IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY CLOSETS, PRO URINALSOTHER RECEPTACLES FOR PUTRESCIBLE MATTER
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to the Reverend Henry Moule, Vicar of Fording-
ton, in the County of Dorset, and John Ward Girdlestone, Civil
Engineer, of No. 5ª, Garrick Street, Covent Garden, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DRY CLOSETS,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the Reverend Henry Moule and
John Ward Girdlestone at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents with their Petition, on the 23rd May 1873.
We, the Reverend HENRY MOULE, Vicar of Fordington, in the
County of Dorset, and JOHN WARD GIRDLESTONE, Civil Engineer, of
No. 5^, Garrick Street, Covent Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN DRY CLOSETS, COMMODES, URINALS, AND OTHER RECEPTACLES FOR PUTRESCIBLE
MATTER," to be as follows:-

page_text: as
casting, or distributing a regulated charge either of dry earth or of any
other disenfecting, deodorizing, or absorbant substance or substances
of a powdery or granular nature, each and all hereafter referred to
"earth" in "dry" closets, commodes, urinals, and other receptacles
for putrescible matter, we employ an oscillating bottomless earth
reservoir constructed in a manner similar to those in present use.
We loosely encircle the lower portion of the reservoir by a fixed
duct whose lower extremities are lower than those of the reservoir,
and are equidistant from the axis of oscillation of a hopper now to
be described. Immediately beneath the duct we place the oscillating
hopper, which we form with a top, bottom, back, and sides, but without
a front. The hopper is capable of containing a single adequate charge
of carth. We fix the axis of the hopper horizontally, parallel to the
face of the closet, and at a distance beneath the bottom of the hopper
equal to not less than one-half of the distance between the top and
the bottom of the hopper, and we place it by preference immediately
beneath the centre of the duct. We construct the top of the hopper
so that its upper surface may, on all points, be equidistant from the
axis of the hopper. Wo form the bottom of the hopper with a plane
surface. We so regulate the length of both the top and the bottom
as to prevent under all circumstances, by means of either the one or
the other, all accidental escape of earth through the duct. We usually
so construct the back of the hopper as that it may form part of a radius
to the circular top of the hopper.
For the purpose of facilitating the escape of the charge of earth from
the hopper we usually set the sides of the hopper so as that their hind
portions may approach nearer to one another than their fore portions.
And in order to ensure that on the hopper being in its forward position
the whole of the charge shall have escaped, we set the bottom of the
hopper so that it may then incline downward from back to front in a
degree sufficient to secure the object in view.
For the purpose of imparting a slight oscillating movement to the
reservoir, such as is commonly given to it for the sake of ensuring
the due descent of the earth, we attach to the axis of the hopper onc
or more arms, and to the reservoir a corresponding number of studs;
these are so arranged as that on the hopper swinging forward the arms
shall strike the studs and thus cause the reservoir to swing forward, the

page_text: reservoir being mounted so as to return, automatically, to its normal
position on the hopper swinging backward.
The action of the apparatus may be thus described:-
First. When it is effected by means of a handle in the seat of the
closet; here, when the handle is in its normal position the hopper
is so situated that a charge of earth can fall into it through the duct.
The escape from the reservoir of more than a single charge being
prevented by means of the bottom of the hopper. When the handle
is raised after the use of the closet the hopper swings forward and
the charge of earth is delivered, all escape of earth through the duct
being now prevented by means of the top of the hopper. When the
handle is returned to its normal position the hopper swings backward
and receives its charge of earth, the escape from the reservoir of more
than a single charge being here prevented, as at first, by means of the
bottom of the hopper.
Secondly. When the action of the apparatus is effected by means
of the movement of the seat of the closet; in this instance when the
seat is in its normal position the hopper is in its forward position,
and its charge has been delivered. When the user of the closet sits
down the seat is depressed, and the hopper swings backward and
receives its charge of earth. When the user of the closet rises from
the seat the seat returns automatically to its normal position, the hopper
swings forward, and the charge of earth is delivered.
In some cases we deliver, cast, or distribute the earth by means of
the hopper alone. In other cases we fix beneath the hopper an inclined
shoot over which the earth passes. In the former case the distance
between the axis of oscillation and the bottom of the hopper has to be
greater than it has of necessity to be in the latter case.
According to the second part of our Invention, which part has reference
to improvements in those forms of apparatus whose successful action
depends largely on the swinging forward with sufficient rapidity of the
oscillating hopper, and hitherto as a consequence, either on the handle
in the seat of the closet being raised with a jerk, or on the user of the
closet rising from the scat suddenly, we contrive by any convenient
mechanical means that the hopper shall swing forward with sufficient
rapidity, whatever be the speed at which either the handle or the seat
may move

page_text: We will now specify two examples of this part of our Invention, and
we will assume that in each instance the apparatus employed for the
purpose of delivering the earth has been constructed in accordance with
the second part of the Invention for which a Patent was granted to John
Ward Girdlestone, A.D. 1870, 2nd September, No. 2398.
First. When the action of the apparatus is effected by means of a
handle in the seat of the closet, we here employ beneath the seat a lever
bar, one end of which is connected with the handle, while on an axis at
the other end we mount what we term a "depressor," the fulcrum being
between the handle and the depressor. The axis of the depressor is
horizontal, and parallel to the face of the closet. The depressor, whose
upward movement is controlled by means of a stop, works vertically and
in a line at right angles to the face of the closet. We securely attach to
The
the axis of the hopper an arm, which we term the "hopper arm."
arm inclines downward from back to front, and from its lower end
projects a horizontal stud. When the handle is in its normal position
the hopper is in its forward position, being retained therein by means of
suitably adjusted weights or springs, and the depressor is immediately
above the stud on the hopper arm. During the ascent of the handle,
after the use of the closet, the depressor in its descent first touches and
then slides upon the stud on the hopper arm, thus depressing the end of
the hopper arm, and causing the hopper to swing backward, the attendant
weights or springs being at the same time raised or extended. The form
of the depressor, and its position with regard to the stud on the hopper
arm and the position of its axis on the lever bar, and the position with
regard to the hopper itself of the hopper arm on the axis of the hopper,
have to be so adjusted as to ensure that at the moment when the
extreme end of the depressor is flush with the stud on the hopper arm the
hopper shall have swung sufficiently far backward, and that the hopper
arm shall still incline downward from back to front. The stud on the
hopper arm now escapes from beneath the depressor, and the hopper,
under the agency of the weights or springs, swings rapidly forward, and
the charge of earth is delivered. During the return of the handle to its
normal position the depressor, coming into contact with the stud on the
hopper arm, turns on its axis, escapes past the stud, and assumes,
automatically its normal position above the stud.
Secondly. When the action of the apparatus is effected by means of
the movement of the seat of the closet, we here employ beneath either or

page_text: each side of the seat a lever bar, one end of which is connected with the
fore part of the seat, while on an axis at the other end we mount what
we term an "elevator," the fulcrum being between the fore part of the
seat and the elevator. The axis of the elevator is horizontal, and parallel
to the face of the closet. The elevator, whose downward movement is
controlled by means of a stop, works vertically and in a line at right
angles to the face of the closet. We securely attach to the axis of the
hopper two arms, one, which we term the "fore arm," inclining down-
ward from back to front, and having a notch cut in its lower end, the
other, which we term the "hind arm," inclining downward from front
to back, and having a projecting stud attached to its lower end. We
mount on the framework of the closet, and beneath the notched end of
the fore arm, a pawl, whose axis is horizontal, parallel to the face of the
closet and ahead of the notched end of the fore arm. The pawl, which
works vertically and in a line at right angles to the face of the closet, is
so weighted as that it may press against the notched end of the fore arm.
The rear end of the pawl is provided with a projecting stud. We mount
on an axis on the lever bar, and beneath the stud on the pawl, a
weighted and bevel-faced catch, whose axis is horizontal and parallel to
the face of the closet. The catch, whose downward movement is con-
trolled by means of a stop, works vertically and in a line at right angles
to the face of the closet. When the seat of the closet is in its normal
position the hopper is in its forward position, being retained therein by
means of sutibly adjusted weights or springs. The elevator is imme-
diately beneath the stud at the end of the hind arm, and the pawl is in
contact with the notched end of the fore arm. During the descent of
the seat, which descent takes place on the user of the closet sitting down,
the elevator in its ascent first touches and then slides beneath the stud
on the hind arm, thus elevating the end of the hind arm, depressing the
end of the fore arm, and causing the hopper to swing backward, the
attendant weights or springs being at the same time raised or extended.
The form of the elevator and its position with regard to the stud on
the hind arm, and the position of its axis on the lever bar, and the
position with regard to the hopper itself of the hind arm on the axis of
the hopper have to be so adjusted as to ensure that at the moment when
the extreme end of the elevator is flush with the stud on the hind arm,
the hopper shall have swung sufficiently far backward, and that the
hind arm shall still incline downward from front to back. The pawl

page_text: now rises into the notch at the end of the fore arm, the elevator passes
ahead of the stud on the hind arm, the hopper being retained in its
backward position by means of the pawl, while on the beveled face of
the catch coming into contact with the stud on the pawl, the catch
turns on its axis and slips over the stud. During the return of the seat
to its normal position, which return takes place automatically on the
user of the closet rising from the seat, the pawl is withdrawn by means
of the catch from the notch at the end of the fore arm, whereupon the
hopper under the agency of the weights or springs swings rapidly
forward and the charge of earth is delivered. The pawl now turns
on its axis, escapes from beneath the catch, and returns to its normal
position beneath the notched end of the fore arm, while the elevator
coming into contact with the stud on the hind arm turns on its axis,
escapes past the stud and assumes automatically, its normal position
beneath the stud.
According to the third part of our Invention we employ beneath the
seat of a closet a bottomless rim or pan deeper in front than it is behind,
and of a form somewhat similar to the form of those rims at present in
use in dry closets. Wo here by means of a diaphragm stretching
from side to side of the rim temporarily, separate the liquid and solid
excreta, the diaphragm being so situated and formed as to allow the
whole of the liquid excreta to fall ahead of it, and the whole of the solid
excreta to fall to the rear of it. Both the liquid and solid excreta fall
ultimately into the same receptacle. Immediately beneath that portion
of the rim which lies to the rear of the diaphragm is an oscillating plate
whose axis is situated horizontally parallel to the face of the closet, and
at a convenient distance behind the centre of the hole in the seat of the
closet. The plate which works vertically and in a line at right angles
to the face of the closet inclines downward from back to front, and
forms when in its normal position a bottom to that portion of the rim
which is to the rear of the diaphragm. When the plate is turned on its
axis out of its normal position, its front edge moves downward; the
diaphragm extends somewhat above the plate and but little if at all
beneath it.
The apparatus employed for the purpose of spreading the charge of
earth over the plate previous to the use of the closet, may either be
constructed in accordance with the first part of this Invention, or it
may consist of a modification of the apparatus constructed in accordance

page_text: with the second part of the Invention for which a Patent was granted
to John Ward Girdlestone, A.D. 1870, 2nd September, No. 2398.
The modification referred to, consisting of the addition of an inclined
shoot for the purpose of conducting the earth from the "stationary
tray" to the inclined plate. This closet may be worked either by means
of a handle in the seat, or by means of a hinged flap covering the hole in
the seat. Its action in the former case may be thus described :-When
the handle is in its normal position the plate is situated immediately
beneath the rim, and on it previous to the use of the closet the user sees
nothing but a layer of clean carth. On to this layer fall the solid
excreta, the liquid excreta passing ahead of the diaphragm direct to the
receptacle. We now contrive by any convenient mechanical means
that on the handle being raised after the use of the closet the plate shall
swing downward, the soil on it being thus upset into the common
receptacle and that on the handle being returned to its normal position,
the plate shall swing upward, a fresh charge of earth being at the same
time spread over it in readiness for the next user of the closet.
When the closet is worked by means of a hinged flap covering the
hole in the seat, its acton may be thus described. When the flap is in
its normal position the plate is in its downward position and is free from
soil. We here contrive that on the flap being raised previous to the use
of the closet the plate shall swing upward and receive its charge of earth,
and that on the flap being returned to its normal position after the use
of the closet, the plate shall swing downward and be again freed from
soil.
According to the fourth part of our Invention we construct a closet
the seat of which, when the closet is in readiness for use, stands out
from the wall of a room, and which, after the use of the closet, is shut
up, out of sight within the wall. When the closet is in readiness for
use the seat is horizontal, and beneath it is securely attached a pan,
whose bottom inclines downward from front to back. This pan is so con-
structed as to separate temporarily by the aid of a diaphragm the liquid
and solid excreta. We shape the diaphragm by preference somewhat
after the fashion of a horse-shoe, and we place it in such a position on the
bottom of the pan as to allow the whole of the liquid excreta to fall
without it, and to pass, at either or cach side of it, direct to the
receptacle, and the whole of the solid excreta to fall within it on to a

page_text: layer of earth that has been previously delivered on to the bottom of
the pan,
in the manner herein-after to be specified. Beneath the pan
is what may be termed the "riser"; this however when the seat is
horizontal does not, as is usual, stand vertical but inclines backward
from top to bottom. The riser, which is firmly united to the seat, both
in front and at each side, is hinged at its lower edge to the vertical
frameworked of the closet. After the use of the closet the riser is turned
on its hinges into a vertical position; the seat now inclines downward
from front to back, and the bottom of the pan assumes such an angle
as shall cause any soil that may previously have been standing on it
to slide from off it into the common receptacle.
The vertical framework of the closet, at the back of which we mount
the apparatus requisite for the purpose of delivering the regulated
charge of earth on to the bottom of the pan previous to the use of
closet, may be constructed so as to resemble in some degree a three
panelled door, whereof the lowest panel consists of the hinged riser to
which we have made reference, and the uppermost panel of a door
through which the reservoir may be supplied with earth.
The apparatus employed for the purpose of delivering the earth may be
constructed in accordance with the first part of this Invention; but the
form of apparatus that by preference we employ is that which may be
constructed in accordance with the second part of the Invention, for
which a Patent was granted to John Ward Girdlestone, A.D. 1870, 2nd
September, No. 2398. We shall therefore herein specify our mode of
actuating this second form of apparatus only. We fit the "reservoir,"
the "hopper," and the " tray," into what we term an apparatus
frame." We mount the apparatus frame on pivots situated in a
horizontal position, parallel to the face of the closet, and at a convenient
distance above the seat of the closet.
"
We suspend beneath the apparatus frame a screen, which, when the
closet is in readiness for use, forms a back to the pan, sufficient to
prevent all draught beneath the seat.

page_text: as that on the riser being turned downward the apparatus frame shall
swing forward.
For the purpose of imparting the requisite amount of oscillation to
the hopper we securely attach to its axis an arm inclining downward from
front to back, which arm we term the "hopper arm." And for the
same purpose we fix at the back of the vertical framework of the closet,
at a convenient distance beneath the axis of the hopper, and at a
distance from the centre line of the closet greater than that of the
hopper arm from the same line, a projecting bracket, at the end of
which we mount a pawl, whose axis is horizontal, and at right angles
to the face of the closet. The upper surface of the pawl inclines down-
ward, from back to front; its upper edge is horizontal, and parallel to
the face of the closet, whilst the edge or side nearest to the hopper arm
bevels towards the centre line of the closet, from front to back. When
the closet is shut, and the apparatus frame is in its backward position,
the hopper is in its forward position, being retained therein by means of
suitably adjusted weights or springs. The hopper arm now hangs
downward behind the pawl.
During the opening of the closet the hopper arm is brought into
contact with the horizontal edge of the pawl, over which edge it has
to pass. Whilst passing the hopper is gradually turned on its axis
backward, the attendant weights or springs being at the same time
raised or extended. The position of the pawl with regard to the hopper
arm, and the position, with regard to the hopper arm itself, of the
hopper arm on the axis of the hopper, have to be so adjusted as to
ensure that at the moment when the extreme end of the hopper arm
is flush with the horizontal edge of the pawl the hopper shall have
swung sufficiently far backward. The hopper arm now slips suddenly over
the horizontal edge of the pawl, and the hopper, under the agency of
the weights or springs, swings rapidly forward, and the charge of earth
is delivered. The hopper arm is now in front of the pawl.
During the shutting of the closet the hopper arm is brought into
contact with the beveled edge or side of the pawl, whereupon the pawl
turning on its axis moves aside and allows the hopper arm to pass
behind it; the pawl automatically resuming at once its normal
position.
The method of imparting the requisite amount of oscillation to the

page_text: might, with success, be employed. We do not therefore confine
ourselves to the use of this one method, but have specified it on the
ground of its appearing to be that one which is, on the whole, the best.
This action of the closet may in general terms be thus briefly
described: The act of opening the closet previous to its use causes the
delivery of a charge of carth over a portion of the pan lying within the
horse-shoe shaped diaphagm. On to this carth fall the solid excreta,
the liquid excreta falling without the diaphragm and passing direct to
the receptacle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the Reverend Henry Moule and John Ward Girdlestone in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd November 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, tho
Reverend HENRY MOULE, Vicar of Fordington, in the County of
Dorset, and JOHN WARD GIRDLESTONE, Civil Engineer, of No. 5^,
Garrick Street, Covent Garden, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Henry Moule and John Ward
Girdlestone, Her special license that we, the said Henry Moule and
John Ward Girdlestone, executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as wc, the said Henry Moule and John Ward Girdle-
stone, our 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 DRY CLOSETS, COMMODES, URINALS, AND OTHER RECEPTACLES

page_text: is in its normal position, the hopper is in its forward position and its
charge has been delivered. When the user of the closet sits down the
seat is depressed, and the hopper swings backward and receives its
charge of earth. When the user of the closet rises from the seat, the
seat returns automatically to its normal position, the hopper swings
forward, and the charge of earth is delivered.
In some cases we deliver, cast, or distribute the earth by means of the
hopper alone. In other cases for the sake of facilitating the due delivery
of the earth we fix beneath the hopper an inclined shoot. In the former
case the distance between the axis of oscillation and the bottom of the
hopper has to be greater than it has of necessity to be in the latter case.
This portion of our Invention is illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4,
on Sheet I. of the Drawings hereunto appended; Figure 1 being a front
elevation of the apparatus when the oscillating hopper is in its backward
position; Figure 2 being a vertical section of the apparatus when the
oscillating hopper is in its backward position; Figure 3 being a vertical
section of the apparatus when the oscillating hopper is in its forward
position; Figure 4 being a plan of the oscillating hopper and its axis.
In these four Figures a is the oscillating reservoir; 6 is the fixed duct;
c is the oscillating hopper; d is the axis of oscillation of the hopper;
e, e; are the arms attached to the oscillating hopper; f, f, are the studs
attached to the oscillating reservoir.
According to the second part of our Invention, which part has
reference to improvements in those forms of "dry" closet apparatus
whose successful action depends largely on the swinging forward with
sufficient rapidity of the oscillating hopper; and hitherto, as a consequence,
either on the handle in the seat of the closet being raised with a jerk, or,
on the user of the closet rising from the seat suddenly, we contrive, by
any convenient mechanical means that the hopper shall swing forward
with sufficient rapidity whatever be the speed at which either the handle
or the seat may move.
We will now specify two examples of this part of our Invention,
and we will assume that, in each instance, the apparatus which we
employ for the purpose of delivering the earth has been constructed in
accordance with the second part of the Invention for which a Patent
was granted to John Ward Girdlestone, A.D. 1870, 2nd September,
No. 2398.

page_text: "
First. When the action of the apparatus is effected by means of a
handle in the seat of the closet, we here employ beneath the seat a
lever bar, one end of which we connect with the handle, while on an
axis at the other end we mount what we term a depressor," the
fulcrum being between the handle and the depressor. The axis of the
depressor is horizontal and parallel to the face of the closet. The
depressor whose upward movement we control by means of a stop, works
vertically and in a line at right angles to the face of the closet. We
securely attach to the axis of oscillation of the hopper an arm which we
term the " hopper arm." The hopper arm inclines downward from
back to front and from its lower end projects horizontally a stud. When
the handle is in its normal position the hopper is in its forward position,
being retained therein by means of suitably adjusted weights or springs
and the depressor is immediately above the stud on the hopper arm.
During the ascent of the handle after the use of the closet, the depressor
in its descent first touches and then slides upon the stud on the hopper
arm, thus depressing the end of the hopper arm and causing the hopper
to swing backward, the attendant weights or springs being at the same
time raised or extended. The form of the depressor and its position
with regard to the stud on the hopper arm and the position of its axis on
the lever bar and the position with regard to the hopper itself of the
hopper arm on the axis of the hopper we so adjust as to ensure that
at the moment when the extreme end of the depressor is flush with tho
stud on the hopper arm the hopper shall have swung sufficiently far
backward. The stud on the hopper arm now escapes from beneath the
depressor, and the hopper under the agency of the weights or springs
swings rapidly forward and the charge of earth is delivered. During the
return of the handle to its normal position the depressor coming into
contact with the stud on the hopper arm turns on its axis, escapes past
tho stud, and assumes automatically its normal position above the
stud.
This portion of our Invention is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 on
Sheet II. of the Drawings hereunto appended, Figure 1 being a vertical
section of the apparatus when the depressor is above the stud on the
hopper arm, Figure 2 being a vertical section of the apparatus when
In these two
the depressor is beneath the stud on the hopper arm.
Figures a is the seat of the closet; b is the lover bar; c is the fulcrum
on which the lever bar works; d is the handle; e is the depressor;

page_text: f is the axis on which the depressor turns; g is the stop by means of
which the upward movement of the depressor is controlled; h, is the
axis of oscillation of the hopper; i, is the hopper arm; j, is the stud on
the hopper arm.
Secondly, when the action of the apparatus is effected by means of the
movement of the seat of the closet. We here employ beneath either or
cach side of the seat a lever bar, one end of which we connect with tho
fore part of the seat, while on an axis at the other end we mount what we
term an "elevator," the fulcrum being between the fore part of the seat
and the elevator. The axis of the elevator is horizontal and is parallel to
the face of the closet. The clevator whose downward movement we
control by means of a stop works vertically and in a line at right angles
to the face of the closet. We securely attach to the axis of oscillation
of the hopper, two arms; one which we term the "fore arm" inclining
downward from back to front and having a notch cut in its lower end; the
other which we term the "hind arm" inclining downward from front to
back and having a projecting stud attached to its lower end. We mount
on the framework of the closet and beneath the notched end of the fore
arm a pawl whose axis is horizontal parallel to the face of the closet
and alıcad of the notched end of the forc arm. The pawl which works
vertically and in a line at right angles to the face of the closet we so
weight as that it may press against the notched end of the forc arm.
From the rear end of the pawl projects horizontally a stud. We mount
on an axis on the lever bar and beneath the stud on the pawl a bevel
faced catch whose axis is horizontal and parallel to the face of the
closet. The catch whose downward movement we control by means of a
stop works vertically and in a line at right angles to the face of the
closet. When the seat of the closet is in its normal position the hopper
is in its forward position, being retained therein by means of suitably
adjusted weights or springs; the elevator is immediately beneath the
stud on the hind arm, and the pawl is in contact with the notched end
of the fore arm. During the descent of the seat, which descent takes
place on the user of the closet sitting down, the clevator in its ascent
first touches and then slides beneath the stud on the hind arm, thus
elevating the end of the hind arm, depressing the end of the fore arm
and causing the hopper to swing backward, the attendant weights or
springs being at the same time raised or extended.
'The form of the elevator and its position .i41.

page_text: the hind arm and the position of its axis on the lever bar and the
position with regard to the hopper itself of the hind arm on the axis of
the hopper we so adjust as to ensure that at the moment when the
extreme end of the elevator is flush with the stud on the hind arm the
hopper shall have swung sufficiently far backward, and that the hind
arm shall still incline downward from front to back. The pawl now rises
into the notch at the end of the fore arm, the elevator passes ahead of
and above the stud on the hind arm, the hopper being retained in its
backward position by means of the pawl; while on the beveled face of
the catch coming into contact with the stud on the pawl the catch turns
on its axis and slips over the stud. During the return of the seat to its
normal position which return takes place automatically on the user of
the closet rising from the seat, the pawl is withdrawn by means of the
catch from the notch at the end of the fore arm, whereupon the hopper
under the agency of the weights or springs swings rapidly forward and
the charge of earth is delivered. The pawl now turns on its axis,
escapes from beneath the catch and returns to its normal position
beneath the notched end of the fore-arm. While the elevator coming
into contact with the stud on the hind arm turns on its axis, escapes
past the stud, and assumes automatically its normal position beneath
the stud.
This portion of our Invention is illustrated by Figures 3 and 4, on
Sheet II. of the Drawings hereunto appended, Figure 3 being a vertical
section of the apparatus when the elevator is beneath the stud on the
hind arm, Figure 4, being a vertical section of the apparatus when the
elevator is ahead of and above the stud on the hind arm.
In these two
Figures, a, is the seat of the closet; b is the lever bar; c is the fulcrum
on which the lever bar works; d is the elevator; e is the axis on which
the elevator turns; f is the stop by means of which the downward
movement of the elevator is controlled; g is the axis of oscillation of
the hopper; h is the fore arm; i is the hind arm; j is the stud on the
hind arm;
k is the pawl; is the axis on which the pawl turns; mis
the stud on the pawl; n is the bevel faced catch; o is the axis on which
the bevel faced catch turns; p is the stop by means of which the down-
ward movement of the bevel faced catch is controlled.
According to the third part of our Invention we employ beneath the
seat of a closet a bottomless rim or pan, deeper in front than it is behind,
. and of a form somewhat similar to the form of those rims or pans at

page_text: present in use in dry closets. We here, by means of a diaphragm
stretching from side to side of the rim, temporarily separate the liquid
and solid excreta, the diaphragm being so situated and formed as to
allow the whole of the liquid excreta to fall ahead of it, and the whole
of the solid excreta to fall to the rear of it. Both the liquid and solid
excreta fall, ultimately, into the same receptacle. Immediately beneath
that portion of the rim which lies to the rear of the diaphragm we
mount an oscillating plate whose axis is situated horizontally parallel to
the face of the closet and at a convenient distance behind the centre of
the hole in the seat of the closet. The plate, which works vertically and
in a line at right angles to the face of the closet, inclines downward
from back to front and forms, when in its normal position, a bottom to
that portion of the rim which is to the rear of the diaphragm. When
the plate is turned on its axis, out of its normal position, its front edge
moves downward,
The apparatus which we employ for the purpose of spreading a charge
of earth over the plate previous to the use of the closet may be con-
structed in accordance with the first part of this Invention, as shown by
Figures I. and II. on Sheet III. of the Drawings hereunto appended; or it
may consist of a modification of the apparatus constructed in accordance
with the second part of the Invention, for which a Patent was granted
to John Ward Girdlestone, A.D. 1870, 2nd September, No. 2398.
The modification referred to consisting of the addition of an inclined
shoot for the purpose of conducting the earth from the "stationary tray"
to the inclined plate. This closet may be worked either by means of a
handle in the seat, as shewn by Figures 1 and 2, ond Sheet III. of the
Drawings hereunto appended, or by means of a hinged flap covering the
hole in the seat. When the closet is worked by means of a handle in
the seat its action may be thus described :-When the handle is in its
normal position the plate is in its upward position, and on it, previous to
the use of the closet, is nothing but a layer of clean earth. On to this
layer of earth fall the solid excreta, the liquid excreta passing ahead of
the diaphragm direct to a conveniently situated receptacle. We here
contrive, by any convenient mechanical means, that on the handle being
raised after the use of the closet the plate shall swing downward, and
shall assume such an angle as shall cause any soil that may previously
have been standing on it to slide from off it into the conveniently
situated receptacle, and that on the handle being returned to its normal
D

page_text: position the plate shall swing upward, a fresh charge of earth being at
the same time spread over it in readiness for the next user of the
closet.
When the closet is worked by means of a hinged flap covering the
hole in the seat its action may be thus described:-When the flap is in
its normal position the plate is in its downward position and is free from
soil. We here contrive, by any convenient mechanical means, that on
the flap being raised previous to the use of the closet the plate shall
swing upward and receive its charge of earth, and that on the flap being
returned to its normal position after the use of the closet the plate shall
swing downward and be again freed from soil.
This portion of our Invention is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, on
Sheet III. of the Drawings hereunto appended, Figure 1 being a
vertical section of the apparatus when the inclined plate is in its upward
position, Figure 2 being a vertical section of the apparatus when the
inclined plate is in its downward position. In these two Figures a is
the seat of the closet; b is the bottomless rim or pan; c is the
diaphragm; d is the oscillating plate; e is the axis of oscillation of the
plate.
According to the fourth part of our Invention we construct a closet,
the seat of which, when the closet is in readiness for use, stands out
from the wall of a room, and which, after the use of the closet, is shut
up out of sight within the wall. When the closet is in readiness for use
the seat is horizontal, and beneath it we securely attach a pan, whose
bottom inclines downward from front to back. We so construct this
pan as to enable it, by the aid of a diaphragm, to separate temporarily
the liquid and solid excreta. Both the liquid and solid excreta fall
ultimately into the same receptacle. We shape the diaphragm by
preference somewhat after the fashion of a horse-shoe, and we place it in
such a position on the bottom of the pan as to allow the whole of the
liquid excreta to fall without it, and to pass at either or each side of it
direct to a conveniently situated receptacle, and the whole of the solid
excreta to fall within it on to a layer of earth that has been previously
delivered on to the bottom of the pan in the manner herein-after to bo
specified. Beneath the pan we set what may be termed the "riser,"
this however, when the seat is horizontal, does not as is usual stand
vertical, but inclines backward from top to bottom. We firmly unite

page_text: the riser to the seat both in front and at each side and hinge it at its
lower edge to the vertical framework of the closet. After the use of the
closet the riser is turned on its hinges into a vertical position. The seat
now inclines downward from front to back, and the bottom of the
5 assumes such an angle as shall cause any soil that may previously have
been standing on it to slide from off it into the conveniently situated
receptacle.
pan
The vertical framework of the closet, at the back of which we mount
the apparatus requisite for the purpose of delivering the regulated charge
of earth on to the bottom of the pan previous to the use of closet, we
construct by preference, so as to resemble in some degree a three-panelled
door, whereof the lowermost panel consists of the hinged riser to which
we have made reference, and the uppermost panel of a door through
which the reservoir may be supplied with earth.
The apparatus which we employ for the purpose of delivering the
earth may be constructed in accordance with the first part of this Inven-
tion, but we construct it, by preference, in accordance with the second
part of the Invention for which a Patent was granted to John Ward
Girdlestone, A.D. 1870, 2nd September, No. 2398, as shown by Figures 1
and 2 on Sheet IV. of the Drawings hereunto appended. We shall
therefore hercin specify our mode of actuating this second form of
apparatus only. We fit the "reservoir," the "hopper,” and the “tray
into what we term an *
apparatus frame." We mount the apparatus
frame on pivots situated in a horizontal position parallel to the face of
the closet, and at a convenient distance above the seat of the closet.
"
We suspend beneath the apparatus frame à screen which, when the
closet is in readiness for use, forms a back to the pan sufficient to prevent
all draught beneath the seat.
We connect the apparatus frame with the vertical side pieces, by
means of which in part the seat and the riser are attached to one
another in such a manner as that on the riser being turned upward the
apparatus frame shall swing backward, and as that on the riser being
turned downward the apparatus frame shall swing forward.
For the purpose of imparting the requisite amount of oscillation to
the hopper, we securely attach to its axis an arm inclining downward
from front to back, which arm we term the "hopper arm"; and for the

page_text: same purpose we fix at the back of the vertical framework of the closet,
at a convenient distance beneath the axis of the hopper, and at a distance
from the centre line of the closet greater than that of the hopper arm
from the same line, a projecting bracket, at the end of which we mount
a pawl whose axis is horizontal and at right angles to the face of the
closet, whose upper surface inclines downward from back to front, whose
upper edge is horizontal and parallel to the face of the closet, and whose
edge or side nearest to the hopper arm bevels towards the centre line of
the closet from front to back.
The inward movement of the pawl we control by means of a stop.
When the closet is shut, and the apparatus frame is in its backward
position, the hopper is in its forward position, being retained therein by
means of suitably adjusted weights or springs. The hopper arm is now
behind the pawl. .
During the opening of the closet the hopper arm comes into contact
with the horizontal edge of the pawl, over which edge it has to pass.
Whilst passing the hopper is gradually turned on its axis backward, the
attendant weights or springs being at the same time raised or extended.
The position of the pawl with regard to the hopper arm, and the position
with regard to the hopper itself of the hopper arm on the axis of the
hopper we so adjust as to ensure that at the moment when the extreme
end of the hopper arm is flush with the horizontal edge of the pawl
the hopper shall have swung sufficiently far backward. The hopper
arm now slips suddenly over the horizontal edge of the pawl, and the
hopper under the agency of the weights or springs swings rapidly for-
ward, and the charge of earth is delivered. The hopper arm is now in
front of the pawl.
During the shutting of the closet the hopper arm comes into contact
with the beveled edge or side of the pawl, whereupon the pawl, turning
on its axis, moves aside, and allows the hopper arm to pass behind it;
the pawl automatically resuming at once its normal position.
The method of imparting the requisite amount of oscillation to the
hopper which we have specified is one only of several methods that
might with success be employed.
We do not therefore confine ourselves to the use of this one method,
but have specified it on the ground of its appearing to be that one which
is, on the whole, the best. The action of the closet may, in general

page_text: terms, be thus briefly described:-The act of opening the closet previous
to its use causes the delivery of a charge of earth over a portion of the
pan lying within the horseshoe shaped diaphragm. On to this earth fall
the solid excreta, the liquid excreta falling without the diaphragm, and
passing direct to a conveniently situated receptacle.
The act of shutting the closet after its use causes the upset into the
conveniently situated receptacle of the soil on the pan.
This portion of our Invention is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, on
Sheet IV. of the Drawings hereunto appended, Figure 1 being a vertical
section of the closet when it its normal position, Figure 2 being a
vertical section of the closet when in readiness for use.
In these two Figures a is the seat of the closet; 6 is the pan; c is the
diaphragm; d is the riser; e is the vertical framework of the closet ;
fis the uppermost panel of the door; g is the apparatus frame; h is one
of the pivots on which the apparatus frame is mounted; i is the screen;
j is a link connecting the apparatus frame with the vertical side pieces
by means of which in part the seat and the riser are attached to one
another; is the axis of oscillation of the hopper; is the hopper arm;
m is the projecting bracket; n is the pawl; o is the axis on which the
pawl turns; p is the stop by means of which the inward movement of
the pawl is controlled.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, we would
have it understood that what we claim is as follows :—
We claim, as regards the first part of our Invention, the combination
of an oscillating earth reservoir, a duct, and an oscillating hopper,
substantially as herein described.
We claim, as regards the second part of our Invention, the con-
struction, substantially as herein described, of apparatus by means of
which the speed at which the hopper moves is rendered independent of
the speed at which either the handle or the seat may move.
We claim, as regards the third part of our Invention, the combination
of a bottomless rim or pan, a diaphragm, an oscillating plate, and
suitable earth delivery apparatus, substantially as herein described.
We claim, as regards the forth part of our Invention," the con-
struction, substantially as herein described, of a closet, the seat of which,

page_text: when not in use is shut up out of sight within the wall of a room, and
which when in readiness for use, stands out from the wall; of a closet
during the opening of which a charge of earth is automatically delivered
on to a suitably formed pan secured beneath the scat, and within a
suitably formed diaphragm attached to the bottom of the pan; of a
closet in which the solid excreta fall within the diaphragm on to the
above-referred to charge of earth, and the liquid excreta fall without the
diaphragm, and pass direct to a conveniently situated receptacle; of a
closet during the shutting of which the soil on the pan is automatically
upset into the conveniently situated receptacle.
In witness whereof, I the said John Ward Girdlestone, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of November,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
JOHN WARD GIRDLESTONE. (L.S.)