Improved Method of and Means for Protecting Stop-cocks and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Means for Protecting Stop-cocks and
the like.
I, WILLIAM COLES FINCHI, of Waterworks House, Luton, Chatham, in the County
of Kent, Waterworks Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The usual method employed in forming pits or enclosures to protect stopcocks
or the like is to build such pits of bricks to the surface of the ground or there-
abouts, securing on the top of the brick enclosure an iron frame with flange
passing through the paving and covered by a loose or hinged flap.
Now by my invention I furnish a more ready, more portable and economical
means of forming such pits and one that ensures the stopcock being placed at
such a depth from the surface as shall protect the stopcock and service pipes to
a greater extent from being affected by frost, moreover, a cleaner pit is formed
and one not so liable to become filled with dirt and that may be more easily
cleaned.
In carrying out my invention I provide a short pipe of stoneware or metal but,
preferably, stoneware, furnished at each end with a solid flange and say about
21 inches in length as being a convenient size. I support the bottom flange on
a course of bricks or on concrete or other suitable material surrounding the stop-
cock, the upper flange carrying the frame and grate in the usual way, the top
flange being arranged at about the same level as the top of the usual brick pit.
It will be seen that my pit is portable per se and being less than one fourth the
weight of say 32 bricks which would be otherwise required for a brick pit several
may be carried in one conveyance and the time required for fixing will be con-
siderably lessened, likewise the actual cost of the method.
If desired the pit pipe may be made square in section and of any required
length or internal diameter or measurement.
Dated this 4th dow of War 1907

page_text: and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Improvements relate in chief to the construction of pits formed under ground
round stop cocks or other valves used in connection with water or gas.
Now by my invention I furnish a more ready, more portable, and more
economical means of forming such pits and one which ensures the cock being
placed at such a depth from the surface as shall to a greater extent prevent the
stop cock and service pipe from being affected by frost; moreover a cleaner pit
is formed and one not so liable to become filled with dirt, and which may be more
easily cleaned. In carrying out my invention I provide a short pipe of stoneware,
or metal, but preferably stoneware furnished at each end with a solid flange and
of any convenient length or diameter.
I may support the bottom flange on a course of bricks, or a concrete bed. The
upper flange carries the surface box.
I may also provide two slots in the pipe near the bottom to allow of its being
placed over a service pipe, so dispensing with the bricks.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawing is a vertical section through pit pipe,
showing bottom flange at A top flange at B and cast iron surface box at D.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan taken through line EF showing a stop cock in position
and also slots GH.
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:
The improved method of and means for protecting stop cocks and the like,
substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 5th day of February 1898
WILLIAM COLES FINCH.