An Improvement in the Ventilation of Sewer Entrance Covers and other Covers for Drainage or other Works.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th May, 1893-Accepted, 9th Sept., 1893
COMILNIM DI DUITICATION.
An Improvement in the Ventilation of Sewer Entrance Covers and
other Covers for Drainage or other Works.
I, WILLIAM HOWARD MORGAN of Shiere, near Guildford, in the County of
Surrey, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of improvements in sewer entrances, manhole covers,
lamphole covers, side entrance covers, and other covers used in connection with
drainage or other works.
The object of my invention is to provide a cover which shall be capable of being
used, either as a ventilator to allow accumulated sewer gas egress, or as a non-
ventilator, should such escape of gas from any cause be objectionable; and to
make this alteration without the trouble of interfering with, or taking out of,
cover.
I effect this in the following manner, & in order that the invention may be fully
understood do now describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings
of which Figures 1, 2, 3, & 4 are views of one form of my improved construction
of sewer entrance cover, Fig. 1. being a vertical section through centre of frame,
and cover, shewing cover open. Fig. 2. a vertical section through centre shewing
cover closed. Figs. 3 & 4 being details of the improvement.
The frame, and cover I construct by any usual, or well known method, and may
be of any of the shapes now in vogue at the present time.
Into the frame of the cover fit a wrought iron plate A. B Fig. 3, having a
circular aperture in the centre; from this plate depend four arms C sloping to an
apex where they support a short vertical iron column D having a slot from the top
nearly to the bottom, a rod having at one extremity a crutch, or crosshead E, and
screwed at the other end G with an ordinary Whitworth thread, & two sets of
lock nuts thereon-slides up, and down the slot in the vertical column D-this rod
has likewise an eye on the top of the crosshead E.
To the screwed end G of this rod, is attached by the lock nuts a light galvanized
iron dirt box F of suitable design.
Now, by these means, the dirt box F hangs by the rod E G, and the rod E G
by its crosshead E, at the bottom of slot in vertical pillar D, & this by the arms C,
is attached to the plate A. B. which latter bears on the flange of the frame of
the cover.
The cover & frame will by preference be made of cast iron, the remainder of the
apparatus of galvanized wrought iron.
Having now described the construction, the method of action will be as follows:-
1ST. WHEN COVER IS TO ACT AS A VENTILAtor.
Then the position of the dirt box will be hanging by rod E G at bottom of slot
in vertical pillar D, as in Fig. 1, and there will be a free passage for the
accumulated gasses to pass away between the upper edge of the dirt box F, and
the underside of the plate A B, and thence up through the grating in cover to
the air.
2ND. WHEN COVER IS TO ACT AS A NON-VENTILATOR.

page_text: top of the vertical pillar D then by giving a twisting action to the crosshead its
arms are caused to travel up the helical surfaces A A Fig. 4, until they rest
the flat planes B B Fig. 4; the turning motion being checked by the stops & C
Fig. 4.
By these means the dirt box is brought tight up against plate A B, and hence
hermetically closes the cover, and prevents all escape of gas.
The object of having the helical surfaces at top of pillar D is that the operator
may commence to turn the crosshead before the dirt box comes into contact with
the plate A B the inclination of the surfaces, then raises the box the remainder
of the way, and brings it tight against plate A. B.
The lock nuts at G Fig. 3, enable a fine adjustment of the box, so as to make
it work properly & with a proper degree of pressure against plate A B.
The whole apparatus need not be made only of cast iron or wrought iron, or
both, but also of any other suitable material.
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 :-
First. Constructing sewer entrance covers & other covers in connection with
drainage or other works, so that the dirt box is made moveable & can be lifted up
or let down, & thereby ventilate or prevent ventilation as required as substantially
set forth.
Second. That this invention does away entirely with all handling of the
cover.
Third. That by constructing in the manner aforesaid the invention is equally
applicable to existing covers.
Dated this Fifteenth day of May 1893.