IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF WATER FROM CONSTANT SUPPLY PIPES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Prentis Hawley and Edwin Evered Hill,
both of Brixton, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF WATER FROM
CONSTANT SUPPLY PIPES."
Sealed the 1st February 1870, and dated the 2nd November 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Prentis Hawley
and Edwin Evered Hill at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 2nd November 1869.
We, JOHN PRENTIS HAWLEY and EDWIN EVERED HILL, both of
Brixton, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the
said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW
OF WATER FROM CONSTANT SUPPLY PIPES," to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to improvements in the construction of taps
or valves for controlling the flow of water from constant supply pipes
with the object of preventing the waste consequent on the water being
accidentally allowed to flow unchecked. This we effect by means of
the improvements above mentioned in combination with a closed cistern

page_text: or reservoir, the supply of water to which is cut off automatically by
the tap or valve at the point of delivery whenever water is drawn off
for use, so that should said tap be carelessly left on the water remaining
in the cistern only will be lost, which as the cistern may be of small
dimensions will be inconsiderable. The tap or valve is placed in
connection with the pipes leading to and from the cistern, only one of
which pipes is open at a time to the flow of the water.
According to one arrangement we construct the tap with a partially
rotating plug, as in an ordinary cock, of a length sufficient to allow of
its fitting into two sockets placed on the pipes of supply and delivery,
which latter are parallel. The plug, which is preferably in the form of
two truncated cones placed base to base, is provided with two ways for
the passage of the water placed at an angle with one another, so that
when the passago through the one pipe is opened that through the other
will be closed, and vice versa. These concs through which the water
ways are made are received in the sockets before mentioned, which aro
also conical and are so constructed as to prevent any leakage, which
might otherwise take place by the wear of the tap after but little use.
The sockets are closed at the outer or smaller ends and are each formed
with a short section of pipe on either side for connection with the
supply and delivery pipes, and may be provided with. projecting lugs
serving to connect the sockets together by means of screw nuts. In
this manner (a small space being left between the closed bottom of
each socket and the ends of the plug) the sockets may be drawn closer
together as the cones wear, and thus prevent leakage from that cause,
The lever handle for rotating the plug we prefer to key or otherwise
fix midway on the rotating plug, which may be made parallel and
squared at that point, if required. Instead of the cones being formed
base to base the plug may be tapered in one direction only and the lever
handle applied at one end. In this case the tap would require to be
tightened by means of a screw nut applied to the small end of the plug
as usual, or in any other suitable manner.
According to another arrangement we employ a flat disc placed
within a closed chamber. This disc is provided with two ports for the
passage of the water, and is made to partially rotate upon a plate also
furnished with ports communicating with the supply and delivery pipes,
which are placed parallel as before. The ports of the disc are so
disposed that only one shall coincide with the corresponding ports of

page_text: the plate at a time, so that the flow of water through one or other of
the pipes is always cut off. The disc is preferably carried on a taper
stem or axis received in a corresponding socket in the valve casing, to
the end of which stem a nut may be applied to keep the disc close
up to the face of the plate, if necessary. To this end also a suitable
spanner or lever handle may be applied for partially rotating the disc.
The plate upon which the disc rotates is formed in one with a short
section of both the supply and delivery pipes, and is provided with four
ports or passages placed in pairs towards opposite sides of the disc, on
the face of which they open out, those of the one pair communicating
with the supply pipe in either direction, whilst those of the other pair
are similarly connected with the delivery pipe.
As before mentioned the disc is furnished with ports, one of which is
formed by a slot corresponding to the ports of the supply pipe, which
when it coincides therewith, are placed in communication with one
another, thereby allowing the water to pass freely to the closed cistern
or reservoir. The disc is enclosed in a box or casing made water-tight,
which is filled by the water on its passage to the cistern, so that the
pressure of the water on the back of the disc will keep the same close
to the plate.
In order to put the ports of the delivery pipe in communication a
D or other shaped box is formed on the disc, which when the latter is
partially rotated and the supply to the cistern consequently cut off
encloses the two ports of said pipe, allowing the water to flow from the
cistern to the point of delivery. This D-shaped box is provided for
the purpose of rendering impossible any direct communication between
the supply and delivery pipes through the apparatus itself, as the one
port communicating with the source of supply is always open to allow
the pressure of the water to act on the disc and always keep it close up
to the plate as before described.
The cistern may be provided with an air valve operated by a float or
otherwise to allow of the entrance of air to supply the place of the
water when drawn off, and also to permit the air to escape when the
cistern is again filled, or the latter may be perfectly closed and the air
compressed therein by the pressure of the water from the source of
supply. In this case the air will expand as the water is drawn off and
so fill the cistern, by which arrangement a considerable flow may be

page_text: obtained at the point of delivery without the necessity for a great head
of water.
If the water is required at soveral points of delivery, as on the
different storeys of a house for instance, a separate reservoir or cistern
must be provided for each, the pipe of supply for one floor being 5
connected to that on the floor below at any point below the tap which
controls the flow of the water through the latter and a similar tap or
water wasto preventer provided at each point of delivery.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Prentis Hawley and Edwin Evered Hill in
the Great Seal l'atent Office on the 2nd May 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wc, JOHN
PRENTIS HAWLEY and EDWIN EVERED HILL, both of Brixton, in the
County of Surrey, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand cight hundred and sixty-ninc, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
und grant unto us, the said John Prentis Hawley and Edwin Evered
Hill, Her special licence that we, the said John Prentis Hawley and
Edwin Evered Hill, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said John Prentis Hawley and Edwin Evered Hill,
our exccutors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during tho term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
usc, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF WATER FROM
CONSTANT SUPPLY PIPES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the
aid John Prentis Hawley and Edwin Evered Hill, our executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, 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

page_text: 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 we, the said John Prentis Hawley and Edwin
Evered Hill, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had
to the three Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters
and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
Our Invention relates to improvements in the construction of taps or
valves for controlling the flow of water from constant supply pipes with
the object of preventing the great waste consequent on the water being
accidentally or otherwise allowed to flow unchecked. This we effect by
means of the improvements above mentioned in combination with a
closed cistern or reservoir, the supply of water to which is cut off
automatically by the tap or valve at or near the point of delivery when-
ever water is drawn off for use, so that should said tap be carelessly left
open the water remaining in the cistern only will be lost, which as
the cistern may be of small dimensions will be inconsiderable. The tap
or valve is placed in connection with the pipes leading to and from the
cistern, only one of which pipes is open at a time to the flow of the
water.
According to one arrangement we construct the tap with a partially
rotating plug, as in an ordinary cock, of a length sufficient to allow of
its fitting into two sockets placed on the pipes of supply and delivery,
which latter are disposed parallel to each other. The plug, which is
preferably in the form of two truncated cones placed base to base is
provided with two ways for the passage of the water placed at an angle
with one another, so that when the passage through the one pipe is
opened that through the other will be closed, and vice versa. These
cones through which the waterways are made are received in the sockets
before mentioned, which are also conical, and are so constructed as to
prevent any leakage which might otherwise take place by the wear of
the tap after but little use. The sockets are closed at the outer or
smaller ends and are each formed with a short section of pipe on either
side for connection with the supply and delivery pipes, and may be pro-
vided with projecting lugs serving to connect the sockets together by
means of screw nuts. In this manner (a small space being left between

page_text: the closed bottom of each socket and the ends of the plug) the sockets
may be drawn closer together as the cones wear, and thus prevent
leakage from that cause. The lever handle for rotating the plug we
prefer to key or otherwise fix midway on the rotating plug, which may
be mado parallel and squared at that point if required Instead of the
cones being formed base to base the plug may be tapered in onc
direction only and the lever handle applied at one end. In this case
the tap would require to be tightened by means of a screw nut
applied to the small end of the plug, as usual, or in any other suitable
manner.
According to another arrangement we employ a flat disc placed within
a closed chamber. This disc is provided with two ports for the passage
of the water and is made to partially rotate upon a plate, also furnished
with ports communicating with the supply and delivery pipes, which are
placed parallel as before. The ports of the disc are so disposed that only
one shall coincide with the corresponding ports of the plate at a time, so
that the flow of water through one or other of the pipes is always cut off.
The disc is carried on a taper stem or axis (preferably tapered) received
in a corresponding socket in the valve casing, to the end of which stem
a nut may be applied to keep the disc close up to the face of the plate,
if necessary. To this end also a suitable spanner or lever handle may
be applied for partially rotating the disc. The plate upon which the
disc rotates is formed in one with a short section of both the supply and
delivery pipes, and is provided with four radial ports or passages
placed in pairs towards opposite sides of the disc, those of the onc
pair communicating with the supply pipe in either direction, whilst
those of the other pair are similarly connected with the delivery
pipe.
As before mentioned the disc is furnished with ports, one of which is
formed by a slot corresponding to the ports of the supply pipe, which
when it coincides therewith are placed in communication with one
another, thereby allowing the water to pass freely to the closed cistern
or reservoir. The disc is enclosed in a box or casing made water-tight,
which is filled by the water on its passage to the cistern, so that the
pressure of the water on the back of the disc will keep the same close up
to the plate.
In order to put the ports of the delivery pipe in communication
a D or other shaped box is formed on the disc, which when the

page_text: latter is partially rotated and the supply to the cistern consequently cut
off encloses the two ports of said pipe, allowing the water to flow from
the cistern to the point of delivery. This D-shaped box is provided for
the purpose of rendering impossible any direct communication between
the supply and delivery pipes through the apparatus itself, as the one
port communicating with the source of supply is always open to allow
the pressure of the water to act on the disc and keep it close up to the
plate as before described.
The cistern may be provided with an air valve operated by a float
or otherwise to allow of the entrance of air to supply the place of
the water when drawn off, and also to permit the air to escape
when the cistern is again filled, or the latter may be preferably closed
and the air compressed therein by the pressure of the water from the
source of supply. In this case the air will expand as the water is drawn
off and so fill the cistern, by which arrangement a considerable flow may
be obtained at the point of delivery without the necessity for a great head
of water.
If the water is required at several points of delivery, as on the
different stories of a house for instance, a separate reservoir or cistern
must be provided for each, the pipe of supply for the cistern on one
floor being connected to the supply pipe of the cistern situato on the
floor below at any point below the tap which controls the flow of the
water to the latter, a similar tap or water waste preventer being
provided at each point of delivery.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
One arrangement of cock constructed according to our Invention is
represented in Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, in which Figures 1
and 2 are front and side clevations respectively; Figure 3 being a
sectional view (taken on the line 1-2, Figure 2) showing the interior
construction of the cock and the means for tightening the cones as they
wear.
A, A', are the cones forming the plug of the tap, which are received
in the sockets B, B', communicating with the supply and delivery
pipes C, C, respectively, which communicate at the upper part with the
closed cistern before mentioned. Each cone is provided with a way a as
usual for the passage of the water, said ways being formed at right
angles to one another, or in such relative directions that the water can-

page_text: not pass through both at the same time. The sockets B, B', are closed
at their outer or smaller ends, and are bored conical to receive the
b
plugs A, A', which are ground in as usual, a space 6 being left between
the end of cach cone and the bottom of its socket to permit of the
cono being tightened in said socket when worn. A small passage c may
be bored in the end of each conc communicating with the space band
with the waterway through said cone to permit the water collecting in
the bottom of the socket to escape therefrom when the tap is tightened.
The tightening of the tap when worn may be effected either by means
of screw nuts and connecting lugs formed on the bracings C, C³, of the
sockets, which bracings would in that case be made in two parts, or
preferably by the aid of the key or wedge D. The sockets B, B', being
rigidly braced together by the links C, C, the wedge D is then intro-
duced between the ends of the squared stems of the cones or plugs A, A',
through a slot in the head of the lever E by which the cock is operated,
where it is secured by a nut passed on the screwed stem d of said wedge,
as shown. By tightening said nut the cones will be forced apart by the
wedge and so tightened in their scats as required. To prevent undue
wear at any part by lateral pressure on the lever handle E cach
conc A, A', is formed with a shoulder e at or near the base, between
which and the face of its socket we place a metal washer f, so that when
the conc is ground in or tightened in its socket the washer may either
be reduced in thickness, or another substituted to just fill the space
between the shoulder and the socket.
Another arrangement of valve cock is illustrated in Sheet 2 of the
Drawings, in which Figure 4 is a front elevation, and Figure 5 a side
view of the valve; Figure 6 is a face view with the outer box or casing
removed to show the disposition of the ports and disc; Figure 7 being a
section taken on line 1-2, Figure G, whilst Figure 8 is an under side
view of the rotating disc. G is a plate formed in one with two sections
of pipe C, C', connected as before with the supply and delivery pipes.
The face of the plate G is furnished with four ports or passages 9, 9, 9', I',
arranged in pairs, towards opposite sides, and communicating the one
pair with the supply, and the other pair with the delivery pipe. The
passage through both the supply and delivery pipes C, C', is interrupted
by a diaphragm h placed between the two ports of each pair, which
communicate with the upper and lower sections of their respective pipes.
II is the disc mounted on a central axis or stem I, which is received in

page_text: and passes through a corresponding socket in the casting or plate G,
on the face of which, disc II rotates, and with which it is kept in close
contact by means of the nuts K passed on the stem I, the extremity of
which is squared to receive the key or spanner E. This disc II is also
furnished with passages or ports L and M, which are so disposed that
only one shall coincide with the corresponding pair of ports in the
plate G at a time. The passage L is formed by a D shaped box
provided on disc II, and sufficiently large to enclose the two ports g', g',
as shown in Figure 6, by which means the upper and lower sections of
pipe C' are put in communication, the water passing through said box L
on its way from the cistern to the point of delivery. M is an opening
entirely through disc II, and always open to that port of the pair g, I,
which communicates with the source of supply. The disc II is enclosed
by a cover N screwed tightly on the casting G and made water-tight, as
shown, so that there is a continual pressure of water on the disc II
tending to keep it close up to plate G, and so prevent leakage. In
the position shown in Figure 6 the water is free to pass from the closed
cistern or reservoir to the point of delivery, the passage from the source
of supply being cut off, but when the disc II is brought to the red line
position by the aid of handle E these conditions are reversed, that is to
say, the port M coincides with the two ports g, g, which are thus put in
communication and permit of the water passing freely to the cistern,
the delivery being at same time cut off, as the box L no longer connects
the ports g'. A fixed stop i in a recess or slot k limits the rotation of
the disc II to the extent required.
A modification of the arrangement last described is illustrated in
Sheet 3 of the Drawings, in which the valve cock has a rectilinear
instead of a rotary motion, the operation being the same in other
respects as before. Figure 9 is an elevation; and Figure 10 a transverse
section on line 3, 4, Figure 11, which is a face view of the slide or valve
in two positions with the casing or box removed. G is tho casting
connecting the two parts C, C', and provided with two pairs of ports
9, 9, 9', g', communicating therewith as before. H is the slide furnished
with an opening and D shaped box also, as before, for effecting the
communication between the parts of cach tube.
carried on a central stem I, which passes through a slot o in the casting
G, by which the motion of sliding plate H is limited. The stem 1 is
received in a socket P sliding with the plate H and serving to prevent
The sliding plate II is

page_text: the latter bearing unequally on the face of G, with which it is main-
tained in close contact by a nut screwed to the end of stem I, as well
as by the pressure of the water on the back of plate II. R is a
lever handle mounted on a fixed fulcrum at 1, and the end R' of which
is slotted to receive the end of stem I. By this means the necessary
movement of the plate H is effected to open the water passage either
through the supply or.delivery pipes, in which positions it is shown in
Figure 11.
Having described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, wo declare that what we claim as our Invention
to be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. The improved arrangement of cock or tap described and illus-
trated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the annexed Drawings, or any mere
modification of the same to be used in connection with a closed cistern
or reservoir for preventing or limiting the waste of water where a
constant supply is afforded.
2ndly. We claim the improved water valve cock illustrated in Figures
4 to 8 of the annexed Drawings, arranged and applied for the purpose
specified.
We also claim the modified arrangement of this valve shown in
Figures 9, 10, and 11 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Prentis Hawley and Edwin
Evered Hill, have hereunto set our hands and scals, this Thirtieth
day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy.
J. P. HAWLEY.
(L.S.)
EDWIN E. HILL. (L.S.)