Improvements relating to Syphon Flushing Cisterns.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 5th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Syphon Flushing Cisterns.
I, THOMAS WILFRED WOODHOUSE, of Hexthorpe Brass and Iron Works,
Doncaster, in the County of York, Brass and Iron Founder, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of a simplified & improved method of fitting up syphon
cisterns, one essential part of the invention being the arrangement of the lever,
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which arrangement may also be
applied to other kinds of cisterns, wherever it may be convenient. The simplicity
of the arrangement appears in that when the castings of the various parts relating
to the syphon are cleaned, they can be put together with very little labour.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a part sectional elevation of
the complete syphon apparatus, which is here shown fixed in a cistern.
Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1.
Referring to Fig. 1, the various bent tubes BBBCC of the syphon may be
cast in one piece, the molten metal forming itself at the outlet of the syphon upon
and about the wrought iron screwed nipple A, the said nipple becoming firmly
fixed in position as the metal cools. The nipple A is put through a hole in the
bottom of the cistern, and a backnut Eis screwed tight up underneath, thus
securing the syphon tubes in position, the joint being made sound & watertight in
the usual manner. D) is an inverted cup which is now placed over the mouth of
the syphon pipe, the fit being quite loose & easy. The lever is now hooked into
the eye at the top of the inverted cup D, and then dropped into its position on
the fulcra as seen in Fig. I.
Referring now to Fig. II, it will be seen that the lever works on two fulcra G G,
it being divided at points H J so as to encircle the upper part of the syphon tube.
The lever by thus working on two fulera' does not roll or swing from side to side,
but still acts in a very free & satisfactory manner. The hook of the lever may
be made broader than the other parts thereof as illustrated at K. This broad
hook, being inserted into the rectangular slot at the top of the inverted cup
prevents the said cup from swinging unduly & causes it to retain infallibly its
proper position at all times.
In this arrangement (see Fig. I) the syphon is charged by pulling down the
end L of the lever F F by means of a chain or convenient handle, whereupon
the bell D is raised to a suitable height, the amount of lift being controlled by the
stop M. This stop is an important feature in the apparatus, as it prevents the
cistern from being put out of order, no matter how careless the user may be.
The parts must, unless actually broken, recover their proper position immediately
the end L of the lever FF is released.
In cisterns of the class illustrated, the tubes BBB have hitherto acted as part
of the syphon, & the swan-neck CCC has not been used. The inverted cup was
then not allowed to close the bell mouth as at PP. It will be seen that in such
an arrangement, air will be admitted to the syphon tubes, as soon as the water
level is lowered to the level of the lower edge of the inverted cup at point R, &
syphonic action will then cease, before the cistern is properly emptied. I prefer

page_text: to add the swan-neck CCC & when the syphon has been charged by the raising of
the cup D, the said cup is allowed to fall, the roof of the cup closing the bell-
mouth at P, & preventing the stoppage of syphonic action until air is admitted
at T.
I prefer to use the inverted cup & tubes BBB merely as a means for starting
syphonic action. On the cup falling into its normal position as in Fig. I, the
swan-neck CCC becomes the syphon proper.
An additional advantage is secured by the use of the pipe CCC, namely, that
the syphon may be vented at point N, which is very desirable.
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P
1 100
Improvements relating to Syphon Flushing Cisterns.
I, THOMAS WILFRED WOODHOUSE, of Hexthorpe Brass and Iron Works,
Doncaster, in the County of York, Brass and Iron Founder, 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:-
My invention consists of a simplified and improved method of fitting up syphon
cisterns, one essential feature being the construction of the actuating lever, the
general arrangement of the several parts enabling them to be taken apart and:
refixed with a minimum of labour. The cost of manufacture is also reduced.
The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention, both with the usual
hand lever, and as a self acting flushing cistern, similar letters refer to similar
parts in any of the figures.
Fig. 1, is a part sectional elevation of a syphon cistern and apparatus to be
worked by hand.
Fig. 2, is a plan of same.
Fig. 3, is a part sectional elevation of a syphon cistern of similar construction to
Fig. 1, but flushing automatically at regular intervals.
Fig. plan of same.
Fig. 5, side elevation of automatic catch.
In carrying out my invention in the construction of a flushing apparatus to be
operated by hand as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, of the drawings, I preferably cast
the bent pipes B, and C, in one piece, for the purpose of avoiding joints, but this
is not essential, I also prefer to cast the outlet end of the pipe B, upon the wrought
iron nipple A, which is screw-threaded and provided with a locknut E.
The nipple is passed through a hole made in the bottom of the cistern W, and
the locknut screwed upon it outside as shown in Fig. 1, the joint being made in
the usual way, no other support being found necessary beyond the curve of the
pipe B, resting upon the floor of the cistern, and this is not essential. Upon or
over the mouth of the pipe B, I place an inverted cup or bell D, provided with an
eye or like means V, by which it may be raised and lowered so as to rest the
upon
pipe, but not so as to close the mouth absolutely at the junction P.
The lever F, is provided with a hook F2, which is passed through the eye V
upon the cup or bell D, the opposite end of the lever carries the cord or chain Y;
the centre portion from H to J is divided so as to encircle the bend of the syphon,
and is prepared on each side with open bearings which rest upon an axis G, on
each side of syphon, preferably cast thereon.
The upward movement of the lever and cap D, is regulated by a stop piece M,
which prevents any misplacement of the cap, and ensures the accurate working of
the moving parts, and the recovery of their normal position when the cord Y, is
released.

page_text: In cisterns of this class as hitherto made, the pipe B, has formed the syphon,
and the cistern has been emptied through the mouth of same which consequently
was not closed by the bell, and the result was that air was admitted to the syphon
pipe when the water reached the level of the lower edge of the bell D), at the
point R, and the cistern was not properly emptied.
In my arrangement I add the simple syphon C, in direct communication with
the flush pipe in connection with the nipple A, so that when the syphon is charged
by raising the cup or bell D, the mouth of pipe B, is again closed by the descent
of the bell as seen in the drawing and the cistern emptied through the mouth T,
of the pipe C.
It is very desirable to vent the syphon in the bend at N, and my arrangement
enables this to be easily done.
In the Figs. 3 & 4, I show how my invention may be caused to operate auto-
matically and at regular intervals of any desired duration.
I use a similar arrangement of pipes B, with cup or bell D, and connected
syphon pipe C, as that already described in connection with Figs. 1 & 2, but the
lever F, instead of being provided with a pull cord, is shortened and terminates
with a counter-balance X, within the cistern.
The cup or bell is held down as shown by a catch Z, connected with a float Z³,
which also acts as a weight, see Fig. 5.
When the water (which is admitted to the cistern through a tap regulated to
fill the cistern in the desired time) raises the float and eventually releases the
catch Z, the bell D, is lifted by the compressed air contained in the upper part
thereof, and the syphon becomes charged and discharges the contents of the
cistern.
As the syphonage continues the resultant suction draws down the cup or bell D,
which is caught and held by the catch Z, until the water rises in the cistern, raises
the float, and again liberates the catch.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I
am aware that a syphon composed of a trap, such as the pipe B, and covered or
partially covered by a movable bell such as 1), is not novel and I therefore do not
claim such parts per se, but I declare that what I do claim is:-
1. In syphon flushing cisterns the combination with the pipe B, of a syphon
pipe C, a lever pivotted thereon and engaging with a cup or bell D, and a
stop M, acting together and substantially as herein before described and shown in
Figs. 1 and 2, of the drawings.
2. An automatic flushing cistern consisting of the charging pipe B, syphon
pipe C, bell D, lever F, engaging therewith, a retaining catch Z, and releasing
float 73, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 of the
drawings.
1000
ROBT. F. DRURY,
Agent for Applicant, Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield.