IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR WITHDRAWING AND RETURNING THE PLUGS OF URINALS, TROUGH, AND OTHER CLOSETS AT INTERVALS, AND SUPPLYING WATER TO THE SAME, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHERE PLUGS, TAPS, OR VALVES ARE REQUIRED TO BE OPENED OR CLOSED AT INTERVALS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Reffitt and William Irwin, both of Leeds, in the
County of York, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR
APPARATUS FOR WITHDRAWING AND RETURNING THE PLUGS OF URINALS,
TROUGH, AND OTHER CLOSETS AT INTERVALS, AND SUPPLYING WATER TO
THE SAME, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHERE PLUGS, TAPS, OR VALVES ARE REQUIRED TO BE OPENED OR CLOSED
AT INTERVALS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Reffitt and William
Irwin at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th January
1881.
JOSEPH REFFITT and WILLIAM IRWIN, both of Leeds, in the County of York.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR WITHDRAWING AND RETURNING
THE PLUGS OF URINALS, TROUGH, AND OTHER CLOSETS AT INTERVALS, AND
SUPPLYING WATER TO THE SAME, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE FOR
OTHER PURPOSES WHERE PLUGS, TAPS, OR VALVES ARE REQUIRED TO BE
OPENED OR CLOSED AT INTERVALS."
The first part of our Invention refers to an arrangement for withdrawing and
returning the plugs of urinals, trough, and other closets at intervals for the purpose
of allowing the liquids and other matter contained in the receptacles or basins
thereof to pass away into the drain, such apparatus allowing sufficient time for the
same to pass away, and afterwards returning the plugs to cover the hole or opening
so as to allow the receptacle or basins to be again supplied with water.
For this purpose we mount at suitable distances apart on frame-work or tube
two hollow receivers or vessels, and between them the framework or tube is
mounted or hung in suitable bearings. The two receivers or vessels are connected
together by this tube, and are constructed so as to nearly counterbalance each other.
Water is admitted through an aperture in one of the receivers or vessels, which is
so arranged with regard to its level that the water after passing therein is discharged
through the aforesaid tube into the other or second receiver or vessel, and fills it to

page_text: the required extent; when thus filled it overbalances the frame work or tube, and
allows the filled receiver or vessel to descend; by so doing it gives a rotary.motion
to a quadrant or wheel which is mounted in the same bearings as the framework or
tube, and to this quadrant or wheel is attached the plug which is caused by the
herein before mentioned movement to withdraw from the opening or outlet and
remains withdrawn until the liquid and other matter has passed away. In order to
let off the water which has caused the second receiver or vessel to fall, and to allow
it to return again to its original position, we provide one or more syphons in
connection therewith, which is or are brought into action the moment the second
receiver or box falls. The outflow from each syphon may be regulated by a suitable
cock, which also determines the length of time that is to elapse before the plug is
returned to the outlet in the basin or receptacle for the purpose of closing it, such
return taking place immediately the receiver or vessel has been relieved of
sufficient water as to allow the first mentioned receiver or vessel to counterbalance
and bring it back to its original position. As soon as it has returned to that
position the filling operation commences again, and the space of time occupied
thereby may be regulated by a suitable stop cock arranged to adjust the supply of
water thereto.
The second part of our Invention consists of an arrangement for flushing and
supplying water to the basins or receivers after the aforesaid liquid and other
matter has passed away, and for this purpose we provide a tank or cistern which is
supplied with water having a syphon in connection therewith; this syphon is
brought into operation by a plunger, which, by being sunk into the water, raises
the level thereof to a sufficient height to bring the syphon into action, the water
passing through the syphon into the basin or receptacle. The required inotion is
given to the plunger by and simultaneously with the action of apparatus referred to
in the description of the first part of our Invention.
The second part of our Invention may be used separately from the plug
withdrawing apparatus, and operated by hand for flushing ordinary water
closets.
The first part of our Invention may be used for letting off water and other liquids
or matter where such letting off is required at intervals.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Reffitt and William Irwin in the Great Seal Patent Office
the 12th July 1881.
JOSEPH REFFITT and WILLIAM IRWIN, both of Leeds, in the County of York.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR WITHDRAWING AND RETURNING
THE PLUGS OF URINALS, TROUGH, AND OTHER CLOSETS AT INTERVALS, AND
SUPPLYING WATER TO THE SAME, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE FOR
OTHER PURPOSES WHERE PLUGS, TAPS, OR VALVES ARE REQUIRED TO BE
OPENED OR CLOSED AT INTERVALS."
The first part of our Invention refers to an arrangement for withdrawing and
returning the plugs of urinals, trough, and other closets at intervals for the purpose
of allowing the liquids and other matter contained in the receptacles or basins
thereof to pass away into the drain, such apparatus allowing sufficient time for
the same to pass away, and afterwards returning the plug to cover the hole or
opening so as to allow the receptacle or basin to be again supplied with water.
For this purpose we mount at suitable distances apart on framework or tube two
hollow receivers or vessels, and between them the framework or tube is mounted or
hung in suitable bearings. The two receivers or vessels are connected together by
this tube, and are constructed so as to nearly counterbalance each other. Water is
admitted through an aperture in one of the receivers or vessels, which is 60
arranged with regard to its level that the water after passing therein is discharged
through the aforesaid tube into the other or second receiver or vessel and fills it to
the required extent; when thus filled it overbalances the framework or tube and
allows the filled receiver or vessel to descend; by so doing it gives a rotary motion
to a quadrant or wheel which is mounted in the same bearings as the framework
or tube, and to this quadrant or wheel is attached the plug which is caused by the
herein-before mentioned movement to withdraw from the opening or outlet and
remains withdrawn until the liquid and other matter has passed away. In order
to let off the water which has caused the second receiver or vessel to fall, and to
allow it to return again to its original position, we provide one or more syphons in
connection therewith, which is or are brought into action the moment the second
receiver or box falls. The outflow from such syphon may be regulated by a
suitable cock, which also determines the length of time that is to elapse before the
plug is returned to the outlet in the basin or receptacle for the purpose of closing
it, such return taking place immediately the receiver or vessel has been relieved of
sufficient water as to allow the first mentioned receiver or vessel to counterbalance
and bring it back to its original position. As soon as it has returned to that
position the filling operation commences again, and the space of time occupied
thereby may be regulated by a suitable stop cock arranged to adjust the supply of
water thereto.
The second part of our Invention consists of an arrangement for flushing and
supplying water to the basins or receivers after the aforesaid liquid and other
matter has passed away, and for this purpose we provide a tank or cistern which is
supplied with water having a syphon in connection therewith; this syphon is
brought into operation by a plunger which, by being sunk into the water, raises
the level thereof to a sufficient height to bring the syphon into action, the water
passing through the syphon into the basin or receptacle. The required motion is
given to the plunger by and simultaneously with the action of apparatus reffered
to in the description of the first part of our Invention.
The second part of our Invention may be used separately from the plug
withdrawing apparatus, and operated by hand for flushing ordinary water closets.

page_text: The first part of our Invention may be used for letting off water and other
liquids or matter where such letting off is required at intervals.
And in order that our Invention may be more completely understood reference is
given to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation and part section; Fig. 2, a front elevation.
The first part of our Invention refers to an arrangement for withdrawing and
returning the plugs of urinals, trough, and other closets at intervals for the purpose.
of permitting the liquid and other matters contained in the receptacles or basins.
thereof to pass away into the drain, such apparatus allowing it sufficient time and
afterwards causing the plug to cover the hole or opening so as to allow the
receptacle or basin to be again supplied with water. For this purpose we provide
at suitable distance apart the framework a, which is attached to the trough or
basin b by ordinary means. Within this framework a is mounted tube c provided
with the axle d and fitted so as to work freely at e. At the extremities of the
tube are provided the hollow receivers or vessels f and f¹. These two receivers or
vessels and f¹ communicate with each other through the tube c. Water is
admitted into the receivers or vessels f through india rubber or the elastic pipe g
and aperture h, and the vessel or receiver f is so arranged with regard to its level
or height above the receiver or vessel f¹, that the water after passing therein is
discharged through the aforesaid tube c into the other receiver or vessel f', and
fills it to the required extent; when thus filled it overbalances, causing the filled
receiver to descend, and the other receiver f to ascend; by so doing a rotary
motion is given to a quadrant or wheel on the axle d, to which the cord or chain i
is attached, or a simple bracket j attached to the tube c, this in practice being
found sufficient. The plug k is attached to the bracket j by the cord i through the
medium of the tube l. By the herein before mentioned movement of the bracket j,
the plug is withdrawn from the opening or outlet m, and remains in that position.
In order to let off the water which has caused the second receiver or vessel f¹ to
fall, and to allow it to return again to its original position, we provide one or more
syphons n in connection therewith, and by preference placed within, as shewn;
these are brought into action the moment the second receiver f¹ falls. The outflow
from such syphons n may be regulated by suitable cocks o. These also determine
the length of time that is to elapse before the plug k is returned to the outlet m
for the purpose of closing it. The upward movement of the receiver or vessel f¹,
and the closing or the return movement of the plug k, takes place immediately the
vessel or receiver f¹ has been relieved of sufficient water to allow the vessel or
receiver f to counterbalance and bring it back to its former position. As soon as
the vessel or receiver f¹ has returned to the position shewn in Drawing, the filling
operation commences, and the space of time occupied thereby may be regulated by
a suitable stop cock p.
The second part of our Invention consists of an arrangement for flushing the
basins or troughs and supplying water thereto after the aforesaid liquid and other
matter has passed away, and for this purpose we provide a tank or cistern q, as
shewn suspended at r on the framework a, and counterbalanced by the weight s
on the end of the lever t. This tank q is filled with water from the vessel or
receiver f¹, the water therefrom being directed into it. When sufficiently filled it
overbalances, and falls in the direction shewn by arrow; in so doing presses down
the lever which is attached thereto by the rod w; by this operation of pressing
down the lever v, a valve x is opened, and immediately water rushes from the
supply pipe y into the trough or basin; the water.continues to run from the supply
pipe until that in the tank q has been exhausted through the syphon z, when the
tank immediately rises to the position shown in Drawings, and in so doing the
valve a is raised, and the water supply shut off.
. When preferred, instead of the valve arrangement x, we provide a tank supplied

page_text: To the
with water, and apply a plunger therein to which we attach the lever v.
tank a syphon is applied, which is brought into action by the plunger being sunk
in the water which raises the level thereof. The water passes through the
syphon into the basin or trough in sufficient quantity for the flushing and supplying
operation.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and described by the
aid of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, we would have it
understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise details or configuration of
the parts described and shewn, as the same may be varied or modified, but what
we do claim is,-
The arrangement, construction, and combination of the various parts forming
the automatic means or apparatus for withdrawing and returning the plugs (at
intervals) of closets, troughs, and urinals, and supplying water to the same, also for
other purposes where plugs, taps, or valves are required to be opened or closed at
intervals, substantially as herein set forth.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph Reffitt and William Irwin, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eleventh day of July, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness to the signatures of
the said Joseph Reffitt and
William Irwin,
J. W. HARDING,
Engineer and Patent Agent,
2, East Parade,
Leeds.
JOSEPH REFFITT. (L.S.)
WILLIAM IRWIN. (L.S.)