IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET AND LIKE GRATINGS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Parfitt, of the Firm Parfitt and Jenkins, Tubal
Cain Iron Works and Hayes Foundry, Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET AND LIKE GRATINGS."
Sealed the 13th June 1878, and dated the 17th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Parfitt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December 1877.
GEORGE PARFITT, of the Firm Parfitt and Jenkins, Tubal Cain Iron Works and
Hayes Foundry, Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET
AND LIKE GRATINGS."
The object of my Invention is forming curved lugs upon the under side of the
grating and the plate alongside it, that the plate becomes locked and cannot be
lifted upon its hinge joint until the grating be lifted, whereby in the case of any
article falling through the grating it can be readily lifted and turned upon its binge
joint to enable the fallen article to be removed from the receptacle beneath. The
plate is above the outlet of the box to which it and the grating are connected, a
vertical partition being within the box to prevent the passage of solid bodies to the
sewer or drain.
The plate as a side lid is directly over the opening to the sewer or drain, and
enables the pipe to be cleansed and obstructions removed when necessary; it also
by its plain upper surface prevents stones being maliciously thrown therein.
The plate is locked by its lug taking into the recess of the grating lug until the
grating be lifted, which in most cases is heavy and could not be lifted by children.
The lugs may be at the side or at the central line of the grating and plate, or in
other convenient position.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Parfitt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th Juno
1878.
GEORGE PARFITT, of the Firm Parfitt and Jenkins, Tubal Cain Iron Works and
Hayes Foundry, Cardiff, in the County of Glamorgan. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET
AND LIKE GRATINGS."
The object of my Invention is forming curved lugs upon the under side of the
grating and the plate alongside it, that the plate becomes locked and cannot be
lifted upon its hinge joint until the grating be lifted. The plate is above the outlet
of the box to which it and the grating are connected, a vertical partition being
within the box to prevent the passage of solid bodies to the sewer or drain.
The plate as a side lid is directly over the opening to the sewer or drain, and
enables the pipe to be cleansed and obstructions removed when necessary; it also
by its plain upper surface prevents stones being mischievously thrown therein.
The plate is locked by its lug taking into the recess of the grating lug until the
grating be lifted, which in most cases is heavy and could not be lifted by children.
The lugs may be at the side or at the central line of the grating and plate in other
convenient positions.
The Invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed Drawings,
in which Figure 1 is a plan, and Figure 2 a section of my self-locking grid.
A is the grating for the admission of water from the street channels; B is the
plate lid provided with projections to lock into curved lug E; C is a vertical
partition cast on box to prevent the passage of solid bodies into the gully pipe D;
E is the locking arrangement to prevent the lid being raised without first raising
the grating A.
It will be seen by reference to Figure 2, that so long as the grating A is down
or in its normal position, the plate B is effectually locked by means of the curved
lug E, and cannot be lifted until the grating A is first raised (as shown in dotted
lines), when the projection on the plate B is clear of the curved lug E, and con-
sequently the plate B is free to be raised at will.
The advantages of my self-locking grid are,-
First. It is compact, strong, and occupies the width of the channel only.
Secondly. It has few parts, is self contained, and cannot get out of order.
Thirdly. The locking arrangement prevents children from lifting up the small
flap, and throwing stones or other solid bodies down the gully pipe, the weight of
the grating being generally too great for them to lift.
Fourthly. The grids are more easily put down, cost nothing in repair, keep
perfectly water-tight, and do not in the least degree suffer from steam rollers or
heavy loads passing through the streets or even over the channels.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my improvements in street and
like gratings, the general arrangement and combination of parts forming the
improved self-locking grid herein-before described, and substantially as shown in
the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Parfitt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Fourteenth day of June. One thousand eight hundred and
GEORGE PARFITT. (LS.)