Improvements in Automatic Flushing Apparatus for Urinals, applicable also to other Contrivances wherein a Pre-determined Quantity of Liquid is Syphoned through or over a Break or Opening in the Long Leg.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Flushing Apparatus for Urinals,
applicable also to other Contrivances wherein a Pre-determined
Quantity of Liquid is Syphoned through or over a Break or
Opening in the Long Leg.
We WILLIAM CLARK of Forest Lodge near Sydney in the Colony of New
South Wales Inspector of Plumbing, ALEXANDER CAMERON of Elizabeth Street,
Sydney aforesaid Master Plumber and CHARLES KIRK of North Sydney in the
said Colony Master Plumber do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in automatic flushing apparatus for urinals
applicable also to housemaid's slops sinks catch-drains and such like requiring
flushing and to other contrivances wherein a pre-determined or measured quantity
of liquid is discharged by syphonage through or over a break or opening in the
long leg of the syphon.
This invention has been devised specially in order that an urinal may be
constructed so that it will be flushed or washed out automatically with no more or less
than a pre-determined quantity of water or fluid at or upon every separate use of
said urinal that is to say at or upon the supply of the first small quantity of urine
flowing into it from each person who uses it. Although specially devised with the
aforementioned object in view this invention is equally applicable to catch-drains
and the like which it is necessary or desirable to Hush after or during the supply
of liquid.
And it is further equally applicable to any contrivances or apparatus in
which it is desired to intermittently set up syphonage or syphonic action so as to
discharge or supply liquid through or over a break or opening in the long leg
of a syphon.
An improved automatic flushing apparatus for urinals applicable also to other
contrivances wherein a pre-determined quantity of liquid is syphioned through or
over a break or opening in the long leg constructed according to this invention
consists of the following principal or main parts namely-(a) A flushing tank or
cistern of ordinary construction and preferably with a measuring chamber (b) a
receiving vessel or basin connected by the long leg of a syphon with said flushing
tank and being a "break or opening" in said long leg (c) au air-trap or joint or
water lute in said long leg above the said receiving vessel or basin or break or
opening (d) a peculiarly constructed apparatus hereinafter called a syphon starter
in the discharge pipe or continuation of said long leg of the syphon from said
vessel or basin and (e) a by-pass pipe connecting the syphon starter with the said
long leg of the syphon at a point above the said trap or water lute. These
improvements consist then first and essentially in the combination and arrangement
together of the above integers or devices or their respective mechanical equivalents
and they consist secondly in the peculiar construction and particular combinations
and arrangements of mechanical parts hereinafter described and explained and
specifically claimed.
But in order that this invention may be clearly understood reference will now be
made to the drawings herewith in which
Figure 1 is a front elevation with some parts in section of a complete automatic
flushing urinal constructed according to these present improvements.

page_text: Figures 2 and 3 are sectional front elevation and side elevation respectively on
an enlarged scale of the syphon starter.
Figure 4 is sectional elevation Figure 5 front elevation with cover removed.
Figure 6 plan and Figure 7 sectional plan of a modified construction of syphon
starter for automatic flushing urinals and other syphon supplied contrivances.
Figures 8 and 9 are sectional elevations on cross diametrical planes and Figure 10
sectional plan of an air-trap or water lute for the broken or opened long leg of an
intermittent automatic syphon.
The flushing tank or cistern is constructed as ordinarily with reservoir tank A
and measuring chamber A' into the former of which water or liquid is admitted
through a float or other suitable cut off valve or cock while the latter compart-
ment A¹ has connection with it by pipe A² with preferably a perforated plate or
rose A at top. The short leg As of the flushing or discharging syphon extends
upwardly from a cylinder A5 (having side perforations A and sieve pipe A) on
the bottom of chamber A¹. The long leg B' of said discharging syphon extends
downwardly from its bend to an air-trap or water lute C of approved construction
but preferably urn shaped as shown in Figures 8 9 and 10 set just above and in
connection with a receiving vessel or basin or urinal pan B. The air-trap or water
lute C expands from its top or neck C¹ into a bottle shaped bottomless chamber C²
surrounded by a similar bottle shaped outer chamber C³ out of which is taken a
port or passage way C₁ communicating at its top by opening C³ with the outer
chamber C3 and at its bottom with discharging pipe or socket neck C jointed to
the continuation of the long leg of the syphon or the inlet B2 of the urinal pan B
which is of ordinary construction. The discharge outlet of said pan B has a
socket B³ jointed to what may be termed a further continuation of the long leg of
the syphon or the discharge pipe B*. This discharge pipe B is formed into or has
therein a plumber's trap or bent piece D above which is an enlargement or bulb D'
into which the pipe B₁ slightly intrudes just above a basin or saucer having a
perforated or sieve top D2. A smaller bent pipe D³ extends downwardly from the
basin or saucer pierces the wall of the pipe D to enter a closed or air tight
chamber D formed within the bend of said pipe D by side pieces D' and end
piece D and in this chamber it follows the curve and bends upwardly so as to form
an inverted syphon with its short leg terminating at the top of said chamber D*.
Connected with the lowermost point of said closed chamber D₁ a small pipe D7
extends upwardly into a coil Ds and thence extends downwardly pierces the wall of
the downward extension or discharge pipe D of bend or trap D and extends as
the long leg D' of the auxiliary syphon thus formed for a reasonable length down-
wardly in said pipe D10. A by-pass pipe E is connected by unions E' and E2
respectively to the long leg B₁ of the main syphon above the trap or water
lute C (say to the neck C' of said water lute C) and to the upper interior of closed
chamber D.
In use the urine or liquid supplied is let fall or drop or is thrown into the
receiving basin or urinal pan B and passing through discharge pipe B falls
through the perforated grating top or sieve D2 whereon all solid matter which
might be thrown or drop into the pan B such as fruit skin or stones matches &c. is
arrested and temporarily retained (and thus prevented from passing into and
choking the inverted syphon pipe D³) until washed off and carried down the main
drain by the flushing. Passing through the inverted syphon D³ the supplied liquid
fills the closed chamber D and by its "head" or pressure also passes up pipe D
into coil Ds and when this coil D8 fills syphonage is at once set up and the
chamber D exhausted of its contents through pipe D' coil D and pipe D³. In
said chamber D' there is thus created a vacuum or partial vacuum whose pressure
or absence of pressure is communicated by by-pass pipe E to the long leg 11 of the
main syphon above the trap or water lute C which pressure or absence of pressure
is sufficient to create syphonage in the pipes A' and 'B' and to cause the contents of
measuring chamber A to flow down pipe 13' through the trap or water lute C to
and over the pan B thence through pipe B bend D and discharge pipe D to waste

page_text: or the main drain flushing and cleaning the whole of the parts in its passage through
them. The syphonage is broken as well understood when air enters pipe A and
the operation of flushing ceases leaving the trap or water lute C in proper
trapping order when liquid is again supplied to the syphon starter through small
pipe or inverted syphon D³ the operation of flushing again takes place. After
Hushing there may or may not be retained some liquid in chamber D₁ and inverted
syphon D3 but it will be clean water or fluid and its presence in said inverted
syphon and chamber is an advantage in that but little additional fluid is required
to fill these parts and the auxiliary syphon pipe D7 and coil Ds and so start the
flushing.
In the modified construction of syphon starter shewn in Figures 4 to 7 the
discharge pipe B (or continuation of the long leg of the main syphon) terminates
in an enlargement and flange B with an internal tapering mouth Be therein. A
box or casing F containing the inverted syphon the closed chamber the auxiliary
syphon and other parts is affixed say by screws F¹. This box or casing Fis
preferably formed square in front with a removable cover F2 hermetically sealed
thereon by screws while in the rounded back is a screwed plug F to provide
access to a catch trap for removing any debris collected therein. This catch trap
is formed of bent plates F4 and F³ the former depending from a division plate or
partition F in the box or casing and the latter extending upwardly from just at the
bottom of plug F from the back wall of the box or casing to in front of the former
depending plate F. The plate or partition F divides the box or casing F into
two separate compartments the back one of which communicates at bottom with the
main discharge pipe F8 and has extending upwardly if so desired a vent pipe F to
convey away foul gases &c. In the back compartment is the long leg G of the
inverted syphon having a hopper mouth G¹ covered by a perforated plate or grating
or sieve G and piercing at its bend G³ the plate or partition F7 forming the back
wall of the front compartment or closed chamber D. In this front compartment the
short leg G extends upwardly as high as possible or convenient. The auxiliary
syphon in said front compartment or closed chamber D is formed of pipe H' from
the lower most convenient point in said chamber extending upwardly to coil H
and downwardly as pipe H2 piercing the lower wall of the said compartment or
chamber into the discharge pipe F for a reasonable and convenient distance.
From the top of this front compartment or closed chamber D' the by-pass pipe E
extends upwardly and is led into the long leg of the main syphon at a point above
an air-trap or water lute similarly as described in reference to Figures 1 to 3.
Across this front compartment with its bottom resting on angle pieces from the side
walls is a weeping tank J with weeping hole J' in its bottom and with its top open
under the by-pass pipe E.
Figure 4 shows the syphon starter as it would appear immediately after a
flushing has taken place that is with bottom part of the inverted syphon and the
weeping tank J filled with the flushing liquid. Said tank J weeps through
orifice Jinto the front compartment or closed chamber and partially or almost
fills it so that it is necessary to supply but little additional liquid to the receiving
vessel or say urinal pan to flow down pipe B through taper end B and through
sieve G (whereon all solid matter is temporarily retained) to quite fill the auxiliary
syphon formed of pipe H¹ coil H and down pipe H2. When this auxiliary syphon
is filled syphonage is immediately set up the front compartment or closed
chamber D is emptied and exhausted and the force of the vacuum or partial
vacuum communicated by by-pass pipe E to the long leg B₁ of the main syphon
causing the flushing as before described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The
rush of water removes all solid matters from off the grating or sieve G2 and they.
are caught and retained by the catch trap formed of plates F and F from which
they may be removed at intervals by unscrewing plug F. During the flushing the
tank J is again filled either by liquid through by-pass pipe E or by overflow of the
main flushing.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :―
First. In automatic flushing urinals and other contrivances of the class set forth
the combination and arrangement with a flushing tank and a main syphon there-
from of an open receiving vessel or basin connected to the long leg of said syphon
an air-trap or water lute in said long leg of said syphon between said receiving
vessel or basin and said flushing tank a closed chamber connected by an inverted
syphon or bent pipe with the main discharge pipe from said receiving vessel or
basin (or say the continuation of the long leg of the main syphon) and adapted to
receive the first of any liquid supplied to said receiving vessel or basin a by-pass pipe
connecting said closed chamber with the said long leg of the main syphon at a point
above the said air trap or water lute and an auxiliary syphon from said closed
chamber to the said main discharge pipe adapted to set up a vacuum or partial
vacuum in said closed chamber and in the said long leg of the main syphon
sufficient to create syphonage in said main syphon substantially as herein described
and explained.
Second. In automatic flushing apparatus for urinals and other contrivances of the
class set forth the combination and arrangement with a main syphon having an air
trap or water lute therein and a break or opening or open receiving vessel or pan
such as an urinal pan also therein below said air trap or water lute of a closed
chamber connected by an inverted syphon with the discharge pipe from said break
or opening and having an auxiliary syphon connecting it with the said discharge
pipe and a by-pass pipe connecting it with the said main syphon above the said air
trap or water lute substantially as herein described and explained.
Third. In automatic flushing apparatus for urinals and other contrivances of the
class set forth the combination and arrangement with a flushing tank having a
reservoir such as A. and a measuring chamber such as A' a main syphon therefrom
such as A B and a receiving vessel or pan such as B having a discharge pipe and
bend such as D and D of an air trap or water lute such as C an inverted syphon
such as D³ a closed chamber such as D an auxiliary syphon such as D7 D8 D° and
a by-pass pipe such as E substantially as herein described and explained and as
illustrated in the drawings.
Fourth. In automatic flushing apparatus for urinals and other contrivances of
the class set forth the combination and arrangement with the other main parts of
an inverted syphon such as D³ having a perforated or grating or sieve top such
as D2 a closed chamber such as D' within the bend D of a plumber's trap and an
auxiliary syphon formed of pipe D' coil D* and pipe D substantially as herein
described and explained and as illustrated in the drawings.
Fifth. In automatic flushing apparatus for urinals and other contrivances of the
class set forth the combination and arrangement with the other main parts of a
peculiarly constructed air-trap or water lute consisting of neck such as C¹ inner
bottomless bottle-shaped chamber C2 outer bottle-shaped chamber C³ connecting
port or passage C and discharge socket end C5 substantially as herein described
and explained and as illustrated in the drawings.
Sixth. In automatic flushing apparatus for urinals and other contrivances of the
class set forth the combination and arrangement with other main parts of a syphon
starter consisting of box or casing such as F having therein catch trap formed of
plates such as F and F with plug thereto such as F and divided into back and
front compartments by partition such as F7 the latter compartment forming closed
chamber such as D an inverted syphon having grating such as G2 long leg such
as G bend such as G³ and short leg such as G₁ an auxiliary syphon having short
leg such as H coil such as H and long leg such as H2 and a by-pass pipe E
substantially as described and explained and as illustrated in the drawings.
Seventh. In a syphon starter consisting of parts as set out in the preceding
(sixth) claim the combination and arrangement with said parts of a weeping

page_text: tank such as J having weeping orifice such as J' substantially as herein described
and explained and as illustrated in the drawings.
Eighth. The particular combination and arrangement of mechanical parts all
together forming an improved automatic flushing urinal substantially as herein
described and explained and as illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this Fifth day of September One thousand eight hundred and ninety-
Witness:
FRED WALSH, Fel. Aust. Inst. P.A.,
Sydney.
WILLIAM CLARK.
ALEXANDER CAMERON.
CHARLES KIRK.