US776409A - Building-block. - Google Patents

Description

No. 776,409. PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904. A. O. MATHER & M. F. BOWEN.

- BUILDING BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED mm 2a, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

ime TATES Patented November 29, 1904.

arnnr niacin.

ALONZO (J. MATHER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AND MILLARD F. BOWEN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

BUILDING-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,409, dated November 29, 1904.

Application filed June 23, 1903.

.To 0Z7, whom, it flea/y concern:

Be it known that we, ALoNZo C. MATHER, residing at Chicagoyin the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and MILLARD F. BOWEN, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, citizens of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Building-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to building-blocks.

The object of the invention is in a ready, simple, thoroughly-efficient, and practical manner to effect ventilation of the walls of a building and to dispense with the employment of ordinary laths, to which the plaster or facing of the Walls is secured.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists, generally stated, in a building-block provided on one side with channels or ducts and a backing secured over the channels and constituting a plaster-attaching means.

The invention consists, further, in the novel form of building-block and method ofmaking the same, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, there are illustrated two forms of the embodimentof the invention, each capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective exhibiting a finished building-block embodying the features of the present in vention, the view being taken from the front thereof. Fig. 2 is a similar view taken from the rear side of the block. Fig. 3 is a similar view of a modified form of block.

The block is to be made of any suitable material, such as Portland cement or other substances adapted mechanically to be Worked to the desired shape and to be formed in any Serial No. 162,791. (No model.)

kind of mold, machine, or press adapted for the purpose. Various contours may be imparted to the blocks other than those herein shown, and as this will be well understood. further illustration is deemed unnecessary.

The block 1, which is exhibited as being ap proximately rectangular in shape, is provided in this instance with two channels 2 on its inner side, which when the block is in position will be vertically disposed and will constitute air-ducts to effect proper ventilation and will also operate to preclude heat, cold, and dampness. It will be understood that with a wall constructed with the blocks of this invention they will be so disposed as that when the blocks are superposed there will be continuous channels throughout the entire height of the Wall. As shown in Fig. 1, the outer face ofthe block is ornamented, (the terms outer and inner being employed to indicate the front or finished face of the block and the rear or plaster-receiving portion of the block, respectively,) such ornamentation being produced while the block is in the mold, press, or machine; but it will be obvious that this feature may be omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. While the block is still in semiplastic condition, and thus capable of receiving impressions or indentations, it is removed from the machine and a suitable backing 3 is applied, which may be ordinary metallic lath or reticulated or foraminous material, as may be preferred. This backing may a be assembled with the block, either by being sunk thereinto by suitable machinery, so that the meshes or walls of the openings therein will be included within the body of the block, or, if preferred, it may be secured in position by the employment either of staples 4 or nails 5 driven into the block. In either eventwhen the block is set the backing will be a part thereof and will serve as a positive means of holding the plaster of the room-walls in position.

Instead of attaching the backing to the block in the manner described the partitions or flanges 6 of the block may be provided with openings 7, formed in the block while still plastie, and after the block is set the backing may be attached thereto by driving nails or staples into the openings thus formed.

Vhile but two channels have been shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated and these disposed in parallelism, it is to be understood that other channels extending at right angles to the first-named channels may be employed Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

By the employment of the backing or lath to the block the use of ordinary wooden lath or metallic lathing, such as is commonly employed, is dispensed with, thereby materially reducing the cost of building a wall by this form of block.

While described as particularly adapted for constructing the walls of a building, it will be obvious that blocks constructed in this manner may be used for laying flooring without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new is 1. A building-block provided on'one face with channels, a flat open-work backing therefor extending entirely over said face and over the mouths of the channels, and fastening means for securing the backing to the block.

2. A building-block provided with channels on its inner face, and an open-work backing therefor secured thereto, said backing arranged exteriorly of the block and extending over said face in a single plane and over the mouths of the channels.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a building-block provided with channels and a backing for the block, arranged exteriorly thereof in a single plane and extending entirely over the mouths of the channels.

4. A building-block provided on one'side with channels or ducts, and a backing for the block arranged exteriorly thereof in a single plane and secured thereto and extending over the channels constituting a plaster-attaching means.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of the subscribing witnesses.

ALONZO G. MATHER. MILLARD F. BOWEN. Witnesses to signature of Alonzo C. Mather:

JOHN A. CLARK, DANIEL OKEEEE. WVitnesses to signature of Millard F. Bowen;

DANIEL W. ALLEN, J Ess'IE EMERY VooRHIs.

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