IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRANTS OR FIRE-COCKS, AND AN AUXILIARY VALVE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SAME
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Shand, of 75, Upper Ground St., Blackfriars Road,
London, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRANTS OR
FIRE-COCKS, AND AN AUXILIARY VALVE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SAME."
Sealed the 6th April 1877, and dated the 10th October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Shand at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th October 1870.
JAMES SHAND, of 75, Upper Ground St., Blackfriars Road, London, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRANTS OR FIRE-COCKS, AND AN AUXILIARY VALVE IN CON-
NECTION WITH THE SAME."
This Invention relates to improved construction and arrangement of hydrants or
fire-cocks, and has for its object the means of effectually preventing hydrants from
being damaged by frost and the inconvenience and danger of having water mains
and branches shut off for the purpose of repairs.
These improvements can be applied to any form of hydrant or sluice valve.
For the purpose of carrying out this Invention in one form I use a sluice valve
with the sliding valve formed hollow to allow of the actuating screw being inside
it. At the lower part of the sliding valve is a projection with a T slot in it. In
this slot is fitted loosely the top end of a small gun-metal plunger, which is moved
up and down by the sliding valve. In the centre and below the sliding valve a
cylinder is formed on the sluice valve case, and bored out accurately in a line with
the actuating screw. The plunger is fitted to this cylinder, and in a certain part a
hole is drilled thro' its diameter; a corresponding hole is drilled thro' the cylinder,
and opens a comn.unication to the interior of the hydrant, the sliding valve being
then in a position to shut off the water. When the apparatus is in this position
the whole of the water remaining in the hydrant outlets escapes; but on the
sliding valve being screwed up to admit the water thro' the hydrant the plunger
rises with the sliding valve and closes the opening in cylinder, thus preventing any
escape while the sliding valve of hydrant is being opened. The plunger may be
packed with hydraulic leathers or hemp to prevent leakage, but preference is given
to a hollow plunger made a good fit to the cylinder.
In some cases instead of the cylinder being in a line with the actuating screw it
may be in a line parallel with it.

page_text: The auxiliary valve is a circular plate closing on a seat standing vertically. In
the centre of the circular plate valve is fitted a small relief valve with a nut at the
back to limit the opening. This valve is connected by a projection to a tumbler
lever, which is keyed on to a shaft extending by a stuffing box through the side of
the valve case.
At the end of the shaft outside the valve case is fixed a hand
lever and balance weight. The auxiliary valve and relief valve being closed with
the pressure of water against them, on applying the hand to the lever a very slight
force and small movement opens the relief valve; the admission of the water through
it at once equalizes the pressure, and the opening of the larger valve is completed
easily and revolves quite clear of the orifice they closed, forming a clear waterway.
I arrange the auxiliary valve in a part of a pipe communicating with or
branching from the main, and in a position nearer to it than the sluice valve.
When the sluice valve is in use the auxiliary valve is open, but when the sluice
valve is under repairs the auxiliary valve is closed, thus intercepting between main
and sluice valve.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Shand in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th April
1877.
JAMES SHAND, of 75, Upper Ground St., Blackfriars Road, London, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HYDRANTS OR FIRE-COCKS, AND AN AUXILIARY VALVE IN CON-
NECTION WITH THE SAME.
"
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 2
is a longitudinal vertical section of the sluice valve or hydrant and the auxiliary
valve; Figure 1 is an end elevation of the sluice valve; Figure 3 is a cross section
on the line A, B, of auxiliary valve; and Figure 4 is a section thro' sluice valve on
line C, D.
In the Drawings (a) is the sluice valve; (b) is the auxiliary valve. The sluice
valve is of a well-known construction; the branch on right-hand side of auxiliary
valve (b) is in constant communication with the water main; that on the left-hand
side of sluice valve (a) is connected to hydrant outlet, which may be a delivery
bend, a hydrant post, or other arrangement.
These improvements consist in attaching to the sliding valve (c) of sluice
valve (a) a plunger (d) by means of a T head on plunger (d) and a slot in valve (c).
When the valve (c) rises or falls when being opened or shut the plunger (d) receives
,a like motion. The plunger (d) slides in a cylinder (e) attached to the sluice valve
, casing. A port (f) is arranged in sluice valve casing; one end of port commu-
nicates with branch on left-hand side of sluice valve and hydrant outlet; the other
end is open to the atmosphere. The port (f) is intercepted by cylinder (e), in
which plunger (d) works. A groove is turned in plunger (d), and when the parts
are in position shown in Figure 2, the sliding valve (c) being closed, the groove is
opposite the port (f) and allows any water contained in hydrant outlet to escape
around plunger (d) to atinosphere; but when the valve (c) is opened & the
plunger (d) raised the communication between delivery outlet and atmosphere is
closed by body of plunger (d) filling up cylinder (e) and intercepting port (f).
Instead of a groove being formed around plunger (d) a hole may be drilled thro' it
in the necessary position; or the plunger may be hollow and a hole drilled thro'
one side, and the waste water carried away down thro' plunger.
If necessary cup leather or other packing may be used to form a joint between
plunger and cylinder. Also the auxiliary valve consists of a circular plate valve (g),
in the centre of which is fitted a small relief valve (h), having a nut (k) at one end
and a projection at the other connecting by a tumbler joint with the lever (1),
which lever is fixed on a shaft (m) passing out thro' a stuffing box to the exterior
of casing of valve, and having there attached a band lever (n) and weight (o). A

page_text: certain amount of play is allowed between the valve (h) and the valve (g) limited
by the nut (). This allows the relief valve (h) to be opened independently of
valve (9) by a slight movement of lever (n); by a further movement of lever (n)
the valve (g) is moved from its seat by the nut () coming in contact with the
valve (g).
When the sluice valve (a) is to be repaired or it is required to shut off the water
from main from sluice valve the valve (g) is closed, and the parts are then in position
shown in Figure 2, the pressure of the water in the main forcing the valves on to
their seats.
When the auxiliary valve is to be opened by applying the hand to the lever (n)
aslight movement opens the valve (h); the admission of water thro' it to space
between valve (g) and sliding valve (c) (then closed) equalizes pressure on each
side of valve (9), and the opening of the valve (g) is easily performed. The
valve (g & h) are then moved into position shown in dotted lines, allowing a clear
waterway thro' the orifice they closed.
When the sluice valve is in use the auxiliary valve is open, but when the sluice
valve is under repairs the auxiliary valve is closed. If necessary I can form an
india-rubber or leather face to valve (g).
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it to be understood that I claim,―
Firstly. The plunger (d) constructed and arranged with port (f), which plungor
by its movements clears the hydrant outlet of water by opening a communication
to atmosphere when the sluice valve is closed, thus preventing accident thro' frost,
and closing the same opening when the sluice valve open, substantially as set
forth.
Secondly. The combination and arrangement of valve (g) and relief valve (h),
whereby a slight force is sufficient to open the valve (g), altho' a great pressure be
against it, by first opening the relief valve (h) and equalizing the pressure on each
side of valve (g).
Also, when opening auxiliary valve causing the valves (g & h) to be moved
clear of the waterway they closed, in the manner & for the purpose specified &
illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Shand, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and goventy coven
Witness,
JAMES CADOUX HUDSON.
(L.S.) JAMES SHAND.