IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH WATER-OLOSETS, ALSO APPLICABLE IN PART TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark of the firm of A M and
W Clark of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents,
for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH WATER-OLOSETS,
ALSO APPLICABLE IN PART TO OTHER PURPOSES Communicated to him from
abroad by Joseph Jean Baptiste Frey, of the City County and State of New
York, United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th June 1882.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the firm of A. M. & W. Clark of 53 Chancery
Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agents, "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
"
CONNECTED WITH WATER CLOSETS, ALSO APPLICABLE IN PART TO OTHER PURPOSES.
[Communicated to him from abroad by Joseph Jean Baptiste Frey, of the City
County and State of New York, United States of America]
Among the objects sought to be attained by this Invention are, a more thorough
ventilation of water closets, a more perfect immunity against odours resulting from
sewer air or from ordinary use of said closets, the providing of an overflow alike for
the bowl or basin and for the valve chamber of the closet, and greater compactness,
simplicity and efficiency generally in the construction of water closets.
The Invention also has for its object the providing of a slop safe or drip tray for
water closets which shall be more readily kept clean on its upper surface and shall
provide for the flushing or washing of the basin of the closet.
Again, the Invention has for its object the production of a more perfect and
convenient plumbers coupling for the basins of water closets, wash basins, urinals,
and other structures.
To these and other ends the Invention consists in a combination with the side
chamber of a side outlet water closet, its pull rod by which the supply of water is
controlled to said closet and valve on said rod for closing the lower discharge
opening in said chamber, of means for providing for the wear and close fit of said
Price 871

page_text: valve, cushioning of the same, and close fit of the pull rod by which said valve is
worked. It also consists in a certain combination of said devices, an adjustable nut
or nuts, and a spring for closing said valve, whereby provision is made for regulating
the tension of said spring and for independently adjusting the closing action of said
valve. It likewise consists in a valve for closing the discharge opening of the
closet of ball shape and made of rubber, in combination with the side chamber of
the closet, the pull rod, and the adjustable spring controlling said valve. And it
furthermore. consists in a combination with the basin and side chamber of the
closet of vent pipes and branches and an overflow pipe, whereby provision is made,
not only for ventilating both the basin and side chamber, but an overflow for
surplus water is provided from the basin and side chamber.
The Invention also consists in a slop safe or drip tray for water closets provided
with a flushing or sprinkling device for washing the upper surface of said safe,
and in a slop safe or drip tray provided with flushing devices for washing both
its upper surface and the interior of the basin of the closet to which said safe is
applied.
Furthermore, the Invention consists in a plumber's coupling of novel construction,
and in certain constructions and combinations of parts thereof, and in a combination
of such a coupling with a basin or receptacle made of porcelain, glass, or other like
brittle material, whereby not only a better and safer connection may be made
between metal or other pipes and articles or structures formed of earthenware, glass,
or other vitreous materials, as for instance the basins of water closets, urinals, or wash
basins made of porcelain, but a more convenient means is provided for uniting pipes
or tubular connections of various kinds having collars on their contiguous ends,
whether made of earthenware, glass, or metal. This part of the Invention is
applicable, not merely as a plumber's coupling for water closets, urinals, and wash
basins, but for numerous other structures or devices.
The first part of the Invention will be described with reference to a cistern closet
that operates on what has been termned the side outlet principle, and in which the
basin as well as the delivery outlet or duct therefrom and the side chamber with
which said outlet connects may, if desired, all be made of porcelain. The side
chamber is mounted on the trap and extends above the outlet as in other side outlet
closets, but instead of being fitted, as is frequently customary in such closets, with a
hollow plunger that is in open communication at its bottom with the trap and
permits of the escape of noxious gases from the trap and soil pipe up through it
into the upper portion of said chamber, from whence they are liable to escape into
the building or foul the water in said chamber, there is attached to the lower end
of the pull rod by which the water from the cistern above is let onto the closet,
and by which the discharge is controlled from the basin, a light ball valve of rubber,
or it may be a weighted one. This valve, when down or closed, rests closely upon a
brass or other seat at the end of the outlet or duct and bottom of the side chamber,
which may be directly above or at the receiving end of the trap. Said ball
valve which is nearly of the same diameter as the chamber, does not permit of
the escape of noxious gases through it from the trap and soil pipe, but when
closed forms a complete bar to any passage of gas from the trap either through
or around it. It is kept firmly seated either by means of its weight, by a
separate weight applied thereto, or by a string arranged around the pull rod.
Upon raising the pull rod to discharge water from the cistern, which may be
done by means of a chain arranged to pass under pulleys and connecting the pull
rod or projections thereon with the lever of the cistern valve, thereby dispensing
with an additional lever attached directly to the pull rod, fresh water is supplied to
the basin and the valve is lifted or opened to pass off the soiled water and
excrement. The spring which has its upper bearing against or within a cap plate
has its tension made adjustable so as to act with more or less power by means of
a screw nut on the pull rod at the lower end of said spring. To ensure the proper
and close fit of the valve on its seat when closed, and to provide for wear of said
valve on its seat, there is arranged on the rod a second screw nut below the first nut,

page_text: which, when the pull rod is down bears, under the indirect action of the spring,
down upon a rubber or other elastic cushion which yields to admit the valve to
come close to its seat and at the same time, by its arrangement, make an air tight
packing for the pull rod to work through. The nuts when adjusted as required
may be held or locked in position by set screws passing through their sides and
bearing on the pull rod.
By making the valve in whole or in part a hollow rubber one, its softness and
elasticity combined with the elasticity of the spring on the pull rod, prevents any
jarring or breaking of the joints of the closet, or injury to or breakage of the side
chamber. Connecting the upper portion of the chamber above the outlet, and at
or immediately above the level at which the water stands in said chamber, and also
with the trap at a point below the valve, is an overflow pipe arranged on the
outside of said chamber and connected therewith by suitable couplings or joints
that will readily admit of its removal when required for cleaning or other purposes.
The service box of the cistern should be of such capacity that every time water is
drawn from it, a supply will be furnished sufficiently copious to flood the side
chamber and cause the surplus to pass off by the overflow pipe, thus making said
chamber at all times a clear water one and ensuring a supply of fresh water above
the valve. The overflow pipe may, if desired, be constructed in trap form to more
effectually guard against the escape into the apartment or building of noxious air or
gases. Furthermore the chamber is kept constantly ventilated by connecting its upper
space immediately above the level of the water line therein by an outside branch
with a vent pipe leading to or above the roof of the building or elsewhere. This,
in connection with the overflow pipe, makes a direct vent from the trap below
the shut off valve or ball to the roof, thereby effectually ventilating the chamber.
An additional vent branch on the outside of the basin also connects the upper
portion of said basin with the vent pipe. In this way a thorough ventilation is
effected, both of the basin and its chamber, and in case of any flooding of the basin
by accident, the basin vent will act as an overflow to the vent pipe, from thence to
the chamber, and finally by the overflow pipe to the trap. The double vents which
both connect with the main vent or draft pipe will serve to pass off noxious gases
rising from the trap or soil pipe, even in case water should fail to be supplied from
the cistern and the shut-off valve should fail to close tight. In a regular way and
when a proper quantity of water is supplied to the closet, the overflow will be from
the basin down the outlet or duct to the chamber and from thence through the
overflow pipe or branch.
The water from the cistern for carrying off the discharge and washing out the
basin, may be introduced to the basin through any suitable flushing device, but
preferably through one which is a separate structure from the basin either as
hereinafter described or otherwise.
In the most modern or the better kinds of water closets it is customary to hinge
the seat of the closet to the box or frame thereof so that said seat may be thrown
back or raised, and to lay on or over the top of the basin a plate or cover made of
the same material as the basin or of any other material that is impervious to water
on its surface such plate having a hole through it corresponding with the hole in
the seat when the latter is shut down over said plate. This device is usually
termed a slop safe or drip tray and its main use is to form a conductor to and
marginal cover around the top of the basin when the sent is raised for emptying
slops into the basin or when the closet is used as a urinal, and whereby soiling or
wetting the seat is prevented.
The slop-safe or drip-tray of this Invention that, like the basin may be made of
porcelain, metal having an enameled surface, or any suitable material, is constructed
around its inner margin with a flushing channel or rin for washing the basin and
for supplying it with fresh water. This slop safe, with the flushing rim formed in
or on it, is a separate structure which is seated on the basin as and for the purposes
herein before referred to, and said flushing channel or rim may be of any desired
shape and be formed with any suitable outlet or outlets for distributing the fresh

page_text: water to the basin. Such water is supplied to said flushing rim from the cistern
to the closet, by a tubular passage or inlet branch formed in or on the safe and
which is connected outside of the basin with a suitable supply pipe, the adinission
of water being controlled by the pull rod of the closet. There is a hollow flushing
rim or sprinkler for washing the upper surface of the slop-safe which is supplied
with water by a branch from an inlet and may be a separate structure extending
along and above the front outer margin of the slop-safe with distributing
perforations in its inner face, or made to form an integral part of said safe, and
may be of different shapes and, if necessary, be extended along each outer marginal
side of the safe, or any of them. If desired, a stop cock may be applied to the
branch for regulating the discharge of water from the distributor or for shutting
off said discharge, when necessary. By providing the apparatus with a device for
flushing or washing its upper surface, slop or urine and consequent objectionable
odor is removed from said surface, and by providing it with a device for flushing or
washing the interior of the basin of the closet, said basin may be made without an
attached flushing rim.
The improved plumber's coupling may be most advantageously applied to water
closets having their chambers or basins made of porcelain or other like brittle
material. In order to connect such basins with the necessary pipes, either for
supplying water to them, or for running off the waste water from them, or for
providing for an escape by overflow, it is customary to construct the basin with a
short pipe or branch of the same material as and forming an integral portion of it,
with which branch the requisite metal or other pipe united by a suitable joint.
Heretofore much difficulty has been experienced in a close joint for such connections,
without using putty or cement which are objectionable, and great risk is incurred
of breaking the projecting porcelain branch of the basin by screwing or tightening
up its connection with the pipe, which breakage involves or includes the whole
basin, thereby making the accident a very expensive one. These objections are
removed by employing this improved coupling. The branch with which it is
desired to connect a metal pipe for the purpose of ventilating the basin or it might
be for introducing water to the flushing device of the 'basin, is made with an
externally projecting collar on its outer end and the pipe also with a collar on its
contiguous end. A ring or sleeve made in two or more longitudinal sections to
provide for fitting it on or around the branch back of its collar, has a screwthread
on its exterior periphery, the diameter of which is somewhat greater than that of
the collar to provide, in part, for the passage over said collar of a nut to hold the
sections of the screw ring or sleeve together. This nut forms a tie for said sections
to prevent them from dropping apart and to hold them in position for a screw nut
or box of the coupling to engage with the screwthread on the ring. By making
said sleeve or ring of greater exterior dimensions than the collar of the branch, or
at least of no lesser dimensions than it, provision is made for the engagement of
the coupling nut with the externally screwthreaded and sectionally constructed
sleeve, and for receiving the collar of the branch within it. The nut turns loosely
upon the pipe and is made with a rear inner fange to allow of the collar on the
pipe acting as a stop to it as in various hose and other couplings. A washer of
rubber, leather, or other soft or yielding material is inserted within the coupling
nut and lying against the outer face of the one collar for the other collar to bear
against when the coupling is screwed up.
Various means may be adopted for preventing the divided screwthreaded sleeve
from turning when screwing up the coupling nut. Thus, it may be held from
turning by a suitable tool applied to it by a feather on the branch fitting a groove
in the sleeve by a rubber band slipped over the branch, against which the
sectionally constructed sleeve may be bound by the tie nut or by constructing the
exterior of the branch of an oval or irregular shape, and the interior of the sleeve
of a form to correspond.
By this construction of coupling a metal pipe may readily be connected with the
brittle branch of a porcelain basin without risk of fracturing the latter or brauch

page_text: portion of it, the yielding washer acting as a cushion to ease the strain when
screwing up the coupling, and as a packing to make the joint a close one without
the use of putty or cement. By the sectional construction of the sleeve the collar
of the branch forms no impediment for the placing of said sleeve on the branch
and the connection of the pipe with the basin may be either made or broken when
required with facility and dispatch.
It will be obvious that the position of the branch may be varied as may also
the shape of the basin or receptacle and the pipe be arranged to run in any suitable
direction.
In some cases it may not be found practicable or convenient to pass the flanged
coupling nut over the pipe so as to bear by its flange against the collar of said
pipe. In such case, no matter for what purpose or use the pipe connections may be
required, the construction of the coupling may be modified, and the divided screw
sleeve dispensed with, the pipes or branches being connected with the flexible
packing between them by making the coupling nut in two sections or halves
diametrically so as to provide for fitting it onto the pipes or branches from the
sides thereof, said nut being constructed and arranged so that it will engage with
a screwthread on the end of the pipe and bear by its internal flange against the
back of the collar of the pipe or branch. To hold the two sections of the divided
coupling nut together, an undivided tie or binding nut which may be introduced
over the branch before applying the coupling nut, is passed over a reduced or body
portion of the divided coupling nut, and if necessary may be screwed therein by
one or more set screws. If desired, the coupling may be made to embrace the
leading features of the first construction, that is, a divided screwthreaded sleeve
may be combined with a divided coupling nut.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th December 1882.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the Firm of A. M. and W. Clark of 53 Chancery
Lane in the County of Middlesex Patent Agents "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
CONNECTED WITH WATER CLOSETS, ALSO APPLICABLE IN PART TO OTHER PURPOSES
"
A communication to me from abroad by Joseph Jean Baptiste Frey of the City,
County and State of New York, United States of America
Among the objects sought to be attained by this Invention are a more thorough
ventilation of water closets, a more perfect immunity against odors resulting from
sewer air or from the ordinary use of said closets, the providing of an overflow alike
for the bowl or basin and for the valve chamber of the closet, and greater
compactness, simplicity, and efficiency generally in the construction of water closets,
The Invention also has for its object the providing of a slop-safe or drip-tray for
water closets which shall be more readily kept clean on its upper surface and shall
provide for the flushing or washing of the basin of the closet. Again, the Invention
has for its object the production of a more perfect and convenient plumber's
coupling for the basins of water closets, wash basins, urinals, and other structures.
To these and other ends the Invention consists in a combination with the side
chamber of a side outlet water closet, its pull rod by which the supply of water is
controlled to said closet, and valve on said rod for closing the lower discharge
opening in said chamber, of means for providing for the wear and close fit of said
valve, cushioning of the same, and close fit of the pull rod by which said valve is
worked. It also consists in a certain combination of said devices, an adjustable nut
or nuts, and a spring for closing said valve, whereby provision is made for regulating
the tension of said spring and for independently adjusting the closing action of said
valve. It likewise consists in a valve for closing the discharge opening of the closet
of ball shape and made of rubber, in combination with the side chamber of the closet
the pull rod, and the adjustable spring controlling said valve. And it furthermore
consists in a combination with the basin and side chamber of the closet, of vent pipes
and branches and an overflow pipe whereby provision is made, not only for
ventilating both the basin and side chamber, but an overflow for surplus water is
provided from the basin and side chamber.
The Invention also consists in a slop-safe or drip-tray for water closets provided
with a flushing or sprinkling device for washing the upper surface of said safe, and
in a slop safe or drip tray provided with flushing devices for washing both its upper
surface and the interior of the basin of the closet to which said safe is applied.
Furthermore the Invention consists in a plumber's coupling of novel construction
and in certain constructions and combinations of parts thereof, and in a combination
of such a coupling with a basin or receptacle made of porcelain, glass, or other like
brittle material, whereby not only a better and safer connection may be made
between metal or other pipes and articles or structures formed of earthenware, glass,
or other vitreous materials (as for instance the basins of water closets, urinals, or
wash basins made of porcelain) but a more convenient means is provided for uniting
pipes or tubular connections of various kinds having collars on their contiguous
ends whether made of earthenware, glass, or metal. This part of the Invention is
applicable, not merely as a plumber's coupling for water closets, urinals, and wash
basins, but for numerous other structures or devices.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

page_text: Figure 1 represents an outside face view of a water closet showing the Invention
in part applied. Figure 2 is a vertical section of the closet on the line x-x in
Figure 3. Figure 3 is a side or end view of the same in a plane at right angles to
Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a water closet showing the
improved slop-safe or drip-tray applied. Figure 5 is a vertical section upon a
larger scale of the basin of the closet with said slop-safe in its place thereon, and
Figure 6 shows a longitudinal inner face view of a water distributor for washing
the upper surface of the slop safe. Figure 7 represents a vertical section on the line
y-y in Figure 8 of the improved plumbers coupling applied to connect a pipe with
the basin of a water closet, and Figure 8 a further vertical section of the same on
the line -z in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a transverse section of a modified construction of
said coupling on the line in Figure 10 looking in the direction of the arrow w.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line y'-y' in Figure 9,
and Figure 11 a transverse section on the line ¹¹ in Figure 10 looking in the
direction of the arrow w¹.
Referring in the first instance or more particularly to Figures 1. 2. and 3 of the
drawings, which figures represent a cistern closet that operates on what has been
termed the side outlet principle, A indicates the basin which as well as the delivery
outlet or duct B therefrom and the side chamber C with which said outlet connects,
may, , if desired, all be made of porcelain. The chamber C is mounted on the trap D
and extends above the outlet B as in other side outlet closets but instead of being
fitted, as is frequently customary in such closets, with a hollow plunger that is in
open communication at its bottom with the trap and permits of the escape of
noxious gases from the trap and soil pipe up through it into the upper portion of
said chamber from whence they are liable to escape into the building or foul the
water in said chamber, there is attached to the lower end of the pull rod b by
which the water from the cistern above is let onto the closet and by which the
discharge is controlled from the basin, a light ball valve E of rubber, or it may be
a weighted one. This valve, when down or closed, rests closely upon a brass or
other seat c at the end of the outlet or duct B and bottom of the chamber C
which may be directly above or at the receiving end of the trap. Said ball valve E
which is nearly of the same diameter as the chamber C does not permit of the
escape of noxious gases through it from the trap and soil pipe, but when closed
forms a complete bar to any passage of gas from the trap either through or
around it. It is kept firmly seated either by means of its weight, by a separate
weight applied thereto, or by a spring d arranged around the pull rod b. Upon
raising the pull rod b to discharge water from the cistern S which may be done
(see Figure 1) by means of a chain arranged to pass under pulleys vvand
connecting the pull rod b or projections thereon with the lever vi of the cistern
valve, thereby dispensing with an additional lever attached directly to the pull rod,
fresh water is supplied to basin A and the valve E is lifted or opened to pass off
the soiled water and excrement. The spring d which has its upper bearing against
or within a cap plate F, has its tension made adjustable so as to act with more or
less power by means of a screw nute on the pull rod b at the lower end of said
spring. To ensure the proper and close fit of the valve E on its seat when closed,
and to provide for wear of said valve on its seat, there is arranged on the rod ba
second screw nut f below the nut e. This nut f, when the pull rod is down, bears,
under the indirect action of the spring d, down upon a rubber or other elastic
cushion g which yields to admit the valve E to come close to its seat and at the
same time, by its arrangement, make an air tight packing for the pull rod to work
through. The nuts e and f when adjusted as required, may be held or locked in
position by set screws passing through their sides and bearing on the pull rod. By
making the valve E in whole or in part a hollow rubber one, its softness and
elasticity combined with the elasticity of the spring don the pull rod, prevents any
jarring or breaking of the joints of the closet or injury to or breakage of the side
chamber C.
Connecting the upper portion of the chamber C above the outlet B, and at or

page_text: immediately above the level at which the water stands in said chamber, and also
with the trap D at a point below the valve E, is an overflow pipe G arranged on
the outside of said chamber and connected therewith by suitable couplings or
joints that will readily admit of its removal when required for cleaning or other
purposes.
The service box of the cistern should be of such capacity that every time water
is drawn from it, a supply will be furnished sufficiently copious to flood the
chamber C and cause the surplus to pass off by the overflow pipe G, thus making
said chamber at all times a clear water one and ensuring a supply of fresh water
above the valve E. The overflow pipe G may, if desired, be constructed in trap
form, as seen in Figure 1, to more effectually guard against the escape into the
apartment or building of noxious air or gases. Furthermore, the chamber C is kept
constantly ventilated by connecting its upper space immediately above the level of
the water line therein by an outside branch h (figure 3) with a vent pipe leading
to or above the roof of the building or elsewhere. This, in connection with the
overflow pipe G makes a direct vent from the trap D below the shut off valve or
ball E to the roof, thereby effectually ventilating the chamber C. An additional
vent branch k on the outside of the basin A also connects the upper portion of said
basin with the vent pipe i. In this way a thorough ventilation is effected, both of
the basin and its chamber, and in case of any flooding of the basin by accident, the
basin vent k will act as an overflow to the vent pipe i, from thence to the chamber C,
and finally by the overflow pipe G to the trap. The double vents h and k which
both connect with the main vent or draft pipe i, will serve to pass off noxious gases
rising from the trap or soil pipe, even in case water should fail to be supplied from
the cistern and the shut off valve E should fail to close tight. In a regular way
and when a proper quantity of water is supplied to the closet, the overflow will be
from the basin A down the outlet or duct B to the chamber C and from thence
through the overflow pipe or branch G. The water from the cistern for carrying
off the discharge and washing out the basin, may be introduced to the basin
through any suitable flushing device but preferably through one which is a separate
structure from the basin either as hereinafter described or otherwise.
In the most modern or the better kinds of water closets, it is customary to hinge
the seat of the closet to the box or frame thereof so that said seat may be thrown
back or raised, and to lay on or over the top of the basin a plate or cover made of
the same material as the basin or of any other material that is impervious to water
on its surface, such plate having a hole through it corresponding with the hole in
the seat when the latter is shut down over said plate. This device is usually
termed a slop safe or drip tray and its main use is to form a conductor to and
marginal cover around the top of the basin when the seat is raised for emptying
slops into the basin, or when the closet is used as a urinal and whereby soiling or
wetting the seat is prevented.
The improvements in such slop safes or drip trays which form part of this
Invention will now be explained with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 of the
Drawings. I (figure 4) indicates the box or frame of the closet and J its hinged
seat which is represented as raised. K is the slop safe or drip tray that like the
basin A may be made of porcelain, metal having an enamelled surface, or any
suitable material, and which is constructed around its inner margin with a flushing
channel or rim M for washing the basin and for supplying it with fresh water.
This slop safe with the flushing rim M formed in or on it is a separate structure
which is seated on the basin as and for the purposes herein before referred to, and
said flushing channel or rim may be of any desired shape and be formed with any
suitable outlet or outlets m for distributing the fresh water to the basin. Such
water is supplied to said flushing rim from the cistern to the closet by a tubular
passage or inlet branch n formed in or on the safe and which is connected outside
of the basin with a suitable supply pipe, the admission of water being controlled by
the pull rod of the closet. N is a hollow flushing rim or sprinkler for washing the
upper surface of the slop safe. This device which is supplied with water by a

page_text: branch from the inlet n is here shown as a separate structure and as only
extending along and above the front outer margin of the slop safe and as having
distributing perforations 8 in its inner face, but it may be made to form an integral
part of said safe, be of different shapes, and if necessary be extended along each
outer marginal side of the safe, or any of them. If desired a stop cock may be
applied to the branch for regulating the discharge of water from the distributor N,
or for shutting off said discharge when necessary.
Such improved slop safe may be dealt in and sold as a separate article of
manufacture suitable for water closets of different kinds. By providing it with a
device for flushing or washing its upper surface, slop, or urine and objectionable
odor is removed from said surface and by providing it with a device for flushing or
washing the interior of the basin of the closet, said basin may be made without an
attached flushing rim.
Reference will now be made more particularly to Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the
drawing by way of explaining that portion of the Invention which relates to an
improved plumbers'-coupling which may be most advantageously applied to water
closets having their chambers or basins made of porcelain or other like brittle
material. In order to connect such basins with the necessary pipes, either for
supplying water to them, or for running off the waste water from them, or for
providing for an escape by overflow, it is customary to construct the basin with a
short pipe or branch of the same material as, and forming an integral portion of, it,
with which branch the requisite metal or other pipe is united by a suitable joint.
Heretofore much difficulty has been experienced in a close joint for such connections
without using putty or cement which are objectionable, and great risk is incurred
of breaking the projecting porcelain branch of the basin by screwing or tightening
up its connection with the pipe, which breakage involves or includes the whole
basin, thereby making the accident a very expensive one.
These objections are removed by employing a coupling constructed substantially
as shown in Figures 7 and 8, or Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawing, also as shown
applied to the basin, its chamber and trap in Figures 1, 2 and 3. In Figures 7
and 8, A indicates the one side of the porcelain basin of a water closet, and h¹ a
branch formed of the same material and being an integral portion of the basin.
Said branch with which it is desired to connect a metal pipe k for the purpose of
ventilating the basin, or it might be for introducing water to the flushing device of
the basin, is made with an externally projecting collar b¹ on its outer end, and the
pipe k also with a collar c¹ on its contiguous end. D¹ is a ring or sleeve made in
two or more longitudinal sections to provide for fitting it on or around the
branch h¹ back of the collar b'. Said ring has a screwthread on its exterior
periphery, the diameter of which is somewhat greater than that of the collar 6' to
provide in part for the passage over said collar of a nut E¹ to hold the sections of
the screw ring or sleeve D¹ together. This nut E' forms a tie for said sections to
prevent them from dropping apart and to hold them in position for the screw nut
or box F of the coupling to engage with the screwthread on the ring D'. By
making said sleeve or ring of greater exterior dimensions than the collar b¹ or at
least of no lesser dimensions than it, provision is made for the engagement of the
coupling nut F¹ with the externally screwthreaded and sectionally constructed.
sleeve and for receiving the collar b¹ of the brauch h¹ within it. The nut F¹
turns loosely upon the pipe k and is made with a rear inner flange f¹ to allow of
the collar c¹ on the pipe acting as a stop. to it, as in various hose and other
couplings. G¹ is a washer of rubber, leather, or other soft or yielding material
inserted within the coupling nut F¹ and lying against the outer face of the collar c'
for the collar b¹ to bear against when the coupling is screwed up.
Various means
may be adopted for preventing the divided screwthreaded sleeve D' from turning
when screwing up the coupling nut F'. Thus it may be held from turning by a
suitable tool applied to it by a feather on the branch ' fitting a groove in the
sleeve by a rubber band slipped over the branch h¹ against which the sectionally
constructed sleeve may be bound by the tie nut El or by constructing the exterior

page_text: of the branch h¹ of an oval or irregular shape, and the interior of the sleeve D¹ of a
form to correspond, as shown in Figure 8.
By this construction of coupling a metal pipe may readily be connected with
the brittle branch of a porcelain basin without risk of fracturing the latter or branch
portion of it, the yielding washer G₁ acting as a cushion to ease the strain when
screwing up the coupling, and as a packing to make the joint a close one without
the use of putty or cement. By the sectional construction of the sleeve D', the
collar b¹ forms no impediment for the placing of said sleeve on the branch h¹, and
the connection of the pipe with the basin may be either made or broken when
required with facility and despatch.
It will be obvious that the position of the branch h¹ may be varied, as may also
the shape of the basin or receptacle, and the pipe k be arranged to run in any
suitable direction.
In some cases it may not be found practicable or convenient to pass the flanged
coupling nut F¹ over the pipe k so as to bear by its flange f¹ against the collar c¹
of said pipe. In such case, no matter for what purpose or use the pipe connections
may be required, the construction of the coupling may be modified substantially as
shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawing, in which figures the divided screw
sleeve D¹ is dispensed with and the pipes or branches 'k are represented as
connected with the flexible packing G₁ between them by making the coupling
nut F in two sections or halves diametrically so as to provide for fitting it onto
the pipes or branches h¹k from the sides thereof and constructing and arranging
said divided nut so that it will engage with a screwthread on the end of the
pipe k and bear by its internal flange f¹ against the back of the collar b₁ of the
pipe or branch h¹. To hold the two sections of the divided coupling nut F' together,
the undivided tie or binding nut E¹ which may be introduced over the branch h¹
before applying the coupling nut F', is passed over a reduced or body portion of
the divided coupling nut, and if necessary may be screwed therein by one or more
set screws, as shown in Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings. If desired, the coupling
may be made to embrace the leading features of the construction shown in
Figures 7 and 8, and shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings, that is, a
divided screwthreaded sleeve may be combined with a divided coupling nut.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected
by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is.
of
1st The combination with the side chamber of the side outlet water closet, the
pull rod by which the admission of water is controlled to said closet, and a valve
on said rod constructed and arranged to close the lower discharge opening in said
chamber, of a nut or projection on said rod outside of said chamber, and a yielding
cushion with which said projection is brought into contact when said valve is
closed, essentially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
2nd The combination with the side chamber and pull rod having an attached
valve for closing the lower discharge opening in said chamber, of the spring b, the
adjustable nuts e f, and the yielding cushion g, whereby provision is made for
regulating the tension of said spring, and for independently adjusting the closing
action of said valve as controlled by said spring and cushion g substantially as
specified.
3rd The valve E of ball shape and made of rubber, in combination with the
side chamber C, the pull rod b, and the adjustable spring d, essentially as described.
4th The combination of the basin A and its attached vent pipe or branch k with
the upward vent pipe i, the vent branch h, the side chamber C, and the overflow
pipe G, whereby not only is provision made for ventilating both the basin and
side chamber, but an overflow for surplus water is provided from the basin and side
chamber, or either, substantially as described.
5th A slop safe for water closets provided with a flushing rim or sprinkler
arranged along one or more of the outer marginal sides of said safe for washing the
upper surface thereof essentially as described,

page_text: 6th A slop-safe for water closets provided with flushing rims or devices for
washing both the upper surface of the safe and the interior of the basin of the
closet, substantially as described.
7th A coupling for pipes having collars on their contiguous ends, consisting of a
combination with said pipes of an enlarged externally screwthreaded sleeve
constructed in two or more longitudinal sections and arranged upon one of said
pipes, a freely rotating coupling nut arranged around the collar end of the adjacent
pipe to receive the screwthreaded sleeve within it and a yielding washer interposed
between the collars of the pipes, substantially as shown and described with
reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings.
8th The combination with a basin or receptacle constructed of porcelain, glass, or
other like brittle material and having a projecting pipe or branch ' made with a
collar b¹ on its outer end and forming an integral portion of said receptacle, of the
enlarged externally screwthreaded sleeve D' formed of two or more longitudinal
sections, the coupling nut F¹, a metal pipe having a collar c¹ on its outer end, and
the yielding washer G¹ interposed between the collars b¹ and c' essentially as shown
in Figures 7 and 8 and for the purpose herein set forth.
9th The tie nut E' in combination with the enlarged externally screwthreaded
sleeve D' formed of two or more longitudinal sections, the pipe or branch h¹ having
a collar 6¹ on its outer end, the pipe k provided with an end collar c', the coupling
nut F¹, and the yielding washer G₁, substantially as described and shown in
Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings.
10th A plumber's coupling for the pipes of water closets and other purposes
constructed substantially as shown and described with reference to Figures 9, 10
and 11 of the drawings.
In Witness whereof I the said Alexander Melville Clark have hereunto set
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