Improvements in Gully Traps.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1892
Improvements in Gully Traps.
I, GEORGE COUZENS of 14 Tudor Street, Cardiff, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in gully traps mainly applicable to those
used in the gutters of roads, and lins for its object the prevention of any back flow
of water into the street, or rising of noxious gases from the drains through the
grating. To effect this, I provide an iron frame inside the casing forming the
water seal, having an internal sloping ledge extending across it and a narrow ridge
or projection on the walls of the frame continuous with the ledge, forming with it.
a rectangular opening, and a hinged plate capable of closing the rectangular
opening. This plate or flap is held against the bottom of the ledge by means of
a lever also hinged and weighted at one end, the other end resting against the
bottom of the flap, the weighted end causing it to hold the flap in its uppermost
position. The flap is provided with a sheet of indiarubber on its upper side, in
order to make a tight joint with the ledge before mentioned. With this arrangement,
the flap is capable of supporting a small quantity of water, forming a second seal,
and effectually preventing any noxious gases rising past it, any weight of water
beyond this, depressing the flap and forming a passage to the bottom of the trap.
Should any back flow of water occur, it will simply press the flap against the ledge
and more tightly close the passage. The flap allows a hand to be inserted to clear
away any obstacle in the lower water seal, and returns automatically to its closed
position immediately the hand is withdrawn. Should a more thorough cleansing be
required the iron frame can readily be lifted out.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section
of my improved trap and Figure 2 a detail view of the flap and weighted lever.
1 is the casing, containing the iron frame 2 and forming the ordinary water seal,
having the inclined ledge 3 extending internally to a suitable distance, and a rib or
flange 4 extending around the opening 2" formed thereby. The flap 5 closing the
aperture, is mounted on a pin 6 supported by the two perforated lugs 7 on the back
of the ledge, and the lever 8 with a weighted end 8" is mounted upon a second
pin 9 also supported by the lugs 7. In the ordinary position the flap 5 is pressed
against the flange 4 by means of the weighted lever 8, the upper surface of the flap
being formed of a sheet of indiarubber 5ª, but immediately sufficient liquid
accumulates on the flap to overbalance the weighted end of the lever 8", the flap
will open.
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 device to be used in gully traps, consisting of a frame 2 fitting into the
casing 1, having a ledge 3, a flange 4, and a flap 5 closing the opening 2 by means
of the weighted lever 9, 9, as and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 13th day of January 1892.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.