Improvements in Flushing Cisterns for Water Closets.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left. 30th June, 1896-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Flushing Cisterns for Water Closets.
I, THOMAS CLARK, of Orchard Street, in the Town of Weston super Mare,
in the County of Somerset, Plumber &c., do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
:-
The object of my invention is to make the flushing apparatus of water closet
cisterns as noiseless as possible, and to give ease of working, and certainty of
action.
My invention consists of a wood or other cistern which may be ornamented with
panelling and lincrusta. This cistern is lined with lead preferably, as more lasting.
In about the middle of this cistern is a bent syphon of lead soldered to a union at
the bottom of its long limb, and the other limb which dips into the water having
a cup or bell mouth which has a tendency by giving free and quick admission to a
larger quantity of water, to prevent the loud noise so usual with many other
cisterns when the water is rushing up into the syphon. This syphon sucks direct
from the cistern and not from the plunger box.
At one end of the cistern is the plunger box made preferably of stout lead (as
they can be easily made perfectly round and cost less in making). At the bottom
of this box is a shoe with an opening in the toe of it just under the cup- or bell-
mouth of the syphon.
A plunger works in this plunger-hox by means of a lever and pull. The spindle
is of brass and the plunger of oak round which is a belt or ring of india-rubber or
leather fitting closely against the sides of the box, but working easily. The under
part of the plunger is hollowed to give greater or better pressure upon the water in
the plunger box.
The plunger does not require any guide to the spindle, and this allows it to
work freely. The downward action of the plunger forces the water through the
shoe and upwards under the cup or bell mouth of the syphon and thus starts it, with
the least possible noise.
This cistern will by this method syphon out whether the pull is held or let go,
after the first pull; which is an advantage over many in the market.
The lever is so nicely balanced that the pull down is done with the greatest ease.
The lever which works the whole length of the cistern, when pulled or let go, falls
at either end upon buffers of solid india-rubber thus preventing noise in working.
This cistern has also the advantage of not being bound to any particular water
line, which allows of a wider margin between the ball valve and overflow, so that
the cistern will syphon with much less water than by other methods.
The bearings of the lever are made preferably of oak as giving less noise than
metal and not requiring oiling.
All the parts are so simplified that by taking out one screw, any part may be
quickly removed for renewal or repair.
Dated this Second day of October 1895.
THOMAS CLARA,
Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Flushing Cisterns for Water Closets.
I, THOMAS CLARK, of Orchard Street, in the Town of Weston super Mare,
in the County of Somerset, Practical Plumber, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to make the flushing apparatus of water closet
cisterns as noiseless as possible, and to give ease of working and certainty of
action.
My invention consists of a wood or other cistern which may be ornamented with
panelling and lincrusta. This cistern is lined with lead preferably as more lasting,
or it may be cast in lead.
In about the middle of this cistern is a bent syphon of lead soldered to a union
at the bottom of its long limb, or it may have a brass connection, with leather or
other washer, fly nut and union, and the other limb, which dips into the water,
having a cup or bell mouth which has a tendency by giving free and quick
admission to a larger quantity of water to prevent the loud noise so usual with
many other cisterns when the water is rushing into the syphon. This syphon sucks
direct from the cistern and not from the plunger box.
At one end of the cistern is the plunger box made preferably of stout lead, as
they can be easily made perfectly round, and cost less in making. At the bottom
of this box is a shoe with an opening in the toe of it, upon the top, with a slightly
raised rim, just under the cup or bell month of the syphon.
A plunger works in this plunger box by means of a lever and pull. The spindle,
or piston rod, is of brass; and the plunger, or piston, is of oak round which is a
belt or ring of india rubber or leather, or this may be in the form of a disk
between two disks of oak projecting beyond them, fitting closely, but working
easily against the inner side of the plunger box. The un ler part of the plunger
is hollowed, or made concave to give greater or better pressure upon the water in
the plunger box. The plunger des not require any guide to the spin lle, and this
allows it to work freely. The downward action of the plunger for es the water
through the shoe and upwards under the cup or bell mouth of the syphon and thus
starts its action with the least possible noise.
This cistern will by this method syphon out whether the pull is held or let go,
after the first pull, which is an advantage over many in the market.
The lever is so nicely balanced that the pull down is done with the greatest ease.
The lever which works the whole length of the cistern, when pallel or let go, falls
at either end upon buffers of solid india-rubber thus preventing noise in working.
This cistern has also the advantage of not being bound to any particular water
line, which allows of a wider margin between the ball or buoy-valve and overflow,
so that the cistern will syphon with much less water than by other methods.
The bearings of the lever are made preferably of oak as giving less noise than
metal, and not requiring oiling.
All the parts are so simplified that by taking out one screw any part may be
quickly removed for renewal or repair.
A regulating screw is also inserted in the end of the ball or buoy tap to press
against the valve to regulate the size of the water way, in case of a high pressure
service, and thus prevent the rush and noise of the water when refilling.
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section of the flushing cistern.
A, is the cistern. B, is the syphon. C, is the cup or bell mouth. D, is the
plunger-box. E, is the shoe with opening under the bell mouth of the syphon.
F, is the plunger. G, is the lever. H, HI, are the india-rubber buffers. I, the
oak-bearings of lever.

page_text: Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section in front of the parts previously named, shewing
the buoy-valve tap with the regulating screw K.
Fig. 3, is an enlarged section, about full size, of the ball or buoy tap to shew its
action.
K, is the regulating screw. L, is the valve. M, is the buoy lever. The water
way is iudicated by the arrows, and is closed by the india rubber pad at the
end of the valve pressing against a rim on the tube, and the screw regulates the
amount of opening given by the valve.
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:
A flushing cistern for water closets preferably made or lined with lead, having:
1. A lead syphon with a cup or bell mouth upon its shorter limb which sucks
direct from the cistern.
2. A plunger box having a shoe-piece at the bottom with an opening on the top
just under the cup or bell-mouth of the syphon.
3. A plunger having a concave bottom to press upon the water and force it up
into the syphon.
4. A lever the whole length of the cistern so nicely balanced as to work with
the greatest ease.
5. An india rubber buffer at each end of the cistern for the lever ends to fall
upon, and thus prevent noise in working.
6. Oak bearings as preferable to metal.
7. A regulating screw to valve of ball or buoy tap to regulate the water way
and thus prevent the rush and noise of the water when there is a high pressure
service.
All substantially as hereinbefore described, and set forth.
Dated this 29th day of June 1806
THOMAS CLARK,
Applicant.