IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAPPING DRAINS OR WASTE PIPES, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Harris, of the City and County of Bristol, Car-
penter, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAPPING DRAINS OR WASTE
PIPES, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.'"
"
Sealed the 10th July 1877, and dated the 18th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Harris at the Office
"IMPROVEMENTS
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th January 1877.
JAMES HARRIS, of the City and County of Bristol, Carpenter.
IN TRAPPING DRAINS OR WASTE PIPES, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
This Invention has for its object the more effectual prevention of the escape of
sewer gas or other noxious effiuvia from the orifices of surface drains and waste
pipes, and consists of a combination of bell trap and self-closing valve. The bell
trap consists of a box or container of metal or other suitable material for the
liquid, which constitutes the hydraulic seal as is well understood. From the bottom
of this box in the centre thereof rises a short tubular outlet of about two inches,
more or less, in height, and over the mouth of the same there is placed the ordinary
bell, the lip of which descends well below the top of the outlet so as to ensure a
perfect seal, as is well understood, the bell itself being attached to a grating or per-
forated cover plate fitting the top of the box or container in the usual manner.
In combination with the above I employ a self-closing valve, mounted on a
fulcrum pin in any convenient support attached to or forming part of the said box.
This valve has a short weighted arm formed thereon, which is slightly heavier than
the valve itself, so that the said valve in its normal condition will always lie close
against the lower mouth of the before-mentioned tubular outlet which projects
slightly below the bottom of the box so as to form a seat for the valve to close
against. The free action of the weighted end of the valve is ensured by enclosing
it in a protecting casing which may also form part of the said box. If desired, a
ring or rings of india-rubber or other suitable material may be applied to the lower
end of the outlet so as to form a closer joint when the valve is shut.
By the combination herein-before described a free escape for the drainage is
allowed, the valve being maintained open so long as there is any flow down the

page_text: trap, but so soon as the flow ceases the valve shuts automatically and thereby con-
stitutes a further safeguard against the escape of effluvia by mechanically closing
the lower end of the outlet orifice.
It is obvious that various modifications may be introduced without departing
from the essential feature of my said Invention, namely, the combination of a self-
closing valve with a bell trap.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Harris in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th July 1877.
"IMPROVEMENTS
JAMES HARRIS, of the City and County of Bristol, Carpenter.
"
IN TRAPPING DRAINS OR WASTE PIPES, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
My said Invention has for its object the more effectual prevention of the escape
of sewer gas or other noxious effluvia from the orifices of drains and waste pipes,
and consists essentially in the combination with an ordinary or other bell trap of
a self-closing valve or water joint made to act so as to shut off the sewer gas from
the trap.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
accompanying Drawing which represents a vertical section of my double action valve
trap. A is the box or container of the bell trap, composed of metal or other suitable
material for the reception of that part of the liquid passing down the drain which
constitutes the hydraulic seal as is well understood. From the bottom of this box
in the centre thereof rises a short tubular outlet B, of about two inches, more or
less, in height, and over the mouth of the same there is placed the ordinary bell C,
the lip of which descends well below the top of the outlet so as to ensure a perfect
seal as is well understood, the bell itself being attached to a grating or perforated
In com-
cover plate D, fitting the top of the box or container in the usual manner.
bination with the above I employ a self-closing valve E, by preference cup shaped,
so as to contain liquid therein as shown, but it may consist of any other con-
venient form of valve provided or not, as found requisite, with a facing of india-
rubber or other material suitable for forming a close joint with the bottom of the
discharge pipe. This valve is mounted on a fulcrum joint at a, in any convenient
support attached to or forming part of the said box. A short weighted arm or
counterweight is formed on or fitted to the valve, and is slightly heavier than the
valve itself, so that the said valve in its normal condition will always be closed
against the lower mouth of the before-mentioned tubular outlet or discharge pipe
which projects slightly below the bottom of the box so as to form a seat for the
valve to close against.
The free action of the weighted end of the valve may be ensured by enclosing it
in a protecting casing which may also form part of the said box. If desired a ring
or rings of india-rubber or other suitable material may be applied to the lower
end of the outlet pipe itself so as to form a closer joint when the valve is shut.
By the combination herein-before described a free escape for the drainage is
allowed, the valve being maintained open so long as there is any flow down the
trap, but so soon as the flow ceases the valve shuts automatically, and thereby con-
stitutes a further safeguard against the escape of effluvia by mechanically closing
the lower end of the outlet orifice.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that I lay no claim to the bell trap, neither do I claim
a self-closing valve or water joint as separately constituting any part of my said
Invention, but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patents is,-

page_text: The combination with a bell trap of a self-closing valve or water joint, arranged to
operate substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Harris, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eleventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JAMES HARRIS. (LS.)