Improvements in the Methods of Utilising Sewer Entrance Covers, or other Covers Used in connection with Drainage Works, for the Ventilation of Sewers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 24th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1897
Improvements in the Methods of Utilising Sewer Entrance Covers,
or other Covers Used in connection with Drainage Works, for the
Ventilation of Sewers.
I WILLIAM HOWARD MORGAN, Civil Engineer, of Shiere near Guildford, in
the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of improvements in sewer entrance or manhole covers, side
covers, and other covers used in connection with drainage work.
The object of my invention is to provide a suitable cover for drainage works
that is capable of being used in conjunction with its dirt. box, either as a ventilator
for the escape of the accumulations of gas in the sewers and drains, or should it be
desirable on account of annoyance or other reasons, to speedily and easily convert
it into a non-ventilating cover so that the gas cannot escape through the cover,
and I effect this in the following manner.
The frame of the cover is constructed in the usual way and of any desired
shape, round, square, oval or otherwise. The cover that fits into this frame is
made of sufficient strength to withstand the conditions under which it will have.
to work, and the centre of the cover is solid "A" whilst between this central solid
portion and the outer periphery there are a series of one, two, or more concentric
gratings or openings "B."
Within the frame of the cover, and resting upon the flange thereof is a
galvanized iron dirt box of design substantially as shewn, and made as
follows:-
The dirt box D D has in the centre of it a circular shaft or tube C, which
is open at the bottom and top, and affords a free communication for the egress of
the gas from the sewer through the gratings B to the outer air. Around the upper
part of this tube C is a strong iron ring carrying the handle or bar H which is
firmly affixed to the sides of the box and to the ring.
A cover or cap E fits on to the top of the tube C and is attached by a short
chain F to the handle bar H. The bottom of the dirt holding portion of the box
may conveniently be pierced with a number of small holes, whereby accumulations
of water can soak through the accumulated dirt in the box and pass away through
these holes.
I may make or form the frame, cover, and dirt box of cast, or wrought iron, or
any other metal, wood or other suitable material, in combination or otherwise.
Furthermore the cover E may be fixed in any suitable manner, primed, hinged or
screwed to the tube C, either at the top bottom or intermediate positions in the
length of the tube C.
And in order that the invention may be thoroughly understood I will now
describe the same in reference to the accompanying drawing.
1st. It being desired to have the manhole act as a ventilator. Then the cover A
being taken off the cap E is lifted, and allowed to hang down in the dirt box by
the chain F; the gases then pass up the tube C and impinging against the
underside of the cover are diverted laterally and coming to the openings B pass
upwards and outwards to the outer air. The openings B are arranged to have a
total area somewhat larger than the area of the tube C to allow a free egress.

page_text: 2nd. It being desired to have the manhole act as a non-ventilator, owing to
locality causing an annoyance or other reasons. Then the cover E being lifted off
as before the cap E hanging by its chain F is picked up and placed upon the
tube C instantaneously stopping all egress of gas. The small holes pierced in
bottom of pan do not in any way allow of any gas passing up, as they are always
covered with a layer of dirt of greater or less thickness. The cover A is then
replaced and the whole operation is completed.
Dated this 25th day of February 1896.
Improvements in the Methods of Utilising Sewer Entrance Covers,
or other Covers Used in connection with Drainage Works, for the
Ventilation of Sewers.
1, WILLIAM HOWARD MORGAN, Civil Engineer of Shiere, near Guildford, in
the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the saine is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention consists in improvements in sewer entrance covers, side covers, and
other covers used in connection with drainage works.
The object of my invention is to provide a suitable cover for drainage works
that is capable of being used in conjunction with its dirt box, either as a ventilator
for the escape of the accumulations of gas in the sewers and drains, or should
it be desirable on account of annoyance or other reasons, to speedily and easily
convert it into a non-ventilating cover so that the gas cannot escape through the
cover, and effect this in the following manner.
The frame of the cover is constructed in the usual way and of any desired shapo,
round, square, oval or otherwise. The cover that fits into this frame is made of
sufficient strength to withstand the conditions under which it will have to work,
and the centre of the cover is solid "A" ride drawings left with Provisional
Specification whilst between this central solid portion and the outer periphery
there are a series of one, two, or more concentric gratings or openings "B."
Within the frame of the cover, and resting upon the flange thereof is a
galvanized iron dirt box of design substantially as shewn, and made as
follows:-
The dirt box D D has in the centre of it a circular shaft or tube C, which
is open at the bottom and top, and affords a free communication for the egress of
the gas from the sewer through the gratings B to the outer air. Around the upper
part of this tube C is a strong iron ring carrying the handle or bar II which is
firmly affixed to the sides of the box aud to the ring.
A cover or cap E fits on to the top of the tube C and is attached by a short
chain F to the handle bar H. The bottom of the dirt holding portion of the box
may conveniently be pierced with a number of small holes, whereby accumulations
of water can soak through the accumulated dirt in the box and pass away
through these holes.
I may make or form the frame, cover, and dirt box of cast, or wrought iron, or
any other metal wood or other suitable material, in combination or otherwise.
Furthermore the cover E may be fixed in any suitable manner, pinned, hinged or
screwed to the tube C, either at the top botion or intermediate positions in the
length of the tube C.

page_text: And in order that the invention may be thoroughly understood I will now describe
the same in reference to the accompanying drawing.
1st. It being desired to have the manhole to act as a ventilator. Then the
cover A being taken off, the cap E is lifted, and allowed to hang down in the dirt
box by the chain F: the gases then pass up the tube C and impinging against the
underside of the cover are diverted laterally and coming to the openings B
pass upwards and outwards to the outer air. The openings B are arranged to
have a total area somewhat larger than the area of the tube C to allow a
free egress.
2nd. It being desired to have the manhole act as a non-ventilator, owing to
locality causing an annoyance or other reasons. Then the cover A being lifted
off as before the cap E hanging by its chain F is picked up and placed upon the
tube C instantaneously stopping all egress of gas. The small holes pierced in
bottom of pan do not in any way allow of any gas passing up, as they are always
covered with a layer of dirt of greater or less thickness. The cover A is then
replaced and the whole operation is completed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. An improved method of ventilating of sewer entrance and other covers or
sealing them by the utilizing of the dirt pan virtually as set forth.
2. That whether the dirt box is placed for ventilating or non-ventilating there is
always a receptacle for dirt below the grating of the cover.
3. The whole apparatus being self-contained is adaptable to existing covers.
Dated the 23rd day of November 1896.
WILLIAM HOWARD MORGAN.