Improvements in and relating to Baths.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 25th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Baths.
We, CHARLES WATKINS, Surveyor, and CHARLES JULIUS KNOWLES,
Gentleman, both of 165 Fenchurch Street, in the City of London, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an improved bath which is adapted (after use) to fold
up within a suitable closed cabinet, so as to occupy but little space and to be
concealed from sight. Moreover, the labour and inconvenience of filling and
emptying the bath by hand is avoided, and the bath is conveniently accessible for
The invention is applicable to all ordinary forms of baths; but especially
so to sponge or hip baths; and it is well adapted for use where space is very
limited.
use.
Our improved bath is constructed with a waste pipe connection from the outlet
at the bottom to a horizontal pipe situated just above the floor level behind the
bath. The inlet pipe is similarly connected by a pipe to the horizontal pipe, and in
some cases, a third pipe connection is made from an overflow orifice to the aforesaid
horizontal pipe. These pipes thus act as connecting arms between the bath and the
horizontal pipe, but in some cases we carry one or more vertical (or approximately
vertical) supports, stiffners, or standards between the horizontal pipe and the
upper part of the bath, to prevent any undue transverse strain upon the aforesaid
pipe connections.
Each end of the horizontal pipe is supported within a suitable stuffing box
provided with a gland, screw studs, and adjusting nuts ; so that with proper
packing, the turned ends of the pipe are capable of rotation upon their axes, while
the two joints are kept watertight. Each stuffing box is cast or securely attached
to a base plate whereby it is secured to the floor at the required height for clearance.
The outer end of each stuffing box is screwed for a union pipe connection, or other
convenient mode of making connections; one to the supply, the other to the waste.
The horizontal pipe is divided at or about the centre, or two separate ends can be
used if preferred, so that the supply water is divided from the waste.
The bath stands upon its usual base for use, and subsequently having been
emptied of its contents by the waste pipe it is lifted up upon the horizontal pipe as
a hinge to a position at or about right angles to that occupied when on the floor.
As the bath is gradually lifted up, any remaining contents are discharged within a
water tight tray, which is provided with a waste pipe or other means of drainage
In its folded up or vertical position the bath occupies much less floor space than
before, and being enclosed within a cabinet, it is concealed from view when out of
use. The cabinet is preferably an enclosure of panelled and moulded wood work,
with two front doors hinged and folding from the corners of the enclosure upon the
centre; and, if preferred, the top of the cabinet may also be hinged to act as a
lid. At the back of the bath, at its highest part, one or more elastic cushions or
buffers of india rubber or the like are attached, upon which the weight of that
part of the bath is supported when in its folded up position.
It will be readily understood that any suitable materials and arrangements for the
purpose in view can be used in constructing the bath and its appendages; and that
modifications and variations in the method of supplying the bath with hot or cold
water, and carrying off the waste water, such as are commonly used in connection
with baths, may be made without departing from the nature of my invention; and
D27

page_text: that we may use a central joint and stuffing box upon which the bath is pivoted,
instead of the two end ones above described.
Dated this 20th day of July 1893.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Baths.
We, CHARLES WATKINS, Surveyor, and CHARLES JULIUS KNOWLES,
Gentleman, both of 165 Fenchurch Street in the City of London, 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 :-
Our invention relates to an improved bath which is adapted (after use) to fold
up within a suitable closed cabinet, so as to occupy but little space and to be
concealed from sight. Moreover, the labour and inconvenience of filling and
emptying the bath by hand is avoided, and the bath is conveniently accessible for
use. The invention is applicable to all ordinary forms of baths; but especially
so to sponge or hip baths; and it is well adapted for use where space is very
limited.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a sponge or hip
bath, Fig. 2 is a plan of the same on the line A-B; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal
section through a stuffing box, gland, and pipe connections.
Our improved bath a is constructed with a waste outlet b at the bottom of the
bath, and a waste pipe connection to a horizontal waste pipe c situated just above
the floor level behind the bath. The inlet d is similarly connected by a pipe di to
that part of the horizontal pipe marked e, through which a supply of water is
delivered to the bath. In some cases an overflow orifice and pipe connection b
is added, and these pipes 61, 62, and d¹ thus act as connecting arms or supports
between the bath a and the horizontal pipe c and e; and stiffeners or standards,
such as f, are also inserted between the horizontal pipe and the upper or other
part of the bath to prevent any undue transverse strain upon the aforesaid pipe
connections.
Each end of the horizontal pipe cand e is supported within a suitable stuffing
box g, provided with a gland g₁ screw studs 92 and adjusting nuts, so that with
proper packing 9³ the turned ends (c and e) of the pipe are capable of rotation
upon their axes, while the two joints are kept watertight. Each stuffing box is
cast or securely attached to a base plate g* whereby it is secured to the floor at the
required height for clearance. The outer end of each stuffing box is screwed for
a union pipe connection, or other convenient mode of making connections; one to
the supply, the other to the waste. The horizontal pipe is divided at or about
the centre, into two separate divisions c and e, or two equivalent separate ends
placed in line can be used if preferred; so that the supply water passing through e
is divided from the waste portion c.
The bath stands upon its usual base for use, and subsequently having been
emptied of its contents by the waste pipe b and c it is lifted upon the horizontal
pipe ends c and e working as upon a hinge within the stuffing box to a position at
As the bath is gradually
or about right angles to that occupied when ou the floor.
lifted up, any remaining contents are discharged within a water tight tray or
safe h which is provided with a waste pipe i or other means of dramage. In its
folded up or vertical position the bath occupies much less floor space than before,
and being enclosed within a cabinet ; it is concealed from view when out of use.
The cabinet is preferably an enclosure of panelled and moulded wood work, with
two front doors hinged and folding from the corners of the enclosure upon the

page_text: centre; and, if preferred, the top of the cabinet may also be hinged to act as a
lid. At the back of the bath, at its highest part, one or more elastic cushions or
buffers k of indiarubber, or the like are attached, upon which the weight of that
part of the bath is supported when in its folded up position.
It will be readily understood that any suitable materials and arrangements for the
purpose in view can be used in constructing the bath and its appendages; and that
modifications and variations in the method of supplying the bath with hot or cold
water, and carrying off the waste water, such as are commonly used in connection
with baths, may be made without departing from the nature of our invention;
and that we may use a central joint and stuffing box upon which the bath is
pivoted, instead of the two end ones above described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is ;-
A folding up bath having inlet and outlet connections combined with supply and
waste pipes working within a stuffing box or boxes, arranged and operating
substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and described.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London, Agents for the Applicants.