An Improvement in the Method of Forming the Channel Ways and Floors of Manholes, Flushing Tanks, and the like in connection with Drainage and other Works.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1894
WUMI LEIE
An Improvement in the Method of Forming the Channel Ways and
Floors of Manholes, Flushing Tanks, and the like in connection
with Drainage and other Works.
I WILLIAM HOWARD MORGAN Civil Engineer of Shiere, near Guildford in
the County of Surrey 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 consists in an improved method of making the channel ways &
floors of manholes, flushing tanks &c. in connection with drainage or other works.
The object of my invention is to provide a perfectly correctly shaped floor in one
piece with channel ways in it of proper & easy curves & gradients from the inlet
sewers to the outlet sewer; the sides of this floor also sloping upwards & backwards
to the four walls of the manhole, these sloping sides also helping to direct the flow
in cases of heavy emergency, or during flushing.
And I effect this in the following manner. Instead of constructing the manhole
floors with cement rendered inverts, or half channel pipes, and cement concrete,.
both of which methods are crude & generally imperfectly carried out-I make a
cast iron plate of the exact internal dimensions of the chamber for which it is
intended, & this plate is cast to the exact form required for the channel ways & side-
slopes.
The cast iron plate can be suitably supported by the brick footings of the man-
hole, or by leaving a projecting course of bricks to form a ledge at the desired level,
or in any other way that may seem advisable.
I also make the plate of a thickness suitable to the circumstances & position to
which it will be exposed, & if necessary further strengthen it by webbings & feet
on the under side. Although it is proposed to make these plates of cast iron, yet
at the same time I might make them of cast iron, wrought iron, or any other metal'
or material combined or singly as may appear best.
The cast iron plate I would furthermore coat effectually by some rust resisting
compound to prevent its decay as :-
(a) Dip the plate whilst hot in Dr. Angus Smiths composition.
(b) Dip underside of plate with Dr. Angus Smiths composition & have the
upper side glazed with white or coloured enamel.
(c) Or paint with some good rust resisting compound as red oxide, or with
patent paints as "Rosbonite" &c. &c.
(d) Or in any other manner as may from time to time appear advisable.
Referring to the drawings attached herewith-the plate A B C D in the isometric
view on Sheet Number 2. of drawings gives the general idea of the thing where
three sewers all of different sizes have to be dealt with; & with all the cases
whether there be two, three, four, or more sewers to be dealt with a corresponding.
plate can be made with its channel ways to suit.
Sheet No. 1. shews the plate in position & also shews how easily it can be
supported-without any concrete underneath.
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 :-
First. A cast iron or other metal floor of perfect shape, and design made in one:

page_text: piece to suit each individual case, & more perfect than anything heretofore
accomplished for the purpose.
Second. A much stronger & more permanent device with a pleasing appearance
which can be accurately placed in position with much greater ease & celerity.
Dated this 2nd day of February 1894.
WILLIAM HOWARD MORGAN.