IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH WATER-CLOSETS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Gilbert and Arthur Edward Gilbert, both of
Dundee in the County of Forfar for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
CONNECTED WITH WATER-CLOSETS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Gilbert and Arthur
Edward Gilbert at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
17th July 1883.
EDWARD GILBERT and ARTHUR EDWARD GILBERT, both of Dundee, in the
County of Forfar, "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH WATERCLOSETS,"
This Invention, which relates to improvements in or connected with water-
closets, has referenco to a mode of constructing the seats thereof, so as to avoid the
necessity of bringing the person into contact with the usual wood framework, and
as a consequence to avoid the risk of contagion which is daily encountered in
hotels, railway stations, and other public places
In carrying out the Invention the basin (which may be of any approved design
with the necessary flushing apparatus) is sunk into the floor, so that its top edge
may be on a level with the floor or platform, or the basin may project above such
floor or platform as may be desired. In front of the basin, and at an angle in a
forward direction is placed a shield or open funnel for the reception of water and
for its conveyance into the basin. From the wall at the back of the basin, or
from a framework constructed for the purpose, is suspended by a hinge a pair of
arms in the shape of horns (or other similar shape with an opening in front) which
can either be used as a seat, or can be thrown back, leaving the visitor to the
eloset perfectly free and independent of all risk of contagion from a previous
visitor. The horn-like seat is by preference made of wood and fixed to a metal
frame, which is hinged or pivotted to the fixed framework or wall.

page_text: .
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Gilbert and Arthur Edward Gilbert in the Patent
Office on the 16th January 1884.
EDWARD GILBERT, and ARTHUR EDWARD GILBERT, both of Dundee, in the
County of Forfar "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH WATER CLOSETS."
Our said Invention, which relates to improvements in or connected with water-
.closets, has reference to a mode of constructing the seats thereof, so as to promote
cleanliness and comfort and to avoid the necessity of bringing the person into contact
with the usual wood framework, and as a consequence to avoid the risk of contagion
which is daily encountered in hotels, railway stations, and other public places.
In carrying out the Invention, the basin (which may be of any approved design,
with the necessary flushing apparatus) is sunk into the floor, so that its top edge
may be on a level with the floor or platform, or the basin may project above such
floor or platform as may be desired. In front of the basin, and at an angle in a
forward direction, is placed a shield or open funnel for the reception of water and
for its conveyance into the basin. From the wall at the back of the basin, or
from a framework constructed for the purpose, is suspended by a hinge a pair of
arms in the shape of horns or of a horse shoe (or other similar shape with an
opening in front) which can either be used as a seat, or can be lifted back against
the wall, leaving the visitor to the closet perfectly free and independent of all risk
of contagion from a previous visitor. The horn-like seat is by preference made of
wood and fixed to a metal frame, which is hinged or pivotted to the fixed framework
or wall.
'
The Invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which figure 1
is a vertical section, and figure 2 is a perspective view of a water closet fitted with
a modification of the improved scat. Figure 3. is a vertical section of one form of
funnel, and figures 4 and 5 are respectively a front and side. elevation of part of
another form of funnel or shield.
The closet basin A may be of any ordinary form, and in this example is sunk
into the floor, a shield or funnel B provided with water flushing inlets b being
fitted on the floor to direct the soil and water into the basin below. The shield
may either be made of porcelain or earthenware, as indicated in figures 1 and 2, or
of metal, as shown in figures 3, 4 and 5, and may or may not be provided with a
water flushing connection. The seat C is formed by a pair of arms in the shape of
horns, or of a horse shoe or other similar shape, with an opening in front, which
permits of the seat being used without contact with it of the fore part of the
person. The horn-like arms are conveniently formed of wood, and are supported
by a metal framing C¹ which may be fixed to the wall, or to a framework con-
structed for it. It is however preferred to secure the seat by a hinge or pivotted
joint c to a bracket or plate D secured to the wall or fixed framework, so that the
seat may be raised up at right angles out of the way, if the visitor to the closet is
desirous of entirely avoiding contact with the seat; or the seat may be pivotted
or hinged on a vertical pin, so that it may be pushed or swivelled to the right or
left, out of the way. A projecting arm c¹ is formed on the seat framing C¹ at the
pivotted joint, which bears on a spring bolt d and maintains the seat in the hori-
zontal position when in use. The spring bolt d prevents undue concussion when
the seat is let down, and it may also be used, by bearing on the arm c¹, to retain
the seat in the vertical position. E is a bracket which is provided on' each side as
a rest for the arms when the seat is not in use, and F is the hand pull which is
used for flushing the basin. The seat is fixed at a lower height than usual, so as
to give a more natural position, and prevent splashing.

page_text: At railway stations, and other public places, the seat may be conveniently fitted
above an opening in the floor, under which a water closet basin or other receptacle
for soil may be placed, the funnel B being dispensed with.
The improved seat may be made to lift up and fold down in two sections or
halves from hinges or pivots on each side, thereby forming an opening at back as
well as in front. By this arrangement of closet, the separation of the liquid from
the solid can be accomplished.
Having now described the nature of our said invention, and in what manner the
same is to be effected, we declare that what we claim is,―
First. The combination of parts forming the improved water closet herein
described and illustrated.
Second. The combination of the shield or funnel B with a water closet basin
at or under the floor level, as and for the purpose set forth.
Third A closet seat formed by horse-shoe or horn-shaped arms, with an opening
in front, as and for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. A hinged or pivotted closet seat formed with an opening in front, or
back and front, as and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. A hinged or pivotted closet seat adapted to fold down horizontally or to
be swivelled out for use, and to be raised or pushed aside when not in use, as and
for the purpose set forth.
In Witness Whereof, I the said Arthur Edward Gilbert, on behalf of the said
Edward Gilbert and myself, have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth
day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty
four.
ARTHUR E. GILBERT (L.S.)