Improvements in Valve Apparatus for Regulating Communication between Drains and Sewers.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1895-Accepted, 31st Aug.. 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valve Apparatus for Regulating Communication
between Drains and Sewers.
I THOMAS HENRY BAKER, of Head Street, Colchester in the County of Essex,
Architect and Surveyor do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in valve apparatus for the regulation of
the flow of sewage and like matters between drains and sewers in order to prevent
back flow.
Sewers are often inadequate to meet the exceptional demands created by
heavy rains, and from the rush of storm waters and other causes they become
overcharged.
As a result sewage backs into private drains, floods basements and other places;
and annually causes enormous loss and inconvenience.
The present ordinary remedy heretofore employed is the tidal valve, but this is
inefficient and uncleanly.
The discharging sewage being frequently insufficient to lift the tidal valve, the
sewage matter is detained on its way to the sewer, creating a nuisance and some-
times a stoppage or at best dragging under the tidal valve which often becoming
fouled, will not shut properly and the flooding is not thus prevented.
As the result of long observation and experience in towns where property has
suffered severely from overcharged sewers I have designed the present invention to
remedy the evil. It may be applied to an intercepting trap (in connection with an
ordinary inspection chamber).
The valve itself is of cup form of galvanised iron or other suitable material
suspended by a rod or other equivalent connection from an axle and bearings of
galvanised iron or other suitable metal applied preferably in a valve chamber under
the sweeping arm of the intercepting trap.
The division between the sweeping arm and valve chamber is preferably shaped
flat thus providing ample room for cleaning and adjusting the cup valve if ever
necessary.
The cup valve in its normal position hangs with a vertical rod, the convex side
of the cup fitting accurately into the circular aperture from the inspection chamber
or equivalent seating or into the drain pipe as the case may be.
On a discharge of sewage from the protected premises the cup readily floats
being a hollow and buoyant vessel, and after permitting the passing of the discharge
it resumes its normal position sealing the exit.
On an inrush from an overcharged public sewer or main discharge passage way
the incoming flood can get no further than the concavity of the cup which faces it
and this the flood holds firmly home to its seat until the danger is passed.
The flood is denied access to the inspection chamber by means of a sliding shutter
which covers both the sweeping arm and valve chamber, this shutter can be pegged
at the top, and should not be set except in soap, tallow or other suitable non-binding
material.

page_text: The valve may also be used without an inspection chamber or intercepting trap.
When this arrangement is used the shaft to surface must be covered with the
sliding cover referred to or with some suitable air and watertight cover.
Dated the 22nd day of September 1894.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for Applicant.
Fig. 2 shows an end view of the same but with shutter removed.
Fig. 3 shows by a sectional view the improved valve apparatus without the
intercepting trap.
Fig. 4 shows the same by an end view looking on the left hand side of Fig. 3
with the covering piece i removed.
'
The valve a is of cup form of copper or galvanized iron or other suitable
material suspended by a rod b or other equivalent connection from an axle c and
bearings of galvanized iron or other suitable metal applied preferably (see Figs. 1
and 2) in a valve chamber d under the sweeping arme of the intercepting trap.
The division between the sweeping arm e and valve chamber d is preferably
shaped flat thus providing ample room for cleaning and adjusting the cup valve if
1
ever necessary.
The cup valve in its normal position hangs with a vertical rod, the convex side
of the cup fitting accurately into the circular aperture f from the inspection
chamber or equivalent seating or into the drain pipe as the case may be.

page_text: On a discharge of sewage from the protected premises the cup a readily floats
(see dotted lines Fig. 1) being a hollow and buoyant vessel, and after permitting
the passing of the discharge it resumes its normal position sealing the exit.
On an inrush from an overcharged public sewer or main discharge passage way
the incoming flood can get no further than the concavity of the cup which faces it
and this the flood holds firmly home to its seat until the danger is passed.
The flood is denied access to the inspection chamber by means of a sliding
shutter g which covers both the sweeping arm e and valve chamber d, this shutter g
can be pegged at the top as at g' and should not be set except in soap, tallow or
other suitable non-binding material.
The valve may also be used at the higher end of a manhole or inspection
chamber by the use of a box h, see Figs. 3 and 4. This arrangement prevents
floods invading the higher levels from the lower and is available as an effective
penstock, enabling public sewers to be easily flushed in sections. k is a clasp for
the valve rod 6 when the apparatus is used as a penstock.
By the application of the covering piece i, see Fig. 3, the cup valve can be used
in any part of a sewer or drain and may be furnished with a shaft to the surface
if required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
--
1. The construction and use of cup valve apparatus as and for the purposes
hereinbefore set forth.
2. The construction and use of cup valve apparatus, in combination with an
intercepting trap, as and for the purposes set forth and described with reference to
Figs. 1 and 2.
a
3. The construction and use of cup valve apparatus, adapted for use as
penstock or for like use, as set forth and described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.
Dated this 6th day of June 1895.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56 Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.