US108659A - Improvement in preserving wood - Google Patents

Description

WEBB.

A Preserving Wood No. 108.659. I

Patented Oct. 25, 1870.

a. PETERS. PhoXo-Uthngrapher, Wanh nglon. ma

EZRA WEBB, OF NEW YORKQN. Y,

Letters Patent No. 108,659, dated October 25,1870.

iMPROVEMENT IN PRESERVING WOOD.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

I, EZRA \VEBB, of the city of New York, county. of New York and State of New York, have invented a certain Process for the Preservation of \Vood, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists First, in using certain new and improved liquid combinations of chemical agents, by means of which I effect, or accomplish simultaneously, the preservation of wood from decay, and the seasoning thereof by chemical means in brief time.

Secondly, in an improved mode of introducing sucll liquids into pieces of wood or timber.

The. classes of preservative or antiseptic agents which I use are individually in use already, my improvements consisting in my modes of combining the same, so as to accomplish effects or results which have not heretofore been combined in the same process.

I combine together in the same solution, for example, the products of the distillation of coal, or gas-tar, such as carbolic acid and compounds thereof, with products of the distillation of wood or wood-tar, such as pyroligneous acid and salts of the latter, like pyrolignite' of iron. In combination with either, or at times with both of these, I use also another agent,

which effects a simultaneous seasoning of the wood, thisagent being one which has also been in use for many years, though not in my improved combina tions. This agent is the chloride of barium. As heretofore used, it has been merely for the purpose of impregnating the wood with insoluble sulphate of baryta, by applying successively this salt and a solution ofa sulphate. My own use ofit is a consequence of the observation that it has the power of preventing subsequent shrinkage in wood impregnated with it.

My improved mode of introducing these combinations, or any other liquid agents having similar preservative or seasoning effects; or both, into timber, is by forming, either by boring'or otherwise, a closed chamber or chambers, within a piece of timber, arranged longitudinally in, or nearly in the direction of the fiber, and extending from near one end to near the other end of such parts or lengths of the timber as-it is desired to preserve, and making, also, a lateral ortransverse perforation, aperture, or lead, from the lateral surface of the timber, extending. to the longitudinal closed chamber, through which lateral perforation or aperture the preservative liquid is conveniently introduced, such aperture or lead being afterward closed, preferably in such manner that the stopper may be readily removed, and additional liquid introduced. A second lateral aperture is sometimes convenient, to allow air to escape as the liquid enters.

One way in which my invention may be applied in practice, is by boring longitudinally from one end of the timber a sufiicientjdistance toward the other end, and forming the closed chamber called for by my principle, by plugging up the open end of the bore.

Some of the-advantages and conveniences of my I improved mode of introduction, which give it superiority overall other plans hitherto devised, maybe thus set forth:

My experimentshave shown that timber is much more rapidly and thoroughly impregnated by liquids when in horizontal than'in vertical or inclined positions. The greater uniformity of action, when horizontal, is obvious, for in a vertical. chamber the pressure is greater toward the lower end, and the level of the liquid also continually sinks. In my method absolute uniformity is conveniently secured by simply rolling or turning over the timber from time to time. It is also much more convenient and economical to handle, pile, and manipulate logs and timbers when horizontal than vertical.

I am also enabled morcconveniently and practicabl y to treat timbersalready fixed inplace horizontally, as in trestle work, dock and bridge timbers, railroadties, and so on. In another application will he specified an improved auger, which may be used in the carrying out of my method, and with which holes of great depth may be bored, as it clears its own chips.

Again, in cases of railroad-ties or other timbers in use, the lateral aperture may at any time be used for a second or extra treatment, even while the road is in service, without interference with its business.

Hence the use of the iron-screw plug, already specified.

It is to be remarked that I use neither hydraulic pressure 'nor heat, in my methods of preparation. Natural capillary force is the only agent I appeal to in any case. Hence the integrity of the fiber can in no case be impaired.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing.

Figure 1 represents a stick of rough timber, for

example, a railroad-tie ready for treatment. A B representing the longitudinal perforation, C, the plug,

pole, in which the chamber A B is so situated as to extend to some distance both above and below the surface of the earth, when the pole is set, with the object of protecting especially 'that portion of its length which is most exposed to the destructive action of conjoined air and moisture. In this case, I sometimes prefer to make my lead, or lateral feedaperture, inclined toward the base' of the pole, as here represented, which renders more convenient the replenishment of the preservative liquid, if desired, after the pole is erected.

Figure 4 represents the same object as fig. 3, in section, with the plug G driven in, and E screwed into its seat.

Figure 5 represents the base of a telegraph-pole, when set, with the mode of replenishing the chamber a second time, after the removal of the screw-plug E, and the insertion of a funnel, F, with a bent neck.

I do not claim, broadly, the introduction of preservative liquids into holes boredinto or through tim her, this being a very ancient device; nor do I claim any novel device or invention covered by A. B. Tripler, under his patent granted June 28,1870, No.

104,917 but What I claim as of my invention is- 1. The combinations of the products distilled from coal-tar, such as carbolic acid, with products distilled from wood-tar, such as pyroligneous acid, in the preservation of wood.

2. Chloride of barium, in combination with the products of distillation of coal-tar, or with pyroligueous acid or salts thereof, or with both.

3. The method of preserving timber by forming a longitudinal chamber extending nearly from end to end of the timber to be preserved, and furnished with lateral apertures or leads, through which any preservative liquid may be introduced, in the manner and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name be fore two subscribing witnesses.

' EZRA WEBB.

Vitnesses STEPHEN CHESTER, VAN ZANPT DAMES.

Images