IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH WATER CLOSETS AND OTHER DOMESTIC WATER-SUPPLY APPARATUS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Shanks, of Barrhead, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH
WATER CLOSETS AND OTHER DOMESTIC WATER-SUPPLY APPARATUS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Shanks at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st December 1883.
JOHN SHANKS, of Barrhead, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain,
" IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH WATER CLOSETS AND OTHER DOMESTIC
WATER-SUPPLY APPARATUS
"
This Invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction and
action of water closets and parts connected therewith and is in part applicable to
other domestic water-supply apparatus.
In carrying out the invention according to one modification cleanliness combined
with small risk of breakage is secured by making a closet basin and the trap
immediately connected therewith in one or two pieces of thick internally glazed
earthenware or fireclay; and to allow of the parts being conveniently made of the
material referred to, the part of the discharge passage or pipe proceeding onwards
from the trap is made with two flanged openings, a bottom one for the attachment
of the soil pipe in the more usual way, and an upper one close up to the underside
of the basin to give access for the proper formation of the internal part of the
trap. The upper opening will ordinarily be closed by a cover which can be
removed for examination or cleaning or which may have a ventilating pipe
attached to it. Or when it. is not wished to have the soil pipe passing directly
down through the floor, the bottom opening may be closed, and the internal part
filled up with cement, a horizontal or inclined soil pipe being attached to the
upper opening. When the basin and trap are in two pieces the trap is made with
an open top to which the bottom of the basin serves as a cover; and the discharge.
nozzle of the basin may be made to dip down into the lower part or a diaphragm
may be formed in the latter to form the trap-The discharge outlet is at one end
of the basin the apparatus being of the "wash-out" kind; and the flushing water
enters through a hollow rim which is made with perforations shaped so as to
direct the water jets towards the outlet. At the part of the hollow rim directly
opposite to the outlet there may be one or more larger holes or a number of the
small holes may be made so as to direct their jets convergently towards a point
where they will act most effectively.
In another modification the basin is in a box or trough-like form and may be
constructed for one or more persons, the trap being beneath the box or trough.
The water is supplied by means of a float valve placed in a compartment formed

page_text: at one side or end by a partition which is shaped to give space for the float and
its lever without unnecessary excess. The discharge valve is fitted at the other
side or end, being in the form of an open tube the top of which serves as the
overflow outlet. The valve is covered by a vertical plate which does not reach
the bottom of the box or trough and which either forms a space within itself or
covers a recess formed in the side or end of the box or trough.
When the end of the soil pipe is in an exposed situation, as for example in the
case of a water closet fitted to a ship an improved kind of storm valve is by this
Invention applied to the outlet. This valve is a plate hinged on a horizontal axis
at its upper part and is made to close not by its own weight, which is ordinarily
liable to concussive action, but by a weight fixed to it at a right angle or other
suitable angle or by a spring.
When an overhead cistern is used for supplying water to the closet it is made
with a space or compartment by which the quantity for one using of the closet is
measured and the discharge is by a siphon which is started by means of a plate
loosely fitting the interior of the compartment or cistern. The plate is connected
to a counter-weighted lever which holds up the end nearest the siphon; and when
the closet handle is pulled it causes the lever to depress the plate and thereby
force the water up the siphon so as to start it. When the cistern is of large size
or without a measuring compartment the water being discharged by a downlet
valve and the quantity depending on the time that valve is kept open, the
downlet valve is by the present Invention attached to a small cylinder having in
it a piston to which a tubular rod is attached. The cylinder is made with curved
sides so as to be narrower at the middle of its length and the piston is made with
a disc of rubber, whilst a regulating stopcock is fitted on the tubular rod. On the
rod being raised it first lifts the cylinder and the valve but as the air gradually
enters through the tubular rod to the space below the piston the cylinder descends
and in a certain time depending on the adjustment of the regulating stopcock
closes the downlet valve.
This Invention also comprises improvements in the water-supply valves of
water-closet cisterns. With ordinary float valves it occasionally happens that
when the main pipes are being repaired suction acts through the float valve so as
to draw water or gas from the cistern into the main pipe. To prevent this a
check valve is fitted to the discharge nozzle in addition to the float valve; or the
latter is dispensed with and a check valve is so arranged as to be closed by the
float lever when the cistern is full, such check valve remaining closed even when
the float lever is down if there is no pressure in the supply pipe. In one
modification the check valve is in the form of a cap placed over an upwardly
directed nozzle and is made with one or two lateral spouts to discharge the water
downwards. The float lever is centered so that its end at the inner side of its
fulcrum projects over the valve and presses it down when the float end of the lever
rises. In another modification the float lever is made tubular and the discharge
takes place through it the check valve being fitted to its outer end or other
convenient part. The other end of the tubular lever is bended so as to be at right
angles to its length and has a screw thread formed on its inner or outer surface to
engage with a screw thread formed on the outer or inner surface of a nozzle on the
end of the service pipe. When the float turns up the lever the screwing action
brings the end of the internal part in contact with a seating formed for it on the
other part and thereby closes the passage. Or the movable lever or discharging
part may be fitted to the end of the service pipe with ground conical surfaces like
those of the plug and socket of a common stop cock in which case the movable
piece may be held in its place by a common screwed coupling ring engaging with a
Hange or rim on the nozzle of the service pipe. This improved construction is
applicable to water-supply valves of the kind known as "tube" or "swan-neck
cocks.
"

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Shanks in the Patent Office on the 19th June 1884.
JOHN SHANKS, of Barrhead, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH WATER CLOSETS AND OTHER DOMESTIC
WATER-SUPPLY APPARATUS"
My said Invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction
and action of water closets and parts connected therewith and is in part applicable
to other domestic water-supply apparatus.
And in order that my Invention and the nanner of performing the same may be
properly understood I hereunto append two sheets of explanatory drawings to be
hereinafter referred to and representing examples of apparatus made with my
improvements. In these drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark
the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out the first part of my Invention according to modifications shown
in figures, 1, to 5, of the accompanying drawings, cleanliness combined with small
risk of breakage is secured by making a closet basin, 23, and the trap, 24,
immediately connected therewith in one or two pieces of thick internally glazed
earthenware or fireclay; and to allow of the parts being conveniently made of the
material referred to the part of the discharge passage or pipe, 25, proceeding
onwards from the trap, 24, is made with two flanged openings, a bottom one, 26,
for the attachment of the soil pipe in the more usual way, and an upper one, 27,
close up to the underside of the basin, 22, to give access for the proper formation
of the internal part of the trap. The upper opening, 27, will ordinarily be closed
by a cover (shown in figure, 3) which can be removed for examination or cleaning
or which may have a ventilating pipe attached to it. Or when it is not wished to
have the soil pipe passing directly down through the floor, the bottom opening, 26,
may be closed, and the internal part filled up with cement, a horizontal or inclined
soil pipe being attached to the upper opening, 27. Figures 1, and 2, are an
elevation and vertical section showing the basin and trap in a single piece, and
figures, 4, and 5, are similar views showing the basin and trap as made in two
pieces. In both modifications the discharge outlet is at one end of the basin, the
apparatus being of the "wash-out" kind, and the flushing water enters through a
hollow rim, 28, which is made with perforations shaped so as to direct the water
jets towards the outlet as indicated in figures, 2, and 5. at the part of the hollow
rim, 28, directly opposite to the outlet there may be one or more larger holes or a
number of the small holes may be made so as to direct their jets convergently
towards a part where they will act most effectively.
In other modifications of my improved water-closet apparatus the basin is in a box
or trough-like form, and may be constructed for one person as shown in figures 6,
7, and 8, or for two or more persons as shown in figure 9. Figures, 6, and 9, are
partially sectioned perspective views; and figures 7, and 8, are a plan and vertical
section. The trap is beneath the trough or box but is not shown in the figures.
The water is supplied by means of a float, 29, and valve, 30, placed in a compart-
ment formed at one side or end by a partition, 31, which is shaped to give space
for the float, 29, and its lever without unnecessary excess. The discharge valve, 32,
is fitted at the other side or end, being in the form of, or attached to an open
tube, 33, the top of which serves as the overflow outlet, and is covered by a gas-
trapping cap, 34. The discharge-valve details are covered or screened by a vertical
plate, 35, which does not reach the bottom of the box or trough, and which may
either be a separate plate forming a space within itself or covering a recess formed

page_text: in the side or end of the box or trough, or a partition cast on the end or side of
the box or trough.
When the outer end of a soil pipe from a water closet is in an exposed situation,
as for example in the case of a water closet fitted to a ship, an improved kind of
storm valve is by my Invention applied to the outlet. This storm valve is shown
in vertical section in figure, 10, and in elevation in figure, 11. The valve is a
plate, 36, hinged on a horizontal axis, 37, at its upper part, and is made to close
not only by its own weight, but by a weight, 38, fixed so as to project a little
distance in front of or at right angles to it. The weight, 38, is by preference fixed
by its ends to the valve so as to leave a space, for the passage of water between in
order to prevent a sudden inrush of water from opening the valve by impinging
on the weight. A spring may be substituted for the weight, 38.
When an overhead cistern is used for supplying water to the closet it is made of
a size, or with a space or compartment for measuring the quantity for one using of
the closet, and the discharge is by a siphon, 39, as shown in figure, 12, which is a
vertical section of such a measuring cistern. The siphon, 39, is started by means
of a plate, 40, loosely fitting the interior of the compartment or cistern, and
connected to a counterweighted lever, 41, which holds up the end nearest the
siphon; and when the closet handle is pulled it causes the lever, 41, to depress the
plate, 40, and thereby force the water up the siphon, 39, so as to start it. In
figure, 13, is shown in vertical section a modification of the siphon and starting
plate as adapted for operating below the level of a water-closet seat.
The
siphon, 39, and starting plate, 40, are in a compartment, 42, made no larger than
what is necessary to contain them and a float, 29, and water-supply valve, 30; and
when the siphon is started the compartment, 42, becomes rapidly emptied and the
float, 29, opens the supply valve, 30. The larger portion of the water supplied by
the valve, 30, passes by a pipe, 43, to the closet basin whilst a small portion
gradually fills the compartment, 42, and by raising the float, 29, closes the valve, 30.
The quantity supplied to the basin, 23, thus depends on that supplied to the
compartment, 42, and can be adjusted or regulated by suitably proportioning the
size of the compartment, 42, and the relative size of the orifice by which
the water enters it. Figure, 14, is a vertical section of a modification in which
some of the parts shown in figure, 12, are duplicated so as to obtain a second
flushing action or after flush. Siphons, 39, are arranged at opposite ends of the
cistern or compartment, their discharge pipes being connected to a single pipe, 43,
below the cistern. The starting plate, 40, is arranged to rock upon its centre, and
when the closet handle is pulled, one end of the plate, 40, is depressed so as to
start one siphon. Then when the closet handle is let go the weighted lever, 41,
causes the depression of the other end of the plate, 40, and the starting of the
other siphon.
When the cistern is of large size or without a measuring compartment the water
being discharged by a downlet valve, and the quantity depending on the time that
valve is kept open, the downlet valve is by my present Invention arranged as
shown in figure, 15, which is a vertical section. The downlet valve, 44, is formed
by the bottom of a small cylinder, 45, having in it a piston, 46, to which a tubular
rod, 47, is attached. The cylinder, 45, is made with curved sides so as to be
narrower at the middle of its length, and the piston, 46, is made with a disk of
rubber, or other flexible material whilst a regulating stopcock is fitted on the
tubular rod, 47; or the passage through the rod may be made of a suitable size
and the stopcock be dispensed with. Or the rod, 47, being raised it first lifts the
cylinder, 45, and valve, 44, but as air gradually enters through the rod to the space
below the piston, the cylinder descends, and in a certain time depending on the
size of passage through the rod, 47, closes the downlet valve.
My present Invention also comprises improvements in the water-supply valves
of water-closet cisterns. With ordinary float valves it occasionally happens that
when the main pipes are being repaired, suction acts through the float valve so as

page_text: to draw water or gas from the cistern into the main pipe. To prevent this,
according to one modification shown in section in figure, 16, I fit a check valve, 48,
to the discharge nozzle, 49, in addition to the usual float valve, 50.
Or instead
of employing an additional valve, I use a float valve which will itself act as a
check valve and close the supply pipe when any sucking action occurs. One
modification of such combined stop and check valve is shown in section in
figure, 17, the valve being in the form of a cap, 51, placed over an upwardly
directed nozzle, 52, on the supply piece, the cap piece being made with a spout, 53,
for discharging the water downwards. The float lever, 54, is centered so that its end
at the inner side of its fulcrum projects over the valve, 51, and presses it down
when the float end of the lever rises. In the modification shown in figure, 18, the
cap, 51, and the nozzle are arranged horizontally. In another modification shown
in horizontal section in figure, 19, and in side elevation in. figure, 20, the float
lever, 54, is made tubular and the discharge takes place through it, the check
valve, 48, being fitted to its outer end; or it might be at any other convenient part
of it. The other end of the tubular lever, 54, is bended so as to be at right angles
to its length or is fixed to a piece, 55, at right-angles to its length, the piece, 55,
having a screw thread formed on its outer surface to engage with a screw thread
formed on a nozzle. 56, on the end of the service pipe. When the float, 29, turns
up the lever, 54, the screwing action brings the inner end of the part, 55, in
contact with a seating within the nozzle, 56, and thereby closes the passage. Or
the movable lever (54) or discharging part may be fitted to the end of the service
pipe with ground conical surfaces like those of the plug and socket of a common
stopcock, in which case the movable piece may be held in its place by a common
screwed coupling ring engaging with an external screw on the nozzle (56) of the
service pipe. This improved construction is applicable to water supply valves of
the kind known as " tube" or " swan-neck" cocks, and is shown as so applied in
figures, 21, and 22, which are respectively a sectional plan and an elevation. The
screw coupling ring or gland, 57, has its inner part bearing on a ring of packing
material placed on the part, 55, close to the enlarged plug part, 58, which may be
either conical as shown or cylindrical and which is fixed on the part, 55, after
putting on the packing ring.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated but that what I believe to be novel and
original and claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is :--
1. Making a combined water-closet basin and trap substantially in the improved
manner hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1, 2, and 3, of the
accompanying drawings.
2. Making a combined water-closet basin and trap substantially in the improved
manner bereinbefore described with reference to figures, 3, 4, and 5, of the
accompanying drawings.
3. Making a water-closet trap with the two outlet openings, 26, 27, as herein-
before described with reference to figures, 1 to 5, of the accompanying drawings.
4. The arranging or combining together of the parts of a trough closet
substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described with reference to
figures, 6, to 9, of the accompanying drawings.
5 The improved storm valve for ships' water closets hereinbefore described with
reference to figures, 10, and 11 of the accompanying drawings.
6. The combined siphon and starting plate arrangements for overhead cisterns
herein before described with reference to figures, 12 and 14, of the accompanying
drawings.
7. The combined siphon, starting-plate and double supply arrangement for
application below the level of the closet seat as hereinbefore described with
reference to figure, 13, of the accompanying drawings,

page_text: 8. The combination of the cylinder having a contracted middle part, the flexible-
disk piston and the tubular rod with the downlet valve of an overhead cistern as
herein before described with reference to figure, 15, of the accompanying drawings.
9. The fitting of float-lever water supply valves with valves closing automatically
when suction occurs in the supply pipe substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to figures, 16, to 20, of the accompanying drawings.
10. The special arrangements of self closing float valve details hereinbefore
described with reference to figures, 17 and 18, of the accompanying drawings.
11. The float valve arrangement herein before described with reference to
figures 19 and 20, of the accompanying drawings.
12. The "tube or "swan-neck
"
cock hereinbefore described with reference to
figures, 21, and 22, of the accompanying drawings.
In Witness whereof I, the said John Shanks, have hereunto set my hand and
seal this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and ei¸hty-four.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT
Patent Agent
Glasgow.
JOHN SHANKS (L.S.)