Improvements in Fountain Cuspidors.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan., 1898-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fountain Cuspidors.
I, GEORGE EPHRAIM JOHNSON, Dentist, of the City of Fort Wayne, County of
Allen, State of Indiana, one of the United States of America, 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:
My invention relates to improvements in fountain cuspidors specially designed
and adapted for dentists' use.
The object of my invention is two-fold: First to provide a fountain cuspidor of
simple and economical construction having such an arrangement of parts that the
gold trap can readily be detached for cleaning, the inner revoluble bowl con-
veniently removed or replaced without detaching or deranging other or adjacent
parts thereof, and the outer fixed bowl can readily be replaced when desired.
Second, to provide a self-cleansing cuspider so constructed and arranged that
a single jet or stream of water or washing fluid can be utilized for the three-fold
purpose of cleansing the fixed bowl, propelling as well as cleansing the inner
revoluble bowl, and for operating the saliva ejector.
My invention comprises an upright cylindrical chambered casting loosely
mounted in the free end of a dental chair bracket; an outer liquid receiving bowl,
or receptacle rigidly but detachably surmounted upon said casting; an inner
revoluble bowl concentric with said outer fixed bowl and having an apertured and
convoluted perimeter; a combined removable gold and water trap suspended from
the lower end of said casting, and provided with a novel means for cleansing the
same; and a saliva ejector adapted to automatically and simultaneously cleanse
both the inner and outer bowls and also to actuate the inner revoluble bowl by the
same stream or jet of water by a novel mode of operation.
Similar reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate similar parts
throughout the several views in which Fig. I is a side view of my improvement
partly in vertical central section showing the relative arrangement of the operative
parts.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of my improved saliva ejector body
shown in enlarged detail taken on line y-y of Fig. 3.
Fig. 3. is a cross section of the same on the line of Fig. 2 showing the
relative arrangement of the siphonic tube.
Fig. 4 is a detail plan of the spider in which is fixed the tubular supporting sleeve
for the pivot rod on which the inner revoluble bowl is mounted.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section of said spider on line -z, Fig. 4.
The pivoted arm 1 of any proper chair bracket has a hollow cylindrical head 2
in which my improvement is rotatably mounted.
The upright cylindrical casting 4 has its upper end enlarged and provided with
an open-bottomed chamber 5 which is continuous with a second adjacent annular
chamber 6 in the lower portion of said casting. Both extremities of the casting 4
are externally screw-threaded. Upon the upper end of said casting 4 is mounted

page_text: by a screw-threaded connection the internally screw-threaded collar or bushing 8,
outwardly flaring upon the inner face of its upper edge and provided upon its
lower edge with an outer annular flange 9 adapted to support the contracted base of
the fixed outer bowl 10.
The said outer bowl 10 made of non-corrosive material, preferably of porcelain,
has its contracted base or bottom provided with a central opening adapted to admit
and contain the upper portion of the said collar or bushing 8. An annular pendent
flange 12 upon the outer face of said bowl 10 surrounds the said central opening.
and has upon its inner face an annular groove or recess adapted to be filled with
proper cement by which the said bowl is firmly secured to the outer face of the said
collar or bushing 8.
In the chamber 5 is arranged the spider 4', Figs. 1, 4, and 5, consisting of a
ring 5, an integral concentric pendent hub 61 united to said ring by a plurality of
oblique legs 7', preferably three in number. The outer perimeter of said ring and
the outer face of said legs are in parallel arrangement with the adjacent oblique
inner faces of the said casting 4 and the said collar 8. The said spider 41 has a
series of peripheral knife-edged flanges 8', preferably three in number, which
are extended down and throughout the length of the outer face of the said legs 71.
These flanges are adapted to rest upon the inner faces of the said casting 4 and
the said collar 8, and thus firmly support said spider in position without presenting
a point of contact calculated to arrest impurities.
In the said hub 61 is soldered or otherwise rigidly fixed the vertical sleeve 14
whose upper end projects a proper distance into the said chamber 5. To the inner
face of said ring 5', at any suitable point, is rigidly fixed the pendant spring 91
whose free end is bent inwardly and adapted to engage the flange 10 of the tubular
extension 23 of the pedestal 21 when the bowl 18, hereinafter described, is lifted
out thereby carrying with said bowl the sleeve 14 and the rod 20.
In the said sleeve 14 is loosely mounted the rod 20, upon whose upper screw-
threaded end is fixed by a screw-threaded connection the hollow open-topped
pedestal 21 adapted to receive and contain the basal lug 17 of the inner revoluble
bowl or receptacle 18 also preferably of non-corrosive material, the said lug being
fixed in said pedestal by proper cement.
The said bowl 18 has a series of vertical perforations 19 surrounding said lug 17
and is supported in position for its rotary movement by the said rod 20. The
bowl 18 has its outwardly flaring rim formed into a uniform series of transverse
convolutions 16 adapted to receive the propelling jet or stream of water against
their sides whereby the said bowl is rotated by a slight flow of water.
These convolutions are inwardly inclined as shown, and may he radially arranged,
though preferably inclined to a corresponding radial line, as shown, approximately
at an angle of 45 degrees thereto, whereby the impelling jet is mostly deflected
inwardly to constantly cleanse the inner surface of said revoluble bowl. At the
same time a sufficient quantity of said jet is deflected outwardly to automatically
and simultaneously cleanse the inner surface of the said outer bowl.
The inner bowl 18 is also provided just below said convolutions with a series
of radial perforations 18' adapted to prevent any overflow of the inner bowl
should the volume of water by the inattention of the operator, be greater than
could readily escape by the perforations in the bottom thereof.
While the bowl 18 is shown in Fig. 1 as being adapted to be rotated to the right,
it can obviously be rotated with equal facility in the opposite direction by changing
the direction of the propelling jet.
The pedestal 21 has a pendent tubular extension 23 provided upon its lower
end with an annular flange 101 for the purpose hereafter described. This tubular
extension 23 encircles the upper end of said sleeve 14 without contact therewith.
thereby leaving a small annular chamber between the said tubular extension and
said sleeve which chamber is filled at its upper portion with air and thus prevents
the liquid contents of said chamber 5 from reaching the oiled bearing of said
rod 20 in the lower end of said sleeve 14.

page_text: The lower end of said rod 20 has a reduced portion 25 whose lower extremity has
a hardened steel point adapted to form a cone bearing in a proper hardened steel
plug 26.
The lower end of said sleeve 14 is then sealed by the non-corrosive
brass plug 27. Surrounding the said reduced portion 25 of said rod 20 is a small
annular oil chamber 24 adapted to keep said conical bearing properly lubricated.
In the lower end of said casting 4 is loosely arranged the upper end of the sleeve 28
provided upon its perimeter with an annular flange 29 abutting the lower end of
said casting. This sleeve 28 is secured in position by the coupling 30 which fits
upon the lower end of said casting by a screw-threaded connection.
To the upper portion of said sleeve 28 is rigidly fixed by brazing or other proper
manner, the combined water and gold trap 31 having an upper water compart-
ment 32 and a lower gold compartment 33 containing mercury in the usual manner,
and provided with a discharge pipe 34. The open bottom of the trap 31 is closed
by the hollow screw-plug 35 secured therein by a screw-threaded connection as
shown.
As the said sleeve 28 is of a greater diameter than the inclosed concentric
sleeve 14 an annular outlet chamber 38 is provided between said sleeves leading
from said chamber 6 to the bottom of said chamber 32 of the said water trap.
Obviously the trap 31 may be omitted if desired in which case the waste pipe
would be attached directly to the lower end of said casting 4 in a well understood
manner.
In a screw-threaded perforation in the side of the enlarged portion of said
casting 4 is fixed a lateral bracket 39 having a split and apertured head 40 adapted
to clasp and firmly secure the upright supply pipe 42 on which is fixed the valved
saliva ejector-body 43.
The horizontal ejector-body 43, Fig. 2 is a hollow shell closed at its forward end
and having its open rear end internally screw-threaded and closed by the screw-
plug 60 which has a longitudinal serew-threaded aperture for the valve stem 59
having upon its outer end a rigid milled nut 44 to operate the same, and having
upon its inner end the outlet water valve 591. The said plug 60 has its outer end
externally screw-threaded and is surmounted by the internally screw-threaded
sleeve 61 whose closed end is centrally apertured for the said valve stem. This
sleeve 61 is provided at its outer. end with a proper water-tight packing 61³,
Fig. 2.
Near the outer end of said valve-body and in diametric relation therewith is
arranged and rigidly fixed the upright pipe 62 in whose outer ends the adjacent
ends of the supply pipe sections 42 and 45 are properly secured. The rear face
of said inner pipe 62 is provided with a lateral opening 64 whose outer perimeter is
provided with a proper seat for the said valve 591. by which water from the supply-
pipe is admitted to the interior of said body and thence through the tube 54 to the
bowl 18. The supply-pipe 42 has a vertical extension 45 whose over-hanging
upper end is provided with a proper faucet 46 of ordinary construction.
The forward or inner end of the said ejector-body 43 has a vertical opening in
which is snugly arranged the upright rod 47 having upon its lower end a segmental
flange or shoe 50 adapted to snugly fit the circular rim of said fixed howl 10 for the
purpose of supporting and more rigidly securing the said ejector-body in position.
Upon the upper extended end of said rod 47 is pivoted or swivelled a goblet
holder 51 for the goblet 52 having a suitable drainage 53, Fig. 1.
The said ejector is provided near its forward end with two lateral diametric
screw-threaded openings, as shown in Fig. 3, the forward opening being adapted
to receive and secure by a screw-threaded connection, the hollow cylindrical plug 65
having its outer end externally screw-threaded to receive the cap-nut 66, and
provided with a hexagonal flange 67 adapted to be seized by a proper wrench to
rotate said plug. In this plug 65 and through a central opening in the outer
end of said nut 66 is arranged the inner end of the discharge tube 54 through
which the impelling jet issues. The inner end of this tube 54 has a fixed collar 68
adapted to tightly abut the outer end of the plug 65, while in the space between

page_text: the outer end of said plug and said nut 66 is arranged a water-tight packing 69 of
leather or rubber, Fig. 3.
In the other of said lateral openings in said ejector-body 43 is mounted by a
screw-threaded connection the discharge suction tube 57 whose inner end is
concentrically arranged in the inner end of said plug 65 leaving an annular space
about said inner end in said plug, Fig. 3.
In approximately diametric alignment with said lateral openings in the ejector-
body is arranged the hollow globular casting 55 having a saliva receptacle
chamber 55. This receptacle 55 has a lateral opening in which the outer ex-
ternally screw-threaded end of the said tube 57 is secured by a screw-threaded con-
nection. The receptacle 55 is also provided with a lateral opening upon its lower
face for the discharge end of the saliva conveying tube 56, the other end thereof
being adapted to be placed in the patient's mouth in the usual manner.
While the saliva receptacle 55 is shown as cast integral with the said ejector-
body 43 it may be made separate therefrom and united thereto in any proper
manner.
The said saliva receptacle has a discharge suction pipe or tube 57 which passes
diametrically through the water chamber 58 of said ejector-body and has its free
end concentrically arranged within the inner end of the discharge tube or pipe 54,
leaving a proper contracted annular space about the free end of said suction pipe
for the passage and circulation of the water under pressure which thereby creates
by suction a vacuum in the said chamber 55¹ and the said suction pipe 57 and
draws out the contents of the saliva conveying tube 56, and tends to keep it
free.
My improved saliva ejector thus acts as a jet-pump whose capacity is dependant
upon the size and pressure of the actuating jet or stream. To secure the most
efficient action of the said pumping jet or stream the free end of the said suction
pipe should be arranged just within the throat of the discharge pipe 54.
As the discharge end of the suction pipe 57 is encircled by an annular stream of
water under pressure, the film of viscid saliva and mucus drawn therefrom by suction
will be enveloped by the discharging jet in said pipe 54 and carried therefrom
with no appreciable tendency to adhere to the sides thereof, as would be the case were
the saliva film annular to the propelling jet.
To quickly and throughly cleanse the saliva conveying tube and mouth-piece,
the operator simply closes the discharge end of said pipe 54 temporarily with his
finger thereby forcing the stream or jet of water back through said saliva tube and out
at the mouth-piece thereof.
The motive power of said actuating jet or stream is not exhausted in operating
the said saliva ejector but is subsequently further utilized in propelling the inner
revcluble bowl in the manner presently to be described.
To remove the inner revoluble bowl 18 the tube 54 having been previously
rotated upward out of the way, the operator simply places his fingers beneath the
inuer projecting edge of the convoluted perimeter and lifts it out carrying with it
the pedestal 21, the rod 20, the said spider 4', and the sleeve 14. Thus the said
inner bowl and the operative parts connected therewith can readily be removed
without exposing the oil-bearing of the rod 20.
To detach or replace the outer fixed bowl 10 the said inner bowl having been
first removed as described, the operator detaches the ejector-body and its support-
ing pipe 42 at the screw-clamp 40, disengages the shoe 50 from the rim of said
outer bowl, which is then rotated until the cemented collar or bushing 8 is detached
from its screw-threaded connection with the upper end of said casting 4.
Thus when either of said bowls become broken their removal and replacement
is quickly and conveniently accomplished without the assistance of a skilled work-
man. The water trap can also be readily cleansed by the convenient removal of
the screw-plug 35.
It will thus be seen that when the outer end of the discharge tube 54 which is
properly bent and adjusted to give the desired direction or inclination to the

page_text: propelling jet, relative to the convolutions of the revoluble bowl, the impact of the
propelling jet will strike them at such an angle that while the greater portion of
said jet will pass directly into the said inner revoluble bowl, a portion thereof will
be deflected outwardly by said convolutions against the inner surface of the fixed
bowl 10. Thus the same jet which propels the revoluble bowl 18 will also
automatically and simultaneously cleanse both of the said bowls.
As the goblet holder 51 is pivoted above the saliva ejector it is free to swing
clear in either direction.
I do not hereby limit myself to the precise details of construction described as
they may be indefinitely varied without departing from the spirit and scope of my
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a fountain cuspidor a saliva ejector consisting of a hollow body or shell
having a valved connection with the water supply pipe, and a discharge pipe
in operative relation with the liquid receiving bowl or receptacle and provided with
a saliva receiving vacuum chamber having an outlet opening for the saliva convey-
ing tube, and an outer suction tube arranged as shown and projecting into said
discharge pipe as shown, and adapted to be encircled by the outflowing jet, whereby
the contents of said chamber will be withdrawn by the suction of said jet, sub-
stantially as described.
2. In an apparatus of the class described, a saliva ejector consisting of a hollow
body or casting having a valved connection with the water supply pipe, and a
lateral discharge pipe, in combination with a saliva receptacle having a vacuum
chamber, an inlet opening for the saliva conveying tube, and provided with a
suction tube so arranged within said body and discharge pipe as to drain said
receptacle by the suction of the outflowing water in said discharge pipe, sub-
stantially as described.
3. A saliva ejector consisting of a cylindrical body 43 having a fixed diametric
supply pipe section 62 provided with a valved lateral opening to the chamber 58,
an outlet valve 59¹ seated in said opening and provided with a valve-stem mounted
by a screw-threaded connection in the adjacent end of said body, an inclined dis-
charge pipe 54 and a saliva receptacle 55 having an inlet opening for the conveying
tube and provided with a suction outlet tube 57 within said chamber 58 and having
its discharge end arranged in concentric relation with said discharge pipe 54,
substantially as described.
4. In a saliva ejector the herein described method of creating a vacuum in the
saliva receptacle chamber, by causing a circulation of the pumping-jet or motive
liquid under pressure through a contracted annular passage about the discharge
end of the suction pipe communicating with said chamber.
5. In a saliva ejector the herein described method of creating a suction in the
saliva conveying tube and in the vacuum chamber therefor by circulating a water
jet under pressure through a contracted annular opening about the discharge end
of the eduction pipe leading from said chamber, and terminating in the throat of
the ejector discharge tube, thereby drawing the saliva from said conveying tube,
and by enveloping the viscid fluid in the annular film of cleansing liquid discharges
the same without the adhesion of its particles to the sides of the discharge tube.
6. The method herein described of producing a vacuum in the saliva receptacle
chamber of a direct acting saliva ejector, by circulating the motive water-jet or
tream under pressure through a contracted annular passage about the discharge
end of the suction tube or pipe leading from said chamber, whereby the viscid
contents of said chamber when withdrawn by suction will be enveloped by an
nnular film of the motive jet for the purpose specified, and the motive power of
aid jet or stream can further be utilized in the manner described.
7. In a fountain cuspidor the combination of a fixed outer bowl properly mounted

page_text: in a supporting bracket; an inner bowl rotatably mounted in said outer bowl in
concentric relation therewith, having its perimeter convoluted as shown and adapted
to be rotated by the saliva ejector operating jet; and a saliva ejector having a
valved connection with the water supply pipe, a discharge opening, and a salva
receptacle having a vacuum chamber provided with an inlet opening for the saliva
conveying tube, and a discharge suction tube so arranged in said discharge opening
as to produce a vacuum in said chamber by the discharging jet, whereby the said
jet is adapted to simultaneously cleanse and actuate the said revolving bowl and
operate the said saliva ejector, substantially as described.
8. The combination in a self-cleansing cuspidor of an outer fixed bowl; an inner
revoluble bowl of non-corrosive material arranged in concentric relation therewith,
having a convoluted perimeter to receive the propelling jet as described; and a
suitable saliva ejector adapted to simultaneously actuate said inner bowl and
cleanse said inner and outer bowls, all substantially as described.
9. In a fountain cuspidor the casting 4 chambered as described and provided
upon its upper end with the screw-threaded collar having an annular flange 9 for
the purpose specified; a pendant tube 28 suspended from the lower end of said
casting by the screw-threaded coupling 30; the water trap 31 rigidly fixed upon
said tube 28 having a water chamber 32 and a gold deposit chamber 83, and
provided upon the bottom thereof with the screw-threaded plug 35; in combination
with the outer bowl 10 fixed as described upon the collar 8; the inner bowl 18
revolubly mounted within said outer bowl, and provided upon its perimeter with a
series of convolutions to receive the impact of the actuating jet; and a proper saliva
ejector adapted to simultaneously actuate said revoluble bowl and cleanse said inner
and outer bowls, substantially as described.
10. In a fountain cuspidor a revoluble bowl concentrically mounted in an outer
fixed receptacle and provided upon its perimeter with a series of radial convolutions
adapted to receive at an angle the impact of the actuating or propelling jet, and
adapted to so deflect the said jet laterally as to simultaneously cleanse both the
revoluble bowl and the said fixed receptacle, substantially as described.
11. The combination in a dental cuspidor of an outer fixed bowl; an inner
revoluble bowl concentrically pivoted therein, having a convoluted perimeter
adapted to receive the impact of the propelling jet, and so deflect the same as to
simultaneously cleanse both the inner and outer bowls; and a water ejector adapted
to supply and direct the said propelling jet, substantially as described.
12. In a fountain cuspidor, a supporting spider 4' for the inner revoluble bowl,
adapted to enable the operator to remove or replace the said bowl without exposing
the bearing for its pivotal support as described, the spider consisting of a hub 6', a
ring 5 of a greater diameter than said hub and having inclined sides, and a plurality
of integral legs 7' adapted to unite said hub and said ring in a concentric relation,
the said legs and said ring being provided with the oblique knife-edged flanges 8
for the purpose specified, all substantially as described.
1
1
AL
11007
GEORGE EPHRAIM JOHNSON,
Per J. C. Chapman,
Chartered Patent Agent, Associate Agent for the Applicant..