IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR RAISING LOWERING AND HOLDING WEIGHTS APPLICABLE TO WATER CLOSET VALVES OR LEVERS AND OTHER ANALOGOUS SANITARY APPLIANCES PART OR PARTS OF WHICH ARE
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Cyrus Symons of 2 George Street Blackfriars
Road Southwark, Mechanical Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR RAISING LOWERING
AND HOLDING WEIGHTS APPLICABLE TO WATER CLOSET VALVES OR LEVERS
AND OTHER ANALOGOUS SANITARY APPLIANCES PART OR PARTS OF WHICH ARE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Cyrus Symons at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th February 1883.
HENRY CYRUS SYMONS of 2 George Street Blackfriars Road Southwark,
mechanical Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS OR
MACHINERY FOR RAISING LOWERING AND HOLDING WEIGHTS APPLICABLE TO WATER
CLOSET VALVES OR LEVERS AND OTHER ANALOGOUS SANITARY APPLIANCES PART
OR PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO WINDOW BLINDS AND OTHER USEFUL
PURPOSES
"
My invention relates to an improved device or apparatus for automatically
lowering weights and for sustaining a weight and has for its object the employment
of this simple device for regulating the closing of valves or cocks applicable to
water closets and other analogous operations, and for flushing and preventing by
self acting means the waste of water. When applied to window blinds they may
be lowered with facility the distance required and then sustained.
To simplify the description I shall use the term motor weight to represent a
valve, lever or weight, or a window blind or other thing to be operated.
An essential part of my invention is a belt or cord with the motor weight
attached to one end and an adjusting weight on the other end, the belt is coiled on
a stud or axle and the descent of the motor weight is retarded by friction and the
adjusting weight, the motor weight is thus lowered automatically and timed in its
descent by the combined action of the belt and adjusting weight.

page_text: According to one arrangement I use a break-frame in which revolves an axle, a
wheel on the axle has its rim pressed by a break and its weight. A motor weight
is connected to the axle by a belt, to the other side of the axle is connected
another belt with an adjusting weight on its end so that uncoiling one belt recoils
the other when the axle is revolved. Lowering the break-frame by hand brings
the break weight in contact with a stop piece and throws the break out of action,
the adjusting weight then uncoils its belt while the motor weight resting on its
stop has the slack of its belt recoiled. By raising the main break-frame the break
weight is lifted off its stop piece the break then acts on the wheel and lifts the belt
with the motor weight which is retarded in its fall by the break to the end of its
descent. To repeat the operation the break-frame is lowered upon the motor
weight and the belt is recoiled ready for action when the break-frame is lifted.
The break-frame may be held up by hand or by a stop or catch action.
According to another arrangement of axle movement a ratchet wheel is fixed on
it and checked by a pawl against the descent of the motor weight when drawing
the coil of the belt around the axle and raising the adjusting weight on its other
side. When the break-frame supporting the axle is lowered by hand the motor
weight descends to its rest the belt becomes slack and the adjusting weight comes
into action and in its descent revolves the ratchet wheel or recoils the belt.
Another part of my invention consists of a break-frame in which I fix a
cylindrical stud; around this stud is coiled a belt to one end of it is attached the
motor weight, to the other end an adjusting weight this end passes to and over a
rounded stud or through a ring which serves to guide the belt. The break-frame
is lowered until the motor-weight comes to a rest on a stop piece, the belt then
becomes slack as the break-frame is further lowered, the adjusting weight will then
draw the coil around the stud until the break-frame and motor weight are nearly
in contact. Lifting the break-frame raises the motor weight which immediately
commences to draw down the belt, the time of the fall depending on the friction of
the belt coil and the adjusting weight action. To repeat the operation the break-
frame has to be lowered and again raised by hand; it may be held up by a catch
or its equivalent
Another mode of causing friction on the belt with the motor weight on one end
and the adjusting weight on the other consists in passing the belt over a round
stud No 1, under a stud N° 2, and above a stud N° 3 so as to nearly half coil the
belt around each stud, the motor weight draws the belt between the studs and lifts
the adjusting weight on the other end. The operation is repeated by the hand
lowering the break-frame and again raising it; this break-frame is in two parts the
lower holding studs N° 1 and Ñ° 3, the upper part N° 2 stud; the upper frame
is hinged at one end of the break-frame; both descend together until a stop piece
prevents the further descent of the upper hinged frame so that studs No. 1 and
No 2 descend below N° 1, leaving an open space for the belt to uncoil and the
adjusting weight then draws up the slack until stud N° 1 and the motor weight
are in contact; the hand lifting the break-frame raises the hinged frame off the
stop piece bringing the studs together as before so as to form the three half coils
around them when the grip of it raises the motor weight along with the ascent of
the break-frame to the top of its lift, while the break-frame is held up by hand or
a bolt the motor weight will fall automatically and perform the work required.
Instead of three studs more may be added to increase the grip on the belt; or
between the two lower studs may be formed a flat or grooved surface with a
corresponding piece fixed on the hinged part so as to grip the belt between them.
To increase break power the belt may be pressed on its coil or axle by a friction
piece pressing on it to retard the action.
In applying my invention to a water closet of the pan construction to the lift
handle at its lower end I fit the break-frame, to the break belt I attach the supply
valve lever as a motor weight, the adjusting weight acting on the belt regulates
the descent of the valve in the time necessary for passing into the pan the desired
quantity of water. The pan valve is to be first closed by another break fitted to

page_text: the break-frame and its belt adjusted to fall so as to drop the pan valve leve
almost suddenly.
Lifting the handle by hand pulls up the two breaks and the action opens the pan
valve and the water valve, the former valve closing quickly the latter retarded.
The handle may be held up by a catch and both water and pan valve will close
automatically. Instead of a break for the pan valve lever a catch action may be
fitted to it, the catch is fitted on the pan valve lever vertically, one end of the
catch is pivotted, the other has a hook end to be forced on or off a stud on the
break frame, when both valves are closed the stud is below the catch, when rising
a wedge or cam shape edge on the catch slides over a bracket projection or roller
until forced off the stud on the break-frame when it falls instantly to close the pan
valve.
The break-frame may be placed under the seat, in a case above it, or over the
ceiling to suit the various kinds of water closets and the break may be applied in
any convenient manner for water supply and regulation for urinals, baths and
household purposes.
In applying my invention to a window blind for example I place the break
frame by the side of the window. If for a roller blind the belt is coiled around
the roller pulley and passed down to a break axle; or to a break stud and around
it, then to and around a guide piece and the adjusting weight fixed on the end of
the belt. In this form the blind will remain at rest, but if the adjusting weight be
raised by hand the belt will be drawn over or around the break studs by the
weight of the blind, it will stop when the hand is removed. To reverse the action,
all that is needed is to pull the belt downward from the pulley, when the hand
leaves the belt the grip action will hold the blind where placed. Venetian and
other blinds may be regulated in a similar manner as well as other articles to which
the invention may be applicable as for example to the raising and lowering of
maps window sashes, the closing of doors and so forth.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Cyrus Symons in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th August 1883.
MACHINERY
FOR
HENRY CYRUS SYMONS of 2 George Street, Blackfriars Road, Southwark,
Mechanical Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS OR
RAISING LOWERING AND HOLDING WEIGHTS APPLICABLE TO
WATER CLOSET VALVES OR LEVERS AND OTHER ANALOGOUS SANITARY APPLIANCES
PART OR PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO WINDOW BLINDS AND OTHER
USEFUL PURPOSES
"
My invention relates to an improved device or apparatus for automatically
lowering weights and for sustaining a weight and has for its object the employ-
ment of this simple device for regulating the closing of valves or cocks applicable
to water closets and other analogous operations, and for flushing and preventing by
self acting means the waste of water. When applied to window blinds they may
be lowered with facility the distance required and then sustained.
To simplify the description I shall use the term motor weight to represent a
valve, lever or weight or a window blind or other thing to be operated.
In order to illustrate the manner in which I prefer to carry my Invention into
effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
diagram drawings.
An essential part of my Invention is a belt or cord coiled around a stud axle or
circular piece as shewn in the part sectional end view Figure 1, and part side
view Figure 2. A is the brake stud of a circular or wheel-shape form, B is the
belt or cord coiled around the brake stud; M W represents a water closet valve
lever and to it the stud A is adjustably fixed by set screw or otherwise. When
the belt B is attached, say for example at the end B' to the ordinary lift handle of
a water closet and lifted the valve lever M W is pulled up or lifted for about six
inches and immediately commences to descend its fall being retarded by the
friction of the belt coil "slipping around the brake stud A, the time of the
descent of the valve lever M W or other weight being regulated by the adjusting
weight a so that the valve may be closed in from five to sixty seconds. Lifting
the belt B again, will draw up the valve lever by the grip of the belt coil and in this
way the operation is repeated. The several modes of applying this brake action to
water closets, and other purposes, will be hereafter described.
"
Figure 3 shews another form of brake action. The axle A revolves in a suitable
frame R, to it is pivoted at S, a brake lever fitted to press on the rim of the brake
wheel T. From one side of the axle A descends the belt B sustaining the
weight M W which weight is first to be lifted together with the frame R and the
weight M W is then to be allowed to slowly descend as in Figure 1, this weight or
its equivalent being hereafter termed the motor weight M W, and from the other
side the belt B¹ sustaining the adjusting weight a or the two weights may be
supported on each end of a single belt coiled once or twice round the stud or
wheel as here shown. When the frame R carrying the brake mechanism is fully
lowered until the weight M W rests on piece U the brake lever S₁ will come in
contact with an adjusting screw in a frame U; this lifts the lever S¹ off the rim of
the wheel T and the adjusting weight a revolves the axle A in the direction
of the arrow and recoils the slack of the motor weight belt B. It has to be
so arranged that while the motor weight cannot fall lower than the base or
floor U the frame R may be further lowered by hand or otherwise to give the
required slack of the belt which corresponds in length to the distance that the

page_text: motor weight falls. When the hand lifts the brake frame R the belt coil grips
sufficient to lift the motor weight and thus automatically the operation may be
repeated.
Figure 4 represents an axle A with a ratchet wheel T with a pawl S¹ pivoted
at S to the brake frame R. The motor weight M W is attached to the belt on the
side B of the axle, the belt is coiled around the axle and to its other end is
attached the adjusting weight a; if the adjusting weight is pulled downwards the
friction of the belt coil will cause the wheel and axle to revolve and thus lift the
motor weight. By slackening the end of the belt carrying the weight a the belt
motion will be reversed, the pawl S¹ will stop the ratchet wheel and the motor
weight will draw the coil of the belt around the axle at a rate of speed as regulated
by the amount of friction caused by the belt coil and adjusting weight on the
axle A.
Another mode of causing friction on the belt or cord to retard the fall of a
weight is shown in Figure 5, a is the adjusting weight M W the motor weight
with the belt B a pair of the plates R S' are pivoted together at S with a row of
studs A in each plate and between the rows of studs is placed the belt B and an
adjusting screw in a stop piece U is so placed that the plate end S' with the
weight F will by its descent on the screw open the pair of plates by lifting the
plate S¹ the adjusting weight a will then draw the belt in the direction of the
arrow the motor weight M W at this time resting on the frame or piece U¹ when
the lower plate is lifted the upper plate S' will be free to drop and press the studs
on the belt, the grip or amount of friction being determined by the weight F.
Instead of studs surface projections on the plates may be used to press on the
belt.
On lifting the brake frame R to which the upper plate S¹ is pivoted the belt
will become gripped sufficient to lift the motor weight and it will be lowered in the
time required by adjusting the weight F.
Figure 6 represents a valve lever M. W. pivotted at S and made to fit in the
slot hole of the valve spindle T' the upper end of the belt B is attached to the lift
handle R of a water closet, the rod of this handle is fitted with a catch pin W the
cup plate through which this rod slides has a slot R' to let the catch W pass
through and when the hand gives a slight twist to the lift handle the catch will
hold it up and the mechanism then operates. The belt B is coiled around the
circular brake stud A which is fixed on the valve lever M W for example as shown
at Figure 2 the adjusting weight a is attached to the belt B it may be placed as
shown by the dotted lines or passed on and over the stud or wheel U. When the
water closet lift handle R is dropped the adjusting weight a draws the coil of the
belt around the brake stud A When the hand lifts the handle and the belt B the
coil of the belt raises the brake stud A along with the valve lever M W and valve
spindle T and it immediately commences to fall and the time of the falling is
regulated by the grip of the belt coil which is adjusted by the amount of the
weights a and the valve lever weight F The slot hole in the valve spindle is made
to fit the lever so as to allow the brake stud A to be raised about six inches and
its fall will keep the valve open for a period that will allow about two gallons of
water to pass into the closet pan to flush it but it can be adjusted to deliver more
or less water by adding to or taking from the weight a. Figure 7 shows the
lever P which moves the outlet valve or tipping valve of a water closet pan to it
is fixed the brake-stud A, the belt is coiled around it and its upper end fixed to
the lift handle rod R as in Figure 6 the belt B has its weight a adjusted so as to
let the lever P drop so as to close the outlet valve quickly while the valve
spindle T Figure 6 is closed slowly. Both valves will by their brakes act
simultaneously, when lifted by the handle which may be held up by hand; or the
catch action be used to retain it in place while the closet is flushed.
Figure 8 shows the application of my improvements to a closet with a supply'
valve. T¹ is the supply valve spindle, into its slot hole is fitted the lever M W
pivotted at S the slot hole being wider than the lever to allow the lever weight F

page_text: to rise and fall about four inches more than usual. A lever bell crank C is pivotted
at C¹ to a bracket not here shown. the said bracket may be bolted to the cast iron
pan of a closet or it may be a standard with its base screwed to the floor. To the
lower end of the lever C; the circular brake stud A is fixed, the belt or cord B is
coiled around it in the manner shown by the dotted lines, to one end of this is
attached the adjusting weight a from this weight the cord is passed over a circular
stud U. The end B₁ of the cord is fixed to and coiled round the wheel A¹ on the
axle of this wheel is a smaller wheel A2, to which wheel is fixed and coiled another
cord B2 with its upper end attached to the lever P which operates the pan or valve
used to close the bottom of the closet basin. The rim of the wheel A' is formed
with ratchet teeth T to fit the pawl S₁ pivotted at S2 on the bracket carrying the
wheels A' AT which are all fixed on the same shaft A³. The end S³ of the pawl
is so placed that the weight F when descending strikes the pawl prolongation S³
and raises it to allow the shaft A³ to revolve by the pull of the adjusting weight a;
the mechanism is operated as follows, in the usual way the pulling up of the lift
handle causes the lever P to empty the pan valve the band B2 rotates its wheel A²
in the direction shown by the arrow the larger wheel A' pulls its cord B raising
the adjusting weight a; the strain on the belt coil on the brake stud a is sufficient
to move the bell crank lever C which lifts the valve lever M W and raises the
supply valve spindle T¹ by the adjustment of the weight a, the strain of the coil
on the brake-stud A makes the valve lever M W to fall in the time required
previous to the weight F reaching its lowest point it strikes the pawl S³ and
releases it so that the wheels rotate the contrary way before described. The
adjusting weight a, now draws the slack of the belt around the brake-stud A, and
when the weight a, has fully descended, the mechanism is placed ready for repeating
the operation. The lift handle will drop the lever P slackening the belt B³ to close
the tipping outlet valve quickly, but the ratchet and pawl will hold the belt B¹ for
the brake action to close the supply valve slowly.
Valves with a lever and weight as shewn at Figure 6 may be conveniently lifted
and retarded by the brake actions shewn at Figures 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8. Some valves
are worked under the closet seat, some from above, and the particular condition
will be met by using the brake action best adapted to such circumstances.
For
example when a flushing cistern with a valve in it is placed above a closet, urinal,
drain or the like, the lever may be placed above the cistern, one end may have a
rod or chain attached to the valve, to the other end the brake appliance, the
fulcrum being so placed that for one inch fall of the valve, there may be six inches
motion for the brake-stud, from the brake-stud one end of the belt to descend so
that the hand may pull the handle fixed on it, and when pulled down six inches by
hand the belt coil will let the brake stud A. ascend while the valve weight at the
other end is falling. Such a lever may work a valve placed at any convenient
distance above the pull handle.
To raise, lower, or suspend window Blinds my Invention is applied as follows:-
The motor weight is equivalent to the blind, to the roller or a pulley on it is fixed
and coiled the belt, the belt descends to the brake stud which is fixed to the window
frame, the belt is coiled around the brake-stud, and to its other end is attached the
adjusting weight, The action is as follows:-Lifting by hand the adjusting weight
slackens the belt and the blind is free to fall, while falling the blind coils the belt
on its roller; to lift the blind the hand grips the belt above the brake-stud and
pulls the belt downward when let go the blind is suspended and will so remain
without further trouble of coiling or fixing a cord or belt, but where fixing is
required, a V shape slot is made in the outer rim of the brake-stud, into this slot
the belt is placed and held by the extra grip thus given. Or instead of a V slot, a
stud may be formed on the rim and the belt coiled around to fix it and the blind.
For closing a door and to make a signal sound when opened I apply that part of
my Invention represented by Figure 4. To the edge of the door I fasten the belt
end a to the other end a weight that will draw the coil around the axle and so
close the door gradually. The ratchet and pawl must be so placed that the belt

page_text: coil will rotate the axle when the door is opened and this action will cause the
ratchet teeth to make the signal sound. When the door is let go the pawl will
fall into the ratchet, and the coil passes around the axle while closing the door.
This action may be applied to move pictures in a vertical or horizontal direction.
Where diagrams have to be moved and marked while in motion, the diagram may
be placed in a frame guided to slide either vertically or horizontally, the frame to
be moved by the belt passing around the brake axle and timed by the amount of
weight placed on the falling end of the belt.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I declare that I claim as my "Improvements in the mode
of and apparatus or machinery for raising lowering and holding weights applicable
to water closet valves or levers and other analagous, sanitary appliances part or
parts of which are applicable to window blinds and other useful purposes.
First The use or employment of an adjusting weight on a belt for the purpose
of regulating the grip of the belt to retard or suspend a falling weight and to raise
a weight substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before set forth.
Second-The appliance shewn at Figures 1 and 2 constructed and acting
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
=
Third The brake mechanism constructed, arranged and acting substantially
as and for the purposes described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
Fourth: The combined arrangement of axle with the belt ratchet wheel and
pawl in combination with the adjusting weight as shewn in Figure 4 all constructed
acting and applied in the manner described.
:-
Fifth The Brake action with the regulating and disconnecting parts sub-
stantially as shewn at Figure 5.
Sixth-The brake action mechanism and connection appliance for a water closet
substantially as shewn in Figure 6.
Seventh. The brake action applied to operate two valves substantially as shewn
at Figures 6 and 7.
Eighth. The brake action mechanism to operate the lever C and M W in Figure 8
in combination with the outlet valve lever P to regulate water closet valves as set
forth.
Ninth The Belt brake action in combination with the adjusting weight for
lowering or sustaining Window Blinds pictures and diagrams all substantially as
described.
Tenth-The belt-brake action as applied to retard the closing of a door and to
give a warning signal when it is opened substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Cyrus Symons have hereunto set my hand
and seal this third day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
HENRY CYRUS SYMONS
HENRY CYRUS SYMONS (TS)