IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE CLOSET APPARATUS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF WATER IN OTHER CASES
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE
CLOSET APPARATUS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF
WATER IN OTHER CASES."-A communication from abroad by François
Tacon, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin, Paris.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 17th September 1867.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE
MENTS IN VALVE CLOSET APPARATUS, PART OF WHICH IS APPLICABLE FOR REGULATING
THE FLOW OF WATER IN OTHER CASES," to be as follows:-
'This Invention relates to improvements in watercloset apparatus, and
consists,-
1st. In the application to such apparatus of an elastic valve of peculiar
construction as a substitute for the arrangements now in use.
2ndly. In a means of regulating the pressure of the water in the pipes,
which is also applicable for regulating the flow of water in other, cases...
[Price 8d.1

page_text: 3rdly. In the application to waterclosets generally of a means of separat-
ing the solid and liquid matters in the basin itself.
The annexed Drawing shows two arrangements of apparatus constructed
according to this Invention.
.73
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the apparatus, and Figure 2 a
similar section of a modified arrangement. The same letters serve for both
Figures.
a, basin; b, valve arranged in the ordinary way; c, elbowed lever attached
at one end d to the valve b, while its other end is jointed to a link e oscillating
on a fulcrum f fixed at the lower part of the apparatus; h,vertical rod con-
nected to the lever c by a fork jand stud k running in a slot /, said rod h is
contained in a chamber m closed at top by a stuffing box n. The chamber m
is placed in communication with the basin a on the one hand by channel o,
and with the water inlet pon the other hand by a union q containing a valve r,
stems, spring t, and guide u.
This valve is secured at the one end to a
screwed boss and at the other by the flanged guide u. The end of the valve
stem rests on the upper part of the cone of stem h, by raising or lowering
which the opening and closing of the valve is effected. x, spiral spring, the
tendency of which is to keep the'stem / constantly down. The act of raising
stem h opens the valve 7, as also valve b, by the aid of the connecting levers
for the purpose of allowing the matters in the basin to pass'away.*****
In Figure 2 the stem h instead of being worked by a pull action operated
by hand is pressed downwards by a jointed lever or plate on which the feet are
ordinarily placed. The arrangement of the parts is the same as in Figure 1,
except that the position of the cone is reversed and the spring x applied
beneath it so as to raise the stem h when the lever or plate y inged at z is
liberated. A separate spring may also be provided for raising plate y, in
which case the spring x would simply serve to raise the stem h. In this
arrangement the stem his connected to the end of the lever c, which latter is
jointed at f¹ to a link fof the same, whereby an oscillating motion is obtained.
The same arrangement may be employed without the jointed lever or platey,
in which case the stem h would be operated by hand, it being furnished with
a hand hold at its top end for the purpose.
11
..
This 1st improvement thus consists in the arrangement and construction
of the improved elastic valve gear to be applied to closet apparatus, with or
without a water supply.
.'
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2ndly. The arrangement of.stem / provided with a cone or excentric for
operating closet valves, whether the stem be raised by hand or depressed
by a foot plate.

page_text: 3rdly. By the herein described arrangement of the apparatus I am
enabled to dispense with the cast-iron casing generally used for closets of
this kind.
4thly. I dispense with all counterbalance weights either for the valve
or stem.
I also reserve the right of employing a similar stem with spiral spring
and lever connection to pull lever closets used without a water supply, the
Drawing serving simply as an example of the mode of application.
A further improvement consists in a mode of regulating the pressure in the
water supply channels of closet apparatus, which is also applicable as a water
supply regulator generally. 1 is a chamber made in one or more parts united
by bolts and flanges, and placed between the apparatus and the source of
supply; 2, float formed of a disc or ball of wood, cork, india-rubber, hollow
metal, or otherwise having a stem 3.for regulating the position of the valve 4.
When the water by reason of the great pressure flows too abundantly the
float 2 immediately rises, the valve 4 gradually closing the supply orifice so
as to again regulate the rate of supply. The valve stem 3 is carried in
suitable guides 5, its lower part being screwed for the reception of an
adjustable disc 6 for regulating, the extent of motion of valve 4, which is
readily effected by unscrewing bolts 7 and removing the upper part of the
chamber 1, the disc 6 abutting against lower guide 5, or the supply may be
entirely cut off by preventing the play of the valve, stem. This mode of
regulating the motion of the stem 3 also enables a maximum supply to be
afforded. The feature of the apparatus thus consists in regulating the water
supply by a permanently acting float, and I reserve its application generally
for regulating a water supply, for example, in supplying towns it would be
sufficient to apply one of these regulators of large dimensions on the water
main, or one of sinaller dimensions at each point of supply.
It will be understood that the form and dimensions of the apparatus
may vary according to the purpose for which it is required.
A further improvement consists in constructing watercloset basins of such
form as to directly effect the separation of the solid and liquid matters. The
improyed basin is represented, at a, Figures 1 and 2, and may be made of
porcelain, metal, or other materia!. The basin is formed with a hollow, circular
exterior rim or flange 8 at its lower part, having a narrow slit or opening 9
on the inside, and forming a sort of gutter with a discharge nozzle 10 at any
point in connection with the discharge pipe 11.. The water enters the basin
at the upper part as usual, and distributes itself over its surface for effecting
the cleansing desired, and as the water descends with more or less force

page_text: according to the pressure it will enter the channel 8 by the slit 9, whence
it is discharged by the pipe 11. The flow should be so regulated that a
small quantity of water may pass the slit 9 and fall on to the valve 6 to
keep it wet and prevent the matters from adhering thereto. The great
advantage of this improved basin is that any water thrown into it at any
time will at once pass out and not remain therein. These separating basins
may be applied to all kinds of waterclosets.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 13th March 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special licence that I, the said Alexander
Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVE CLOSET APPARATUS, PART OF WHICH IS
APPLICABLE FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF WATER IN OTHER CASES," a communi-
cation to me from abroad by François Tacon, of 29, Boulevart St. Martin,
Paris, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alexander
Melville Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to

page_text: be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates to improvements in watercloset apparatus, and
consists,―
First. In the application to such apparatus of an elastic valve of peculiar
construction as a substitute for the arrangements now in use.
Secondly. In a means of regulating the pressure of the water in the pipes,
which is also applicable for regulating the flow of water in other cases.
Thirdly. In the application to waterclosets generally of a means of
separating the solid and liquid matters in the basin itself.
Fourthly. In the application of a cock for regulating the pressure of the
water from the mains, which also regulates the supply to the basin.
The annexed Drawings show two arrangements of apparatus constructed
according to this Invention.
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the apparatus, Figure 2 a similar
section of a modified arrangement, and Figure 3 a section of a modified
arrangement of basin; the same letters serve for the three Figures.
a, basin; b, valve arranged in the ordinary way; c, elbowed lever attached
at one end d to the valve b, while its other end is jointed to a link e, oscil-
lating on a fulcrum f fixed at the lower part of the apparatus; h, vertical rod
connected to the lever c by a fork j and stud / received in a slot ; said rod h
is contained in a chamber m closed at top by a stuffing box n. The chamberm
is placed in communication with the basin a on the one hand by a channel o,
and with the water inlet p on the other hand by a union q containing a
valve r, stems, spring t, and guide u. This valve is secured at the one end
to a screwed boss and at the other by the flanged guide .u. The end of
valve stem rests on the upper part of the cone of stem h, by raising or
lowering which the opening and closing of the valve is effected. x, spiral
spring, the tendency of which is to keep the stem h constantly down. The
act of raising stem h opens the valve r and also valve 6 by the aid of the
connecting levers which rise with the stem for allowing the matters in the
basin to pass away.
In Figure 2 the stem h instead of being worked by a pull action operated
by hand is pressed downwards by a jointed lever or plate on which the feet
are ordinarily placed. The arrangement of the parts is the same as in
Figure 1, except that the position of the cone vis reversed and the spring
applied beneath it so as to raise the stem when the lever or plate y hinged
at z is liberated. A separate spring may also be provided for raising plate y,

page_text: in which case the spring x would simply serve to raise the stem h. In this
arrangement the stem h is connected to the end of the lever c, which latter is
jointed at to a link f of the same, whereby an oscillating motion is
obtained. The same arrangement 'may be employed without the jointed
lever or plate y, in which case the stem h would be operated by hand, it
being furnished with a hand hold at its top end for the purpose.
The first improvement thus consists in the arrangement and construction
of the improved elastic valve gear to be applied to closet apparatus with or
without a water'supply.
Secondly. The arrangement of stem h provided with a cone or eccentric
for operating the closet valves, whether the stem be raised by hand or
depressed by a pedal or foot plate.
.....
Thirdly. By the herein described arrangement of the apparatus I am
enabled to dispense with the cast-iron casing generally used for closets of
this kind.
Fourthly. I dispense with all counterbalance weights either for the valve
or'stem!
:..
I also reserve the right of employing a similar stem with spiral spring
and lever connection to pull lever closets used without water, t the drawing
serving simply as an example of the mode of application.
A further improvement consists in the mode of regulating the pressure in the
water supply channels of closet apparatus, which is also applicable as a water-
supply regulator generally. 1, Figure 1, is a chamber made of one or more
parts united by bolts and flanges,and placed between the apparatus and source
of supply; 2, float formed of a disc or ball of wood, cork, india-rubber; hollow
metal, or otherwise, having a stem 3 for regulating the position of the valve 4.
When the water by reason of its great pressure flows too abundantly the float 2
immediately rises, the valve 4 gradually closing the supply orifice so as to again
regulate the rate of supply. The valve stem 3 is carried in suitable guides 5,
its lower part being screwed for the reception of an adjustable disc 6 for
regulating the extent of motion of valve 4, which is readily affected by
unscrewing bolts 7 and removing the upper part of chamber 1, the disc 6
abutting against lower guide 5, or the supply may be entirely cut off by
preventing the play of the valve stem. This mode of regulating the motion of
the stem 3' also enables a maximum supply to be afforded. The feature of the
apparatus thus consists in regulating the water supply of a permanently
acting float, and I reserve its application generally for regulating the water
supply; for example, in supplying towns it would be sufficient to apply one
of these regulators of large dimensions on the water main, or one of smaller

page_text: dimensions at each point of supply. It will be understood that the form
and dimensions of the apparatus' may vary according to the purpose for
which it is required!
A further improvement consists in constructing watercloset basins of
such form as to directly effect the separation of the solid and liquid matters.
The improvement in the basin is represented at a, Figures 1 and 2, and the
basin may be made of 'porcelain, metal, or other material. The basin is
formed with a hollow circular exterior rim òr bead at its lower part, having
a narrow slit or opening 9 'on the inside, and forming a sort of gutter with
a discharge nozzle 10'a't any point in connection with the discharge pipe 11.
The water enters the basin at the upper part as usual, and distributes itself
over its surface for effecting the cleansing desired, and as the water descends
with more or less force according to the pressure it will enter the channel 8
by the slit 9, whence it is discharged by the pipe 11. The flow should be so
regulated that a small quantity of water may pass the slit 9 and fall into the
valve b to keep it 'wet and prevent the matters from adhering thereto.. The
great advantage of this improved basin is that any water thrown into it at
any time will at once pass out and not remain therein. The basin a may be
made of cast iron enamelled or of other material, and be fixed in a groove 12
made around the rim 8, as shown in Figure 3. In this manner the basin
can be readily fitted in place,, and adjusted to the water inlet and outlet
pipes without the necessity of taking the whole of the apparatus to pieces.
The joint 12 is properly luted in order to keep the basin in place. A syphon
or bent pipe 13, Figure 3, is fixed to the discharge pipe 10, so that a quantity
of water may always remain in the bend and intercept the gases in the
discharge pipe 11, and thus render the closet perfectly inodorous.
I also provide waterclosets with an improved cock, which has no liability to
leakage, and regulates the pressure so as to prevent the water from being
admitted with too great force into the basin, and also allow of repairs being
made to the closet without interfering with the water supply of the house.
This improved regulating cock is represented in Figure 2 of the Drawings.
14, cock provided with a plug 15, held in position above and below by screw
plugs 16 and india-rubber washers to prevent any escape. In order to
regulate the flow of water the upper screw plug 16 is removed and a square
key introduced into the orifice 17 of the plug 15, which is turned until it is
brought to the desired position, when the plug 16 is again replaced; in this
manner the flow may be regulated more or less as desired. Further, by giving
half a turn to plug 15 the inflow of water may be completely intercepted, and
the closet can then be readily taken to pieces for repairs when necessary.

page_text: Having described the nature of this Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as improvements in valve
closets with or without a water supply to be protected by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The improved inlet cock with elastic valve arranged and applied in
the manner and for the purpose described."
Secondly. I claim the arrangement of stem h with the cone or eccentric
formed thereon for opening and closing the valve.
Thirdly. I claim the peculiar form of closet basin shown with a hollow
rim or bead for effecting the separation of the liquid from the other matters
in the manner described and as represented in the Drawings.
Fourthly. I claim the regulating valve and float represented in Figure 1
for regulating the pressure of water in the pipes.
Fifthly. I claim the improved cock for regulating the supply from the
mains.
Sixthly. I claim the arrangement and application of the bent pipe or
syphon, as shown in Figure 3, for rendering closets inodorous, all as herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)