IMPROVEMENTS IN STOP-COCKS OR VALVES FOR REGULATING THE FLOW
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Strathern, Andrew Strathern, the younger,
and Allan Strathern, all of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Brassfounders, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STOP-COCKS
17
"
Sealed the 11th January 1861, and dated the 18th July 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Strathern,
Andrew Strathern, the younger, and Allan Strathern at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 13th July
1860.
We, ANDREW STRATHERN, ANDREW STRATHERN, the younger, and ALLAN
STRATHERN, all of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Brass-
founders, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STOP-COCKS OR VALVES FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS," to be as follows,
that is to say:-
This Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of stop-cocks or
valvular apparatus for regulating and controlling the flow or passage of water
and other fluids.
Under one modification, as adapted to the regulating and controlling the
passage of water through the ordinary water service pipes, the improvements
consist of a combination of a stop-cock with what is technically known as a
"tube cock" or swan neck. In this cock, as ordinarily constructed, the inlet
portion of the cock is of a T-shaped figure, the water being shut off or let on

page_text: by the turning of a tubular cock, which is ground into the right-angled end
portion of the T piece. The ends of the tubular cock project out beyond the
Tpiece, one end having a nut fitted to it, and the other carries the curved
tube through which the water flows. In the ordinary cock the turning of this
tube up or down regulates the flow of water, but where there is any pressure
on the cock it is very liable to leak at the lateral margins of the T piece; this,
indeed, is a constant source of annoyance and waste. In the improved com-
bination, the stop-cock is arranged on the upper part of the inlet pipe; a short
tubular passage rises up from this part at right angles thereto. In the lower
part of the inlet, below this opening, is cast a metal diaphragm, which forms
the valve seat; when the aperture in this diaphragm is open the water flows
up through it and into the tubular end of the T piece. The valve is formed
on the end of a vertical spindle, which works out through a convex cap or
stuffing box screwed on to the vertical tubular opening, the spindle terminating
in a crosshead or actuating handle. A boss is formed on the valve spindle on
which a screw thread is cut; this part fits a corresponding internal screw
tapped in the inner surface of the vertical opening. The convexity of the
enclosing cap gives space for the upward movement of the screw valve spindle,
so that when the handle is turned the valve is raised, and the water flows
unchecked through the tube. When the handle is turned in the opposite
direction the valve is screwed down, and the pressure of the water is now
acting entirely upon the valve. In this way the tube or swan neck may be
left in any position or removed altogether, being entirely independant of the
stop-cock, which alone controls the passage of the water. These cocks thus
offer a security against waste and leakage, which is not possessed by any tube
cock at present in use.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Andrew Strathern, Andrew Strathern, the younger, and
Allan Strathern in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th January
1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ANDREW
STRATHERN, ANDREW STRATHERN, the younger, and ALLAN STRATHERN, all of
Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Brassfounders, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One

page_text: thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said,
Andrew Strathern, Andrew Strathern, the younger, and Allan Strathern, Her
special license that we, the said Andrew Strathern, Andrew Strathern, the
younger, and Allan Strathern, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said Andrew Strathern, Andrew Strathern, the younger,.
and Allan Strathern, our executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STOP-COCKS OR VALVES FOR REGULATING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS," uppon the
condition (amongst others) that we, the said Andrew Strathern, Andrew
Strathern, the younger, and Allan Strathern, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause tho same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters.
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Andrew Strathern, Andrew Strathern,
the younger, and Allan Strathern, do hereby declare the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being.
had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:-
Our said Invention relates to the arrangement and construction of stop-
cocks or valvular apparatus for regulating and controlling the flow or passage
of water and other fluids.
Under one modification, as adapted to the regulating and controlling the
passage of water through the ordinary water service pipes, the improvements
consist of a combination of a stop-cock with what is technically known as a
"tube cock or swan neck. In this cock, as ordinarily constructed, the inlet
portion of the cock is of a T-shaped figure, the water being shut off or let on
by the turning of a tubular cock, which is ground into the right-angled end
portion of the T piece. The ends of the tubular cock project out beyond the
T piece, one end having a nut fitted to it, and the other carries the curved
tube through which the water flows. In the ordinary cock the turning of this
tube up or down regulates the flow of water, but where there is any pressure
on the cock it is very liable to leak at the lateral margins of the T piece; this;

page_text: indeed, is a constant source of annoyance and waste.
In the improved com-
bination the stop-cock is arranged on the upper part of the inlet pipe; a short
tubular passage rises up from this part at right angles thereto. In the lower
cast a metal diaphragm, which forms
this diaphragm is open the water flows
part of the inlet below this opening is
the valve seat; when the aperture in
up through it and into the tubular end of the T piece. The valve is formed
on the end of a vertical spindle, which works out through a convex cap or
stuffing box screwed on to the vertical tubular opening, the spindle terminating
in a crosshead or actuating handle. A boss is formed on the valve spindle,
on which a screw thread is cut; this part fits a corresponding internal screw
tapped in the inner surface of the vertical opening. The convexity of the
enclosing cap gives space for the upward movement of the screw valve spindle,
so that when the handle is turned the valve is raised, and the water flows
unchecked through the tube. When the handle is turned in the opposite
direction the valve is screwed down, and the pressure of the water is now
acting entirely upon the valve. In this way the tube or swan neck may be
left in any position or removed altogether, being entirely independant of the
stop-cock, which alone controls the passage of the water. These cocks thus
offer a security against waste and leakage, which is not possessed by any tube
cock at present in use.
And in order that our said Invention of "Improvements in Stop-cocks
or Valves for Regulating the Flow of Fluids" may be properly understood, we
shall now proceed to describe the Figures delineated on the explanatory
Sheet of Drawings which we have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing
certain modifications under which our improvements may be judiciously carried
out in practice, that is to say :-
Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a partially sectional
elevation of one modification of our improved stop-cock or valve for regulating
the flow of fluids; Figure 2 on the said Sheet of Drawings is a plan of the
arrangement corresponding to Figure 1.
The improvements are shown as applied to an ordinary tube cock or swan
neck, so as to obtain an effectual control over the flow of the water, and to
prevent at the same time the enormous waste of water, which cannot be
avoided with the ordinary arrangement of tube cocks. The inlet portion A is
cast of the usual T-shaped figure, the stem of which is soldered or otherwise
attached to the water service pipe. This tubular portion of the cock is cast
with a horizontal diaphragm B, which is arranged at the outer end of the
tubular part A, and immediately behind the laterally projecting portion C,
which forms the extremity of the T-shaped inlet part. The diaphragm B has

page_text: formed in it. the valvular opening D, the upper surface of the diaphragm
forming the valve seat. Above the diaphragm B the metal of this part of the
cock forms a vertical tubular opening E, the front part of which does not,
however, extend beyond the part C, so that there is a passage for the water
from the opening D through into the tubular part C. The inner surface of
the tubular part E is screwed throughout its length, and an external screw is
also formed at the upper part.to admit of the cap F being fitted. thereto. The
cap F is of a convex figure on the upper part, in which a circular opening is
formed; the interior of the cap is lined or filled with india-rubber or other
suitable elastic material. The tubular opening E thus arranged forms a
chamber for the regulating valve G, which is recessed to receive the india-
rubber disc H, the pressure of which on the diaphragm B stops the flow of
water through the cock. On the spindle I of the valve G a metal boss J is
formed, which part is screwed to correspond to the internal screw of the valve
chamber E. The spindle I of the valve passes out through the cap F, and
terminates in the crosshead K, which forms the handle for actuating the valve.
In the tubular part C of the inlet portion of the cock is fitted the tube L; this
tube is slightly conical, and it is secured by means of the nut M. The other
extremity of the tube L carries the curved tube or swan neck N, through
which the water flows into the vessel to be filled. An opening is formed in
the tube L, as shown at O, Figure 1, to admit of the water flowing through
the tube L and out by the swan neck N. In this way when the valvo G is
down, as shown in Figure 1, it is immaterial whether the tube N is up or
down, no water can pass the valve, and the pressure of the water being
confined to the surface of the disc H, leakage at the ends of the tube C is
wholly avoided. The arrangement of the valve G admits of the flow of water
being let on gradually, the force of the outflowing stream being under perfect
control by means of the screw J, so that as the valve is raised gradually by
the rotation of the handle the water is caused to flow from the mouth of the
swan neck with any required degree of force, and at the same time without
splashing or waste of water; and as the pressure is taken off from the tube L
the ground surfaces do not require to be so accurately fitted or so tightly
screwed up as with those of the ordinary construction.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we would observe, in conclusion, that what we consider novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the berein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of stop-cocks or valvular

page_text: apparatus for regulating the flow of liquids, as herein-before described and
shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the system or mode of combining a regulating valvular apparatus
with the ordinary tube cock, or valve, or swan neck cock, or valve, in which
the said valvular arrangement is disposed or placed on the upper part of the
cock, as herein-before described and delineated in the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings, or any mere modification of the same.
In witness whereof, we, the said Andrew Strathern, Andrew Strathern
the younger, and Allan Strathern, have hereunto set our hands and
seals, this Tenth day of January, One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-one.
ANDREW STRATHERN.
(L.S.)
ANDREW STRATHERN, JUN. (L.S.)
ALLAN STRATHERN.
(L.B.)
SAMUEL LOCHHEAD,
Witness.
W. B. STRATHERN,
Witness.