IMPROVEMENTS IN STENCH TRAPS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STENCH TRAPS." A communication from abroad by John
H. Mackie, of Oakland, California, United States of Ainerica.
Sealed the 15th September 1877, and dated the 6th April 1877.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th April 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STENCH TRAPS." A com-
munication from abroad by John H. Mackie, of Oakland, California, United States
of America.
The chief objects of my Invention are to prevent the syphoning out of syphon
traps by atmospheric pressure, and to obviate the difficulties occasioned by using a
secondary Strap or ventilating sewers.
The said Invention comprises,-
First. Connecting the arch of a common syphon trap with an air chamber or pipe
above the said arch.
Secondly. An air chamber connected with the lower or discharge leg of the
syphon trap, and also communicating with the first or upper air chamber.
Third. A buoy and cork or stopper rigidly suspended therefrom placed below the
sink or in the track of the discharge pipe or sewer pipe.
Fourthly. A disinfecting chamber connected with the buoy or float chamber, and
other improvements herein-after described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawing, in which,―
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved sink trap or sewer trap; Figure 2
is a top view; and Figure 3 is a partial section of the same on the line x, x,
Figure 2

page_text: A, Figures 1 and 3, represents the waste pipe or inlet pipe which may be con-
nected with a sink in the usual manner; and B represents the discharge pipe below
the trap and passing to the sewer which has no lower or secondary trap, but is free
for air or gases to circulate to its mouth. The pipe C is bent like the common
syphon, and provided with a screw tap for clearing in the usual way. An air tube G
is connected with the crown of the syphon C, and also with the air chamber F
which is also connected by an air tube E with the air chamber D, the upper end
of which is connected with the discharge end of syphon C, while the lower end of
the same is connected with the discharge pipe B. By this arrangement there is a
free circulation of air between the two air chambers D and F, and if bubbles of air
are caught from the tube G as water flows over the crown of the syphon C they
will be carried down into the chamber D and often through the tube B, and thus
pass off into the sewer. If bubbles of air or gas rise in the tube B they will burst
or escape from the water in the chamber D, and thus rise into the chamber F;
therefore it is impossible to completely fill the pipe C with water or to make it
syphon out, as above specified.
Above my trap and forming part thereof is a chamber V, Figure 3, provided with
a buoy or float K. To the lower end of this float is rigidly suspended and attached
a cork or stopper L which is fitted to the upper end of the tube C. As the water
flows down the tube A into the chamber V the buoy K is soon floated, and thus
raises the cork L; then the water flows into the tube C, and when the water is
turned off or ceases to flow the buoy falls with the water till the cork L closes the
tube C, thus leaving about two inches of water covering the cork L; and I keep
about sixteen inches of water below the stopper, thus giving a column of eighteen
inches of water to prevent the upflow of gases or air.
The wire O is intended for lifting the buoy and cork in case they get foul, and
the button P is fitted to the strainer of the sink W, Figure 3. The semicircular
chamber R corresponds in shape with the air chamber F on the opposite side of the
water chamber V, and is to be filled through the tube S with some disinfectant, as
copperas, carbolic crystals, or other suitable material in time of epidemic, or with;
common salt in winter to prevent freezing. When the buoy floats the water rises
and passes through perforations U, thus dissolving a supply of the disinfectant or
salt, one filling of which will last two or three weeks.
These improvements are applicable to sinks, sewers, baths, wash basins, and for
other similar purposes. Without the buoy and cork the trap would syphon out,
and without the air chambers the cork would be drawn in so tight that the buoy
would not float again, and therefore the different parts coact to make a complete
trap.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, as cominunicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I do not limit my Invention to the above described form and arrange-
ment of the different parts, but I may vary the same to adapt my trap to different
places and purposes so long as the objects of the said Invention, as above stated, are
accomplished, and I claim,-
First. A syphon trap having an air chamber above or communicating with the
arch of the syphon for preventing the filling of the discharge branch of the syphon
with water, and preventing the syphoning out of the trap, as above set forth.
Second. In a syphon trap, an air chamber connected with the discharge branch
of the trap to allow the bubbles of air or gas to burst, and thus escape from the
outflowing water, in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In combination with a syphon trap, a buoy and cork above the syphon,
in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. The buoy having the cork rigidly suspended therefrom to automatically
open and close the syphon tube, as above specified, and for the purpose set
forth

page_text: Fifth. The water chamber in combination with a disinfecting chamber, a buoy
and cork, as above specified, and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TTM TADT
W". RODT. LAKE. (L.)