IMPROVEMENTS IN SANITARY TROUGH CLOSETS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Holroyd, of Leeds, in the County of York, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SANITARY TROUGH CLOSETS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Holroyd at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th July 1879.
THOMAS HOLROYD, of Leeds, in the County of York.
SANITARY TROUGH CLOSETS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention refers to the arrangement and construction of the sanitary trough
water closets at present in use, and its object is to secure greater simplicity,
completeness, durability, and cleanliness, all substantially as hereafter described.
The present trough closet consists of an earthenware valve chest fixed with its
base at the floor level with an outlet at the bottom communicating with the sewer.
This opening is fitted with a valve which is opened or closed by a rod. At one or
both ends of the valve chest is a socketed aperture of suitable diameter, in which
is fixed a circular or oval tube. If the closet is intended for one seat only an elbow
or bended tube is used, one end fitting into the socket of the valve chest, the other
end turned upwards and forming the basin or hopper over which the wooden frame
or seat is fixed. If more than one seat is required a straight tube is fixed in the
socket of the valve chest with a short junction or aperture at the top over which
the seat is fixed; this tube has a socket at the end furthest from the valve chest,
and into this again another tube is fixed similar in construction. If a third seat is
required a bended tube is fixed for the outer seat furthest from the valve chest.
The same form of construction may be adopted also at the other side of the valve
chest; or if seats at one side only are required the valve chest is constructed with
one end closed.
These straight tubes are made of one uniform length, and the bended tubes also
of one uniform length, and are adjusted to the length and space at disposal by
additional small intermediate socketed tubes or rings. An extra number of joints
is thus caused, which are very difficult to make tight and liable to leak.
Price fd1
These

page_text: tubes require setting in brickwork cement, and in addition require a wooden front
and seat, both of which rot away and soon become foul.
According to my improvements I construct the tube or trough of such shape and
-dimensions that when fitted to the valve-chest it forms without further addition a
_complete top and front_to_the_seat, which being constructed of highly glazed
earthenware cannot become foul.. I also form the sockets and trough of such
required size as to form a base for glazed tiles or bricks at the back, and also for
division-walls-of salt-or-other-glazed-bricks between each seat-or-closet, thereby-
securing a glazed surface to the interior walls. I also construct the tubes or troughs
of various lengths to suit all spaces, thereby dispensing with any extra joints and
securing thoroughly substantial and permanent fitting of the parts.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Holroyd in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th
January 1880.
THOMAS HOLROYD, of Leeds, in the County of York.
SANITARY TROUGH CLOSETS."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention refers to the arrangement and construction of sanitary trough
water closets at present in use, and its object is to secure greater simplicity,
completeness, durability, and cleanliness, all substantially as hereafter described.
The present trough closet consists of an earthenware valve chest fixed with its
base at the floor level with an outlet at the bottom communicating with the sewer.
This opening is fitted with a valve which is opened or closed by a rod. At one or
both ends of the valve chest is a socketed aperture of suitable diameter, in which
is fixed a circular or oval tube. If the closet is intended for one seat only an elbow
or bended tube is used, one end fitting into the socket of the valve chest, the other
end turned upwards and forming the basin or hopper over which the wooden frame
or seat is fixed. If more than one seat is required a straight tube is fixed in the
socket of the valve chest with a short junction or aperture at the top over which
the seat is fixed; this tube has a socket at the end furthest from the valve chest,
and into this again another tube is fixed similar in construction. If a third seat' is
required a bended tube is fixed for the outer seat furthest from the valve chest.
The same form of construction may be adopted also at the other side of the valve
chest; or if seats at one side only are required the valve chest is constructed with
one end closed.
These straight tubes are made of one uniform length, and the bended tubes also
of one uniform length, and are adjusted to the length and space at disposal by
additional small intermediate socketed tubes or rings. An extra number of joints
is thus caused, which are very difficult to make tight and liable to leak. These
tubes requiring setting in brickwork cement, and in addition require a wooden front
and seat, both of which rot away and soon become foul.
According to my improvements I construct the tube or trough of such shape and
dimensions that when fitted to the valve chest it forms without further addition a
complete top and front to the seat, which, being constructed of highly glazed
earthenware, cannot become foul. I also form the sockets and trough of such
required size as to form a base for glazed tiles or bricks at the back, and also for
division walls of salt or other glazed bricks between each seat or closet, thereby,
securing a glazed surface to the interior walls. I also construct the tubes or troughs
of various lengths to suit all spaces, thereby dispensing with any extra joints and
securing thoroughly substantial and permanent fitting of the parts.
And in order that the Invention may be more completely understood reference is
given to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and marks thereon,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improvements; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section
of the same; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section shewing a modification; Fig. 4, a section
through trough at A, B, Figs. 2 and 3; Fig. 5 is a cross section through socket or
joint; and Fig. 6, a plan looking at the top.
a is the valve chest fitted into its place; b, a trough fitted to a by means of the
socket f; c is a wall built on the socket f
By preference the shape of the trough b is as shewn by sectional Drawing at
Fig. 4, but any other shape which admits of the trough being self supporting and
forming a front and top can be adopted. The trough b is joined to the valve
chest a by the socket f, which, by the use of a little cement, a good and tight joint

page_text: is formed, and a continuous trough is formed by the connection of the valve chest a
and trough b, which is clearly shewn at Figs. 2 and 3. At the bottom of the valve
chest is provided-a-valve-i-of-any-suitable-form-and-material-;-at-this-point-
communication is made with the drain.
In use the trough is kept-half-or three parts full of water, and when it is desired
to:flush the closet and let off the accumulation of focal matter (which is done ouce
or twice a day, according to circumstances) the valve is raised up by the handle j,
and the trough being fixed at a slight angle of inclination to the valve chest the
water and focal matter is all carried off.
The troughs are then flushed by the influx of water from the tap % (to which is
sometimes added an elastic hose pipe), the valve being again closed-and-the-troughs
supplied with water; the closets are again ready for use.
It is manifest that the whole of the trough and seat being constructed of highly
glazed earthenware internally and externally it is impossible for any particles to
lodge so as to become a nuisance.
In some cases it is preferred to insert a slide of wood for that part of the seat
which comes in contact with the person using the closet; this alternative is shewn
on the Drawing at 1, and is effected by cutting from the earthenware trough (before
it is burnt in the kiln) a groove of the size and shape desired.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and described by the aid
of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, I would have it understood
that I do not limit myself to the exact details or configuration of the parts I have
desired and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings, but what I do claim and
desire to be secured to me by Letters Patent is,―
The arrangement, construction, and, application of sanitary trough closet, substan-
tially as and for purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Holroyd, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.