IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COCKS AND VALVES FOR STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Rhodes, of Bow Road, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Engineer and Brassfounder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF COCKS AND VALVES FOR STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 16th September 1879, and dated the 20th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Rhodes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th March 1879.
BENJAMIN RHODES, of Bow Road, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Brassfounder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COCKS AND VALVES FOR
STEAM, WATER, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention has, for its object improved methods of constructing cocks and
valves for conveying vapours, fluids, semi-fluids, and for other purposes, whereby
the wearing parts of the said cocks and valves are preserved, and serious loss of
labour and material is thus prevented.
In carrying out my said Invention as applied to the construction of cocks and
valves for the conveyance of steam, heated fluids, and for other purposes, I employ a
lining of asbestos sheet, specially prepared and compounded with other substances, so
as to form a protective and waterproof covering or packing for the working parts of
the said cocks and valves, and whereby the liability of the working parts to seize or
grind one into the other is entirely avoided. I also prefer in some cases to apply the
before mentioned waterproof asbestos compound in the shape of rings or washers, my
Invention being applicable to both plug and solid bottom gland cocks and valves.
In the cases of cocks and valves to be employed for particular uses, I prefer to
employ, say, for cistern or ball cocks and draw-off cocks, instead of the before men-
tioned asbestos compound, metals of different degrees of hardness where the acting
parts come together, so as to ensure a perfect shut-off and resistance under great
pressure.
In carrying out another portion of my said Invention as applied in the construc-
tion of cistern or ball cocks, and for the purpose of reducing friction to a minimum,
I employ a loose collar or roller free to rotate on the stem or lever of the said cock
or valve, and mounted as close as possible to the centre of the axis of the said cock
or valve. The said loose collar or roller works upon a cam surface piece or sectional
part of a worm, and thus ensures the stem or lever working freely and effectually
with the least possible amount of friction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Benjamin Rhodes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th
September 1879.
BENJAMIN RHODES, of Bow Road, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Brassfounder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF COCKS AND VALVES FOR
STEAM, WATER; AND OTHER PURPOSES."
My Invention has for its object improved methods of constructing cocks and
valves for the conveyance of vapours, fluids, semi-fluids, and for other purposes,
whereby the wearing parts of the said cocks and valves are preserved and their
liability to seize or grind one into the other is entirely obviated. At the same time
certainty of action is ensured without leakage, and friction is almost entirely
avoided. In carrying out the main part of my said Invention I employ as a
lining or protective and waterproof covering or packing for the working parts of
the said cocks and valves generally, according to my Invention, consisting of a
compound of asbestos, specially prepared and combined with other substances in
accordance with the Invention, for which separate Letters Patent have been granted
to me bearing date April 4th, 1879, Number 1334. The various methods of
applying or introducing the said asbestos compound for cocks and valves con-
structed according to my Invention are hereinafter more fully described and shewn
in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In some cases I'may prefer to employ for particular uses, say, for cistern or ball
cocks, instead of the before mentioned asbestos compound, metals of different
degrees of hardness where the working parts come together. In carrying out
another part of my said Invention as applied to the construction of cistern or ball
cocks, and for the purpose of reducing friction to a minimum, I employ a loose
collar or roller free to rotate on the stem or lever of the ball or float, and mounted
as close as possible to the centre of the valve spindle into which the stem of the
ball or float is screwed. The said loose collar works upon a cam surface-way.
formed in the valve casing or shell, and thus ensures the valve being opened and
closed most effectually, rendering it almost impossible for the valve to "stick" or
set fast.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative of my said Invention,
Figures 1 to 5 shew various modes of constructing cocks and valves generally,
according to my said Invention. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate that part of my said In-
vention which refers specially to the construction of cistern or ball cocks or valves.
The illustration, Figure 1, shews my Invention as applied to wheel or screw
down valves. In this application of my Invention I employ a washer or disc a of
the asbestos compound to face or cover the valve b, the said disc or washer being
kept in position by means of a nut and washer, as shewn alike for safety and for
the convenience of removal in case of repairs when needed; I also use washers c, c,
of the asbestos compound between the collars d, d, of the valve spindle, as
shewn.
In the arrangement, shewn at Figures 2 and 3, I employ grooves cast or cut in
the shell or barrel of the cock so as to receive the asbestos compound packing. At
the back of each groove d¹ I introduce a metal wedge e to be acted upon by means
of a set screw f, so that the packing in the groove shall be kept tight up in place
lengthwise, and I also employ washers of the asbestos compound at the base, as
shewn, and kept up in place by the cap and set screw. In some cases, however, for
this arrangement of valve I may prefer to dispense with the grooves d' and wedges e
just described, according to the purpose for which the said cocks or valves are to
be used, and employ instead thereof a lining formed either in one piece or of
washers or rings of the asbestos compound packing..
Figure 4 shews a modification of my Invention, according to which I use a
'rising plug" fitted and formed as shewn, with a number of washers a of the

page_text: asbestos compound firmly secured and held together upon the plug by means of a
nut and washer, and so arranged that the said asbestos compound washers a can
be removed at pleasure.
In carrying out the modification of my Invention, as shewn at Figure 5, I employ
metal glands g cut mitre shape, and so fitted as to be brought together by a gland
nut h, by turning which the metal linings or glands g are pressed together and so
causing the asbestos compound packing a to be held tight round the plug of the
cock.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate that part of my said Invention as applied to the con-
struction of cistern or ball cocks or valves, as hereinbefore described. A small
disc a of the asbestos compound is shewn fitted into a recess in the valve spindle;
but in some ceses I may prefer to use for the working parts of such cocks or
valves metals of different degrees of hardness. The same arrangement as just
described is, with slight modifications, adapted to all kinds of draw-off cocks.
In adapting my Invention to facilitate the working, efficiency, and durability of
sluice valves, and for the purpose of relieving the strain upon the valve spindle, I
line or face the valve itself with the asbestos compound, and I employ an eccentric
cam or eccentric cams so formed as to be acted upon, when the valve descends, by
projections cast upon the back of the valve, and so fitted that as the valve closes,
the said projections shall turn the cam or cams so as to press against the valve,
making it perfectly tight, and at the same time allowing a free action as soon as
the valve is raised again for opening.
Having now described and illustrated my said Invention, I wish it to be under-
stood that what I claim is,-
First. The construction of cocks and valves generally, as herein described and
shewn, and the employment of my asbestos compound in conjunction therewith
for the packings or linings.
Second. The special arrangement shewn at Figures 2 and 3, whereby the asbestos
compound packing is kept tight up to the plug, as herein before fully described.
Third. The special arrangement shewn at Figures 6 and 7 of apparatus adapted
for cistern or ball cocks or valves, and other cocks or valves, as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Rhodes, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
B. RHODES. (L.S.)