anyone come across one out there, plate, gear???

[dg39]

If you live in the New Orleans area you will see them in all shapes and sizes from stars to squares to even the design you see above at the beginning of the thread. Go through any pre to early 1900's area of construction and they are all around in buildings, mostly made of brick...Very common tool used in reinforcement, even today.

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[chong2]

wow, the thing is i dont think there ever was a documented earthquake in this area

[dg39]

wow, the thing is i don't think there ever was a documented earthquake in this area

Not necessarily earth quake related, just general preservation bracing... They are all over in old buildings, you have just never noticed them.

[stefen]

Used for many structures regardless if its an earthquake, hurricane or tornado...even such damage by a out-of-control vehicle.

[silverswede]

I just ran across something yesterday that looks alot like what you pictured, Chong. This rod is about 6 feet long, threaded on both ends and has two of these slipped on, flat side facing each other. The set-up was like Angelo discribed on the bridge construction. The one I pictured was on an early 1900's small dam that was constructed of 4X4 timbers bored to accept the rod. This is on a remote placer mining claim and the beams were rotted enough I could remove it with out taking off the nuts. The small hole could well be for a nail to hold it in place til' it was cinched down. The set-up then would hold 4X4's in place tight enough to hold back water.

[Angelo]

Nice Job SILVERSWEDE!!

You saved me a 3 hour drive to photograph a Forestry Bridge.

The hole is to drive a spike or large nail to keep the nut from rotating due to bridge vibration.

With the price of gas......I owe you!

Tony

[Michelle]

I just ran across something yesterday that looks alot like what you pictured, Chong. This rod is about 6 feet long, threaded on both ends and has two of these slipped on, flat side facing each other. The set-up was like Angelo discribed on the bridge construction. The one I pictured was on an early 1900's small dam that was constructed of 4X4 timbers bored to accept the rod. This is on a remote placer mining claim and the beams were rotted enough I could remove it with out taking off the nuts. The small hole could well be for a nail to hold it in place til' it was cinched down. The set-up then would hold 4X4's in place tight enough to hold back water.

Excellant ...You beat me to it! nice pic....no questions now!

[SomeGuy]

Much different construction than our object, not entirely convinced you've got it.

Doc

I don't see any functional difference. While the one in question is more decorative, they seem to be functionally identical.

[chong2]

silverswede....i am now pretty convinced that our object does in a way serve a purpose similar to the picks from the ones used for the dam. i have seen similar to yours from mine shaft beams , however i think i have to agree with doc, there just seems something different that i just cant explain. obviously the ornimental design but there is just something. also wouldnt you think that the one at the beginning of the thread is much much thinner would it be strong enough for much support? i might be heading back to where i found the first one, like i said there were two. hopefully i will come across it. my apologies for not responding earlier i have had a tooth ache that actually brought tears to my eyes and i finally got some of those gooder pain killers
chong

[silverswede]

Chong;
Had a little time this afternoon to work on that piece. Taking into account the 3/4" hole and the "nail hole", the size and all they would seem to have similiar functions. The design is a little different, though and I'm thinking it would have to do with the Patent. As you can see on the one pictured there are some faint raised lettering, I took a wire brush to it and was able to make out the following print. In the four pie shaped sections the following...(1) MALLEABLE (2) 24 PAT (3) MAY 10 O4 (4) 3/4.
This may give someone a way to research further. One of the two on the rod was much better preserved (the one I pictured) and the other shows more eaten away by rust as well as the one on your thread. There would'nt be too much difference in size. I think we both have very rare and extremely valuable pieces of iron here don't you (snikkering)

[chong2]

yes gentlemen, i think we may just have to contact the smithsonian......but wait..... they may confiscate our finds........................

[PBK]

I took a wire brush to it and was able to make out the following...(1) MALLEABLE (2) 24 PAT (3) MAY 10 O4 (4) 3/4. This may give someone a way to research further.

According to the U.S. Patent Office, "Patents from 1790 through 1975 are searchable only by Issue Date, Patent Number, and Current U.S. Classification." A quick check indicates that they issued patents #0759221 to #0759842 during the week of May 10, 1904. Without the exact number or a dead-on classification attribution, that means you'd have to pull up 621 patent document image files one at a time and compare the plate (or whatever) to the drawings. Hey, hours of fun! Anyone? If so, here's the search page:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm

[stefen]

There is no doubt of what this item is or what its intended use if for. Originally it was conceived for structural reinforcement of masonry structures.

More recently, it has been used for retrofitting older structures that predated integral structural reinforcement. In California, for instance, it is used to earthquake-proof unreinforced structures that are pre-1940, and sometimes even later.

The malleable washer has been used for other structural elements as well. Some of those on this post have seen it used on bridged and dams, possibly in mines, as well.

As previously stated, it comes in many sizes and shapes.

And no, its not threaded...however, a threaded rod is passed through the hole and is captured by a nut.

As an architect/engineer, I have used this product on numerous projects.

[silverswede]

Well Amen to that and I for one am glad all those little Maleable guys are out there holding the infrastructer of the country together. Even without a picture i'll be able to sleep tonight.

[chong2]

no, im sure we can do without a pic, anyone else who comes across some of these guys shouldpost a pic up tho, just so we dont forget the thread