CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MACHINERY, APPARATUS, AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY AND DISTRI- BUTION OF WATER FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE USES, BUT MORE PARTICULARLY IN CASES OF FIRE
Year: 1844

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, STEPHEN
GEARY, of Hamilton Place, New Road, in the County of Middlesex, Architect
and Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Seventh day of November, One thousand eight hundred and
forty-four, in the eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Stephen Geary, my exors,
admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Stephen Geary, my exors, adññors, and assigns,
and such others as I, the said Stephen Geary, my exors, admors, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter, during the continuance of the term of years therein ex-
pressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that
part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her
Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the Islands of
Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MACHINERY, APPARATUS, AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY AND DISTRI-
BUTION OF WATER FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE USES, BUT MORE PARTICULARLY IN CASES
OF FIRE;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the
said Stephen Geary, to particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my
said. Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instru-

page_text: ment in writing under my hand and seal, and to cause the same to be enrolled
in Her 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Stephen Geary, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be fully described and set
forth in and by the following Statement and Specification thereof, reference
being had to the accompanying Drawings (which I declare to belong to and to
form part thereof), by the letters and numberal figures marked thereon for the
purpose of such reference (that is to say):-
The nature and intention of my said intention consists in and has reference
to the principles of construction of apparatus, the modes of arrangement, and
the application of the same to the mechanical parts, and the several combi-
nations of mechanical parts, as such several matters are herein-after described
and set forth, and that as regards my application of the same to the objects
set forth and referred to in and by the title of the Letters Patent granted unto
me, the said Stephen Geary, as herein-before recited. The general nature
and intention, and the use of such principles of construction, and such modes
of arrangement, and the application of the mechanicle parts, and the combi-
nations thereof, I declare to be to effect a more commodious mode of operat-
ing the supply and distribution of water in public streets and ways, as regards
its application: to the purposes of extinguishing accidental fires, of the irriga
tion of such streets and ways, and to the general purposes of domestic use.
And I declare the particular mode in and by which I carry the same into
practical effect to be through the means and by the application of certain
improved constructions of pneumatic and hydraulic machines, together with
certain improved modes of arranging and applying the same to such aforesaid
purposes. I further declare the practical manner in which such improved
constructions, such arrangements, and such applications are made for the
purposes of the said Invention to be particularly described, set forth, and
ascertained by the following Statement, and the detailed description thereof,
that is to say:-.
In the Drawing Number 1, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a
public street or way in which the said improved constructions, arrangements,
aud their applications to use are shewn, as in the mode in which I give the
same their general practical orginization. A, A, A, and B, B, B, represent
two opposite and parallel fronts of the buildings of the public street or way
to which the application of my said Invention is made. C, C, C, C, the

page_text: 4
carriageway of the street, and D, D, and E, E, the opposite footpaths respec-
tively of the same, as far through the length of the street as the cross
line X, X. The pavement of the carriage or road way is removed, in order
to shew the mode of laying, and the arrangement of the hydraulic main
pipe G, G, G, and its smaller branch or service. pipes H, H, H, are seen
marked by those letters respectively. Each of such branch or service pipes
H, H, H, have a direct communication with fixed forcing pumps I, I, I, &c.,
K, K, K³, &c.; and one of such fixed forcing pumps. is established on or
conveniently near the outermost verge of each of the footpaths D, D, and
E, E, at any distance apart on each of such footpaths as the general circuni:
stances of the locality may require them to be. On each of such opposite
footpaths respectively one of such pumps is established opposite to a point on
the other footpath which is midway between two contiguous or next following
pumps on that footpath. This mode of arranging the pumps is for the
obvious purpose of an equal distribution of the pumps over the area of the
street or way in which they are placed, and is shewn in the Drawing, where
the pump
I on the footpath D, D, is placed opposite to a point midway
between the contiguous pumps K' and K², on the opposite footpath E, E, and
so of the other pumps on each footpath. In practice I place the pumps at
a distance apart from each other equal to about, the average width of frontage
of twenty dwelling houses, but the distances apart of such pumps will natu-
rally be in all cases regulated and adjusted by the general requirements and
circumstances of the locality. The lower portion or body of the pump is in
all cases placed beneath the pavement of the footpath, the upper portion of
the pump being that marked I, II, and K1, K2, K³, &c. The portion of the
carriageway of the street, seen in the more distant part of the view, has its
pavement or covering completed, covering up the main pipes. G, G, G, and
their service pipes H, H, H, as they are in the usual circumstances. of..the
street. The main pipes G, G, G, and the smaller service pipes H, H, H, are
iron water pipes of the usual forms or construction, having joints and con-
nections of the same known description as those in general use for water
communication in streets and ways.
...
Figure 2, Drawing No. 1, is a horizontal plan view of the arrangements of
the main and branch pipes shewn in the Figure 1, Drawing No. 1, in which
its corresponding parts are respectively marked with the same letters of refe-
rence as in the Figure 1.
J
In the Drawing No. 2 are. shewn in. the several figures therein contained
separate views in plans and sections of the modifications of pumps and pneu-
matic. machines, by means of which I carry into effect the detail of the

page_text: operations which are generally described and set forth in the Drawing No. 1.
In Figure 1, of Drawing No. 2, is shewn a vertical section taken through
the entire structure of a construction of forcing pump, which in practice I
find effective and suited to the purpose, and of the construction shewn at
I and K in the Drawing No. 1.
arrangement
taken in the
In the Figure 1, of the Drawing No. 1, the dotted line X, X, represents
the line of surface of the pavement of the footpath. A, A, A, A, a rect-
angular or other suitably formed case, in which the working parts of the pump
are enclosed. The portion B, B, B, B, of this figure above the level of the
line X, X, shews that portion of the pump which is shewn at I and K in
the Drawing No. 1, and through which a vertical shaft C, C, passes, connect-
ing the working portions of the pump above described with the capstan-
headed frame or block, by which such vertical shaft is worked through the
agency of manuel labour applied to the capstan bars or levers F, F. P, P,
shews the barrel or cylinder, and G, G, the piston rod of a forcing pump of
double action, working through stuffing boxes g, 9, in the usual manner, I
being a solid piston, acting by an alternating and rectilinear horizontal stroke,
the alternating motion being produced by the action of a lever bar or arm,
set on the lower extremity of the vertical shaft C, C, to describe which I refer
to the Figure 1* and the Figure 2 of the Drawing No. 2.
The Figure 2
represents a vertical section of the entire construction and
shewn in the Figure 1, but in the transverse direction to that
Figure 1, or at right angles to it; and in the Figure 2 all the several parts
are respectively marked with the same letters of reference as in the Figure 1,
in so far as the same can be seen or shewn in both such Figures. At the
lower termination of the vertical shaft C, C, a short bar or arm K is fixed,
which at its outer end carries a pin or stud i, which is engaged in and works
with a traversing motion in a slot I, formed in the horizontal bar H, H, which
bar is connected with and carries the pump piston rod G, G, as shewn in the
Figure 1, in the direction of the length of that bar, and in the Figure 2 in the
direction of its width. The bar H, H is shewn in a plan or horizontal view
in the Figure 1*, with the before-mentioned slot I, here also marked I. It
is obvious, by reference to the several parts C, C, K, H, H, I, and i, in the
Figure 1, and Figure 1*, and Figure 2, in as far as such parts are shewn in
each of those Figures respectively, that the continuous circular motion of
the arm K, by its connection with the working shaft C, C, and the arm K,
carrying the pin i, such pin necessarily traversing in the slot I, the bar H, H,
will receive alternate rectilinear motion, and by its connection with the piston
rod G, G, of the pump will give the alternating motion required of such

page_text: piston to work the pump. The pipe L, shewn in Figure 2, is the induction
or inlet pipe of supply from the main, and M, M, the eduction or discharge
passage or pipe of the water to be applied to use. N is a conducting hose
affixed to the pump at the mouth of the eduction pipe M, in the usual manner.
The course of the water through the pump and the play of the valves is
obvious, by reference to the Figure 1, with the directions indicated by the
arrows.
The Figures 3, 4, and 5, in the Drawing No. 2, respectively represent
different views of another modification of a forcing pump of double action,
which I apply to the purposes of the pump above described, with reference to
the Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawing No. 2, under such circumstances of the
street or way or the locality as prevent or render inconvenient or unsuitable
the erection of any portion of the structure of the pump above the level of
the footpath. The Figure 3 represents in A, A, A, A, a longitudinal and
vertical section of a case or vessel, of sufficient capacity to contain a forcing
pump of the description shewn in the Figures 1 and 2, together with the
necessary means and arrangements for effectively working the same. The
front side of the vessel or case A, A, A, A, is in the Figure 3 supposed to be
cut off, in order to shew the pump and its working apparatus in a view of
side elevation. B, B, shew flanges of the vessel A, A, A, A, on which it rests
or is placed in a suitable, secure, and firm manner, immediately below the
level of the footpath. C, C, shews the barrel or cylinder of the force pump;
D, D, the outer extremities of its piston rod, the piston being of the construc-
tion described in Figures 1 and 2. E, E, shews the side elevation of a frame,
to the transverse bars of which (seen only at E, E, Figure 4,) the extremities
of the piston rod are fixed; a transverse bar P (seen more distinctly in the
Figure 4), firmly connects the parallel sides E, E, and E*, E* (Figure 4).
At the opposite longitudinal sides of the case A, A, A, A, a rocking shaft F,
lying in a parallel direction to the bar P, is held in suitable bearings, and has
a vibration through the arc, shewn by the red lines x, x. From each of the
extremities of the rocking shaft an arm G projects vertically downward to the
level of the longitudinal frame E, E, and the lower extremities of the arms G
take into holes formed in the frame E, E, and by the action of the rocking
shaft G through its arc of vibration x, x, gives the frame E, E, and the piston
rod to which it is attached, the alternate rectilinear motion required for the
action of the pump, the barrel or cylinder of the pump being stationary, and
fixed to the bottom of the vessel. To each of the extremities of the rocking
shaft G, and within its centres of suspension, is fixed a transverse horizontal
bar H, on which, at I. and I (Figure 3), are hung on centre pins the

page_text: double lever handles K and L, shewn in side elevation or profile view in
Figure 3, and in plan view in Figure 4. Manual labour is applied to these
lever handles at their upper extremities by downward pressure alternately;
which forces their lower extremities i, i, against the under side of the rocking
shaft F, and produces the alternate motion of the' piston required for the due
performance of the pump. Such quantity of their angular motion is indicated
in Figure 3 by the arcs k and l. M represents the eduction or discharge
passage or pipe, and N a conducting hose affixed to the pump at the mouth
of the eduction pipe M, in the usual manner.
The Figure 5 shews a longitudinal sectional view taken through the body
of the pump and its barrel or cylinder, shewing the points of induction and
the play of the valves. In the Figures 3 and 4 the several parts are respec-
tively marked with the same letters of reference, in so far as such several
parts are seen in those Figures respectively.
The Figure 6 shews a view in vertical and longitudinal section of the upper
portion of a structure of similar character to that shewn in the Figures 1 and
2, but of construction of different modification, and having the pump placed in
a vertical position, and having a different mode of working. Thus, in the
Figure 6, A, A, A, A, represent the outer case of a pump; the line B, B,
shews the level of the footpath; C, C, the barrel or cylinder of a forcing
pump; D, the induction pipe; E, the eduction or discharge pipe; F, the
piston rod of the pump working through a stuffing box f in the usual manner,
and the piston rod as a rack K formed on its upper extrémity. G is a capstan-
headed block occupying the top of the case A, A, A, A, worked in the usual
manner by levers H, H, to which manual labour is applied, producing
continued circular motion, such continued circular motion. being converted
into the alternate rectilinear inotion required for the working of the pump, and
such conversion of the circular motion into alternate rectilinear motion being
effected by the following means:-To the under side of the capstan-headed
block G is attached a hollow wheel I, I, having from its upper and under
plates or faces L and M contrate teeth pointing inwards into the cavity of the
wheel, and the upper and lower teeth of each of such plates or faces respec-
tively being divided into four equal portions, having between each two of such
portions a blank space of equal extent to the extent of the toothed portion.
This arrangement or construction of the wheel is shewn more distinctly in
the Figures 7 and 8, Figure 7 being a view of the same in horizontal plan,
and Figure 8 a view in side elevation. The toothed portions of the upper
face of the wheel I, I, are placed opposite to the blank spaces in the lower
face of the wheel, as is shewn in the view in Figure 8. The horizontal pinion

page_text: shaft N, shewn in Figure 7, carries at its outer extremity a pinion O, which,
by the continued circular motion of the wheel I, I, is turned in opposite
directions alternately by the alternate action upon it of the toothed portions of
the
upper and lower faces L and M in the order of the arrival of each of such
portions respectively at the point of its taking into the pinion O. The
arrangement of the toothed and the blank portions of the respective faces of
the wheel I, I, is so determined that such said alternated arrivals of such
portions, and the time occupied by the action of each portion respectively, shall
suit the required stroke of the pump piston by the action of a pinion P, which
is set upon the inner extremity of the pinion shaft N, and taking into the
rack K of the piston rod. In each of the Figures 6, 7, and 8, the same letters
of reference are used to designate the same parts respectively, in as far as such
parts can be seen in each of those Figures respectively.
The Figure 9 shews the interior construction of the acting part of the pump,
in which Q is the solid forcing piston; the action and play of the valves being
indicated by the arrows.
The Figure 10 represents a view in side elevation of a veliicle fitted with a
pneumatic apparatus, which I apply to the general purposes of irrigating
public streets and ways, and also to the distribution of water into and over
gardens and other places, and the distribution of water in the cases of acci-
dental fire. A, A, shews one of the locomotive wheels of such vehicle; B, B;
the body of the vehicle containing the water cistern of the machine; C, C, side
rails or bars, which, being hung at their centres in proper bearings, and being
actuated by manual labor, with an alternating elevation and depression, effects
the required action of the pump, which is placed in a convenient part of the
machine, as at D in the Figures 10, 11, and 12 of the Drawing No. 2:
Figure 11 represents a plan view of the same objects shewn in the Figure 10.
Figure 12 represents a view in end elevation of the same objects; and in each
of these Figures the same or corresponding objects are respectively marked
with the same letters of reference, in as far as such several objects can be
seen in such Figures respectively. The cisterns of such vehicles are filled
from without in the usual manner. The eduction or delivery pipe E is
placed at the hinder or in any other convenient part of the vehicle.
The Figures 13, 14, and 15 represent views of the acting forcing pump
seen at D in the Figures 10, 11, and 12, by which the water to be distributed
by this machine is thrown to its destination. The Figure 13 is an external
view of the pump D. The Figure 14 is a vertical longitudinal section of the
pump D, taken close to one of its flat sides, so as to shew its interior con-
struction. The induction pipe and passages of the pump are shewn at A, A, A.
:

page_text: B, B, shews the flanch by which the pump is fixed on the vehicle; C is
a forcing piston, which has rotary motion, and with a water-tight fitting within
the box of the pump. The rotary motion is obtained by the piston being
fixed on a horizontal rocking shaft, which forms the central line of motion on
which the working rails or bars C, C, are suspended by the bar F, F,
Figure 13, and on which they work. The course of the water by the alternate
action of the valve E and F is through a valvular opening a in each of the
plates 1 and 2, composing the piston C, and which are alternately opened
and closed respectively by a valve V, which is common to both the plates
1 and 2 of the piston, being suspended near its vertex or the point of junction
of such plates at 3. The eduction passage for the water is through the
aperture D, by which it is conveyed to the discharge pipe shewn at E, shewn
in the Figures 10 and 11 of the Drawing No. 2. The Figure 15 shews a sec-
tional view of the Figure 14 as it appears when viewed in a horizontal direction
at right angles to the direction in which the Figure 14 is supposed to be
viewed. The same letters of reference are placed on corresponding parts in
each of the Figures 13, 14, and 15 respectively, in so far as such several parts
are seen in each of such Figures respectively.
The Figure 11 represents a side elevation of a vehicle of the construction
shewn in the Figure 10 and 11, supported by and moving on locomotive
wheels A, A. B, B, shews the body of the vehicle, as in the Figures 10 and
11, containing the cistern of supply. In such cistern I place a sucking and
forcing pump C on a framework, removing the bottom of its barrel or cylinder
a small distance from the bottom of the cistern. An eduction or discharge
branch D is constructed at the lower part of the pump barrel, as in the usual
construction of pumps of that description, and to this is attached the hose
pipe by which the water is to be thrown. The pump is actuated by means
of the following arrangement:-A spur wheel F is keyed upon the axle of the
locomotive wheel A, A, of the vehicle, and revolves with its advance; the
wheel F gears
into and drives a second and smaller spur wheel G; and to the
face of this wheel there is hung, on a joint pin at g, a lever II, the lower
extremity of which is jointed to the upper termination of the piston rod I of
the pump C. This arrangement, as shewn in the Figure 11*, is repeated
on the opposite side of the vehicle as regards the opposite locomotive wheel of
the vehicle.
I now declare that, having described and set forth the nature and intention
of my said Invention, and also the manner in which the same is to be carried
into practical effect, I state the distinct claim I desire to make as regards the
same (that is to say):-I claim as of my Invention the principle of construc-

page_text: tion, the arrangements of mechanical parts, and the several combinations
thereof, as regards the application and the modes of making such application
of such constructions, such arrangements, and such combinations, to the several
purposes herein-before described and set forth, and these in the manner and
according to the constructions, arrangements, and combinations as I have
herein-before specified, described, and set them forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Stephen Geary, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One
Enrolled the Seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-five.