A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPLIANCES FOR CARRYING OR LAYING ELECTRIC WIRES.”
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Wilson Smith, of the City and County of
Edinburgh, North Britain, for an Invention of “A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE
OF AND APPLIANCES FOR CARRYING OR LAYING ELECTRIC WIRES.”
LETTERS PATENT to James Wilson Smith, of the City and County of
Edinburgh, North Britain, for an Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE
OF AND APPLIANCES FOR CARRYING OR LAYING ELECTRIC WIRES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Wilson Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th September 1881.
JAMES WILSON SMITH, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPLIANCES FOR CARRYING OR LAYING
ELECTRIC WIRES."
This Invention relates to a new or improved mode of and appliances for carrying
or laying electric wires, such as are used for telegraph, telephone, and electric
lighting purposes, and is designed on the one hand to avoid the risk and danger to
life and property attendant on the use or working of the overhead system of con-
veying or carrying wires, and on the other hand to reduce the expense and save
the time and trouble required with the underground pipe system in leading the
wires along streets or roadways.
The Invention consists essentially in forming or constructing the curb stones or
curbs, and also the causeway blocks of streets and roadways hollow, or as covered
channels, for the purpose of carrying or laying the electric wires therein, provision
being made for wires entering or passing out where required, and for crossing the
roads or streets.
In carrying out the Invention, the curb at the side of the foot path is made
rectangular in cross section, or in any of the forms of curb-stone in common use,
and preferably of channel form with covering plates or slabs which can be fixed
down or removed for laying the wires, or for access to them at any time. These
hollow curbs may be formed of iron, steel, or other metal, or of fire clay, earthen-
ware, slag, brick, or similar hard substances or material, and of different sizes to
suit varying circumstances, the covering plates or slabs being secured by screws or
other suitable means, and by preference put on so as to break band at the joint
where lengths of the hollow curb meet. Openings are provided at intervals in the
Duin G31

page_text: bottom of the channel for drainage, and side openings are formed for the passage of
connecting wires through below the pavement to adjoining buildings, such side
openings being plugged when not in use.
Where the wires have to pass over crossings from street to street, they are
carried through causeway blocks which are for this purpose made hollow, or as
covered chambers provided with strong covering plates or slabs secured thereto.
Where tramway or other rails are laid in the streets to be crossed, the wires are
carried over through pipes laid under-ground, and having vertical branches entering
or connected to openings in the bottom or sides of the hollow curbs, drain pipes
being provided to carry off any water or moisture collecting in the curbs or wire
pipes.
For country roads and similar situations, the hollow curbs may be formed with
broad bearing flanges to give steadiness.
Electric wires laid or carried in such hollow or channelled curbs would in general
require to be covered with gutta-percha or other insulating medium, but in many
cases the wires need not be insulated, but may be carried by insulators or brackets
fixed at intervals along the inner side of the channel or hollow curb.
The hollow curb channels or boxes described may be used for carrying or laying
of electric wires on railways, platforms, wharves, and piers, as well as on roads or
streets.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Wilson Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th March 1882.
JAMES WILSON SMITH, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED MODE OF AND APPLIANCES FOR CARRYING OR LAYING
ELECTRIC WIRES."
My said Invention relates to a new or improved mode of and appliances for
carrying or laying electric wires, such as are used for telegraphs, telephones, and
electric lighting purposes; and it is designed on the one hand to avoid the risk and
danger to life and property attendant on the use or working of the overhead
system of conveying or carrying wires, and on the other hand to reduce the
expense and save the time and trouble required with the underground pipo
system in leading the wires along streets or roadways.
The Invention consists essentially in forming or constructing the curb stones or
curbs, and also the causeway blocks of streets and roadways hollow, or as covered
channels, for the purpose of carrying or laying the electric wires therein, provision
being made for wires entering or passing out where required, and crossing the roads
or streets.
In carrying out the Invention the curb at the side of the foot-path is made
rectangular in cross-section, or in any of the forms of curb-stone in common use,
and preferably of channel form, with covering plates or slabs which can be fixed
down or removed for laying the wires, or for access to them at any time. These
hollow curbs may be formed of iron, steel, or other metal, or of fire clay, earthenware;
slag, brick, or similar hard substances or material, and of different sizes to suit
varying circumstances, the covering plates or slabs being secured by screws or
other suitable means, and by preference put on so as to break band at the joints
where lengths of the hollow curb meet. Openings are provided at intervals in the
bottom of the channel for drainage, and side openings are formed for the passage of
connecting wires through below the pavement to adjoining buildings, such side
openings being plugged when not in use.
Where the wires have to pass over crossings from street to street, they are
carried through causeway blocks, which are for this purpose made hollow, or as
covered channels provided with strong carrying plates or slabs secured thereto.
Where tramway or other rails are laid in the streets to be crossed, the wires are
carried over through pipes laid underground, and having vertical branches entering
or connected to openings in the bottom or sides of the hollow curbs, drain pipes
being provided to carry off any water or moisture collecting in the curbs or wire
pipes.
For country roads and similar situations, the hollow curbs may be formed with
broad bearing flanges to give steadiness.
Electric wires laid or carried in such hollow or channelled curbs would in general
require to be covered with gutta-percha or other insulating medium, but in many
cases the wires need not be insulated, but may be carried by insulators or brackets
fixed at intervals along the inner side of the channel or hollow curb.
These hollow curb channels or boxes described may be used for carrying or
laying electric wires on railway platforms, wharves, and piers, as well as on roads
or streets.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended for that purpose a Sheet of
explanatory Drawings to be hereinafter referred to, and representing modifications

page_text: of my improved hollow curbs as applied for carrying or conveying electric wire
along streets, roadways, wharves, and the like. The same references letters are used
throughout to indicate the same or like parts in the various Figures.
Figure 1 is a plan of the top of an improved hollow curb constructed in
accordance with my Invention; Figure 2 is a plan with the cover removed showing
the inside of the hollow curb; Figure 3 is an inverted plan of the curb cover
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of the curb; Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertica
section; and Figure 6 is a side elevation; while Figures 7 and 8 are transverse
vertical sections at the lines 1---1 and 2-2, respectively in Figure 6. These
Figures show the joints where two lengths of the curb and cover are connected
A slightly different form of joint is shown in Figures 9 and 10, which are a plan
and a horizontal section respectively. Figures 11 and 12 are a corresponding side
elevation and longitudinal vertical section, while Figure 13 is a transverse vertical
section of the curb at the joint. In these views the cover of the hollow curb is
not shown.
These hollow curbs A are shown as made of cast iron of channel shape, and are
adapted for fitting at the sides of the footpath or pavement in streets or roadways,
the lower end of the hollow curbs being sunk into the ground, as in the case of
ordinary curb stones. These curbs A are made in suitable lengths, which are
connected together by butt joints, or as is preferred by socket joints a, as shown in
Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, or as shown in Figures 9 to 13, the joint being made water-
tight by the insertion of any ordinary luting. The cover A¹ which is roughened or
formed with an indented pattern on the top surface, as shown in Figure 1, is fitted
over the top edges or flanges A of the channel shaped curbs, and is formed with
webs or fillet pieces a' fitting within the sides of the curb to prevent lateral motion,
while the transverse joints formed by the lengths of cover are made to overlap, as
shown in Figures 1, 5, and 8, and to break band with the joints of the curb
lengths. To render the covers water-tight a luting of putty or other substance is
filled in the space between the fillets a¹ and the sides of the curbs, and the
longitudinal joints between the cover and curb body are by preference rendered
tight and secure against the entry of water or moisture by means of a longitudinal
strip of rubber or a luting of putty or similar substance, filled in recesses formed
either in the cover or upper edges of the curbs or in both. Figures 14, 15, 16, 17,
and 18 show cross sections of the covers as fitted on the upper edges or flanges A³
-of-the-curbs-with-the-tight-joint-formed-by-strips-of-rubber-a.-In-Figure-14-the
rubber is inserted, in dovetailed grooves in the cover, and is fitted to bear in
shallow grooves in the top edges or flanges A² of the curb. In Figure 15 the
the rubber a bears on the flat surface of the flange A³. In Figures 16, 17, and 18
V grooves are formed both in the cover A¹ and flanges A' of the curb opposite each
other to form a diamond shaped recess, into which strips of rubber or putty or
other plastic luting is inserted when the cover is fitted on the curb body. Figure 19
shows a rubber bearing a³ at the transverse joint of the cover lengths.
The cover A is fixed to the curb body by means of keys B, which are shown
applied in Figures 20 and 21, which are a plan and cross section respectively, and
in Figure 22, which is an inverted plan. The key B is held by a bolt B' fitting
into an aperture in the cover A', and rendered water-tight by the insertion of a
rubber washer b beneath the head of the bolt. Below the cover the key B is
fitted on the bolt B³ and secured by a pin b', the projecting end of the key bearing
on the inner and lower edge of the flange A2 of the curb. When the cover is fitted
on and when it is to be removed this key B is turned until the projecting end no
longer bears on the flange.
Figure 23 is a plan, and Figure 24 a transverse section of the top part A³ and
cover A¹ of
hollow causeway, through which the electric wires are carried across
the streets from curb to curb. The upper surface of thecover A¹ is shown roughened
or formed with projecting stud-like pieces to afford foot-hold for horses.
Figure 25 is a cross section of an improved hollow curb A fitted instead of the
usual solid curb at the side of the pavement C, the gutter D aud part of the cause-

page_text: way E of the street being shown. Figure 26 shows the curb A. as fitted when the
pavement is higher than the street level with a paved slope C¹ leading down to the
gutter. Figure. 27 shows the hollow curb fitted at the side of the footpath C of a
macadamised roadway E, the curb A being in this case cast or formed with
flanges A³ to secure it in the ground.
Figure 28 shows the improved curb fitted at a canal bank. The curb A is held
by rods or bars F secured to stakes or pins F¹ driven into the ground; Figure 29
shows the improved hollow curb fitted behind the copestone of a wharf or pier.
The dotted lines g show apertures cut in the cope-stone, through which the electric
wires from the curb inay be led up to lamps or on to ships lying alongside the
wharf; Figures 30 and 31 are a plan and elevation of part of the wharf showing
the aperture g cut through the centre of the cope-stone; and Figure 32 is an
elevation showing the aperture g cut in the joint between the cope-stones.
Figures 33, 34, 35, and 36 are views showing different methods of carrying the
improved hollow curbs A round inside of obstructions, such as monuments or
pillars at the side of the pavement; and Figures 37, 38, and 39 show the hollow
curbs carried outside the obstruction in cases in which there are slopes, or when the
gutter. is at a distance from the side of the pavement.
Figures 40, 41, and 42 shows a hollow curb terminating at a street corner, a
close fitting end piece A being inserted to close the curb end.
The ordinary
stone curb C is shown as a continuation of the curb way to the adjoining street,
while a pipe or sub-way A5 is shown to lead the wires across the street below the
causeway. Figures 43, 44, 45, and 46 show arrangements of curbs for a round
street corner, at which wires are led both along the curbs in the adjoining street
and across the street. For the crossing the curb is formed at the street level where
there is no gutter, and is continued across the street as a hollow causeway;
Figures 47 and 48 show the curb at a corner of the street where a stone curb C2
is continued into the adjoining street, and the hollow curb A led below the gutter D
and rising on the other side of the gutter to the hollow causeways which cross the
street.
Figures 49, 50, 51, and 52 show stopping end pieces A* made to form a close
fitting joint where the curb terminates at the end, or any part of a street or
roadway, beyond which no wires are to be led; Figures 53 and 54 are a plan and a
vertical section of the curb A shown at a square corner, the curb being continued
into the adjoining street and below the gutter to hollow causeways crossing the
street Figures 55 and 56 are similar views of a curb fitted where there is no
gutter,
The wires are carried within the hollow or tubular curbs singly or in strands
as usual, in which case they must be covered with insulating material, but by an
improvement of my Invention the wires need not be insulated, but are carried by
small brackets on insulating standards H fitted in dovetailed grooves H¹ in the
inner sides of the hollow curbs, and in cases where the curbs are, broad also as
vertical standards fixed in the bottom; Figures 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 2, 63, 64, 65,
66, 67, and 68 show the construction of these standards H and brackets h. The
small brackets h are fitted, as shown in Figures 63, 64, and 65, so that they can
be turned to hold the wires, or for inserting or withdrawing them. The wires are
indicated by the dotted lines in Figures 58, 60, and 62.
Where a wire or wires have to be carried out from the curb to a house or to
street lamps, or across the street, service pipes are fitted under the pavement or
footpath, and these pipes are connected to branch service pipes I fitted by water
tight-joints to openings or apertures I¹ in the curbs, as shown particularly in
Figures 69, 70, 71, 72, and 73.
To prevent the collection or accumulation of water or moisture which may get
access to the curbs, and which might affect the insulation of the wires, drain pipes
or apertures are formed at intervals in the hollow curbs.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise

page_text: details herein described or delineated, but what I believe to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The general arrangement and construction, substantially as herein
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings, of tubular or hollow curbs
and causeways for carrying or conveying electric wires.
Second. In hollow or tubular curbs and causeways, (1), the fitting of insulated
standards, and brackets for carrying electric wires; (2), the arrangement of service
branch pipes for leading out individual wires; (3), the fitting of water-tight covers
and joints; and (4), the providing of means of drainage, all substantially as herein
described in reference to the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Wilson Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.
Witness,
W. R. M. THOMSON,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JAMES W. SMITH.
(L.S.)