IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERING COLUMNS FOR RAILWAY WATER TANKS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Haseltine, of the "International Patent
Office," Southampton Buildings, London, Doctor of Laws, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERING COLUMNS FOR RAILWAY
WATER TANKS."-A communication from abroad by John Newton
Poage, of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America, Gentleman.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said George Haseltine at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 30th June 1873, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
Southampton
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HASELTINE, of the "International Patent Office,"
Buildings, London, Doctor of Laws, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN WATERING COLUMNS FOR RAILWAY WATER TANKS," and have petitioned Her
Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her
Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Declaration

page_text: VT
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the said Invention as arranged for use;
Figure 2 is a vertical central section of the same.
Figure 3 is an enlarged central section of the upper end of the
apparatus showing the arrangement of the operating lever and counter-
balance when the valve is opened; Figure 4 is a like view of the lower
end of the said apparatus showing the arrangement of parts when the
said valve is opened, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the sectional
valve box and valve separated from cach other.
Similar letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
A represents a hollow metal cylinder open at its ends and provided
with a suitable base B by means of which it is secured in an upright
position upon a platform or other proper support. Within the cylinder
A is placed a pipe C that has a somewhat smaller diameter than the
same, except at its upper end C₁ which above the said cylinder has
substantially the same exterior diameter, and at the lower end of such
enlargement has a right angled shoulder c that rests upon the upper end
of the said cylinder and furnishes a support for the pipe C. From this
pipe C a discharge pipe D extends horizontally outward to a sufficient
distance and has its end curved downward in the usual manner, to direct
the stream of water into the supply opening of the tender. In order
that when not in use the pipes C and D may be caused to automatically
revolve within or upon the column A to bring the pipe D in a line
parallel with the railway track, a double incline c¹ is formed within the
shoulder c upon opposite sides of the enlargement C₁ and in a line
with the said pipe D, which inclines extend upward and together as
seen in Figure 1. Within and upon suitable lugs a attached to and
projecting upward from the upper end of the cylinder A are journalled
two rollers E, which are arranged upon opposits sides of the said
cylinder in a line parallel to the track, and with their axis placed upon
horizontal and radial lines; they furnish a rolling bearing upon which
the shoulder c rests. As thus arranged it will be seen that when the
discharge pipe D is swung outward at a right angle to the track, the
horizontal or plane portions of the shoulder between each set of inclines
will rest upon the rollers E, and cause the parts to remain in a state of
rest, but when the pipe D is turned in either direction until one of the

page_text: inclines bears upon each roller, the weight of the parts pressing down-
ward will cause the said pipes to revolve until they reach their normal
position with the said discharge pipe in a line parallel to the track and the
notches formed at the intersection of the inclines resting upon the said
rollers. It will also be seen that by this construction of parts, it is
impracticable for the discharge pipe to remain at an angle to the track
except when purposely placed in such position and detained, and that
when released a slight movement in either direction will cause the said
pipe to return to its place, when its weight will be sufficient to prevent
displacement by the wind. Although the arrangement shewn is
preferably employed, a like result would be obtained if the positions of
the rollers and inclines were reversed, the former being attached to the
pipe C and the latter constructed upon the pipe A. To the lower end of
the column A is secured a hollow metal cylinder F, constructed with
open ends and partially open sides, to the lower end of which is attached
the upper
end of a valve chamber G that has the general form shewn in
Figure 1, and is provided with a branch pipe H which extends
horizontally outward from one side. The upper end of the valve
chamber or box G is enclosed by means of a permanent head g, while its
lower end is provided with a detachable head H'; within the latter is
secured a short cylindrical casing I that has substantially the same
horizontal dimensions as the pipe C. Fitted loosely into a corrc-
sponding opening in the head g is a short section of pipe K that is
provided upon its upper end with a coupling flange k by means of which
the said section is secured to or upon the flanged end of the pipe C. A
water-tight joint is produced between the exterior of the pipe K, and
the opening within the valve box head g by means of an annular gasket
of rubber or leather which is placed upon the lower side of the head
and around the said pipe and is caused to closely embrace the latter by.
means of an annual metal ring L placed upon the lower side of the said
gasket and drawn upward against the same by suitable screws or bolts /
passing through these parts. Within the lower end of the section K is
formed a concave valve seat ¹ that corresponds to and receives the face m
of a valve M, which valve as seen in Figure 4 is formed of a straight
hollow cylinder having its upper end flanged to increase somewhat the
horizontal dimensions of its face. The lower end of the valve M
fits into the casing I, the ends of which are unenclosed. A water
joint is formed between the lower proportion of the valve and the
interior of the casing by means of an annular gasket or rubber or

page_text: leather m³ placed against the end of said valve, and a metal disc m"
placed beneath the said gasket and by means of suitable screws or bolts,
drawn upward against and caused to compress the same. The lower end
of the casing being placed in communication with the waste water pipe,
the lower end of the valve is entirely freed from the pressure of water.
This construction of the valve and its casing permits any desired
proportion of the upward pressure of the water to be counterbalanced, as
by increasing or diminishing the diameter of the lower or encased
portion of said valve the upward pressure will be correspondingly
diminished or increased as the relative areas of the upper and lower ends
approach towards or recede from each other. A rod N attached to
the lower end of the valve M and passing upward through the pipe C,
furnishes a means for moving the said valve vertically away from or
towards its scat to open or close the passage between the said valve and
the lower end of the stand pipe. To prevent the escape of water around
the operating rod N and to cause the water remaining in the stand
pipe C to flow downward and outward when the valve is closed, the
following appliances are employed :-A tube O somewhat larger than
the rod N is secured within the upper enclosed end of the pipe C, and
passing downward through said pipe is provided at its lower end with a
cylindrical disc P which corresponds to and closely fills an opening m
formed in the centre of the valve M. The lower portion of the
opening mis enlarged (as shewn in Figures 2 and 4), and through the
disc m which encloses the lower end of the valve M I make a number
of passages for the escape of water from the interior of the latter. From
equi-distant points around the periphery of the disc P a number of
guides or wings p extend vertically upward, and bearing against the sides
of the upper smaller portion of the opening m¹ of the valve M ensure
the central position of the disc or relief valve P when moved below the
point of enlargement of the said opening. The valve P is adjusted
vertically to cause its upper edge to occupy a position below the
enlarged portion of the opening m¹ when the valve M is closed as seen
in Figure 2), and furnish a free passage for water from the stand pipe C
to the waste water pipe, while by moving the said main valve downward
the smaller portion of the opening m will be caused to enclose the
said relief valve, and prevent all downward passage of water to the waste
pipe. The upper end of the valve rod N is pivoted to a lever Q, which
is in trun pivoted at one end to a suitable lug R that extends upward

page_text: from the pipe C and thence forward in a line with and above the
discharge pipe D. By depressing the free end of the said lever this valve
will be moved downward to permit water to pass inward and upward
between its face and the valve seat.
As the valve box G is attached to and moves freely with the column C;
the relative positions of the operating lever Q and valve M are at all
times preserved. Should the water pressure be excessive, its effect may
overcome the weight of the column C and its attachements, and raise
the same so as to remove the inclines from contact with their bearing
rollers. In such an event metal plates may be attached to the bottom
of the valve box, or to some other portion of the lower end of the
apparatus.
The operating lever, valve rod, and valve have a considerable weight,
and in order that their normal positions may be ensured independently
of the action of the water upon the said valve, it is found necessary
to counterbalance the weight of the parts. The desired result is
accompanied by means of a weight S which has preferably a spherical
shape, and is provided upon its lower side with a slots that corresponds
in size and shape with the like features of the rear end of the operating
lever Q and its pivotal bearing R, and allows the said weight to be
placed over the parts so as to rest upon the upper end of the column C,
as seen in Figure 1. From the front side and vertical centre of the
weight S two arms T project horizontally forward upon opposite sides of
the lever Qand of a second bearing lug R¹; the latter passes upward
from the column C, and encloses the said lever within a suitable vertical
slot provided for the purpose. A stud or pin passing horizontally
inward through each arm T immediately in front of the weight S has its
inner end contained within a corresponding opening formed in the
contiguous portion of the lug R³, and in connection with the opposite
stud furnishes a pivotal bearing upon which the said weight oscillates.
A pin passing through the ends of the arms T immediately below the
lever Q, completes the apparatus, the operation of which is as follows:-
Upon depressing the outer end of the lever Q the corresponding ends of
the arms T will be carried downward by the said lever, and the weight s
will be raised to the position shown in Figure 3. Upon releasing the
lever the weight operating through its arms, will raise the same to its
normal position and dropping downward will rest as before upon the
upper end of the column C. As arranged the weight occupies no space
:-

page_text: which could be made available for other purposes and is entirely
removed from contact with passing trains upon cither track whether
the watering column is in use or at rest. And in addition to these
advantages the symetry of the apparatus is preserved and its general
appearance improved by the application of said weight.
The entire apparatus as constructed is simple, compact, and efficient,
not liable to injury from frost, is easily operated by the fireman without
leaving the tender of his engine, and by automatically returning to
position with the discharge pipe in a line parallel to the track all danger
of injury to or from passing trains is avoided.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the
same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. A watering column enclosed by and revolving within a vertical
casing or column, as herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
Second. In combination with the casing A, and with the watering
column C and C provided with the projecting shoulder c, the double
inclines c¹ and journalled rollers E, as herein set forth and for the
purpose specified
Third. The valve M constructed as shewn and combined with the
stand pipe C, valve box G, and casing I, as herein set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Fourth. The valve M and valve scat section K, when constructed and
combined with the valve box G and casing I, as herein set forth and for
the purpose specified.
Fifth. The valve M provided with the central opening m¹¹, the
casing I, the seat section K, the operating rod N, the tube O and the
relief valve P when constructed as shewn and combined with each other,
as herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. In combination with the column C and valve rod N, the pipe
or tube O secured within the upper end of the said column, and extending
downward within the same to a point near the valve box, as hercin sct
forth and for the purpose specified.
Seventh. In combination with the pivoted operating lever Q, the
5 slotted weight S provided with the arms T, pivoted to or upon the lug R¹

page_text: enclosing the said lug and lever, and caused to engage with the latter
by means of the pin t¹ passing through the ends of said arms, as herein
set forth and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The herein-before described apparatus as a whole when its
several parts are constructed and combined to operate substantially as
herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said George. Haseltine, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of June, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.
Witness,
JAMES EDWARDS,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
GEORGE HASELTINE. (L.s.)