Improvements in and relating to Water Closets.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
Improvements in and relating to Water Closets.
We, JAMES DUCKETT and ALFRED DUCKETT of Mitre Brick Works, Burnley, in
the County of Lancaster, Brick and Sanitary Pipe Manufacturers, 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 :-
The first part of our invention relates to an improved construction of siphon and
tank for flushing waste water closets, and consists partly in forming at the top of the
siphon a conically shaped mouth-piece, of peculiar construction with its contracted
opening projecting downwards and terminating in a vandyked or serrated edge. The
object of this vandyked mouth-piece is to conduct the water from the points of the
serrated edge towards the centre of the siphon, and cause it to drop perpendicular
upon the water in the basin or trap beneath.
This mouth-piece to the siphon is of particular importance, inasmuch as the water is
effectually prevented from running down the sides of the siphon, whilst additional
space is afforded through the triangular openings at the contracted end of the conically
shaped mouth-piece for the passage of water when the siphon is in action; or, in
substitution of this vandyked mouth-piece, a small annular channel may be formed in
the upper part or rim of the siphon and from which the water is conducted by one or
more spouts so as to clear the inner side of the siphon.
We, prefer to construct the siphon, trap and tank of one piece of earthenware,
whilst the cover may be cast or otherwise secured to the grid of the flushing tank, to
keep it in proper position and so as to dispense with the feet, which usually support
the cover and obstruct the flow of water from the tank and interfere with the cleaning
out of deposits or sediment.
To render the apparatus more compact, the trap or dish is formed inside instead of
outside the tank, with a hand hole with cover, for ready access to the dish or trap,
when the grid is removed.
The siphon may be made to dip slightly into the water below; and immediately
above this water-line in the said trap or dish a small hole may be pierced or a small
slit formed in the siphon to admit air when the water is at rest. When, however, the
water fills the tank, and commences to flow over into the outlet limb of the siphon, a
sudden swell and agitation is immediately produced in the water below, sufficient to
close the air-passage and at the same time displace air from within the limb, until a
partial vacuum is created sufficient to start the siphon.
In modifying this arrangement the bottom end of the siphon may be fixed in the
trap or dish a little above the still water, to admit air into the siphon, but immediately
the water overflows into the siphon, a sudden swell and agitation is again produced
closing the said air-space and thus obtain the desired effect.
The next portion of our invention relates to the construction of the pan or extension
pipe of waste water closets, and is designed to prevent the back portion from becoming
soiled. This is effected by bevelling the end or base of the extension pipe, so as to
cause it to lean forward when placed in the socket of the closet basin, to an angle of
80 degrees or thereabouts, instead of vertical, as previously used.
The invention further consists of an annular weir basin, placed above the closet
floor, and combined with such basin, is a tipper box and tipper, so arranged as to
flush in at the side of the basin.
Waste water is or may be conveyed to the tipper in pipes laid above the yard flags,
instead of below, to reduce the depth of the closet.
And in order that our invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into practical effect, we have hereunto attached the accompanying sheet of drawings,
marked with figures and letters of reference. Fig. 1 is an elevation in section of a
waste water closet constructed in accordance with our invention. Figs. 2 and 3

page_text: represent respectively a sectional elevation and plan of the serrated or vandyked
mouth-piece of the siphon. Figs. 4 and 5, are similar views of another arrangement
of mouth piece or entrance to the siphon.
Fig. 6 is a plan of the flushing tank, and Fig. 7 is an elevation of an ordinary
socket pipe partially cut through in an oblique direction on the line indicated, for the
purpose hereinafter described. Figs. 8 and 9 respectively represent an elevation an
plan of an annular weir basin of a closet, placed above the yard flags and combined
with a tipper and tipper box, to flush in at the side of the said basin. A represents
the flushing tank of a waste water closet, B a siphon provided with cover C, attached
to grid D. The siphon projects into the trap or dish E to within about th of an
inch of the water level in the dish or trap and sufficient for the admission of air to the
siphon when the water is at rest and undisturbed. When, however, the waste water
enters the flushing tank, and ascends the annular space between the circular walls
of the cover and siphon B, and flowing over into the latter, a sudden agitation
and swell of water is produced sufficient to close the space previously subsisting
between the end of the siphon and the still water in the trap or dish E. The further
ingress of air is now shut off from the siphon, whilst the falling water will readily
drive out the air, remaining in the siphon, through the trap or dish until a partial
vacuum is produced sufficient to set the siphon in action. To prevent the falling
water from running down the side of the siphon and to render it more effective, a
conically shaped mouth piece F, seen in Figs. 2 and 3, having a serrated or vandyked
edge, is formed at the top of the siphon.
The water passing the mouth piece even in small quantities or dribbles is conveyed
to the points of the serrated edge, from which it drips or flows in separate streams
as hereinbefore described, and similar to water dripping from the tips of an
umbrella displacing the air and at the same time causing a swell, in the dish, which
closes the air space, and sets the siphon in action, rendering the apparatus quite
sensitive with a small quantity of water.
A similar result is obtained, by forming a small annular channel K, at the upper
part of the rim of the siphon, and from which the water is conducted by one or
more spouts G, towards the centre of the siphon, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, in
substitution of the vandyked or serrated mouth piece represented in Figs. 2 and 3.
In constructing the dish or trap E inside the tank A, as seen in Figs. 1 and 6,
instead of outside, a more compact and portable flushing apparatus is obtained, with
more space within the tank for accumulation of sediment, so as to require less
attention and care, to prevent the siphon becoming choked. A small hand hole and
cover J is provided for the dish or trap, to form a ready means of access for clearing
the sediment, when requisito, from the dish or trap.
The extension pipe or pan of the closet may be formed from an ordinary socket
pipe, which is cut obliquely about half way through, before being burnt, on the line
indicated in Fig. 7, into two parts M and N. In this condition the pipes may be
placed in the kiln, as ordinary square socket pipes.
When burnt a slight tap of the hammer will readily sever the pipe into two parts M
and N. The part M is then deposited with its inclined base, in the socket of the
closet basin O, and the part N, with its square or horizontal base is the socket of the
pan M. The upper part N of the pan will then be parallel with the seat which rests
upon it.
It will be at once obvious, that the pan in leaning forward, in the manner seen in
Fig. 1, will prevent matter falling from above, fouling the back part of the pan in its
descent.
In Figs. 8 and 9, the annular weir basin O of the closet, is in position, as
shown, above the closet floor P, and is provided with an extended chamber Q, con-
taining automatic tilting vessel or tipper R, which receives waste water from sink S,
through pipes T.
The action of the tipper to flush the closet is similar to that described in the
specification of the said James Duckett Jated the 7th day of March 1887,
N

page_text: The position of the annular weir basin and tilting vessel, as seen in Figs. 8
and 9, renders the basin and trap, more accessible than when placed below the
closet floor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
:-
1. The formation and use of a trap and dish, within the flushing tank, and provided
with an opening an lid for access thereto substantially as described.
2. Forming the head of the siphon with a serrated or vandyked edge, or with a
channel, having a spout or spouts, substantially as described.
3. Forming an air space at the lower end of the siphon immediately above the water
level in the dish or trap substantially as described.
4. Fixing the siphon cover to the grid of the tank in the manner, and for the
purpose described.
5. The arrangement and construction of the pan or extension pipe, substantially
as described for the purpose set forth.
6. The combination and arrangement of the annular weir basin and tilting vessel
substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.
Dated this 17th day of March 1890.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent.