Improvements in Self-closing Faucets or Valves.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1898-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-closing Faucets or Valves.
I, HENRY MARTYN WILLIAMS, of No. 36, East Berry Street, in the City of Fort
Wayne, in the County of Allen, and State of Indiana, United States of America,
Manufacturer, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in self-closing faucets, valves etc., and
more particularly to that class in which there are separate discharge passages of
different sizes controlled by separate valves so arranged that the passages may be
opened independently or together to obtain either a small stream of liquid under
the full pressure of the source of supply, or a larger stream under comparatively
low pressure as desired, the invention being especially serviceable in connection
with soda-water fountains, water-closet systems, etc. although equally applicable
for other purposes and is, therefore, not to be limited to any particular use.
The object of the invention is to generally improve and simplify the construc-
tion and operation of faucets or valves of this kind, and to render them less liable
to get out of order, and to these ends the invention consists in the construction
and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter more particularly set forth
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central section of a faucet embodying our invention,
with the valves open:
Fig. 2 is a front view of the operating handle detached.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation partly in vertical section of a valve according to this
invention, applied to a urinal system, and
Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the same on the line x-x of
Fig. 3.
Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, A, designates
the casing or body of a faucet, valve, etc., which may be of any suitable construc-
tion, but which as preferred and shown, consists of two sections a, b, the adja-
cent ends a¹ b¹, thereof being enlarged and provided respectively with exterior
and interior screw-threads for detachably securing the sections together. The
inner end a², of the section a, is reduced in size and screw-threaded to adapt the
faucet for connection with the liquid receptacle or other source of supply as usual,
while the section b, is provided at or near its outer end with a discharge nozzle
or pipe B, extending at an angle therefrom and communicating with the main
passage C, through the body of the faucet.
D, is a tubular valve stem provided near its inner end with a valve E, adapted
to close against a seat c, formed on an offset portion or shoulder id, of the section b.
of the faucet body, while the other end of the stem projects through and is guided
in an opening e, in the end wall of said section. The valve E, may be secured on
the stem D, in any convenient way, but as shown, it is clamped between an annular
shoulder f, and the flanged end g, of the thimble F, screwed onto the stem and

page_text: having radial ribs h, bearing against the adjacent inner wall of the section a, of
the body and serving to guide the inner end of the stem in its reciprocations.
A second valve stem G, is disposed concentrically within the stem D, and is
provided with a valve H, adapted to a seat i, formed on the adjacent end of the
stem D. The interior opening in the stem D, is preferably of two different
diameters, the smaller portion, fitting closely upon and serving as a guide for the
outer end of the stem G, while the larger portion of said opening constitutes a
passage k, surrounding the stem G, and leading from the inner end of the stem D,
to and communicating with a relatively small discharge nozzle B', detachably
united to the stem D, and arranged within the nozzle B, as shown. The inner
end of the stem G, is suitably guided within the passage k, as by radial lugs 1,
and the valve H, is preferably secured on its stem by being confined between a
shoulder m thereon and one or more nuts n, screwing onto the threaded end o.
A spiral spring is preferably interposed between the end of the stem G, and a
support g, and tends to maintain the valves against their seats, although if desired
the spring may be dispensed with and the pressure of the liquid against the valves
be relied on to hold them normally closed.
A stuffing-box is formed round the outer projecting end of the valve-stem D,
by an annular screw cap I, screwing onto a threaded collar r of the faucet body,
an interposed packing rings, insuring against leakage.
Different, hand operated or other means may be employed for opening and
closing the valves E and H which means of course are varied in construction to
suit the uses to which the invention is put. Thus in Fig. 1, a spad handle K,
shown detached in Fig. 2-is pivoted by a pin t, in the forked end of an arm L,
supported on the faucet body. The lower end u, of the handle is provided with
a convex-bearing face e, in position to engage the outer end of the valve-stem D,
while a screw plug w, adjustable in an opening a, in the handle, bears on the end
of the valve stem G, which in the closed position of the valves, projects slightly
beyond the end of the stem D. By the adjustment of the plug w, the extent of
movement of the stem G, with respect to the stem D, may be determined, and if
at any time it is desired to open the valve E only, the plug may be entirely removed
or so far withdrawn as to permit the end of stem G, to enter the opening, and
the handle to act directly on the stem D.
A thumb screw z, working in a threaded opening in the handle K, may be
adjusted to bear against a lug z¹, on the arm L, and thus hold the handle in posi-
tion to maintain one or both the valves open when a constant flow through the
faucet is desired.
The operation of the improved faucet is apparent, When a small stream of
liquid under the maximum pressure is desired, the valve, H, is lifted from its seat
in the manner already indicated, and the liquid then flows through the passage k,
in the stem D, and out through the discharge nozzle B¹. To obtain a larger stream
at a somewhat reduced pressure, the valve E, is unseated, when a free flow is
permitted through the main passage C, and thence out through the relatively
large discharge nozzle B. By opening both valves, as shown in Fig. 1, two
distinct streams are obtained.
At
In Figs. 3 and 4, in which the invention is illustrated as applied to a urinal,
A designates the bowl of a urinal which may be of any suitable or well known
construction and supported in any usual or desired manner; preferably, however,
the bowl is formed with a partially open front, around the edge of which opening
is a continuous channel 1 which communicates with the interior of the bowl.
the top of the bowl there is a central diaphragm 2 around which there is prac-
tically a continuous opening, through which water is directed to the channel 1,
and upon the back of the bowl. Leading from the bottom of the bowl is the usual
discharge pipe 3 which communicates with a suitable water trap 4. In the
present instance, this trap comprises a chamber, from near the lower end of which
leads a pipe 5 extending to a point above the chamber from whence it is bent
downwardly and communicates with the usual drain pipe, (not shown).

page_text: Communicating with the space above the diaphragm 2 at the top of the bowl is
a main inlet pipe 6 having an angular bend intermediate its ends and communi-
cating with a chamber 7 of a valve casing B. The casing B is formed near its
lower end with a valve seat for the main inlet valve 8, corresponding to the
valve E, shown in Fig. 1, and this valve 8 is itself provided centrally in its lower
face with a valve seat, formed above which in the stem 9 of said valve is a
chamber 10. Adapted to the valve seat of the valve 8 is an auxiliary inlet
valve 12, (corresponding to the valve H, of Fig. 1) the stem 13 of which extends
centrally through the chamber 10 out of contact with the walls thereof and thence
upwardly through a contracted opening in the top of said stem to project above
the upper end of the valve stem 9. Leading from the chamber 10 is an auxiliary
inlet pipe 14 which passes centrally through the main inlet pipe 6, out of contact
with the walls thereof and has its end terminating above the diaphragm 2, the
said pipes 6 and 14, corresponding with the nozzles B, B', shown in Fig. 1.
Communicating with the valve casing B below the main and auxiliary inlet
valves is the supply pipe 14. Arranged to rotate within the valve casing above
the main and auxiliary valve stems is a cam 15 which is adapted to make contact
successively with the ends of the said valve stems and open the main and
auxiliary valves in this order. This cam is formed with three surfaces a³, 63
and 3, and normally it is in a position to permit both valves to be forced against
their seats this being effected by means of a spring 16 surrounding a projection 17
from the lower face of the auxiliary valve and bearing against the face of said
valve and against the bottom of the valve casing.
Fixedly mounted upon one end of the shaft of the cam 15, is a lever 18, con-
nected to the end of which is a chain or cable 19, or a lever or rod may be sub-
stituted for the chain or cable the lower end of the said chain being connected to
one arm of a bell crank lever 20 between lugs upon the floor of the closet. Upon
the opposite arm of the bell-crank lever rests the upper end of an inclined plat-
form 21, which platform is pivoted or hinged at its opposite or lower end to or
slightly above the floor of the closet.
Likewise connected to the shaft of the cam 15 and extending upon the opposite
side thereof to the lever 18 is an arm 18* carried upon which is a counter-
weight 18 and a stop 18° is provided for limiting the downward movement of
the arm 18°.
Leading from the chamber 7 is a clearing pipe 22 which extends below the
water trap casing and has an upturned end entering the casing immediately
below the lower end of the pipe 5.
Communicating with the main inlet pipe 6 preferably at the bend thereof,
through a contracted channel 23, the mouth of which is partially closed by wire
gauze or a perforated plate 24, is a receptacle 25, the chamber of which is adapted
to contain a suitable disinfectant.
With the parts thus constructed and arranged and assuming them to be in
the position indicated in Fig. 3, when a person steps upon the platform 21, the
upper end thereof will be depressed causing the bell crank lever 20 to swing upon
its pivot. This has the effect, through the chain 19, lever 18, and cam-shaft of
rotating the cam 15 to the left bringing it at its point of greatest diameter into
contact with the ends of both the main and auxiliary valve stems, thereby depress-
ing said stems and opening the valves 8 and 12, permitting a maximum flow of
water through the inlet pipes 6, 14, to the bowl A2, the water, as it flows through
the main inlet pipe, coming in contact with the disinfectant within the channel 23
dissolves a portion of it and conveys it to the bowl. This maximum flow of
water to the bowl is only momentary as the continued downward movement of
the platform and rotation of the cam 15 carries the surface of the cam past the
valve stem, bringing the surface a³ above the said stem and permitting the main
valve 8 to be closed by the pressure of the water below the same. The auxiliary
valve, however, remains open during the whole time the platform is depressed,
permitting a continuous but relatively smaller flow of water to the bowl. When

page_text: the platform is relieved of weight, the counterweight 18b, which has been lifted
by the downward movement of the platform, descends, restoring the upper end of
the platform to its normal position and at the same time causes the cam 15,
to be rotated to the right, thereby once more bringing the surface of the cam
into contact with the stems of both the main and auxiliary valves, causing both of
said valves to be again momentarily opened and permitting the maximum inrush
of water into the bowl. The surface 63 of the cam is now brought over the valve
stems 9, 13, and both the main and auxiliary valves are closed shutting off the
flow of water.
During the time the main inlet valve remains open, water flows forcibly through
the clearing pipe 22ª, and entering the bottom of the water trap casing in a sharp
stream forces any sediment retained therein upwardly into the lower end of
the pipe 5.
I
While two valves are disclosed for regulating the flow of water to the bowl,
it will be obvious that in some instances only one valve could be employed for
this purpose, and it will also be apparent that the inlet valves may be operated
by hand this being effected by securing a hand lever on the shaft of the cam 15,
such for instance as the handle K, shown in Fig. 1. It is preferable however,
in water-closet systems, to operate the valves automatically.
In Figs. 3 and 4 the invention is illustrated in connection with a urinal system
the construction being modified in the interest of simplicity and different means
from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, being employed to operate the two valves.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1st. The combination with a faucet valve or the like having separate passages
therethrough, of a discharge nozzle for each passage, valves therefor, sliding
stems for the valves arranged one within the other, and means for operating the
valves in succession by a movement in one direction, substantially as described.
2nd. The combination with a receiver, of an inlet pipe, two valves controlling
the flow of water through said pipe, and means for operating the valves in
succession to cause different kinds of streams of water to flow into the receiver,
substantially as described.
3rd. The combination with a receiver, of an inlet pipe, two valves for con-
trolling the flow of water through said pipe, and means for operating the valves,
substantially as described.
4th. The combination with a receiver, of an inlet pipe, two valves for controlling
the flow of water through the pipe, and means for opening the valves successively,
substantially as described.
5th. The combination with a receiver, of a valve casing, a main and an auxiliary
inlet pipe leading from the valve casing and communicating with the receiver, two
valves within the valve casing for controlling the flow of water through the main
and auxiliary inlet pipes respectively, and means for operating the valves, sub-
stantially as described.
6th. The combination with a receiver, of an inlet pipe communicating therewith
having valves and automatic means for directing the maximum flow of water
through the inlet pipe into the receiver, then decreasing the flow and finally
increasing the flow previous to shutting it off, substantially as described.
1
2011 1
T1000
BOULT & WADE.
Agents for the Applicant.