IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-CLOSETS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
«
'IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-CLOSETS."
Edvardt Frandsen, of Vienna, Austria.
A communication from abroad by
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners. of Patents on the 18th May 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-CLOSETS."
[A communication from abroad by Edvardt Frandsen, of Vienna, Austria.]
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of fixed water-closets,
that is to say, that class of closets which have their soil-pipe leading through the
walls of houses into sewers or other receptacles, and which are built in masonry in
separate secluded chambers. Portable closets are therefore not in any way included
in the present improvements.
The said improvements consist mainly,
First, in providing the basins of such fixed water-closets with legs to be screwed
to the floor of the compartment in which they are set up; second, in providing the
basins with a narrow seat formed of a narrow ring rounded off on its surface;
third, in making the basins of an oblong narrow shape with a perpendicular rear
surface; fourth, in providing a certain class of such water-closets with a movable
piston serving to assist in the expulsion of solid matter from the basin; fifth, in
constructing the basin with a separate opening at the bottom for the admission of
a jet of air or water for the purpose of the better expulsion of its contents; sixth,
in constructing a certain class of such water-closets with a double trap, consisting
of a moveable saucer trap above and a syphon trap below.
According to the first part of the said improvements the legs or feet, which may
be of any suitable form, are cast in one piece with the basin, and are secured
to the foundation or to the floor by means of screws, or in any other suitable
nanner.

page_text: With regard to the second part of the said improvements the seat rings may bo
of any suitable form or material without departing from the principle of this
Invention, and are fixed to a rim projecting horizontally outwards round the top of
the basin. The said rim has a breadth of about 11, to 21/4 inches, and serves as a
basis for the "seat-ring" and is therefore termed the "ring-basis." On the top of
this ring-basis the seat-ring, having the same or but slightly greater breadth, is
secured by means of screws. The inner side of this ring may be vertical. When
it is desired to protect the ring from contact with fluids it may be made of a
slightly conical shape, and an enamelled conical protecting ring expressly made for
that purpose may be pressed into its inner circumference. This protecting
ring has to be so broad that its bottom edge will lie below the upper edge of the
closet.
With respect to the third part of the said Invention the basins are made of an
oblong narrow form with a vertical rear surface, that is to say, the said basins have
a greater length in proportion to their breadth than those used in water-closets as
heretofore constructed. The front part of the basin serves. to collect the urine and
is made narrower than the rear part, and the front side may be made either so as
to descend gradually at an angle down to the bottom of the basin, or it may be
made so that only about the first half of its length is at an angle whilst the second
half descends vertically. A special water-pipe provided with a rose or other
suitable mouthpiece is arranged at the front part of the basin and serves to cleanse
this part and to supply the water necessary for flushing the basin.
According to the fourth part of the said improvements the piston serving for the
expulsion of solid matter from the basin is connected with a movable saucer-trap
of an upper basin in such a manner that on lowering the trap by any suitable
mechanical means the piston forces the paper and other solid matters and fluid out
of the lower basin into the soil-pipe.
With regard to the fifth part of the said improvements the opening arranged
at the bottom of the basin for the purpose of admitting a jet of water or air for
assisting in the expulsion of the matter contained in the basin is connected with a
pipe for admitting a jet of water, and leading to a supply of water, or to an air-
pump or bellows to admit a jet of air.
According to the sixth part of the said improvements relating to the construction
of water closets with a double trap, the closet consists of an upper basin and a
separate lower basin. The botton opening of the upper basin is provided with a
movable saucer serving as a trap for this basin, whilst the lower basin is provided
with a syphon-water trap.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th November 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-CLOSETS."
A communication from abroad by Edvardt Frandsen, of Vienna, Austria.
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of water-closets
which may be divided into two classes, namely,―
1st. Closets with fixed traps.
2nd. Closets with movable traps.
These closets are all made in an oblong narrow shape with a perpendicular rear
surface, with logs, seat-rings, water-seals, with or without expulsion-pistons,
rose-heads for rinsing, and pipes for the admission of water jets and of currents
of air.
:
To prevent misinterpretation it must be remarked bere that the words "oblong
narrow shape" indicate that the longitudinal section of the closet, as well as of the
water-basin, is to be greater in proportion to their breadth than has hitherto been
usual; also that the word "closet" in this Specification is used to designate only
apparatus of this class which has soil-pipes leading through the walls of houses into
sewers or other receptacles, and which is built in masonry in separate secluded
chambers. Portable closets are therefore not in any way included in the category
to which this description refers. By giving an oblong shape to the upper part of
the closet and to the seat ring a commodious scat is obtained, and by the oblong
shape of the basin the water is more economically used than in the ordinary
circular basins.
The legs and seat-ring, which form solid and novel component parts of a closet
constructed according to this Invention, are arranged as follows:-The said legs
are cast upon the body of the closet, and by means of said legs the whole is secured
to a solid basis of metal or stone, and in some cases to the floor, by screws or
otherwise. The legs may be of any desired form and arranged in any convenient
manner.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, an arrangement is shewn wherein the front legs g serve
the secondary purpose of supporting a foot-stool Z; Figures 5, 6, 7, and 12 show an
arrangement according to which three legs, only are provided. Above the front leg
or in the same there is an opening through which either a pipe emitting a jet of
water or a current of air passes, or instead thereof a piston-rod may be used. In
Figures 8, 9, and 14, the legs shewn are shaped like those of animals; in Figures 10
and 11 the legs are arranged in the form of a cross.
The seat-ring R may either be cast in one piece with the body of the closet or
formed separately and subsequently fixed. It may either be cast hollow to receive
heated water or air so as to have a temperature pleasant to the touch, even in the
most severe weather; or it may be cast solid, in which case, however, especially in
a cold climate, it should be faced with a covering of cloth, wood, or other suitable
non-conducting material. The seat-ring may also consist of other materials, such as
earthenware, burnt clay, or porcelain.
The part of the seat ring which when used comes in contact with the body, is
indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3. It will be evident that the front part of the
seat-ring will not be touched at all, and certain parts only of the rear; the lateral
faces only have to bear the weight, and for that reason they must be greater in
width.
The closet represented in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 13, has a rim or flange of about
2 to 4 inches wide projecting rectangularly and horizontally round its upper edge.

page_text: This rim or flange is the seat-ring, which is covered with cloth, protecting the user
against the cold of the metal. The closet represented in Figures 10 and 11 has a
similar surrounding rin which has a covering of wood, should the latter be so
thin and weak as to require support from underneath throughout its periphery, I
term the iron rim which serves that purpose the seat-ring, but if the wooden rim is
sufficiently thick and strong (as shewn in Figures 10 and 11), supports will only bo
requisite at suitable distances apart, and in such case the wooden rim or flange
constitutes the seat-ring. The iron support beneath will then form the "ring-
basis. Such a thick wooden rim requires only four supports, as shewn in Figures
8, 9, and 14. The ring-basis here consists of four groove-like cavities into which
the sent-ring is placed. The grooves may however extend all around the closet.
A hollow seat-ring, which can be kept warm by water or a current of air passing
through it, is shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. The heat can generally be produced
at a moderate cost by gas-flames or lamps, and can be kept up to a certain
temperature by an automatic contrivance.
In order to afford greater convenience to the user, the upper surface of the seat-
ring has also an impression or indentation of the shape of a saddle, as indicated by
Figures 1 and 4.
The seat ring being either cast in one piece with the closet, or attached to the
same, and the legs being always cast in one piece with the latter, an independent
and isolated closet is formed which combines many advantages in comparison with
those now used, which latter must be wainscoted in front, and provided with a
cover above, which again has to rest on separate legs or a foundation of masonry.
The manner in which the scat-rings are directly connected with the body of the
closet may be varied, and the former may be made of many different materials, and
of multifarious forms of construction.
In the accompanying Drawing, Figuro 5 shows a longitudinal section; Figure 6,
a transverse section; and Figure 7, a horizontal section of one construction of the
closet.
The rear surface extends vertically downward from the seat-ring; the other
surfaces take such a direction as to form a sloping funnel, which terminates in a
pipe bent in such a manner that a trap is formed thereby. This trap must however
be placed at such height as to cause the water in the lower part of the closet (the
basin) to prevent the escape of air; and the water surface must be so broad that all
solid matter must fall into it without touching the sides of the closet. For this
purpose a sheet of water of a longitudinal axis of about 8%, inches, and a transversal
axis of about 5 inches will ordinarily be sufficient. If the form of the closets is
otherwise proper for the purpose, the breadth is of less importance, so that wherever
the dimensions are treated of in this description, the length is principally taken
into consideration.
Beneath the scat-ring a pipe h passes round the closet; this pipe is perforated on
the inner side with small apertures m, and carries on every side a rose n.
In the centre of the front part of the closet there is an aperture for admitting the
rose-pipe n', and at the lower part there is a similar aperture n². Froni the back
of the closet a flange 9 projects, to which the trap-hinges are attached. Under the
flange there is also an aperturo for the pipe / surrounding the closet.
When the closet is to be cleaned, a valve or other suitable mechanism is opened
(which may be done by automatic means), when water will rush out under pressure
from the small apertures and cleanse the sides, and from the roses n and n¹, thereby
expelling the contents of the closet over the trap.
The operation of the rose-pipes is illustrated in Figure 12.
The seat-ring can be constructed in such a manner that the spray-pipes will pass
through it and enter the closet; the pipe surrounding the closet may likewise be
placed within the seat-ring, as is shown in Figure 15.
The pipe which joins the aperture n² is connected with a pair of bellows, a
pumping-apparatus, or a similar arrangement. A current of air which is forced
through this pipe may aid in expelling the contents of the closet. This pipe may

page_text: also be used for the passage of water, and has a still greater expulsive power than
the pipes n and n¹, for which reason it can be used advantageously instead of the
latter, either with water or air, in all cases where pressure and water can be
resorted to in a limited degree only.
Under some circumstances it may be desirable to admit some of the fluid
contained in the closet into the pipe n2, in order to expel thereby the rest of the
contents.
In the closet shewn in Figures 8, 9, 14, and 15, the expulsion is effected by
means of a piston. As this piston is pushed into the bent pipe f, it drives the
contents of the closet along, until they are thrown out at the other side of the
trap. To allow this piston to pass over the short sharp bend of the pipe fits rod is
made in several parts hinged together, or it may be made in one piece and be bent,
or an elastic-piston rod may be used.
At such
Although the expulsion by pistons in general and the last described manner of
using the pipe n² are comparatively not as cleanly as that effected by the rose
pipes and n¹, the circumstances may be such as to necessitate the employment of
pistons for the expulsion, as may be the case in towns without sewers.
places the contents of the closet are led into suitable receptacles or sink-traps,
whence they must be transported.in carts or other suitable vehicles. As such
transportation however is very expensive, the use of water for the closets is as much
as possible avoided, and it is preferred to apply some disinfectant. If however the
rinsing with water is to be introduced besides the use of the piston, a rose m in the
front-side of the closet may be applied, as shown in the Drawing.
A closet with a removable lower part is shewn in Figures 10 and 11. This is
very practical for smaller privies where the soil-pipe is fixed in the side-wall. For
the sake of economy neither rose nor jet-pipes are used here, the cleansing being
effected, though imperfectly, by the waste liquids from chainbers and kitchens
commonly called."slops," which in small dwellings are ordinarily thrown into.the
closet.
The closet shewn in Figures.1, 2, 3, and 4 has the same form on the top and the
same perpendicular rear surface as the closets above described.
The front-side of the closet, a part of which is vertical, curves off to a nearly
horizontal line; having thus passed half-way towards the rear the surface abruptly
extends vertically downward, 'thus forming an oval chamber of such dimensions and
shape that all solid matter must fall down without touching the sides of the
closet.
The opening below has a longitudinal section of about 8 inches, and at its lower
end dips below the water-line into a movable saucer-shaped trap l, which is of such
depth that the matter falling down is directly submerged in the water without
coming in contact with the sides of the closet.
The front of the upper part of the closet forms a flat narrow channel or groove i,
which catches the urine and conducts it to the saucer-shaped trap. A pipe h
encircles the closet, as shewn in Figure 2, and is left open so that the water cleanses
the sides of the closet by flowing rather than by rushing down.
By means of a suitable arrangement the saucer-trap when lowered to discharge
its contents rises again, and is closely pressed to the sides of the closet; the water
flows out from the pipe h, simultaneously cleansing the sides of the closet and filling
the saucer-trap.
If however protection against draught is desired during the short time the trap
is left open, I may effect a double closing by the addition of the lower fixed water
or syhon-trap herein before described.
To the trap a movable piston o may be attached, which, as the former sinks,
drives all the solid matter, such as paper and the like, as well as the fluids, over the
fixed trap.
Instead of the expulsion by pistons I may apply a jet-pipe at the lower part of
the closet to expel the contents of the latter,

page_text: In the pipe fand above the fixed trap there is an opening to permit the said
pipe, to be cleared when necessary.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be advantageously carried
into effect, I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details
of construction and arrangement above specified and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawing, as the same may be varied or modified to suit different requirements, and
without departing from the principle of this Invention, and I claim,-
First. A closet of an oblong narrow shape with a perpendicular rear surface, and
either with or without a water-basin of an oblong narrow shape, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
Second. A closet of the class or kind herein specified with or without legs, and
provided with a seat-ring of any suitable form and material, which ring is cast in
one piece with the body of the closet or otherwise secured in its place, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
Third. A closet provided with means for expelling the contents by a piston or by
jets of water, or by currents of air, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. An independent isolated water-closet of oblong-narrow shape with a
perpendicular rear surface, also with legs and a seat-ring, and closed or sealed by a
fixed water-trap, and with or without a piston or means for producing water jets
or currents of air for expelling the contents thereof, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. A closet of an oblong-narrow shape with a perpendicular rear surface,
having an opening below and provided with a deep movable saucer-shaped trap,
and, with legs, a seat-ring, and means for introducing water for rinsing, with or
without the closing or sealing by means of the lower fixed trap, and the expulsion
jet pipes or pistons, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Sixth. A closet with a movable saucer-shaped trap, constructed in the peculiar
manner shewn in the accompanying Drawing, and as herein described for the
purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
band and seal, this Eighteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)