Patents of Interest to Builders.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 9, 1 May 1919, Page 510

Patents of Interest to Builders.

CONCRETE PIPE OR FLUMING JOINT— A patent, No. « 40687, has been taken out by Walter Thomas Onion, of Parawai, Thames. The invention consists in providing the joint with a covering of lead extending over the joint all round, which covering s formed by a strip of lead, the two edges of which are clamped firmly around the respective members

of the joint, and the central portion of which is made with a looseness such that the 'two joint-members may have free movement relatively to one another within the limits of the looseness provided. Consequently the watertight connection between the pipe or flaming ends is, it is stated, maintained even if the levels vary owing to the support or foundations of the pipe or fluming lime settling in parts. CONCRETE-REINFORCING METAL FRAME— A patent, No. 40040, has been taken but by Charles Stephen Mulliner, of Auckland. According to this invention, metal frames, for reinforcing concrete beams and floors, are constructed in such a manner that the principal rods of continuing frames shall be connected together f by metal bands, and the principal rods of one beam shall be connected to the principal rods of the next continuing beam at either end by lateral tie-rods and metal bands, with centres of gravity of all rods and bands in the same longitudinal and vertical planes, with

the object of enabling the stresses to he distributed equally over the frame, and also transmitted from any one frame to the next continuing frame, thus forming one continuous frame from end to end of building, with a complete trussed cantilever frame over each support, with frames for centre spans connected to same at ends. The horizontal rods are to be connected together, and the tic-rods are to be connected to the horizontal rods by metal bands encircling the rods and shaped and fixed under pressure, with the centres of gravity of all component rods and bands in the same horizontal and vertical planes.

BUILDING STONE OR BLOCK— A patent. No. 41173, lias been taken out by J. G. F. Lund, of Christiania, Norway. It consists of a hollow block-stone with trapeziform cross-sec-tion and comprising joint-faces, characterized by this, that

it is formed and dimensioned in such a way that a continuous central wall will be formed when the blocks are arranged with their short trapeze-sides facing and covering each other. Other features are contained in invention.

GLASS-SECURING IN WINDOW-SASHES, DOORS, ETC. —A patent, No. 41128, has been taken out by Harry V. Mooney, of Wellington. According to this invention, instead of using the ordinary method in which glass is finally secured by means of putty or the like, a groove is provided in the sash when the sash is being constructed, into which a soft metallic plate or strip is inserted. This metal plate is bent outward to enable the glass to be inserted against a ledge

in the sash, and the metal is then pressed inwards upon the glass for the purpose of retaining it. Preferably a filling of white-lead or other suitable substance is inserted into the groove in the frame and upon the portion of metal which is inserted into the said groove, and a similar filling is inserted ed along the edges of the glass, and upon the metal surface that is turned in upon the glass, and upon the ledge, with a view to making the windows weather-proof. WATER-HEATER— A patent, No. 41149, has been taken out by William John Ilyas, of Musselburgh, Dunedin. According to this invention a number of coils of metal tubing are connected up and encased in a cylinder, and preferably have a

baffling-hood over them. These are placed immediately above the range or tire flues in a convenient part of the usual chimney and water so heated is led down to the usual hot-water cylinder, or otherwise as preferred. ARTIFICIAL STONE— patent,- No. 39968, has been taken out by James H. C. Hunter, of Auckland. Portland cement, • hydrated lime, and pulverized alum arc put separately through a fine flour-sieve, and then mixed together. After being mixed the ingredients are again sieved. The mixture is then added to the following ingredients: 'Boiling water, hard soap, cold water. The soap is allowed to dissolve in the boiling water before the cold water is added. When cool the water and soap arc added 'to the above mixture of Portland cement, hydrated lime, and pulverized alum until a thin paste is formed. Any desired colouringmatter may be added.