Improvements in Syphon Cisterns, Applicable Especially for Flushing Water Closets.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 21st July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1887.
DECEDI
Improvements in Syphon Cisterns, Applicable Especially for
Flushing Water Closets.
I GEORGE CHARLES WICKHAM of Lynn in the County of Norfolk Plumber do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Within the cistern is placed an upright cylinder which descends nearly to the
bottom of the cistern and open at the bottom. The top of the cylinder is closed and
from it rises a discharge pipe which is led upwards above the water level and then
downwards through the bottom of the cistern to form the syphon discharge.
Within the cylinder is a loosely fitting piston from which a stem rises and passes
through a hole in the top of the cylinder-the stem and hole through which it passes
may be square to prevent the piston from turning. A chain, is led off from the top of
the stem to the pull mechanism of the closet. The portion of the piston which is
below the opening into the discharge pipe is formed with a valve opening upwards.
As the cistern fills with water the water rises into and fills the cylinder also and
when the pull mechanism is acted on and the piston is by it drawn upwards in the
cylinder the contents of the cylinder are driven into the discharge pipe and so the
syphon becomes charged. Immediately this takes place the valve in the piston opens
and allows the remainder of the water in the cistern to be drawn up through it. The
piston when not held up descends by its own weight.
To prevent air being drawn through the opening through which the stem of the
piston passes and the vacuum being so destroyed a certain amount of water is always
retained above the top of the cylinder by a projecting rim forming a shallow pan over
the top of the cylinder capable of holding more water than can be drawn through
during the time that the contents of the cistern are being discharged.
Did thin 01st dove of October 1886
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Syphon Cisterns, Applicable Especially for
Flushing Water Closets.
I, GEORGE CHARLES WICKHAM of Lynn in the County of Norfolk Plumber 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:-
Within the cistern is placed an upright cylinder which descends nearly to the
bottom of the cistern and is open at the bottom. The top of the cylinder is closed and
from it rises a discharge pipe which is led upwards above the water level and then
downwards through the bottom of the cistern to form the syphon discharge.
Within the cylinder is a loosely fitting piston from which a stem rises and passes
through a hole in the top of the cylinder-the stem and hole through which it passes
may be square to prevent the piston from turning. A chain is led off from the top of
the stem to the pull mechanism of the closet. The portion of the piston which is
below the opening into the discharge pipe is formed with a valve opening upwards.
As the cistern fills with water the water rises into and fills the cylinder also and
when the pull mechanism is acted on and the piston is by it drawn upwards in the
cylinder the contents of the cylinder are driven into the discharge pipe and so the
syphon becomes charged. Immediately this takes place the valve in the piston opens
and allows the remainder of the water in the cistern to be drawn up through it. The
piston when not held up descends by its own weight.
To prevent air being drawn through the opening through which the stem of the
piston passes and the vacuum being so destroyed a certain amount of water is always
retained above the top of the cylinder by a projecting rim forming a shallow pan over
the top of the cylinder capable of holding more water than can be drawn through
during the time that the contents of the cistern are being discharged.
In the drawing hereunto annexed 1 have shewn various views of a syphon cistern
constructed as above described.
Figure 1 is a vertical section and Figure 2 an end view.
of the inner cylinder and the discharge pipe rising from it.
of the piston.
Figure 3 is a plan view
Figure 4 is a plan view
A is the outer shell of the cistern. B the cylinder within it. C the pipe rising
from the top of the cylinder and then carried downwards and through the bottom of
the shell to form the syphon discharge. D the piston fitting loosely within the
cylinder B. E the piston rod which in the drawing is shewn to be square in section
and which passes up through a corresponding hole in the top of the cylinder. F is the
cavity in the top of the cylinder for retaining a quantity of water above the top of
the hole. G is the valve closing an opening formed through the piston immediately
below the opening in the top of the cylinder from which the pipe Crises. H a chain

page_text: passing from ths top of the piston rod over guide pulleys I to the pull up mechanism
of the closet.
The filling of the cistern with water is effected in any of the ordinary ways.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The construction of syphon cisterns substantially in the manner herein before
described and illustrated in the drawing annexed.
2. The combination of the outer shell A, cylinder B, bent pipe C, piston D, valve G,
piston rod E and water retaining cavity F at the top of the cylinder for keeping the
hole in the top of the cylinder through which the piston rod passes always covered
with water whilst the contents of the cistern are being discharged.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.