IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER- CLOSETS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Owen, of 114, Marlborough Road, and 22, Sussex
Place, South Kensington, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER-
CLOSETS
"
Sealed the 17th May 1878, and dated the 8th January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Owen at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th January 1878.
HENRY OWEN, of 114, Marlborough Road, and 22, Sussex Place, South Kensington.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS,
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in waterclosets. For this pur-
pose I make in earthenware a pan with a trap at the bottom, formed by arranging
the outlet from the pan to take place through a passage which inclines upwards, so
that water is always left at the bottom of the pan sufficient to cover the lower end
of the outlet passage. Below this first trap there is a second trap of a similar con-
struction formed with the pan, and from the space between the two traps there is
an outlet for gases, which is connected with a pipe leading to a ventilating shaft,
by which the gases can find free exit.
I prefer to mould the pan and two traps with the ventilating passage, all together
in one piece of earthenware, but the lower trap may be made separately, leaving
the pan with the upper trap and ventilating passage moulded together in one piece
of earthenware to form the closet top.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Owen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th July
1878.
HENRY OWEN, of 114, Marlborough Road, and 22, Sussex Place, South Kensington.
" IMPROVEMENTS IN WATERCLOSETS.'
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in waterclosets. For this pur-
pose I make in earthenware a pan with a trap at the bottom, formed by arranging
the outlet from the pan to take place through a passage which inclines upwards, so
that water is always left at the bottom of the pan, sufficient to cover the lower
end of the outlet passage. Below this first trap there is a second trap of a similar
construction, formed with the pan in one piece, and from the space between the
two traps there is an outlet for gases, which is connected with a pipe leading to a
ventilating shaft, or carried outside the wall, and provided with a cowl by which
the gases can find free exit. A cleaning out opening is provided in case of stop-
page.
I prefer to mould the pan and two traps with the ventilating passage all together
in one piece of earthenware, but the lower trap may be made separately (or be
entirely dispensed with), leaving the pan with the upper trap and ventilating
passage moulded together in one piece of earthenware to form the closed top.
But to make my Invention better understood, I will proceed to describe the
same by reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a section of
my improved watercloset with two traps; Figure 2, section of a similar watercloset
with one trap only.
Similar letters in both Figures represent similar parts.
A is the pan or basin; B, the trap at the bottom of same, formed by the inclined
passage or outlet C from the back; the inclined passage C opens into the vertical
passage D at the back, communicating with a second trap E, similar to the trap
В;
Fis the outlet for gases; a pipe is connected with this outlet, and carried
through the wall of the house, and is there connected with the ventilating shaft
or fixed to the wall, and capped with a small cowl to prevent down draught; G is
an inlet opening (closed by a suitable air-tight stopper) placed immediately above
the lower trap E, and in front of the watercloset (but this inlet G may be dis-
pensed with); this opening allows of easily unstopping the soil pipe J, should it by
carelessness become stopped; H is the inlet for the water for flushing the water-
closet, the water being carried around the basin by the hollow oval rim I, and then
rushes through the traps. By this construction of watercloset it will be seen that
the pan or basin A, forms a perfect trap in itself, and is never empty, whether in
use or not, which is also the case with the lower trap E, while the gases from the
soil pipe J will be carried off through the outlet F, out by the herein-before de-
scribed ventilating shaft or cowl, which will prevent their return; the water in the
traps will thus always be kept pure, so that no smell can arise from the watercloset.
The water for flushing the closet after passing around the oval rim I, will rush
through the traps, carrying everything before it; but should the soil pipe J become
stopped from carelessness, it can easily be unstopped by means of the inlet G:
Another advantage of my improved watercloset is, that it can be made in one piece
of earthenware, and requires no metal work whatever in its construction.
Figure 2 shews a watercloset constructed similarly to that herein-before described
and shewn in Figure 1, except that the lower trap is dispensed with.
My improved waterclosets being complete in themselves can be fixed with great
facility and economy.
Having thus described my Invention, and the manner of performing the same,
what I claim is :-
Firstly. The construction of waterclosets in which the pan or basin itself forms a
trap under which is a lower trap, with an outlet in the back of the passage from
the upper to the lower trap, and with or without a cleaning out opening imme-

page_text: diately over the bottom trap and soil pipe and in front of the pan, the whole
preferably moulded in one piece of earthenware as herein-before described, and
represented in Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing.
Secondly. The modification of the watercloset in which the lower trap is dis-
pensed with as herein-before described, and represented in Figure 2 of the accom-
panying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Owen, have hereto set my hand and
seal, this Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
G. F. REDFERN,
Patent Agent,
4, South St.,
Finsbury.
HENRY OWEN. (L.S.)