Conduit.

Application filed December 9, 1901. Serial Ho. 85,189. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Charles D. Budd, of the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improve5 ments in Conduits, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention relates to improvements in io conduits; and it consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of my invention is to construct 15 a self-contained conduit capable of being primarily constructed in sections and placed in use independently of all extraneous devices, such as fastening-bolts or supporting-beds, and each section provided with end and side 20 flanges for preventing longitudinal and lateral movement of the sections relative to each other.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the conduit taken through the ducts, showing 25 the manner in which the sections are placed together. Fig. 2 is a view showing one end of the conduit. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line a a of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view showing the opposite ends of the con30 duit. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the sections which is used to form the top of the conduit. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the middle section. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the bottom sec35 tion, and Fig. 8 is a detail cross-sectional view of a portion of two of the sections, showing the joint.

In carrying out my invention I form a block 1, having on its one end and sides flanges 2 40 and semicircular grooves 3, formed on the top throughout its length. On the upper edge of the sides of the block 1 are recesses 4, the purpose of which is to receive the flange 5, formed on each side of the center block 6.

The center block 6 is also provided at its top and bottom with semicircular grooves to correspond with the grooves 3, and when said blocks are placed one upon the other the grooves form a perfect duct of sufficient size 50 to allow the insertion of the cables now in common use. The ends of the block 6 are cut away to allow the blocks of the same con struction to be placed together. The connection can be clearly seen in Fig. 1. Recesses 7 are also formed on the upper edge of the 55 sides to allow the flanges 8 on the block 9 to fit therein, and semicircular grooves are also formed in the bottom of said block to correspond with the like grooves previously mentioned. The flanges and recesses referred to 60 aretocomein contact with each other to make a perfect joint, allowing the surfaces of the remaining portion of the block to come in close contact with each other when the same are placed in their proper relation. The grooves 65 and flanges on the sides of the blocks are so formed (see Fig. 8) as to allow the blocks to be adjusted laterally and at the same time forming sufficient space in which cement or like substance may be inserted for making a 70 perfect and moist-proof joint. The ends of the blocks are of opposite formation, so as to fit one with the other, as shown in Fig. 1.

In constructing a conduit with the sections the section 1 is placed with the grooves up, 7 5 and upon this section the center section 6 is placed, and, if desired, a section similar to section 6 may be placed one upon the other and topped by the section 9 and in this manner forming perfect and uniform ducts 80 throughout the length of the conduit. A conduit of this construction is more simple of erection and more durable than any known at this present period. The sections are made of any desirable length and width and 85 containing as many grooves for forming the ducts as are found desirable. The same are laid together with the joints broken in the same manner as laying brick. If found desirable, I may construct the sections from 90 clay or.other suitable substance found to be durable.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a conduit that is self-contained without the assistance of any extraneous part or thing. 95

The conduit-sections are made complete of a single integral body of material (say concrete) and are placed in position in the earth and therein form a complete conduit independently of any other material or support- 100 ing device.