Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 4th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 30th Nov., 1888
WILLIAM FRASER Engineer 6 Livery Street Birmingham do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to prevent the back pressure of water from bursting
the pipe when suddenly turned off & also to prevent the disagreeable noise caused
every time the valve is closed.
In carrying out this invention a valve or any other suitable appliance is used for
the purpose of opening and closing the tap or cock-with the exception that a passage
or hole of sufficient size passes from the bottom side of the valve, right up thro'
the centre of same to an air chamber or vessel of sufficient size & dimentions to resist
the back pressure or shock caused when the valve is closed.
I.E. The moment the water way is completely stopped the water forces its way
thro the hole in the centre of the valve or stopper into the air chamber which allows
the water free access untill the air is compressed to the very same pressure or thereby
as the water in the pipe is.
The air in the chamber can never under any circumstances be compressed into
nothing. I mean the water can never absolutely fill the air chamber (if the chamber
be made tight) there is therefore always a cushion for the water whatever the pressure
may be.
The air chamber may be placed in any place or position, but where I prefer placing
it is immediately above the valve seat of the Tap & in an upright position.
But what I note particularly is the combination of a valve or stopper, with an air
chamber or air vessel, as already described, to be used either together or separately
for the purpose of effecting a cushion for the back pressure of water or liquid of any
kind, irrespectave of where or what way they are applied or for any purpose whatever
13th January 1888.
•

page_text: Bursting the Pipe when the Valve is Suddenly Closed.
I, WILLIAM FRASER of 6 Livery Street, Birmingham in the County of Warwick,
Engineer, 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 has for its object principally, the construction of an anti-concussion
or noiseless tap or valve, as hereinafter described, whereby the back pressure occurring
on the sudden closing of a tap, is neutralised.
Figure 1 represents a complete vertical section of an anti-concussion water tap,
constructed according to this invention.
The loose cupped leather piston which works within the interior of a centrally
disposed air chamber, located within the body of the tap, is shown in the position
which it assumes, on the flow of water from the said tap being suddenly turned off.
The rising of the double cupped leather piston, which is simply a rising and falling
diaphragm, is occasioned by the back water-pressure exerted upon its underside.
The upper inner side of the cup leather piston is made as hollow and cup shaped
as possible, wherein lubricant is stored, for lubricating the inner walls of the air
chamber, on the rising and falling of the said piston.
Thus, the said view represents the tap closed, the air in the chamber compressed,
and the valve pressing up to its seat.
Figure 2 represents a like vertical section as figure 1, but with the valve open, and
with the piston located at the entrance to the air chamber.
Figure 3 represents a horizontal section on the dotted lines A B figure 1.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in figures 1, 2 and 3.
a is an upwardly extended pillar body part, enlarged and socketed at its lower
nd a². which screws upon the open top of a base part a³, whose fore part a constitutes
the inlet passage-The opposite side of the pillar a has an outlet or bib a³, where-
through liquid outwardly passes from the tap; and sliding vertically (to a small
extent) within the interior of the said pillar, is an air chamber b, open at bottom, and
closed at top, and with a screwed stalk 6, extending upwards from the crown, and
which stalk is surrounded by a rubber pad or cushion c, which is secured in position
by an adjustable mut or cap a, coming upon interposed washers a.
The summit of the pillar a bas an upright bracket as, to which the lever d is pivoted
rearwardly, and with its underside coming upon the protruding end of the stalk 6².

page_text: The lower outer end of the air chamber b, carries the valve 63, which consists of an
annular flange, with a scolloped boundary edge, through the cut out parts of which,
water upwardly flows, on the said valve being lowered from its seat a³.
Working vertically within the air chamber, is a double cupped leather piston e,
consisting of a stalk, subdivided by a disc, upon the two faces of which, the backs of
the cup leathers come, and are there secured by nuts.
The lower outside part of the air chamber is necked or reduced in diameter, so as to
form a water-way from the valve, to the outlet passage, whilst the base a³ has an
annular chamber or sunken part a¹0, for the valve ³ to work within.
The valve and its scolloped edges are best seen in plan in figure 3.
The air enclosed within the chamber on the top side of the piston, cushions the said
piston, and forms a buffer for relieving the sudden concussion of the water, on the same
being turned off. Thus, on pressure being applied to the end of the lever d, the combined
air vessel and valve is or are lowered, and the upper face of the valve removed from its seat,
when water or other liquid flows through the scolloped parts of its edging, around the
reduced part of the air chamber, and from thence into the outlet passage or bib a³.
On pressure being removed from the end of lever, the elasticity of the air
enclosed within the air chamber, forces the said chamber upwards, and with the
valve up to its seat, thereby shutting off water, which being suddenly checked in
its passage, expends its momentum on the piston e, which is forcibly driven inwards,
and the air enclosed between its top side, and the inside crown of the air chamber
compressed, as represented in figure 1.
The moment the tap is reopened after closing, and water drawn therefrom as
aforesaid, the air under compression within the air chamber, forces the piston into its
normal position as represented in figure 2.
It will thus be seen that by employing an air cushion as a buffer, water concussion
or noise is prevented, as the piston receives the suddenly checked momentum of the
water as aforesaid.
The rubber cushion c automatically assists in the bringing back of the air chamber
and valve, on pressure being relieved from the lever.
The valve is kept open, and the lever down, by a horizontally working slide d², as
seen in figure 2, but when the tap is allowed to automatically close, the slide is moved
forwardly into the position as represented in figure 1.
A top side plan of the slide, lever, and summit of the tap, is shown at figure 2ª.
Figure 2B represents another way of keeping the valve open, when a continuous
flow of water is required, without the necessity of constantly keeping the thumb upon
the lever, and which said figure 2B is a vertical section of the summit of the tap, while
figure 2 is an end elevation of the said figure 2B.
a is a cap, 62 is the stalk of the air chamber, d is the lever, d¹ is the centre or
fulcrum upon which it turns, and fis an adjustable scrow, working through a cap d³,
and with the lower end of its screwed stem coming upon the top side of the lever; so
that by turning in one or other direction, the said adjustablé screw pin, the rising of
the lever, and the opening of the valve can be adjusted or regulated.
When my new or improved tap as aforesaid is applied to a lavatory with a tip-up
basin, relieve concussion on the parts coming into contact, by a rubber cushion,
disposed between the fore-part of the body of the tap, and the inner outside of the
bend of the bib or outlet.
9 (see figure 2) is the cushion, and g¹ is a pin or axis, around which the said cushion
encircles.
Figure 4 represents another form of my invention, in which the air instead of being
divided off from the water by a piston, is enclosed within a sack or elastic ball,
enclosed within the interior of a hemispherical or bulbous formation, at or near the
top of the valve stem, which is hollow.
a is the valve body, at the inlet, and as the outlet. b is the valve stem, and 63 is the
valve, which is pressed up to its seat aº, by the screwed lower part of the said stem
working within a screw box c, forming as it were, a cap to the tap, and is fitted within
a stuffing box c²,

page_text: The bulbous formation at the upper end of the stem, is marked 64, and is made in
halves, screwed together; and enclosed within it, is a sack or rubber ball e, whose
lower side is presented to the hollow of the stem 65, whilst the summit of the chamber 64,
has a turn 66; so that by rotating the screw plug in one or other direction, the valve
is taken to, or removed from its seat; and if the flow of water be suddenly checked,
the impetus of the flow expends itself upon the air enclosed within the sack, or
confining means, by passing up the hollow of the stem to the underside of the
said sack.
The air chamber 65 may if necessary be unprovided with an air sack, so that the
water comes in direct contact with the air.
Figure 5 represents the air chamber as shown in figures 1 and 2, and entrance to
it, of a tap, as constructed according to a modification of my invention, where the air
is unenclosed, or left naked to the water contact.
Figure 6 is a transverse section on the dotted lines C D, and shows the holes in a
fixed piston or bottom, wherethrough liquid to the air chamber passes.
b is the air chamber, 63 the valve, having intermediate cutaway parts or scolloped
edges is a fixed bottom, with the sides 62 of its upper part, coming within a short
distance of the inside of the air chamber, whilst its inside is hollow, and has a passage b*,
up which water passes in the direction as indicated by the arrows. Thus, it will
be seen that liquid is made to pass in a circuitous manner to the air enclosed within
the air chamber, and by which means, the air is to a great extent prevented from
being absorbed, or carried away mechanically with the water.
Figure 7 represents another form of my invention.
a is the tap, at the inlet, and as the outlet; and directed upwardly from the top of
the middle of the tap, is a body-tube or pillar a, surmounted by an adjustable сар ασ j
and working within the said body is an air chamber b, closed at its upper end, and
open at its lower end, and with the said upper end which is marked ¹, provided with
a screw stalk, which takes in a like internally screwed part of the cap a; so that by
rotating the said cap, the air chamber is raised and lowered, and the valve b³, which is
situated at its lower end, is removed from its seat aº.
The air chamber and valve is guided by the lower extension 64, which is angular and
gapped (below the valve) working within a like hole in the body of the tap.
Figure 8 represents a new or improved connection, for making the necessary attach-
ment of a tap, to the slab of a lavatory or the like.
a is the body of the tap, b the air chamber, 3 the valve, a the valve seat, at a
depending outside screwed tube, h is a union, with bulbous end 2, over which the end
of a flexible tube i is drawn is a slab, embraced between the underside of the base
of the tap, and the jamb-nut k, while the union h is locked in its adjusted position, by
a second jamb-nut k².
Instead of employing a single air sack or ball within the air chamber, as in figure 4,
I may employ two or more of the said sacks or balls, as in figure 9; and further,
instead of employing a yielding and cup leather piston e, as in figures 1 and 2, 1 may
employ a metallic piston e', as in figure 10.
Figure 11 represents another form of air chamber, which is provided with a syphon
trap k, whose function is to prevent the escape of air with the water. By this means,
it will be seen that the air within the air chamber, is isolated considerably from the
water surface, which cushions the air.
As a modification of my primary method of air cushioning to prevent concussion, a
supplementary chamber may be employed, as in figure 12.
a is the outer pillar like casing of the tap, b is the primary air chamber, 6' is the
secondary air chamber, formed by a space between the inner inside of the part a, and
the outer side of the crown of the part 6; and encircling the said crown part, is a cup
leather e, for preventing the return of liquid, which cushions the air.
1 wish it to be understood, that the air chamber, and its cognate parts as described,
may be applied to the pipes or fittings of existing taps or valves, thereby obtaining
the same results as if the pipes or fittings were provided with my new or improved
taps or valves, as aforesaid.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. Providing taps or valves with an air chamber, which cushions the water,
and prevents noise or concussion, on the sudden closing of a tap or valve, as set forth.
Secondly. Providing the air chambers of taps, and valves, with a piston, or a loose
double cupped leather piston, as set forth in figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
Thirdly. Making the air chamber constitute the valve stem, or the means whereby
the valve is opened and closed, as set forth in figures 1, 2 and 3, and marked 6, 62 and 63.
Fourthly. An anti-concussion vibration or noiseless valve or tap, as set
forth in figures 1, 2 and 3; that is to say, a tap or valve consisting essentially of
parts a', a², a³, a a³, aº, a', a³, a³, a, air-chamber b, with valve and parts 62, 63,
lever d, rubber cushion c, and loose piston e, which are arranged and work substantially
as and for the purpose as described and set forth.
Fifthly. A screw plug, tap or valve, consisting of parts a, a, a³, a³, screw
plug b, 63, 65, with an air chamber and turn 64, 66 at its upper end, wherein the interior
of the said chamber 6, air or an air sack or cushion is enclosed or confined, as set
forth in figure 4.
Sixthly. The combination with an air chamber of a tap or valve, of a bottom or
inlet 61, 62, 64, which is constructed substantially as described and set forth in
figures 5 and 6.
Seventhly. A tap or valve, constructed, arranged and working substantially as
described and set forth in figure 7.
Eighthly. The means herein described, for keeping the valve open, when a con-
tinuous flow of water is required, as described and set forth in figures 1, 2, 2A, 2B and 2°.
Ninthly. The combination with an air chamber 6, with valve at its lower end, of a
metallic piston e¹, as set forth in figure 10.
Lastly. In an air chamber of a tap or valve; providing the interior thereof, with
a syphon trap marked k, as in figure 11, also the arrangement of parts of the said
air chamber and its enclosing casement, as set forth in figure 12.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of August 1888.
WILLIAM FRASER.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.