Improvements in or Connected with Valves or Taps for the Purpose of Indicating or Giving an Alarm when they are Closed or Opened.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 16th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 23rd Nov.,
1888
Improvements in or Connected with Valves or Taps for the Purpose
of Indicating or Giving an Alarm when they are Closed or
Opened.
We JAMES OAKDEN JACKSON, of Old Hall Street North, Bolton, in the County of
Lancaster, Insurance Agent, and NORMAN MACBETH, of Heaton near Bolton in the
said county, Mechanical engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows :-
This invention has special reference to the stop valves used in water mains or supply
pipes which are used in connection with fire apparatus particularly the automatic
sprinkler where it is important that it should be known whether the valves are open
or closed.
It is designed chiefly to prevent tampering with the valves by unauthorized persons
and with the object of indicating whether the valve is open or shut giving an alarm
should the valve at any time be closed or partially closed.
It consists essentially in providing the main or stop valves with a small or subsidiary
valve which remains closed while the main valve is open but which opens by the action
of closing the main valve and allows a stream of water to flow to an alarm or indicator
to call attention to the fact that the main valve has been moved.
In carrying out the invention we prefer to apply to the valve casing a second valve
chamber with ports through which a small stream of water may when open pass.
These ports are controlled by a valve sliding past them which if raised too high or
forced down too low will allow of the flow of water past the valve. The water flowing
through these ports past the valve is conducted by pipes to any suitable bell or other
alarm placed in any desired position. The small valve is provided with a connecting
rod or spindle which passes out clear of the chamber in the direction of the spindle of
the main stop valve. This spindle of the small valve engages with or comes in
contact with the valve lever or any suitable lever attached to the main valve spindle
and is controlled thereby. When the main valve is open the small valve is held in
position with its ports closed by the connecting rod and lever. Should the lever of
the main valve be turned the spindle will be released and the pressure of water behind

page_text: the small valve will force it open allowing the flow of water to actuate the alarm.
If desired the apparatus may also be arranged to open the ports should the small
valve be forced down in the closing of the main valve.
For an ordinary sluice or screw valve in which the lever is screwed round to operate
the valve, we prefer that the spindle of the small valve should rest against the
underside of the lever or handle for turning it. Any movement then of the lever
will displace and release the spindle and allow it to pass up through or past the lever
preferably between the spokes of the hand wheel and so prevent the further turning
of the lever.
The spindle may be prevented from being drawn out by being screwed into the
valve or by being fitted with a collar or shoulder which will prevent its being lifted
more than a given distance by coming in contact with a steadying arm or bracket.
The same collar would prevent the valve spindle being forced down too far or some
special arrangement such as a bayonet joint may be employed to prevent the with-
drawal of the spindle.
It is obvious that the invention may also be applied to other forms of valves such
as plug valves or the small valve may be made of any suitable form itself for instance
a plug valve turned by the turning of the main valve the two being always open or
closed together. The invention may also be applied to valves whether horizontal or
vertical. The small valve may be connected to or form part of the main valve and
be operated in a variety of ways without departing from our invention which is to
provide for a flow of water to give an alarm or indicate that the valve has been closed.
The water may flow out from the side of the valve chamber or through or past the
main valve or its spindle or from the bottom at the valve seating and the small valve
may be so placed that the closing of the main valve opens it.
To allow of the valve being closed for repairs or other purpose a second spindle
may be provided of shorter length which could be substituted to hold the small valve
closed. Such spindle may be made of a distinctive colour or otherwise marked to
indicated at sight that the valve is closed. The ordinary spindle may be marked with
the words open or otherwise marked to draw attention to any alteration or displace-
ment of it. The spindle may be made of any irregular shape so that if withdrawn an
improper tool or bar cannot be readily inserted instead of the proper spindle.
Instead of allowing a flow of water past the small valve in case of the spindle of
the main valve being forced down the small valve or its spindle may be made or fitted
so that it cannot travel sufficiently far to allow of the closing of the main valve
without first withdrawing the spindle which of course would allow of the opening of
the ports and the alarm being given.
It will be understood that the invention does not consist of any particular form or
construction of valve and that any suitable form of valve such as a piston, D,
clack or even a port uncovered by the movement of the main valve may be employed
for the purpose hereinbefore described.
Dated this 14th dow of Lan1007
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester,
Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Connected with Valves or Taps for the Purpose
of Indicating or Giving an Alarm when they are Closed or
Opened.
We, JAMES OAKDEN JACKSON, of Old Hall Street North, Bolton, in the County of
Lancaster, Insurance Agent, and NORMAN MACBETH, of Heaton, near Bolton, in the
said County, Mechanical 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 special reference to the main stop valves used in water mains or
supply pipes particularly those which are employed in connection with fire apparatus
such as automatic sprinklers where it is important that it should be known whether the
valves are open or closed.
It is designed chiefly to prevent tampering with the valves by unauthorized persons
and with the object of indicating whether the valve is open or shut giving an
alarm should the valve at any time be closed or partially closed, or not opened wide
enough.
It consists essentially in providing the main or stop valve with a small port or
passage or subsidiary valve which remains closed while the main valve is wide open,
but which opens by the action of closing the main valve and allows a stream of water
to flow to an alarm signal or indicator apparatus, to call attention to the fact that the
main valve has been moved.
In carrying out the invention we prefer to apply to the main stop valve casing a
second valve chamber with one or more ports or passages through which a small
stream of water may, when they are open, pass. These ports are controlled by a
valve which opens them by being raised or lowered thus allowing a flow of water past
the subsidiary valve. The water flowing past the subsidiary valve is conducted by a
pipe or pipes to any suitable bell or other alarm signal placed in any desired position.
The subsidiary valve is provided with suitable spindle or connecting rod or gear passing
out clear of its chamber in the direction of or in connection with the spindle of the
main stop valve. The spindle or connecting gear of the small subsidiary valve
engages or comes in contact with a lever or cam or other suitable part attached to
the spindle of the main stop valve and is controlled thereby. When the main
stop valve is open the small subsidiary valve is held in such a position that its port
or ports are closed. Should the lever or cam or other working part on the main
stop valve spindle be moved the small subsidiary valve will be operated so as to allow
the flow of water past it to operate the alarm signal. Thus showing that the
main stop valve has been closed or partly closed.
In the accompanying drawing the invention is shown applied to a "sluice or
wedge valve" which will we consider be sufficient as an example to illustrate the
invention without showing or specifying each particular form of stop valve or tap to
which the invention' may be applied.

page_text: Fig. 5 enlarged section of parts.
Fig. 4 plan of same.
In these A is the casing of the main stop valve formed in any ordinary or conve-
nient manner. B an ordinary sluice or wedge valve operated by the screw spindle C.
In the casing A is formed a port or passage d in connection with or opening into
the inlet side of the valve chamber or that side which is open to the water supply
by means of the "bye-pass" when the valve B is closed. The port d preferably
opens into a second valve chamber D and its opening and closing is controlled by
the small subsidiary value E which is held to its seat by the spring F or by the
pressure of the fluid behind it or in other well known manner. The spindle e of the
small subsidiary valve E passes out through the casing A clear of the chamber D in
the direction of the main valve spindle C being suitably packed to prevent any
leakage. The valve spindle e at its outer end engages or comes in contact with the
cranked lever G with fulcrum at g. The spindle is cut or chased with a screw
thread c and on it is placed a cam or nut H which moves along the spindle in one
direction or the other, as the spindle is turned to the right or to the left, the pin hon
the nut H fitting into or against the stationary fork projection I prevents it turning
with the spindle. The movement of the nut or cam H along the spindle C in a
direction towards the valve B causes it to press against one arm of the lever G moving
it outwards and at the same time brings the other arm of the same lever into contact
with the valve spindle e forcing it down and opening the subsidiary valve E. The
valve B is closed by the turning of the spindle C as is clearly shown and the same
movement of the spindle causes the cam or nut H to travel along it and pressing
against the lever G opens the small subsidiary valve past which a stream of water
flows through the passage d to actuate an alarm signal. Such passage of water
continues so long as the valve B remains closed or partially closed. A "bye-pass" b
is cut in one face of the valve B to allow a small stream of water to flow past, when
it is closed. This "bye-pass" may be cut in the casing A if found more convenient.
The cam or nut H is formed with a bevelled surface for a short distance round its
lower edge, and is also bevelled or cut away for a part of its circumference on its
top edge at " to allow of the lever G returning to its normal position and the closing
of the small subsidiary valve E, while the valve B is closed, should such be required
for any purpose. A friction roller g' is fixed in the arm of the lever G for the purpose
of reducing the friction on the face of the cam H. The mechanism is enclosed in a
bonnet or cover J which is shown fitted in by a bayonet joint at j. It is capable of
being turned round part of a revolution and by turning it the nut H is turned about
the spindle C thus bringing either of the bevelled faces h¹ opposite the friction
roller to allow the valve E to close. It is however locked to prevent its being revolved
by unauthorized persons.
It will be obvious that the invention may be applied to other forms of stop valves
than that shown, which are used in water mains to control the flow of the fluid and
to valves placed either vertically or horizontally and that it may be brought into
operation in a variety of ways. A small subsidiary valve such as E or the main
valve itself may cover the small port or passage closing it when wide open and
allowing a flow of water therethrough on being closed or partially closed. Where a
small subsidiary valve is employed to control the opening of the port or passage it
may be of any suitable form such as a mushroon valve, piston valve, plug valve, or
the like, or the small valve may be made to form part of the main valvo or may be
worked from the actuating mechanism of the main valve by any suitable connecting
mechanism, being always so arranged that the closing of the main valve will open the
port or passage leading to the alarm signal apparatus. Such valves may be operated
in a variety of ways each according to its own form and the form of valve to which it
is attached without departing from the invention which is to provide for a flow of
water to give an alarm signal or indicate that the main stop valve has been closed or
partially closed. The water may flow out from the top or side of the valve chamber

page_text: or through or past the main valve or its spindle or from the bottom at the valve seating
or in any other suitable way, the outlet port or passage being so placed that the
losing of the main valve opens it.
A small tap may be inserted in the port or passage d to shut off communication
with the alarm signal at any time or to enable the main valve to be closed for the
purpose of repairs without bringing the alarm signal into operation. This tap may
be secured by lock and key to prevent its being tampered with by unauthorized
persons.
The alarm signal apparatus for which in itself no special claim is made may be of
any known form which will actuate a gong or whistle or other signal by the move-
ment or pressure of the water in the passage d. This alarm signal apparatus is placed
where attention will be called to it as soon as it has been operated by the closing
movement of the main stop valve.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we wish it to be
understood that we are well aware that valves have been made with two or more ports
or passages to allow the flow of fluids in one two or more directions also that alarm
signal apparatus have been actuated by the movement or pressure of water for the
purpose of indicating when a movement of water takes place in pipes and that
auxiliary or subsidiary valves have been employed for the purpose but such we do not
claim nor do we claim any particular form of alarm signal but we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A stop valve or tap having a port or passage in communication with the inlet
side of the valve, which is closed when the main valve is open and which opens when
the main stop valve is wholly or partially closed allowing the fluid from the main
supply pipes to pass through it to actuate any suitable alarm signal or indicator
apparatus substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. A stop valve or tap having a small subsidiary valve controlling a port or passage
in communication with the inlet side of the valve and leading to an alarm signal or
indicator apparatus which is opened or released by the closing movement of the main
stop valve thereby allowing a stream or current of water to flow through the said
passage to operate the alarm signal substantially as described.
3. A stop valve or tap for controlling the flow of liquids having a small subsidiary
valve actuated by suitable mechanism, so placed that the closing of the main valve
causes the opening of the subsidiary valve and with it a port or passage in communi-
cation with the inlet side of the valve and leading to an alarm signal or indicator
apparatus substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. A main stop valve or tap for controlling the flow of liquids constructed and
arranged with a subsidiary valve for opening and closing a port or passage leading to
an alarm signal or indicating apparatus which is opened by the closing movement of
the main valve substantially as described and shown.
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester,
Patent Agents.