US1549078A

US1549078A - Segmental tile structure

Info

Publication number: US1549078A
Application number: US613170A
Authority: US
Inventors: William C Ferguson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1923-01-17
Filing date: 1923-01-17
Publication date: 1925-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 1942-08-11

Description

Aug. 11, 1925.

w. c. FERGUSON SEGMENTAL TILE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. -17, 1923 I/Vl/EA/fOR 14 6 Far 050/7. .EYW

flTfOE/VEY5 Aug. 11, 1925.

W. Cl FERGUSON SEGMENTAL T ILEi STRUCTURE '2 Sheets-$hoet 2 Filed Jan, 17. 1923 NE Y5 INVENTOB v W C F3590 B W Patented Aug. 11, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM C. FERGUSON, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SEGMENTAL TILE STRUCTURE.

Application filed January To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. FER- oUsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Segmental Tile Structures, of which the following .is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to sewers, conduits.

" made to the place where they are used.

Another object is to provide a tubular structure of the type referred to that is considerably stronger than the conventional sewer constructed of segmental tile.

To this end I have devised a sewer, conduit or other tubular structure constructed of segmental blocks or tile and load-carrying members or reinforcing members combined in such a way that said members either carry or assist in carrying the load imposed on the upper portion of the structure by the earth under which the structure is buried, or reinforce the structure in such a way that the side portions of same are not liable to collapse or bulge outwardly when the upper portion of the structure is subjected to excessive loads. Said loadcarrying members or reinforcing members may be of various forms, they can be constructed in various ways and they can be arranged in the structure or incorporated in the structure in various ways. Usually, the load-carrying members will consist of arched beams or saddles arranged in the upper portion of the structure, but they may consist of ring-shaped members that surround the structure or segmental-shaped members arranged at the opposite sides of the structure so as to impart sufficient strength to the slde 17, 1923. Serial No. 613,170.

portions of the structure to prevent said side portions from bulging outwardly and thus permitting the top portion of the structure to collapse when said top portion is subjected to an excessive load. In practice I prefer to construct the load-carrying members or reinforcing menibers from reinforced concrete and mold or cast them before they are incorporated in the structure, thereby enabling them to be cast as independent units at the place where the structure is being built, and thereafter arranged in operative position in the structure during the operation of laying up the segmental blocks or tile that are used to form the circular wall of the structure, but I do not wish it to be understood that my invention is limited to the use of pre-cast load-carrying members, as my broad idea contemplates the use of load-carrying members of any preferred shape or design constructed of any suitable material and combined in any preferred way with the remainder of the structure. As the functionof said members is to reinforce and strengthen the structure and carry or assist in carrying the load imposed on the upper portion of the structure, it is essential that means be provided for intel-locking or combining said members with the tile in the structure in such a way that the load imposed on said tile will be transmitted to and borne by said members, the means that I prefer to use for this purpose consisting either of projections on said members that are arranged in recesses or openings in the tile with which they are combined, or projections on the tile that are arranged in recesses or openings in said members. If .desired, the load-carrying members or reinforcing members may be provided with projections and also with recesses that are interlocked with co-operating portions on the tile.

My invention is applicable to a sewer or tubular structure composed of an inner and an outer series of segmental tile arranged in interlocking relation, or a sewer or tubular structure composed of a single series of segmental tile arranged to form a circular wall. In structures of the kind that comprise an inner and an outer series of segmental tile it is preferable to arrange the load-carrying members or reinforcing members in such a way that they are positioned on the outside of the tubular shell formed by the series of inner tile and interposed the outer tile between said members in such a way as to form an outer shell composed of a number of segmental or ring-shaped tile sections that are positioned between supporting or reinforcing members which span a portion or portions of the structure or surround the structure, the tile that contact with said members being connected with same in such a way that the inner shell of the structure, as well as the segmental tile sections, are securely interlocked with said members.

Figure l of the drawings is a perspective View of a portion of a sewer, conduit or other tubular structure constructed in accordance with my present invention, in which the load-carrying members consist of arched beams or saddles in the upper por tion of the structure.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view, taken longitudinally of one of the beams or saddles in the upper portion of the structure. 7

Figure 3. is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. I

Figure at is a detail sectional view, taken on the line d-4; of Figure 3, illustrating how the inner tile are interlocked with the outer tile.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, illustrating my invention applied to a tubular structure of the type that comprises a single series of segmental blocks or tile.

Figure 6'isa perspective view of, a portion of a tubular structure embodying my invention and provided with ring-shaped members that surrounds the structure; and

Figure 7, is a perspective view, illustrating a tubular structure embodying my invention and having-segmental reinforcing members arranged in the side portions of the structure.

Referring 'to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings which illustrate one form of my invention, A designates a series of segmental blocks or tile arranged to form a circular shell that constitutes the inner lining of a sewer, conduit or other structure, B designates a series of segmental blocks or tile arranged to form a circular shell that constitutes the outer portion of said structure, and C designates a plurality of arched beams or saddles that are combined with the tile in the upper portion of the structure in such a way that they carry or assist in carrying the load imposed on the upper portion of the structure by the earth under which the structure is buried. The tile A and B herein shown are of theftype known commercially as Ferguson segmental tile and'are interlocked: with each other by longitudinallydisposed ribs 1' on the inner tile A that are positioned in longitudinally-disposed grooves 2 in the outer tile B and retained in position by cement, mortar or other suitable plastic material that fills the joints or spaces between said inner and outer tile and the co-operating interlocking portions of same, the inner tile A being preferably arranged in break-joint relation with the outer tile B and so disposed that the center groove 2 in each of the outer tile will embrace two ribs 1 on two adjacent inner tile A.

The beams or saddles C preferably consist of segmental-shaped members of reinforced concrete and they are arranged in the structure in such a way that they virtually form girders that are supported by the lower portion of the structure, and which, in turn, sustain or assist in sustaining the tile in the upper portion of the structure. In other words, the structure as an entirety may be described as consisting of a lower portion constructed of segmental tile, an upper portion also constructed of segmental tile, and arched beams at the upper side of the structure supported or carried by the lower portion of the structure and combined with said upper portion in such a way that theymaterially assist in supporting the load imposed on said upper portion. The beams C herein illustrated are of such length that the ends of same terminate near the spring line of the tubular structure of which they form a part, but it is not essential that said beams extend down to the spring line. The essential thing is that they be of such length that they will serve as girders or beams at the top side of the structure which either assists in carrying the load or reinforce and strengthen that portion of the structure which is most liable to rupture, due to the load imposed on same by the earth beneath which the structure is buried.

Various means can be used for combining the tile in the upper portion of the structure with the beams G and for transmitting the loads imposed on said tile to said beams, but I prefer to provide the beams C with lateral projections 3 on the sides of same that project into recesses or openings in the outer tile B in the upper portion of the structure whose ends butt against said beams and provide said beams on their undersides with transversely-disposed grooves l that receive the ribs 1 on the inn-er tile A that extend over the undersides of said beams, said grooves l being of such cross-sectional shape that the beams can be cast or mold-ed as independent units and then lowered into operative position over the inner tile A after said inner tile have been arranged to form the top portion of the circular shell that constitutes the inner lining of the structure. It is not essential, however, that the beams be pre cast and then arranged in operative position in the structure, for if desired, the beams can be cast or molded in place. If this method of building the structure is followed, the tile constituting one transverse section of the structure are laid up in such a way as to leave spaces or channels between the outer tile, which spaces extend transversely of the structure across the upper side of same. Thereafter, concrete or the like is poured into these transverselydisposed channels or spaces so as to form beams or load-carrying members, the con crete flowing into the end portions of the outer tile at the sides of said spaces or channels so as to securely lock said tile to the load-carrying member.

In building the structure shown in Figure 1 I first lay up the inner and outer tile which constitute the lower portion of one longitudinal section of the structure, then arrange an arched form in operative position above said lower portion, then position the inner tile A that form the inner lining of the upper portion of the structure on said form, then set one of the pre-cast beams or saddles C on the lower portion of the structure in such a way that it spans the segmental shell at the upper side of the structure formed by the said inner tile A, then position one or more transverse rows of outer tile B on said inner tile and move said outer tile longitudinally of the structure so as to cause the ends of the outer tile B in proximity to said saddle C to butt against said saddle and be interlocked with same by the lateral projections 3 on the side of the saddle that project into the openings provided forsame in said outer t1le, then set another saddle or beam C in operative position and lay up the next transverse section of the outer shell in a similar way, it being of course understood that cement or some other suitable self-hardening plastic material is arranged between the inner and outer tile and also between the beams C and the tile that bear against same so as to securely bind together the various tile and beams in the upper portion of the structure. After one transverse section of the structure has been completed the form is removed so that it can be used in the operation of laying up the inner and outer tile that constitute the upper portion of the next transverse section of the structure. While I have illustrated the beams or saddles C as being of such length that they extend down to the spring line of the structure, I wish it to be understood that the term lower portion of the structure is not limited to the lower half of the structure, and that the term upper portion of the structure is not limited to the upper half of the structure, for if desired, the lower portion of the structure on which the beams or saddles C are set can be carried up past the spring line or the top portion can be carried down past the spring line. Nor should it be understood that my invention is limited to a structure in which the beams C are combined with the tile in the upper portion of the structure in the particular manner herein illustrated, as it is immaterial what means is used for transmitting the loads to the beams from the segmental sections in the upper portion of the strucure that are interposed between said beams.

In Figure 5 I have illustrated my invention applied to a sewer or tubular structure of the kind that is composed of a single series of segmental blocks or tile A arranged to form a circular wall, the tile in the upper portion of the structure being combined with transversely-disposed, precast beams or saddles C in any suitable way and preferably provided with portions 1 that extend over and cover the underside of said beams.

As previously stated, the load-carrying members or reinforcing members may be of ring shape and arranged in the structure in such a way that they extend around the structure. Figure 6 illustrates such a structure, the reference character C designating ring-shaped members constructed of reinforced concrete or any other suitable material and combined with segmental tile A and B in such a way as to form a tubular structure having an inner shell formed by the tile A ring-shaped members 0 that surround said shell, and an outer shell formed by tile B that are interlocked with the inner tile and also with the members C In Figure 6 the members C are arranged close enough together to permit one circular ring of outer tile B to be interposed between and interlocked with each pair of members C thereby producing a structure that is strong enough to be used as a conduit for a flowing liquid that is under pressure, but it is, of course, obvious that the members G can be arranged farther apart and the outer tile B arranged in break-joint relation, as in the structure shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 7 I have illustrated still another form of my invention consisting of a tubular structure composed either of inner and outer segmental tile or a single series of segmental tile A and having segmental reinforcing members C constructed of reinforced concrete or any other suitable material arranged in the side portions of the structure'and interlocked with the tile in the manner previously described, or in any other suitable way. By reinforcing the side portions of the structure in this manner said side portions are prevented from bulging outwardly, and thus permitting the top portion to collapse when said top portion is subjected to an excessive load. The members C may be of various lengths and they can. be combined with the tile in various ways.

A tile sewer or tubular structure of the character above described is considerably stronger than, the conventional sewer constructed of segmental tile on account of the fact that the load imposed on the upper portion of the structure is sustained partly by load-carrying members or reinforcing members builtint-o the structure in such a way that they form an integral part of the struc ture. My invention not only produces a tile structure that is stronger than the conventional sewer constructed of segmental tile, but it makes it possible to use lighter tile, in the construction of sewers, because the tile in the structure do not carry the entire load, as in the case of the conventional sewer constructed of segmental tile. Accordingly, a considerable saving is effected in the cost of constructing tile sewers, as light tile can be manufactured at a lower cost than heavy tile and can be transported at a lower cost from. the factorywhere the tile are made to the place where they are to be used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new. and desire to secure by Letters Patent; is:

l. A sewer, conduit or other tubular structure constructed of segment blocks or tile andprovided with beams or saddles arranged in the upper portion of the structure in such a way that they assist in carrying the load. imposed. on said upper portion.

2. A, tubular structure of the character referred to composed of segment blocks or tile and provided. in. its upper portion with beamsor saddles arranged transversely of the structure in spaced relation and combined with the tile in said. upper, portion in such a way that they assist in sustaining the load imposed; on'said upper portion.

3. A: sewer or tubular structure constructed; of segment blocks or tile arranged to form a circular-wall, and. beams or sade dles carried by the lower. portion; of the structure and. co-mbinedwith the upper por tion of the structure in such away that they assist. in carrying the; loadimposed on said upper: portion.

4:. A sewer or similar, structure provided with a circular wall composed of segment blocks or tile, and transversely-disposed loadrcarrying beams or girders at the upper side of the structure for reinforcing and strengthening same.

5. A sewer or similar structure provided with a circular wall composed of segment blocks or tile, and prie-cast, reinforced beams or girdersarranged transversely of the structure at the upper side of same for carrying part of the load imposed on the upper portion of the structure.

(SLA. sewer or similar structure provided with a circular wall composed of segment blocks or tile,- and beams formed by pre-cast, reinforced members arranged transversely in the upper side of the structure for carrying part of a load imposed on the upper portion of the structure.

7. A. sewer or other tubular structure constructed of se ment blocks or tile and provided at its upper side with trzmsverselydisposed supporting beams or saddles which are interlocked with the segmental section at the top side of the structure.

8. A sewer or other tubular structure constructed of segmental blocks or tile, and supporting beams or saddles arranged transversely at the upper side of the structure and provided with means for interlocking them with some of the tile in the upper portion of the structure.

9. In a sewer or other tubular structure constructed of segmental blocks or tile, transversely-disposed supporting beams or saddles arranged in the upper part of the structure and interposed between some of the tile in the upper portion of the structure.

10. In a sewer or other tubular structure composed of segmental blocks or tile, supporting beams or saddles in the top part of the structure interposed between some of the tile in the u wer aortion of the structure and 7 interlocked with same.

11. A sewer or similar structure, comprising a lower portion, transversely-disposed, arch-shaped beams carried by said lower portion and spanning the same, and an upper portion constructed of segmental blocks or tile arranged between said beams and combined with same in such a manner as to cause said beams to carry part of the load imposed on the upper portion of the structure.

12. A sewer or similar structure, compris ing a lower portion, arch-shaped beams or saddles supported by said lower portion and arranged transi 'ersely of same, and an upper portion composed of segmental sections constructed of tile or the like that are arranged between said beams and interlocked with same.

13. A sewer or similar structure, comprising a lower portion, transversely-disposed supporting beams orv arches carried by said lower portion, and an upper portion constructed of segmental blocks or tile sustained by or suspended from said means.

let. A sewer or similar structure composed of an inner and outer series of blocks or tile interlocked with each other, and transversely-disposed beams or arches at the upper side of the structure arranged between segmental sections formed by the outer tile and covered on their inner sides by said innertile.

15. A sewer or similar structure, comprising an inner and an outer shell constructed of a series of inner and outer tile arranged in interlocking relation, and arch-shaped supporting beams or saddles at the upper side of the structure interposed between segmental sections of the outer shell and interlocked with same.

16. A sewer or similar structure comprising an inner and outer shell formed by a series of inner tile and a series of outer tile provided with co-operating interlocking portions, transversely-disposed, reinforced concrete beams at the upper side of the structure arranged between segmental sections of the outer shell, means for interlocking said beams with said segmental sections and means for interlocking said beams with the inner shell at the top side of the structure.

17. A sewer, conduit or other tubular structure constructed of segmental blocks or tile and members that are combined with said tile in such a way that they reinforce and strengthen those portions of the structure which are most liable to rupture.

18. A tubular structure of the character referred to composed of an inner and outer series of segmental blocks or tile interlocked with each other, and load-carrying or reinforcing members built into the structure in such a way that they are positioned outside of the inner tile and are arranged intermediate segmental sections formed by the outer tile.

WILLIAM G. FERGUSON.