Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1888
Specification Accepted, 14th Dec.,
1888
I, ALBERT PORTER HOWES, of Worcester, in the County of Worcester, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Builder, 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 :—
One object of this invention, is to provide a faucet having means whereby the
closing action of its valve is automatically controlled, or retarded, so that it will
close with an easy motion and without injurious shock when the flow of liquid is
shut off, thereby relieving the pipes from strain occasioned by the excess of pressure
due to the sudden stopping of the flowing liquid, and preventing the thump or
hammering incident to all quick closing faucets under moderate or high degrees of
pressure.
Another object of this invention, is to provide a self-closing faucet constructed in
a manner to extend the closing movement, after the lifting devices have been
released, over a sufficient length of time to gradually stop the flow, and thus avoid
pounding action and strain on the pipes when the faucet is closed, or when the valve
strikes its seat.
A further object of the said invention, is to provide a faucet having duplex
valve devices arranged for action substantially as hereinbefore explained, whereby
the faucet is adapted for delivering the liquid with different degrees of force and
volume.
A still further object. is to provide, in a faucet wherein the valve is lifted by
means of the discharge nozzle, facilities for adjustment between the nozzle and valve.
These objects are attained by a fancet constructed and organized for operation
as hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a front view of a faucet illustrating my invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same at line ww, showing the parts in
position as when the faucet is closed.
Figure 3 is a similar sectional view showing the faucet opened.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section at line y. y on Figure 2.
.
Figure 5 is a central section of the valve case or cup, separate from other parts.

page_text: Figure b is a central section of the valve-poppet.
Figure 7 is a bottom view of the valve and cup together.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section at line a. a showing the step-bridge.
Figure 9 is a separate side view of the step-bridge and adjusting screw.
Figure 10 shows a modification in construction of the valve and cup.
In referring to parts, A denotes the shell or body of the faucet, provided with
suitable means for attaching it to the supply pipe, at P, and made with a suitable inlet
passage m, a chamber for the valve devices, and a downwardly projecting extension A¹
through which the discharge passage a¹ is formed. A suitable valve-seat is formed at
the junction of said discharge passage with the valve-chamber, and a nut or cap A² is
screwed into the top of the body for covering and closing the chamber.
B indicates the valve or poppet which closes the discharge passage. Said valve-
poppet is provided with a packing-plate or disc which rests upon the valve-seat a,
and with a spindle B' that extends down through the discharge passage; it is also
provided with an upper disc B2, for a purpose hereafter described, and with a threaded
portion and nut B³ the valve B, and disc B2 being separable to enable the valve to be
readily removed and another substituted when the plate 6 becomes worn.
C indicates a loose valve-cover or inverted cup, fitted over the valve-poppet in the
manner shown, with its lower end seated upon an annular surface a³ surrounding the
seat a of the valve B, so that the cup forms an outer or auxiliary valve for cutting off
the flow of liquid around said valve B, except when said cup is elevated. A chamber E
is provided in the upper part of the cup above the valve. Said cup C is preferably
made in the form shown, with a lug or shoulder at C, against which the valve-poppet
engages at an intermediate point of its movement, for lifting the cup when the
valve is raised to the full extent of its movement; or, if preferred, the nut B³ of
the valve, may serve for lifting the cup.
The upper disc B2 of the valve-poppet is fitted to the interior of the cup,
comparatively close; but not so close but that a slight space is left between the
periphery of said disc and the inner surface of the cup, to allow the liquid to leak
past the disc into or from the chamber E between the disc and the top of the cup.
Said disc is also provided with a projection 45 at one side which tilts the cup C and
thereby causes it to seat itself gradually and easily, one side of the mouth of said
cup striking its seat in advance of the other as the cup descends.
Small holes c are formed through the sides of the cup for the entrance of liquid to
its interior; said holes being preferably located at such a position in relation to the
valve-poppet, that when the poppet is raised the holes will be fully open, but
when the poppet is depressed the periphery of the disc will obstruct or partially
close them.
The lower part of the cup is preferably chambered out to larger diameter than the
upper part, so as to allow ample and sufficient space for the free passage of liquid
between the interior surface of the cup and the periphery of the valve B, although
this enlargement in the diameter of the cup is not absolutely essential to the operation
of the mechanism.
A lug is, in the present instance, provided on the interior of the body-shell A
opposite the inlet passage m, for supporting the valve-cup against the inflowing
liquid, and to prevent it from being displaced by the pressure against its rear side.
The cap or nut A2 is properly chambered out, so that the top of the cup C can pass up
into it; said cup being entirely free to rise and fall with any force exerted upon it but
fitting within the cap A2 with a sufficient degree of closeness to prevent it from being
moved laterally from its proper working arrangement.
The valve-poppet B is also free to work up and down within the cup; and all of
the adjacent surfaces on both the cup and valve are sufficiently free and
separate to obviate any possibility of binding or wedging against each other, or
against the body.
D indicates a discharge nozzle surrounding and extending below the body
projection A, and arranged to move on said projection for lifting the valve B from
its seat. In the step or bridge F¹, which is disposed across the interior of the nozzle,

page_text: I arrange a screw-stud F, the upper end of which engages the valve-spindle for lifting
the valve when the nozzle is moved upward on the projection A'. The lower end of
the valve spindle is recessed, as at f, for receiving the end f¹ of the stud F, and said
recess is made of considerably greater diameter that the point F¹ of the stud, so that
the spindle can freely assume its own position thereon, thus permitting the valve to
rest squarely on its seat a. The nozzle D is arranged to slide upon the extension A¹
of the body, this being the preferable construction for a self-closing faucet such as I
have herein illustrated. The nozzle D is provided with a projecting ledge or rim D¹.
A lever 1, which extends over the top of the faucet, is pivoted to the body or frame,
as at K, with its lower ends i engaging beneath the rim D. Backward movement of
the top end of this lever elevates the nozzle D, and thereby lifts the valve B for
opening the faucet. Said lever is provided with a knob or handle by which it can
be conveniently operated. A backwardly and downwardly extended arm J is
connected with the lifting lever, which arm serves as a stop for limiting the move-
ment of the parts by contact with the rim of the cap, as at J Figure 2 when the lever
is in forward position; and by contact with the stem of the faucet, as at J² Figure 3,
when the lever is at backward position. The rim D₁ of the nozzle is cut away at that
portion corresponding with the pivoting boss K for the lever.
The interior of the nozzle 1), in its upper part, is bored out with a cylindrical form
to match the exterior surface of the projection A¹, while its lower portion is bored out
with a slight contracting taper, and is of smaller calibre than the upper part, so that
it will discharge a solid, smooth and straight stream. The upper end of the nozzle is
fitted to work in an annular groove d surrounding the downward projecting portion A¹
of the body.
The step-bearing F¹ is made separate from the nozzle, with cross arms as shown in
Figures 8 and 9, of proper length to bridge the interior space, and the screw-stud
fitted through a tapped opening at its centre.
After the nozzle has been internally bored, the step F is dropped into and driven
down within the nozzle, where it is confined by the wedging of the slightly beveled
ends of its cross-arms against the interior surface of the nozzle. By making the parts
separate, and putting them together in the manner stated, I am enabled to conveniently
finish or smooth the interior of the nozzle, and also to conveniently fit the screw-studs
into the step-bridges before they are secured in place. This is a great facility in the
manufacture, besides producing better constructed articles.
By means of the screw-stud F the relative position of the valve B and nozzle D
can be adjusted so that the valve will properly meet its seat and be instantly lifted by
any movement of the nozzle. This adjustment can be effected at any time without
shutting off the water, and without taking out the faucet apart, by simply inserting
a screw driver up into the lower end of the nozzle.
The operation is as follows:-By pressing back the lever 1, the nozzle D is lifted,
and this in turn through the bridge F and stud F. forces upward the valve-poppet B.
The first part of the upward movement of the valve closes the chamber E between the
disc B' and the upper part of the cup C, while the lower edge of the cup remains
seated, as at a³. The liquid then flows through the openings c and out at the discharge
nozzle, giving a smooth stream with but little force, whatever may be the pressure of
the liquid in the inlet pipe m, as the pressure is cut down by the small orifices c in the
cup. The further upward movement of the valve B lifts the cup C from its seat, (as
indicated in Figure 3) thereby allowing the liquid to pass beneath its lower edge
direct to the open delivery passage; this gives a stream of the full capacity of the
faucet. It will be seen that the faucet is thus capable of delivering the stream with
two distinctly different degrees of force and volume; so that when used on water
service of high pressure, a person can draw water in a drinking glass or cup, without
having it ejected with sufficient force to throw the water from the glass by its
re-action; or can, on the other hand, when desired, draw a large volume of water.
The different degree of force required to be exerted on the lever I for lifting the
valve B from its seat, and that required for lifting the cup C from its seat when the
valve engages therewith, is sufficient to perceptibly mark the first and second positions

page_text: of the lever movement, so that the manipulation of the lever for the partial or full
stream is readily accomplished by any one after a single trial, although no special
indicating stop is provided for the lever.
While the lever I is held back, the faucet continues open. On release of the lever
the cup drops to its seat, thus cutting off the greater portion of the flow to the
valve B, while the valve is held raised from its seat by the suction or resistance to the
formation of a vacuum with the chamber E above the valve or poppet-head, and until
the liquid gradually leaks into said chamber through the narrow annular space
between the disc B and the inner surface of the cup, thus controlling and retarding
the movement, and extending the action over an appreciable period of time, say from
one to twelve seconds, more or less, and causing the valve to settle onto its seat
gradually, to thus shut off the flow by gradual action, thereby avoiding shock or
strain on the pipes, and the usual pounding or thumping noise incident to the quick
closing faucets.
The length of time during which the closing movement of the valve is extended,
depends in a great measure upon the amount of space between the valve disc B³ and
the cup C; and also, in some degree, on the size of the orifices c, the greater the
space the less time occupied in closing the valve, and vice versa; hence, in faucets
designed to be used under very heavy pressures, the fitting of the disc within the cup
should be closer, while the orifices c should be made smaller than would be the case
in faucets designed to be used under very light pressures. The slow or retarded
action in the closing movement of the valve is automatically effected; and whether
the valve is simply raised within the cup C without lifting the cup, or raised
sufficiently to engage with and lift the cup C from its seat a³, the retardation in time
of closing is attained in the working of the valve, and this action cannot be
prevented, forced, or interferred with by the person using the faucet, as the valve is
disconnected from its operating devices.
In the modification shown in Figure 10 the screw F is threaded into the end of the
valve spindle B, and its head rests upon the step F₁, instead of the screw being
threaded into the step. The adjustment of the screw is effected before the valve-
poppet is put into the faucet.
The top disc B on the valve-spindle-head B3 above the cup C, works in a recess in
the cap A2 and after the valve has been raised, a retarded closing of the valve B and
cup C is attained, which is due to the fact that the water must leak past the edge of the
disc B into the chamber E4 before the poppet can descend. The cup is sustained by
its shoulder resting on the top of the valve-disc B, so that it cannot close until the
valve starts to descend.
The retarding action of the chamber E is precisely the same as that described for
the chamber E of Figure 2 except in this the valve-disc B serves for closing the
holes C,
instead of a supplementary disc fixed on the poppet at a higher level. The fact
of the spindle passing through the top of the cup makes no difference in the action,
since the opening is.a close fit on said spindle.
It will thus be seen that the chambers E and E both give a retarding action in the
closing of the valve, the result being the same as with that of Figure 2 except that
in one case there are two chambers, while in the other case there is but one chamber
into which the water must flow by slow passage before the valve can close.
The faucet as herein shown is a self closing faucet; but I do not wish to confine
my invention solely to a self-closing faucet, since the cup and valve-poppet, and the
adjustable lifting-stud may be employed in faucets which are non-self-closing; and
the present faucet could be made non-self-closing by the addition of any device
whereby the lever or movable nozzle could be positively retained in position when the
valve is elevated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First. A facet having a primary valve that closes in the direction of the flow, an

page_text: auxiliary valve or cup provided with small orifices in its side arranged over said valve,
and fitting an annular seat around the primary valve-seat, and having a chamber above
the valve from which the liquid is forced by the action of opening the valve, and into
which the liquid must return through limited space as the valve closes, for the purpose
set forth.
Second. The combination, substantially as described, with the faucet-body or shell A
having the valve-seat a, inlet passage m, and discharge passage a', of the valve-
poppet B, the cup C arranged over said valve with its flange extending downward
and surrounding said valve-poppet, and having the chamber Ĕ between said cup and
valve, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. The combination, substantially as described, of the faucet-body A having
the valve-seats a a³, the valve-poppet B having the dependent spindle B¹ and auxiliary
disc B², the cup C having orifices c in its side arranged over said valve, and closing
upon the seat a³ around said valve, and a movable discharge nozzle having a step that
engages the valve-spindle, for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. The combination, substantially as described, of the shell A, valve-poppet B,
cup Cinverted over and surrounding said valve-poppet, movable nozzle D sliding
upon the body extension A¹ having the engaging step F arranged across the interior
of said nozzle below said extension, the lever I fulcrumed on a projection of the body
at K with its ends engaging a projection upon the exterior of said nozzle, for the
purpose set forth.
•
Fifth. In a faucet, the cup C provided with a shoulder or lug C¹ disposed for
engaging with the valve-poppet at an intermediate point in its movement, to lift the
flange of the cup from its seat a², as described, in combination with the valve-poppet,
poppet-lifter, discharge-nozzle and faucet-body; whereby the faucet is adapted for
delivering the liquid in greater force and volume, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination, with the valve B, and valve-operating nozzle D, of the
bearing-step provided with an adjusting screw-stud F, for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. The bridge or bearing-step F¹ separately constructed with the ends of
its arms slightly inclined, in combination with the faucet-body A, valve B, and valve
operating nozzle D internally bored with an intermediate bevelled surface to match
the end of said arm, and against which said arms are wedged for retaining the
step in position, as set forth.
Eighth. In a faucet wherein the valve is lifted by a step in connection with the
discharge-nozzle, the valve-stem having a cavity f in its lower end, and the adjustable
supporting-stud F having its point fl of less diameter than said cavity, in combina-
tion with the valve-operating step and discharge nozzle, substantially as described and
for the purpose set forth.
Ninth. In a faucet wherein the valve is lifted by a step in connection with the
discharge nozzle, the combination of the cup C, with the spindle B', valve B provided
with the plate b, disc B² provided with the projection 45, and nut, B³, substantially as
described.
Tenth. In a faucet of the character described, the valve B, provided with the
plate, the disc B², nut B³ and stem B¹, combined and arranged to operate substantially
as set forth.
IN
1
000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.