Improvements in Taps, Cooks, and Valves.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 21st Dec., 1891-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Taps, Cooks, and Valves.
We, JOHN HENRY GOUDOEVER of 26 Tulip Street Lower Broughton in the
County of Lancaster, Plumber, and JAMES SHARP of 26 Miller Street Lower
Broughton in the County of Lancaster, Builder, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to taps cocks and valves and its object is to simplify their
construction, to increase their durability, and to prevent leakage during use.
According to these improvements, the inlet and outlet of the valve cock or tap
are separated by a centrally perforated diaphragm. The outlet side of the
diaphragm is preferably cupped around the opening, and upon the opening there is
placed a ball of sufficient size to close the opening. This ball is preferably con-
structed of vulcanised indiarubber or vulcanite or other similar material or com-
pound, or it may in some cases be constructed of wood or of a hard material, in
which case we prefer to use an indiarubber, leather, or other similar seating for
the ball.
In a line with the axis of the opening in the diaphragm and of the ball, we
arrange a screwed spindle having an inverted cup next to the ball, and working
through a suitable nut. When the spindle is turned in one direction, the ball will
be forced upon its seating and the passage of the fluid will be stopped, and when it
is turned in the opposite direction, the ball will be lifted from its seat by the flow
of the fluid, which will then have a clear passage.
The motion of the fluid rotates the ball so that it is brought down to close
the opening with a fresh part of the ball each time, and uniform wear is thus
ensured.
Dated this 4th day of Sentember A.D. 1891.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Taps, Cocks, and Valves.
We, JOHN HENRY GOUDOEVER of 26 Tulip Street Lower Broughton in the
County of Lancaster, Plumber, and JAMES SHARP of 26 Miller Street Lower
Broughton in the County of Lancaster, Builder, 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 :—
This invention relates to taps cocks and valves and its object is to simplify their
construction, to increase their durability and to prevent leakage during use.
According to these improvements the inlet and the outlet of the tap cock or
valve are separated by a perforated diaphragm the outlet side of which is cupped
around the perforation. In the cupped part of the diaphragm there is placed a
ball of sufficient diameter to close the opening, and above the ball there is arranged
a corresponding cupped part adapted to be moved longitudinally so as to force
the ball downwards to close the perforated seating or to release it in the act of
opening.
The ball may be hollow or solid, and may be constructed of indiarubber or
indiarubber compound, of gutta-percha, wood, metal or other suitable material
according to the use to which the tap cock or valve is to be put and according also
to the nature and pressure of the fluid passing therethrough. For ordinary water

page_text: services, we prefer to employ an indiarubber compound vulcanised to a hardness
exceeding that of ordinary mechanical rubber goods, but softer than vulcanite or
ebonite, and to make the ball solid. .
We will more particularly describe our said invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a water tap constructed according to
these improvements;
Figure 2 is a similar view of a ball-cock, and
Figure 3 a cross section of Figure 2 along the line a-b.
In the construction illustrated by Figure 1, A is the bib outlet of the tap; B the
inlet; C the perforated diaphragm slightly hollowed or cupped on its upper or
outlet side; D the ball closing the inlet through C; E the cupped part by means
of which the ball may be forced and held upon its seat; and F, the outlet from
the ball chamber to the bib A. This outlet should be constructed so that its
highest part in contact with the ball should not be higher than the horizontal axis
or middle of the ball, as shewn in the figure. If the opening be higher than this,
the ball is likely to be engaged in the opening F when released, and to be pressed
against it by the pressure of the fluid, thus more or less completely closing the
outlet. In order to obtain a sufficient area for the outlet F it may be extended
horizontally in each direction. Where it is convenient to use a guard as hereinafter
described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, to prevent the ball from choking the
outlet, the opening F may extend to any required height.
When the cupped part E is secured upon a screw or other rotary device, it is
preferred to arrange that it shall not necessarily turn with the screw. This may
be provided for by making the cupped part separately, with a pin or circular axial
projection, and by forming a circular recess in the end of the screw for its reception
as indicated at G. An analogous arrangement is employed with the washers of
ordinary taps used in connection with water services and it will therefore be readily
understood. The handle of the tap is constructed in the ordinary manner and
passes through the ordinary packed gland as shewn.
In the modification illustrated by Figures 2 and 3, which represent these
improvements as applied to a ball-cock, except for the construction and arrange-
ment of the ball D and its surroundings, the construction is precisely similar to
that of ordinary cocks of a similar type. The ball fits closely on its concave
seating C, through which the fluid passes, and is kept thereon by the cupped part E
formed on the end of the piston H. To prevent the ball D from blocking the
outlet A when it is released bars or guards I may be secured across it. The ball
or float by the motion of which the cock is actuated, operates through the bent
lever J in the usual manner so that when the float falls, the piston is withdrawn,
whereupon the ball D follows the piston, thus unclosing the inlet and permitting
the passage of the water until the float again rises and forcing the piston back,
re-closes the cock.
Our improvements may be applied by analogous means to other forms of taps
cocks and valves, but the application in each case being obvious, it is unnecessary
to further describe it.
It is an advantage of this invention that the motion of the fluid rotates the
ball and consequently a fresh part of it is brought upon the seating every time
that the tap cock or valve is closed, thus ensuring great duration and an absence of
leakage.
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. In a tap cock or valve, the combination with a ball D, of a cupped or
hollowed perforated seating, and a cupped moving part adapted to press the ball
upon its seating or release it therefrom; substantially as hereinbefore described
11

page_text: 2. A tap cock or valve in which the passage of the fluid is controlled by a ball
fitting upon and closing or opening the inlet to the ball chamber, the position of
the ball being governed by means of a screw piston or plunger; substantially as
hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of December A.D. 1891.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicants.