IMPROVE- MENTS IN STENCH TRAPS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Matthew Wilson, of Crawshay Road, Brixton, in
the County of Surrey, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STENCH TRAPS."
Sealed the 22nd May 1874, and dated the 11th February 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Matthew Wilson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
11th February 1874.
I, MATTHEW WILSON, of Crawshay Road, Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STENCH TRAPS," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in stench traps, and consists in
so constructing the same that they will more effectually than heretofore
prevent the escape of foul air and gas from sinks, drains, and other
receptacles or conduits for the refuse matter of dwelling houses and
other inhabitated places, and will not be so liable to derangement through
the carelessness of servants or otherwise as the stench traps commonly
used.

page_text: Stench traps have heretofore been usually consstructed with a bell or
inverted cup placed over the aperture of the pipe through which the
liquid passes away from the trap, the edges of the said bell or cup
extending below the surface of the liquid, and thereby preventing the
escape of offensive odours or gases upward from the said pipe. This
bell or inverted cup has been hitherto attached to a perforated plate or
cover or a grating, which has to be removed to allow the trap to be
cleaned or freed from obstructive matters, and consequently was liable to
be left out and lost, thereby making the trap completely useless. But I
construct my improved stench traps with a bell or cup which is separate
from the perforated cover or grating of the trap, and is secured in the
box or body of the same, so that when it is necessary to remove the
cover for any purpose the bell remains in the trap, and therefore the
latter will never be ineffective.
The box or case of my improved stench trap is constructed of cast
iron or other suitable metal, and has at the top a rebate or recess to
receive the said perforated cover or grating. The bell or inverted cup is
attached to a bar or rod, which is also supported in the said recess under
the cover, and is firmly and immovably secured to the box or case by
soldeing, rivetting, or othewise.
I also in some instances provide my improved stench trap with a ball
of cork or other suitable material to more fully ensure the sealing or
closing of the drain or sink pipe. This ball is placed in the neck of the
trap below the aforesaid bell or cup. When the trap is used the liquid
raises the said ball, then the liquid escapes and the ball descends upon
its seat, closing or sealing the aperture and preventing the passage of
any air, gas, or foul smell through the same.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said Matthew Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th August 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MATTHEW
WILSON, of Crawshay Road, Brixton, in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of February, in the year of

page_text: our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Matthew Wilson, Her special licence
that I, the said Matthew Wilson, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Matthew Wilson, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STENCH TRAPS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Matthew Wilson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Matthew Wilson, do hereby declare
| the nature of my said 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 had to the accompanying Drawing
forming a part of this Specification :—
My Invention relates to improvements in stench traps, and consists in
so constructing the same that they will more effectually than heretofore
prevent the escape of foul air and gas from sinks, drains, and other.
receptacles or conduits for the refuse matter of dwelling houses and
other inhabitated places, and will not be so liable to derangement through
the carelessness of servants or otherwise as the stench traps commonly
used.
Stench traps have heretofore been usually constructed with a bell or
inverted cup placed over the aperture of the pipe, through which the
liquid passes away from the trap, the edges of the said bell or cup
extending below the surface of the liquid, and thereby preventing the
escape of offensive odours or gases upward from the said pipe. This
bell or inverted cup has been hitherto attached to a perforated plate or
cover, or a grating, which has to be removed to allow the trap to be
cleaned or freed from obstructive matters, and consequently was liable to

page_text: be left out and lost, thereby making the trap completely useless. But I
construct my improved stench traps with a bell or cup which is separate
from the perforated cover or grating of the trap, and is secured in the
box or body of the same, so that when it is necessary to remove the
cover for any purpose the bell is retained in the trap, and therefore the
latter will never be ineffective.
In the accompanying Drawing I have illustrated my Invention under
various forms, but I wish it distinctly understood that I do not limit
myself precisely to these forms, but may modify them as may be con-
sidered desirable or necessary without departing from my Invention so
long as the peculiar features thereof as above set forth are retained.

page_text: allow the movement or agitation of the bell to free the trap from any
obstruction or accumulated matter.
I also in some instances provide my improved stench trap with a ball
of cork or other suitable material to more fully ensure the sealing or
closing of the drain or sink pipe. This ball is placed in the neck of the
trap below the aforesaid bell or cup. When the trap is used the liquid
raises the said ball, then the liquid escapes and the ball descends upon
its seat, closing or sealing the aperture and preventing the passage of
any air, gas, or foul smell through the same. The said ball should be
connected to the bell by a chain, so that by lifting the bell the ball
will be relieved from the pressure which keeps it on its seat, and will
then float or rise and permit the escape of the liquid, and then again sink
down upon its seat and close the aperture through the same.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. A stench trap with a bar or rod secured in it under its cover or
grating, and with a bell or cup suspended or supported upon or from the
said bar or rod, or otherwise secured by and below the same, for the
purpose herein set forth.
Second. The combination of a ball with the bell in the said stench
trap, as herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Matthew Wilson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
Witness,
HENRY JAMES NOONE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
M. WILSON. (L.S.)