Improvements in and relating to Siphons for Flushing Cisterns.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Siphons for Flushing Cisterns.
I, WILLIAM Ross, Junior, of 10, Regent Place, Shawlands, in the County of
the City of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in and relating
to siphons for flushing cisterns, specially of the class used for flushing water
closets in which the cistern is emptied at each operation, and which will enable
such siphons to be constructed in a simple manner and without the usual
valves.
In carrying into practice the improvements of this invention an open topped
cylinder, placed within the cistern, is employed, to which is connected the
flushing siphon which is fitted to draw off the water or other liquid from the
lower part of the cylinder. The cylinder and siphon is preferably cast in metal
in one piece, and the cylinder bottom, provided with short feet, separately, to
be afterwards secured together. The mode of construction may however be
varied in any suitable manner. The lower end of the inlet limb of the siphon
which is preferably carried up to the level of the top of the cistern is flattened or
made broader so as to draw off the water as low down in the cylinder as pos-
sible. An opening say of about two inches in diameter is formed in the bottom
of the cylinder for the entrance of the water and a loose plate is fitted to lie
over this opening having a vertical guide or guides to keep it in position. A
float of wood, hollow metal or any suitable light material and of a size to fit
the interior of the cylinder is suspended within the upper part of same from a
lever fulcrumed at one side of the cistern and provided at its free end with
a drawing cord or wire. This lever may be extended beyond the fulcrum and
be provided with a counterbalance weight.
When it is desired to bring the siphon into operation the drawing cord is
pulled to press the float down into the cylinder. The water displaced by this
operation flows over the bend of the siphon and puts it into action and the
water enters through the opening in the bottom of the cylinder until the cisteru
is emptied.
The cistern is fitted with the usual ball valve for refilling it with water.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Syphons for Flushing Cisterns.
I, WILLIAM Ross, Junior, of 10, Regent Place, Shawlands, in the County of
the City of Glasgow, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:_
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in and relating
to syphons for flushing cisterns specially of the class used for flushing water
closets in which the cistern is emptied at each operation, and which will enable
such syphons to be constructed in a simple manner and without the usual
valves.
In carrying into practice the improvements of this invention an open topped
cylinder A placed within the cistern C as in Fig. I is employed, to which is
connected the flushing syphon B which is fitted to draw off the water or other
liquid from the lower part of the cylinder A. The cylinder and syphon are
preferably cast in metal in one piece, but the mode of construction may be
varied for convenient manufacture by making the parts A & B separately and
afterwards securing them together in any suitable manner. The lower end of
the inlet limb of the syphon B which is preferably carried up to the level of
the top of the cistern is flattened or made broader so as to draw off the water
as low down in the cylinder as possible. An opening say of about two inches
in diameter is formed in the bottom of the cylinder for the entrance of the
water and a loose plate D is fitted to lie over this opening having a vertical
guide or guides E to keep it in position. A float F of wood, hollow metal or
any suitable light material and of a size to fit the interior of the cylinder is
suspended within the upper part of the same from a lever G fulcrumed at one
side of the syphon and provided at its free end with a drawing cord or wire H.
This lever may be extended beyond the fulcrum and be provided with a counter
balance weight K.
When it is desired to bring the syphon into operation the drawing cord is
pulled to press the float down into the cylinder. The water displaced by this
operation flows over the bend of the syphon and puts it into action and the
water enters through the opening in the bottom of the cylinder until the cistern
is emptied.
Fig. I as above described represents a direct action arrangement.
Fig. II which is a modification of Fig. I represents an after flush arrange-
ment. The main parts of the apparatus viz. the cylinder A and the syphon B
are exactly as described in Fig. 1. The only dissimilar part being the substitu-
tion of a heavily weighted piston or plug L for the float F, the lever being
modified to suit. When it is desired to bring this arrangement into operation
the drawing cord H is pulled raising the piston or plug L to the upper part of
the cylinder A water flowing into the cylinder through the opening at the
bottom. On the drawing cord being released the piston or plug falls by its
weight. The water displaced by this operation flows over the bend of the
syphon and puts it into action as described in Fig. I.
The cistern is fitted with the usual ball valve for refilling it with water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The method of flushing water closets, urinals and the like from cisterns

page_text: by syphonic action substantially as herein described in reference to and shewn
in the accompanying drawings.
2. The combined arrangement of displacement cylinder and syphon with
actuating lever and pull as above described and as shewn in the accompanying
drawings in such a form as to be independant of the shape, dimensions or
material of the cistern or vessel which contains it. The same apparatus being
equally adaptable to metal, wood or stone ware cisterns.
1000