US1874689A - Method of decorating metal surfaces - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 30, 1932. R.'M. ALLARD 1,874,639

METHOD OF DECORATING METAL SURFACES Filed 001;. 9. 1951 3mm" tor RMMM Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE p ROBERT M. ALLARD, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T ARMSTRONG CORK COMPANY, OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA METHOD OF DECORATING METAL SURFACES Application filed October 9, 1931. Serial No. 567,788.

My invention relates to a method of decorating metal surfaces, particularly the "metal decks of ships. Heretofore it has been impossible to decorate the metal decks in a satisfactory manner. No adequate method was lmown for putting on any satisfactory covering other than magiiesite or concrete. Coverings of this type must be poured or flowed on to the steel deck. This is necessarily an expensive process and adds great Weight to the finished installation.

The advantages of linoleum and similar coverings for use on metal decks have long been recognized. However, the use of such installations has been greatly restricted because of the expensive installation and frequent replacement necessary. Installations of linoleum and similar coverings on metal decks have been unsatisfactory because the solvent for the cement could not escape and would cause blisters in the covering. Linoleum was also objectionable because the capillary action of the burlap backing would cause water to get under the covering and spoil its appearance. The water under the covering would also set up corrosion on the steel decks. This is particularly serious in view of the fact that the corroded areas were covered by the linoleum and would not come to lightuntil the linoleum was removed.

It is an object of my invention to provide a light-weight, durable, resilient covering for metal decks. It is a further object of my invention to providea covering that will eliminate the necessity'of frequent replacements. It is a further object of my invention to provide means for securing such a covering to metal decks in such a manner that the coverlngs will remain in place until they are worn out. It is a further object of my invention to provide a covering and a method of applying it to a steel deck that will eliminate corrosion of the steel under the covering. It is a further object of my invention to provide a method of securing such coverings to metal surfaces witha minimum amount of trouble and expense. It is a further object of my. in-. vention to provide a method for securing such coverings in place that may be accomplished without the necessity of exercising any great degree of skill. Further objects of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention-a pertains-upon reading the following speci cation taken in connection with the accompanying drawlng.

The drawing shows'a cross section of a portion of a metal deck covered in accordance with my invention.

In the drawing the reference numerals 10 and 11 indicate adjacent steel plates forming a part of the deck of a ship. The end 12 of the plate 10 is curved upwardly so as to overlap the adjacent end of the plate 11. The two plates are riveted together as shown at 13. The rivet 13 is flush with the top surface'of the plate 10. The reference numerals 14 and 15 indicate a cork base which is applied over the flat surfaces of the metal plates 10 and 11. The reference numeral 16 is a unit of similar material shaped to accommodate the contour of the end 12 of the plate 10.-

The cork base is cemented in place on the surface of the metal plates. The metal plates are covered with a high melting point asphalt paint which is permitted to dry for approximately twelve hours. Although any asphalt paint might serve if it is not subjected toextremely hot weather, I prefer to use high melting point asphalt paint because its bonding qualities will not be impaired by even the most extreme heat conditions. After the prime coat has dried the surface is coated with a manila gum cement and the cork base is applied directly to such cement, the manila gum cement will tenaciously secure the cork base to the asphalt coating from which the solvent has been allowed to evaporate.

Instead of using the prime coat of high melting point asphalt paint and a second coat of manila gum cement, I may apply a resin cement having a mineral filler and a hydrocarbon solvent directly to the metal surface and apply the cork base directly to the I cement. I prefer using a high melting point asphalt as the filler and a naphtha solvent but any suitable equivalents may be Such cement has extremely great water resistant qualities and also hasexcellent corrosiveinhibitive qualitles.

The cement sets up hard enough to hold the cork base firmly to the members 14 and 15. The cork base may then be sanded to form a smooth surface to which the finishing surface may be applied. The cork base proves a durable, waterresistant, resilient covering which provides a smooth surface for the finishing covering. The cork base effects a saving of from five to eight pounds per square foot as compared to the usual method of smoothing the deck with a magnesite covering. On a large passenger liner this saving in weight may amount to as much as seven hundredtons.

For the finishing covering material 17 I prefer to use linoleum tile. However, I may use cork tile, rubber tile or even asphalt tile. The linoleum tile I prefer to use has sufficient strength so that it does not require any backing material attached thereto. However, it is possible tomse linoleum having a backing of either felt or burlap. The finished surface may be applied to the cork base in the same manner that the cork base is applied to the steel deck. However, a single coating of manila gum cement is sufiicient to secure the finishing surface on tothe cork base.

The linoleum tile without any backing is particularly advantageous in my process because its smooth;back requires a minimum amount ofcement and consequently minimizes the trouble of evaporating the solvent. In cases where the steel decks are con- -.structed by butting or double joggling so as to form a smooth deck the cork base is not necessary and may be omitted. The finishing covering itself is durable, water resistantvv face was formed.

Although I have described only two specific embodiments of my invention it will be understood that the details thereof may be varied without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be limited to the exact details recited except as stated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of applyingv a covering to a metal deck surface comprising applying a prime coat of asphalt paint to the metal deck surface, allowing the paint to dry, applying a second coat of manila gum cement over the asphalt paint coat and applying the covering directly to the cement.

2. A method of applying a covering to an irregular metal deck surface which comprises cementing a cork base to the deck to form a smooth surface and cementing the covering material to the cork base.

3. A method of applying a covering to an irregular metal surface comprising cementing a cork base shaped to fit over the metal surface and to provide a smooth surface, applying a manila gum cement to the cork base ind applying a covering material over said ase.

4. A method of covering a metal surface which comprises cementing a plurality of cork base units over the metal surface to form a substantially smooth surface, sanding the surface .of the cork base to remove all irregularities and cementing a covering ma terial to the cork base.

5. A method of applying linoleum tiles to a metal surface which comprises covering the metal surface with a high melting point asphalt paint, allowing the paint to dry, applying a coating of manilagum cement over the paint, applying a cork base to the cement, smoothing the surface of the cork base, applying a manila gum cement to the smooth surface of the cork base and securing linoleum tiles to the cork base by means of the manila gum cement.

6. A deck construction comprising two metal plates, one of which overlaps the other,

a plurality of units of preformed cork cemented to the metal plates so as to form a substantially smooth upper surface and a layer of linoleum tiles cemented to the upper surface of the cork base.

7. A deck construction comprising two metal plates joined together, a preformed cork base secured to said metal plates and a decorative, waterproof, resilient sheet covering secured to said cork base.

8. A deck construction comprising two metal plates, one of which overlaps the other,

.a plurality of preformed cork units fitted over said plates and cemented thereto by a resin cement having a mineral filler and a hydrocarbon solvent, said cork units providing a substantially smooth upper surface,

and a covering of decorative, resilient, waterproof material secured to said cork base.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto set m hand.

y ROBERT M. ALLARD. I

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