Novel Combined Apparatus for Overflow and Quick Flow Waste from Baths, Lavatories, Sinks, and the like.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 28th July, 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Novel Combined Apparatus for Overflow and Quick Flow Waste
from Baths, Lavatories, Sinks, and the like. 1
I, JOHN DAY, of 26 Canal Street, Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford,
Sanitary Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to, be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object novel apparatus which combines suitable
provision for overflow from a bath, lavatory, sink or the like, with means by which
the waste is carried off (or mainly carried off) by a siphon action, through the
overflow passage, whereby rapidity of flow is ensured which quickly empties the
bath, lavatory basin, sink or the like, and avoids the collection of soapsuds, dirt,
grease or the like, within the passages through which overflow and waste water
escapes.
In the following description I use the term "bath" only as the article to which
the invention applied, but I intend it to be understood that the invention is
equally applicable to a lavatory basin, sink or the like.
Apparatus constructed according to this invention comprises a pipe or passage
which rises from, or somewhat below, the level of the bottom of the bath to the
height above which the water is not to rise within the bath, and communicates at:
its upper end with a pipe or passage which passes down below the level of the
bottom of the bath and communicates with or delivers into piping leading to the
drain, in combination with a valve or plug by opening or lifting which water is
allowed to rush from the bottom of the bath into the lower end of the downward
pipe or passage or into a pipe or passage with which the same communicates or into
which it delivers. If the water rises in the bath above the height to which the
upward pipe or passage extends, it overflows down the down pipe or passage and
away to the drain; and if it is desired to empty the bath, the valve or plug is
opened or lifted sufficiently to cause a rush of water into the lower end of the down
pipe or passage, or into a pipe with which the same communicates or into which it
delivers, and a siphon action is thus set up and the water is rapidly siphoned away
through the upward pipe or passage which forms the shorter leg of the siphon and
the downward pipe or passage which forms the longer leg.
According to a simple application of this invention, the upward and downward
pipes or passages may be formed as a permanent siphon, and a short pipe or passage
connect between the hole for the waste water plug and the lower end of the down-
ward pipe or passage, or otherwise with such downward pipe at a point below the
level of the bottom of the bath. The plug may be in a well at the end of the bath,
and it is sufficient to raise it momentarily to set the siphon action going. It may be
kept slightly open, bowever, or may be raised again when the siphon action has
stopped, to run off the water remaining in the well. The siphon, and if desired the
short connection also between the bottom of the bath and the down pipe or passage,
may be formed in the earthenware or other substance of the bath, or may be
separately affixed thereto either inside or outside, or partially inside and partially
outside, as will be readily understood.
According to another modification, the upper end of the siphon may normally be
open so as to prevent the contents of the bath siphoning over in case of an overflow;
and the apparatus be provided with a valve which as the plug is lifted is drawn up
against a seat around the opening at the top of the siphon and thus closes such top
and allows of the siphon coming into action. In this modification the top of the
siphon must, of course, be kept closed while the bath is being emptied. The plug

page_text: may be seated immediately under, the bottom of the upward pipe, and be raised by
a chain or rod passing down such.pipe.
According to a further modification, the down pipe or passage may be inside the
upward pipe or passage, and be formed at its lower end to seat within a seating
in the bottom of the bath and which is within or forms the upper end of a pipe or
passage with which such down pipe communicates or into which it delivers. When
this down pipe is slightly raised, a rush of water takes place through the pipe or
passage into the upper end of which the down pipe seats when down; and a siphon
action is thus set up which carries the water up through the annular space between
the interior of the upward pipe and the exterior of the downward pipe. In this
modification the lower end of the downward pipe acts in lieu of the ordinary waste
water plug. The upper end of the upward pipe may be normally open as in the
modification last described, and be closed by a suitable valve as the down pipe is
lifted to set the siphon action going; or the siphon may be closed at the top, in
which case both the inner and outer pipes must be lifted to set the siphon in action,
as if a rod were passed through the top of the outer pipe, for the purpose of lifting
the inner pipe only, air would be liable to pass through the top of the outer pipe
and prevent the siphon action.
A further modification consists in fitting a movable down pipe to seat, when
down, within the lower end of an outer pipe which forms the upward pipe of a
siphon, and in providing a pipe or passage to communicate from the bottom of the
bath to the outer pipe at a point somewhat above the seat in the bottom thereof.
In this modification, also, the outer pipe is normally open at the top, and the
opening is closed by a valve as the inner or down pipe is raised. The siphon action
is set in motion, when the down pipe is raised, by the rush of water which takes
place through the pipe or passage which communicates between the bottom of the
bath and the outer pipe. The pipe from the bottom of the bath to the outer siphon
pipe conveys away both the overflow water and waste water from the bath.
According to a further modification, the siphon is open at the top, and a plug is
used to normally close the lower end of the down pipe or longer leg, and a pipe or
passage from the bottom of the bath joins into the longer leg at a point above the
plug. A valve closes the opening at the top of the siphon as the plug is lifted;
but, as in this case the plug, though it will allow. a sufficient flow past it when
lifted to start the siphon action, would considerably obstruct the passage and
consequently the flow, and would altogether prevent the overflow when closed, a
bye-pass is made in the downward pipe or longer leg so that the overflow.can flow
therethrough and so that when the siphon action is started the water will have a
clear flow through the bye-pass.
In the modifications in which an opening is formed at the top of the siphon and
closed by a valve.as the plug is raised, such valve and plug, may be raised by means
of a screw and handle so that the valve may be held up against its seat,while, the
bath is being emptied.
-Dated the 27th day of October 1892.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Novel Combined Apparatus for Overflow and Quick Flow Waste
from Baths, Lavatories, Sinks, and the like.
I, JOHN DAY, of 26 Canal Street, Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford,
Sanitary 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 for its object novel apparatus which combines suitable
provision for overflow from a bath, lavatory, sink or the like, with means by which

page_text: the waste is carried off (or mainly carried off) by a siphon action, through the over-
flow passage, whereby rapidity of flow is ensured which quickly empties the
bath, lavatory basin, sink or the like, and avoids the collection of soapsuds,
dirt, grease, or the like within the passages through which overflow and waste
water escapes.
In order to avoid unnecessary repetition I use the term "bath" in the following
description as indicating either a bath or other article as aforesaid to which the
invention is applicable.
Apparatus constructed according to this invention comprises a pipe or passage
which communicates at or near its lower end with the bottom of the bath and rises
to the height above which the water is not intended to rise within the bath, that is
to say, to the overflow level of the bath. This pipe or passage, which I term for
convenience the "rising" pipe, communicates at its upper end with a pipe or
passage, which I term for convenience the "down" pipe, which passes down below
the level of the bottom of the bath and communicates with or delivers into a pipe
or passage leading to the drain. The rising and down pipes are employed in
combination with a valve or plug by opening or lifting which water is allowed to
rush from the bottom of the bath into the lower end of the down pipe or into the
pipe or passage with which the same communicates or into which it delivers. The
down pipe is normally open to the atmosphere either through an opening at the top
of the rising pipe or otherwise at a point which will prevent the rising and down
pipes from acting as a siphon, and thus the contents of the bath are prevented from
siphoning over in case of an overflow; but the opening through which such com-
munication with the atmosphere is effected may be closed at will by means of a
suitable valve, in which case the rising and down pipes together form a siphon.
If, in the normal condition of the apparatus, the water rises in the bath above
the level at which the rising pipe communicates with the down pipe it overflows
down the down pipe and away to the drain; and, if it is desired to empty the bath,
the communication aforesaid between the down pipe and atmosphere is closed by
the valve so as to form the rising and down pipes into a siphon, and the valve or
plug aforesaid which allows the water to rush from the bottom of the bath is
opened or lifted sufficiently to cause a rush of water into the lower end of the down
pipe, or into the pipe with which the same communicates or into which it delivers,
and a siphon action is thus set up and the water is rapidly siphoned away through
the rising pipe which forms the shorter leg of the siphon and the down pipe which
forms the longer leg. The arrangement must, of course, be such that when the
rush of water through the valve or plug takes place no air can enter the lower end
of the down pipe or any other portion of the siphon.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood I will proceed to describe
the game with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate practical
applications thereof according to different modifications which will serve as
examples, though other modifications involving substantially the same application
of the principle on which the invention is based may he readily devised by a
competent plumber.
A vertical section of an apparatus constructed according to one modification of
this invention is illustrated by Figure 1. A is the rising pipe, B the down pipe,
Ca pipe or passage from the bath into the pipe A, D a valve seated in the bottom
of the pipe A below the connection of the pipe C therewith, E a pipe or passage
with which the down pipe B communicates and which is normally closed by the
valve D from direct communication with the lower end of the rising pipe A. The
upper end of the pipe A communicates through an opening a with the upper end of
the pipe B. The top of the pipe A (and consequently also the top of the pipe B)
is normally in direct communication with the atmosphere above through a mounting
or cap F having holes 6 therein. The top of this pipe may, however, be closed by
means of a valve G which for such purpose is raised, by means of a handle c and
screwed stem d, against a seating formed around the underside of the mounting F.
The valve D is connected by means of a chain or rod e with the valve G, and thus

page_text: the valve D is raised as the valve G is lifted up against its seat.
When the upper
valve is open and the lower valve closed, as shewn in the illustration, the pipes A
and B act simply as an overflow passage; but if the valves are raised sufficiently
to close the valve G, the pipes A and B become a siphon and the rush of water
through the bottom of the pipe A and into the pipe E causes a down rush in the
pipe B and sets the siphon in action causing the bath to empty very quickly. The
mounting F may be screwed into the top of the pipe A, and should be of such
diameter that when removed the valves G and D may be drawn up through the
opening in the top of the pipe. The main portion of the apparatus may be formed
separately from the bath or may be cast or formed in earthenware in one piece
therewith or may otherwise form a part of the structure of the bath, and in lieu of
the pipe C a simple perforated opening may be formed in the side of the pipe A.
Another modification of the invention is shewn in vertical section by Figure 2.
In this modification the lower end of the pipe A simply communicates, by means of
a perforated opening C, with the side of the bottom of the bath, and the valve or
plug D closes a passage E which passes direct from the bottom of the bath and
with which the lower end of the down pipe communicates. An opening bis
formed at the top of the junction between the pipes A B which may be closed by
dropping a valve G onto a seat surrounding such opening. The valves D and G are
connected, respectively, with opposite ends of a lever H, and thus by moving the
lever in one direction the valve G may be closed and the valve D opened. The
apparatus may be weighted so that the valve D is normally closed, as shewn, and
the valve G open.
The end of the lever H with which the valve G is connected
may carry a cup or soap dish f by means of which such end of the lever may be
overbalanced if desired, but when the valve G is closed, and the valve D open, the
rush of water through the siphon will cause a sufficient suction to keep the valve G
closed while the siphon is in operation. It is convenient to have the valves D and G.
connected together, but the valves may be operated separately, if preferred, in
which case it is not necessary to keep the valve D open during the whole operation
of the siphon. It is sufficient to keep it open long enough to set the siphon in
operation. The last of the water should, however, be drained off past the valve D
unless the pipe A communicates with a well in the bottom of the bath or otherwise
in a manner which enables the siphon to completely drain the bath.
In a modification of the invention shewn by Figure 3 the down pipe B is
arranged within the rising pipe A. The two pipes are fixed together by short bars
or studs g. In the normal position, as shewn, of the parts the down pipe beds.
upon or within a seating which surrounds the outflow opening J from the bath, and
the bottom of the rising pipe is slightly above the bottom of the bath. An,
opening is formed through the top of the pipe A and may be closed by drawing
up a valve G against a seating surrounding such opening; this valve, however, is
normally open, as shewn.. The siphon action is set in operation by drawing up the
valve G sufficiently to close the opening and to lift the pipes A and B just
enough to allow a rush of water through the outflow opening J. This rush of
water causes a suction in the down pipe B which sets the siphon action in
operation. In this modification the pipe B answers the purpose both of the down
pipe and of the valve D of the previously described modifications. For the
purpose of ensuring a watertight fit between the bottom of the pipe B and the
seating surrounding the opening J, the end of the pipe may be shouldered down on
the outside, as shewn, and be surrounded by an indiarubber nozzle h, as shewn,
which bears directly upon or within the seat.
In a modification of the invention shewn by Figure 4 the arrangement of the
parts is very similar to that shewn by Figure 3. The outflow opening C from the
bath, however, communicates directly with or is formed through the side of the rising
pipe A. The bottom of this pipe is constructed as shewn to form a seat for the
lower end of the down pipe B. The pipe A is fixed; but the pipe B is connected,
by means of a short rod or chain e, with the valve G and is raised from its seat as
the valve G is drawn up against the seat surrounding the opening 6 in the top of

page_text: the pipe A. The raising of the down pipe B causes a rush of water through the
outlet J at the bottom of the pipe A and thus sets the siphon action in operation.
Figure 5 shews the application of the modification last described to the specific
purpose of a lavatory (and the illustration would be much the same in the case of
its application to a urinal). The rising pipe A, except for the bottom and top or
cover thereof, is shewn as formed in the same piece of metal (or it may be earthen-
ware) as the basin K. The top or cover and also the contracted bottom of the
pipe A are shewn as formed separately from the pipe and subsequently fixed in
place. The communication between the basin K and pipe A consists of a number
of perforations through an inclined division L.
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. Combined apparatus for overflow and quick flow waste from baths, lavatories,
sinks and the like, in which the overflow passes first through a rising pipe or
passage and then through a down pipe or passage, the down pipe or passage being
for such purpose open to the atmosphere either through the top of the rising pipe
or otherwise at a point which prevents the pipes acting as a siphon, and in which
the rising and down pipes may be converted into a siphon by closing the communi-
cation aforesaid between the down pipe and the atmosphere, and a siphon action be
set in operation, for emptying the bath, lavatory basin, sink or the like, by opening
a passage which causes a rush of water into or past the lower end of the down pipe
and produces a suction in such pipe, substantially as described.
2. Combined apparatus for overflow and quick flow waste from baths, lavatories,
sinks and the like, which comprises a rising pipe (such as A), a down pipe (such
as B) communicating at its upper end with the upper end of the rising pipe, an
opening or openings (such as b) whereby the down pipe is placed in direct commu-
nication with the atmosphere, a valve (such as G) for closing such opening or
openings, and a valve or plug (such as D) in combination with an outlet opening
from the bath, lavatory basin, sink or the like, and with a passage or waterway
from such outlet-opening with which the lower end of the down pipe communicates
or into which it delivers, said valve or plug being formed either as a separate part
or consisting of the down pipe itself, all constructed and operating substantially as
and for the purpose described and shewn.
3. Combined apparatus for overflow and quick flow waste from baths, lavatories,
sinks and the like, constructed and operating substantially as described and shewn,
according to different modifications, by the drawings herewith.
Dated this 97th do of Iul 1902
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.