IMPROVED MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO TILT, TIP, OR SWING BASINS, AND SAID MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS OR PART THEREOF BEING CAPABLE OF BEING UTILIZED FOR PREVENTING WASTE, AND REGULATING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mills Smeaton and John Smeaton, of Newcastle
Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, of the Firm of Smeaton and Sons,
of Newcastle Street aforesaid, for the Invention of "IMPROVED MECHANICAL
ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO TILT, TIP, OR SWING BASINS, AND
SAID MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS OR PART THEREOF BEING CAPABLE OF BEING
UTILIZED FOR PREVENTING WASTE, AND REGULATING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS
FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES"
Sealed the 11th January 1878, and dated the 17th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mills Smeaton and
John Smeaton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th July
1877.
WILLIAM MILLS SMEATON and JOHN SMEATON, of Newcastle Street, Strand, in
the County of Middlesex, of the Firm of Smeaton & Sons, of Newcastle Street
aforesaid. "IMPROVED MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUPPLYING WATER
TO TILT, TIP, OR SWING BASINS, SAID MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS OR PART
THEREOF BEING CAPABLE OF BEING UTILIZED FOR PREVENTING WASTE, AND
REGULATING THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES."
Our Invention consists of a new method for the supply of water into a bowl or
basin fixed on two pivots or bearers made fast to a stand, or any other fixing
which allows the basin or bowl to swing freely, the basin or bowl being formed
with an arm directly under the front part of the basin, or in communication with
the part of basin lifted by the hand.
Immediately under the arm of basin is fixed a spring, cock, or valve, which is
opened by a slight pressure of the hand on the front or edge of the basin, thereby
causing the flow of water through said cock or valve into arm of basin before
described, and discharging water into basin under the part of basin lifted by the
hand.
The basin has fixed to it on the under side thereof a container made so as to
avoid splashing, said container having a small shelf or ledge in same, so as to carry
the cock or valve which supplies the water to the basin.

page_text: On the container is cast or formed a stop, and the said basin on the under side has
also a stop. When the basin is tilted, the stop on the basin comes against the stop
in the container and prevents the basin from going any further.
To prevent concussion and damage we place india-rubber on the front portions of
the stops.
The spring, cock, or valve, may be of various forms, but the one we prefer to use
is constructed substantially as follows:-Said cock (fixed under the basin) being so
formed as to prevent shock or concussion, as usually experienced under high
pressure of water. The spindle or opening part of the cock or valve is formed as a
hollow tube down to the seat of valve (same working through a stuffing box fitted
to a chamber, as in ordinary valves). The said hollow spindle has a spring arranged
around same, and enclosed by chamber; said spring when the pressure is relieved
bringing the basin back to its proper position.
At the bottom of the before-mentioned tube a number of small holes are made
to allow the water to pass into the centre of tube, from whence the water passes
through the arm on the basin.
Underneath the seat of valve or hollow spindle a small chamber is formed;
inside this chamber is a loose valve formed with a cup leather fixed or secured on
a spindle, with india-rubber or leather seating. Through the spindle and centre of
cup leather a hole is bored; inside this hole is fixed a regulating screw which allows
the water to pass through to the back of the cup leather, thereby closing the valve
by the pressure of water.
By opening or shutting the valve a certain portion of water is allowed to pass
through the regulating screw, thereby closing the cock quicker or slower, as may be
required, according to the pressure of water, without concussion or shock. The cup
leather or leathers (being inverted upwards) contracts (or contract) when pushed
down, and expands (or expand) when the pressure of water is on the inside face
of cup.
The regulating screw can also be worked by a small cock or valve at
side of loose valve. This cock can also be used as a water-waste preventer by fixing
an extra cup leather to the back of the one before described.
The spring which is described as being arranged round the hollow spindle may be,
as is evident, placed in other positions to effect the result desired.
When used as a water-waste preventer, two ordinary valves or cocks are used in
connection with a receiver or regulating chamber, whereby, when the liquid fills
the receiver, the pressure of the water is equalized; but when the water is with-
drawn, the valve with the double cup leather rises, allowing the liquid to again
issue into the receiver, thus closing the valve on to its seat.
Under the basin, and at the sides thereof, we sometimes arrange springs which
serve the purpose of keeping the supply pipe or tube from the upper portion of the
valve, so as to allow the basin to tilt freely. This arrangement specially useful
for hot and cold water supply to the basin. When hot and cold water supply is
provided to the basin, a separate cock or valve for hot and for cold is used, and by
pressure of the hands on the sides of the basin same is depressed (by means of the
springs), thus opening the valves and causing a supply of hot and cold water to the
bowl or basin, or either of them. In some cases, however, one cock or valve may
be used for supplying both the hot and cold water, and this we effect by arranging
the valve so that one push would cause the valve to open to the cold supply, and a
further push downwards would open the hot water supply, and this action would
close the cold water supply, while the hot supply is passing through the hollow
spindle. It is evident that this cock or valve, although specially useful for tilt
basins or bowls, may be used in waterclosets, or as a tap for sinks, or where the
pressure of water would close the valve without concussion.
Instead of pressing the top of the basin to open the valve, a lever may be so
arranged as to actuate same in front of the basin or in other convenient position.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Mills Smeaton and John Smeaton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 17th January 1878.
WILLIAM MILLS SMEATON and JOHN SMEATON, of Newcastle Street, Strand, in
the County of Middlesex, of the Firm of Smeaton and Sons, of Newcastle Street
aforesaid. "IMPROVED MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO
TILT, TIP, OR SWING BASINS, SAID MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENTS OR PART THEREOF
BEING CAPABLE OF BEING UTILIZED FOR PREVENTING WASTE, AND REGULATING
THE FLOW OF LIQUIDS FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES."
Our Invention consists of a new method for the supply of water into a bowl or
basin fixed on two pivots or bearers made fast to a stand, or any other fixing which
allows the basin or bowl to swing freely, the basin or bowl being formed with an
arm directly under the front part of the basin, or in communication with the part
of basin lifted by hand:
Immediately under the arm of basin is fixed a spring cock, which is opened by a
slight pressure of the hand on the front or edge of the basin, thereby causing the
flow of water through the cock or valve on arm of basin before described, and
discharging the water into basin under the part of the basin lifted by the hand.
The basin has fixed to it on the under side thereof a container, inade so as to
avoid splashing, said container having a small shelf or ledge in same, so as to carry
the cock or valve which supplies the water to the basin.
On the container is cast or formed a stop, and the said basin on the under side
has also a stop. When the basin is tilted, the stop on the basin comes against the
stop in the container, and prevents the basin from going any further.
To prevent concussion and damage, we place india-rubber on the front portions
of the stops.
Instead of pressing the top of the basin to open the valve, a lever may
be so arranged as to actuate same in front of the basin, or in other convenient
position.
The spring, cock, or valve, may be of various forms, but the one we prefer to use
is constructed substantially as follows (said cock fixed under the basin being so
formed as to prevent shock or concussion, as usually experienced under high pressure
of water): The spindle or opening part of the cock or valve is formed as a hollow
tube down to the seat of valve, same working through a stuffing box fitted to a
chamber, as in ordinary valves. The said hollow spindle has a spring arranged
around same, and enclosed by chamber; said spring when the pressure is released
bringing the basin back to its proper position.
At the bottom of the before-inentioned tube a number of small holes are made to
allow the water to pass into the centre of the tube, from whence it passes through
arm on basin.
Underneath the seat of valve or hollow spindle, a small chamber is formed;
inside this chamber is a loose valve, formed with a cup leather fixed or screwed on
to spindle with india-rubber or leather seating. Through the spindle and centre of
cup leather a hole is made; inside this hole is fixed a regulating screw which
allows the water to pass through to the back of cup leather, thereby closing the
valve by the pressure of water.
By opening or shutting the valve, a certain portion of water is allowed to pass
through the regulating screw, thereby closing the cock quicker or slower, as may be
required, according to the pressure of water, without concussion or shock. The cup
leather or leathers (being inserted upwards) contract when pushed down, and
expand when the pressure of water is on the inside face of cup. The regulating
sciew can also be worked by a small cock or valve at side of loose valve. This
cock can also be used as a water-waste preventer, by fixing an extra cup leather to

page_text: the back of the one before described. In some cases, however, the extra cup
leather can be dispensed with.
The spring which is described as being arranged round the hollow spindle, may
be, as is evident, placed in other positions to effect the result desired.
Under the basin, and at the sides thereof, we sometimes arrange springs, which
serve the purpose of keeping the supply pipe or tube from the upper portion of the
valve, so as to allow the basin to tilt freely. This arrangement is specially useful
for hot and cold water supply to the basin. When hot and cold water supply is
provided to the basin, a separate cock or valve for hot and for cold is used, and by
pressure of the hands on the sides of the basin, same is depressed (the springs
yielding to the pressure), thus opening the valves and causing a supply of hot and
cold water to the bowl or basin, or either of them. In some cases, however, one
cock or valve may be used for supplying both the hot and cold water, and this we
effect by arranging the valve so that one push would cause the valve to open to the
cold supply, and a further push downwards would open the hot water supply; and
this action would close the cold water supply, while the hot supply is passing
through the hollow spindle. It is evident that this cock or valve, although specially
useful for tilt basins or bowls, may be used in waterclosets, or as a tap for sinks, or
where the pressure of water would close the valve without concussion.
When used as a water-waste preventer, two ordinary valves or cocks are used (or
a two-way cock or valve is used) in connection with a receiver or regulating
chamber, whereby, when the liquid fills the receiver or regulating chamber the
pressure of the water is equalized, and the loose valve closes as soon as the receiver
is filled; but when the water is withdrawn, the receiver is emptied through the two-
way cock or valve, and thence flows into basin or other receptacle as required. The
loose valve with the double cup leather (when the receiver is to be again filled) rises,
allowing the liquid to again issue into the receiver, thus closing the valve on to its
seat, and the liquid in the receiver is discharged in the usual way by dropping the
lever.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. Plan of tilt basin, showing also top of slab; Fig. 2, section on line
C, C, D; Fig. 3, section on line C, D, through centre of basin; Fig. 4, section of
arrangements similar to Fig. 3, but for use for hot or cold water, or both.
In these Figures (1 to 4) A is a tip-up or tilt basin, secured by pivots on each
side at a; B is the container which receives the contents of the basin A when
tilted from same; C is the shelf or ledge carrying cock or valve for supplying basin
A, such cock or valve being of construction as herein-after described; a stop c
(Fig. 3) is in some cases used, said stop being on under side of basin, and on the
container, as shown in Fig. 3.
The action of the arrangements shown in Figures 1 & 2 is as follows (tilting
being performed by means of treadle action :-By pressure on treadle D, the rod D₁,
to which is secured the rack D2, is actuated, said rack gearing into a small cog D³,
fixed on pivot a of the tilt basin. In Fig. 2 the normal position is shown, but as
soon as pressure is applied on treadle D the rack is brought towards the back of
basin, such action opening the valve to basin, supplying the necessary water to the
basin A.
When the water is to be discharged the treadle E is pressed, which throws the
rack D2 forward, and by means of pinion D³ the basin A is tilted, and the contents
discharged into the container B. By pressure on D the basin is brought back to
its normal position. Instead of treadle arrangements the basin may be tilted by
the hand as in Fig. 3.
In these arrangements, to supply water to the basin A, the push at F is pressed
down, thus opening the valve G, which supplies the water to the basin A. To dis-
charge the water the basin is tilted, and the contents discharged into the container

page_text: B, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, a shelf or ledge is formed on both
sides of container B, same carrying valves G for supplying hot and cold water to
the basin.
The action of opening the valves and tilting is similar to Fig. 3, but in this
arrangement a spring s on each side is fixed under the pivot, and arrangements so
formed as to limit the height of the basin A. To limit the height of basin A other
arrangements may be used, such as a stop.
Figs. 5 to 9 show sections of various forms of valves used in connection with our
arrangements.
Figs. 5 and 6 show valve for supplying both hot and cold water.
In Fig. 5, H is cap or valve working over the tube I containing the spring K,
which is arranged around the hollow tube L, which terminates in the seating L. To
the lower part of L is fixed the valve M, which rests against the seat L' when
closed. N, second chamber, screwed or secured on to chamber I as shown; said
chamber N being provided with inlet for cold water at n; O, chamber with inlet for
hot water at o, said chainber O being screwed or secured to N, as also shown; P is
small chamber, with cap containing spring Q, which serves to close hot valve M¹,
said valve resting (when closed) against the seat o' formed in chamber O; R, dia-
phragm secured to under part of chamber N to prevent the hot water passing in with
the cold water.
The action is as follows:-By pressure on buffer G' the part H is pressed down
over I', and this action also presses down the hollow spindle L, forcing the valve
M from its seat, and thus allowing the cold water to issue through n by opening n¹
into the hollow tube L, and from thence into basins or other receptacles.
By further pressure the nut on valve M comes against the spindle R', connected to
the diaphragm R. This action opens the hot valve M¹, and at the same time the
cold is shut off as soon as the valve M rests upon the seat L2; the hot water
issuing by opening into the hollow tube L, and thence into the basin as before
described. By releasing the pressure on G' the spring K brings back the tube L to
its normal position, and thus closes the valve; the same action closing the valve M'
by means of the spring Q. In Fig. 6 the valve is of similar construction as in
Figure 5, but the chamber I is shortened, and to this is screwed or secured the
chamber I', which chambers have openings for both hot and cold water. The dia-
phragm is dispensed with, and in place thereof a cup-piece S is used. The valve is
fixed to the hollow spindle.
The action is as follows:-Pressure being applied as before described, and the
valve M being forced from its seat allows the cold water to issue by n' into the
hollow spindle L and thence into the basin. By further pressure, and when valve
M rests ou part T, the cold water is cut off, and simultaneously the hot supply
valve is opened, and water issues by n² into the hollow tube L, and thence into the
basin. The pressure of cold water against cup leather S forces same against the
tube L, thus preventing admixture of the hot and cold water.
In Figures 7 to 9, a represents the spring; b, stuffing box; c, cup leather; d, regu-
lating screw; e, seating; (in Figures 7, 8, and 10), hollow spindle.
The action of. the valve shown in Fig. 7 is as follows:-The lever handle g,
which is centred at h, will when pulled forward fore up the hollow spindle ƒ by
means of its action on small stud i. This causes the end f' of the hollow spindle f
to press against the head of screw of loose valve, the water issuing from k through
the opening into the hollow spindle f, and thence to or into the basin or other
receptacle.
When the lever handle g is released the spring a brings back the hollow spindle f
to its normal position. To make it a bib-cock, the end of hollow spindle fis closed,
and the water issues instead by the nose or bib shown by dotted lines.
Fig. 8 is a modified form of Fig. 7. In this case an india-rubber buffer is fitted
to the top of the spindle f, and the water issues through the top as before described
into the basin or receptacle. In this arrangements parts g, h, and i, as shown in
Fig. 7, are not used.

page_text: Fig. 9 shows a form of an ordinary bib-cock, the hollow spindle ƒ shown in
Figures 7 and 8 being dispensed with. The action is similar to that before
described.
Fig. 10 shows another form of cock or valve which can be arranged either as a
ball valve or cock for ordinary purposes. The spring and stuffing box shown in
Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are in this arrangement dispensed with, the weight of the hollow
spindle, and the water passing through, bringing the hollow spindle f to its
normal position.
In this arrangement, upon pressure being applied to the lever m, the hollow
spindle is forced up, the upper part pressing against the spindle 2 of the loose
valve pl, and thus opening communication with inlet q, the water passing through
the hollow spindle finto a receptacle.
Fig. 11, sectional plan on line e, e, Fig. 10. By lengthening the lever m, and
placing a ball at the end thereof, the valve will act as a ball valve.
In Figures 7 to 10, the upper part of the loose valve p is formed with a cup
leather c, fixed or screwed on to spindle of loose valve p with seating at e. is the
hole through spindle and centre of cup leather c. In this hole is screwed or fixed
a regulating screw d, which allows the water to pass through to the back of the cup
leather, and thus closes the valve by the pressure of the water. The screw is so
regulated as to allow water to pass through, according to the quickness required to
close the valve without shock or concussion.
Instead of the regulating screw a small valve may be used at the side so as to
allow the water to go to the back of cup leather. These valves used are for the tilt
basin before described; but when cold water is used only the lower part of Fig. 5 is
dispensed with, and a cap and hinge screwed to lower part of I. .
Fig. 12 shows the valve adapted to the supply of water to the door-action urinal.
The end t of the hollow spindle is so made that when the door is opened the valve
is raised, giving the supply of water to the urinal. By closing the door the valve
closes also.
Fig. 13 is sectional elevation of our arrangements adapted as a water-waste
preventer.
The Drawing shows the arrangements when adapted for a closet. On pulling the
handle of the closet, the lever n with weight is raised till it assumes the position
shown by dotted lines; this action turning the cock or valve v, and establishing a
communication between the inlet v¹ and the receiver v². The pressure on the upper
portion of valve x is thus released, and same immediately rises from its seat,
allowing the water to flow through opening x¹ (shown by dotted lines), into the
flushing arm of basin or other receptacle. During this action the receiver is being
gradually filled by the regulating cock or valve x², allowing the water to flow
through chamber y, and passage y', through cock or valve v into the receiver v².
The water in the receiver v2 gives the after-flush to the pan. In some cases, an
air valve may be placed at the upper part of the receiver.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, we hereby declare that we claim the Invention of "Improved Mechanical
Arrangements for Supplying Water to Tilt, Tip, or Swing Basins, said Mechanical
Arrangements or Part thereof being capable of being utilized for Preventing Waste,
and Regulating the Flow of Liquids for various Purposes," substantially as the same
is herein-before set forth and described, and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawings; and in such Invention the following are important points or features:-
1st. The means adopted for supplying tilt, tip, or swing basins, substantially as
described, and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
2nd. The construction of the self-closing valve for various purposes, substantially
as described, and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
3rd. The adaptation of the loose valve for water-waste preventers, substantially
as described, and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings. And we therefore

page_text: claim the same as included in the scope of the Invention protected under the said
Letters Patent.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Mills Smeaton and John Smeaton,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Seventeenth day of January, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
T. MORGAN,
21, Cockspur Street,
S.W.
W. M. SMEATON.
JOHN SMEATON.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)