Automatic Combined Emergency Air Float, Valve, and Trap.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Automatic Combined Emergency Air Float, Valve, and Trap.
BENJAMIN ROGERS, 191, Brunswick Road, Bromley-by-Bow, in the County of
London, Inspector of Works, 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:―
a
My invention is for relieving drains, sewers, and the like, when they
become obstructed, or choked with deposit of any kind, and con-
sists of constructing the trap, or ordinary outlet, A, Fig. 1, with
branch, B, standing upwards, with a flange at the top: the face of the flange
forming a valve seat, C, Fig. 1, faced with rubber, leather, or other suitable
material--or a loose seat may be fitted, of any other suitable form and material.
This branch is made of such form inside, as to admit rods for clearing the trap A,
and main pipe N, should they at any time become obstructed or choked.
The trap, or outlet and branch may be made of cast iron, earthenware, or any
other suitable material.
The valve I construct as shewn at D, Fig. 1, the upper part forming an airfloat
and may be made of tin, zinc, copper, aluminium, or any other light material,
the bottom of the float may be made of gun metal, brass aluminium, or other suit-
able material, and made thicker than the other part of the float, and with a rim
round the under side of it, which forms, the face of the valve, as shewn at E,
Fig. 1, the bottom. also serves as a weight to keep the valve tight, and form a seal
and trap, when the water in the chamber F is below the valve seat or the valve
and float may be made in separate parts. The dimensions, and form of the valve
and airfloat are made so as to suit the various purposes, to which the valve may be
applied.
On the two opposite sides of the float I fix eyes or lugs G, G, Fig. 2, (or other
arrangement) for guides, which serve to keep the valve in a central position, so
that it is always immediately above and opposite the seat.
On the top of each guide bar I fix a nut, and lock nut, to form a stop, to
prevent the valve and airfloat becoming displaced, if at any time the outlet pipes
Or any
and sewer should become flooded by an unusual storm, or other causes.
other suitable form of stop may be adopted to answer this purpose.
I extend the flange H, H, Figs. 1 & 2, of the branch, beyond that part which
forms the valve seat, and cast two or more lugs on it, in which are inserted
vertical rods or guide bars, KK Fig. 2, to correspond with the eyes or lugs on
the air float, up and down which the valve and float travel freely as they are raised
or lowered by the water, or fluid (or other suitable method may be adopted for
guides).
On the extended flange, and close to the outer edge of it, I fix a wire guard, or
cage, L, L, Figs. 1, & 2, (when I consider it desirable to do so) surrounding the
valve and seat, it is not absolutely necessary for the effective working of the
valve, but might be useful in protecting the valve from damage, and obstruction
through wilful neglect, or under extreme emergencies.

page_text: The chain M connecting the eyebolt in the float valve to the eyebolt in the
frame above, is only provided for removing the valve from its seat, for the pur-
poses of examinations, and clearing any obstruction that may have become lodged
in the usual outlet trap and pipe.
The action of my valve will be as follows:-When the sediment in the cham-
ber, F, becomes so great, as to obstruct the usual outlet and trap, A, and prevent
the discharge of water, or other fluid through them--the water rising in the
chamber, F, automatically lifts the air float valve and allows the water, or fluid
to flow through the upright branch, B, into the ordinary outlet and main pipe, N.
As the water is lowered in the chamber, the valve drops on to its seat auto-
matically and closes the branch, thus forming a seal and trap, to prevent the
escape of sewer gas, or other offensive and dangerous fumes or vapours.
The action is again repeated automatically, whenever the water in the chamber,
rises above a certain level.
1
If at any time (through carelessness) the deposit should be allowed to accumu-
late and prevent the valve from working, it may be entirely removed by the
chain M, when the upright branch A serves as a clearing opening, through which
rods or other convenient implements can be inserted into the ordinary outlet and
main pipe, and the obstruction removed.
1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The application of a direct acting automatic air float valve (without the
intervention of levers, cranks, bearings, or other such mechanism), which comes
in to action, immediately the trap or usual outlet becomes obstructed by sediment,
or other causes.
2. Making the usual outlet pipe, with a branch standing upwards, forming an
outlet in cases of emergency, and a means of clearing the ordinary outlet, and
main pipe, should they accidentally become obstructed.
3. Using the surface of the flange of the branch, for a valve seat, and the
airfloat valve, to form a seal and trap, to prevent the escape of sewer gas, or other
offensive and dangerous fumes, or vapours.
4. I also claim that this valve and trap, is applicable to and may be fitted to
existing gullys, outlet pipes, and the like.
Dated this 14th day of February 1899
BENJAMIN ROGERS.