A METHOD OR, METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING AND REMOVING OFFICES, COUNTING HOUSES, AND OTHER ROOMS, WITH DESKS, DRAWINGS BOARDS, AND OTHER SIMILAR CONVENIENCES; WHICH METHOD OR METHODS MAY ALSO BE APPLIED IN THE CONSTRUCTING AND. REMOVING OF BRIDGES, COTTAGES, SENTRY BOXES, AND TO OTHER PURPOSES AND ERECTIONS OF A SMALLER OR LARGER EXTENT
Year: 1807

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
PHILLIPS, of: East Stonehouse, in the County of Devon, Stone Mason and
Sculptor, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third did,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-eighth day.
of July, in the forty-seventh year of His reign, give and grant to me, the
said John Phillips, my exors, admors; and assigns, His especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John Phillips, my exors,
adiñors, and assigns, during the term of fourteen years therein mentioned, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "A METHOD OR,
METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING AND REMOVING OFFICES, COUNTING HOUSES, AND OTHER
ROOMS, WITH DESKS, DRAWINGS BOARDS, AND OTHER SIMILAR CONVENIENCES;
WHICH METHOD OR METHODS MAY ALSO BE APPLIED IN THE CONSTRUCTING AND.
REMOVING OF BRIDGES, COTTAGES, SENTRY BOXES, AND TO OTHER PURPOSES AND
ERECTIONS OF A SMALLER OR LARGER EXTENT;" in which said Letters Patent
there is contained a proviso obliging me, the said John Phillips, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to cause a particular descrip*.
tion of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be. performed, to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery.
within six calendar months after the date of the said recited Letters Patent,

page_text: Fig. 1st represents an office, cottage, or building, erected agreeably to my Plan
or Invention. It is here shown erected on posts or pillars, but I can also erect
any building, &c. on this plan if required on the ground, taking care to keep
the bottom free from the damp. For sentry boxes and small erections I fix
a wheel at each corner, as at Fig. 2nd, for that purpose, and to enable the
sentinal, &c. to turn the same easily. The sides, bottoin, and top are connected
by making the joints of the boards, &c. similar to Fig. 3.. .For the batten,
joists of wood being prepared of the size that the purpose of the erection'
may require, should be joined together as at Fig. 4. The picces a, b, c,
and d, should be left higher than. e and f; the parts that are left higher
should be similar to ġ, Fig. 3. The flooring boards, Fig. 5, being connected
as above described, should have grooves made in the bottom immediately
across the whole, corresponding in size, distance, and number, to the pro-
jections a, b, c, and d, Fig. 4, and in form to h, Fig. 3. See i, j, k, and I,
Fig. 5. The flooring boards should then be drove, drawn, or thrust on the
joist, Fig. 4, previous to which each joint should be painted with a thin coat:
of paint, and then suffer'd to dry, and when fixed another coat of paint or
other proper matter may be applied. This method should be adopted for all the
joints; particular care should be taken to have the wood well seasoned; but if
this object cannot be obtained, then allowance must be given for the. wood's
shrinking by letting only 3 of the sides of the erection into the grooves at.
bottom and the same at top.
Fig. 6 represents one side of a room, the boards connected as before
described, at the bottom of which, m, I leave a projection similar to gi
Fig. 3, and having made a groove to fit it in the floor Fig. 5, at n, I fix the
side, Fig. 6, in the same, by the means before described for the floor, and
the same for the other sides. Each side may be thus fixed about four inches

page_text: shorter than it is intended when furnished, and four pieces of wood should
be prepared about two inches square, and as long as the height the building.
is intended to be, at each corner, with grooves, &c. to fit the edges of the
boards, which being drove down, the corners, as at Fig. 7, will connect the
whole together in a very strong way. Any number of rooms may thus, be
formed. The top may be made to slope or be out of a levell about two
inches in every foot in length, more or less, as is required, and fixed in the
same manner as before described for the bottom and sides, and then cover'd
with slates or tiles, as represented at Figs. 8 and 9. The dotted lines shews
what is cover'd of each slate or tile, and if laid on a roof of this kind, may be
bedded in good lime and sand mortar, and the outside pointed with the
following mixture, which I shall term Phillips's Patent Weatherproof Coating
or Composition for the Roofs and Fronts of Houses, &c. I take a quantity
of pulverised limestone, or other stone or proper hard matter, and sift very fine,
to which I add about a third part of fine sand, more or less, according to the
nature of the pulverised stone or matter used; then I mix the whole well
together with a shovel, spade, or other proper instrument; to the consistance of
mortar used for plastering, &c. with linseed oil; if boiled so much the better.
Slates or tiles may be laid according to my method above described either on a
roof of this kind with nails, or on rafters and laths with nails or pins. The pins
or nails are fixed in the two opposite corners of the slate or tile, as at o, o,
Figs. 8 and 9, and should have a little of the composition on top to cover the
heads;
the pins may also be dipped in white lead as used, or in some of the
above composition, made thinner with oil. If the slating is done with pins, or
the tiling with do, or with knobs, as is hereafter described, then it should be
pointed on the inside with good lime and hair mortar, and the outside, as
before described, with the composition. If tiles are used I form them as at
Fig. 10, about the, same thickness as the common plain tile, and of the same
materials; and if designed to be nailed, then I leave a kind of ear at the two
opposite corners p, q, with a hole thro' for that purpose; but if they are
designed to be hung on laths, then I omit the ears and fix two knobs on the
bottom sidle, as at r, 1. I also form a groove in the two upper edges s, s, and
top, and the same on the two bottom edges t, t, the under side. These grooves
will prevent the wet being blown inside; the sides of my erections may also
be cover'd with slate or tiles in the same way, or the whole outside may be
cover'd with the above composition. If more stories than one are wanted, the
top of each should be done in the same way as the roof, Fig. 1st, with, this
difference, that it be level instead of sloping, as there represented, which will
serve as the floor of the next story when proceeding as before described.

page_text: Any number of floors or stories may be erected; the roof or floor may be
strengthened by having pillars, &c. on the inside, and pieces of wood or beams
going across on top, resting at each end on the same. The door and windows
1 prefer hanging on the outside, as I thereby more effectually keep out the.
wet. I keep the windows open to any extent by means of a part of a circle of
brass or other metal being fastened at one end to the window, as at u,
Fig. 1st, and the other passing under a nut and screw v. On the top of each
window and door exposed to the weather I fix a piece of wood,.projecting out.
beyond the thickness of the same, with a groove or, throat under to. carry, off
the wet; I also, use the same precaution at bottom to prevent the waters
getting into the grooves, which wood I fix as. before specified; that is to say,"
I make a groove in the side or sides, as at .h, Fig. 3, and a projection to
the edge of the wood..similar to g. To form the chimney I. fixa stone or
cther proper substance on the floor large enough to erect the chimney, &c. on,
and should also. project into the room. sufficient to prevent accident. by fire
from that quarter; I then fix the grate,, which I make.as shewn at Fig. 11,
hu, a plate of cast iron or other metal, with a.kind of door, which opens and
shuts by means of hinges, &c. x, another plate or door of cast iron. fastned.
to the front with hinges, &c., which when turned up confines the heat, and
when turned down causes the same to come forward, and answers the purpose
of what is called a horse. There should be a handle or a kind of a turnbuckel
fastned to the door, and a groove in the upper plate to receive or fasten it to,
or buttons may be fastned for. that purpose to the front of the grate, as y, y,
to carry off the smoak; there should be small appertures at the back and sides
of the grate under the plate close to the bottom side thereof, as at Fig. 12,
Letters .. .Sides and backs of stone or metal should then be fixed on the
plate, as shewn at a, a, a, in the plan and section, Figs. 12 and 13, which sides
and back may be made to open occasionally to clean the flue, &c. The smoak
is carried into the shaft, as shewn by the dotted lines in the elevation, Fig. 14;
the shaft of the chimney may be of this or any of the orders, and in some cases
two or more columns may be used to advantage for one chimney, or any
other kind of chimney shaft may be used with this kind of grate, but should
be detached from the sides of the building. If made of wood a hole should be
tut as at b, Fig. 14, in the roof; and to prevent, the rains getting into the
same I cut a groove in the upper part of the board or roof c, c, and
fix a top to the chimney, the bottom part of which should be nearly as
Fig. 15, which should be fixed, down on the chimney or shaft at b, Fig. 14,
and there confined by cement, cramps, &c. The outside edges of the top
should not co::e-down or bear on the roof, but be-free. therefrom about half

page_text: an inch, and a groove or throat being cut in the same. will prevent.the.water
being drove inward. I also sometimes carry the shaft of the chimney, towards
the top of the room as high as is required, and then convey the smoak thro
the side of the building. d, at Fig. 12, represents a screen to prevent smoak,
&c., which I make of. a sufficient quantity of narrow pieces of cast iron,
brass, or other metal or other substance about the length of the opening:of
the chimney, connected. by means of a kind of rule joint. This, screen I. let'
down or take up by a roll or cylinder é. The whole of Fig. 14 may be
mado of cast iron or other metal, or of Portland marble and other stone, &c.
An office or other erection, when thus formed; can.be, easily taken; to.
pieces and removed; or if there is room sufficient, it, can be removed all
together, but the purchase or power applied should be steady and...equal
for this purpose;
and to lift or draw any heavy body I have invented.
the machine represented at Fig. .16. I wish it here..to be understood;
that I do not claim the power that is applied on. this machine as my'
Invention that may be various, as any of the powers that are. now
or may be hereafter in use may be applied thereon.. What. I. claim as
my Invention is, the manner of applying the power, or of moving the machine,:
and fixing it again readily, to do which I make the shafts f,f,so.that.a.horse.
or horses may be fixed to them, and the bottom of. the carriage and'.wheels.
g, h, h, sufficiently strong for the purpose intended, on. which I fix the crane i.
I then move the machine to the place wanted, and let it. down, as here repre-:
sented; on the arms j, j, which being shoed with iron will. stick.very.firm in
the ground, and being aided by as much weight on the machine as can well be
removed by the horse, horses, or power applied to draw the same, a man or
men at each handle K, K,. standing or the board or platform L, will,- by
turning the said handles, lift or draw an. immense weight, the article to be
removed being placed on rollers or a proper carriage, and.the wheels, of the
carriage or the rollers made to run. on smooth..boards, iron, &c., the end of
the rope or. chain M being made fast to the article to be removed, and the end
N drawn on by the horse or power employ'd to draw or remove the machine,
the resistance of the machine being further aided by a drag chain, &c. .
Fig. 17.represents my desk, which I rise higher or let down lower by the
shaft O sliding in a groove in the pedestal P, to perform. which readily I make
another groove in this pedestal, as at Q, for a lead weight, which I fasten to
the shaft O by a sash line, or, what is better, my .Patent Chain, explained in my
last Specification. This line or chain I fasten to the bottom of the lead and
shaft, as at Fig. 18. To the shaft O is united by two. hinges. a.round piece of
wood R, to which the top of the lesk Ṣ is confined. by .a.bolt and wedge or

page_text: key, see Fig. 19. To the round piece R is also joined a semicircular piece of
metal T. On the outside edge teeth may be cut, and then by turning the
pinion wheel at U with the handle V, I elevate my desk from a table to a
painter's easal; when I want it for the latter purpose, I fix a hook similar to
Figure 20 at each end in holes made for that purpose at proper distances in
the bottom of the desk, and then place a piece of wood across the same to
keep the picture up, as is usual with the common easals. At the corners of
the desk is represented screws, which I turn up into a slip of wood on the
edge to prevent the papers sliding off when writing, &c. I also use these
screws to turn up into the bottom of my drawing board, when they are turned
down, the points being inade smooth. If the desk is turned up till it becomes
level,. and the shaft.O thrust down, it will form a good table: To keep it firmly in
its place, or to any elevation required, I turn the screw. W tight against T.
Fig. 21..represents part of a desk, &c. something different from the former.
The top of this is fixed, on. by a .bolt instead of hinges; it turns round also
differently, for instead of à perpendicular bolt, as at Fig. 19, the top part
of, which is round for that purpose, in this the bottom part of X is cylindrical,
and the piece Y has a hole or socket made therein to correspond; in this
socket the upper part is occasionally made to turn. A gun or cannon on a.
carriage on this principle, whose bottom parts are sufficiently large and strong,
will in many instances be found useful; but for this purpose, instead of three legs
and castors, which will be enough for desks, here there should be 4 or more.
Fig. 22 represents my drawing board, to form which I take a piece of
mahogany, or other board of the size I wish, and make perfectly smooth, and
divide into as many parts as I consider necessary, as at Fig. 22; I then
glue on a piece of the same kind of wood to the corner, as at Z, rebetted all
round about at of an inch deep and wide; I then prepare two pieces more,
as 1, 2, and join them at the corners by a mortice and tennants, and rebett
them on the under edge to fit on the edges of the first piece Z; I then rebett
the two outside edges on top, and so on for all the other divisions; I then
rebett across all the ends in the same manner, and then prepare a frame for
the outside as 3, which I rebett in the bottom inside edge, so that it may be
dropped or placed down on all the squares, and confine them in their places by
having pieces of brass, &c., fixed on to the edges thereof, as at 4, Fig. 23, and
similar pieces to the bottom board, as 5, and a piece to fit in between the bolts,
with a small ring fastned to it, as at 6. A drawing board may be made on
this principle, where there may be 3 or 4 sides to each division instead of two,
but it adds to the labour without answering any better purpose.
•
Fig. 24. represents my drawing square, which I make of brass or other

page_text: metal, box or other wood, each end and side of equal thickness, at one corner
of which I place or fix a quarter of a circle, as 7, about half the thickness of
the square, divided into degrees from 1 to 90, and then backward to 180. I
then join a thin piece of brass or wood, &c. by a rivet or a screw at 8, by
which I form my bevel lines when drawing, and confine the same to any
degree by a screw with a milled round flat head, about the thickness of the
quarter of the circle, and when it is not wanted I confine it by a kind of
sliding hook 9 to the corner at 10 in a small mortice made therein for that
purpose. At 11 I make a small hole for a thread or line of silk, &c., and at
the same distance from the edge at bottom, on the quarter of the circle, I'
make a mark or draw a line, a plumb bob being then suspended by a string
fixed into the hole at 11. This square then becomes a level plumb rule,
&c., &c.
to the upper
the iron that
Fig. 25 represents my office seat, which I rise up and down as wanted, by
having the column or bottom part made hollow. I then take a piece of iron
or other strong substance, and fix a strong piece of wood, &c.
end thereof, as at 12, Fig. 25. I have holes made in the side of
slides up and down, for the point of the screw 13 to fasten in.
this seat may be made flat like a stool, or have bars, &c. like a chair.
article will be found very convenient in an office, &c., not only as a seat, but
to fix the candle, ink, &c. on when writing or drawing at the desk.
The top of
This
Fig. 26 represents my office candlestick, the bottom part 14 made of brass,
tin, or other metal or substance, and filled with lead, &c. 15 is a semicircle
fastned to the same. 16 is a rod of iron, brass, &c., fastned also to the bottom
by a pin or rivet made so as to traverse over the semicircle 15. At should
be fixed a nut and screw to keep 16 perpendicular when fixed on a desk or
anything that is or is not level. 17 is a tube in which I fix a spring, or a
nut and screw, to keep the tube at any height required. To this tube I
attach a piece of tin, or other proper substance, at the end of which I place
another. To connect them together I bend a piece of wire, as Fig. 27, and
then turn each piece of tin over it, so as to cause it to turn in and out as
wanted. To the end of this I join another, and so on till I have as many
joints as is required. To the end of the last, 19, I fix the articles necessary to
hold the candle, and prevent the candle grease from falling improperly.
Fig. 28 represents a section of a bridge on my principle, where the sides,
instead of being boards, as used for other erections, are pieces of square baulk,
connected as before described; the middle is the same; the top and bottom is
thick plank. For a bridge, where great strength is required, pieces of baulk
may be connected to each other, as represented at Fig. 29.

page_text: ⚫ AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on: the Twenty-sixth day of January,:
in the year of our Lord 1808, the aforesaid John Phillips came before our.
said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowleged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stampt according to
the tenor of the Statute måde for that purpose.
Inrolled the Twenty-eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eight.