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505,044 · Haustein · "Illuminating-Tile Construction" · Page 2 Home  > Prism Glass  > Patent Index  > Page 2

505,044: 2 of 7

Around each of these openings and cast integral with the plate is an upwardly-projecting flange C, the upper part of which is inwardly rabbeted at c and therefore affords a suitable seat and inclosing border or annular shoulder for the various forms of lenses D with which it may be desired to fill or cover the light-openings, the inner upper edge of each flange acting as a support for the lenses and the outer upper edge thereof as a surrounding rim, so that the lenses may be firmly seated and not be shifted from side to side, whatever may be their shape. As just stated, the lenses D may be of any desired form, as my improved construction admits of free choice in this respect. Still I prefer using the form of lens illustrated at Fig. 6, as being one that will give more general satisfaction. This lens, as will be seen by reference to said figure, has recesses d in its lower part that afford a firm hold for corresponding lugs c' which I provide within the flanges C. Such lenses being once seated, they cannot be shifted sidewise nor can they even be turned round, the result being a better finished tile and greater ease in handling it.     E represents the concrete or cement filling which I use to fill the interstices between the flanges that surround the lenses on the plate and to cover the tile-work. To secure a closer adhesion of this filling to the structure I provide the tile-plates with screws F, which may be fastened thereto in any suitable manner but are preferably cast therewith. These screws become embedded in the cement or concrete when it is applied and acquire such a grip thereon after it is set that it cannot be loosened by ordinary wear.     Besides the screws F, or sometimes to take the place thereof, I provide the tile-plates with ligaments or upwardly-projecting studs G, such as are shown in Figs. 9, 10, 12, and 13, between the various flanges surrounding the light-openings. By preference, these ligaments or studs are slightly curved on both sides and made to project above said flanges, coming up a little below the upper part of the lenses. They serve to retain the filling in place, and moreover strengthen the plates, the casting of which is also facilitated by them.     Adjoining tiles may be united by means of a bearer H, represented at Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 14. This bearer is of an I-beam shape and has top and bottom ribs h' h² projecting at right angles, respectively from the upper and lower parallel flanges h³ h4 that project laterally from the body of the bearer. The rib h' above the flanges extends the full length of the bearer and is made low enough to admit of its being completely covered with concrete or cement when the lenses are in place and the tiles brought together. The rib h² below the flanges may be of any suitable length so long as it does not interfere with the underlying cross-beams or walls of the buildings where the tiles are laid. These ribs greatly strengthen the bearer and the tile-work generally, so that

the tiles may be made to span larger spaces than usual. In putting the tiles together, the sides of each plate are brought in between the parallel flanges of the bearer and rigidly secured thereto by screws or bolts I. Filling material is then poured over, or otherwise applied, and the joints fully covered, as also the whole structure, nothing but the lenses and the cement or concrete being seen at the top, thereby producing an even walking surface.     In the present way of laying illuminating tiles with bearers, those parts of the bearers that rest on the end supports are made to project below the tile-plates, and the brick-work, or bearing-beam, or whatever supports them, has to be recessed to receive the same, which involves a good deal of work and expense. I avoid this in my improved construction by providing the ends of each plate with downwardly-extending offsets A' A² that are adapted to bear upon the stone coping, or the brick-work, or any other kind of support, and bring the plates in proper position for connection with the bearers by raising them so that their sides will reach up midway between the flanges h³ h4. The plates are then on a level with the middle part of the bearers, and the offsets and lower flanges h4 also in line with each other. Constructed and combined as described, the tiles may be laid on any plain straight surface without forming recesses for the ends of the bearers. The offsets are preferably cut away at a to allow the ends of the bearers to reach out closer to the outer flanges A4 at the ends of the plates.     Figs. 9 to 13 show tiles so made that they can be joined without having recourse to bearers, thereby avoiding the blank spaces resulting from the use of such devices. The meeting edges of these tiles are indented or notched, forming when united a wavy line that runs by the side of light-openings that are common to each tile. One of the plates is provided at the points of juncture with outwardly-projecting light-openings B' that are similar to the openings B but devoid of flanges, whereas the other plate is cut into at corresponding places and at such places has laterally-projecting rings or light-openings C' that are the equivalents of the flanges C, except they are of increased thickness. By bringing the two plates together the rings C' completely overlap the openings B', and as a result there is produced a central row of holes that belong to both plates and may be utilized for the insertion of lenses as in the other parts of the tiles. The tile-plates having been joined, they may be secured to each other by screws J and the joint then covered with cement or concrete, thus making the structure appear as consisting of a single tile, notwithstanding its length. This construction is very suitable for vault-lights or other similar coverings that are not subjected to heavy strain or pressure, but to render it still more solid I provide the under side of the plate which is devoid of upper flanges around