A caisson is a water-tight box, usually of sheet iron, and constructed so that it may be floated or sunk at will. Caissons are used for two distinct purposes. 1) for closing the entrance to docks, the caissons being of two general types, floating and sliding. Floating caissons include those which, when the height of the water inside and outside of the dock is the same, are raised by their natural buoyancy from the bottom, and may be floated out of their position against the sill into a recess provided for the purpose, leaving the entrance open. Sliding caissons fulfil the same purpose, but instead of floating are drawn back on a plane sliding surface or on rollers which bear some portion of their weight. 2) As foundations to a dam, quay wall or bridge, the caissons being so constructed as to be capable of being floated into the required position, and there sunk. Research Caisson
A batement light is a window or one division of a window having vertical sides, but with the sill not horizontal, as where it follows the rake of a staircase. Research Batement Light
In architecture the drip is that part of a cornice, sill course, or other horizontal member, which projects beyond the rest, and is of such section as to throw off the rain water. Research Drip
In architecture a sill course is a horizontal course of stone, terra cotta, or the like, built into a wall at the level of one or more window sills, these sills often forming part of it. Research Sill Course
In architecture a weather strip is a strip of wood, rubber, or other material, applied to an outer door or window so as to cover the joint made by it with the sill, casings, or threshold, in order to exclude rain, snow, cold air, etc. Research Weather Strip
In architecture the window back is the inside face of the low, and usually thin, piece of wall between the window sill and the floor below. Research Window Back
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Caisson
