IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS AND IN BALL AND OTHER COCKS, TAPS, AND VALVES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Hill, of the Town and County of the
Town of Nottingham, Brass Founder and General Manufacturer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS AND IN BALL AND
OTHER COCKS, TAPS, AND VALVES.""
Sealed the 17th October 1868, and dated the 22nd April 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Hill at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,, on. the
22nd April 1868...
I, HENRY HILL, of the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham,.
Brass Founder and General Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS AND IN
AND OTHER COCKS, TAPS, AND VALVES," to be as follows:-
These improvements in waterclosets consist in. the employment. of a
vertical cylinder which has a flange at or near its.lower end, by which
flange it is secured to an S-shaped D-shaped, or otherwise shaped
trap. Above the flange, but inside the cylinder, is a seat turned out to
receive a plunger open at its lower end; its depth is somewhat greater

page_text: than the diameter of the orifice of a short pipe which projects from the
side of the cylinder, and has at its outer end a flange by which the
cylinder is connected with the lower part of the basin. The bottom of
the plunger is turned by preference slightly conical; the conical part
when the plunger is lowered will fit tightly into an india-rubber or other
ring, securely held between the flanges of the cylinder and the trap, thus
forming a seat for the plunger to fall into. On the upper end of the
cylinder a hollow mould is cast or otherwise formed. This mould passes
entirely round the cylinder and forms an inlet pipe on one side thereof,
and an outlet pipe on the opposite side. Either or both pipes may be
flanged or otherwise formed to allow of a ready connection with a supply
pipe, which may proceed from a water supply cistern, the water from the
outlet pipe passing into the basin for flushing it. The plunger has on its
upper side a strong rod which passes through a stuffing box at its upper
end, and is provided with a handle above the stuffing box; this handle
may stand above the seat of the closet, or it may fall into a recess
therein. When the plunger is lifted by the handle and the handle
released, the plunger will be quickly pressed into its seat not only by its
own weight but assisted by the plunger or by an india-rubber or other
tube acting as a spring, or by a coiled spring. As the plunger is lifted
by the rod its upper portion comes in contact with an arm bent or other-
wise within the cylinder, and secured on one end of an axle passed
through a-stuffing box in the side of the cylinder, the other end of the
axle carrying outside the cylinder a lever, to which is attached a wire
communicating with the valve of the supply cistern, by which means the
basin is effectually emptied and flushed each time the plunger is raised.
up to unclose the orifice of the short flanged pipe to which the basin is
attached. The apparatus may be applied to self-acting closets. I can
so apply it as to dispense with the usual supply cistern and ball cock over
or at the back, and instead thereof I obtain the requisite quantity of.
. water for flushing the basin direct from the service pipe by opening a
supply cock on such. pipe by means of levers or their equivalents,
operated by the plunger or the lowering of the seat. This supply cock is
a three-way cock, through one way of which the water passes into the
basin, and through another way it passes into a cistern placed under the
closet seat to form a trap in the basin.

page_text: liquid is supplied. Below this projection the cylinder is turned out to
form a conical or otherwise shaped seat, which receives the lower end of
a plunger passed through a hole in a plug screwed into the top of the
cylinder. Below the screwed part is a pipe drawn over both plug and
plunger, I sometimes bore out the plunger at the lower end to receive
a piece of leather, india-rubber, or equivalent material to press upon the
seat, thus forming a water-tight joint or stuffing box. The upper part
of the plug is split to receive the end of the ball lever in which it is
held by a pin; the end of the lever also passes into a slot in the upper
end of the plunger, so that as the ball falls the plunger is raised to allow
the liquid to escape.
I sometimes modify my ball cocks by using a tube or cylinder having
studs at one end, to which is hinged a peculiarly shaped lever, part of
which is somewhat enlarged, such enlarged part being by preference
covered with india-rubber, and it falls into a seat turned out near to the
studs; the other end of the lever passing through the hole so formed is
acted upon by a two-armed or other cam upon a spindle, which passes
through the body of the tube or cylinder at right, angles to the studs
and lever.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Hill in the Great Scal Patent Office on
the 22nd October 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
HILL, of the Town and County of the Town of Nottingham, Brass
Founder and General Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Hor
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Henry Hill, Her special licence that I the
said Henry Hill, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Henry Hill, 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,,

page_text: and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS AND IN
BALL AND OTHER COCKS, TAPS, AND VALVES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I; the said Henry Hill, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
scals, 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 Henry Hill, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, that is to say :-
These improvements in waterclosets consist in the employment of a
vertical cylinder which has a flange at or near its lower end by which
it is secured to an S-shaped, D-shaped, or otherwise shaped trap of the
usual construction. Above the flange, but inside of the cylinder, is a
scat which is turned out to receive a plunger open at its lower end; the
depth of the plunger is somewhat greater than the diameter of the
orifice of a short pipe which projects from the side of the cylinder, and
has at its outer end a flange by which the cylinder is connected with
the lower part of the basin. The bottom of the plunger is turned by
preference slightly conical; the conical part when the plunger is lowered
will fit tightly into an india-rubber or other ring securely held between
the flanges of the cylinder and the S-shaped or otherwise shaped trap,
thus forming a seat for the plunger to fall into. On the upper end of
the cylinder a hollow mould is cast or otherwise formed. This mould
passes entirely round the cylinder, and forms an inlet pipe on one side
of the cylinder, and an outlet pipe on the opposite side thereof. Either
or both of these pipes may be flanged or otherwise formed to allow of a
ready connection with a supply pipe which may proceed from a water
supply cistern; the water from the outlet pipe passes into the basin for
flushing the same. The plunger is provided on its upper side with a
strong rod which passes through a stuffing box or a tube at its upper
end, and it is provided with a handle above the stuffing box or tube
through which it passes; this handle may stand above the seat of the closet,
or it may fall into a recess in the scat. When the plunger is lifted by

page_text: the handle and the handle released the plunger will be quickly pressed
into its scat not only by its own weight but assisted by the plunger, or
by providing the plunger with an india-rubber or other tube acting as
a spring, or a coiled metal spring may be employed for the purpose.
As the plunger is lifted by the rod its upper portion comes in contact
with an arm, bent or otherwise formed, within the cylinder, and secured
on one end of an axle passed through a stuffing box in the side of the
cylinder, the other end of the axle carrying outside the cylinder a lever,
to which is attached a wire communicating with the valve of the supply
cistern, by which means the basin is effectually emptied and flushed
cach time the plunger is raised up so as to enclose the orifice of the
short flanged pipe to which the basin is attached. This plunger I
sometimes bore out at the lower end to receive a piece of leather or
india-rubber or its equivalent to press upon the seat. The above
apparatus may be applied to self-acting closets. I can employ this
apparatus in a closet so as to enable me to dispense with the supply
cistern and ball cock, which is usually placed over it or at the back of
the closet, and instead thereof I obtain the requisite quantity of water
for flushing the basin direct from the service pipe by opening a supply
cock on such pipe by means of levers or their equivalent operated upon
by the plunger or by the lowering of the seat. The supply cock is a
three-way cock, through one way of which the water passes into the
basin, and through another way it passes into a small cistern placed
under the closet seat to form a trap in the basin.
I
My improvements in ball and other cocks and taps relate, firstly, to
a ball cock. The cylinder of this cock has a projection at the side
through which the liquid is supplied. Below this projection the cylinder
is turned out to form a conical or otherwise shaped seat, which receives
the lower end of a plunger passed through a hole in a plug screwed
into the top of the cylinder. Below the screwed part is a pipe of india-
rubber or other material drawn over both plug and plunger.
sometimes bore out the plunger at the lower end to receive a piece of
leather or india-rubber or its equivalent to press upon the seat, thus
forming a water-tight joint or stuffing box. The upper part of the plug
is split to receive the end of the ball lever in which it is held by a pin;
the end of the lever also passes into a slot in the upper end of the
plunger, so that as the ball falls the plunger is raised to allow the
liquid to escape.

page_text: I sometimes modify my ball cocks by using a tube or cylinder having
studs at one end to which studs a peculiarly shaped lever is hinged; part
of this lever is somewhat enlarged. This enlarged part is covered by
preference with india-rubber, and it falls into a scat turned out near to
the studs; the other end of the lever passing through the hole so formed
is acted upon by a two-armed cam upon a spindle which passes through
the body of the tube or cylinder at right angles to the studs and lever.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I now proceed
more particularly to describe. the manner of performing the same withi
reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent respectively a front side view or a side
view taken from the front section and plan of one arrangement of my
improvements in waterclosets, in which arrangement I employ a vertical
cylinder A made of earthenware, or of iron, copper, or other metal, and
having a flange at or near the lower end by which it is secured to a
trap B of usual construction. Inside the cylinder is a seat turned out
to receive a plunger C open at its lower end. The depth of the plunger
is somewhat longer than the diameter of the orifice of a short pipe which
projects from the side of the vertical cylinder, and has, at its outer end
a flange by which the cylinder is connected with the lower part of the
basin D. This basin may be made of the ordinary material of which
such basins are usually made. The bottom of the plunger is slightly
conical; the conical part when the plunger is lowered will fit close into
a scat turned out for it, or into an india-rubber or other ring which is
securely held between the flanges of the cylinder and the trap, thus
forming a seat for the plunger to fall into. The upper end of the
cylinder has a hollow mould E cast or otherwise formed upon it. This
mould passes entirely round the cylinder, and forms an inlet pipe Fon
one side of the cylinder and an outlet pipe on the other side thereof. One
or both of these pipes may be flanged or otherwise formed to allow of
a ready connection with a supply pipe, which may proceed from a water-
supply cistern; the water from the outlet pipe passes into the basin for
flushing the same. The plunger is provided on its upper side with a
strong rod, which may pass through a stuffing box or tube above which
it is provided with a handle. This handle may stand above the scat of
the closet, or it may fall into a recess in the seat, as shewn. After the

page_text: plunger has been lifted and the handle released the plunger will be
quickly pressed into its seat by its own weight, or it may be assisted
thereto by the plunger rod being provided with an india-rubber or other
tube which acts as a spring, or a coiled metal spring may be employed
for that purpose. As the plunger is lifted by the rod the upper portion of
it comes in contact with an arm G bent or otherwise formed within the
cylinder. This arm is secured on one end of an axle which is passed
through a stuffing box in the side of the cylinder, the other end of the
axle carries a lever H outside the cylinder. To this lever is attached a
wire communicating with the valve of the supply cistern, by which
means the basin is effectually emptied and flushed cach time the plunger
is raised up so as to unclose the orifice of the short flanged pipe to which
the basin is attached.
A modification of the above-described apparatus is shown in front side
view at Figure 4, and in section at Figure 5, where instead of a short
flanged pipe connected with the basin, as seen at Figure 2, the pipe is
cast or otherwise formed with a bend turned upwards; the upper end iś
provided with a flange to which the basin is secured. In this 'modifi-
cation the flange on the outlet of the pipe E and the flange on the
inlet pipe of the basin are dispensed with, and the pipes are connected
together by a short length of india-rubber tube I. The above apparatus
may be applied to self-acting closets, and it may also be applied to a
closet so as to dispense with the supply cistern and ball cock, which is
usually placed over it or at the back of the closet.
Sometimes I employ the modification of this apparatus shewn in
section at Figure 6 and in plan at Figure 7, by which apparatus I obtain
the requisite quantity of water for flushing the basin from the supply
cistern or direct from the service pipe by opening a supply cock on such
pipe by means of levers or their equivalent which are operated upon
by the lowering of the seat, the supply cock being a three-way cock,
through one way of which the-water passes into the basin, and through
another way it passes into a small cistern which is placed under the scat
of the closet. In the sectional view of such apparatus A is the cylinder,
which is cast or otherwise formed with flanges to receive a trap B, and
also, a cistern C; a third flange has the basin D secured to it.
The apparatus is operated in the following manner:-To the under
side of the closet seat or to other convenient part is secured a rocking
lever E moved by the piece F when the seat falls. To the opposite end

page_text: of the lever is hinged a sling G, and as the scat falls the ball (which has
its lever passed, through, the sling) is raised by the rising of the sling;
the cock H being thereby closed the water is stopped from running
while the scat is down. When the seat rises the ball being relcased
drops, opening the cock H, and admits the requisite quantity of water
through the basin, the water running until the ball is floated up by the
water in the cistern, thereby cutting off the supply. As the seat falls
the sling lever on rising opens by means of a wire or chain attached to
it a valve I whicli is at the bottom of the cistern C emptying the cistern
previous to a fresh supply, the water from the cistern being conveyed
into the pipe below the trap. By this arrangement the amount of water
'supplied to the basin may be regulated by the amount or in proportion
to the amount of water admitted into the cistern C, which is provided
with an overflow outlet K in case of leakage of the ball or cock, such
overflow water running into the cylinder. The shape and position of
the cistern C may be varied to suit the situation and position of the
closet to which it is applied.
My improvements in cocks and taps are illustrated by Figures 8 to 12
inclusively. Figure 8 is a side view, and Figure 9 a section of one
modification, while Figure 10 shows the same reversed. The cylinder
of this cock or tap has a projection through which the liquid is supplied,
and the inside is turned out to form a conical or otherwise shaped scat
which receives the inner end of a plunger A which is passed through a
hole in a plug B, which plug screws into the cylinder inside which is
an india-rubber pipo C drawn over both the plug and plunger, thus
forming a water-tight joint or stuffing box, and will supply the place of
leather or other cups. The outer end of the plug is split to receive the
end of the ball lever D which is held in it by a pin. The end of the
lever also passes into a slot in the outer end of the plunger, so that as
the ball falls the plunger is withdrawn from its seat to allow the liquid
to escape.
Another modification of ball cocks is shown in side view in Figure 11,
and in section Figure 12. In this arrangement A is a tube or cylinder
having studs at one end, to which studs a peculiarly shaped lever B is
hinged. Part of this lever is somewhat enlarged, and the enlarged part
is covered with india-rubber and falls into a seat turned out to receive
it near to the studs before mentioned; the other end of the lever passes
through the hole of the seat and is acted upon by a two-armed cam C

page_text: upon a spindle which passes through the body of the tube or cylinder
at right angles to the studs and lever before mentioned. The cam C is
operated upon by a ball lever secured on one end of the spindle before
mentioned, as the ball falls the cock or valve being opened, and being
closed as it is raised.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to moving the
lever valve B, seen in section at Figure 12, by means of the two-armed
cam only, as there are various ways by which the said lever valve may
be moved.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same may be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The general arrangement and combination of parts, substan-
tially herein-before described, constituting the improvements in water-
closets.
Second. The arrangement and combination of parts described con-
stituting the improvements in cocks, taps, and valves.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry. Hill, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
Witness,
GEO. JON. ROBINSON,
Patent Office,
Nottingham.
HENRY HILL. (L.S.)