IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL AND OTHER VALVES OR COCKS
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I HARRY FREDERICK HILL of 29 Woodborough Road, Nottingham, Nottingham-
shire, Brass founder, do hereby declaṛe” the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL AND OTHER VALVES OR COCKS," to be as follows that
is to say:
This Invention relates to improvements in ball and other valves or cocks for
measuring, regulating and supplying steam, water or other fluid under pressure,
and it has for its object the improvement of the construction and action of such
valves or cocks.
In valves constructed according to this Invention the seat for the valvo is formed
of glass earthenware or other vitreous substance and the valve is made with a part
formed of leather, rubber, asbestos or other similar material. For a ball cock the
valve is made.somewhat like a plunger and is loose and works in guides in the
outlet part bearing against the lever on which it, slides when opening or closing
and the valve is also formed with a stud or projection. which protrudes upwardly
through between the valve seat and comes into contact with a small ball valve in
the upper part of the casing of the cock, which ball valve would unless prevented
by the projection or stud press against the upper part of the valve opening. In
some cases the stud or projection may be on the upper valve instead of on the
plunger valve. By this arrangement the valve is closed when the lover is either at
its highest or lowest position and the automatic closing of the valve is insured
when any accident occurs to the float or when the valve proper is removed for
repairs. In order to prevent the ball or float when in a norinal condition allowing
the ball valve to close and prevent the passage of water when tho supply in the
cisterns falls low a chain is suitably attached to the valve casing and to the ball or
float so that in the event of the ball or float becoming detached or leaking. and
consequently sinking in the water the small ball valve will close by the pressure
of the water or other fluid. Instead of the sustaining chain a regulating rod or
support in the cistern under the ball or float may be employed if desirable.
A further improvement consists in forming the lever carrying the ball or float with
a hinged part so that the float lever may be adjusted without the necessity of
bending the lever which requires to be done with ball cocks as at present
constructed.
In another modification of the Invention as applied to ball cocks the valvo
opening instead of being circular is ellipsoidal in plan, the valve being fixed or

page_text: forming part of the float lever. This improved formation of the valvo seat greatly
facilitates the rapid and effective closing of the valve the ellipsoidal opening or slit
liko aperture being formed with its greatest length at right angles to the float
lever.
In another modification the plunger valve moves horizontally being closed by
the action of a ball and lever in a well known manner but a second lever is
employed one end of which bears against the plunger valve and this lever has on
it a sliding weight which may be adjusted to counterbalance the weight of the ball
float and lever so that the whole of the effective force of the ball float may be
utilised for closing the valve. Another advantage gained by using this counter-
balance lever is that when repairing the valve, after replacing the plunger valve
this lever will assist in holding the plunger closed against the pressure of the water
until the lever of the ball float has been fitted which hitherto has been a somewhat
difficult operation the plunger having had to be pressed home by the fingers of the
workman.
In another modification of ball cock valves the ball float lover is centered at its
end on a part of the valve casing and it passes through a slot or forked pieco in
one end of a bent or cranked lever which is centered so as to close the valve by
its other end. By this means greater power for closing the valve is obtained.
The improved forming of the valve seat of glass earthenware or other vitreous
substance in combination with a valve having leather rubber asbestos or similar
material on it is applicable to other than ball valves and by forming the valve seat
of such vitreous substance the corrosion of the seating is prevented and a perfectly
tight closing action is better maintained. In some cases it may be desirable to
form the valve with a vitreous closing part and the seat of rubber or other similar
substance and in some cases it may be found advantageous to form the valve seat
ellipsoidal in plan.
"

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, HARRY FREDERICK HILL of 29 Woodborough Road, Nottingham Nottingham-
shire, Brass founder, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN BALL AND OTHER VALVES OR COCKS," and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement that is to say :—
My said Invention relates to improvements in ball and other valves or cocks for
measuring, regulating and supplying steam, water, or other fluid under pressure and
it has for its object the improvement of the construction and action of such valves
or cocks.
In valves constructed according to this Invention the seat for the valve is
formed of glass, earthenware or other vitreous substance and the valve is made
with a part formed of rubber, leather, asbestos, or other similar material.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I proceed to describe the same with the aid of the
accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings.
In these drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or like
parts whorever they are repeated.
Figure 1 on the accompanying sheet of drawings is a longitudinal vertical section
of a ball cock constructed according to my Invention. In this case the valve 1 is
made somewhat like a plunger being fitted loosely in the outlet passage of the cock.
This outlet is formed in a tubular casting 2 which has a lug on it for centering one
end of the float lever 3 on. The casting 2 is screwed by its upper end which is
cylindrical into the main casing of the cock and this cylindrical part is also formed
with an internal screw thread to receive the vitreous part 4 which forms the valve
seating. This vitreous part preferably formed of common glazed earthenwaro is
formed like a short hollow cylinder having an external screw thread on it. On the
upper end of the valve 1 there is placed a washer 5 preferably of leather but it may
be of any suitable and similar comparatively soft material and this washer which
forms the closing valve is secured on the valve 1 by a short pin or spindle 6 which
is screwed by its lower end into the valve 1 until a shoulder, on it presses on the
washer. The upper end of this spindle 6 projects slightly beyond the top of the
seating and has bearing on it a small externally corrugated plunger valve 7 of metal
which is fitted loosely inside a vertical hollow cylindrical casing 8 cast in the main
casing of the cock. The casing 8 is closed by a screw cap 9 which is screwed inside
the casing so that the lower part of the cap forms a stop and limits the upward
travel of the valve 7. The lower end of the valve 1 has formed on it a short lug
or bearing part 10 which rests upon a curved part formed on the upper side of the
Hoat lever. Consequently on the flout falling the valve is opened and on its rising
the valve is closed by the leather washer closing against the vitreous seating 4
which is formed to project downwards slightly beyond the lower end of the short
cylindrical part holding it so as to avoid any chance of the leather washer grinding
gainst the metal parts. By the foregoing improved construction the valve 1 may
be withdrawn for repairs without the present necessity for shutting off the water,

page_text: 1
from the main as the valve 7 will on the withdrawal of the valvo 1 and spindle 6
immediately fall on the upper part of the valve seating 4 and provent any further
flow of water. If found preferable and convenient a small ball valve may bo
substituted for the plunger valve 7. Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section
showing a modification of the foregoing arrangements. In this case the valve 1 is
The float lover 3 has its end
arranged to slide horizontally instead of vertically.
curved upwards beyond its contered part and inserted in a slot in the outer end of
the plunger valve 1. The valve 1 has a leather washer 5 and spindle 6 which
projects through the valvò seating 4 In this case the valve seating 4 is screwed
into the inner end of a tubular casting 11 which is screwed into the side of a 1
casting 2 forming the outlet passage. This casting 11 is of slightly larger diameter
inside at the end which is screwed into the casing 2 so that its narrower end forms
a shoulder and limits the travel of the externally corrugated plunger valve 7. Tho
valve 7 may be formed with a spindle instead of being in the form of a plunger
the spindle working in guides cast in the casing. In order to prevent the ball or
float when in a normal position allowing the valve 7 to close and prevent the
passage of water when the supply in the cistern falls low, a chain 12 is connected
by one end to the top of the casing 2 and by its other end to the ball or float but
so that in the event of the ball or float becoming detached the valve 7 will close by
the pressure of the water or other fluid. Instead of the sustaining chain a regu-
lating rod or support in the cistern placed under the ball or float may be employed
if desired.
A further improvement shown in Figure 3 consists in forming the lever carrying
the ball or float in two parts 3, 13 the part having one end connected to the valve
having formed at its other end a curved or quadrant piece 14 having a series of
holes in it. The second part 13 of the float lover having the float at one end is
centered by its other end near the middle of the lever 3 and a hole is formed to
correspond to the row of holes in the quadrant. By fitting a screw pin and nut in
this hole and passing it through one of the series of holes the float lever may be
adjusted without the necessity of bending the lever as is commonly done at the
present time with the float levers as hitherto made. In this Figure 3 there is
shown a further improvement which consists in centering one end of a horizontally
held lever 15 on the upper part of the casting 2 so that a part near its end which
is curved bears against the outer end of the plunger valve 1. There is fitted to
slide on the lever 15 a suitable weight 16 which can be adjusted so as to counter-
balance the weight of the float lever and float. By this means the whole of the
effective force of the ball float may be utilised for closing the valve. Another
advantage gained by using this counterbalance lever is that when repairing the
valve, after replacing the plunger valve 1 this lever 15 will assist in holding the
valve 1 closed against the pressure of the water until the lever 3 of the float or
ball has been fitted which without the lever would be a somewhat difficult operation,
the plunger requiring to be pressod home by the fingers of the workman. The
improved ball cock represented in Figure 3 is shown as having its valve 7 fitted in
a hollow perforated metal casing 17. This casing 17 is fitted in the casing, 11, so
as to be removable being placed therein to catch any lead or metal shavings or
pieces and so prevent them getting in between the valve and its seating. Instead
of this casing 17 a grating may be cast or screwed into the casing, 11. In this
modification the spindle 6 is shown as being hollow and has perforations in its
sides near its ends to facilitate the passage of water as the spindle 6 fills up the
waterway in the seating 4. Figure 4 on the accompanying sheet of drawings is a
vertical longitudinal section showing my improved arrangements as applied to a
screw tap. In this modification the turning or screw spindle 18 carrying the
valve 19 is screwed into a stuffing box or gland 20 the screwed part of the spindle
terminating in a collar 21 which prevents the spindle 18 being passed through the
gland 20. The gland 20 after having the spindle 18 first inserted is screwed into
the usual part of the casing of a tap 22 which tap is formed with a bridge part in
which the vitreous hollow-cylindrical valve.seating 4 is screwzed. This seating is

page_text: screwed up home and fits close to a metal flange 23 or part of the bridge part so
that the top part of the seating 4 is covered and protected by this flange and
consequently in the event of the spindle 18 being turned so as to bring the collar 21
against the top of the valve seating, no harm to the vitreous seating can result.
The leather washer 19 forming the closing valve is fitted on the end of a part 24
which is a continuation of the spindle 18 beyond the collar 21. This part 24 may
be formed hollow having perforations for the water to pass or it may be reduced
in diamter to allow the water to pass between it and the seating 4. This part
projects through the seating 4 into a shallow part or waterway formed by a cap 25
screwed into the tap casing underneath the valve seating. The leather washer 19
is secured on the end of the part 24 by a metal washer which is held by a screw
cap 26 having a solid bottom and fitted on the screwed end of the part 24 the
whole thus forming the valve 19. By this improved construction of screw taps the
metal parts forming the valve are prevented by the collar 21 from coming into
contact and grinding away when the leather closing part becomes worn or damaged,
and the valve is rendered easily accessible for repairs. The usual stuffing material
and screw cap are of course fitted above the screwed part of the spindle 18. In
another modification of screw taps shown in longitudinal vertical section in
Figure 5 the valve is arranged to be closed from above instead of from below as in
the last modification. In this case the vitreous seating 4 is screwed downwards
into a rebated recess formed for it in a bridge part This recess is so formed that a
narrow rim 27 projects upwards all round just beyond the level of the seating 4.
A suitable leather washer is secured on the end of a short spindle which is fitted
loosely in the end of the spindle 18 and projects through the seating 4 by a small
screw nut 26. The leather washer is pressed against a metal collar 21 which is of
slightly larger diameter than the washer. The screwed part of the spindle 18 is
screwed into a stuffing box or gland 20 and the upper part of the gland 20 just
above the screwed part formed to receive the screw on the spindle is formed of
larger diameter to receive a collar 28. This collar 28 limits the extent of the
downward movement of the spindle and valve, being arranged to merely admit of
the valve being closed when the leather washer is in fairly good condition. The
gland is still further enlarged near its top so that a shoulder is formed by the top
of the first enlargement and a metal washer is fitted on the spindle 18 so as to rest
on this shoulder and form a seat for the packing material to be pressed against by
the action of a screw cap.
By the forementioned improved arrangement of a collar 21 and the rim 27 the
metal parts of the valve and seating are prevented from coming into contact with
the vitreous seating 4 and getting damaged. In place of the collar 21 a short pin
may be screwed through the casing underneath the valve to regulate its travel:
Figure 6 on the accompanying sheet of drawings is a vertical section showing
my improved arrangements as adapted to. a steam cock. In this case the vitreous
seating 4 which is in the form of a short cylindrical ring having a rim or circular
projection round its top at its inner side is screwed down upon a metal part round.
the valve opening in the bridge part. The valve is in the form of a shallow
inverted cup having a stud which fits loosely into the screw spindle. A disc of
asbestos or bard wood is fitted into this inverted cup and forms the closing valve.
Figure 7 on the accompanying sheet of drawings is a longitudinal vertical section_
showing my improved arrangements as applied to a water cock. In this case the
valve seating is formed in a bridge part in the casting and consists of a leather,
asbestos or hard wood washer fitted into a recessed or rebated part of such bridge
part. This washer is held down by a hollow cylindrical piece 29 which is screwed
down into the cock casing 30. The valve consists of a cap piece 31 having above
it a short stud 32 which is fitted loosely into the lower end of the usual screw
spindle 18 which is fitted in a stuffing box in the usual manner.
Into this cap
piece 31 there is screwed or fixed a cylindrical plug 32 of glazed earthenware the
upper half of which is of less diameter than the lower, the lower balf being of the
same diameter as the exterior of the cap piece 31. In order to prevent the vitreous

page_text: closing valve from damaging the metal forming the valve seating when the leather
is worn away, short studs or a horizontal flange may be formed on the cap piece 31
these being arranged to come into contact with a shoulder or similar part on the
cylindrical piece 29. Figures 8 and 9 are vertical sections representing my
improved arrangements adapted to the valves of cisterns and the like. In Figure 7
"the seating is shown as being formed of leather which is in the form of a washer
inserted in an annular recess formed of metal which is screwed into the cistorn.
The valve is in the form of a glazed earthenware plate 33 having on its face a
circular rin or raised part which when the valve is closed rests on the leather
seating. Figure 8 shows one method of fitting a valve with a vitreous scating and
a leather closing part. In this case the vitreous seating is in the form of a ring
having a horizontal outside flange around its bottom part and the seating is fitted
in a metal bed in a tubular casting being secured therein by a cylindrical metal
ring 34. This metal ring 34 has a short distance from its top a short horizontal
flange inside and this flange when the ring 34 is screwed down presses on the
flange of the seating and so holds it in position. The top of the metal ring 34
projects slightly above the level of the top of the vitreous seating and the leather
washer on the valve is arranged to come within this ring 34. By this arrange-
ment when the leather becomes worn the metal part of the valve comes in
contact with the top of the ring and so is prevented from grinding away on the
vitreous senting.
Figure 10 on the accompanying sheet of drawings is a longitudinal vertical
section showing another modification of my Invention as applied to ball cocks.
In this case the valve opening instead of being circular is ellipsoidal in plan the
valve 36 being fixed and forming part of the float lever 3. The valve opening is
formed in a flattened hollow piece 37 having perforations above the opening and
this piece 37 is screwed into the main casing of the cock. The ellipsoidal opening
or slit-like aperture is placed with its greatest length at right angles to the line
of the float lever. This improved formation of the valve seat greatly facilitates the
rapid and effective closing of the valve. The valve having a washer of leather in
it is formed by the upwardly curved end of the float lever 3. The float lever
being centred on a part formed on the outlet nozzle. The drawings show a method
of attaching a counterbalance lever and weight 15, 16 to this kind of ball cock.
Tho lever 15 is formed with a short downwardly curved part 38 which is con-
nected to one end of a link 39 the other end of which. is centered on the float
lever 3. The lever is centered on the end of the cusing of the cock at the angle
formed by the curved part with its straight part. It may be desirable to fit a
small removable valve to the float lever instead of forming the valve on the lever
itself.
Figure 11 shows a method of accomplishing this in which there is a small
screw stud formed with a recessed head. This recess is fitted with a leather disc
and the stud is screwed into the end of the lever 3. Figure 12 is an inverted plan
showing the valve opening. For the purpose of removing any lead shavings or
other obstacles from the grating over the valve opening a small screw plug 40 is
fitted in the casing over the valve opening.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
(1) The forming of cocks or valves with a valve seating of hard glazed earthen-
ware or vitreous substance combined with a closing part or valve having leather or
other similar material or vice versd substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
•
(2) The combination with ball cocks having sliding plunger valves of a second
sliding or plunger valve (7) closing against the fluid pressure substantially as and
for the purposes herein before described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3 on the
accompanying drawings,
3

page_text: (3) The improved construction and combination of parts forming a ball cock
valvo substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3
on the accompanying drawings.
(4) The use of a sustaining chain or adjustable support for the float of ball cocks
substantially as herein before described particularly with reference to Figure 2 on
the accompanying drawings.
(5) The use of a perforated casing (17) or grating substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described with reference to Figure 3 on the accompanying
drawings.
(6) The improved construction of the float lever substantially as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 on the accompanying
drawings.
(7) The counterbalancing of the weight of the float and its lever substantially in
the manner and for the purpose herein before described with reference to Figures 3
and 10 on the accompanying drawings.
(8) The improved construction and arrangement of parts forming a screw tap
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described with reference to
Figure 4 on the accompanying drawings.
(9) The improved construction and arrangement of parts forming a screw tap
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described with reference to
Figure 5 on the accompanying drawings.
(10) The improved form and construction of the parts forming a steam valve
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figure 6 on the accom-
panying drawings.
(11) The combination in a steam cock of a vitreous valve seating (4) with a
valve having a closing part of asbestos, hard wood, horn, an alloy of lead or
other comparatively softer material than the seating substantially as hereinbefore
described.
(12) The improved construction of parts forming a screw tap substantially as
herein before described with reference to Figure 7 on the accompanying drawings.
(13) The improved construction of the valve seating and closing parts of valves
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 8 and 9 on the
accompanying drawings.
-י.ת
"