IMPROVEMENTS IN IRON PAVEMENT
Year: 1877

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Richter, of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN IRON PAVEMENT."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Richter at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd August 1877.
$8
WILLIAM RICHTER, of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Civil Engineer.
IMPROVEMENTS IN IRON PAVEMENT."
My improved roadway or pavement is composed of two principal parts, namely:-
1°. A frame or quarry made of cast iron or steel, indicated by a on the accom-
panying Drawings.
2°. An iron chair or sleeper, indicated by b.
The details of construction and method, of securing the quarries are shown on
Sheet I. of the accompanying two Sheets, of Drawing, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 illus-
trating various sections through the quarry and chair or sleeper, as indicated by
the reference letters and section lines a, b, c, d, e, f, Figure 5 being a plan of a quarry
and chair or sleeper beneath, and Figure 6 an inverted plan of a quarry.
Upon Sheet II. a modification of the above arrangement is shown, as also the
method of laying and fixing the quarries, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 being similar
views to those shown upon Sheet I., and above described, and Figures 6 and 7 repre-
senting in plan and section a portion of a roadway as it appears when laid.
The laying of my improved pavement or roadway takes place in the following
manner: The chairs or sleepers 6 are first laid across the road or way, the frames
or quarries a are then laid upon them, and the whole is firmly united by the aid of
wedges and keys or cottars c.
The ballasting is effected by forcibly driving rubble, with the aid of a paviour's
rammer, through the orifice of the quarry until it attains the level of this latter.
In consequenee of the peculiar suspension of the frames or quarries held in the
chairs or sleepers an isolated siuking of the quarries cannot take place.

page_text: If the bed of the pavement or roadway should sink there would therefore only
be undulations in the plane of the way: Should this happen all that is required in
order to straighten the whole is to introduce fresh rubble by the openings d and d.
A general or a partial taking to pieces is therefore unnecessary, and thus circulation
is not impeded while the work of levelling goes on.
The arrangement of the joints, ledges, and openings in the quarries will be found
greatly to prevent the sliding of draught horses or other animals over my improved
way.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Richter in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th February
1878.
WILLIAM RICHTER, of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN IRON PAVEMENT."
--
My improved roadway or pavement is composed of two principal parts, namely:-
1°. A frame or quarry made of cast iron or steel, indicated by a on the accom-
panying Drawings.
2°. Au iron chair or sleeper, indicated by b.
The details of construction and method of securing the quarries are shewn
Sheet I. of the accompanying two Sheets of Drawing, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4
illustrating various sections through the quarry and chair or sleeper, as indicated
by the reference letters and section lines a, b, c, d, e, f, Figure 5 being a plan of a
quarry and chair or sleeper beneath, and Figure 6 an inverted plan of a quarry.
Upon Sheet II. a modification of the above arrangements is shewn, as also the
method of laying and fixing the quarries, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 being similar
views to those shown upon Sheet I., and above described, and Figures 6 and 7
representing in plan and section a portion of roadway as it appears when laid.
The laying of my improved pavement or roadway takes place in the following
manner: The chairs or sleepers b are first laid across the road or way; the frames
or quarries a are then laid upon them, and the whole is firmly united by. the aid of
wedges and keys, or cottars c..
The ballasting is effected by forcibly driving rubble, with the aid of a paviour's
rammer, through the orifice of the quarry until it attains.the level of this latter.
In consequence of the peculiar suspension of the frames or quarries held in the
chairs or sleepers an isolated sinking of the quarries cannot take place.
. If the bed' of the pavement or roadway should sink there would therefore only be
undulations in the plane of the way. Should this happen all that is required in
order to straighten the whole is to introduce fresh rubble by the openings d and d.
A general or a partial taking to pieces is therefore unnecessary, and thus circulation
is not impeded while the work of levelling goes on.
The arrangement of the joints, ledges, and openings in the quarries will be found
to greatly prevent the sliding of draught horses or other animals over my improved
way.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I claim as secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent,-
;
:
Firstly. The use of the iron chairs or sleepers. b constructed and arranged, 'sub-

page_text: stantially as herein-before described, and shewn on the accompanying Sheets of
Drawings.
Secondly. The suspension of the frames or quarries a between the said chairs b,
substantially as herein-before described, and shewn on the accompanying Sheets of
Drawings.
Thirdly. The particular construction of the chairs or sleepers b, substantially as
herein-before described, and shown on the Drawings.
And, lastly. The entire combination of the several parts, substantially as herein-
before described, and shewn on the Drawings, so that abrupt inequalities cannot be
produced, and whereby gentle undulations may be easily levelled.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Richter, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
WILLIAM RICHTER. (L.S.)