IMPROVEMENTS IN EARTH CLOSETS AND IN ARRANGEMENTS OF MECHANISM FOR RECEIVING AND SPREADING THE EARTH THEREIN, AND FOR HERMETICALLY CLOSING THE OPENINGS, SUCH MECHANISM OR PART THEREOF BEING APPLICABLE TO OTHER FORMS OR MAKE OF EARTH CLOSETS
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert May Caffall, of Alton, in the County of
Hants, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN EARTH CLOSETS AND
IN ARRANGEMENTS OF MECHANISM FOR RECEIVING AND SPREADING THE EARTH
THEREIN, AND FOR HERMETICALLY CLOSING THE OPENINGS, SUCH MECHANISM
OR PART THEREOF BEING APPLICABLE TO OTHER FORMS OR MAKE OF EARTH
CLOSETS."
Sealed the 25th February 1873, and dated the 3rd September 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert May Caffall
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 3rd September 1872.
I, ROBERT MAY CAFFALL, of Alton, in the County of Hants, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN.
EARTH CLOSETS AND IN ARRANGEMENTS OF MECHANISM FOR RECEIVING AND
SPREADING THE EARTH THEREIN, AND FOR HERMETICALLY CLOSING THE OPENINGS,
SUCH MECHANISM OR PART THEREOF BEING APPLICABLE TO OTHER FORMS OR MAKE
OF EARTH CLOSETS," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to the construction of earth
closets, whereby a better combination of parts are arranged than by any

page_text: present method, so that a return of effluvia is prevented, the soil is more
evenly covered, the pan or receiver is more easily got at for removal,
and the general appearance of the closet so improved as to admit of it
when made portable being fitted in a bed or other room of a house
without danger of contagion to the inmates.
The casing or exterior of the closet is made in most cases to represent
and can be used as an arm chair or some other piece of furniture with
a false lid or cover under which a moveable seat is arranged preferably
hinged at the back, so that the front portion may rise and fall to
determine the movement of two radial plates, which when the seat is up
closes the aperture therein hermetically. The front or the sides of the
seat when depressed act upon pins or studs for causing a rocking frame
to tilt at the back end, and this in its turn forces a twisted or threaded
rod to partially rotate and move a valve to uncover an aperture in the
earth supply reservoir, the earth then falls into a receiver and partly or
wholly fills it, its lower end being kept closed while the scat is depressed
by a valve bearing against its bottom edge, the valve having a radial
motion through the twisted spindle or rod, as is the case with the first
mentioned valve. On the lift of the seat the spindle is caused to rotate
back again to its first position through one or more weights or springs.
arranged on the back of the rocking frame, so as to move the first
mentioned valve over the aperture of the earth reservoir and the second
mentioned valve from the aperture of the earth receiver to permit of the
earth falling upon and sliding down a shoot; this being a continuation
or portion of the valve, whereby a distribution or spreading is effected
on to perforated blades of a fan set at an inclination which the weight
of earth sets in motion and allow it to become spread over the soil, so
that the surface is covered equally or nearly so all over. This fan is
carried by a projection from the twisted spindle, consequently it moves
sideways on the seat being depressed and remains there during the
occupation of the seat, but it comes to the central portion of the closet
to receive the earth on the seat lifting for the distribution.
The aperture in the seat is preferably for the purposes of my Invention
much narrower than is usual, and the occupant sits more upright, more
firmly, and at greater ease than is possible with the present large
openings, which cause an unpleasant straining of the muscles and
tendons of the legs and stomach during evacuation.

page_text: The plates which close up the seat aperture move away from each
other through the action of levers also in connection with the spindle,
and their meeting edges are of curved form and made to slightly overlap
with a strip of flexible material between them to hermetically seal the
joint; these pivots are at opposite ends to each other, and they are so
arranged as to clear the seat opening when moved outwards.
I do not limit myself to shaping my closets to represent articles of
furniture as they can be made of any shape and fitted in any situation,
and the fan can be dispensed with if desired, the spreading of the earth
taking place from the shoot in its movement as before described.
The fan set at an angle is however an important feature both in its
application to my improved closets and to other forms or make of closets,
as the distribution of the earth is more even over the entire surface than
by any other piece of mechanism. I therefore desire to include or adapt
it to all or any forms of earth closets, making each modifications or
change of mechanism for carrying and moving it clear of the apertures
during occupation, as may be found necessary. This is the case also
with the other mechanism described, as by slight modification it can be
adapted to existing earth closets.
The seat proper can be made to lift clear away from the casing for
the removal of the pan, or the front can be removed or only to fall down
or lift up upon hinges, as desired.
In lieu of the twisted rod being fitted at the back to be acted upon by
the rocking frame it can be fitted in the front of the closet and be acted
upon direct by the descent of the seat for opening the radial plates, and
by springs or weights to close them and to raise the seat.
Boxes or receptacles containing disinfectants can be arranged within
the casing, and given quantities of them can be removed at will or at
each opening or closing, as desired. The radial plates can also be fitted
to the upper part of the receiving pan for closing it hermetically while
being removed for emptying.

page_text: +
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Robert May Caffall in the Great Scal Patent Office
on the 3rd March 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
MAY CAFFALL, of Alton, in the County of Hants, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Robert May Caffall, Her special
licence that I, the said Robert May Caffall, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Robert May Caffall,
'my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN EARTH CLOSETS AND IN ARRANGEMENTS OF MECHANISM FOR
RECEIVING AND SPREADING THE EARTH THEREIN, AND FOR HERMETICALLY CLOSING
THE OPENINGS, SUCH MECHANISM OR PART THEREOF BEING APPLICABLE TO OTHER
FORMS OR MAKE OF EARTH CLOSETS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Robert May Caffall, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert May Caffall, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
The wings hereunto annexed that is to sav•.

page_text: present method, so that a return of effluvia is prevented, the soil is more
evenly covered, the pan or receiver is more easily got at for removal,
and the general appearance of the closet so improved.as to admit of it'
when made portable, being fitted in a bed or other room of a house
without danger of contagion to the inmates.
The casing or exterior of the closet is made in most cases to
represent and can be used as an arm chair or some other piece of
furniture with a false lid or cover under which a movable seat is
arranged, preferably hinged at the back, so that the front portion.
may rise and fall to determine the movement of two radial. plates,
which when the seat is up closes the aperture therein hermetically.
The front or the sides of the seat when depressed act upon pins or
studs for causing a rocking frame to tilt at the back end, and this
in its turn forces a twisted or threaded rod to partially rotate and move
a valve to uncover an aperture in the earth supply reservoir; the earth
then falls into a receiver and partly or wholly fills it, its lower end
being kept closed while the seat is depressed by a valve bearing against
its bottom edge, the valve having a radial motion through the twisted
spindle or rod as is the case with. the first mentioned valve. On the lift
of the seat the spindle is caused to rotate back again to its first position.
through one or more weights or springs arranged on the back of the
rocking frame, so as to move the first-mentioned valve over the aperture
of the earth reservoir and the second-mentioned valve from the aperture
of the earth receiver to permit of the earth falling upon and sliding
down a shoot, this being a continuation or portion of the valve, whereby
a distribution or spreading is effected on to perforated blades of a fan set
at an inclination, which the weight of earth sets in motion and allows
it to become spread over the soil, so that the surface is covered equally or
nearly so all over. This fan is carried by a projection from the twisted
spindle, consequently it moves sideways on the seat being depressed,
and remains there during the occupation of the seat, but it comes to
the central portion of the closet to receive the earth on the seat lifting
for the distribution.
The aperture in the seat is preferably for the purposes of my Invention.
much narrower than is usual, and the occupant sits more upright, more
firmly, and at greater ease than is possible with the present large
openings, which cause an unpleasant straining of the muscles and
tendons of the legs and stomach during evacuation.

page_text: The plates which close up the seat aperture move away from each
other through the action of levers, also in connection with the spindle,
and their meeting edges are of curved form and made to slightly overlap
with a strip of flexible material between them to hermetically seal the
joint; their pivots are at opposite ends to each other, and they are so
arranged as to clear the seat opening when moved outwards.
I do not limit myself to shaping my closets to represent articles of
furniture, as they can be made of any shape and fitted in any situation,
and the fan can be dispensed with if desired, the spreading of the earth
taking place from the shoot in its movement as before described.
The fan set at an angle however is an important feature both in its
application to my improved closets and to other forms or make of closets,
as the distribution of the earth is more even over the entire surface than
by any other piece of mechanism. I therefore desire to include or
adapt it to all or any form of earth closets, making such modifications
or change of mechanism for carrying and moving it clear of the aperture
This is the case also
during occupation, as may be found necessary.
with the other mechanism described, as by slight modifications it can be
adapted to existing earth closets. .
The seat proper can be made to lift clear away from the casing for the
removal of the pan, or the front or the back can be removed or only to
fall down or lift up upon hinges, as desired.
In lieu of the twisted rod being fitted at the back to be acted upon by
the rocking frame it can be fitted in the front of the closet, and be acted
upon direct by the descent of the seat for opening the radial plates, and
by springs or weights to close them and to raise the seat.
Boxes or receptacles containing disinfectant can be arranged within
the casing, and given quantities of them can be removed at will or at
each opening or closing, as desired. The radial plates can also be fitted
to the upper part of the receiving pan for closing it hermetically while
being removed for emptying.
The Invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the
annexed Drawings, of which Figures 1, 2, and 3 show respectively a
side section, a back end section, and a plan.

page_text: A is the case of the closet made in the form of a "hall" chair; B is
the seat flap; and C, the seat with the aperture in it of long oval shape.
This seat is hinged at the back to the casing, and its front end bears.
upon two pins or studs a, a, upon a rocking frame b pivotted at c, so
that when the fore end is depressed by the downward action of the seat
the back end d rises and causes a prong or two lugs e, e, which embrace
the wings or blades of a screw f, and compel it to twist or turn upon
its axis or spindle g stepped or held in place at the bottom by a bar h.
The turning of this spindle causes also two valves i, j, to move, the
upper one i to uncover an outlet from the main carth chamber K, and
the lower to cover the opening at the lower end of a shoot or hopper /
arranged below the chamber, whereby the earth from the chamber is
free to fall and fill the area of the shoot above the lower valve. The
lower valve j carries upon its under face a rod m, and this is bent towards
the front, where it is again bent partly upwards to form a support for a
fan n of disc shape, which becomes set at an angle. The disc has
perforations or slits in it, and in most cases the edges of the slits aro
turned upwards to ensure the earth which falls upon it as herein-after
explained being fairly distributed. The rod m in its travel to one side
in the movement just explained strikes against a lever p in connection
with one of the radial plates q which close the seat opening, and this
moves this plate to one side, the other plater moving over to the
opposite side by additional levers, as shown by the dotted lines, the
additional levers being acted upon direct by the lever of the first-
A is the case of the closet made in the form of a "hall" chair; B is
the seat flap; and C, the seat with the aperture in it of long oval shape.
This seat is hinged at the back to the casing, and its front end bears
upon two pins or studs a, a, upon a rocking frame b pivotted at c, so
that when the fore end is depressed by the downward action of the seat
the back end d rises and causes a prong or two lugs e, e, which embrace
the wings or blades of a screw f, and compel it to twist or turn upon
its axis or spindle g stepped or held in place at the bottom by a bar h.
The turning of this spindle causes also two valves i, j, to move, the
upper one i to uncover an outlet from the main carth chamber K, and
the lower to cover the opening at the lower end of a shoot or hopper
arranged below the chamber, whereby the earth from the chamber is
free to fall and fill the area of the shoot above the lower valve. The
lower valve j carries upon its under face a rod m, and this is bent towards
the front, where it is again bent partly upwards to form a support for a
fan n of disc shape, which becomes set at an angle. The disc has
perforations or slits in it, and in most cases the edges of the slits are
turned upwards to ensure the earth which falls upon it as herein-after
explained being fairly distributed. The rod m in its travel to one side
in the movement just explained strikes against a lever p in connection
with one of the radial plates 9 which close the seat opening, and this
moves this plate to one side, the other plater moving over to the
opposite side by additional levers, as shown by the dotted lines, the
additional levers being acted upon direct by the lever of the first-
mentioned piate.
The movements thus described take place on the occupation of the
scat, but on the weight of the occupant being removed the seat rises
and the fore end of the rock lever 6 follows it, consequently the back end
is lowered by a weight s which is attached to the back end for the
purpose. This descent of the back end causes the prongs or lugs e, e, to
reverse the action of the spindle g and to turn the upper valve i over
the opening from the earth chamber k and to remove the lower valve
from the opening of the shoot, also at the same time to bring the fan
towards the centre of the casing, so that the earth from the shoot is led

page_text: The earth partly falls through the perforations or slits, and partly
over the edges, so that it is about equally spread over the contents of the
pan, the equal or non-equal distribution being governed by the angle
at which the fan is set upon its axle or pivot; for instance, if the angle
be slight the greater portion of each discharge of earth will be towards
the centre of the receiver, but if set at an acute angle its rotation by
the weight of the earth is increased and the spreading is more
towards the sides of the receiver, a slight portion only falling through
the slits to lodge near the middle of the receiver. Thus it will be
understood that the distribution of the earth is determined by the 1
angle of the disc fan, without reference to the quantity of earth falling
upon it.
I prefer that the fan be set at rather an acute angle, so that it throws
the earth towards the sides and thus to form a hollow in the middle,
into which the excrement would fall and be afterwards covered up, 1
partly by the earth which falls direct upon it, and partly by that
which falls down into the hollow from the sides. The advantage of this
is that the urine is, so to speak, divided from the excreta and is
absorbed by different particles of earth than those which act upon the
excreta. I fit an inclined plate under the spindle carrier, with its 2
front edge overlapping the receiver, upon which incline the earth that
may be thrown behind will fall and will then slide down into the receiver
and prevent choking or interfering with the free insertion or withdrawal
of the container or receiver through the front aperture, when the door
or front panel w is opened or removed. The radial plates q, r, are 2
returned to position for closing up the seat aperture by a spring attached
to one of the levers and to the side of the casing, but by slotting the
lever p and passing or jointing the rod m through or to it the radial
plates are acted upon simultaneously with the other appliances. The
plates are of peculiar shape to form the opposite ends of the same contour 3
for clearing the opening with the smallest travel, they moving over from
opposite ends, one to the right and the other to the left, the plates them-
selves working between guides which are covered with leather, as also the
meeting edges to prevent escape of effluvia and dust; in fact the whole
of the casing is so made that all vapours, gases, effluvia, dust, or other 3
obnoxious or contagious bodies are boxed in, so to speak, and absorbed
by the earth which may or may not be chemically prepared, or have

page_text: chemical, deodorising, or disinfecting agent mixed with it for the
purpose of destroying or precipitating the impurities.
I may here remark that when the seat is depressed the fan and
all the parts of the mechanism are out of sight, and clear of all
droppings, an advantage of the highest importance in earth closets and
not heretofore accomplished by any Inventor; the result is perfect
cleanliness and preservation of the mechanism, both as regards the non-
clogging of the parts and the impossibility of their being tampered with
from the outside after due precaution being taken of securing the door
or panel w; because if the seat is raised nothing but the pan or receiver
can be seen or examined, and if the seat is down, although a portion of
the mechanism comes towards the front the radial plates are closed and
inspection of the working parts prevented.
I bave described the door or panel in the front as removable for the
insertion and withdrawal of the pan, but the movable door or panel
may be at one of the sides, or at the back, according to circumstances,
and I have shown a lift-up flap at the top of the casing for permitting
the earth chamber to be filled from above, but this chamber may be filled
from the sides or from the back, so that should the closet be fitted in a
wall the filling of the chamber and the removal of the pan can be
effected from the outside of the building.
Figures 4 and 5 represent a modified arrangement of mechanism.
Here the seat is depressed by the downward action of a treadle D, and
the radial plates are removed from the seat opening on a person entering
the closet, the fan being taken also to one side and the valves shifted
over for the shoot to be filled with earth. According to this modified
arrangement, the treadle of which is also applicable for the first-described
closet, the radial plates are acted upon for being opened by a curved plate
or stud E, the curved face of which as it descends pushes against the
radial plate levers, or one of them, and these in their turn twist the
valve spindle and consequently the valves and the fan, the return action
being effected by springs x, y, z, the first of which is in connection. with
the fan, and the other two with the treadle or the seat lever, or with
both, as the case may be.

page_text: Figures 7 and 8 are view of another modification, and in which the
movement of the mechanism is effected by the lift of the seat flap and
after it has been lifted to a certain extent.
Figure 9 represents a plan view of a closet in which the screw for
moving the valves and fan is arranged upon a transverse bar, or a step
under the front of the seat, the screw being acted upon by two lugs or
claws fitted to the seat; thus as the seat is depressed by the weight of
the person in the act of sitting upon it the screw is caused to revolve a
sufficient distance as to ensure a swell or projection upon its stem acting
against a short arm on one of the levers of the seat aperture plates,
which are thereby opened, the movement of the lever also throwing the
earth valves and the disc over to give a clearance to the pan. A spring
returns them to their first. positions when the weight of the person is
removed from the seat.
Figures 11 to 20, Sheet 2, show several articles of furniture in which
my Invention is fitted.
Figures 10 and 11 represent the closets, before explained, in one of
which the shift of the valves and fan is caused by the depression of the
seat, while in the other the shift takes place either by the depression of
the seat or by the depression of the treadle or foot board when a person 2
enters the closet.
Figure 12 is a view in which the valves and the radial plates have
been acted upon by the lift of the seat flap through a rod at its back
acting upon a lever projecting from part of the mechanism, the seat not
'coming into action for the shift until it has been raised a fixed distance. a
Figures 13 and 14 show detached views of the seat, in which the
dotted lines clearly explain the movement of the radial plates. Figure 13
shows the plates closed, and Figure 14 the plates open, the fan having
moved to one side.
Figure 15 represents an invalid's 'table, or a table that can be placed a
in any room without exposing what it is really intended for when the
flap and top are closed down, as in Figure 16. The radial plates are in
this as in the Figures hereafter referred to only fitted to the under face
of the seat, or on the pan proper, so that when it is necessary for the
pan to be emptied it can be removed bodily with the contents without 3
any escape of effluvia, and without creating suspicion as to what it
really is.

page_text: Figures 17 and 18 show a stool with a cushioned top, which top has
only to be turned up upon its hinges to facilitate the stool being used as
an ordinary commode or bed stool, only with the advantages possessed
by my Invention. I dispense with the earth supply and also the earth
distributing mechanism in these small articles, and prefer to pour a small
portion of some deodorizing, disinfecting, or antiseptic fluid into the pan
before each use.
Figures 19 and 20 represent a drawing room or library chair, the
bottom or frame of which is fitted to receive the pan with its radial
plates, and also a seat, as before explained.
These small articles of furniture are only illustrated as samples of
some of the goods into which my Invention can be arranged; it will
therefore be evident from the compactness of the parts that as so little
space is occupied by my Invention its application to articles of furniture
is without limit.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
Firstly. The improvements in earth closets, and the means of dis-
tributing the earth therein after each use, substantially as herein-before
described and represented in Figures 1 to 12 of the Drawings annexed.
Secondly. The dispensation of the earth distributing mechanism to
articles of small size, in the manner and for the purposes described with
reference to Figures 13 to 20 of the Drawings annexed.
Thirdly. The combination of parts forming the mechanism, and their
method of action for supplying earth to earth closets, as before explained.
Fourthly. The employment of two radial plates under the seats of
earth closets when acted upon by the depression of the seat or of a
treadle, or of a seat and treadle combined, as described and represented.
Fifthly. The employment of two radial plates to the pans or receivers
of commodes or articles of furniture to be used as commodes, in the
manner set forth.
Sixthly. The modified methods of arranging the several parts of the
mechanism in earth closets, as described, particularly with regard to
the movement of the fan or spreader, as described and shown.

page_text: And, seventhly. The employment of a revolving perforated or split
disc fan with automatic action for distributing earth in earth closets,
such fan being set at an angle substantially as described and shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert May Caffall, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this First day of March, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-three.
ROBERT MAY CAFFALL. (L.S.)