IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND REGULATING THE SUPPLY OF WATER AND PREVENTING WASTE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Gordon, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, Brassfounder, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND REGULATING THE SUPPLY OF WATER AND
PREVENTING WASTE."
Sealed the 21st May 1878, and dated the 24th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Gordon at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th November 1877.
JOHN GORDON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Brass-
founder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND REGULATING THE
SUPPLY OF WATER AND PREVENTING WASTE."
This Invention relates to improved apparatus for controlling and regulating the
supply of water and preventing waste, and is advantageously applicable in con-
nection with waterclosets, urinals, lavatories, and the like.
The improvements are to be applied in connection with a float valve or ball cock
of any suitable kind, which may be fitted to a service pipe proceeding directly
from the main or from an overhead cistern.
In some modifications a pipe from the float valve proceeds directly to the closet
or other basin or vessel to be supplied, and in one modification the float connected
to the valve lever is placed in one compartment of a small cistern, having a second
compartment, in which there is a cup or vessel connected to the closet or other
handle by means of which the apparatus is operated. The cup is raised by the
handle, and the water in the float compartment in passing through an opening or
passage to fill up the space in the cup compartment causes the lowering of the float
and consequent opening of the valve. The rod of the cup passes through a hole in
the cup bottom, and beneath that hole is fitted with a washer, of rubber or leather,
which acts as a valve to the hole in the cup bottom, and also by its under side to
the inlet from the float compartment. The cup bottom is formed with a separate
small hole, or a certain amount of leakage is allowed past the valve, so that when
D

page_text: the cup is raised up and the supply valve opened in the manner herein-before
described, the water in the cup runs slowly out of it, but in a certain limited time
causes the float to be raised again and the supply valve closed even if the handle
be kept up.
In some cases a check valve is fitted in the passage between the two compart-
ments, such valve allowing the water to pass rapidly from the float compartment
whilst its return takes place more slowly through a sinall hole.
A
In other cases the partition between the compartments is dispensed with.
small branch pipe from the delivery pipe of the supply valve keeps the cistern
sufficiently full of water, any excess passing off by a separate small pipe also con-
nected to the delivery pipe, but so that the current causes suction in it; or the
excess may pass off when the supply valve is shut through the small pipe by which
it entered the cistern.
In a second modification the cup and valve float are combined in one cistern,
the float being within the cup. The parts are arranged so that when the closet or
other handle is pulled the cup is depressed, and by removing the sustaining water
from under the float causes the latter to descend and open the supply valve. When
the cup is depressed it displaces the water, making it rise into an upper part of
the cistern; this water, however, flows into the cup by a small hole, and in a
certain limited time causes the float to rise and close the supply valve; on the cup
being raised again the excess of water in it flows out through a large check valve.
When the handle is let go the cup rises by the action of a counterweight, but may
be prevented from rising too quickly should the handle be let go too soon by an
annular or other valve attached to it, and opening easily when the cup descends,
but closing or restricting the passage of the water when it rises.
This
The counterweight of the cup may be adjusted, so as when the cup has an excess
of water in it to raise it only gradually as the water runs out of it again.
will obviate any tendency to lift the float too high, and will allow some water to
be supplied to the basin after the handle has been let go so as to form the seal,
provided that the handle has not been kept up too long.
In a third modification the parts are arranged as in the first, but with the main
supply valve delivering into a cistern or third cistern compartment, and passing
thence by a common downlet valve to the closet or other basin or vessel.
In a fourth modification the parts.are arranged as in the second, but with the
additional cistern or compartment and ordinary downlet valve, through which the
main water supply passes.
In all the modifications the float lever and cup may work in liquid quite
separate from the water supply, and that liquid may consist of glycerin, or oil, or
mercury, the last-named liquid allowing of the parts being made comparatively
very small where that may be an object.
The improved regulating apparatus may be applied to cisterns fitted as usual
with a float lever supply valve, the float lever of the apparatus being in that case
made to act only on the downlet valve.
The cistern or cisterns containing the float and cup of the improved regulating
apparatus may, in some cases, be formed round part of the basin and in the same
piece of earthenware or metal.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Gordon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd May
1878.
JOHN GORDON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Brass-
founder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND REGULATING THE
SUPPLY OF WATER AND PREVENTING WASTE."
My said Invention relates to improved apparatus for controlling and regulating
the supply of water and preventing waste, and is advantageously applicable in con-
nection with waterclosets, urinals, lavatories, and the like.
My improvements are to be applied in connection with a float valve or ball cock
of any suitable kind, which may be fitted to a service pipe proceeding directly from
the main or from an overhead cistern.
In some modifications a pipe from the float valve proceeds directly to the closet
or other basin or vessel to be supplied, but in other modifications a cistern or com-
partment of a cistern with a downlet valve is interposed.
In each of the various modifications the float is made to act by raising or
depressing a cup or cup-like vessel, the arrangements being such that only a limited
supply of water is obtained at each action.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory
Drawings to be herein-after referred to, and representing three modifications of my
improved apparatus. In these Drawings the same reference numerals are used to
mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
Figures 1 and 2, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, are a plan and a
vertical section of one modification of my improved apparatus. In this example
the float 1, which is connected to the valve lever 2 by a short stem 3 fixed to the
float and jointed to the lever, is placed in one compartment 4 of a small cistern
having a second compartment 5, in which there is a cup or open-topped vessel 6,
connected to the closet or other handle by means of a lever 7 and wire 8. The
cup 6 is raised by the action of the lever 7 on a slotted rod 9, fixed to the bottom
of the cup, and the water in the float compartment 4 in passing through a
passage 10 to fill up the space in the cup compartment 5 causes the lowering of the
float 1 and consequent opening of the valve 11. The rod 9 of the cup 6 passes
through a hole in the cup bottom, and beneath that hole is fitted with a washer of
rubber or leather and a valve centre 12, which when the cup is down closes the
mouth of the passage 10 from the float compartment 4. A small hole 13 is formed
at or near the bottom of the cup 6, so that when the cup is raised up and the
supply valve 11 opened in the manner herein-before described, the water in the cup
runs slowly out of it by the hole 13, but in a certain limited time causes the float 1
to be raised again and the supply valve 11 closed even if the handle be kept up.
In some cases a check valve may be fitted in the passage 10 between the two
compartments 4, 5, such valve allowing the water to pass rapidly from the float
compartment 4, whilst its return takes place more slowly through a small hole.
In other cases the valve 12, herein-before described as applied to the passage 10,
may be dispensed with. A small branch pipe 14 from the delivery pipe 15 of the
supply valve 11 keeps the cistern sufficiently full of water, any excess passing off
by the same pipe 14, which is made horizontal and is placed at the water level of
the cistern, having inside the valve delivery pipe 15. two small branches, as shown,
which arrangement is found to render the action most certain and satisfactory.
The supply valve 11 and its fittings may be of any suitable kind; but the con-
struction shown is one which I prefer to use, as in it the pressure on the valve 11
is balanced by opposite pressure on a rubber diaphragm 16, fixed in the joint

page_text: between the valve casing and the cover, whilst a second joint is rendered unne-
cessary by having the valve seat formed on an internal piece 17, fitting into the
valve casing, and put between the valve 11 and diaphragm 16 before the parts are
fixed together.
A second modification of my improved apparatus is shown in plan in Figure 3,
and in vertical section in Figure 4, and in it the cup 6 and valve float 1 are
combined in one cistern or compartment, the float 1 being within the cup 6. The
cup 6 is connected by a bow 18 to the lever 7, and on the same side of the fulcrum
as the wire 8, the lever being counterbalanced; and when the closet or other
handle the cup 6 is depressed, and by removing the sustaining water from under
the float 1 causes the latter to descend and open the supply valve. When the cup 6
is thus depressed it displaces the water in the cistern 19, making it rise into an
upper part 20 of the cistern; this water, however, flows into the cup 6 by a small
hole 21, and in a certain limited time causes the float 1 to rise again and close the
supply valve. On the cup 6 being raised again the excess of water in it flows out
again through a large check valve 22, which may however be dispensed with in
some cases. When the handle is let go the cup 6 rises by the action of the counter-
weight 23 on the lever 7, but may be prevented from rising too quickly should the
handle be let go too soon by an annular or other valve attached to it, and opening
easily when the cup descends but closing or restricting the passage of the water
when it rises.
The counterweight 23 on the cup lever 7 may be adjusted so as when the cup 6
has an excess of water in it to raise it only gradually as the water runs out of it
by the small hole 21, the large valve 22 not being used in that case. This will
obviate any tendency to lift the float too high, and will allow some water to be
supplied to the basin after the handle has been let go so as to form the seal, pro-
vided that the handle has not been kept up too long.
In a third modification the parts are arranged as in the first, herein-before
described, but with the main supply valve delivering into a cistern or third cistern
compartment (24), and passing thence by a common downlet valve (25) to the
closet or other basin or vessel.
A fourth modification is shown in plan and in vertical section in Figures 5 and 6
on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, and in it the parts are arranged as in
the second, herein-before described, but with the additional cistern or compart-
ment 24 and an ordinary downlet valve 25, through which the main water supply
passes to the closet, basin, or to any other vessel or receptacle. This cistern or
additional compartment 24 is fitted with the usual overflow pipe 20.
In any of the modifications the float 1, with its lever 7 and the cup 6, may work
in liquid quite separate from the water supply, and that liquid may consist of
glycerin, or oil, or mercury, the last-named liquid allowing of the parts being made
comparatively very small in cases in which that may be an object.
My improved regulating apparatus may be applied to cisterns fitted as usual
with a float lever supply valve, the float lever of the apparatus being in that case
made to act only on the downlet valve (25).
The cistern or cisterns containing the float (1) and cup (6) of my improved
regulating apparatus may in some cases be formed round part of the basin, and in
the same piece of earthenware or metal.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details
herein described or delineated; but that what I believe to be novel and original,
and claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
1. The combining of the float (1) and the cup (6) in separate cistern compart-
iments, substantially in the manner, and for acting, as herein-before described, and
more particularly as constituting the first and third modifications.
2. The combining of the float (1) and the cup (6) in the same cistern compart-

page_text: mment, substantially in the manner, and for acting, as herein-before described, and
more particularly as constituting the second and fourth modifications.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Gordon, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JOHN GORDON. (L.S.)