Closets and similar Objects.
Year: 1886

page_text: Closets and similar Objects.
We THEODOR KOMMERELL and EDWIN EDWARDS both of Munich Bavaria in
the Empire of Germany, Engineers 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 an automatic flushing apparatus for sewers, drains
water closets and similar objects which operates automatically and periodically,
consuming a small quantity of water, which quantity can be adjusted to varying
requirements forming an effective flushing apparatus for sewers drains closets,
urinals and the like, or the apparatus can be employed as an automatic and
adjustable device for emptying reservoirs, vessels and for similar uses.
Our improved apparatus will operate more effectively than any intermittently
acting flushing apparatus now employed as it operates accurately with the very
slightest (even drop by drop) supply of water, so that with a consumption of for
instance 100 litres in 24 hours an automatic powerful flush will be effected at
intervals of one, two or more hours according to the size of the reservoirs, whilst
at the same time, as is the case with all known non-automatic flushing devices,
water can be taken out of the reservoir at any time.
In the intermittently operating flushing apparatus known up to this time, the
entire and automatic emptying of the reservoir, that is, the object for which the
apparatus is made is always dependent on the quantity of the water supply As
has been proved even with apparatus of the newest construction, the same require
a water supply of at least 2 cubic metres in 24 hours if they are to operate
accurately and as this quantity of water can only be very exceptionally used for
flushing closets urinals and the like it renders-their general introduction in most
cases impossible. The general adoption of our improved apparatus will be highly
desirable in sanitary respects for the reason that none but an apparatus with a
very small consumption of water will render it possible to effect a regular daily or
repeated automatic flushing of the closets, when apartments stand empty for
instance during the vacations or at any other time when the closets are left unused
for any length of time thus preventing the trap from becoming dry and preventing
the penetration of sewer or foul gases to the rooms,
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page_text: In order however to attain this object which is of such eminent sanitary
importance at a slight cost, an apparatus had to be constructed which would
effect and deliver a powerful automatic flush with a small consumption of water
and this object it is believed is attained by the present apparatus. To clearly
explain the nature of the invention reference is made to the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a vertical section, and Figure 2 a top view or plan of the
improved apparatus.
The apparatus consists of a water tank or reservoir provided with a trough
shaped reversing or oscillating lever a which is so constructed that a metallic ball
or rolling weight b can roll to and fro with the least possible friction. The
fulcrum c of this lever a is arranged on the reservoir or tank and the lever at one
end is connected to a float f and the loose connecting rod g of the flushing valve h
by means of the joints or hinges d e.
The metallic or other ball b on the one hand and the correspondingly heavy
flushing or outlet valve h represent the two powers operating on the lever whilst
the float in conjunction with the valve stem or rod, sets these powers in action at
suitable times.
The length of the connecting rod g is in proportion to the heighth of the water
to be stored in the tank, said rod being provided at its lower end with a disc which
moves freely in the hollow space of the valve, rising by the action of the float when
the water rises in the tank, until it comes nearly into contact with the cap i of the
valve. At the same time the float will press the shorter arm of the lever gradually
upwards, and at the moment when the latter is brought beyond the horizontal line
the ball will roll to the opposite end of the lever and thus lift the float and also the
valve sufficiently to allow the water to flow off at k without any obstruction If
the water line is so low that the float is not in contact with it, the weight of the
float in conjunction with that of the connecting rod and valve will overcome the
weight of the ball, draw the shorter arm of the lever a down, and allow the ball to
roll back to its original position thus firmly closing the valve. In order that the
outlet valve be correctly guided when it is raised or lowered three guide rods are
provided. These are bent over at their upper ends so that the valve when raised
will strike against them and be prevented from leaving them. Should the quantity
of water thus let off not be sufficient or a second flushing be considered desirable, the
reservoir can be provided with a reserve chamber or space, and a syphon, in which
case as represented in the accompanying drawing the inflowing water is led into
the said chamber, and the partition wall arranged to be somewhat lower than the
overflow height of the syphon. The water flows out of this reserve chamber into
the main chamber and sets the emptying mechanism in operation, the water
flowing off through the valve and main pipe and sucking the air out of the pipe
leading to the reserve chamber, thus producing a partial vacuum in the same so
that the syphon is put into action. This combination with the syphon is however
not an absolutely necessary feature of the invention as by suitably constructing
our improved apparatus any quantity of water can be brought to flow over
automatically. In cases where a flush is desired before the float can set the parts
in operation automatically, it is only necessary to pull a cord or chain attached to
the long arm of the trough shaped lever a when the valve will be opened, and will
close again as soon as the cord chain or its equivalent is released, so that a flushing
of the closet or other apparatus can be effected at any time even after the automatic
flush, for the reason that when the automatic flush operates the tank is never
emptied even when auxiliary compartments with a syphon are employed, as the
syphon will only empty the auxiliary or reserve chamber. The intervals between
the automatic flushings or emptyings of the tank or reservoir are regulated by
adjusting a cock in the water service. If from any cause the automatic flushing
device should not act the water entering the tank would flow off through the
syphon. It is evident that the various parts can be modified without departing
from the spirit of our invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1. A flushing apparatus, the flushing valve h of which is operated by a float f
and a reversing or oscillating lever a provided with a rolling weight or ball b
substantially as described and shown.
2. A. flushing apparatus, the flushing valve h of which is operated by means of a
float fand a reversing or oscillating lever a provided with a rolling weight or ball b
in combination with a second water compartment and a syphon or suctional lifter,
the longer arm of which leads into the flushing pipe substantially as set forth in
the foregoing specification and represented in the accompanying drawing.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Applicants' Agent.