US1613063A - Surface for highways, floors, and the like - Google Patents

Description

Jan.'..4 1927. 1,613,063

J. J. STARK SURFACE FOR HIGHWAYS, FLOORS, AND THE LIKE Filed June 15. 1923 Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOHN JACOB STARK, OF. DES MOINES, IOWA.

SURFACE FOR HIGHWAYS, FLOORS, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed June 15, 1823.

The object of this invention is to provide an improvement in floors, pavements and the like, having to do particularly with structures of the kind under consideration in which a substantially rigid base is provided with what is called in the art a soft top of the kind employing asphalt, tar or bituminous materials, in which structure there is provided in the soft top, reinforcing material, such as expanded metal woven wire or other material of a foramino-us character, in which the parts of the material are spaced at different heights from the base in order that in the completed structure the soft top may be held against rolling, buckling, cracking or other distortion from its normal and proper shape.

A further object is to provide a process for making such a floor or pavement.

My invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the parts hereinafter set forth and in the process employing such con struction and arrangement and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective, sectional view of a part of a bridge, having the floor of the type embodying my invention; and

Figure 2 shows a vertical, sectional view through such a floor embodying my invention.

I t is found in making many types of road and highway surfaces and in some floors, that it is highly desirable to provide a structure having what is called in the trade a soft top. The soft top structure has many advantages.

It does not break or crack or disintegrate, so readily as rigid concrete. It does not become rough as does a brick surface. It subjects vehicles to a great deal less vibration and makes a more comfortable surface for traveling.

The soft top is usually of the asphalt type. By the use of the term asphalt, I would include sheet asphalt, natural lake asphalt, synthetic asphalt, asphaltic concrete, bitulit-hie asphalt, tar macadam and other surfaces in which there is a substantial bitumine content, and in which the surface has substantial resiliency as compared with ordinary concrete, brick and soon.

Another advantage in using the soft top arises from the fact that if the base breaks or cracks, the soft top works into the broken places, unless the break is too great, and thus reduces the roughness to a minimum.

Serial No. 645,599.

Paving contractors and others who use the soft top structurevfind some objection thereto on account of the fact that the soft top sometimes creeps, rolls, buckles or cracks.

F or many years, users of this type of surfacing have sought some means to prevent the soft top from creeping or buckling and have been unable to solve the problem involved.

I have provided a soft top surface for highways, floors and the like and a method for making such surface, which makes possible the use of the soft top structure and does away "ith the likelihood of creeping, buckling, rolling or cracking.

I have in the accompanying drawings illustrated a surface of the kind under consideration embodying my invention used in connection with the traflic floor of a bridge.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally a bridge having the sidewalk 11 and having the traffic floor provided with the cross planks 12.

In making my product and in the practice of my process, I provide first a substantially rigid base. This base may be as in the illustration a plank floor or it may be a concrete base for a paving.

In some instances, the base is asphalt and in some instances it is ordinary rock aggregate or it might be an ordinary dirt base.

It thus appears that the degree of rigidity in the base may vary somewhat and yet the total product may come within the scope of my invention.

lVhere a plank or wooden base is used, I lay thereon reinforcing material, which may consist, of expanded metal or meshed wire 13 or other strips of suitable material in which parts are bent up so as to be at different distances above the base 12.

The soft top material 14 of asphalt or the like is raked. or otherwise moved into position above the base and reinforcing strips thereon, and is then subjected to pressure by rolling or otherwise for causing it to become homogenous and for binding the parts together and making a smooth surface.

lVhere the reinforcing material is laid on a wood floor, I fasten it to the wood base by means of staples '15 or other fastening devices.

lVhere an asphalt base is used and in some instances even where a concrete base is used, the anchoring or fastening means may be employed. In many instances however, no fastening means for securing the reinforcing inaterial to the base are empl oyedl here a surface is provided of the kind here under consideration, it will be obvious that the sheet'of soft top ill be held together, so that it will not crack, and I find that it does not roll or buckle and does not creep.

The prevention of the creeping of the soft top on the base is of vital importance in road or floor surfacing of the kind under considcratiolu and makes a very important improi/ement in the Wearing quality and sn' oothness and continuing smoothness of the surface.

STJhen the soft top creeps, it sometimes buckles and makes the road rough.

After the top creeps and becomes rough it breaks and cracks much more readily. wOlllQtlHlGS it breaks and cracks Without buckling.

In any event, the road is rougher and after the soft top breaks the entire surface disintegrates much more quickly than befjq w ,7 i

Ittherefore follows that where my process and product are used, they add substantially to the life-of the surface and provide a road surface or the like requiring fewer repairs both in number and time.

My product also affords a smoother more satisfactory surface for tratfic.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my structure and int-lie use of the steps in the process, ant it is my intention to cover my clain'ra'ny mcditications which may he reasonably included Withintheir scope.

If claim as my invention:

In a surfacing structure, the combination of a substantially rigid base with a soft bituminous coating supported thereon a meshed wire reinforcing embedded in'the soft coating arranged in Wave like formation with the troughs of the aves resting" on and anchoree to the base.

H JACQB STAR-1?-

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