IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTIVE AND INSULATING CASINGS OR COVERINGS FOR UNDERGROUND TELEGRAPHIC, TELEPHONIC, OR OTHER WIRES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lako,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTIVE AND INSULATING CASINGS OR COVERINGS FOR
UNDERGROUND TELEGRAPHIC, TELEPHONIC, OR OTHER WIRES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Restore B. Lamb, of Camden, New Jersey, United
States of America,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th June 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTIVE AND
INSULATING CASINGS OR COVERINGS FOR UNDERGROUND TELEGRAPHIC,
TELEPHONIC, OR OTHER WIRES." [A communication from abroad by Restoro B.
Lamb, of Camden, New Jersey, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to an improved protective casing or covering for telegraph,
telephone, or other wires underground. It is formed of a succession of blocks of
terra cotta or other material, cach having one or more longitudinally extending
passages or channels, the walls whereof are lined with india-rubber or india-rubber
tubing, whereby the wires are reliably conducted from place to place properly
separated and effectively insulated or protected from the action of the earth, frost,
water, or the like. The wires may be conveniently introduced into and removed
from the said casing when required.
In practice the sections or blocks are laid in a suitable trench in the ground, and
united one to another or placed close to each other, the lining being drawn or
pushed through the sections as the line is being built up and the wires properly
introduced through the tubular lining, the lengths of said wires and lining
respectively being connected or united as the line is continued or extended.
Suitable branches and testing stations are provided.
The passages or channels formed in the blocks are employed for wires of different
lines or directions, and a sufficient number of these channels is provided as reserves
to meet the demands of the extension of the line and other requirements.

page_text: The india-rubber lining, owing to its tubular form, is sustained at all points
within the passage or channel receiving it, and in a measure clings to said passage
and will not collapse or break down on the wires. It is furthermore protected
from contact with and action of the earth by the material of the surrounding block,
and owing to the nature of the lining water and moisture are prevented from
reaching the wires, the latter being thus shielded and preserved. Furthermore, if
insulating fluid is required for the wires the lining forms an admirable conduit as
it is continuous and of a non-absorbent nature, and as the lining is tubular it
retains its shape and location in the passages or channels. The wires may be
readily drawn through the tubular lining and removed therefrom when required.
The lining also may be removed when necessary and replaced if found defective;
and should a line be abandoned the lining may be withdrawn intact and the blocks
afterwards dug out if required for further service.
While the lining may be formed of other material, the equivalent of india-rubber,
the latter is desirable, as by its elasticity it may be made to snugly and tightly fit
the passages or channels without injury, and prior to application to the blocks
may be coiled or bundled and transported without affecting its tubular form.

page_text: Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same on line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sido elevation thereof drawn to a reduced scale shewing a testing
station.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in each of the Figures.
A represents a section or portion of the casing, conduit, or covering which is
formed of a piece or block of terra cotta or other suitable material. B represents
a series of longitudinally extending passages or channels which are formed in the
said block and are lined with soft india rubber or india-rubber tubing C.
In practice the sections or blocks A are laid in a suitable trench in the ground
and united one to another or placed close to each other, the lining being drawn or
pushed through the sections as the line is being built up, and the wires properly
introduced through the tubular lining, the lengths of the said wires and lining being
connected or united as the line is continued or extended. Suitable offsets or
branches and testing stations are provided, one form of the latter being shewn in
Figure 3.
The passages or channels B formed in the blocks A are employed for wires of
different lines or directions, and a sufficient number of these channels is provided
to serve as a reserve to meet the demands of the extension of the line and other
requirements.
The india-rubber lining, owing to its tubular form, is sustained at all points within
the passage or channel in which it is placed, and in a measure clings to the said
passage and will not collapse or break down on the wires. It is furthermore
protected from contact with and the action of the earth by the material of the
surrounding block, and owing to the nature of the lining water and moisture are
prevented from reaching the wires, the latter being thus shielded and preserved.
Furthermore, if insulating fluid is required for the wires, the lining forms an
advantageous conduit, as it is continuous and of a non-absorbent nature, and as the
lining is tubular it retains its shape and location in the passages or channels as
above stated. The wires may be readily drawn through the tubular lining and
removed therefrom when required. The lining also may be removed when necessary
and replaced if found defective; and should a line be abandoned the lining may be
withdrawn intact and the blocks afterwards dug out if required for further
service.

page_text: While the lining may be formed of other material, the equivalent of india-rubber,
the latter is desirable, as by its elasticity it may be made to snugly and tightly fit
the passages or channels B without injury, and prior to its application to the
blocks, may be coiled or bundled and transported without effecting its tubular
form.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
A casing or covering for underground telegraphic, telephonic, or other wires,
consisting of blocks of terra cotta or other suitable material, having one or more
passages or channels lined with india rubber or equivalent material, substantially
as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
: In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Twenty ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.