IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COVERS OF SANITARY AND OTHER PANS AND VESSELS, AND IN FASTENINGS FOR THE SAID COVERS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Morris and Edward Morris, of the Firm of Edward
Morris and Son, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Braziers and
Iron Plate Workers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COVERS OF
SANITARY AND OTHER PANS AND VESSELS, AND IN FASTENINGS FOR THE SAID
COVERS."
Sealed the 5th April 1878, and dated the 9th November 1877.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Morris and Edward
Morris at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th November
1877.
JAMES MORRIS and EDWARD MORRIS, of the Firm of Edward Morris and Son, of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Braziers and Iron Plate Workers.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COVERS OF SANITARY AND OTHER PANS AND VESSELS,
AND IN FASTENINGS FOR THE SAID COVERS."
Our Invention consists of the construction and combination of parts herein-after
described for hermetically sealing the covers of sanitary and other pans and vessels,
that is, forming a liquid and gas tight joint between the cover and head of the pan
or vessel for the purpose of effectually preventing the escape of effluvia or unpleasant
odours from the said pans or vessels.
Our Invention consists further of the improved fastenings herein-after described
for the covers of sanitary and other pans and vessels.
Our improvements are especially applicable to the covers of sanitary pans of the
kind described and claimed in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to one of
us, namely, the said James Morris, on the 5th day of November 1873, No. 3595, but
our said improvements may also be applied to other sanitary pans and vessels
requiring liquid and gas tight covers.
On the under-side of the flat top of the cover of the sanitary pan and near the
edge thereof we make an annular rib; this rib we prefer to make by raising or
stamping it from the flat sheet metal top of the cover, whereby increased strength
and rigidity are given to the said top.

page_text: When the cover is placed upon the top of the pan the annular rib described passes
into the said pan, leaving a narrow annular space between the outer edge or shoulder
of the rib and the inside of the pan; to the under side of the said rib a ring of
india-rubber is fixed by its inner edge. The part of the india-rubber ring between
its fixed inner edge and its free outer edge is loose, and capable of being folded or
bent into the required figure to form the form the liquid and gas tight joint of the
cover the india-rubber ring extends beyond the rib of the top plate of the cover,
the outer or free edge of the said india-rubber ring being situated under the outer
edge of the top plate.
When the cover is fitted into the pan the horizontal top plate of the cover rests on
the top of the pan, and the annular rib on the under side of the said top plate passes
into the said pan; the india-rubber ring is thereby compressed against the top edge
of the pan, and bent and compressed between the inside of the pan and the outer
edge or shoulder of the annular ring on the under side of the cover, the parts of the
india-rubber ring between the said top edge of the pan and the rib making nearly
a right angle. A liquid and gas tight joint is thereby formed between the cover
and the pan, and the escape of effluvia or unpleasant odours from the pan is effectually
prevented.
In order to fasten the cover in its place on the pan, and to compress the india-
rubber ring so as to form the liquid and gas tight joint described, fastenings con-
structed in the following manner may be employed :-At opposite points, or at
equidistant points near the edge part of the top of the cover, a hook-like bar is
jointed or centred. The inner end of this bar is jointed eccentric to the axis of the
cover, and its outer end is bent at right angles, and constitutes a hook-like fastening,
the lip or extreme lower part of the hook being inclined on its upper face. Above
the hook part of the bar is a handle, by which the fastening is moved.
When the cover to which the fastening is applied is fitted into the pan the lip or
extreme lower part of the hook-like end is situated opposite to but at a short
distance from the lower, edge of a strengthening band or hoop around the mouth of
the pan.
When the fastening is moved on its joint or centre so as to cause its hook-like
end to approach the pan, the upper inclined face of the lip or lower part of the hook
engages under the lower edge of the hoop or band on the pan, and by a wedging
or drawing together action forces down the cover into the pan, thereby compressing
the india-rubber ring, and at the same time firmly fastening the cover in its
place.
Instead of the jointed fastenings described spring fastenings moving in the
direction of the radii may be used. In this case the rods, to the ends of which the
hooked ends of the fastenings are connected, work in tubular cases, and are drawn
inwards or towards the edge of the lid by coiled springs. After the cover has been
fitted into the pan the hooked ends of the spring rods are pulled outwards, and
made to engage under the edge of the hoop or band on the pan, and thereby fasten"
the cover to the pan; or a fastening of the following construction may be used :—
Crossing the top of the cover is a bowspring connected at its middle to the middle
of the cover. To the free ends of this bowspring hook-like fastenings are so jointed
that they can either be turned over, and made to embrace the edge of the pan, and
their hook parts be made to engage with the lower edge of the hoop or band on the
pan; or the said hook-like fastenings may be removed from the said band or hoop,
and turned back on to the top of the cover.
After the cover has been fitted into the pan the jointed hook-like fastenings are
turned over the edge of the cover and pan, and the ends of the bowspring pressed
upon. The book parts of the fastening can thereby be made to snap under the band
or hoop on the pan, and thus fix the cover to the pan.
By pressure on the ends of the spring the hook fastenings may be withdrawn
from under the band or hoop, and the cover unfastened.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Morris and Edward Morris in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 1st May 1878.
JAMES MORRIS and EDWARD MORRIS, of the Firm of Edward Morris and Son, of
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Braziers and Iron Plate Workers.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COVERS OF SANITARY AND OTHER PANS AND VESSELS,
AND IN FASTENINGS FOR THE SAID COVERS."
Our Invention consists of the construction and combination of parts herein-after
described for hermetically closing or sealing the covers of sanitary and other pans
and vessels, that is, forming a liquid and gas tight joint between the cover and head
of the pan or vessel for the purpose of effectually preventing the escape of effluvia
or unpleasant odours from the said pans or vessels.
Our Invention consists further of the improved fastenings herein-after described
for the covers of sanitary and other pans and vessels.
Our improvements are especially applicable to the covers of sanitary pans of the
kind described and claimed in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to one of
us, namely, the said James Morris, on the 5th day of November 1873, No. 3595, but
our said improvements may also be applied to other sanitary pans and vessels
requiring liquid and gas tight covers.
On the under side of the flat top of the cover of the sanitary pan, and near the
edge thereof, we make an annular rib; this rib we prefer to make by raising or
stamping it from the flat sheet metal top of the cover, whereby increased strength
and rigidity are given to the said top.
When the cover is placed upon the top of the pan the annular rib described passes
into the said pan, leaving a narrow annular space between the outer edge or shoulder
of the rib and the inside of the pan. To the under side of the said rib a ring of
india-rubber is fixed by its inner edge; the part of the india-rubber ring between
its fixed inner edge and its free outer edge is loose and capable of being folded or
bent into the required figure to form the liquid and gas tight joint of the cover.
The india-rubber ring extends beyond the rib of the top plate of the cover, the outer
or free edge of the said india-rubber ring being situated under the outer edge of the
top plate.
When the cover is fitted into the pan the horizontal top plate of the cover rests
on the top of the pan, and the annular rib on the under side of the said top plate
passes into the said pan. The india-rubber ring is thereby compressed against the
top edge of the pan, and bent and compressed between the inside of the pan and
the outer edge or shoulder of the annular rib on the under side of the cover, the
parts of the india-rubber ring between the said top edge of the pan and the rib
being situated nearly at right angles to one another. A liquid and gas tight joint
is thereby formed between the cover and the pan, and the escape of effluvia or
unpleasant odours from the pan is effectually prevented.
In order to fasten the cover in its place on the pan, and to compress the india-
rubber ring so as to form the liquid and gas tight joint described, fastenings con-
structed in the following manner may be employed:-Crossing the top of the cover
is a bowspring connected at its middle to the middle of the cover; to the free ends
of this bowspring hook-like fastenings are so jointed that they can either be turned
over and made to embrace the edge of the pan, and their hook parts be made to
engage with the lower edge of the hoop or band on the pan, or the said hook-like
fastenings may be removed from the said band or hoop, and turned back on to the
top of the cover. After the cover has been fitted into the pan the jointed hook-like
fastenings are turned over the edge of the cover and pan, and the ends of the bow-
spring pressed upon; the hook parts of the fastening can thereby be made to snap
under the band or hoop on the pan, and thus fix the cover to the pan. By pressure
on the ends of the spring the hook fastenings may be withdrawn from under the

page_text: band or hoop, and the cover unfastened; or a fastening of the following construction
may be used-At opposite points, or at equidistant points near the edge part of
the top of the cover, a hook-like bar is jointed or centred. The inner end of this
bar is jointed eccentrically to the axis of the cover, and its outer end is bent at
right angles, and constitutes a lip-like fastening, the lip or extreme lower part of
the hook being inclined on its upper face. Above the hook part of the bar is a
'handle by which the fastening is moved.
:
When the cover to which the fastening is applied is fitted into the pan the lip or
extreme lower part of the hook-like end is situated opposite to but at a short
distance from the lower end of a strengthening band or hoop around the mouth of
the pan.
When the fastening is moved on its joint or centre, so as to cause its hook-like
end to approach the pan, the upper inclined face of the lip or lower part of the hook
engages under the lower edge of the hoop or band on the pan, and by a wedging or
drawing together action forces the cover into the pan, thereby compressing the
india-rubber ring, and at the same time fastening the cover in its place.
Instead of the jointed fastenings described spring fastenings moving in the
direction of radii may be used. In this case the rods, to the ends of which the
hooked ends of the fastenings are connected, work in tubular cases, and are drawn
inwards or towards the edge of the lid by coiled springs. After the cover has been
fitted into the pan the hooked ends of the spring rods are pulled outwards, and
made to engage under the edge of the hoop or band on the pan, and thereby fasten
the cover to the pan.
Having explained the nature of our Invention we will proceed to describe with
reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which the same is to be
performed.
Figures 1 and 2 represent in vertical section the cover and portion of a sanitary
pan, the said cover being furnished with our arrangement for hermetically closing
or scaling it when applied to the pan, Figure 1 shewing the cover fitted in the pan,
and Figure 2 the said cover removed from the pan.
Figure 3 represents a portion of Figure 1, and Figure 4 a portion of Figure 2.
drawn to a larger scale.
Figure 5 represents a plan of the cover, and Figures 6 and 7 represent side eleva-
tions of parts of the pan and cover.
In conjunction with the cover and pan, Figures- 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 we have
represented one of our improved fastenings for fixing the cover in its place on
the pan.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
and 7 of the Drawings.
We will first describe our arrangement for hermetically closing or sealing the
cover of the pan.
On
a is the head of the sanitary (or other) pan, and b is the cover of the same.
the under side of the said cover, and near the edge thereof, an annular rib c is made.
This rib c is formed by stamping or raising it from the flat sheet metal top of the
cover, as represented in the Drawing, that is, the greater part of the top of the cover
is situated in a lower plane than that of the marginal part, the marginal part
passing into the part situated at a lower plane by the annular rib c. By making
the annular rib c in this way, increased strength and rigidity are given to the top of
We do not limit ourselves to this method of making the annular rib cas
the top of the cover may be flat, and a separate rib be fixed on its under side in the
position of the rib c, but we prefer to make the annular rib in one piece with the
cover, as illustrated in the Drawings.
the cover.
When the cover b is placed upon the top of the pan a the annular rib c passes
partly into the said pan, leaving a narrow annular space between the outer edge of
the rib and the inside of the pan. To the under side of the edge or marginal part b
of the top of the pan, and passing beyond the annular rib c, a strong ring of india-
rubber d is fixed by its inner edge at e. The said ring of india-rubber & is fixed to the

page_text: under side of the cover 6 by being bolted by the screw bolts and nuts at f, between
the upper side of the inner flange g of the cover and the under side of the depressed
or lower part of the cover, as seen in the sections. By thus fixing the ring of india-
rubber d to the cover it will be seen that the part of the said ring between its fixed
inner edge at e and its free outer edge is loose, and capable of being bent or folded
into the required figure to form the liquid and gas tight joint of the cover.
The position which the india-rubber ring d occupies in its normal state when the
cover is removed from the pan is represented in Figures 2 and 4, by an examination
of which Figures 2 and 4 it will be seen that the loose or unconnected part of the
said ring d is situated parallel to and at a short distance from the outer edge of the
flat top b of the pan.
When the cover is fitted into the pan, and forcibly pressed and held therein, the
parts of the said cover occupy the respective positions represented in Figures 1
and 3, that is to say, the marginal part b of the horizontal top plate of the cover
rests on the top of the pan with the india-rubber ring d between them, and the
annular rib c passes into the said pan. As the annular rib c enters the pan the
india-rubber ring d is compressed by it against the top edge of the pan and the band
or hoop h at the said edge, and the said ring is bent and compressed between the
inside of the pan and the outer edge of the annular rib c, the parts of the india-
rubber ring & between the said top edge of the pan and the rib c being situated
nearly at right angles to one another, as seen in Figures 1 and 3. A liquid and gas
tight joint between the cover and pan is thereby formed, and the escape of effluvia
or unpleasant odours from the pan is effectually prevented.
The fastening represented in Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7, by which the cover b is
held in its place is constructed as follows:-Crossing the top of the cover b is a bow-
spring i, connected at its middle to the middle of the cover. To the free ends of the
bowspring i hook-like fastenings k, k, are jointed by the links l, l. The hook-like
fastenings k, k, can either be turned down and made to embrace the edge of the pan,
and their hook parts to engage with the lower edge of the strengthening hoop or
band h on the pan, as illustrated in Figure 1; or the said hook-like fastenings may
be disengaged from the said band or hoop and turned back on to the cover, as illus-
trated in Figure 7.
In order to fasten the cover to the pan it is fitted in the pan and forcibly pressed
therein, so as to compress the india-rubber ring d and form the gas and water tight
joint, as before described. The free ends of the bowspring i are pressed upon and
the jointed hook-like fastenings k, k, turned over the edge of the cover, and the
lower hook parts made to snap under the band h on the pan, as illustrated in
Figure 1. The cover is thus securely fastened to the pan and the required pressure
maintained on the india-rubber ring d to hermetically close or seal the pan.
In order to unfasten the pan pressure is put on the ends of the bowspring i. The
hooked ends of the fastenings k, k, may now be withdrawn from under the band or
hoop h so as to unfasten the cover, as represented in Figure 7, when the cover may
be lifted from the pan.
Figure 8 represents in side elevation, Figure 9 in plan, and Figure 10 in front
elevation, another fastening constructed according to our Invention. Near the
centre of the cover d of the pan a hook-like bar a, b, c, is jointed at c², eccentric to
the axis of the cover. The outer part b of the bar is vertical, and constitutes a
hook-like fastening. The lip or lower part 62 of the hooked part 6 is inclined on its
upper face, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 10. The hook-like bar or fastening a, b, c,
is moved to fasten and unfasten the cover by grasping the handle part c.
In consequence of the eccentric jointing of the bar a to the cover d, the moving
of the said bar on its joint c³ in one or other direction either causes the hook-like
part b, 62, to approach the edge of the pan or to recede from the said edge. After the
cover d has been fitted in the pan, the fastening is moved into the position repré-.
sented in Figures 8 and 9. The hook-like part b, 62, of the said fastening is thereby
made to approach the edge of the pan, and the upper inclined face of the lip part be
of the hook b engages under the lower edge of the hoop or band e on the pan, and
>

page_text: by a wedging or drawing together action forces down the cover d into the pan. The
cover is thereby fastened in its place, and the india-rubber ring on the cover com-
pressed to form the air and water tight joint between the cover and pan.
When it is wished to unfasten the cover, the hook-like fastening a, b, c, is moved
into the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 9. By this movement the
inclined lip 62 is first withdrawn from under the loop e, and the fastening afterwards
made to recede from the edge of the pan.
The opposite edge of the cover to that at which the eccentric hook-like fastening
a, b, c, is applied is furnished with a jointed hook f which is hooked under the edge
of the hoop e before the hook-like fastening a, b, c, is turned into its fastening posi-
tion. Or a fixed hook may be used in place of the jointed hook f. When a fixed
hook is used, the cover d is inclined to engage it with the hoop e on the pan. Or
instead of using a jointed or fixed hook in combination with the eccentric fastening
a, b, c, a spring fastening of the kind next described may be used with the said
eccentric fastening.
Figure 11 represents, partly in side elevation and partly in section, and Figure
12 in plan, spring fastenings constructed according to our Invention.
a, a, are tubular cases or barrels fixed in the direction of radii on the cover b. In
the said cases or barrels are strong rods c, to the outer ends of which hook-like
fastenings d, d, are connected, the said fastenings being drawn inwards or towards
the edge of the cover b by the coiled springs e, one end of the said springs bearing
against the closed outer ends of the cases a, and the other end against the collars f
at the ends of the rods c. The hooked ends of the fastenings d, d, are of a shape
proper to engage under the edge of the hoop or band g on the pan. To the hook-
like fastenings d, rings h are fixed, by means of which rings the fastenings may be
released. The nose of each of the hook-like fastenings d is rounded. When the
cover bis shut down in the pan, the hook-like fastenings d are pushed back or out-
wards by their rounded noses bearing against the hoop g; and when the cover has
reached its proper position in the pan, the hook-like fastenings d snap under the
edge of the hoop g by the elasticity of the coiled springs e and thereby fasten the
cover to the pan. To unfasten the cover, the hook-like fastenings d are pulled out-
wards by means of the rings h, so as to withdraw them from under the hoop g, as
will be understood by an examination of the Drawing.
.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we do not limit
ourselves to the precise details herein described and illustrated, as the same may
be varied without departing from the nature of our Invention. But we claim as
our Invention of improvements in the covers of sanitary and other pans and vessels,
and in fastenings for the said covers,-
First. The construction and combination of parts herein-before described, and
illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the accompanying Drawings, for hermeti-
cally closing the covers of sanitary and other pans and vessels; that is to say,
forming a liquid and gas tight joint between the cover and head of the pan or vessel
when the said cover is forcibly pressed into the pan or vessel by the use of a ring
of india-rubber d on the under side of the cover in conjunction with the annular
rib c (or its equivalent) on the said cover, substantially as described and illus-
trated.
Secondly. The improvements in fastenings for the covers of sanitary and other
pans and vessels herein-before described, and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7
of the accompanying Drawings; that is to say, the combination with a bowspring
fixed to and crossing the middle of the top of the cover of hook-like fastenings,
jointed or linked to the free ends of the said spring, the hooked ends of the said
fastenings being made to snap under or engage with a strengthening band or hoop
on the pan or vessel to fasten the cover. to the pan or vessel, substantially as
described and illustrated.
Thirdly. The improvements in fastenings for the covers of sanitary and other paus
and vessels herein-before described, and illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 10 of the

page_text: accompanying Drawings; that is to say; a fastening consisting of an eccentrically
jointed book-like bar constructed as described and illustrated, the hook part of
the said bar or fastening being inclined on its upper face, and made to engage
under the hoop on the pan to fasten the cover and to press the said cover into
the pan:
Fourthly. The combination or arrangement of the parts of the spring fastenings
herein-before described, and illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying
Drawings, for fastening the covers of sanitary and other pans and vessels.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Morris, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.
JAMES MORRIS. (L.s.)