US1358999A - Fireproof floor and ceiling construction - Google Patents

Description

D. F. STOCKBRIDGE. FIREPROOF FLOOR AND CEILING CONSTRUCTION.

-APPL|CATION FILED JUNE 12. I918- Patenteti Nov. 16, 192(L 2 SHEETSSHEET l- (Mr/aw, & v m:

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D. F. STOCKBRIDGE.

FIREPROOF FLOOR AND CEILING CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2. IQIB- 1,358,999. Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID F. STOCKBRIDGE, OF OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA.

" FIREPROOF FLOOR AND CEILING CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

Application filed June 12, 1918. Serial No. 239,638.

This invention relatesto a fire-proof floor andceiling construction, and particularly to a composition block of improved design for use insuch construction.

The design of cement floorsin fire-proof buildings varies greatly under different conditions of load anduse, but, ina great number of cases where the loads are .relatively light, the preferred construction comprises a relatively thin cement floor supported at regular intervals by reinforced cement beams or girders formed integral with the floor. These beams are spaced apart in accordance with the conditions in each particular case, the space between the beams being ordinarily between four and ten feet. For factory and warehouse purposes such a floor, with spaced supporting beams integral therewith, is complete when molded and requires no-finishing or further attention. In buildings for other purposes, such as store and officebuildings, a smooth ceiling beneath the floor is essential.

Such a ceiling may be secured in either one of two ways. First, an expanded metal or other plaster-supporting structure may be extended from beam to beam, and may of, such construction and to increase the strength and reliability of the resulting structure. 7 v 7 -With this general object in view, an important feature of my invention consists in the provision of a series of composition blocks having intersupporting elements, whereby the stronger portion of each block is effective to support the weaker portion of the next adjacent block, thus providing a complete structure of uniform and sufiicient strength.

In the preferred form of my invention each block is made with one open side, the

other side being closed and having a projection thereon adapted to engage the next adjacent block on its open side, and to partially support said block.

Other features of my invention relate to arrangements and combinations of parts fire-proof floor and ceiling taken trans versely of the beams and lengthwise of my improved block;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view taken substantially from the plane of the line 22in Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view lookin in the direction of the arrow 3 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view'taken from the plane of the line 1-4 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 5 is a side view of my improved block;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan view thereof;

.Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the whole block looking in the direction of the arrow 7 in Fig. 6, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a slightly modified floor structure.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have shown a section of a fire-proof floorand ceiling comprising, av cement floor 10 supported by spaced integral cementrbeams 11 and 12 reinforced, by metal rods 13. Between the beamsI have indicated in section my improved hollow blocks 14. The preferred construction of these blocks is shown in Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive, each block comprising a top 15, a bottom 16, ends 17 and 18. and a closed side 19 upon which is formed a rib or projection 20. The top of the block is shown herein as having an arched section, and the rib 20 corresponds in shape to the section of the .top 15, having itsupper edge substantially in line with the lower face of the top 15. The ends of the rib 20 are also substantially in line with .the inner faces of the ends 17 and 18 of the block 14. These ends'17 and 18 are preferably grooved or roughened so th-attheblocke maybe securely supported by their engagement with the cement beams at each end, and the lower edge or corner of each end of the blockis preferably provided with a dove-tailed recess 21 for a purpose to be described These blocks may be made of cement or h -.eny other su ab e m ia or QmP tion and may, if desired, be reinforced as indicated in Figs. ;and 6 by embedding metallic mesh fabric 22 in the top and by placing reinforcing wires or rods 23 and 2 1 in the closed side 19. Similar rods24 may,

i if desired, be extended across the bottom 16.

- H-aying described the details of construct o o impro ed compo i on b ock, t -.use and advantages thereof will be apof the top 15 of each blockrests upon the rib or projection 20 upon the reinforced clos d ,Side of the next adjacent block. The top of each block is thus firmly supported al ng on edge by it own clo e s e, a along the opposite edge by the closed side of the next adjacent block, the successive blo k b ing tim r pp ed The ends of the ribs 20 are cutaway just enough so that the rib will fit within the end'walls of the next adjacent block and the 'rib therefore serves also to prevent relative lateral displacement of the blocks. The recesses inv the lower .end corners ofthe blocks ar'eadapted to receive and position the planks or forms I upon which the h emen o make the b ms nd floor.

After the cement has set, the forms F are removed andthe under side of the blocks and beams may be plastered, as indicated at 30 in Fig; l, the plaster along the under side I d J being securely retained by the dovetailed recesses.

. In Fig. 8 I-have indicated a slight mod11- -fi'cat io n in which there'cesscs 21 are omitted and the under faces of the blocks rest directly upon the forms F. With this construction the under sides of the beams and blocks form a continuous smooth surface which may be left unfinished, or which may be plastered as indicated at 31. I The block at one end of each series of blocks will necessarily have its open side outermost, and this open side'should be closed in some convenient manner beforet e bl ak s Pla d i p t n Such 0.10-

VVhile I have show y impmved blocks as embodied in constructions in which they .are covered by. a cement floor layer, they may also be used in constructions in which the floor layer isomitted, as an cases where the space above the ceiling 1S merely {an unfinished .loft. 'The blocks themselves are of the same time I have greatly reduced the weight .by providing each block with an Open side extending the whole length thereof. Furthermore, by utilizing the intersupporting feature I have been enabled to reduce the weight without in any way impairing the strength or reliability of the block.

Having described my invention it will be evident that other changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the claims, and I do not wish to be otherwise limited to the details herein disclosed, but what I claim is 1. A hollow composition block for use in fire-proof floor and ceiling construction formed as a single piece of material with top, bottom, two ends, and one side integral and substantially closed, and with the re maining sideopen, said closed side having a portion effective .to engage and support the top of the next adjacent block along the open side of said block. said blocks being of substantially greater width than height, and being of relatively short length and all of the walls thereof being relatively thin and of substantially uniform thickness throughout the structure of thebloc'k.

2. A. hollow composition block for use in fire proof floor and ceiling construction formed as a single piece of material with top, bottom. two'ends, and one side integral and substantially closed. and with the remaining side open, said block having an outwardly projecting rib on its closed side .spaced fromthe top and effective to extend beneath and support the top of a similar adjacent block along the open side of said block. the ends of said rib being also spaced from the end of the block and being effective to prevent relative lateral displacement of adjacent blocks.

3. A hollow composition block for use in fire :proof floors and ceiling construction formed as a single niece of material with top, bottom, two ends, and one side integral and substantially closed, and With the remaining side open, said closed side having a portion effective to support the top of the next adjacent block along the open side of said block and the top of said block being of substantially uniform thickness throughout and being substantially in the shape of a flattened longitudinal arch, whereby its strength is increased.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

DAVID F. STOCKBRIDGE.

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