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Patents: 199 of 530	UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN F. BROWN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EDWIN LEE BROWN, OF SAME PLACE. HORSE-BLOCK.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,983, dated April 26, 1887. Application filed September 17, 1886. Serial No. 213,779. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:     Be it known that I, EDWIN F. BROWN, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse-Blocks, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which--     Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved horse-block. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional view in detail of a portion of a plate and lens forming a part of said block, and Fig. 4 is a like view showing a modification in the construction.     Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the different figures.     The object of my invention is to so construct a horse-block that it may be rendered luminous at night, while at the same time the luminous material used therein may be so protected from the action of the elements as to render said luminosity continuous and durable. I accomplish said object substantially in the manner hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.     A, in the drawings, represents a horse-block constructed substantially in, the usual shape, and preferably from cast-iron plates attached to each other by means of screws or bolts a, Fig. 2. The plates forming said frame are preferably provided with a series of recesses or depressions, into which are placed a like number of glass lenses or plates, B B', each of which is secured and hermetically sealed in place by means of a cement or concrete filling, b, Figs. 2 and 3. Each of said lenses or plates is preferably beveled, as shown, so as to be larger at the base, while the opening into which it is placed may be caused to flare outwardly, so that the filling b may present a V shape in cross-section. As the filling attaches itself securely to the iron plate, it thus holds the glass securely in place and prevents the admission of moisture or air to the back.     Upon the flat surfaces, or those which are to be trodden upon, I prefer to use the small lenses, and to surround the same by a series of upwardly-projecting metallic studs or bosses, a', which are cast upon the plate in the manner

common in vault-light plates, to protect the lenses from being broken and to form a non-slippery surface.     Between the glass and metal I place a background, C, of luminous paint, which absorbs the rays of light during the day and gives it off at night, thus making the lenses or glass plates, or both, as the case may be, sufficiently radiant to be seen in the dark. By placing said glasses in depressions, as shown, and hermetically sealing them, as I prefer to do, the paint or composition forming the luminous background is completely protected from the action of the elements, and hence may last indefinitely.     It is obvious that instead of using cast-metal plates the glass may be placed in depressions formed in blocks of natural or artificial stone, wood, or terra-cotta, and sealed in like manner; but I prefer the construction described.     It is apparent, also, that instead of merely making a depression in the plate for the reception of the glass a hole may be made entirely through, as shown in Fig. 4, a shoulder, a'', being formed therein for the support of the glass, while a backing, C', provided with a coating, C, of luminous paint, may be placed behind the glass and detached therefrom, if desired. Said luminous material is thereby protected from rain and snow; but I prefer that it be hermetically sealed. The luminous paint may be placed either directly upon the back of the glass or upon that which forms a background therefor.     Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is--     The combination, with a horse-block having suitable depressions formed in its outer surface, of a series of lenses or glasses secured within said depressions, and a hermetically-sealed background for said glasses composed of luminous paint, substantially as shown and described. EDWIN F. BROWN. Witnesses:     D. H. FLETCHER,     J. B. HALPENNY.