Improvements in Valves for Cisterns and for similar Purposes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 6th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 6th Sept., 1800
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Cisterns and for similar Purposes.
We JOHN EMPSON and JOHN HEWITT trading as Wilkins and Wright of 58 Graham
Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers, and ALMA JONES of
24 Thorpe Street, Birmingham, aforesaid Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to the manner in which we construct and arrange a valve
to be used in any ordinary cistern for water closets; or for application to tanks for
containing water or other liquid; whereby we are enabled to construct a reliable
waste water preventer and at the same time a simple and effective controlling valve in
one and the same piece of apparatus.
In carrying our invention into effect we construct a valve having a washer of
leather or other suitable material secured to a weighted valve bob or valve base, and
upon this weighted or heavy base we form or attach a collar or mount to receive a
bulb ended stem for the purpose of ensuring that the stem shall be free to move in
every direction while the base remains steadily resting or supported by the scating or
bush which forms the joint for the leather or rubber washer, and thus prevents the
passage of water during the period that the valve face is upon the seat. The stem of
the valve we form as a circular piston or ram which we allow to work into a suitable
cylinder or chambered tube projecting from a weighted or heavy cap or head. This
cap or head we form with or arrange to receive an eye, ring, or hook, for attaching to
a chain, rod or lever which is to be used for operating the valve. The tube or hollow
stem or cylinder, which we attach to or form upon the weighted head we construct
out of brass or metal which will not oxidise by the action of the water; and we cause
the piston or ram stein which projects from the weighted bob or base, to work with
freedom up the interior of the cylinder or hollow stem; the fit or working condition
being such that it is not quite water-tight but only capable of allowing water to pass
up and around it at a very slow rate. Thus we employ this property due to the
difficulty of the water to pass up and around the stem working in its cylinder for the
purpose of enabling us to form a partial vacuum within the cylinder which will not
be dispersed until after the water has slowly found its way between the ram and the
cylinder surface into that space thus formed. We also regulate the amount of water
which shall pass through the valve by the amount of fall given to the weighted valve.
Similarly we are able to ensure that the valve shall not permit of the passage of
more than a certain determined amount before it shall automatically fall upon its seat
and thus prevent waste.
The action of our improved valve is as follows: Having secured our seating or
bush to the tank or cistern to which our valve is to be attached; we place our
weighted valve upon the seat, and in order that it may always come regularly into its
working position we attach rings or guiding rods to the valve bob or face which
enter in the inner hole of the seating. The stem of the valve or its piston or ram,
we cause to enter the hollow stem of the weighted head or cap and we secure the
lever to the hook or ring upon the cap. We cover the valve and its fittings with
water and we then desire to allow a certain amount of the water to pass through the
valve. We raise the lever attached to the heavy cap and by so doing we carry with
it the lower suspended valve and thus allow the water to escape. Immediately that
the valve is raised the water from the cistern passes up between the sides of the
cylinder and piston, that is between the stem and its hollow chamber and rises to
the top of the stem thereby exerting a pressure upon the stem and thus causing it
to descend and, with it of course, the valve. But directly that the valve moves
down the water pressure upon the top of the stem is slightly released, on account.

page_text: of the extra space given to it to occupy. So that the valve stem will only sink as
the fresh water can be admitted into the space above the valve stem. The rate
theroforo at which the valve descends is that due to the passage of the water up and
around the stem, to enter the partially vacuous space above it within the hollow
cylinder, and by this means to keep a pressure upon the top of the piston due to the
water in the cistern or tank. In other words we allow the pressure both upon the
underside and the top of the valve to be brought into equilibrium, thereby enabling
the valve to be carried gently down by its weighted bob or face.
By this system and when using our improved valve we first raise the valve by means
of the lever and then should the lever be held down, or fastened down, the valve
itself will return automatically to its seat and thereby prevent the water from passing
away from the tank or cistern. While should it be desired to allow only a small
quantity of water to pass through the valve and not the full amount due to the fall
of the stem, we accomplish this by releasing the lover and thus cause the valve to fall
again on to its seat.
We determine the amount of water which shall flow through the valve by the
amount of travel or fall of the stem loaded bob. Seeing that the higher the valve
is raised from its seat, the longer time will it be in again reaching it, and
consequently the greater will be the amount of water which leaves the cistern
or tank.
We do not limit ourselves to any particular form of cistern, tank or reservoir, for
the application of our improved valve; neither do we confine the regulation of the
lift of the valve from its seat to any peculiar form of lever, or arrangement of fulcra ;
but adopt any varying length of lever or any ordinary arrangement of stops for
preventing the valve passing certain determined positions; and for the purpose of
decreasing the shock upon the valve seat we arrange an air tube within the bush or
seating below the face which receives the valve and we carry this tube up that it
may always be above the level of the water or liquid in the tank or reservoir. Thus
when the valve is falling to its seat the air is free to escape from the pipe and to
allow the valve to come gently on to its face without the vibration or shaking which
would be given if the air had no escape other than through the valve of the
cistern.
Dated this Fifth day of November 1889.
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Cisterns and for similar Purposes.
WO, JOHN EMPSON and JOHN HEWITT, trading as Wilkins and Wright, of
58 Graham Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers, and
ALMA JONES of 24 Thorpe Street, Birmingham aforesaid Plumber, 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:
Our invention relates to the manner in which we construct and arrange a valve to
be used in any ordinary cistern for water closets; or for application to tanks for
containing water or other liquid; whereby we are enabled to construct a reliable
waste water preventer and at the same time a simple and effective controlling valve
in one and the same piece of apparatus.
In carrying our invention into effect we construct a valve having a washer of
leather or other suitable material secured to a weighted valve bob or valve base; and
upon this weighted or heavy base we form or attach a collar or mount to receive a
bulb ended stem for the purpose of ensuring that the stem shall be free to move in
every direction, while the base remains steadily resting or supported by the seating
or bush which forms the joint for the leather or rubber washer, and thus prevents the

page_text: passage of water during the period that the valve face is upon the sent. The stem
of the valve we form as a circular piston or ram which we allow to work into a
suitable cylinder or chambered tube projecting from a weighted or heavy cap or
head. This cap or head we form with or arrange to receive an eye, ring, or hook,
for attaching to a chain, rod, or lever which is to be used for operating the valve.
The tube or hollow stem or cylinder, which we attach to or form upon the weighted
head we construct out of brass or metal which will not oxidise by the action of the
water; and we cause the piston or ram stem which projects from the weighted bob
or base, to work with freedom up the interior of the cylinder or hollow stem; the fit
or working condition being such that it is not quite watertight but only capable of
allowing water to pass up and around it at a very slow rate. Thus we employ this
property due to the difficulty of the water to pass up and around the stem working in its
cylinder for the purpose of enabling us to form a partial vacuum within the cylinder
which will not be dispersed until after the water has slowly found its way between the
ram and the cylinder surface, into that space thus formed. We also regulate the
amount of water which shall pass through the valve by the amount of fall given to
the weighted valve. Similarly we are able to ensure that the valve shall not permit
of the passage of more than a certain determined amount before it shall automatically
fall upon its seat and thus prevent waste.
The action of our improved valve is as follows:-
Having secured our seating or bush to the tank or cistern to which our valve is to
be attached; we place our weighted valve upon the seat, and in order that it may
always come regularly into its working position we attach rings or guiding rods to
the valve bob or face which enters into the inner hole of the seating. The stem of
the valve or its piston, or ram, we cause to enter the hollow stem of the weighted head
or cap, and we secure the lever to the hook or ring upon the cap. We cover the
valve and its fittings with water and we then desire to allow a certain amount of the
water to pass through the valve. We raise the lever attached to the heavy cap and
by so doing we carry with it the lower suspended valve and thus allow the water to
escape. Immediately that the valve is raised, the water from the cistern passes up
between the sides of the cylinder and piston, that is between the sides and its hollow
chamber, and rises to the top of the stem thereby exerting a pressure upon the stem
and thus causing it to descend and, with it of course the valve. But directly that
the valve moves down the water pressure upon the top of the stem is slightly released,
on account of the extra space given to it to occupy. So that the valve stem will only
sink as the frosh water can be admitted into the space above the valve stem. The
rate therefore at which this valve descends is that due to the passage of the water
up and around the stem, to enter the partially vacuous space above it within the
hollow cylinder, and by this means to keep a pressure upon the top of the piston due
to the water in the cistern or tank. In other words we allow the pressures both upon
the underside and the top of the valve to be brought into equilibrium, thereby
enabling the valve to be carried gently down by its weighted bob or face.
By this system and when using our improved valve we first raise the valve by
means of the lever and then should the lever be held down, or fastened down, the
valve itself will return automatically to its seat and thereby prevent the water from
passing away from the tank or cistern. While should it be desired to allow only a
small quantity of water to pass through the valve and not the full amount due to the
fall of the stem, we accomplish this by releasing the lever and thus cause the valve to
fall again on to its seat.
We determine the amount of water which shall flow through the valve by the
amount of travel or fall of the stem loaded bob; seeing that the higher the valve is
raised from its seat, the longer time will it be in again reaching it, and consequently
the greater will be the amount of water which leaves the cistern or tank.
We do not limit ourselves to any particular form of cistern, tank or reservoir, for
the application of our improved valve; neither do we confine the regulation of the
lift of the valve from its seat to any peculiar form of lever or arrangement of fulcra ;
but adopt any varying length of lever or any ordinary arrangement of stops for

page_text: preventing the valve passing certain determined positions; and for the purpose of
decreasing the shock upon the valve seat wo arrange an air tube within the bush or
seating below the face which receives the valve and we carry this tube up that it may
always be above the level of the water or liquid in the tank or reservoir.
Thus when the valve is falling to its scat the air is free to escape from the pipe and
to allow the valve to come gently on to its face without the vibration or shaking
which would be given if the air had no escape other than through the valve of the
cistern.
In order that our invention and the method of carrying it into effect may be
more readily understood we append hereunto two sheets of explanatory drawings to
be hereafter referred to.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of our improved valve and waste water preventer &
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.
Fig. 3 is an alternative arrangement we sometimes adopt of constructing our improved
combination valve shown in sectional elevation and Fig. 4 is a plan of the same.
Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a syphon flushing cistern or tank showing one
method of employing our improved valve.
Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of a syphon flushing cistern having a bell form of
syphon filled therein, showing the application of our improved valve thereto, and
Fig. 7 is a plan in outline of the same arrangement.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the drawings.
In Fig. 1. A' is the circular stem or piston which we attach to, or form with, a
bulb end ; and which stem by its bulb O is held securely upon the weighted
bob or base C, by the screwed end of the valve face L' engaging with the corre-
spondingly screwed cap or cover P. The rubber or leather washor D₁ we attach to
he face of the cap P, or it may be secured to the surface of the seat M¹. The
valve we form of metal, having wings or guiding rods L, L, L, formed with or cast
upon the face L'.
The cylinder or rising hollow connecting tube B¹ we cause to fit freely over the ram
or piston tube A¹; and the end of B₁ we close or seal with a cover H³ having a lug
or eye K' for making any ordinary attachment to a lever or chain for operating the
saine. The valve seats itself by means of its rubber, leather or other suitable material
face, upon the face M' of the cistern M, or upon any other suitable portion of the
vessel that is to receive the valve.
In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 A is the hollow piston, B is the moving cylinder, is the
valve face, D is the leather or rubber washer, E is a guide and union piece for forming
the seat upon the base or other portion of the tank or cistern G, E¹ is a ring held at
the upper end of some guiding stems or rods formed upon E, and which ring prevents the
valva face C from missing the washer D; E' is the threaded end for receiving the
junction or pipe connection for conveying the liquid from the cistern; and F is
the nut for securely attaching the valve to the cistern.
The cylinder Bis closed by the cap H having a connecting eye or lug K; and this
cylinder slides freely upon the hollow ram or inner cylinder A, which hollow ram
we form with an open top and bottom, for the purpose of allowing water to pass up
and within the inner portion of B, and then to flow freely down the central syphon
tube N which is connected to the base open cap and valve seat C C. Thus when the
cylinder by means of a lever or ordinary connection with the cap lug K, is raised,
the piston A is also raised with it, thus allowing the water to flow down the union
piece E but as the water is always within the interior of the ram B, piston A, and
surrounding the tube N, the valve C soon falls on to its seat and further flow is
arrested from the bottom of the tank direct, while however. a syphon action is set up
by the tube N which being charged or full of water continues to cause the water to
flow out of the tank or cistern by drawing it up the inner portion of A and then
down through N to the connecting pipe at E. By this arrangement and combination
we form a simple flushing valve and syphon in one piece of apparatus.
When attaching our improved valve as illustrated at Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 to an ordinary
syphon flushing cistern we arrange the same as set forth at Fig 5, in which U is

page_text: the tank or cistero fitted with a lever W which we connect to our valve lug K and
having an ordinary pulley chain X. T is the usual ball feeding valve with its float
or ball S; R R is the syphon tube having a branch or opening M for receiving
our valve B. C; and E³ is the junction connection piece. The action of our improved
valve when arranged upon this flushing syphon is to cause the leg R' to be charged
when the valve Cis raised off the seat M and the water to be drawn up the open
leg R after the valve face C¹ has returned and seated itself upon M, thereby causing
the water to be drained off from the cistern U by a slight pull cr movement of the
lever W. While waste is prevented by the valve automatically returning to its seat
independently of the movement of the lever W.
The water in the bell syphon cistern illustrated in Fig 6 and Fig. 7; is drawn up
the outer passage or chamber R formed upon the bell V, and down the inner
passage Runder the valve C and away by the connecting branch E; the inner
portion V being charged by a hole Y connecting the outside to the inside; and
the chambers or passages R R being connected by openings Z Z at the upper ends
of the passages.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is-
1. The construction of valves having one inner stem such as A' working within
an outer stem or cylinder such as B', whereby one portion is automatically connected
and disconnected from the other as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and
substantially as set forth in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
2. The combination and arrangement of parts forming a waste water preventer
and valve, as, and for the purposes, hereinbefore described and substantially as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of A nous 1800
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicants.