Improvements in Valves for Cisterns and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Cisterns and the like.
I, WILLIAM JAMES INGRAM of 198 Strand, London, W.C. Newspaper
Proprietor 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 relates to improvements in cistern valves, in which balls are used
to shut off the flow of water into the cisterns when it has reached the required
height, and has for its object to provide a more convenient arrangement than the
ordinary lever arm with ball at its end, and one less liable to get out of order.
In carrying out my invention, the inlet pipe, which opens in a downward
direction into the cistern, is furnished with a hollow ball, placed around it, with
stop to prevent it falling off or below a certain point. This is so arranged that
when the cistern is as full as required, the ball is floated up and closes the aperture
in the inlet pipe, preventing any further flow of water until it has sunk below the
proper level, when the ball falls again and opens the inlet.
According to one arrangement, the inlet pipe is open at the bottom, and a tube
is employed surrounding it at its lower part. The ball, which is of hollow metal
or other material, is fixed to this tube, which extends centrally through it. The
lower part of this tube is closed and furnished with a plug of rubber or other
suitable material, the aperture or apertures being in the side. The arrangement is
such that when the ball is in its upper position, the plug abuts against the end of
the tube, completely closing it and preventing any further flow of water. On
the ball falling into its lower position, the plug is withdrawn and the water allowed
to escape through the aperture in the outer tube. A pin and slot, or other
convenient device is employed which allows the ball and tube to move freely but
prevents it falling off the pipe.
A modified construction consists in employing a slightly conical end to the inlet
pipe, the tube being also correspondingly conical and narrowing towards the
bottom. The aperture is placed in the side of the pipe, so that when the ball is
in its lowest position, there is an annular space left between the pipe and the tube,
thus allowing egress for the water througli the aperture to the cistern. When the
ball is raised the seating formed by the outer tube is firmly pressed on the conical
pipe, closing the aperture.
An arrangement especially applicable for a valve in which inlet tube, ball and
fittings are all constructed of glass consists in forming the pipe conical for about
an inch at its end the remainder being cylindrical. The ball is formed with a
central tube, the lower end of which is conical, forming a seat for the end of the
tube or plug, the opening being situated in the side as before. The plug is ground
into its seat, so as to form a tight joint when the ball is raised to close the inlet.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings which show in longitudinal section three forms
of valve according to my invention.
Referring to Fig. 1, A is the inlet pipe opening at its end, and supporting the
tube B by means of a pin a taking into slot in the tube, allowing it to move up
or down for a short distance. This outer tube supports the ball C, by means of
flanges or in any other suitable mauner, passing through it centrally. The tube B
is closed at its end and is provided with the plug D of indiarubber or other soft
material which closes, in the position shown in full lines in the drawing, the end of
the inlet pipe, the aperture allowing the water to escape when the ball and tube
are lowered, as shown in dotted lines.
In Fig. 2 the tube inlet pipe A is formed with a slightly conical part or plug A',

page_text: the tube B' forming a seat for it when the ball is raised. As shown in the
drawing the ball is in its lower position, the valve being open and an annular space
formed between the plug and the seat, allowing free egress for the water through
the aperture or apertures a' formed in the side of the plug, the end of which is
closed. The flange 62 rests upon the ledge a² formed by the top of the plug, thus
preventing the ball and tube falling off, but allowing it to be raised as far as the
conical shape of the plug and scat will allow.
A similar arrangement is shown in Fig. 3, but differently shaped and proportioned
in order to be more applicable for use with glass parts, the slot and pin being
employed as in the first arrangement. The lower end B' only of the central tube B
is conical, forming the seat for the plug, the remainder being cylindrical.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
-
1. A ball valve for cisterns and the like, consisting of a ball, mounted centrally
on the end of the inlet pipe, with a tube encircling that pipe and opening or closing
an aperture as it is lowered or raised, substantially as described and for the
purposes specified.
2. In a ball valve of the kind described a ball C, having the central tube B,
with aperture or apertures mounted on the end of the inlet pipe A, and carrying
the plug D, substantially as described and shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings
annexed.
3. In a ball valve of the kind described, the combination of a ball C, having
central conical tube B', with an inlet pipe A, having plug A' with aperture or
apertures a', and means for supporting the ball and tube, substantially as described
and illustrated in Fig. 2.
4. The improved ball valve, especially adapted for use with glass parts, having
a conical plug and seat, substantially as described and shown in Fig. 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 29th day of November 1892.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.