An Improved Water Closet.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 17th Mar., 1894
An Improved Water Closet.
We, GEORGE THOMSON and GEORGE MORRELL, Plumbers, residing at 9 Abbey
Strand, Holyrood, Edinburgh, 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:-
The essential feature of the water closet, which forms the subject of this Specifi-
cation; is the tube and collar arrangement, with which it is provided for the
purpose of retaining, and discharging its water. This arrangement consists of a
long central tube; to which are attached a number of short auxillary tubes; sliding
up and down in a collar, composed of a corresponding number of short tubes; and
so arranged that when the tube is slid down, in its collar; the contents of the closet
pass down through it; (that is down through the central tube); and when the
tube is drawn up, the arrangement of the auxillary tubes is such, as to cause a
number of columns of water to act through the medium of a number of columns of
air, in such a manner as to press with their united pressures, in a contrary direction
to the pressure of water in the basin; and thereby preventing its exit. At the same
time, any excess of water, entering the basin, finds an exit over the top of the main
tube.
Another feature of this water closet is the construction of its basin, as regards the
shape of its interior. This particular shape of basin, though not essential to the
main thing aim at, in the construction of this water closet; is a decided improve-
ment. The principal object aimed at, in the construction of this water closet; was
to provide it with a simple, efficient, and reliable discharge apparatus. This is
attained by the use of the tube and collar arrangement, already mentioned. The
particular kind of basin to be described in this Specification, is designed to
accomodate the sliding tube in the basin itself; and not in a chamber adjacent to
the basin.
The following, is a description of the improved water closet, and how it is
constructed.
The basin and pedestal is made in one piece of earthenware. The shape of the
basin's interior, may be described by saying, that, it has a projecting portion of
earthenware, which, (with the earthenware apron on the under side of it), forms a
lid, which covers the top of the tube; and prevents the escape of bad air; because
of the apron being under water. This projecting piece of earthenware is continued
up, to the top of the basin, and comes in line with the rest of the basin, at the top.
Partly by inclining the piece outwards, and partly by inclining the basin inwards,
towards the top; as shewn in the drawings.
Figure 1, (Sheet 1) shews a sectional elevation of the basin. Figure 3, (Sheet 2)
shews by cantour lines the shape of the basin's interior (the rim being ommited);
the numbers on the drawing, representing the depths from the top of the basin, (in
inches) at which the lines are drawn. Figure 4, (Sheet 2) shews a half horizontal
section at A B, (of Figure 1). Figure 5, (Sheet 3) shews a half plan of the basin ;
and Figures 6, (Sheet 3) and 7, and 8 (Sheet 4) shew half horizontal sections
at G H, C D, and E F, respectively. The recess marked R, in Figures 1, 2, and 4,
is a groove in the earthenware pipe P.
Refering to Figure 1, (Sheet 1) S, represents a brass tube, which lines a hole in
the earthenware. This tube is prolonged downwards into the pipe groove, 3 in.
below the horn of the basin. This brass tube is provided with a flange on top, and
is bedded into the earthenware with red lead. The flange and bolts, for fixing,
are shewn in plan on Figure 5, (Sheet 3). These bolts are pushed up through the
holes, in the projecting pieces of earthenware marked T, in Figure 6, (Sheet 3).

page_text: Figure 2, shews a plan of the groove R, and the tube S, in the pipe P. The tube S,
extends 3 in. below the horn of the basin; and the groove R, extends the whole
length of the pipe.
A number of short slits M, shewn in Figures 1, and 4, are made in the earthen-
ware pipe P, for a purpose to be afterwards described. A short groove N, is also
made under each slit, for clearing screw nails. The basin is provided with an
ordinary flushing rim Q, with holes. A passage seen at W, (Figures 1 and 6) is
made through the earthenware, to convey a portion of the flushing water, from the
rim; to the back of the basin, below the projecting roof; the water coming out of
the holes, marked J, J, J, in the narrow part of the earthenware apron, close to the
side of the basin; as shewn in Figures 6, and 8, (Sheets 3 and 4). The usual holes
are in the pedestal, for the purpose of screwing to the floor.
The sliding tube, with its auxillary tubes attached, is made up in the following
manner; the principal tube being in this case, made of earthenware.
Three short copper tubes of large diameter, and one long tube, are placed
concentrically, the long one being in the centre; and brazed on to a brass ring:
forming three watertight channels. This brass ring is a casting; with a projecting
piece, into which a hole is bored; as shewn in Figure 9, (Sheet 5).
A short tube of about one inch in diameter, is also brazed on to the projecting
piece, concentrically with the hole. The whole is then well tinned. A brass rod
is then screwed firmly into the hole in the projecting piece, and soldered. There
is a space between the rod, and tube, which surrounds it. This brass rod has also
a thread on its other end. An earthenware tube is then placed over the centre
copper tube, and a small copper clip is soldered to the copper tube, at the top; to
prevent the earthenware tube from being lifted off. The earthenware tube should
fit, so as to be easily turned round by hand; for cleaning. Figures 10 and 11,
(Sheet 5) shew in plan and section, how this is put together. a, b, and c, are the
copper tubes of large diameter; d, is the long centre tube; e, is the earthenware
tube, is the small tube; g, is the rod; and n, is the ring, with the projecting
piece The small tube f, about the rod, is for the purpose of water sealing the
hole, (lined with brass) in the earthenware; through which the rod passes; in
order to prevent the escape of bad air; and is not an essential part of the tube and
collar arrangement, but concerns the sealing of the rod merely; and a stuffing box,
placed at the top of the tube S, may be substituted for it. The collar is made up
as follows.
m.
Three short copper tubes, (a little smaller in diameter than those already
mentioned) are seperated at one end by rings of copper wire; and (tubes and
rings) brazed together; forming three water tight channels. (See Figure 12
Sheet 5.) The outside tube is made 1 in. longer than the others, to serve as a
facet, for sliping on to the horn of the basin; and air holes are cut at intervals,
near the free ends of the two outmost tubes. The tubes are brazed together; and
a number of brass ears, with a hole in each, are brazed on to the facet, at intervals,
according to the position of the slits M, in the earthenware pipe P; (Figure 4
Sheet 2) after which the whole is well tinned. This is shewn in Figure 12,
(Sheet 5) where :-B, is the facet, and K, is one of the brass ears; h, h, are the
air holes, and r, s, t, the tubes; x, x, x, x, are the copper wire rings. The diameters,
of these tubes, are such; that, they will slip in between the tubes a, b, and c,
belonging to the other half of the arrangement; as shewn in Figure 13 (Sheet 5).
A piece of flat brass is slipped into each of the slits M, in the large earthenware
pipe, of the basin. (These pieces of brass have a hole bored and tapped in each.)
The horn of the basin is then bedded with red lead, and a little hemp, and the
copper facet slipped on. Screws are then passed through the holes in the facet
ears, into the holes in the pieces of brass, refered to. The space between the
copper facet, and the large earthenware pipe, is then packed with red lead and
hemp, thus closing the slits. The sliding tube is then put into its place, (in
the collar) the rod going through the brass tube S, as shewn in Figure 14,
(Sheet 6)

page_text: :
Figure 14, shews the closet in section: B, is the basin: C, is the earthenware
apron: D, the sliding tube: P, the pipe in which the tube slides: R, the groove
in the pipe P: T, is the combination of short tubes, for preventing leakage from
the basin: Q, is the flushing rim: V, the pedestal and X, the rod. The piece Y,
is a brass frame, screwed on to the top of the rod; having two small rollers as
shewn; (seen also in side view at Y in Figure 15, Sheet 6). Figure 15, shews
the end of the lever passing in between these rollers. The lever Z, is pivoted on a
short stand A", which is fixed to the seat with screws. A hole is made in the
seat S', for the rod to pass through; and another hole, if necessary, for part of the
weight M". The pull rod I, and handle L, is fixed on as shewn. u, u, are two
stops, fixed to the seat, for limiting the play of the lever. The lever and rods are
covered with a box. The weight M, is, more than sufficient to balance the weight
of the sliding tube. n, in Figure 15, is the nut, which secures a piece of metal,
(projecting backwards) to the lever, for the purpose of connecting the wire, which
opens the valve in the cistern.
The action of the closet is as follows:-
When the closet is not in use, the water is standing in the basin, up to the edge
of the sliding tube. When the handle is drawn, the tube descends to the level of
the bottom of the basin, and the contents of the closet pass down through the tube.
At the same time, water enters the basin from the cistern, by the lever drawing the
wire. When the tube is down, the air holes, in the copper tubes, are clear to admit
but the two sets of tubes, don't come apart; being prevented from doing so,
by the stop fixed on the seat; as shewn in Figure 15, (Sheet 6).
air;
When the handle is returned, the tube ascends, and the valve in the cistern
closes; but water from the service box, or after flush cistern, fills the basin; any
excess going over the top of the tube. The edge of the earthenware apron being
under the water level; and the end of the tube S, (Figure 14, Sheet 6), being
immersed in water, contained in the tube f; no bad air can escape out of the
pipe P. The small holes in the apron being also under water; no bad air can
of the passage W, and flushing rim Q, (Figure 1).
escape, by way
The water is prevented from leaking out of the basin, by the combination of
tubes; seen at T. Within this combination of tubes; two columns of water are
caused, (owing to the intervention of two columns of air) to press with their united
pressures against the pressure of water in the basin, and thus support it.
It is not essential, that these tubes be made as long, as those shewn in the
drawings on Sheet 5, (Figures 11 and 12); but if shorter tubes (say half the
the length) were used, there would require to be more of them; besides requiring
the spaces to be made wider, to ensure the parts going together again. In that
case, owing to the parts coming seperate, air holes would be unnecessary.
As the contents of the closet do not require to be forced out, (as in wash outs or
wash downs) the number of tubes, (of the length shewn in the Figures 11 and 12)
has been limited to three, in the closet just described; because that number is
sufficient for an ordinary washing flush. If, however, the closet is intended to be
used with a strong flush, the addition of a tube or two, to each half of the con-
trivance may be necessary.
The centre copper tube may be prolonged a few inches below the brass ring, in
order to carry paper &c., past the wide pipe P: plenty of water getting through
between the earthenware sliding tube, and the basin horn, (when the tube is down)
to wash the sides of the said pipe.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention; and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is :-
(1.) The water closet substantially as described.
(2.) A sliding tube, provided with three or more auxillary tubes, (forming
channels, closed at their lower end); in combination with a collar, composed of
three or more similar tubes, (forming channels closed at their upper end): so that,

page_text: several columns of water may unite their pressures together, and assist one another
in supporting the water in the basin; the long centre tube serving as a discharge
pipe, when it is lowered; and as an overflow pipe, when it is raised.
(3.) The shape of the basin's interior, as described, and shewn in the drawings.
Dated this Third day of February 1894.
GEORGE THOMSON.
GEORGE MORRELL.