Improvements in or relating to Water Waste Preventers or Apparatus for Delivering Regulated Quantities of Liquid to Sanitary and other Appliances.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 23rd Nov.. 1887
Complete Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1887
Improvements in or relating to Water Waste Preventers or
Apparatus for Delivering Regulated Quantities of Liquid to
Sanitary and other Appliances.
I JOSEPH THOMAS HARRIS, of Welby House, Lansdown Hill, Lower Norwood,
Surrey, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
My invention has reference to water waste preventers or apparatus for use in
flushing sanitary appliances such as water closets, urinals, or drains and for any other
purpose where a violent discharge of a regulated quantity of water or liquid is
required.
The construction and action of my preventers are modified according to the
particular purpose for which they are required.
According to one modification a violent discharge of any given quantity of water
or liquid is obtained by automatic action at regular intervals, the exact time elapsing
between the successive discharges being previously regulated as required. No leakage
or partial discharge can take place.
According to a second modification a violent single discharge of a given quantity
of water or liquid is obtained immediately on pulling the ordinary handle that acts
on the cistern lever. Whether the handle be retained or not the full discharge is
obtained. The exact period occupied to refill the cistern ready for another discharge
is previously regulated. Nothing less than a full discharge can be obtained at any
time.
According to a third modification a violent first discharge of a given quantity of
water or liquid is obtained immediately on pulling the ordinary handle that acts on
the cistern lever. Then by an automatic arrangement, after the lapse of some
seconds or other length of time as may be arranged, a second discharge or after flush
is obtained. This second discharge cannot however take place, nor can any water
enter the cistern through the supply valve, while the handle is retained and if the
handle is immediately released no water can enter the cistern by the ball tap until
after both the first and second discharges are completed. The exact periods (however
long or short) occupied to refill the cistern after the second discharge ready for

page_text: another action are previously regulated. Nothing less than a full discharge of water
can be obtained at any time.
In carrying out the first modification of the invention I employ a cistern of any
desired shape and capacity having attached to or forming part of the bottom a sunk
well of any desired depth in which is constructed a compound or multiple syphon of
very quick delivery made up of or formed by a series of rings of any required depth.
Half the number of these rings are attached to the bottom of the well and the other
half are attached to a circular plate making a top or cover when in its place. The
rings of the well and the rings of the cover are situated between each other alternately
and form a box containing a number (preferably eight) of annular chambers. Each
chamber is in communication with its neighboring chambers alternately at the top
and the bottom of the box. There is sufficient space between the contiguous faces of
the rings and between the edges of the rings and the top or bottom of the box, as the
case may be, to give a total sectional area in each chamber and in each passage
connecting them as shall be more than equal to that of the discharge or flushing pipe ;
the top part of this pipe forms the inner or smallest ring of the compound syphon,
and the outer or larger ring is formed by the well in the bottom of the cistern, it being
open thereto.
The cistern also contains a separate and independent ring a little larger in diameter
than the ball of the ball tap that supplies the cistern. This ring stands sufficiently
high above the top of the syphon to enable it to set the syphon to work and create
sufficient pressure to raise the water in each of the annular chambers and pass it over
the partition rings dividing and forming the sides of these chambers. The number of
chambers in the compound syphon and their depth will in all cases determine the
height of the independent ring. This ring is attached to the bottom of the cistern
and any water contained in it can only pass into the cistern through a hole of given
size and any water in the cistern can only pass into the ring through this hole until
it has reached to a higher level than the top of the ring. The apparatus being thus
constructed is charged with water and set in action as follows:-The ball working in
the independent ring falls to its lowest and opens wide the tap; this continues to have
its supply way wide open until the cistern is within a tinch or less of being charged;
the water then flows over the top of the ring filling it almost in an instant and as
quickly shutting off the ball tap. At the same time, the water having risen to the
requisite height, the pressure becomes sufficient to charge all the annular chambers of
the compound syphon which then comes into action and the flushing pipe discharges
the contents of the cistern violently.
The hole near the bottom of the independent ring determines by its size the time
occupied in discharging the water under the ball into the body of the cistern. This
time, be it long or short, can be arranged as required according to the desired
interval between the successive charges or discharges.
In carrying out the second modification of the invention I employ a cistern having
a compound syphon similar in construction and action to that before described but
the outermost of the top series of rings is made higher than the others, and this extra
height stands up into the cistern above the top of the cover plate so that the top part
of the syphon becomes a circular inner cistern; this circular cistern has a round
central opening at the bottom this bottom being in fact the top or cover plate of the
syphon. In this hole a drop pipe is fixed, standing directly over the discharge or
flushing pipe and the flushing pipe is somewhat enlarged at its top end or junction
with the well bottom of the large cistern so as to allow of the well or pipe fixed in
the syphon cover projecting somewhat below the bottom of the large cistern well.
This drop pipe or well has an opening at bottom to receive a simple round valve
working loosely up and down with a rod which carries it; this rod is actuated as
follows: To the plate on top of the upper series of syphon rings and within the
circular cistern are attached or cast with it two uprights having at the top hollow
bearings for a horizontal spindle. Upon this spindle is cast a treble or compound
cam, similar in shape to a trefoil, and which actuates or raises and lowers, at each
partial revolution it makes, the valve above referred to. This may be effected by the

page_text: cam acting upon a clip or pair of cheeks having a vertical slot formed in each of
them constituting guides to these cheeks which are in fact a continuation of the valve
rod. These cheeks are one on each side of the trefoil cam and the sides of the slot
are on each side of the cam spindle. They carry a circular faced piece cast with and
connecting them together over the cam. In partially revolving the cam strikes
against one side of this circular face raising it and the valve, and after passing its
centre allows the valve to fall again into its seat. This cam spindle is caused to
revolve as follows:-On to the spindle a paul having three teeth set in a proper
position is cast which paul stands outside one of the upright bearings carrying the
spindle. In the side of the cistern next and opposite to this paul is fixed a collar or
gudgeon and working in this is a short shouldered. spindle, the shoulders having
(allowing for play) the same distance between them as the length of the gudgeon, and
to form a working collar to this spindle a plate is slipped on against the shoulder and
held in position by a nut on the end of this spindle. This plate carries a balance
weight or counterpoise bringing it always when at rest into the same position. This
plate also carries a loose catch working with the paul on the cam spindle. The other
end of this short spindle has also against the other shoulder next the gudgeon a plate
slipped on, this plate having an arm; it is kept in position by nut and screw as is the
inner plate; this arm on plate is of the proper shape and length to attach the pull
chain or wire to and the before mentioned balance weight is sufficiently heavy to
counteract the weight of the pull action.
Therefore, when the chain attached to the arm is pulled, it causes the short spindle
to make one third of a revolution and this, acting through the paul upon the cam
spindle, causes one third revolution here also, thus raising and lowering the syphon
valve once, the balance weight carrying back the paul catch with the arm and wire
or chain only into a position ready for communicating another third revolution to
the cam.
In this modification the water in the cistern is not allowed to rise to the same
height above the top of the syphon as in the modification first described, but only
high enough to ensure the same violent emptying of the cistern. The charging of
the syphon is brought about as follows:-On pulling the handle a partial revolution
is caused in the cain spindle thus raising and lowering the valve and keeping it open
long enough to allow sufficient water to pass out of the circular inner cistern into the
flushing pipe to create when descending in that pipe a sufficient vacuum to cause the
water in the outer cistern to rise in the annular chambers and thus charge
the syphon and set it in action. The independent ring in which the tap ball works is
the same as in the first modification but shallower.
In carrying out the third modification of the invention I employ a cistern with a
compound syphon of very quick delivery having an inner circular cistern with its
well or drop pipe and enlarged end of flushing pipe, its valve with pair of cheeks, the
upright bearers, its cam spindle, short spindle with arm for chain and balance weight
as well as the independent ring as above described.
The entire cistern has three compartments the divisions being so placed and of such
a height that the desired quantities of water for the first and second flush or discharge
may be obtained as they are required. The syphon and its circnlar cistern over is
placed in the centre compartment and the outer ring of this about an inch above the
bottom opens out into a box, part of whose walls extends up to the top of and forms
part of the sides of the cistern itself, while the remaining part of the box walls extends
up to within about half an inch of the water level when the cistern is fully charged.
The two outer compartments together with the centre one are made to contain to the
water level the total quantity of water required for the first and second discharges plus
the space occupied by the syphon and circular cistern as well as that of the
independent ring, this ring being placed in the centre of one of the outer compart-
ments. There are holes in the bottoms of the outer compartments of such size as to
allow the water in them to find its way in a given time into the centre compartment,
and thereby charging this centre or syphon compartment up to the necessary level.
The cam spindle carries a cam in its centre; it also carries a much smaller pointed

page_text: cam on its end which when the arm is pulled down acts on and holds up the lever of
and closes the ball tap keeping it closed until the arm is released or the return one
third revolution is made by the cam spindle. The cam spindle also carries an open
box or tray of the required capacity for holding water, this has a hole or holes in the
bottom; it also carries a balance weight or counterpoise which at the proper time
brings and keeps the spindle and all it carries to the proper position for starting the
apparatus with the box or tray entirely out of the water. The operation is as
follows: When the outer arm is pulled down it causes the cam spindle to make one
third of a revolution; in doing so it acts on the valve and causes the first discharge
and at the same time catching the lever of the ball tap so that this is kept closed.
The spindle also carries with it the box or tray which is thus immersed in and becomes
filled with part of the water contained in the outer compartment opposite to that in
which the independent ring stands. The spindle also carries with it the balance
weight or counterpoise which is unable to act so long as the box or tray has sufficient
water in it to overcome the counterpoise. The emptying of the centre compartment
occupies less than three seconds and as this empties the water commences to run
through from the outer compartments again charging the central compartment to the
necessary height. By the time this is accomplished the water in the box or tray
carried by the cam spindle has drained out of it and sufficiently lightened it to allow
of the balance weight or counterpoise coming into play, when this weight carries back
the cam spindle and all it moves, one third of a revolution, thereby opening and
closing the valve and thus causing the second syphon discharge or after flush. No
additional water can pass through the ball tap until after the second discharge has
taken place, nor can any water enter should the arm be pulled down and kept open
for any length of time; neither can the second discharge or after flush occur until the
arm is released.
הד
J. C. MEWBURN,
169, Fleet Street, London,
Agent.

page_text: Apparatus for Delivering Regulated Quantities of Liquid to
Sanitary and other Appliances.
I JOSEPH THOMAS HARRIS, of Welby House, Lansdown Hill, Lower Norwood,
Surrey, Engineer, 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 :—
My invention has reference to water waste preventers or apparatus for use in
flushing sanitary appliances, such as water closets, urinals, or drains and for any other
purpose where a violent discharge of a regulated quantity of water or liquid is
required.
The construction and action of my preventers are modified according to the
particular purpose for which they are required.
According to one modification a violent discharge of any given quantity of water
or liquid is obtained by automatic action at regular intervals the exact time elapsing
between the successive discharges being previously regulated as required. No leakage
or partial discharge can take place.
According to a second modification a violent single discharge of a given quantity
of water or liquid is obtained immediately on pulling the ordinary handle that acts on
the cistern lever. Whether the handle be retained or not the full discharge is
obtained. The exact period occupied to refill the cistern ready for another discharge
is previously regulated. Nothing less than a full discharge can be obtained at any
time.
According to a third modification a violent first discharge of a given quantity of
water or liquid is obtained immediately on pulling the ordinary handle that acts on
the cistern lever. Then by an automatic arrangement, after the lapse of some seconds
or other length of time as may be arranged, a second discharge or after flush is
obtained. This second discharge cannot however take place nor can any water enter
the cistern through the supply valve while the handle is retained and if the handle is
immediately released no water can enter the cistern by the ball-tap until after both
the first and second discharges are completed. Nothing less than a full discharge of
water can be obtained at any time.
In carrying out the first modification or purpose of the invention I employ a cistern
of any desired shape and capacity-such as is represented at a in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of
the drawings, which figures are respectively a longitudinal section, a transverse

page_text: section, and a plan of the apparatus,-the cistern having attached to, or forming part
of the bottom a sunk well b of any desired depth in which, or partly so, is constructed
a compound or multiple syphon of very quick delivery made up of or formed by a
series of fixed rings c c c d d d d of any required depth. The rings ccc stand up
from a plate at the bottom of the well and the rings d d d d are attached to a circular
plate e making a top or cover when in its place. The rings of the well and the rings
of the cover are situated between each other alternately and form a box containing a
number (preferably eight) of annular chambers. Each of these chambers is in com-
munication with its neighboring chambers alternately at the top and bottom of the
box. There is sufficient space between the contiguous faces of the rings and between
the edges of the rings and the top or bottom of the box, as the case may be, to give a
total sectional area in each chamber and in each passage connecting them as shall be
more than equal to that of the discharge or flushing pipe f; the top part of this pipe
forms the inner or smallest ring of the compound syphon, and the outer or
larger ring is formed by the well b in the bottom of the cistern, it being open
thereto.
The cistern a also contains a separate and independent ring g a little larger in
diameter than the ball h of the ball-tap that supplies the cistern. This ring g is
sufficiently high above the top of the syphon to enable it to set the syphon to work
and to create sufficient pressure to raise the water in each of the annular chambers
and pass it over the partition rings dividing and forming the sides of these chambers.
The number of chambers in the compound syphon and their depth will in all cases
determine the height of the ring 9,-for example, in this modification if the depth of
the rings of the compound or multiple syphon requires half an inch of height-pressure
to overcome one chamber and there are eight chambers, as shown, the height of the
top of the ring g above the syphon should be four inches. Any water contained in
the ring g can only pass into the cistern a through a hole i of given size and
any water
in the cistern can only pass into the ring 9 through this hole until it has reached to a
higher level than the top of the ring. The apparatus being thus constructed is charged
with water and set in action as follows:-The ball h working in the ring g falls to its
lowest and opens wide the tap; this continues to have its supply way wide open until
the cistern is within a quarter inch or less of being charged (the figures show it
as charged); the water then flows over the top of the ring g filling it almost in an
instant and as quickly shutting off the ball-tap. At the same time the water
having risen to the requisite height the pressure becomes sufficient to charge all the
annular chambers of the compound syphon which then comes into action and the
flushing pipe discharges the contents of the cistern violently.
The hole near the bottom of the ring g determines by its size the time occupied
in discharging the water under the ball into the body of the cistern. This time,-
be it long or short-can be arranged as required according to the desired interval
between the successive charges or discharges.
g
The same arrangement as that just described but with the ring 9 placed upon the
top of the compound or multiple syphon as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 will answer
for carrying out the purpose of the second modification hereinbefore set forth, that
is to say, the obtaining of a violent single discharge of a given quantity of water or
liquid immediately on pulling the ordinary handle that acts on the cistern lever.
The height of the top of the ring 9 is in this case not quite sufficient to give the pressure
for overcoming the chambers of the syphon but when the cistern lever k is acted on a
plate attached thereto produces a wave in the cistern which temporarily causes an
additional height of water above the syphon sufficient to start the same. m is an
overflow which when the lever is acted on is temporarily shielded by a curved back-
ward extension n of the plate / so as to prevent escape of water at that part when the
wave is produced, as explained.
The second modification or purpose of the invention can also be effected in the
manner and by the arrangement which I will now proceed to describe. This arrange-
ment is not specially or separately illustrated in the drawings but most of the parts

page_text: composing the same are seen in Figures 7, 8 and 9 (which illustrate a mode or
arrangement for carrying out the third modification or purpose of the invention) and
in describing it I will refer to the parts of those figures and the letters thereon so far
as they will serve. The remaining parts will be sufficiently understood from the
description. In this arrangement I employ a cistern (a) having a compound
syphon (c cd d) similar in construction and action to that before described but the
outermost of the top series of rings (d, d) is made higher than the others (as seen
at d¹) and this extra height stands up into the cistern above the top of the cover
plate (e) so that the top part of the syphon becomes a circular inner cistern; this
circular cistern has a round central opening at the bottom this bottom being in fact
the top or cover plate (e) of the syphon. In this hole a drop pipe (o) is fixed-
standing directly over the discharge or flushing pipe (f), and the flushing pipe is
somewhat enlarged at its top end (f) or junction with the well bottom of the large cistern
so as to allow of the pipe or well (o) fixed in the syphon cover projecting somewhat
below the bottom of the well b of the large cistern. This drop pipe or well (o) has
an opening at bottom to receive a simple round valve (p) working loosely up and
down with a rod (9) which carries it; this rod is actuated as follows:-To the plate (e)
on top of the upper series of syphon rings and within the circular cistern (d') are
attached or cast with it two uprights (r) having at the top hollow bearings for a
horizontal spindle (s). Upon this spindle is cast a treble or compound cam similar
in shape to a trefoil. This cam occupies the position of the cam marked t in
Figures 7, 8 and 9 (which is not a treble or trefoil cam). It actuates or raises and
lowers, at each partial revolution it makes, the valve (p). This may be effected by
the cam acting upon a clip or pair of cheeks (uu) having a vertical slot formed in each
of them constituting guides to these cheeks which are in fact a continuation of the
valve rod (g). These cheeks are one on each side of the trefoil cam and the sides of
the slot are on each side of the cam spindle (s). They carry a circular faced piece (v)
cast with them and connecting them together over the cam. In partially revolving,
the cam strikes against one side of this circular face (v) raising it and the valve (p)
and after passing, its centre allows the valve to fall again into its seat. This cam
spindle is caused to revolve as follows:-On to the spindle (at the point w) a paul,
having three teeth set in a proper position, is cast which paul stands outside one of the
uprights (r) carrying the spindle (s). In the side of the cistern (a) next and opposite
to this paul is fixed (at z) a collar or gudgeon and working in this is a short shouldered
spindle y-the shoulders having (allowing for play) the same distance between them
as the length of the gudgeon, and, to form a working collar for this spindle, a plate z
is slipped on against the shoulder and held in position by a nut on the end of this
spindle. This plate carries a balance weight or counterpoise z¹ bringing it always
when at rest into the same position. This plate also carries a loose catch working
with the paul on the cam spindle. The other end of this short spindle has also,
against the other shoulder next the gudgeon, a plate slipped on, this plate having an
arm it is kept in position by nut and screw, as is the inner plate; this arm or
plate is of the proper shape and length to attach the pull chain or wire to and the
balance weight is sufficiently heavy to counteract the weight of the pull action.
Therefore when the chain attached to the arm is pulled it causes the short spindle (y)
to make one-third of a revolution and this acting through the paul upon the cam
spindle (s) causes one-third revolution here also, thus raising and lowering the syphon
valve (p) once, the balance weight 2 carrying back the paul catch with the arm and
wire or chain only into a position ready for communicating another third revolution to
the cam.
In this modification the water in the cistern is not allowed to rise to the
same height above the tap of the syphon as in the modification first described but
only high enough to ensure the same violent emptying of the cistern. The charging
of the syphon is brought about as follows:-On pulling the handle a partial revolution
is caused in the cam spindle (s) thus raising and lowering the valve P and keeping it
open long enough to allow sufficient water to pass out of the circular inner cistern d₁
into the flushing pipe (f) to create when descending in that pipe a sufficient vacuum

page_text: to cause the water in the outer cistern (a) to rise in the annular chambers and thus
charge the syphon and set it in action. The independent ring in which the tap bail
works is the same as in the first modification but shallower.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate the manner in which I carry out the third modification
or purpose of the invention. I employ a cistern (a) with a compound syphon of very
quick delivery having an inner circular cistern d' with its well or drop pipe o and
enlarged end of flushing pipe f, its valve p with pair of cheeks uu, the upright
bearers rr, its cam spindle s, short spindle y with arm for chain and balance
weight, all as already described.
The cistern a has an extension A in which a box or tray B is mounted on pivots or
centres C and this box or tray has one or more small holes at its lower part. On the
side of the box B is a pair of cheeks D to which is pivoted a catch E with weight F.
The spindle carries a cam t and also a smaller pointed cam G, which, when the arm
is pulled over,
acts on and holds up the lever of and closes the ball valve h keeping it
closed until the arm is released and the return movement of the cam spindle is
effected. On the cam spindles is a balance weight or counterpoise H which at the
proper time brings the spindles and all it carries to, and keeps them at, the proper
position for starting the apparatus. The operation is as follows:-The cistern a and
the box B being charged, when the outer arm is pulled down it causes the cam
spindle to make a portion of a revolution; in doing so the cam t acts on the circular
face vand consequently lifts and again lowers the valve p thus causing the first
discharge, that is to say, the contents of the cistern a A but not of the box B are
syphoned out. At the same time the cam G catches the lever of the ball valve so that
this is kept closed, while during the partial revolution of the spindle s an arm I
thereon has pushed past and become engaged below the weighted catch E.
The parts
are now in the position shown in the figures and the box B and inner cistern d are
full of water. The box with its charge of water is greater than the weight H and
therefore holds the parts in the positions shown. But the water in the box B
gradually runs out through the hole or holes at its lower part into the cistern a,
filling it up to the necessary height to allow of the syphon acting and by this time this
box has become empty or nearly so so that the weight H overbalances it and the arm I
pushes up the catch E and the parts are returned by means of the weight H to their
normal position. During this return movement the cam t by acting against the
circular face v again lifts and closes the valve p and thereby causes the second syphon
discharge or after-flush. No additional water can pass through the ball tap until the
second discharge has begun to take place because the valve lever is held down by the
cam G nor can any water enter should the actuating arm be pulled down and kept open
for any length of time; neither can the second discharge or after-flush occur until the
said arm is released.
.
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, in respect of water waste preventers or apparatus for delivering regulated
quantities of liquid to sanitary or other appliances, is :-
1. In water waste preventers or apparatus for delivering regulated quantities of
liquid, a compound or multiple syphon composed of a series of fixed rings arranged
and acting substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The construction of water waste preventers or apparatus substantially as herein-
before described for effecting a violent discharge of a given quantity of liquid by
automatic action at regular intervals, as set forth.
3. The construction of water waste preventers or apparatus substantially as herein-
before described for effecting a violent discharge of a given quantity of liquid
immediately upon the cistern lever being acted upon, as set forth.
4. The construction of water waste preventers or apparatus substantially as herein-
before described for effecting a violent first discharge of a given quantity of liquid
immediately upon the cistern lever being acted upon and then, by an automatic

page_text: arrangement after such a lapse of time as may be prearranged, a second discharge or
after-flush, as set forth.
5. The combination, with a compound or multiple syphon, of the drop pipe or well o,
valve P, rod 9, spindle s, cam t, weight H, box B in the outer cistern, and catches E
and I in such manner that when the spindle is acted upon by the cistern lever the
valve p is raised and lowered and thereby starts the syphon action for the discharge of
the contents of the cistern while the catch E retains the spindles and the parts it
carries until the water in the box B has emptied itself into the cistern a when the
weight H causes the return of the spindles and the parts it carries to their normal
position and in so doing again effects the raising and lowering of the valve
P and
thereby again starts the syphon action for a second discharge or after-flush, all
substantially as set forth.
That th
1
CAT
1007
J. C. MEWBURN,
169, Fleet Street, London,
Agent.