next lower brick, stone, terra-cotta, or other building substance consequently the
settling of the building would cause the upper brick, stone, terra-cotta, or building.
block to settle over the knife-edges of serrations or inclined planes thus firmly
securing the staple in position where placed.
By a second modification of my invention I dispense with the arms at end of

page_text: staple-shank and make the shank (by preference about 3 inches long, the end of
staple being pointed wedge-shape; the pointed staples would be driven between
the joints of a building (that is in existence) and afterwards tightened up by
means of a caulking tool as hereinbefore described in first modification.
Dated this 5th day of October 1891.
ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER,
Cobden Buildings, Corporation Street, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lightning-rod Staples.
I, HENRY CHAMBERS WHINCOP, of 142 Sycamore Road, Smethwick in the
County of Stafford Steeple Jack do hereby declare the nature of this invention and.
in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention consists in the improvements in lightning rod staples hereinafter
set forth reference being had to the accompanying drawings.
I will therefore now proceed to describe with reference to such drawings the
manner in which my invention is constructed and used.
Figure 1. represents a riband cap suitable for a flat copper tape.
Figure 2. represents the improved staple of first modification.
Figure 3. represents the improved staple of second modification.
Figure 4. represents a cap suitable for a round cable tape.
Figure 5. represents a section shewing the second modification of staple caulked
with a metal wedge k.
Figure 6. represents a plan of staple face shewing the caulking and wedge
holes.
a are the arms projecting from inclined planes; bare the inclined planes; o is the
extreme end of staple which may in some cases be turned down forming a right-
angled clip; e is an opening to admit wedge; is the recess suitable to receive a
flat copper tape; 9 is the hole or recess suitable to receive a round cable tape; his
the caulking passage.
In using the first modification of my invention the improved staple made in the
manner represented at Figure 2 would be placed in position as the building pro-
gresses, between bricks, stones, terra-cotta, or other material, the cement or other
equivalent substance used to bind the bricks or other building material together
would in some cases set or solidify over the notches or inclined planes a formed
on the staple as shewn at Figure 2 thus firmly securing the staple between the
bricks or other building material moreover in case of disintegration of the cement
by atmospheric chemical action the loosened cement would be retained within the
inclined planes a.
By the second modification of my invention I make the staple shank by preference
shorter than the first modification as shown at Figure 2 and point the end wedge
shape; in using the second modification of staples such staples would not be built
in with the stack or other structure but such second modification of my improved
staples are intended to be driven between the joints of a chimney stack, church
tower, or any other building structure and when such staples have been driven in
they can be afterwards made additionally tight by means of lead or other suitable
metal or material ; driven in through the caulking hole over the inclined
surfaces 6 or by means of a metal wedge & driven under the staple as shewn at
Figure 5.
In addition to the inclined planes shewn on the upper faces of staples at
Figures 2 and 3, I in some cases provide a series of notches or inclined planes on
the underside of second modification as shewn at 6' Figure 5.
What I consider to constitute the essential part of my invention is the formation

page_text: and arrangement of the shank of staple in the improved manner illustrated and
described.
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:
1st. The making of lightning rod staples with projecting arms and inclined.
surfaces as illustrated and described in reference to Figures 2, 3, and 5.
2nd. The making of lightning rod staples with caulking holes or recesses in
conjunction with projecting arms and inclined surfaces as illustrated and described.
3rd. The cap Figure 4 in conjunction with the face m of lightning-rod staples to
form a circular bearing for round conducting cables, as illustrated and described.
Dated this 4th day of July 1892.
ALFRED WILLIAM TURNER,
Cobden Buildings, Corporation Street, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicant.