IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OR PASSAGE OF FLUIDS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander McEwan Peters, of Edinburgh, in the
County of Mid Lothian, North Britain, Plumber, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OR PASSAGE OF
FLUIDS."
Sealed the 1st February 1859, and dated the 8th September 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander McEwan Peters
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 8th September. 1858.
I, ALEXANDER MCEWAN PETERS, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OR
PASSAGE OF FLUIDS," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to valvular apparatus suitable for use in various
situations where the flow or passage of fluids is to be regulated or governed,
. and in particular in waterclosets and urinals, where a predetermined supply
of cleansing water is to be periodically let on. Under one modification the
apparatus as applied to waterclosets take the form of a duplex. valvular
chamber or shell in three sections. The water from the main or source of
supply enters from beneath, and flows into the lowest section of the valvular
chamber, between which section and the section above is a valve seat governed
by an elastic disc or other valve set on a vertical valve spindle, which extends
upwards through the centre of the chamber, and projects out through a stuffing
box at the top. This lower valve opens by a descending action of its spindle.

page_text: The section above, or the intermediate section of the valvular chambre, has
also a valve seat between it and the upper or top chamber; this valve opens
by an ascending movement of its spindle. The central or intermediate section
of the chamber has a lateral passage communicating with an air vessel, or with
an elevation pipe or reservoir, whilst the upper section similarly communicates
with the pan or basin of the watercloset. The duplex valve spindle has
jointed or attached to its upper end a short lever, oscillating upon a stud
centre carried by a fixed arm fast to the valve shell, whilst the other end or
arm of the lever is jointed or connected to the back part of the water-
closet seat; this seat is hinged upon a pair of stud centres, so as to be capable
of rising and falling by the action of the pressure, and the removal of the
pressure when in use. In the case of a pedestal or independant pillar closet,
the stud centres, carried one on each side of the, seat, are entered into eyes in
the tops of bracket pieces attached to the side of the main closet pillar,
and which bracket pieces are curved outwards and upwards to such a height
that the seat may oscillate or work free of the actual basin. The line of the
stud centres on which the seat works is not far from the back part or edge,
and in this way as the user's weight comes upon the seat at the front and
celal portions, the back part rises to a small extent, and thus elevates the
free end of the valve lever. This action depresses the opposite end of the
lever, and consequently causes the valve spindle to descend. In this condition
of the parts the water from the main rushes into the lower section of the
chamber, and at once passes upwards through the lower valve, which is now
open, and then flows into the air vessel and its pipe, or into the reservoir
above, as the case may be, the upper valve being closed. When the user's
weight is removed from the seat the front end of course rises, being so weighted
or balanced for the purpose, and this return action then causes the valve
spindle to ascend, closing the lower valve and opening the upper one. The
action of the air vessel or the reservoir column now causes the water which
has just been supplied thereto to rush down and flow into the basin to cleanse
it, and as no more water can enter until another usage takes place, the parts
remain as at first, and only the exact predetermined quantity of water can
enter the basin. The pan or bottom discharge valve of the basin is balanced
upon a horizontal spindle or centre fitted with an equipoise weight, so that
when the water has flowed into the basin it tips over to discharge it, and the
counterweight brings it back again to its position for use. The same general
arrangements as far as they are required are also available for urinals.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander McEwan Peters in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 8th March 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MCEWAN PETERS, of Edinburgh, in the County of Mid Lothian, North
Britain, Plumber, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-second year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Alexander McEwan Peters, Her special license that I, the said
Alexander McEwan Peters, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Alexander McEwan Peters, my executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no 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 FOR REGULATING
THE FLOW OR PASSAGE OF FLUIDS," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Alexander McEwan. Peters, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, 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:
I NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander McEwan Peters, 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, reference. being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is: to say:
My said Invention relates to. valvular apparatus suitable for use in various
situations where the flow or passage of fluids is to be regulated or governed,
and in particular in waterclosets and urinals, where a predetermined. supply
Under one, modification the
of cleansing water is to be periodically let on.
apparatus as applied to waterclosets takes the form of a duplex valvular
chamber or shell in three sections. The water from the main or source of
supply enters from beneath, and flows into the lowest section of the valvular
chamber, between which section and the section above is a valve seat

page_text: governed by an elastic disc or other valve set on a vertical valve spindle,
which extends upwards through the centre of the chamber, and projects out
through a stuffing box at the top. This lower valve opens by a descending
action of its spindle. The section above, or the intermediate section of the
valvular chamber, has also a valve seat between it and the upper or top
chamber; this valve opens by an ascending movement of its spindle. The
central or intermediate section of the chamber has a lateral passage com-
municating with an air vessel or with an elevated pipe or reservoir, whilst the
upper section similarly communicates with the pan or basin of the watercloset.
*The dúplex valve spindle has jointed or attached to its upper end, a short lever
'oscillating upon a stud centre carried by a fixed arm fast to the valve shell,
whilst the other end or arm of the lever is jointed or connected to the back
part of the watercloset seat. This seat is hinged upon a pair of stud centres,
so as to be capable of rising and falling by the action of the pressure and the
removal of the pressure when in use. In the case of a pedestal or independent
pillar closet, the stud centres, carried one on each side of the seat, are
entered into eyes in the tops of bracket pieces attached to the side of the main
closet pillar, and which bracket pieces are curved outwards and upwards, to
such a height that the seat may oscillate or work frce of the actual basin.
The line of the stud centres on which the seat works is not far from the back
part or edge, and in this way, as the user's weight comes upon the seat at the
front and central portions, the back part rises to a small extent, and thus
elevates the free end of the valve lever.. This action depresses the opposite
end of the lever, and consequently causes the valve spindle to descend. In
this condition of the parts, the water from the main rushes into the lower
section of the chamber, and at once passes upwards through the lower valve,
which is now open, and then flows into the air vessel and its pipe, or into the
reservoir above, as the case may be, the upper valve being closed. When the
user's weight is removed from the seat the front end of course rises, being so
weighted or balanced for the purpose, and this return action then causes the
valve spindle to ascend, closing the lower valve and opening the upper one.
The action of the air vessel or the reservoir column now causes the water
which has just been supplied thereto to rush down and flow into the basin to
'cleanse it, and as no more water can enter until another usage takes place;
'the parts remain as at first, and only the exact predetermined quantity of
water can enter the basin. The pan or bottom discharge valve of the basin is
balanced upon a horizontal spindle or centre fitted with an equipoise weight,
so that when the water has flowed into the basin it tips over to discharge it;
and the counterweight brings it back again. to its position for use. The

page_text: same general arrangements, as far as they are required, are also available
for urinals.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several illustrative Figures on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings, which I have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing
certain modifications under which my improvements may be judiciously carried.
out in practice.
Figure 1 is an elevation of one arrangement of my improved apparatus for
regulating the flow of fluids; in this and the three following Figures the
valvular apparatus is shown as applied to control or regulate the flow of water
to a closet basin; Figure 2 is an elevation of the apparatus taken at right
angles to Figure 1, and shown partly in section.
Figure 3 is an elevation of another modification of the improved valvular.
apparatus; and Figure 4 is an elevation or front view of the arrangement.
taken at right angles to Figure 3; Figure 5 is a vertical section of the
valvular apparatus, delineated in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 6 is a plan corre-
sponding to Figure 5; Figure 7 is a plan, partially in section, of the valvular;
apparatus shown as applied to a closet in Figures 3 and 4; Figure 8 is a
vertical section of the arrangement, and Figure 9 a corresponding section
taken at right angles to Figure 8: The closet arrangement shown in Figures
1 to 4 consists of a portable pillar A, formed of stoneware, within the upper
part of which is fitted the basin B. A tubular passage C extends outwards
from the back part of the basin, and is continued partly round the exterior,
extending slightly upwards, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 2 on the
accompanying Drawing. The tubular passage C opens into the basin Bat
the back of the plate D, which serves to spread the water over the surface of
the basin. In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, there are two
metal brackets E secured to the pillar A, and through the eyes in the upper
ends of these brackets are passed the extremities of the spindles F, which are
fast to the under side of the seat G, which in this manner oscillates upon
the spindles or pins F. The back of the seat G is furnished, with a low
ornamental back II, which gives a finished appearance to the upper part of.
the closet. The valvular apparatus for regulating the flow or passage of the
water is attached to the back of the pillar A; it consists of the plate I, which
is fastened to the pillar by screws, and from the face of this plate the
cylindrical valve chamber J projects, the whole by preference being cast in
one piece. The inlet pipe K, as well as the outlet pipe L, extend outwards
in a lateral direction from opposite sides of the valve chamber J, the former-
being connected to the service pipe M, and the latter entered into the tubular,

page_text: ;.
passage C at the back of the basin. Below the inlet pipe K a small tubular
passage N is formed in the projecting part of the valve chamber J; this
passage opens a communication between the inlet pipe and the lower part of
the chamber J and it is controlled by means of the stop-cock O. The upper
part of the valve chamber is closed by a stuffing box, through which the valve
spindle P works. The lower end of the valve spindle is cut away to a
triangular form, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 on the accompanying Drawings;
this part of the spindle P is passed through the valve Q. The spindle P is
arranged so that the triangular part is capable of a certain amount of traverse
in a downward direction within the 'tubular orifice of the valve Q; but the
spindle is prevented from being withdrawn from the valve by the disc R, which
is secured to the lower end of the spindle by a screw; this disc has a washer S
öf india-rubber or leather interposed between it and the lower face of the
valve Q. The downward motion of the spindle is stopped by a screw T;
which passes through the stem of the spindle P; when this screw comes in
contact with the upper face of the valve Q, it then actuates the valve itself,
and causes it to descend to the lower part of the valve chainber J. In the
position in which the several parts are shown in Figure 3 on my Drawings;
the valve is represented as drawn up to the valve seating U, which is
arranged just above the inlet pipe K, and divides the cylindrical valve chamber
Jinto two parts. When the valve Qis elevated; as shown in the Drawing,
the communication from the inlet pipe with the upper chamber is shut off';
the water has, however, access to the lower. compartment, if the stop-cock O
of the tubular passage N is open. The spindle P is furnished with a second
valve V, which is fitted on the stem just above the screw T; this secondary
valve serves to close the aperture, in the valve seating U when the valve
spindle is depressed. A bent arm W is secured by means of a thumb nut to
the neck of the valve. chamber J'; the forked extremity of this arm has con-
nected to it the lever X, the inner extremity of which enters a slot made in
the upper end of the spindle P, to which it is attached. The lever X rests in
a hooked clip Y, which is. fast to the back of the seat,G, and at the outer
extremity of the lever a counterweight Z is hung. When the seat G is
depressed at the front part by a superincumbent weight, it is raised at the
back to a sufficient extent to actuate the lever X, the lifting of which causes
the spindle P to descend. The downward motion of the spindle, in the first
place, causes the disc R to move away from the lower face of the valve Q, so
that the water contained in the lower part of the valve chamber, flows up
between the faces of the triangular part of the spindle P and the tubular
passage in the valve Q. The effect of this arrangenient is, that as the

page_text: spindle P continues its descent, the screw T comes in contact with the upper
face of the valve Q, which is now put in motion, and moves easily downwards,
owing to the escape of the water through the orifice in the valve Q. The
descent of the valve Q admits of the water passing from the inlet pipe K
through the aperture in the valve seating U, and away by the pipe Lito: the
basin B. The further descent, however, of the spindle P brings the valve V
in contact with the seating U, and this shuts off the flow of water until the
back of the seat G is partially depressed.
In this manner the user, by
throwing the weight either upon the front or back part of the seat G, causes
it to oscillate, so as to admit or shut off the supply of water to the basin B at
pleasure. Upon the pressure being removed from the scat G, the counter-
weight Z raises the spindle P and valve Q, and also depresses the back of the
seat G, thus restoring the several parts to their normal position; the upward
motion of the valve Q being assisted by the pressure of the water in the inlet
pipe which flows through the passage N, and fills the lower part of the valve
chamber, thus serving also to keep the valve Q up to the seating U.
.
Another modification of the arrangement of the closet is shown in the red
lines delineated, in Figure 2, in which the closet is fitted with a moveable
pan a, which is placed so as to enclose the lower opening in the basin.
The pan a is fast to a transverse rod b, the extremities of which are
carried in brackets fitted in recesses at the sides of the pillar B. The
pan a is jointed by means of a link to the rod
of the piston d, which
works to and fro in the laterally projecting cylinder c. This cylinder is con-
nected at one end by means of the pipef with the inlet. pipe K, so that
the water in the service pipe has access to the cylinder, and presses upon
one side of the piston d. The several parts are so arranged that the
pressure of the water in the cylinder e is sufficient to keep the pan a in a
horizontal position, with a certain and predetermined quantity of water in it.
But when the seat G is depressed, and the valvular arrangeinent brought into
action, the pipe f is closed against the pressure, and when leaving the closet,
the water flows into the basin B and pan a, the weight of which causes the
pan to turn upon its axes. This action forces the piston.along the cylinder e,
the water contained therein flows away by the stop-cock g, through a tubular
passage formed in the part h, and out into the interior of the pillar A, through
an opening left for the purpose round the rod. c. When the piston d is in
the position shown in, the Drawing, it; is in contact with an india-rubber
washer, which prevents any leakage of the water.
In the modification of my, improvements shown in Figures 3 and 4, and
7 to 9, the stoneware pillar A, has formed within it a pan B, one side of

page_text: which forms a curved partition round the soil pipe or passage C. The closet
is furnished with the usual basin D, fitted in manner similar to the arrange-
ment herein-before described. The pillar A has cast or otherwise moulded
upon its exterior the brackets E, which have bevelled recesses formed therein
to receive the plates of the metal eyes in which the spindles F of the seat G.
Into these recesses the dovetail eye plates are fitted, so that they may be
removed with great facility: when it is necessary to remove the seat G. The
arrangement of the valvular apparatus for regulating the supply of water is
somewhat modified internally. It is secured to the back part of the pillar A
by means of screws, which pass through the plate I. The valve chamber J is
of a cylindrical form, and is closed at the lower end by a screw cap, like the
arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4. The inlet pipe K opens into the
valve chamber J, and parallel with this is the outlet pipe L'; the inlet pipe K
is connected to the service pipe M, in the usual manner, the water having
access to the lower part of the. valve chamber J by means of the tubular
passage N. which is controlled by the stop-cock O. The valve spindle P
works out through a stuffing box at the upper part of the apparatus; the lower
end of the spindle is arranged in manner corresponding to the modification
shown in Figures 4 and 5, that is to say, the lower extremity is made of a
triangular form, and this part passes through the valve Q, where it has fitted
to it the disc R and washer S, as herein-before described. A screw T passes
through the spindle P to control its downward movement through the valve Q..
The washer on the upper face of the valve Q comes up against the valvė
seating U, when the spindle P is raised, and the water shut off from the outlet
pipe L. The aperture in the valve seating U opens into the chamber V, in
which is arranged the valve W; the spindle of this valve is jointed to snugs
that project upwards from the floor of the chamber V. The free extremity of
the spindle of the valve W passes through a slot made in the valve spindle- P,
the motion of which regulates the action of the valve W. The floor of the
chamber V forms the seating of the valve W, and when it is depressed it
closes the circular aperture X, which communicates with the outlet pipe L.
There is also a series of holes Y, which are made through the floor of the
chamber V, and communicate with a waterway Z, that is made just above the
valve seating U. Projecting from the upper part of the chamber. V is an
arm a, the forked end of which carries the lever b, one-extremity of which is
fitted to a slot in the upper end of the spindle P. The lever b rests in the
hooked clip c, which is screwed. to the mahogany back H of the closet, and to
the outer part of the lever is attached a. counterweight d. When the
scat G is depressed; by the weight of a. person, the lever bis raised, which

page_text: depresses the valve Q and also the valve W, and as the descent of the valves
is quick, but little water flows through the outlet pipe L into the closet basin.
When the scat G is liberated, the counterweight d raises the spindle P, and
then the water flows through the orifice X, until the valve Q effectually closes
the aperture in the valve seating U. To facilitate the raising of the valve W
when the spindle.P is fully depressed, the water is caused to press upon its
face by means of the passage which it has through waterway Z and holes Y.;
the pressure of the water acting upon the face of the valve eases it off the
scating when the spindle P is acted upon by the counterweight Z. These
improvements may also be adapted for controlling and regulating the supply
of water to urinals and other purposes, where it may be desirable to regulate
the flow of water, by means of valvular apparatus, actuated upon the oscillating
principle herein-before described. In adapting the improvements to urinals,
a part of the flooring near the basin is caused to oscillate slightly upon its
supporting spindles, or to descend, in order to open the valvular apparatus
and cause the water to flow, so long as the actuating board is kept down.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself
to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe or
refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from
the principles or main features of my said Invention; but what I consider to be
novel and original, and therefore claim as the invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,
First, the general arrangement and construction of self-acting valvular
apparatus for regulating and controlling the flow or passage of fluids, as
herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of arranging and constructing valvular apparatus
for regulating and controlling the flow of water to closets, and the mode of
applying the same thereto, as herein-before described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings.
Third, the system or mode of arranging and actuating the moveable pan of
a watercloset by means of the mechanical arrangement delineated in red lines
in Figures 1 and 2 on the accompanying Drawing, or any mere modification
thereof, and herein-before described.
Fourth, the arrangement and construction of the valvular apparatus
delineated in Figures 7, 8, and 9 on the accompanying Drawing, and also the
mode of applying it to waterclosets, and actuating the same, as delineated in
Figures 3 and 4 of the annexed Drawing, and herein-before described..

page_text: Fifth, the application of the vàlvular arrangements herein-before described
to urinals, for the purpose of regulating and controlling the flow of water
thereto..
Sixth, the system or mode of arranging and constructing apparatus for
regulating the flow or passage of fluids as adapted for self-acting watercloset
purposes, wherein the whole of the valvular and other operating details are
attached to or carried by an independently main.closet structure.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander McEwan' Peters, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of March, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-nine.
ALEXANDER MCEWAN PETERS. (L.S.)