IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND. ARRANGEMENT OF SAME FOR VENTILATING, GAINING ACCESS TO, AND FLUSHING STREET AND OTHER SEWERS AND DRAINS, ALSO IN PURIFYING THE NOXIOUS GASES ARISING THEREPROM, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS CONSIST IN GULLY STENCH TRAPS."
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Harrison, of Liverpool; in the County
of Lancaster, Ironfounder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS AND. ARRANGEMENT OF SAME FOR VENTILATING, GAINING ACCESS
TO, AND FLUSHING STREET AND OTHER SEWERS AND DRAINS, ALSO IN
PURIFYING THE NOXIOUS GASES ARISING THEREPROM, PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS CONSIST IN GULLY STENCH TRAPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Harrison at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 16th April 1869.
I, SAMUEL HARRISON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Ironfounder, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENT OF SAME FOR VENTILATING,
GAINING ACCESS TO, AND FLUSHING STREET AND OTHER SEWERS AND DRAINS,
ALSO IN PURIFYING THE NOXIOUS GASES ARISING THEREPROM, PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS CONSIST IN GULLY STENCH TRAPS," to be as follows (that is to
say) :-
e
improved annamtu

page_text: and arrangement of same for ventilating, gaining access to, and flushing
street and other sewers and drains, and in a trap gully combined with
sludge box.
The apparatus consists of a man-hole and ventilating cover combined
with moveable sludge box or mud basket; in a charcoal basket which
is used for purifying the noxious gases arising from the sewer or drain,
and escaping through the ventilating cover; in an overflow or drain pipe
connected with the man-hole and extending into the sump-hole at the
bottom of the man-hole shaft, where it is trapped; in a flushing
valve fixed on the edge of the sewer or drain where it joins the shaft;
in a portable winch for raising the said flushing valve; in a flushing box
connected with the above for flushing the sewers and drains; and a
lamp-hole cover for the purpose of lighting and ventilating sewers and
drains when workmen are engaged therein; and in a trap gully made
with a hopper and moveable sludge box; and in a flushing valve or
differential outlet pipe for subsidence tanks and cesspools.
The apparatus is constructed and arranged in the following manner :
-The man-hole or shaft entrance is formed of a cast-iron box of an
oval, square, or other suitable form, bevelled at top so as to fit sets or
pavement in the street, and having a loose or attached flange on one side,
a flange at bottom with a pipe or branch passing therethrough and
leading from side of box or case. The bottom of the box is partially cut
away, leaving a flange with a projecting piece all round, so as to allow
of an oval, square, round, or other suitably shaped sludge box or mud
basket resting thereon and forming an air-tight joint. In the other side
of the man-hole box there is cast a series of apertures, holes, or slots
which lead out under the loose or attached flange which is fitted to the
side. The ventilating cover consists of a casting formed with a recess
round the edge to allow of wood or other slightly elastic material being
fitted therein, so as to protect the casting in cases of carts or heavy
weights passing over, also to prevent horses from slipping. The centre
part is formed with a series of apertures, slots, or holes in it, so as
to allow the escape of the gas arising from the sewer, and thereby to
ventilate the sewer or drain. The shaft into which this apparatus is
fitted is formed in the ordinary manner, but has a recess near the top or
surface coming under the flange which is affixed to the side of the man-
hole box or entrance. The man-hole box rests and is bolted on to a
stone or block having its centre cut away so as to allow of the sludge

page_text: box or mud basket at the bottom of the man-hole passing therethrough.
This stone or block rests on three sides on the brick or lining of the
shaft leading to the drain or sewer. On the fourth side there is fitted a
frame or casting so made as to rest between the stone and the rccess in
the shaft before mentioned. This frame or casting receives and holds a
charcoal or purifying basket. Connected with the branch or outlet
leading from the side and through the bottom flange of the man-hole or
entrance box is a drain pipe, which descends down (by preference the
corner of) the shaft and dips into the sump-hole at the bottom of the
shaft, whereby it is trapped. Connecting the sewer with the shaft is a
sluice gate and flushing valve formed of cast iron or of other metal, and
of the following description:-A square box or casing fitting the edge of
the sewer where it joins the shaft, and having a cover or door which is
hinged to it at one side, and which cover or door has a lining or ring of,
by preference, india-rubber or other suitable material for forming a joint
and rendering the drain completely shut off from the shaft when the
gate or cover is closed. Near the bottom of this cover and having its.
lower surface flush with the edge of the sewer or drain is a clack valve-
hinged at its top to the cover or gate. At the bottom of this clack valve
is a ring to which is attached a chain which leads up the shaft and can
be connected for the purpose of opening or working to a small portable
winch formed of an iron frame having a toothed wheel fixed on its
barrel or axis, which toothed wheel works into a spiral thread or screw
on an upright spindle, which is connected with a handle for turning the
same, and thereby lifting the chain which works the olack valve at the
bottom of the shaft.
The lamp-hole cover is of the following description :-A square flange
having a circular or other hole in the centre round which rises a small
cylinder, which is recessed at top to receive a cover, which cover is
secured by means of a chain. Passing through the flange and fitting
on to the cylinder is a pipe which descends into the sewer.
The flushing box is of the following description:-A casting of the
shape of a hollow cone, with its narrow end downwards; round this
casting is a flange. A cover is fitted at the top, which is secured in its
place by means of a chain. From this flushing box and leading into
the sewer, drain, or shaft is a pipe.
The gully stench trap is of the following description:-A casting or

page_text: box of a square or other suitable form, having at one side an opening or
aperture flush with its bottom, from which rises a pipe having a neck or
elbow, with its mouth or outlet turned down, thence leading to the
sewer or drain. This casting or box is recessed at the top to receive a
cover having suitable slots or holes in it to prevent straw, shavings, or
other choking matter gaining access to the gully. To this cover is bolted
or otherwise attached a hopper, which has its mouth over a sludge box,
which sludge box is of a square or other suitable form, and fits into the
before-mentioned casting or box, and is fitted with feet to raise it from
the bottom and handles for the purpose of raising or lifting it out of the
gully or box for the purpose of emptying it of sediment when required.
The flushing valve or differential outlet pipe for subsidence tanks or
cesspools is formed of a pipe leading from the subsidence tank to the
sewer or drain, and having a vertical pipe attached to it with an universal
joint. This pipe passes up through the deposit in the tank or cesspool,
and by means of the before-mentioned joint can be so arranged as to
allow the escape into the drain or sewer of water or other liquid laying
in the tank above the deposit. This pipe can also be used for the purpose
of flushing the sewers or drains.
The action and purposes of the different parts of the apparatus and
general combination and arrangement of the same herein-before de-
scribed are as follows:-The mud basket at the bottom of and resting in
the man-hole box is for the purpose of receiving deposit caused by heavy
rains and floods. In these cases the water runs through the apertures,
falls into the sludge box or mud basket; it then overflows on one side
of the mud basket and through the branch in the side of the man-hole
box, thence down the pipe leading down the shaft, and escapes into the
sump-hole at the bottom of the shaft. By this means no water or other
liquid can gain access to the charcoal or purifying basket. The gases
arising from the sump-hole or sewer generally escape up the shaft and pass
through the charcoal or purifying basket, then up through the recess in
the shaft and through apertures or slots in the side of the man-hole box;
they then escape into the open air through the apertures or slots in the
man-hole cover, being purifyied in their transition through the charcoal or
purifying basket. When it is required to enter the drain for purposes of
repair or otherwise the man-hole cover is first removed, after which the
sludge box or mud basket can be lifted out; access to the shaft can now

page_text: be gained, namely, through the man-hole box, and through the hole or
aperture at its bottom, and through the hole or aperture in the stone or
block on which it rests, and thence down the shaft into the drain.
The sluice gate and flushing valve fitted at the bottom of the shaft is
for the purpose of thoroughly flushing and cleansing the sewers and
drains. The lamp-hole cover can be fixed in the street between two
shafts, and is for the purpose of lowering a lamp down to enable the
workmen to have light. The flushing box can also be fitted in the
street, having the pipe connected with it leading into the shaft or into
the sewer, and on removal of the cover a water hose or pipe can be
applied and the sewer flushed or cleansed accordingly.
The street gully constructed according to the foregoing description is
completely trapped, as the water lays in its bottom to a level with the
under side of the elbow or escape pipe, thereby preventing any return
smell or effluvia from the drain.
A flushing valve or differential outlet pipe for subsidence tanks,
according to the foregoing description, enables all water to be drawn
from the surface of the deposit or manure by means of its adjusting joint;
also can be used for the purpose of thoroughly flushing or cleansing
the sewers or drains when required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Samuel Harrison in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 13th October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
HARRISON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Ironfounder, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of April, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Samuel Harrison, Her special
licence that I, the said Samuel Harrison, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Samuel Harrison, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no

page_text: others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS AND ARRANGEMENT OF SAME FOR VENTILATING, GAINING ACCESS TO,
AND FLUSHING STREET AND OTHER SEWERS AND DRAINS, ALSO IM PURIFYING THE
NOXIOUS GASES ARISING THEREFROM, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS CONSIST IN
GULLY STENCH TRAPS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Samual Harrison, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said In-
vention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Samuel Harrison, do hereby declare
the nature of my said 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 has for its object and relates to an improved apparatus
and arrangement of same for ventilating, gaining access to, and flushing
street and other sewers and drains, and in a trap gully combined with
sludge box.
The apparatus consists of a man-hole and ventilating cover combined
with moveable sludge box or mud basket; in the arrangement of a char-
coal basket which is used for purifying the noxious gases arising from
the sewer or drain, and escaping through the ventilating cover; in an
overflow or drain pipe connected with the man-hole and extending into
the sump-hole at the bottom of the man-hole shaft, where it is trapped; in
a flushing valve fixed on the edge of the sewer or drain where it joins
the shaft; in a portable winch for raising the said flushing valve; in a
flushing box connected with the above for flushing the sewers and drains
and a lamphole cover for the purpose of lighting and ventilating sewers
and drains when workmen are engaged therein; and in a trap gully made
with a hopper and moveable sludge box; and in a flushing valve or
.differential outlet pipe for subsidence tanks and cesspools.
The apparatus is constructed and arranged in the following manner:
The man-hole or shaft entrance is formed of a cast-iron box of an oval,

page_text: square, or other suitable form, bevelled at top so as to fit sets or pave-
ment in the street and having a loose or attached flange on one side, a
flange at bottom with a pipe or branch passing therethrough and leading
from one side of box or case. The bottom of the box is partially cut away,
leaving a flange with a projecting piece all round so as to allow of an
oval, square, round, or other suitably shaped sludge box or mud basket
resting thereon, and forming an air-tight joint. In the other side of the
man-hole there is cast a series of apertures, holes, or slots which lead
out under the loose or attached flange which is fitted to the side. The
ventilating cover consists of a casting formed with a recess round the
edge to allow of wood or other slightly elastic material being fitted
therein, so as to protect the casting in cases of carts or heavy weights
passing over, also to prevent horses from slipping. The centre part is
formed with a series of apertures, slots, or holes in it so as to allow the
escape of the gas arising from the sewer, and thereby to ventilate the
sewer or drain.
The shaft into which this apparatus is fitted is formed in the ordinary
manner, but has a recess near the top or surface coming under the flange
which is fixed to the side of the man-hole box or entrance. The man-
hole box rests and is bolted on to a stone or block having its centre cut
away so as to allow of the sludge box or mud basket at the bottom of
the man-hole to pass therethrough. This stone or block rests on three
sides on the brick or lining of the shaft leading to the drain or sewer.
On the fourth side there is fitted a frame or casting so made as to rest
between the stone and the recess in the shaft before mentioned. This
frame or casting receives and holds a charcoal or purifying basket. Con-
nected with the branch or outlet leading from the side, and through the
bottom flange of the man-hole or entrance box is a drain pipe, which
descends down (by preference the corner of) the shaft and dips into the
sump-hole at the bottom of the shaft, whereby it is trapped. Connecting
the sewer with the shaft is a sluice gate and flushing valve formed of
cast iron or of other metal, and of the following description:-An egg-
shaped or oval box or casing fitting the edge of the sewer where it joins
the shaft, and having a cover or door which is hinged to it at one side,
and which cover or door has a lining of, by preference, india-rubber or
other suitable material for forming a joint and rendering the drain com-
pletely shut off the shaft when the gate or cover is closed. Near the
bottom of this cover and having its lower surface flush with the edge of

page_text: the sewer or drain is a clack valve hinged at its top to the cover or gate.
At the bottom of this clack valve is a ring, to which is attached a chain
which leads up the shaft and can be connected for the purpose of opening
or working to a small portable winch formed of an iron frame having a
toothed wheel fixed on its barrel or axis, which toothed wheel works into
a spiral thread or screw on an upright spindle which is connected with a
handle for turning same, and thereby lifting the chain which works the
clack valve at the botton of the shaft.
The lamphole cover is of the following description:-A square flange
having a circular or other hole, in the centre round which rises a small
cylinder which is recessed at top to receive a cover, which cover is
secured by means of a chain. Passing through the flange and fitting
into the cylinder is a pipe which descends into the sewer.
The flushing box is of the following description :-A casting of the
shape of a hollow cone with its narrow end downwards, round this
casting is a flange; a cover is fitted at the top, which is secured in its
place by means of a chain; from this flushing box, and leading into
the sewer, drain, or shaft is a pipe.
The gully stench trap is of the following description:-A casting or
box of a square or other suitable form having at one side an opening
or aperture flush with its bottom, from which rises a pipe having a neck
or elbow with its mouth or outlet turned down, thence leading to the
sewer or drain. This casting or box is recessed at the top to receive a
cover having suitable slots or holes in it to prevent straw, shavings, or
other choking matter gaining access to the gully. To this cover is bolted
or otherwise attached a hopper, which has its mouth over a sludge box,
which sludge box is of a square or other suitable form, and fits into the
before-mentioned casting or box, and is fitted with feet to raise it from
the bottom and handles for the purpose of raising or lifting it out of
the gully or box, for the purpose of emptying it of sediment when
required.
The flushing valve or differential outlet pipe for subsidence tanks or
cesspools is formed of a pipe leading from the subsidence tank to the
sewer or drain, and having a vertical pipe attached to it with an universal
joint. This pipe passes up through the deposit in the tank or cesspool,
and by means of the before-mentioned joint can be so arranged as to
allow the escape into the drain or sewer of the water or other liquid

page_text: laying in the tank above the deposit. This pipe can also be used for the
purpose of flushing the sewers or drains.
That this my said Invention may be the more readily seen and under-
stood, I have hereunto annexed Drawings illustrative of the arrangement,
and the various parts appertaining to the same, as will enable any person
acquainted with engineering to thoroughly understand and carry the same
into practical effect.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 18, 19, and 20 are drawn to the scale
of one inch to the foot; Figures 7, 8, and 9 are drawn to the scale of
two inches to the foot; Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are drawn to
the scale of one and a half inches to the foot. Apparatus constructed
according to these dimensions will be found convenient, but of course
these can be varied as required. Like letters and figures marked on the
Drawings are used to denote similar parts throughout the various
Figures. Arrows show the direction of the noxious gases arising from
the sewer.
Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the arrangement of man-hole
and ventilating cover combined with moveable sludge box or mud
basket, the charcoal basket, drain pipe, and top of man-hole shaft.
Figure 2 is a side view, also in section, of the same. Figure 3 is a
continuation of Figure 1 showing the bottom of the man-hole shaft,
the sump-hole, the sluice gate, and flushing valve. Figure 4 is a con-
tinuation of Figure 2, and is a side view of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a
sectional plan of Figures 3 and 4 showing the sump-hole with sluice gate
and flushing valve. Figure 6 is a plan of man-hole box and cover.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of a gully stench trap. Figure 8 is a side
view, and Figure 9 is a plan of same. Figure 10 is a section of a flushing
valve for drains, and Figure 11 is a front view of the same. Figure 12
is a section of a lamp-hole cover, and Figure 13 is a plan of the same.
Figure 14 is a sectional view of flushing box, and Figure 15 is a plan of
the same. Figure 16 is a front view of charcoal basket, and Figure 17
is a side view of the same. Figure 18 is a side elevation of a portable
winch for raising flushing valves. Figure 19 is a side elevation of a
differential outlet pipe for subsidence tanks. Figure 20 is a horizontal
section of joint of differential outlet pipe.
A (Figures 1 and 2), man-hole box; B, ventilating cover of the same;
C, drain pipe connected with man-hole box, and leading down the shaft

page_text: into the sump-hole; D, sludge box or mud basket, which fits in the
bottom of (A) man-hole box; D', air-tight joint of sludge box with
man-hole; E, apertures in the side of man-hole leading into recess at
the top of man-hole shaft; F, flange (loose or attached) projecting from
one side of man-hole box, and forming the top of recess in man-hole
shaft; G, stone block supporting man-hole, and resting on three sides
on brickwork of man-hole shaft; H, frame and charcoal basket sup-
porting the fourth side of stone block G, and resting on the bottom of
the recess in man-hole shaft; I, sets of roadway; K, man-hole shaft;
K' (Figures 3, 4, and 5), brickwork of same; K2, sump-hole at bottom
of man-hole shaft; K³, sewer; L, casing, to which is hinged M, sluice
gate; N, flushing valve; O, chain for opening same; P (Figures 7, 8,
and 9), gully stench trap; Q, cover of same; Q', hopper, bolted or
otherwise attached to cover, and having its mouth over R, sludge box;
R', handles for lifting sludge box out of gully trap; S, outlet of gully trap
leading to drain pipes. Figures 10 and 11, T, drain pipe; U, flushing.
valve attached to same. Figures 12 and 13, V, lamphole cover;
W, pipe leading to sewer. Figures 14 and 15, X, flushing box; Y, pipe
leading to sewer. Figures 16 and 17, Z, charcoal basket. Figure 18,
a, frame of winch; b, handle; c, spiral thread, which works d, toothed
wheel, and thereby e, barrel of winch; f, feet for keeping winch in
position when in use. Figures 19 and 20, g, brickwork of subsidence
tank; h, pipe leading from subsidence tank to sewer or drain; i, differ-
ential pipe attached to h by means of universal joint k; 1, block sup-
porting differential outlet pipe.
The action and purposes of the different parts of the apparatus and
general combination and arrangement of same herein-before described
are as follows:-Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, the mud basket D, at the
bottom of and resting in the man-hole box A, is for the purpose of
receiving deposit caused by heavy rains and floods. In these cases the
water runs through the apertures in the man-hole cover B, and falls into
the sludge box or mud basket D; it then overflows on one side of the
mud basket D², and through the drain pipe C, and escapes into the sump-
hole K2 at the bottom of the shaft K. By this means no water or other
liquid can gain access to the charcoal basket H. The gases arising from
the sump-hole and sewer generally escape up the shaft K, and pass
through the charcoal or purifying basket H, then up the recess at the
top of the shaft K, and through the apertures or slots E in the side of

page_text: the man-hole box A. They then escape into the open air through the
apertures or slots in the man-hole cover B, being purified in their
transition through the charcoal basket H. When it is required to enter
the drain or sewer for the purpose of repair, or otherwise, the man-hole
cover B is first removed, after which the sludge box D can be lifted out.
Access to the shaft K can then be gained, namely, through the man-hole
box A, through the hole or aperture in its bottom, and through the hole
or aperture in the stone block G on which it rests, and thence down the
shaft K, and into the sewer or drain K. The sluice gate M and flushing
valve N is for the purpose of thoroughly flushing and cleansing the
sewers and drains. The lamphole cover, Figures 12 and 13 is fixed in
the street between two shafts, and is for the purpose of lowering a lamp
to enable the workmen to have light. The flushing box, Figures 14 and
15, can also be fitted in the street, having the pipe Y connected with it
leading into the shaft or sewer, and on removal of the cover a water
hose or pipe can be applied and the sewer flushed and cleansed accord-
ingly. The street gully constructed according to Figures 7, 8, and 9 is
completely trapped, as the water lays in its bottom to a level with the
under side of the elbow or escape pipe 8, thereby preventing any return
smell or noxious effluvia from the drain. The flushing valve or
differential outlet pipe, Figure 19, enables all water to be drawn from
the surface of the deposit or manure by means of the adjusting pipe i,
which can be raised to the necessary level, and thereby allow the surface
water to escape. This pipe can also be used for the purpose of flushing
or cleansing the drains when required.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature and purposes of
this my Invention, and the best means I am acquainted with for
carrying the same into practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I
do not confine myself to the several proportions and relative dimensions
of the various parts, as it will be seen that the same may be considerably
varied without departing from the Invention; but what I claim is,--
First. The peculiar arrangement of man-hole box A, man-hole
cover B, sludge box D, drain pipe C, charcoal basket H, substantially in
the manner and for the purposes herein-before described, set forth, and
illustrated.
Secondly. The man-hole A, man-hole cover B, sludge box D, substan-
tially in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described, set

page_text: Thirdly. The particular form and arrangement of sluice gate shown
in Figures 3, 4, and 5, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated.
Fourthly. The particular form and arrangement of gully stench trap
shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated.
Fifthly. The particular form and arrangement of sluice valve,
Figures 10 and 11, substantially in the manner and for the purposes.
herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated.
Sixthly. The peculiar form and arrangement of the lamphole cover,.
Figures 12 and 13, substantially in the manner and for the purposes.
herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated.
Seventhly. The peculiar form and arrangement of the flushing box;
Figures 14 and 15, substantially in the manner and for the purposes-
herein-before described, set forth, and illustrated.
Eighthly. The peculiar form and arrangement of the portable winch,
Figure 18, substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein-
before described, set forth, and illustrated.
Ninthly, and lastly. The differential outlet pipe for subsidence tanks,
and cesspools, shown in Figures 19 and 20, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein-before described, set forth, and.
illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Harrison, have hereunto.
set my hand and affixed my seal, this Twelfth day of October, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine..
Witness,
FREDERICK J. CHEESBROUGH,
of 43, Castle Street,
Liverpool.
SAMUEL (L.s.) HARRISON.