AN IMPROVEMENT IN SOIL PIPES SPECIALLY APPLICABLE TO THE SOIL PIPES OF WATERCLOSETS AND KITCHEN SINKS, WHEREBY THE ENTRANCE OF SEWER AIR INTO DWELLING HOUSES IS PREVENTED
Year: 1878

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Allan Heron at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd October 1878.
GEORGE ALLAN HERON, M.D., of 40, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, London,
W., in the County of Middlesex, Great Britain. "AN IMPROVEMENT IN SOIL PIPES
SPECIALLY APPLICABLE TO THE SOIL PIPES OF WATERCLOSETS AND KITCHEN SINKS,
WHEREBY THE ENTRANCE OF SEWER AIR INTO DWELLING HOUSES IS PREVENTED."
Immediately below the valve or pan of the watercloset is the beginning of a pipe,
which when the lever or pull is worked carries the contents of the closet direct into
the main soil pipe.
No siphon or water trap of any kind intervenes between the watercloset and the
main soil pipe. The pipe from the watercloset forms a Y shaped junction with the
main soil pipe outside the house, and as near as possible to the watercloset.
I divide into two parts the pipe which joins the watercloset with the main soil
pipe. The division is made above the Y shaped junction referred to, and a
considerable space separates the divided ends. The open end next the soil pipe is
made wide enough to receive a movable piece of pipe, which slides upon the upper
part of the divided part, and is long enough when allowed to slide downwards to
join the upper and lower portions of the pipe running from the watercloset to the
main soil pipe. This part of the contrivance may be called the "joiner." The
"joiner" is kept in position by three metal rods. They embrace the upper portion
of the pipe from the watercloset and end in a perforated metal cap, which is
attached by means of suitable wire cord to the seat lid of the watercloset. The
cord passes over a deep furrowed pulley, next through the house wall, then over
another pulley, and ends by passing through a hole in the seat lid of the water-
closet. While passing over the pulleys the cord is kept in position by check pulleys.
When the seat lid is raised the "joiner" of course falls down upon the lower part
of the pipe as described above, and so the pipe is complete from end to end.
the
When the lid is closed the "joiner" is raised, and an air space is left separating
open ends of the pipe as before described.
It is obvious that when the watercloset is not in use, i.e., when the "joiner" is
raised, sewer air passing up the main soil pipe will escape into the open air instead
[Price 2d1

page_text: of into the house through the watercloset. When the "joiner" is allowed to fall
into its position on the lower portion of the pipe, i.e., when the watercloset is in use,
sewer air will escape through the open part of the upper portion of the pipe which
joins the watercloset and main soil pipe. Fresh air has thus at all times free access
to all parts of the pipe into which the closet is emptied.
The lever or pull which empties the watercloset must be placed so that it cannot
be worked except when the seal lid is open.
A ring of india-rubber or other suitable substance is placed round the ledge of
the "joiner," preventing noise when the "joiner" falls upon the lower portion of
the pipe.
At the end of the pipe immediately below the pan or valve of the watercloset
there is a screw giving access to the pipe for cleaning purposes.