Improvements in the Construction of Watering Vans or Carts for Distributing Water on the Surface of Roads or Streets.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1897-4ccepted. 11th Mar., 1897
Improvements in the Construction of Watering Vans or Carts for
Distributing Water on the Surface of Roads or Streets.
THOMAS GREVES 14, Barrack Street, Warwick, in the County of Warwick,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the improvements of watering vans or carts for
distributing water on the surface of roads or streets, whereby the water is
distributed by means of revolving discs fixed at the back or underneath the van
or cart and driven by means of chain belts from the naves of the travelling wheels
and the water being regulated by valves fixed inside the body of the van or cart
which only allows the water to run on the revolving dises through a series of holes
at fixed points.
My improvements consists of circular or semi-circular distributing boxes these
I fix above the revolving discs and connect them by means of pipes to the bottom
of van or cart body, in the bottom of these distributing boxes I make a series of
holes or slots, these I cover by means of valves sliding lateral on faces or, I make
my valves to lift vertically and by means of suitable levers attach to these valves,
I can open or close any portion of the holes or slots in the bottom of the distri-
buting boxes so as to allow the water to flow at any angle or on any part of the
revolving discs, or I may make my distributors of tubes fixed horizontal above
the revolving discs and attach to the van or cart body by means of bends and
flanges, and to do this I take a tube of suitable size and bore out the inside, I then
take a smaller tube and turn it on the outside to fit within the larger or outer tube,
the inner or smaller tube I fix to a spindle which passes through a stuffing box
fixed on the end of the larger or outer tube, to this spindle I attach suitable levers
for turning the smaller or inner tube within the larger or outer tube, in the larger
or outer tube I make holes or slots of suitable sizes and in the smaller or inner
tube I make holes or slots of different sizes and at different angles and so by
turning the inner or smaller tube I can bring any of the different sized holes or
slots to correspond with the holes or slots in the outer or larger tube and by these
means I can regulate the supply of water to the revolving discs as I wish, and by so
doing it enables me to regulate the width the water shall be thrown by the
revolving discs and by diminishing the sizes of the holes or slots I can regulate the
quantity of water used, and by closing the whole of the holes or slots I can
instantly prevent any water being thrown upon the road or street.
The valves 1 may work from the driver's seat, footboard, or any part of the van
or cart as I may wish, the distributing boxes and valves I may make of metal,
wood, or any other material.
I am aware that distributing boxes have been used before, but in every case the
water has been regulated by valves fixed inside the van or cart body.
Instead of driving the revolving discs from the naves of the travelling wheels
I make the axle to revolve in suitable bearings mounted on the springs or under-
framing of the van or cart, the axle is driven by the travelling wheels by means
of ratchets or friction bands and the revolving discs I drive from the centre of the
axle by means of a sprocket wheel and chain belt or bevil gearing as I may
wish

page_text: I stop and start the revolving discs by means of a friction clutch on the main
axle and this enables me to start the discs when the van or cart is travelling
without breaking the gearing or I may use an ordinary clutch.
By these improvements I am able to distribute the water over any width of road
or street from eight to thirty eight feet wide without throwing water upon the
footpaths, and I can instantly cut off the supply to the discs when the van or cart
is passing a horse or any other obstacle in the road or street, and I can regulate
the water used so as not to unduly wash the road when a narrow street is being
operated upon, and by driving the discs from the centre of the axle I prevent the
dirt from being thrown upon the driving belt or gearing by the travelling wheels
and so considerably reduce the friction and wear and tear, also it enables me to
make my driving gear neat and compact.
Dated this 10th day of March 1896.
THOMAS GREVES,
14 Barrack Street, Warwick.
Improvements in the Construction of Watering Vans or Carts for
Distributing Water on the Surface of Roads or Streets.
I THOMAS GREVES of 14, Barrack Street Warwick in the same county
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, reference being to the sheets of drawings accompanying
this specification, and to the figures and letters shewn thereon:-
My invention relates to improvements in watering vans or carts for distributing
water on the surface of roads or streets and whereby the water is distributed by
revolving discs suitably arranged and fixed at the back or underneath the van or
cart, and driven by means of chain belts from the naves of the travelling wheels
and the water being regulated by a series of valves situated inside the body of the
van or cart in such a manner as to only allow the water to be run on the revolving
discs through a series of holes at fixed points.
Referring to the drawings in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts
on the figs.
Fig. 1. represents in side elevation a watering van.
Fig. 2. a part back elevation shewing my improved arrangement of revolving
axle and the friction clutch.
Fig. 3. represents in back elevation the van shewing the distributing boxes and
arrangement of bevel gearing.
Fig. 4. is an interior perspective view of a distributing box.
Fig. 5. is an enlarged part view in perspective shewing the arrangement of
vertical valves and valve lifter.
Fig. 6. represents the valve seating in perspective.
Fig. 7. represents a modification or alternative arrangement for working the
valves by lateral action.
Fig. 8 shews a rack and pinion and lever for manipulating the valves.
My improvements consist of an arrangement of circular or semicircular
distributing boxes A these I suitably fix above the revolving discs B and connect
them by means of pipes C to the bottom of the van or cart body D in the bottom
of these distributing boxes A, I provide a series of holes or slots E Figs. 3 and 6,

page_text: these I cover by means of valves F arranged preferably to lift vertically Figs. 4, 5
and 6 and by means of suitable levers or rods G actuated by rack and
pinions G 1. & 2. and lever handle G 3 and suitable connections G 4. all in
connection therewith and with pinion wheels H. H 1. and lifter H 2, I can open or
close any portion of the holes or slots E. in the bottom of the distributing boxes A
so as to allow the water to flow at any required angle or on any part of the
revolving discs B.
As shewn I may work the valves F from the driver's seat I or the foot board or
any convenient position on the van or cart as I may prefer, the distributing
boxes A and valves F may be made of metal wood or any other material. Or
instead of the valves lifting vertically as described I may make a valve as shewn
in Fig. 7 to slide or revolve with a lateral motion on faces by means of a rack F',
and pinion F, this arrangement of valve I suitably attach in the bottom of the
distributing box or boxes of the description shewn at A Fig. 4, the valve
consisting of a circular ring of metal Fig. 7 having an opening or slot F in the
rim portion as shewn, by revolving or actuating the valve by means of levers and
connections as previously described it opens and closes the holes E Fig. 6 in the
bottom of the distributing box A, the slot F3 when brought over the said holes E
(according to the number it may be required to open at the same time) allowing the
water to flow through the said slot F³ and to pass through the holes E in the
distributing box A on to the revolving disc B when it is distributed over the road
surface.
Instead of driving the revolving discs B from the naves of the travelling
wheels J as hitherto I make the axle K to revolve in suitable bearings Ki
mounted on the springs L or under-framing of the van or cart the axle K is
driven by the travelling wheel J. by means of ratchets M or friction bands and
the revolving discs B are driven from the centre of the axle by means of a sprocket
wheel M 1 and chain belt N by bevel gearing shewn at N 1 Figs. 1, and 3 as
may be preferred.
ог
The revolving discs B are stopped or started by means of a friction clutch
situated upon the main axle K and this enables me to start the discs when the van
or cart is travelling without breaking the gearing, the friction clutch is or may be
of the ordinary or any suitable type, consisting of an outer casing O with an
internal ring (dotted lines) O' which is expanded by means of a wedge O brought
into action by a tapered cone 03. Said clutch is fixed on the boss M' of the
sprocket wheel M' ou axle K and is operated by levers from the driver's seat to
throw the same in and out of gear.
An alternative arrangement is shewn on Sheet 3.
Fig. 9. represents in plan and part section, views of a tubular arrangement for
distributing the water, which forms part of my invention. Fig. 10 represents a
part sectional side elevation of same.
In this case I make the distributors of tubes fixed horizontally above the
revolving discs B and attached to the van or cart body by means of suitable
bends P and flanges P' and in order to effect this arrangement I take a tube of
suitable size Q and bore out the inside, I then take a smaller tube R and turn it
on the outside to fit within the larger or outer tube Q, the inner or smaller tube R
I fix to a spindle S (with gear wheel S gearing with S' on lever U) which passes
through a stuffing box T fixed on the end of the larger or outer tube Q, to this
spindle I attach suitable levers U for turning the smaller or inner tube R within the
larger or outer tube Q, in the larger or outer tube I make holes or slots V of suitable
sizes and in the smaller or inner tube I make holes or slots W of different sizes and
at different angles and so by turning the inner or smaller tube R I can bring any
of the different sized holes or slots to correspond with the holes or slots in the
larger or outer tube Q, and by these means I can regulate the supply of water to
the revolving discs B as may be required and by so doing it enables me to regulate
the width or spread the water shall be thrown by the revolving discs B and by

page_text: diminishing the size of the holes or slots can regulate the quantity of water used,
and by closing the whole series of holes or slots I can instantly prevent any water
being thrown upon the road or street. By either of the methods herein described
I am able to distribute the water over any width of road or street from eight to
thirty eight feet wide without throwing water upon the footpaths and I can
instantly cut off the supply to the discs when the van or cart is passing a horse
or any other object in the road or street and I can regulate the quantity of water
used so as not to unduly wash the road when a narrow street is being operated
upon and by driving the discs B from the centre of the axle as set forth the dirt
is prevented from being thrown upon the driving belt or gearing by the travelling
wheels and so considerably reduces the friction and wear and tear. My improved
arrangements also enable me to make the driving gear and connections neat and
compact. I am aware that distributing boxes have been previously used but in
every case the water has been regulated by valves fixed inside the van or cart body.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
that I do not limit myself to the several details herein more fully set forth as the
same may be modified according to requirements without departing from the
essential features of this my invention but I declare that what I claim is,
Firstly. In watering vans or carts the improved means for distributing and
regulating the water consisting of revolving discs suitably arranged, in connection
with pipes, distributing boxes, with holes or slots therein, in combination with
specially arranged valves, said valves operating vertically by rack and pinion
movement actuated by levers and pinion gear all in combination with pinion gear
and lifters operating said valves as and for the purpose set forth.
Secondly. In watering vans or carts, the particular construction and arrangement
of apparatus consisting of the application and use of revolving discs, pipes in
connection therewith and with the body of said van or cart, the distributing boxes
arranged as set forth, the particular construction of valves operating laterally by
means of levers rack and pinion gear and lever handle all in combination, as and
for the purpose set forth.
Thirdly. In watering vans or carts the particular formation of driving gear
consisting of a revolving axle in combination with a friction clutch of any suitable
description and levers for throwing the apparatus in and out of action in connection
with the ratchets or friction bands, revolving discs, sprocket wheel, and chain belt,
and bevel gearing, arranged and operating as and for the purpose described and
illustrated.
or
Fourthly. In watering vans or carts the arrangement of distributors consisting
of an inner and outer horizontal tube the one working within the other attached
by suitable bends and flanges, a spindle and levers connected therewith, a stuffing
box combined with outer tube, said inner and outer tubes being perforated with
holes, all in combination with revolving discs and operating as set forth.
Fifthly. claim the herein described improvements in the construction of
watering vans or carts for distributing water on the surface of roads or streets as
set forth.
Tlated this 7+b dow of Tanna1005
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 104, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.