A CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT OR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUMPS FOR RAISING WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS
Year: 1838

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
LE MESURIER, of New Street, Saint Peters Port, in the Island of Guernsey,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Thirteenth day of September, in the second year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant under me, the
said Frederick Le Mesurier, Her especial license, full power, sole privilege
and authority, that I, the said Frederick Le Mesurier, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Frederick Le Mesurier, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"A CERTAIN IMPROVEMENT OR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
PUMPS FOR RAISING WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said Frederick Le Mesurier, shall cause a
particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court
of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Frederick Le Mesurier, do hereby declare that the nature of said Invention,
my
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the Drawing hereunto annexed, and the
following description thereof (that is to say) :-
Figure 1 is an upright section of a pump for raising water or other fluids, in
which A, A, is a flexible tube composed of waterproof cloth, prepared by
means of a solution of caoutchouc or india rubber, and likewise of the caoutchouc
itself in substance, and which said flexible tube is kept distended by means of
circular metal rings with cross bars and central holes in the said cross bars,
which said central holes are lodged upon and guided by an upright rod or bar
firmly affixed in the centre of the metal body of the pump, and as is shewn in
Figure 1. The manner of constructing this flexible tube will, however, be
better understood by a reference to Figure 2, which represents a portion of it
drawn upon a larger scale, and-in which B, B, represent two double waterproof
cloths, formed either in Macintosh's manner or in any other convenient mode, and
having interposed between them, as at C, a sheet of solid india-rubber, which,
however, is gradually thinned away at the top of the flexible tube until only
the cloths are inclosed between the flanch of the screwed ring D. and thè
screwed ring E, and as shewn at Figure 2. The flexible tube A, A, is kept dis-
tended by means of metal rings as above mentioned, and one of which is shewn
separately at Figure 3. These rings are placed at regular distances apart all
álong the interior of the flexible tube, and as seen in Figure 1. In Figurė 2
the lower F, F, is part of one of the said metal rings, shewn as covered with
cloth rendered waterproof by india-rubber; part of a similar metal ring
F, F, is also shewn above as being covered with waterproof cloth, but which is
also secured to the inner layer of the tube A, A, by means of twine wound
around it, and passed through the inner layer of cloth of the said tube A, A,
and which may afterwards be coated with a solution of caoutchouc and made
waterproof. G is part of one of the metal flaps of the butterfly valve, seen in
Figure 1. H, Figure 2, is a portion of the leather of the valve; this leather
is secured to the flap by means of a flat circular metal plate, a section of
which is shewn at I, and through which said plate and the leather, screws are
passed and secured in screwed holes made in the metal flap to receive them.
Circular grooves are formed in the flat face of the screwed ring E, and also
in the under surface of the flange D, in order to prevent the waterproof cloth
from being withdrawn from between them, and as shéwn in the part of the
ring F shewn at Figure 5. .

page_text: The lower end of the flexible tube A, A, Figure 1, is secured between the
circular flanch J, at the bottom of the metal body of the pump, and a flat
circular metal plate K, which rests upon a flanch L, which is formed upon
the upper end of the rising main M, the whole being bound firmly together by
means of screws and screwed nuts. The foot valve N has also two metal
flaps and leather which shut upon the inner border of the circular plate K, and
in a hole made. in the middle of a metal bar which crosses the hole in the
plate K, an upright screwed metal rod in the plate 0, 0, is placed and secureḍ
by means of a screwed nut. The upper end of this rod is also screwed, and is
passed through another hole which is made in the centre of the cross bar P,
which lies upon a shoulder formed to receive it in the jack head Q, and is
secured by another screwed nut above the said bar; this jack head is fur-
nished with a spout R. The guiding rod 0, 0, passes through a stuffing box
S, which is affixed in the centre of the flanch D, Figure 2. There are two
knuckles mounted upon the upper valve seat, into which are fitted the loops or
holes formed at the lower ends of a fork T, T, Figure 4, and secured by means
of screws passed through those holes and the loop holes, so that the fork
T, T, may play thereon. The upper end of the fork T, T, has likewise a
knuckle formed upon it to receive the shorter end of the lever U, or the
handle of the pump, and through a hole in which, and the holes made in the
knuckle of the fork, a screwed bolt is passed and secured by a screwed nut.
The lever U turns upon a screwed bolt passed through a hole formed in it,
and in other holes made in an arm or bracket V, firmly affixed to the jack
head of the pump. The flexible tube A, A, is shewn in its collapsed state in
Figure 4.
Figure 6 is another modification of my pump, intended to act as a forcing
pump, a similar flexible tube A, A, being used. The combined fabric of
caoutchouc and cloth forming the flexible tube is similar to that above
described. It is enclosed at the top between two metal plates W and X,
screwed together as shewn. In the upper plate W is a guide rod Y, to ensure
a parallel motion, it passing freely through an aperture made in the cross bar
P. In the lower plate X another guide rod Z, Z, is affixed, and passing
freely through the circular holes made in the middle of the cross bars of the
distending rings, and also through another aperture a, made in the centre of
a screwed ring affixed upon the top of the metal body b, b, of the pump. The
lower end of the flexible tube A, A, is confined between the screwed ring
and a shoulder formed upon the top of the metal body of the pump b, b. N
is the lower valve, and G the upper valve, opening into an air vessel d, as
a

page_text: usual, and the water or other fluid may be conveyed away through the pipe e,
proceeding upwards from the air vessel d. U is the lever or handle of the
pump turning upon a bolt affixed in a bracket V, secured to the body of the
pump, and secured to the fork T, T, or parallel motion, which is jointed upon
the uppermost plate W of the flexible tube A, A, and by moving the said
lever or handle of the pump the said flexible tube is moved upwards and
downwards. P is a metal cross bar immoveably affixed into a wall or other
suitable support, and having an aperture or hole in its centre, through which
the guide rod Y passes, and thus insures the parallel movement.
Figure 7 is another modification in the form of my pump. U is part of the
lever or handle of the pump moving upon a bolt affixed in the bracket V,
secured to the body of the pump. To the shorter arm of this lever the fork
T is jointed, its lower ends being also jointed to the cross bar of a metal
screwed ring D, similar to that already described in the references to Figure.2,
and which has likewise a stuffing box in its centre, through which a fixed
metal bar O, O, is passed, and upon which said bar the stuffing box slides
upwards and downwards. The lower end of a flexible tube A, A, similar to
those above described, is secured to the screwed ring D, and which said ring
has a valve with flaps G, G. There is also another or foot valve N, formed
in a metal plate K, which is firmly secured between flanches bound with
screwed nuts at the bottom of the metal body of the pump. The flexible tube
will thus be moved upwards and downwards on working the lever or handle
of the pump, and the water or other fluid entering through the valve N will
pass through the valve G, G, and on being elevated will flow off at the spout
formed in the jack head of the pump.
Figure 8 is a forcing pump. Here the flexible tube A, A, is supported
above, being confined between metal flanches formed upon the body of the
pump, and which are bound together by screws and nuts. There are also
similar metal-flanches formed at the bottom of the body of the pump, and
between which a metal plate is confined, having a valve with two flaps.
There is likewise a hole formed in the centre of the cross bar between the
valve flaps, through which and a hole in another cross bar at the upper end of
the body of the pump, a metal rod is passed, and secured firmly by means of
screwed nuts bound above and underneath the cross bars upon screws formed
upon each end of the bar to receive them. The bottom of the flexible
tube A, A, is closed by means of a metal plate with a screwed rim to it,
having a flanch at its lower part, and between which said flanch and a screwed
metal ring the flexible tube is firmly bound, and, as shewn in this Figure, a

page_text: stuffing box is likewise provided in the centre of the metal plate, which slides
upon the guide rod. There is also a handle and a fork to this pump similar
to those already described to produce a parallel movement, and which said
fork is jointed to the metal plate closing the bottom of the flexible tube.
Upon working the handle of this pump and collapsing the flexible tube, the
water or other fluid will pass into the body of the pump through the foot valve,
and upon again distending the flexible tube, it will be forced upwards, and
enter the air vessel through the valve in its bottom, and be thence forced
through the rising main by the action of the air contained within the said air
vessel, and conveyed away as usual.
Figure 9 represents another construction of my pump shewn in a vértical
section; and Figure 10 is a plan taken at the horizontal line *, *, of Figure 9.
Here, instead of the flexible tube, I employ a circular disc of double or treble
cloth or other material or materials rendered waterproof by means of
caoutchouc or india-rubber, either in solution or by interposing sheets of it
between waterproof cloth or any other fit and proper material or materials.
This said disc is firmly secured, held, or retained between flanches formed
upon the edges of two metal cupped parts, constituting, when firmly bound
together by screwed bolts and nuts, the body of this pump. There is likewise
a circular aperture formed in the middle of this disc, and which is also retained
firmly between the flat surfaces of a metal ring formed in two halves and
closely bound together by means of screws.
There are two forked parts or
branches firmly united by screws to the upper and under sides of this ring in
crossing directions, and the forked parts are united with two straight guide
rods, which are passed through holes made in the middle of the two cross bars;
which are formed in the flat metal circular rings or plates, and which said
rings are held or firmly retained between flanches formed upon the upper and
lower surfaces of the metal cupped parts, constituting, as aforesaid, the body of
this pump. The uppermost fork has likewise a hole made through it crosswise,
and a pin or bolt is passed through this hole, and also through two other holes
which are made through the lower extremities of the. branches of a fork
jointed to the lever or handle of the pump in the manner already described;
and intended to constitute a parallel motion of the guide rods. A spherical
metal valve is applied in the centre of the cleft metal ring, the stem of which
passes through a cross bar affixed in one of the forks, and limits the rise of
the valve by means of a screwed button affixed upon the said stem. Another
valve, being a hollow metal sphere or ball, plays within a metal ring placed at
the lower part of the body of the pump, and held therein firmly by means of

page_text: screws.
A jack head is shewn as affixed upon the upper part of this pump,
with a side spout to deliver the water or other fluid raised by it, and to this
jack head the arm or bracket is secured which supports the lever or handle of
the
pump. The dotted lines represent the situation of the parts in the down
stroke.
In the Plan, Figure 10, are shewn two sectioned circles, being the ends of
the upper fork. There are likewise two screwed binding nuts shewn, which
are screwed upon the upper end of the lower fork, and between them are seen
other screws, which also bind the two parts of the nictal ring and the flexible
cloth or other material laid between them firmly together. In this Figure are
likewise seen the upper concave surface of the spherical valve, and the rounded
rim of the metal ring, and likewise the convex upper surface of the flexible
waterproof cloth or other material employed. This latter form of my pump I
do not claim as new, it being derived from one-described in Croker's well-
known Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, published in Londen in the year One
thousand seven hundred and forty-nine, and said to be the Invention of
Messieurs Gossett and De la Debuille," and successfully made use of in the
King of France's garden at Paris, and also in draining the mines in Brittany.
The fault of it, however, was that the circular leather disc made use of required
renewal every three or four months. It is, however, better known in this
country from having been patented by a person named Shalder upwards of
fourteen years ago, and which Patent has recently been renewed. How worth-
less both Patents were and are is most fully proved and established by the
prior publication of it in Croker's Dictionary in One thousand seven hundred
and forty-nine, as above mentioned. I do not, therefore, make any claim to
be the original Inventor of a pump resembling such a one, but I found my
claim on my additions and improvements upon it, which are as follows, and
chiefly in my substitution of a flexible waterproof cloth made waterproof either
by means of a solution of india-rubber or caoutchouc, or by the interposition
of a sheet or sheets of caoutchouc in substance, or by both methods, and
likewise by the use of parchment, bladder, or other fit and proper membranes,
also made waterproof by means of caoutchouc or india-rubber in solution or
substance, as the case may require. The cloth may be composed of any of
the usual and well-known fibres or materials, such as hemp, New Zealand
flax, silk, wool, flax, cotton, or hair, and be woven or formed in any other
manner. I can likewise employ leather when rendered waterproof by means
of caoutchouc or india-rubber in solution, or otherwise. I likewise claim the
peculiar construction of this pump, by which it is rendered exceedingly facile

page_text: in manufacturing it. I do not, however, mean or intend hereby to claim as
my Invention any of the various parts described as composing my pumps
which may have already been known or in use; neither do I mean or intend
hereby to limit or confine myself to the use or employment of any particular
metal or compositions of metals in the construction of the various parts of
which my said pumps are composed, but to employ any which are fit and
proper for the purpose.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Le Mesurier, have hereunto
set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
FREDERICK (L.S.) LE MESURIER.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Thirteenth day of March, in
the second year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the said Fre-
derick Le Mesurier came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery,
and acknowledged the instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the fifty-
fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.