IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER CLOSETS. AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO CISTERNS
Year: 1884

page_text: I JAMES BRADDON M°CALLUM of the Engineers Office Municipal Offices
Blackburn in the County of Lancaster Engineer do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER CLOSETS. AND APPARATUS FOR
CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO CISTERNS to be as follows:-
"
This invention has for its object improvements in water closets and apparatus
for controlling the supply of water to cisterns.
The closet has been designed with the view of providing an economical and
simple water closet apparatus which shall be automatic and reliable in its action
and thoroughly efficient in every respect.
This
The seat has connected with it a foot board or low step and the flushing of the
closet basin is arranged to take place on the user of the closet retiring from this
step Ample time is thus given for paper to be put into the basin before the
flushing commences so ensuring that it shall be at once flushed away and the basin
left at all times fit for use. The movement of the seat is very slight and it is
automatically depressed by the feet of the user before being sat upon.
prevents the unpleasant feeling of the seat giving way so often experienced in
other seat action water closets.-The weight of a child is sufficient to work the
closet. The seat hinge cannot get rusty or become inoperative. It consists of a
piece of tough wood fastened to the underside of the moveable part and projecting
a short distance underneath the frame each side, effecting its purpose very
effectually. The seat & is kept in proper position, when not in use, by means of
a durable india rubber spring.
The cistern is a perfect water waste preventer, and is constructed upon the
principle of the tipping tank. It is contained within a funnel shaped enlargement
at the top of the flushing pipe which leads to the closet basin. The tipping tank
is worked by the action of the seat and the water is supplied through a plug cock.
When the tumbler or tipping tank is full it tips slightly over and gradually closes
the cock, thus dispensing with the use of a ball valve. The flush takes place after
the water closet has been used when the tumbler is over balanced, and having
discharged its contents with great force it immediately rights itself (The tumbler
can be tethered with an india rubber spring to prevent noise) By means of a

page_text: regulating screw the cistern in addition to giving a full flush every time the water
closet is used, may be made to flush (if so desired) automatically at regular
intervals By this means the basin trap and house drains are kept perfectly clean
and should the house be closed say a few weeks in Summer-the automatic flush
once or twice a day will keep the traps charged and prevent the escape of sewer
gas into the house. Again by means of the dribble, in winter the water is
prevented from freezing, a thing all important; and with dribble and stream
alternately the valve cannot get choked.
The basin in addition to having the ordinary flushing rim, is flushed by means
of apertures at and under the water level the excreta &c being driven out most
effectually-It also has a trap of the most suitable form.
The flushing cistern is an absolute waste preventer and it is impossible for a
continuous stream to run to waste-In addition to this advantage an indicating
arrangement can be readily applied from time to time by waterworks officials
clearly shewing the actual quantity of water consumed per diem at each closet.
A similar indicator can also be attached for regulating at different elevations the
speed of automatic flush The closet is capable of various modifications to suit
special requirements.
1
1004

page_text: I JAMES BRADDON MCCALLUM of the Engineers Office Municipal Offices
Blackburn in the County of Lancaster Engineer do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER CLOSETS AND APPARATUS FOR
CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF WATER TO CISTERNS and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in water closets and apparatus
for controlling the supply of water to Cisterns.
The closet has been designed with the view of providing an economical and
simple water closet apparatus which shall be automatic and reliable in its action
and thoroughly efficient in every respect.
The seat has connected with it a foot board or low step and the flushing of the
Closet basin is arranged to take place on the user of the closet retiring from this
step Ample time is thus given for paper to be put into the basin before the
flushing commences so ensuring that it shall be at once flushed away and the basin
left at all times fit for use. The movement of the seat is very slight and it is
automatically depressed by the feet of the user before being sat upon. This
prevents the unpleasant feeling of the seat giving way so often experienced in
other seat action water closets. The weight of a child is sufficient to work the
closet. The seat hinge cannot get rusty or become inoperative. It consists of a
piece of tough wood fastened to the underside of the moveable part and projecting
a short distance underneath the frame each side, effecting its purpose very
effectually.
The cistern is a perfect water waste preventer and is constructed upon the
principle of the tipping tank. It is contained within a funnel shaped enlargement
at the top of the flushing pipe which leads to the closet basin. The tipping tank
is worked by the action of the seat and the water is supplied through a plug cock.
When the tumbler or tipping tank is full it tips slightly over and gradually closes
the cock, thus dispensing with the use of a ball valve.-The flush takes place after
the water closet has been used when the tumbler is over balanced, and having
discharged its contents with great force it immediately rights itself (The tumbler
can be tethered with an. India rubber spring to prevent noise) By means of a
regulating screw the cistern in addition to giving a full flush every time the water
closet is used, may be made to flush (if so desired) automatically at regular intervals
By this means the basin trap and house drains are kept perfectly clean and should
the house be closed say a few weeks in summer-the automatic flush once or twice
a day will keep the traps charged and prevent the escape of Sewer gas into the
house Again by means of the dribble, in winter the water is prevented from
freezing a thing all important; and with dribble and stream alternately the valve
cannot get choked.
The basin in addition to having the ordinary flushing rim, is flushed by means
of apertures at and under the water level-the excreta & being driven out most
effectually-It also has a trap of the most suitable form.
The flushing cistern is an absolute waste preventer and it is impossible for a
continuous stream to run to waste. In addition to this advantage an indicating
arrangement can be readily applied from time to time by waterworks Officials
clearly shewing, the actual quantity of water consumed per diem at each closet

page_text: A regulator can also be attached for regulating at different elevations the speed of
automatic flusb.
The closet is capable of various modifications to suit special requirements.
In order that my said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the flushing cistern to a scale of one half the
actual size.
Figure 2 is a perspective view partly in section of the same.
Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section of the cock and lever.
Figures 4. 5 and 6 shew the same parts in other positions as hereinafter
described.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of the seat.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of the basin.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of the flushing cistern provided with a cock of
another form adapted for higher pressure.
Figure 10 is a perspective view partly in section of the same.
Figures 11. 12. and 13 shew the high pressure cock and lever in elevation partly
in section and in various positions.
I will first describe the cistern with its tipping tank, supply cock and lever.
The cistern is shown on Drawings N° 1 and 2 and consists of an outer shell or
box A so shaped that the water is directed toward the flushing pipe or outlet with
a great speed; the bottom is formed in steps to prevent splashing Within this
shell is suspended the tipping tank or tumbler B moving on an axle or on pivots;
it is so balanced and arranged that when empty it remains horizontal, but when
nearly full it will tip over (if allowed) discharge its contents and then immediately
right itself. The water from the main or from a store cistern enters the tumbler
through a plug cock C constructed as shewn in Figures 3. 4. 5 and 6 The plug a
is provided with one slot b straight through and another slot c half way through
entering the former at an angle. The barrel d is arranged that when plug is in
one position that shown by Figure 3 the water goes through both the slots or
passages band c.
When the plug is in another position shown by Figure 4 the
cock is closed. When the plug is in a third position shown by Figure 5 the water
enters through the slot b only. Figure 6 indicates a fourth position in which also
the cock is closed. The plug has a levere attached to it to which is connected a
chain passing over a pulley g down to the seat. The lever also has a set
screw at its lower end and a weight at i. Fixed to and projecting from the
outside of tumbler is a pin j. I will next describe the seat.
The seat is shewn on Drawing N° 3 and consists of a moveable seat board D
hinged at the back by means of a piece of tough wood E fastened to the underside
and projecting a short distance under the frame on each side, the ends being kept
in place by a piece of wood fastened to the frame at each end. Fastened to front
of the seat are metal guides F in which work metal slides G having their lower
ends bent and projecting through holes in the front of the seat. The slides G
carry a step H and have their top ends touching the underside of scat. A lever I
is fixed to the floor its shorter end touches the underside of step and the longer
end has a weight J fastened to it; the chain or wire from cistern is also fastened
to it.
I will now describe the basin.
The basin is shewn on drawing N° 4 it bas apertures K directed to the outlet.
These apertures are at about the water level. The basin has also one or more
apertures L under the water level and a flushing rim M. All the apertures and
the rim are connected together by passages leading to one inlet at N. The flushing

page_text: pipe from cistern is connected with this inlet. There is a water trap at the outlet.
The outlet is somewhat oval in shape and the area of water surface is large.
The parts above described operate together in the following manner.
When the closet is about to be used, the person steps on to the step and this
depresses the short end of lever I and raises the long end. This movement
allows the lever e to attain position shewn in Figure 3. The tumbler then quickly
fills, and when sufficiently full it tips slightly over. The pin then pushes the
lever e and so closes the cock in the position shewn by Figure 4. The tumbler is
now prevented from tipping right over by the pin catching against the projection
on the lever e. Everything remains in this position until the person gets off step,
when the action of the lever I is reversed, the weight J, pulling the chain from
cistern and thus placing the cock in position shewn at Figure 5. This removes
the support from under pin j and allows the tumbler to tip over and discharge its
contents. The water then flows down the flushing pipe to basin; the portion
coming through apertures K submerging paper and soil and helping to drive it
through trap, the portion coming through aperture L forcing the contents of the
pan over the ridge of the trap, and the portion coming through the flushing rim
cleaning the sides of the basin, and also assisting to drive out the soil. The cock
being now in the position shown by Figure 5 the water flows into the tumbler in
a very small stream, and is collected there till full. The tumbler then automatically
tips over and flushes, and so continues to fill and to empty till the closet is again
used.
If the automatic flush is not desired, the set screw h can be unscrewed a little
and so prevent lever e from going so far back, when the cock is as shown in
Figure 6. The set screw also regulates the automatic flush to any desired speed.
The cistern can be used to deliver by a pull action. The set screw o should then
be set as in Figure 6 in which case the tumbler always stands full ready to flush
when handle is pulled. Or the set screw can be dispensed with and only have the
straight slot b in the plug employed in which case it could also be used as seat
action without the automatic flush.
When the water is supplied at very high pressure, the cistern cock is modified
as shown on Drawings No. 5 and 6. The cock then consists of a loose conical
valve k fitting on to a leather or rubber seating the valve when closed being kept.
tight by water pressure, spring weight or other means. There is a lever m with
a weight at n and a short arm at o. When the tumbler is filling the valve and
lever are as shown in Figure 11. When the tumbler is full the valve and lever are
as shewn in Figure 12, and when the chain is pulled they are as in Figure 13.
This cock is applicable either as seat action or pull action, but if automatic flush
is desired it can be obtained either by adding another lever so as to reopen valve k
by the lever m being pulled a little further than shewn in Figure 13; or by
having a double conical valve so that after one has been shut the other opens a
little or the dribble may be obtained by the provision of a support beneath the
valve which prevents it closing perfectly. In connection with the support or with
the valve a screw adjustment is provided to regulate the amount of the dribble.
An indicator can be attached to the cistern, to register the number of times the
tipping tank flushes and the quantity or water used will then be known.
The flushing cistern as above described can be used for flushing urinals, drains
and other places as well as for closets.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
First. The closet seat with its moveable seat board and step operating a pull
wire substantially as described.
Second. The flushing cistern with its tipping tank, supply cock and lever, the
said tank partly tipping when full and then being retained by the lever until it is
released by the automatic or other pull action substantially as described.

page_text: Third. The combination of the said flushing cistern and tipping tank so arranged
that the latter receives a dribble or small flow of water which when full it delivers
as an effective flush substantially as described.
Fourth. The closet pan with flushing apertures at or below the water level in
the pan substantially as described.
Fifth. Apparatus for controlling the supply of water to water closets and cisterns
substantially as represented by the annexed Drawings.
4. of October 1881
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant. 10