AN IMPROVEMENT IN PUMPS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT
IN PUMPS." A communication from abroad by 'Emile Leprohon, of Avesnes
sur Helpo (Nord), France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd July 1880.
ALEXANDER MELville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVEMENT IN PUMPS." [A communication from abroad
by Emile Leprohon, of Avesnes sur Helpe (Nord), France.]
This Invention relates to cast iron pumps, and has for its object to enable the
water above and below the foot valve and in the suction pipe to be run off to
avoid the bursting of the pump by frost.
The Invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying Drawing,
in which Figure 1 represents an elevation of a pump tail piece flanged at its upper
end, and Figure 2 a vertical section of same; Figure 3 is an elevation of the foot
valve; Figures 4 and 5 are top and underside plans respectively; Figure 6 is an
elevation of a pump tail piece without any top flange; and Figure 7 a vertical
section of same; Figure 8 is a view of the cock for running off the water. A bye
way is provided in the tail piece for running off the water controlled by a cock K,
which turns in a copper lining or bushing tightened up by a nut R. In Figure 2
the valve seat E is cast in one with the tail piece, and the valve is fitted therein as
shown, but in Figure 7 the valve rests upon a copper cone M sheathed in india
rubber N which is pressed into the conical seat in the tail piece. This valve seat
may also be applied to Figure 2.
The valve is composed of a boss B provided with three equidistant rods converging
together and united to a weight F at the lower end. The skeleton frame thus
formed serves as a guide for the valve into its seat.
The valve is an indiarubber or leather washer C placed between a disc p, or the
boss B, and a second disc beneath the nut and ring G by which all the parts of
the valve are screwed together. The parts B, D, and F may also be made in one
piece.
Instead of a tapering skeleton guide rod there may be separate guide rods.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st
December 1880.
"
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agont. "AN IMPROVEMENT IN PUMPS.' A communication from abroad
by Emile Leprohon, of Avesnes sur Helpe (Nord), France.
This Invention relates to cast iron pumps, and has for its object to enable the
water above and below the foot valve and in the suction pipe to be run off to avoid
the bursting of the pump by frost.
The Invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying Drawing,
in which Figure 1 represents an elevation of a pump tail piece flanged at its upper
and for bolting to the pump barrel, and Figure 2 a vertical section of same;
Figure 3 is an elevation of the foot valve; Figures 4 and 5 are top and underside
plans respectively; Figure 6 is an elevation, and Figure 7 a vertical section of a
pump tail piece cast in one with the pump barrel; Figure 8 shews the by-way cock
for running off the water.
A is the barrel, and B the tail picce provided with a bye-way H for running off
the water controlled by a cock K, which turns in a copper lining or bushing
cemented in its place with red lead, tightened up by a nut R, Figure S. In Figure 2
the valve seat E is cast in one with the tail piece, and the valve is fitted therein
as shewn, but in Figure 7 the valve is seated upon the flange of a copper bushing M
sheathed in india rubber N, which is pressed into the conical casing in the tail
piece. This valve seat may also be applied to Figure 2.
The valve is composed of a boss I provided with a central stem, and three or
more equidistant rods D, D, D, converging together-and-united to a pointed weight F
at the lower end. The skeleton frame thus formed serves to guide the valve and
enable it to be readily dropped into its sent.
The valve proper is an india rubber or leather washer C placed between a disc P
on the boss I, and a second disc beneath the nut and ring G screwing on the central
stom by which all the parts of the valve are screwed together. The parts I, D,
and F may also be made in one piece.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as tho Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. In a tail piece for cast iron pumps tho employment of a valvo enabling the
water contained in the suction pipe and pump barrel to be run off as specified.
2nd. In a pump tail piece the construction of foot valve, formed of a washer G
placed between two discs P and skeleton guide frame D, having at the lower end a
pointed weight F, as and for the purpose specified.
3rd. The removeable valve seat formed of a conical flanged copper bushing M
sheathed in india rubber N and fitted in the tail piece as specified.
4th. In a pump tail piece the by-way and cock for running off the water
contained above and below the foot valve as and for the purpose specified.
-
5th. The combination in a pump tail piece of a foot valve, by-pass cock, and
valve seat, arranged substantially as described for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty first day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.