Improvement in Valves for Flushing Cisterns.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Sept., 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Valves for Flushing Cisterns.
I, WILLIAM DAWKES, of 13 Radford Road, Leamington, in the County of
Warwick, Builder, Plumber, and Sanitary Surveyor, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the valves known as "spindle valves,"
which are used in cisterns which supply water to closets, or urinals, or for other
purposes, where an intermittent supply of water is required.
As ordinarily constructed these valves consist of a solid spindle of brass, on which
is cast a block of lead, which is faced with a leather or rubber washer, the lower
portion of the spindle works through a hole in a brass plate, or grid, which forms
the seat of the valve. In use these valves frequently become inoperative, or dis-
arranged, by reason of their construction being so mechanically imperfect, as to fail
in their action from several causes, which in some forms of valve it is sought to
obviate by complicated additions to the guiding parts of the spindle and "seat,"
and by the introduction of separate "air pipes," which are liable to be damaged or
broken off.
In constructing my improved valve I employ a hollow spindle D, which may be
of any metal, but preferably a brass tube. This hollow spindle I make very much
longer than the solid brass spindles ordinarily used in these valves. I allow several
inches of this hollow spindle D to depend below the seat of the valve; thereby I
I also make the hollow spindle
gain greater steadiness and freedom from friction.
valves of
much longer above the lead block E than is common in "spindle
ordinary construction the length of the upper portion of my hollow spindle being
such as to allow it at all times to be about two inches above the level of the water
The hollow
in the cistern when the water in the cistern is at its highest point.
spindle D of my improved valve is left of uniform bore throughout its entire length
except at the top C where it comes above the water, at which point the extreme
end of the hollow spindle is contracted to a bore of about one sixteenth part of
an inch, forming, in effect, a small air vent between the flushing pipe below the
seat "of the valve and the air above the water in the cistern and thus allow an
after flush which is most essential to wash out closets. The upper end of the hollow
spindle, I surmount by a cap B which does not obstruct the action of the air vent,
and through the cap, I attach a ring of brass A or other metal, whereby greater
steadiness is obtained in the vertical motion when the valve is operated.
66
ACTION OF THE VALVE.
When this improved valve is fixed in a cistern it is brought into action by lifting
the spindle by a wire or lever attached to the ring A. in its upper end, in the way
that "spindle" valves are usually operated. The moment the washer faced lead E
block leaves the "seat" of the valve, water rushes out of the cistern by its own
gravity, and at the same instant air enters the hollow spindle D through the air
vent in its upper end C. The apparent weight of the valve E is thereby greatly
reduced, and there is not that tendency to close violently which is found in ordinary
valves; the water flows noiselessly and quickly down the flushing or exit pipe by
reason of the valve being easily opened to its fullest capacity, and by the admission
of air through the air vent aforesaid, which relieves the pressure of the air from
the top of the valve, and obviates its tendency to close unless it be allowed to do so
by the person operating the valve, it also causes an after flush to the closet by
allowing the water in the flushing pipe to flow out gradually after the closing of
-

page_text: the valve, and thus remedying a defect of wash out closets, it also supersedes all
other air pipes.
1001
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Valves for Flushing Cisterns.
I WILLIAM DAWKES of 13 Radford Road Leamington in the County of
Warwick Builder Plumber & Sanitary Surveyor, 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 the valves known as spindle valves,
which are used in cisterns for supplying water to closets or urinals or for any other
purposes where an intermittent supply of water is required.
As ordinarily constructed these valves consist of a solid spindle or rod of brass
or other metal, upon which is cast or fixed a block of lead, which is faced with a
leather or rubber washer. The lower portion of such spindles work through a hole
in the centre of a perforated brass plate or grid which also forms the seat of the
valve.
In use it is frequently found that these valves become inoperative or disarranged,
by reason of their construction being so mechanically imperfect that they stick
fast or remain useless. In some forms of valve this is sought to be obviated by
complicated additions to the guiding parts of the spindle. Most forms of spindle
valves cause an intolerable noise every time the water flows through them, and
sonie valves will not work at all unless provided with separate "air-pipes," which
.considerably increase the cost and bulk of the valve, and are liable to be damaged
or broken off, and in some types of cisterns are totally inadmissible.
In the construction of my improved valve I employ a hollow spindle D, which
may be of any metal, but preferably a brass tube. This hollow spindle Í make
very much longer than the solid spindle rods ordinarily used in these valves; the
length of the hollow spindle is such as shall bring its upper end C above the highest
point the water in the cistern can ever reach, the usual height being one to
two inches above the overflow of the cistern. I also allow the hollow spindle to
depend several inches below the seat of the valve F; I thereby gain greater
steadiness and freedom from friction when the valve is operated.
The hollow spindle D of my improved valve is left of uniform bore throughout
its entire length, except at the top C, where it comes above the water, at which
point the extreme end of the hollow spindle is contracted to a bore of about one
sixteenth part of an inch, forming, in effect, a small air vent between the flushing
pipe below the valve seat and the air above the water in the cistern.
The upper end of the hollow spindle I surmount by a cap B, which does not
obstruct the action of the air-vent, and through the said cap I attach a ring A of
brass or other metal.
ACTION OF THE VALVE.
When this improved valve is fixed in a cistern it is operated by a wire or other
flexible link or connexion being attached to the ring A and the usual lever employed
to move similar valves. The instant the washer faced lead block E rises from the
seat of the valve water rushes through the valve, & simultaneously air enters the
hollow spindle D through the air-vent in its upper end C. The atmospheric
pressure on the valve is thereby much reduced and the apparent weight of the
valve lessened, and there is not that tendency to close with a violent shock which
is found in ordinary valves. The water flows noiselessly and rapidly down the
flushing pipe by reason of the valve being easily opened to its fullest capacity by

page_text: that the air taken in at C is sucked down the centre of the column of water in the
flush pipe. The objectionable gurgling noise of all ordinary valves is obviated by
this method of taking in the air.
When the person operating my improved valve desires to close it there is an
entire absence of shock when the lever or pull-down is let go; the valve seats
itself noiselessly and effectually, owing to the method of its construction obviating
undue friction or the liability to set fast. The instant the valve closes in a cistern
of large capacity the column of water in the flush pipe is "hung-up" or retained
in the pipe by atmospheric pressure, but in my improved valve the air-vent at C
permits this column of water to flow slowly down the flush pipe after the main flow
has ceased. This effects what is known as the "after-flush" which is very desirable
in many forms of closet and absolutely necessary in others. The extent and
duration of this "after-flush" will depend upon the length and bore of the flush
pipe.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1st. A valve with a hollow spindle & air vent.
2nd. A valve in which by the combination of the hollow spindle and air veut, I
attain greater freedom of action, absence of noise and the production of an after-
flush.
3rd. A valve in which the hollow spindle and air-vent obviates the use of separate
air pipes.
I do not claim any novelty in the body of the valve itself.
The plan accompanying, which is referred to above shows the form of valve for
soldering into metal cisterns, but by a slight modification in the body of the valve
this invention is equally applicable to other cisterns or reservoirs, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Dated this 30th day of August 1892.
WILLIAM DAWKED.