IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXED AND PORTABLE FLOORING AND LEVEL SURFACES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Horatio Henry Udall, of Chilwell, in the County of Not-
tingham, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXED AND
PORTABLE FLOORING AND LEVEL SURFACES."
aled the 10th August 1877, and dated the 15th February 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Horatio Henry Udall at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1877.
HORATIO HENRY UDALL, of Chilwell, in the County of Nottingham, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXED AND PORTABLE FLOORING AND LEVEL SURFACES."
My first modification consists in constructing a floor by dowelling, and grooving,
and tongueing a series of widths of timber together; the outer edges of each width
have an angle iron their whole length; to the top webs of the angle irons the edges
of a metallic plate about the width of the series are rivetted; one of the angle irons
project beyond the edge of the metallic plate, so as to form a ledge for the edge of
the metallic plate of the next adjoining series to rest upon; each series as it is suc-
cessively laid next the preceding one is guided into position by the dowels; where
more than one length is required, the projecting metallic plate of one series rests
upon a space left for it at the end of the next length.
A floor or surface constructed as above I can lay down upon any moderately level
ground or other surface or series of rafters; and where an elastic floor or surface is
required, I lay the above upon rafters grooved on their top side to receive a cord of
india-rubber the whole of their length; the rafters are made continuous by dowels.
Instead of rafters I may sometimes drive piles in uneven or level ground, the piles
being dowelled on the top to receive the floor, thus forming a surface of superior
construction to skate upon.
My second modification consists of a floor constructed as follows:-A series of.
blocks of timber are dowelled together and set on end; the length above the dowell
is slightly cut away on two sides, thus forming a cavity between two adjacent rows
of blocks; in the cavity so formed I place wedge-shaped strips of cast metal, or
Staffordshire ware, or concrete.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Horatio Henry Udall in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
August 1877.
HORATIO HENRY UDALL, of Chilwell, in the County of Nottingham, Gentleman.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIXED AND PORTABLE FLOORING AND LEVEL SURFACES."
My first modification consists in constructing a floor by doweling, and grooving,
and tongueing a series of widths of timber together; the outer edges of each width
have an angle iron their whole length; to the top webs of the angle irons the edges
of a metallic plate about the width of the series are rivetted; one of the angle irons
project beyond the edge of the metallic plate, so as to form a ledge for the edge of
the metallic plate of the next adjoining series to rest upon; cach series as it is suc-
cessively laid next the preceding one is guided into position by the dowels; where
more than one length is required, the projecting metallic plate of one series rests
upon a space left for it at the end of the next length.
A floor or surface constructed as above I can lay down upon any moderately
level ground or other surface or series of rafters; and where an elastic floor or
surface is required, I lay the above upon the rafters grooved on their top side to
receive a cord of india-rubber the whole of their length; the rafters are made con-
tinuous by dowels.
Instead of rafters I may sometimes drive piles in uneven or level ground, the piles
being doweled on the top to receive the floor, thus forming a surface of superior
construction to skate upon.
My second modification consists of a floor constructed as follows:-A series of
blocks of timber are doweled together and set on end; the length above the dowel
is slightly cut away on two sides, thus forming a cavity between two adjacent rows
of blocks; in the cavity so formed I place wedge-shaped stripes of cast metal,
or Staffordshing
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal side view of one width of my improved flooring;
Figure 2 represents two such widths in plan; and Figure 3, an end view of the
same, showing my improved method of constructing a level floor on uneven ground;
and Figures 4 and 5 show my improved flooring equally applicable for covering
either a level or uneven surface.
My first modification consists in constructing a floor by doweling a series of
widths of timber A together by means of dowels B; the diameter of the dowels and
the distance they are apart from each other will depend upon the thickness and
length of the width of timber employed; the outer edge of each series of widths
has an angle iron C their whole length, secured to it by screws; the top web of the
angle iron lies flush with the top side of the timber; to the top web of the angle
iron a steel or other metallic plate D is rivetted, so as to allow portion of the top web
of the angle iron to project beyond the plate; the opposite edge of the plate is
secured to the angle iron of the other outer edge of the widths of timber, and pro-
jects beyond so as to lie upon the projecting top web of the next adjoining angle
iron, and close to the edge of the metallic plate rivetted thereto; each series as it is
successively laid next the preceding one is readily guided into position by the
dowels; and when more than one length is required, the metallic plate which pro-
jects at one end rests upon a space left for it at the end of the next length, as shewn
at Figure 1.
A floor or surface constructed as above described I can lay down upon any mode-
rately level surface; and where an elastic floor or surface is required, I lay the floor
upon a series of rafters E, which are grooved on their top side to the shape shewn
in section at Figure 1, to receive a cord of india-rubber E¹ the whole of their length;
the rafters, when requisite, are made continuous by dowels.

page_text: I sometimes drive piles in uneven or level ground; the piles F, being doweled on
the top, receive the floor direct, or they may receive rafters provided with india-
rubber cords, as shewn in the end view, Figure 3; in either case I am enabled to
form a floor or surface of superior construction to skate upon.
My second modification consists of a floor constructed as follows:-The ground or
street, having been curved or levelled, may have a coating or bed of concrete or
other material placed thereon, and may be then covered with my improved floor; or
the said floor may be placed upon the curved, levelled, or bevelled ground without
any preparation. The floor I construct of a series of blocks A of timber doweled
togethered by dowels B, and set on end, as shewn in side view and end view at
Figures 4 and 5; the blocks are slightly cut away on two sides, thus forming a
cavity between two adjacent rows of blocks; in the cavity so formed I place wedged-
shaped strips of cast metal D or Staffordshire ware, or fill in the cavity with con-
crete. I am thus enabled to remove any portion thereof for repairs of gas or water
pipes, or for other purposes.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim,-
Firstly. For a rigid or yielding fixed or portable floor or surface for skating
upon.
Secondly. For a floor constructed of rows of wood blocks doweled together and
bevelled to receive strips of cast iron, Staffordshire ware, or concrete.
In witness whereof, I, the said Horatio Henry Udall, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
H. W. GOUGH, C.E.,
Nottingham.
HORATIO HENRY UDALL. (L.S.)