Iм- PROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS, WASH BASINS, AND URINALS, AND IN SELF- ACTING APPARATUS FOR THE SAME
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Heyworth, of the City of Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Plumber, for the Invention of "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS, WASH BASINS, AND URINALS, AND IN SELF-
ACTING APPARATUS FOR THE SAME."
Sealed the 21st September 1869, and dated the 30th June 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Heyworth at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 30th June 1869.
I, ROBERT HEYWORTH, of the City of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS, WASH BASINS, AND URINALS, AND IN
SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," to be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to have a supply of water always ready
and in sufficient quantity to flush a closet or urinal or to supply a
basin without having to wait some time until the necessary quantity
has passed through a cock or valve, and at the same time to dispense
with the overhead cistern and piping usually employed.
Now this Invention consists, firstly, in the use and application of

page_text: an enclosed reservoir of any suitable shape communicating with a
passage or channel formed completely or partially round the rim or edge
of the closet or basin, such reservoir being provided with a piston or
plunger which may be raised by means of a handle in the same manner
as the ordinary closet handle, and thus cause the whole contents of the
reservoir to pass into the closet or basin altogether and instantaneously,
and thus to completely flush the closet or supply the basin with the
necessary quantity of water. This reservoir is supplied by a ball tap,
which may be either situated inside it or within a compartment formed
alongside the reservoir, being open to the atmosphere at the top and
communicating with the bottom of the reservoir so as to allow the
air to enter beneath the piston or plunger, which latter may be filled
with valves, so that in descending any water which may have entered
the reservoir may pass through the valves to the upper side of the piston
or plunger. The contents of such reservoir may be heated by a jet
of gas, either to warm the water or in frosty weather to prevent it being
frozen.
This Invention is applicable to closets either with or without valves,
and may be made self-acting by being connected to self-acting apparatus
herein-after described.
My Invention further relates to an improved method of trapping the
soil pipe of waterclosets by fixing the valve to the outlet end of such pipe
instead of the inlet as heretofore practised. This arrangement prevents
the lodgement of any foul air between the valve and the water used for
trapping the soil pipe. The self-acting apparatus to be attached to water-
closets, basins, or urinals of any construction consists of a lever, one arm
of which is actuated by the inside handle of the watercloset or the outside
handle of the lavatory door latch, and the outer arm is jointed to a
vertical rod working on the outside of the door or in a groove formed
in the edge of the door. This rod when raised by the action of the
door handle comes in contact with a cranked arm, from which a chain
is attached to the handle or lever appertaining to the watercloset, urinal,
or wash basin, and thus when the person is leaving the watercloset
the flushing may take place and in entering the lavatory the basin may
be supplied. It will thus be noticed that no waste of water can take
place in closets fitted with my improved apparatus, as only the requisite
quantity is supplied.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Robert Heyworth in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 30th December 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
HEYWORTH, of the City of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Plumber, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand cight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Robert Heyworth, Her special licence that I,
the said Robert Heyworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Robert Heyworth, my executors, administrators,
or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS, WASH BASINS,
AND URINALS, AND IN SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR THE SAME," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said Robert Heyworth, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert Heyworth, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of this Invention is to have a supply of water always
ready, and in sufficient quantity to flush a closet or urinal or to supply
a basin without having to wait some time untill the necessary quantity
has passed through a cock or valve, and at the same time to dispense
with the overhead cistern and piping usually employed.
Now this Invention consists, firstly, in the use and application of an
enclosed reservoir of any suitable shape placed alongside the closet

page_text: pan or wash basin below. the level of the seat of the closet or top of
the wash stand, communicating with a passage or channel formed
completely or partially round the upper rim or edge of the closet or
basin, such reservoir being provided with a piston or plunger which may
he raised by means of a handle in the same manner as the ordinary
closet handle, and thus cause the whole contents of the reservoir to
pass into the closet or basin altogether and instantaneously, and thus
to completely flush the closet or supply the basin with the necessary
quantity of water. This reservoir is supplied by a ball tap, which may be
either situated inside it or within a compartment formed alongside the
reservoir, such compartment being open to the atmosphere at the top
and communicating with the bottom of the reservoir in order to allow
the air to enter beneath the piston or plunger, which latter may be
fitted with valves, so that in descending any water that may have
entered the reservoir may pass through the valves to the upper side of
such piston or plunger. The contents of this reservoir may be heated
by a jet of gas, either to warm the water or in frosty weather to prevent
it being frozen.
This Invention is applicable to closets either with or without valves
and to existing as well as new closets, and may be made self-acting
by being connected to self-acting apparatus herein-after described.
My Invention further relates to an improved method of trapping the
soil pipe of waterclosets by applying the valve to the outlet end of such
trap instead of the inlet end as heretofore practised. This arrangement
prevents the lodgement of any foul air between the valve and the water
used for trapping the soil pipe. The self-acting apparatus to be attached
to waterclosets, basins, or urinals of any construction consists of a lever,
one arm of which is actuated by the (inside handle of the watercloset
or the outside handle of the lavatory) door latch, and the other arm
is jointed to a vertical rod working on the outside of the door or in a
groove formed in the edge of the door; this rod when raised by the
action of the door handle comes in contact with a cranked arm, from
which a chain is attached to the handle or lever appertaining to the
watercloset, urinal, or wash basin or valve for supplying the same, and
thus when the person is leaving the watercloset the flushing may take
place, and on entering the lavatory the basin may be supplied. It will
thus be noticed that no waste of water can take place in closets fitted
with my improved apparatus, as only the requisite quantity is supplied.

page_text: In order that this my said Invention may be the more readily seen
and understood, I have hereunto annexed a Drawing illustrative of my
improvements. drawn to a scale of about quarter size. Similar letters
of reference marked on the Drawings are used to denote similar parts
in all the views.
Fig. 1 is a front sectional view, and Fig. 2 a plan of a valve closet
having my improvements applied.
Fig. 3 is a front sectional view, and Fig. 4 a plan of another
description of closet in which no valve is used, showing another modi-
fication of my improvements.
Fig. 5 is a front view, and Fig. 6 a side view of my self-acting
arrangement for flushing waterclosits. or urinals and supplying wash
basins.
In Figs. 1 and 2 A is the waterclosit basin or pan constructed
with a channel or passage B formed completely or partially round
its rim or upper edge, which channel or passage is arranged to be
supplied by the rectangular, réservoir C when the closet requires
flushing, as herein-after described; D is the top or cover of the closet
(shewn removed in Fig. 2), having an overhanging annular lip or
edge E, to guide the water out of the channel B in its descent into the
pan. The reservoir C is by preference situated on either side of the closet
below the level of the seat, and is fitted with a piston or plunger F
affixed to an outer tube G, which forms the rod to lift it by means of
the ordinary closet handle EI, such outer tube G being perforated near
the top, as illustrated, to allow for the admission of air which descends
through such tube to the under side of the piston or plunger F whilst
it is being raised, and thus prevents a vacuum being formed there. I is
the bottom of the reservoir C, which is capable of being lifted out or
removed in order to have access to the valve, but is made water-tight
round the edge, and is provided with an overflow pipe J rising from
it and situated inside the outer tube G; K is an internal tube situated
inside the overflow pipe J, being affixed to the handle H at the top and
carrying the india-rubber disc valve L at its lower extremity, the upper
end of such tubular rod K being perforated, as illustrated, in order to aot
as an overflow pipe. Between the overflow pipe J and the outer tube G
and descending from the handle H to near the bottom of the piston
or plunger F is another tube M, which is used to prevent any smell
or effluvia from rising out of the soil pipe N by acting as a stench trap,

page_text: the space between such tubes being filled with water. O is a ball
cock of any ordinary construction, provided with a float P made of an
annular form surrounding the outer tube G, so as to act in the centre
of the reservoir C. This ball cock is further provided with two noses
and outlets of different sizes, one nose (marked Q) being carried
forward to project into the closet to supply the necessary water to trap
the closet pan, and the other nose (marked R) supplying the reservoir
at the same time, the size of the two mouths or outlets being so
regulated and proportioned that the reservoir C and pan A are supplied
simultaneously and with the relative quantity of water required for
cach purpose.
The piston or plunger F is fitted loosely into the
reservoir C and requires no packing, but has openings fitted with leather
or other valves S in order that any water that may enter the reservoir C
whilst the handle H is raised may pass freely through such valvular
openings to the upper side of the piston or plunger, and be ready to be
lifted when the closet again requires flushing.
The action of this modification may be thus described :-The
reservoir C being always filled with water supplied by the ball cock O
all that is necessary after using the closet is to raise the handle Hin
the ordinary manner, when the india-rubber disc valve L will be lifted
off its seat, thus opening an outlet for the soil, at the same time the
piston or plunger F rises in the reservoir C, thus causing the whole or
nearly the whole contents of the reservoir C to overflow and to pass
into the channel B, from whence it instantly descends into the basin or
pan A, thus completely flushing it without any loss of time The
handle H may then be allowed to descend, and the reservoir will refill
itself through the ball cock O ready to be used again, whilst at the
same time the necessary water to trap the soil pipe will be supplied, as
herein-before described, by the same ball tap. The advantage of fitting
the disc valve L as illustrated, namely, to the outlet end of the soil pipe
is, that no lodgement is afforded for foul air as in those closets having
the valve affixed to the inlet end of the soil pipe, in which arrangements
the foul air lodges between the trapping water and the valve and escapes
into the room immediately the handle is raised.
In the modification represented by Figs. 3 and 4 the action of the
reservoir is precisely the same as in Figs. 1 and 2, and therefore no
description on that point is necessary, but the closet is of a cheaper
form, not requiring a valve in the soil pipe, as the latter is bent to trap

page_text: itself in the manner well understood by what is technically called
an Strap. The only difference between this and the foregoing modifi-
cation is that the overflow pipes are dispensed with, and a compartment
or box T is formed alongside the reservoir, in which the ball-cock U
works, instead of being situated inside the reservoir, which arrangement
allows of the ball-cock being regulated without having to lift off the whole
top or cover of the closet, as in the modification represented by Figs. 1
and 2. The compartment or box T comnuunicates with the reservoir
through an opening V formed in the partition W, which opening also
serves to allow the pressure of the atmosphere to get beneath the piston
or plunger X whilst rising. The piston rod Y acts as a guide rod for
the piston by passing through a hole formed in the bottom of the
reservoir into a tubular space Z, and is perforated near the top and at.
the middle to facilitate its lifting, and may be provided with a leather or
other valve Z' opening downwards to prevent the water entering such
hollow piston rod whilst the piston is in the act of descending in the
reservoir. The dotted lines illustrate the position of the handle and
piston or plunger X when raised up.
Although the reservoir in both the foregoing modifications is illus-
trated in a rectangular form it may be constructed of a cylindrical,
annular, or any other shape, and may be lined in the sides with plate or
other glass to form a better surface for the piston or plunger to work
against; and waterclosets may be constructed according to this Invention
having the pan or basin and reservoir all in one piece of earthenware, or
constructed either wholly or partially of carthenware, cast iron, or lead, or
other suitable material. It should be also stated that no waste of water
can take place in a closet fitted with my improvements, as the flow can
only take place by lifting the handle, only sufficient water being con-
tained in the reservoir to flush the pan effectually. This method of
supplying water for flushing closets is equally applicable for supplying
the necessary quantity of water to wash basins, the reservoir being
situated alongside the basin below the level of the top of the washstand,
and communicating in precisely the same manner (as herein-before
described in reference to closets) with a channel formed completely or
partially round the upper edge or rim of the basin, and thus such basin
may be supplied instantaneously without the inconvenience of waiting
some time until the necessary quantity of water has passed through a
cock or valve. The contents of the reservoir, cither as applied to

page_text: closets or washstands, may be heated by one or more jets of gas cither to
heat such contents or to prevent them being frozen in frosty weather.
I will now proceed to describe the remaining portion of my improve-
ments represented on the Drawings by Figs. 5 and 6. a represents the
closet or lavatory door fitted with a peculiar door latch b, which forms a
part of my Invention. This latch has two handles or knobs c and d, one
on either side of the door, both of which can actuate the latch, which
has a weight affixed at its extremity to ensure its action by turning
either way, but the knob marked c in turning first depresses the vertical
rode by impinging upon the arm f, and the rod e in turn acts upon the
latch g at its lower extremity. The upper end of the rod e is joined to
one arm of a double lever marked h, the other arm i of such lever having
a stud or pin projecting from its upper edge, which when the arm i is
raised (by turning the handle or knob c) rises up above the level of the
top of the door, so that whilst the door a is opening the stud j comes in
contact with the double cranked arm k, thus causing such cranked arm
to turn or partially revolve in its vertical bearing 1, and to pull the
chain, wire, cord, or rod m affixed to it, and thus to raise the handle or
lever of the closet or washstand, or to open a cock or valve to flush a
urinal, by having the other extremity of such chain, wire, cord, or rod m
attached to the actuating handle of such closet, basin, or valve. It will
thus be noticed that only the handle or knob on one side of the door
actuates the self-acting apparatus, and consequently no waste of water
takes place by the apparatus acting unnecessarily every time the door
opens, so that in leaving the closet the pan or urinal may be flushed,
or in entering the lavatory the necessary water will be supplied to the
washstand.
I wish to state here particularly that I am aware of portable closets
having been constructed with a reservoir situated alongside the closet
pan or basin, but in such arrangements the flushing water has to be
pumped by several strokes of a force pump out of such reservoir, neces-
sarily taking much time to do it, and only supplying the water in small
quantities, which has not the desired effect; whereas in my Invention it
is only necessary to lift the handle once to empty or nearly empty the
reservoir, and to have a copious supply of water to completely flush the
pan or basin, and which is strong enough to carry every impediment
before it.
It now only remains to be stated that my reservoir is applicable to

page_text: new or existing closets; that fitting the valve to the outlet end of the
soil pipe is applicable to most other descriptions of closets, the form of
valve varying accordingly, and that the self-acting apparatus is useful
for every kind of existing watercloset.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
my said Invention, together with the best means with which I am
acquainted for carrying the same into practical effect, I wish it to be
distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details,
relative proportions or dimensions herein-before described and illus-
trated, as the same may be considerably varied without departing from
the Invention; but what I do claim is,-
Firstly. The use and application to waterclosets and wash basins of a
reservoir fitted with a piston or plunger, and communicating with a
passage formed completely or partially round the rim or edge of such
waterclosets or wash basins, and working substantially as and for the
purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. Fixing the valve of waterclosets to the outlet end of the
soil pipe, as and for the purposes described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawing.
Thirdly, and lastly. The combination and arrangement of self-acting
mechanism for flushing waterclosets or urinals and supplying wash
basins, as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Heyworth, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Witness,
JOHN G. WILSON,
Patent Agent,
71, Market Street,
Manchester.
ROBERT (L.S.) HEYWORTH.