NEW OR IMPROVED WATER SUPPLYING AND REGULATING APPARATUS FOR WATER CLOSETS AND OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Smith, of the City and County of Edinburgh,
North Britain, Foreman Brass Finisher, for an Invention of "NEW OR
IMPROVED WATER SUPPLYING AND REGULATING APPARATUS FOR WATER
CLOSETS AND OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st March 1880.
ROBERT SMITH, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain, Foreman
Brass Finisher. "NEW OR IMPROVED WATER SUPPLYING AND REGULATING
APPARATUS FOR WATER CLOSETS AND OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of water supplying
and regulating apparatus for water closets and other analogous purposes, specially
designed for preventing waste of water by regulating the amount of water to be
used in the flushing and after flushing of the closet basin or other receptacle at
each operation, and which is more simple and efficient in its action, as well as less
liable to get out of order, and more easily repaired than apparatus of this kind
hitherto in use.
Under one modification the improved apparatus comprises a lower shallow
cylindrical or annular water chamber, connected either directly to a main water
servico pipe, or with a service supply cistern, and fitted with an upper hollow
chambered cover carrying the regulating valve or valvos and operating lever, the
two parts being formed with flanges and held together by bolts, and the joint
between them being rendered fluid-pressure tight by a strong leather or vulcanised
rubber washer which passes entirely across to form a diaphragm valve, and divides
the space enclosed between the lower chamber and upper cover into two separate
compartments. The water enters through the bottom of the lower chamber by a
tubular opening or inlet orifice suitably screwed and fitted with a coupling for
attachment to a service pipe, or so as to bo fitted in connection with a water
cistern, this tubular opening being at or near the centre of the lower chambor, and
reaching up to the leather or rubber diaphragm valve to form a seat for it. The
water passes into the lower chamber when the diaphragm valve is open, and through

page_text: an outlet at one side to the discharge pipe leading to the closet basin, but a portion
of the water entering the tubular inlet is also allowed to pass into the hollowed
chamber in the cover above the diaphragm by a small water-way or passage formed
in one side of the castings forming the diaphragm valve chamber, and leading from
the tubular admission orifice up through the cover joint or washer into the upper
compartment, and the size of this passage may be contracted or varied to regulate the
flow of the water through it by means of a screwed plug or tap or other equivalent
actuated by a handle or lever outside and secured by a jam nut and washer.
The upper hollowed compartment or part of the water chamber communicates by a
larger lateral open water way with a valvo chamber fitted with a pair of rubber
washer valves on a vertical spindle, with an intermediate or central double
valve seat, through which the water can only pass when both valves are open, and
the valve spindle passes up and out through a stuffing-box in the upper part of the
valve chamber, and is connected to the usual weighted lever acted on by the closet
handle. This handle when lifted causes the valve spindle to descend and the lower
valve to open, whilst the upper valve descends, and on the full depression of the
spindle closes the upper valve on its seat, the spindle and valves rising again when
the closet handle is let go, and when this handle is lifted and lowered the water
from the upper compartment or hollow cover of the chamber passes through the open
water-way into the valve chamber and through the valve seats to the discharge
outlet leading to the closet basin. The surface of the diaphragm valve is considerably
greater on its upper side than the area of the inlet orifice on its under face, and
when the apparatus is not in action (the pressure of the water above and below
being equal but acting on a greater area above than below) the valve then remains
closed, but the escape of this water from the upper compartment by the opening of
its outlet valve relieving the pressure of the water above the diaphragm, the now
greater pressure of the water below lifts the diaphragm valve, and allows a full
flow of water to pass through the inlet into the lower compartment, and thence
through the discharge outlet and pipe to flush the closet basin. The upper outlet
valve being now closed by the holding up of the closet handle the upper compart-
ment is gradually filled again through the small regulated passage communicating
with the water inlet, and as it fills the diaphragm is pressed down till it closes the
inlet, and the flushing of the closet ceases. When the closet handle is dropped and
the pan of the closet closed a further quantity of water again escapes from the upper
compartment through the outlet valves during their travel until the lower valve
closes up against its seat, and this allows the diaphragm to be lifted again to admit
of a discharge of water into and through the lower compartment of the water
chain ber sufficient for the after-flush of the closet before the gradual filling of the
upper compartment through the small regulated water way or passage causes the
diaphragm valve to close down.
The diaphragm valve may consist merely of a sheet of leather or vulcanised
rubber, also serving the purpose of a washer between the joints, or it might have a
stiffening and strengthening metal plate or washer fitted on its upper side immedi-
ately over the inlet orifice, and held by a screwed nut and pin or other equivalent
which would reach nearly to the top of the upper hollow chamber, and prevent
the force of the water when entering below from pressing the diaphragm too
high and bursting it..
The only part of the apparatus requiring occasional renewal is this leather or
rubber diaphragm, and with the arrangements described the advantage is obtained
that only a definitely fixed quantity of water can be used at one operation both
for the flushing and after-flushing of the closet, but this supply can however be
regulated to suit particular cases by adjusting the size of the communicating
water way or passage between the upper compartment of the water chamber and
the inlet from the lower, so as to allow a greater or shorter interval and proportionate
flow of water to effect the flushing and after-flushing operations.
By another modification of the improved apparatus very similar to that first
described, but intended to be used more especially where the saving of water is

page_text: not a desideratum, or where a continuous uninterrupted flow is desired for flushing
a closet, the upper outlet valve on the valve spindle is dispensed with, and by
this means when the closet handle is drawn up the single valve is lowered
from its seat, and the water escaping from the upper compartment of the chamber
a continuous flushing occurs so long as the handle is held up, but on its being
lowered again the valve closes up against its seat, allowing the upper com-
partment to fill again, and only gives time before the diaphragm valve closes for a
sufficient discharge of water through the lower chamber for the after-flush.
A further modification of this Hushing or discharge regulating apparatus relates
to improved arrangements for measuring or more effectually determining the
quantity of water to be discharged at each operation, which consist in the use
of a piston valve in place of the double or single rubber washer valve hereinbefore
described, actuated by the band lever of the closet or apparatus, this piston valve
working in a bored cylinder with a chamber above and below it. The chamber
above the diaphragm valve before mentioned communicates by a small port or
opening with the chamber over the piston valve, and this chamber is closed by the
piston when it is raised or in its normal position, so that no water can escape; but
when this piston valve is depressed a short distance to its lowest position, by
raising the handle or acting lever of the closet it opens a port above the piston
valve near the top of the working valve chamber communicating by a side duct
or chamber with the under side of the piston working chamber. This flowing of
the water from the upper valve chamber relieves the pressure of the water above
the diaphragm valve, which now rises off its seat on the supply pipe and admits an
uniform supply or flushing of the water to the closet, or discharge pipe, or cock for
other supply, which is regulated by the time the water would take to flow out of
the diaphragm chamber and chamber above the piston valve into the chamber
below the piston valve, or a separate chamber in communication with it, and also
by the time the pressure water would take to flow in through the small regulating
opening or waterway before referred to, and refill the chamber above the diaphragın
to close it. In this case an after-flushing is only given during the time that elapses
between the dropping of the hand lever, or closing of the closet pan, and the filling
of the chamber above the diaphragm to close this. The lowering of the hand lever
also raises the piston valve to its upper normal position to close the ports or
openings between the upper and lower piston valve chambers, which action also
lifts and opens a small valve in the bottom of this lower chamber (which was
closed when the piston valve was in its lowest position) by means of a chain or
link attached to it so as to allow the water in this lower chamber to escape into
the discharge pipe. By another improvement this lower chamber may be made
large enough to give an after-flush to the extent of its contents, which would flow
by gravitation only into the closet or other receptacle when the valve arrangement
is fitted above the closet.
By a further improvement the valve apparatus when applied to pressure service
pipes without service cisterns is made to give a regulated after-Bush or supply
of water, whether it is placed above or below the closet; and it consists in fitting
to the apparatus another piston valve with a chamber above and below it, having
inlet and outlet ports and small discharge link or chain valve in the bottom of the
lower chamber, all substantially as described in reference to the regulating piston
valve last mentioned, but having its piston rod actuated by a supplementary beam
or other lever so as to act in the reverse direction. Thus when the first piston
valve is raised by the main lever to its upper normal position to close the flushing
of the closet, the second piston valve is lowered by its supplementary lever and
opens the admission port from the chamber above the first piston valve to admit
water to and through the chamber above the second piston valve to fill the chamber
beneath it, and so give an after-flush during the time of filling this chamber below
the second piston valve by relieving the pressure on the diaphragm, and thus
opening it a second time for this short interval. This interval thus actually
regulates the amount of water discharged for the after-flush, and is determined

page_text: by the size of this second piston valve chamber and the port or orifice leading
to it. The water is discharged from this lower chamber into the outlet pipe by
the lifting of its small delivery chain valve with the piston when the closet lever
is raised, and its piston valve opened for a subsequent action and discharge so as to
be ready for giving the after-flush for this next action of the valvo apparatus and
closet, all as before described.
Provision is made for the cleaning of the small orifices leading from the upper
to the lower chambers of these piston regulating valves by fitting screw plugs
opposite them, which can be periodically removed for the insertion of a cleaning
wire or stem and afterwards be replaced.
Any of the modifications of the improved apparatus described may obviously
be used for the water supply of urinals, lavatories, and shower baths, and for other
purposes where a regulated supply of water is required, and also for supply
regulating bib-cocks or taps.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Robert Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st August
1880.
ROBERT SMITH, of the City and County of Edinburgh, North Britain, Foreman
Brass Finisher. "NEW OR IMPROVED WATER SUPPLYING AND REGULATING
APPARATUS FOR WATER-CLOSETS AND OTHER ANALOGOUS PURPOSES."
My said Invention relates to improvements in the construction of water supplying
and regulating apparatus for water closets and other analogous purposes, specially
designed for preventing waste of water by regulating the amount of water to be
used in the flushing, and after flushing of the closet basin or other receptacle at
each operation, and which are more simple and efficient in their action, as well as
less liable to get out of order, and more easily repaired, than apparatus of this kind
hitherto in use.
And in order that the nature and novelty of my said Invention, and the mode
and means of putting it into effect or practice may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several modifications thereof in referenco to their
corresponding Figures on the Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended
for that purpose, the same reference letters and numerals as far as possible being
employed to represent the equivalent or like parts in all the Figures where theso
are indicated.
Figure 1 is a vertical section through the centre of one arrangement and com-
bination of the parts of a water supplying chambered valve apparatus for serving
or discharging a nearly uniform or regulated quantity of water at one operation
or action to and for flushing water closets, or it might be to other vessels for other
purposes, giving a partial after flush to seal the closet if the lever is let go
quickly, all in accordance with and illustrative of one modification of my said
Invention.
Referring to this first modification, shown in Figure 1, the improved apparatus
consists generally of an outer main case or valve chest formed in two parts, the
lower one A being bolted to the upper one A' all round the outer rim at A", with
a leather or vulcanized india-rubber disc a screwed between them forming a fluid-
tight joint, and also a loose movable division diaphragın between the inlet and
outlet water chamber a' in the lower section A of the case, and the closing pressure
chamber a" in the upper section A', which has a vertical stem: A projecting up
from it outside carrying the ordinary acting lever L of the closet, and secures tlie
whole chest thereto by a screw A" at the top, the lever L being fulcrumed on a
pin at L' through a slot in the stem A¹ for the lever to work in and actuate the
valves, all as will hereinafter be described. The lower shallow cylindrical or
annular iulet and discharge water chamber a is connected to a main water service
pipe 1, or to a service supply cistern, preferably round the entrance branch 1 of
this pipe, so that its upper lip forms a valve sent closed or opened by the rubber
disc a fitted over it and below the upper hollow chambered cover case A' carrying
the regulating valve or valves and operating lever L. This chamber a' is also
formed with an outlet or discharge branch 2 fitted with a screw coupling at 2¹ for
attaching the pipe to the closet or other vessel into which the water has to be
discharged from the apparatus. The two parts A, A', are formed with Hanges, and
held together by screw bolts with a joint between them at A", rendered fluid-
pressure tight by the strong leather or vulcanized rubber washer a, which passes
entirely across to form a diaphragm valve, dividing the space enclosed between the
lower sections A and A' of the chest and upper cover into the two separate com-
partments a' and all, as before stated. The water enters through the bottom of
the lower chamber by the tubular opening or inlet orifice 1 suitably screwed and
fitted with a coupling screw at 1' for attachment to a service pipe, or so as to be

page_text: fitted in connection with a water cistern in an ordinary manner. This tubular
opening is formed at or near the centre of the disc a and lower chamber a¹, and
reaching close up to the leather or rubber diaphragm valve a to form a seat for it.
The water passes into the lower chamber when the diaphragm valve a is open, and
through the outlet branch 2 at one side, as indicated by the arrows, to the discharge
pipe leading to the closet basin, not shown in the Drawing. A portion of the
pressure water from the service branch 1 is always allowed to pass into the hollowed
chamber a in the cover A¹ above the diaphragm a by the small waterway or
passage b formed in and up one side of the lower and upper parts A, A¹, forming
the valve chambers a', a", up through the cover joint and diaphragm a into the
compartment all above this. The size of this passage b is contracted or varied to
regulate the rate of the flow of the water through it by means of a screwed plug b¹
(or it might be a tap or other equivalent) actuated by a suitable handle outside,
and secured liquid-tight by a washer and jam nut at 61. The upper hollowed close
or water pressure compartment or chamber all communicates by a larger lateral
open waterway a³ with a valvo chamber As formed at the one side of the cover
part A of the chest, and is fitted with a double facod valvo seat c and pair of
rubber washer valves c¹, c¹¹, above and below the seat on the lower part of the
vertical spindle B, which passing up and out through a stuffing box at A³ in the
upper part of the valve chamber A is connected or linked at L" to the usual
weighted hand lever L above of the closet. The wator can only pass when both
valves are open, as shown in this position in the Drawings. This handle when
lifted causes the valve spindle B to descend and the lower valve c¹ to open whilst
the upper valve c¹¹ descends, and on the full depression of the spindle B closes the
upper valve c" on its seat, the spindle and valves rising again to their normal
closed position ready for the next action, when the closet handle and lever L is let
go. When this handle lifts the lever L, and so lowers the valve c', the water is
allowed to flow from the upper compartment a" through the open water way a²
into the valve chamber A, and through the valve seat c, to the discharge outlet 2
leading to the closet basin. The surface of the diaphragm valve a is considerably
greater on its upper side than the area of the inlet orifice 1 bearing on its under
face, and when the apparatus is not in action (the pressure of the water above and
below being equal, but acting on a greater area above than below) the valve a then
remains closed, but the escape of this water from the upper compartment all, by
the opening of its outlet valve c' relieving the pressure of the water above the
diaphragm a, the now greater pressure of the water below lifts the diaphragm
valve a, as shown in dotted lines in this Figure, and allows a full flow of water to
pass through the inlet 1 into the lower compartment a¹, and thence through the
discharge outlet 2 and pipe to flush the closet basin, as indicated by the arrows.
The upper outlet valve c¹ being now closed by the holding up of the closet handle
the upper compartment all is gradually filled again through the small regulated
passage b communicating with the water inlet 1, and as it fills the diaphragm a is
pressed down till it closes the inlet 1, and the flushing of the closet ceases.
When
the closet handle and lever L are dropped, and the pan of the closet closed, a further
quantity of water again escapes from the upper compartment a" through the outlet
valves c¹, c, during their travel, until the lower valve c' closes up against its seat c,
and this allows the diaphragmn a to rise again for a short interval to admit of a
discharge of water into and through the lower compartment a' sufficient for the after
flush of the closet for the sealing of the pan, before the complete filling of the upper
compartment a¹¹ through the small regulating waterway or passage causes the
diaphragm valve a to close down and leave the water closet in its normal state
ready for a subsequent action and flushing.
The diaphragm valve a may consist merely of a sheet of leather or strong
vulcanized rubber or rubber cloth, also serving the purpose of a washer joint
between the flanges at A". The diaphragm valve a, when preferred, as when there
is a great pressure of water, might have a stiffening and strengthening metal plate
or washer fitted on its upper side immediately over the inlet orifice 1, and held by

page_text: a screwed nut and pin or other equivalent, which would reach nearly to the top of
the upper hollow chamber all, and prevent the force of the water when entering
below from pressing the diaphragın too high and bursting it. The only part of the
apparatus requiring occasional renewal is the leather or rubber diaphragm a. With
the arrangements described the advantage is obtained that a definitely fixed
quantity of water can be used at one operation, or lifting and lowering of the
handle and lever L, both for the flushing and after flushing of the closet; but this
supply can however be regulated to suit particular cases by adjusting the size of
thic communicating water way or passage b between the upper compartment all and
the inlet pipe 1, so as to allow a greater or shorter interval of time in filling this
compartment all, and proportionate flow of water through the inlet 1, to effect the
flushing and after flushing operations.
Figure 2 shows an elevation of a similar apparatus to that shown in Figure 1,
with a slightly differont arrangement of the valvo c, c', as shown in section on tho
left hand side of this Figure, all the other parts being the same, and lettered to
correspond.
Referring to Figuro 2, this modification of the improved apparatus, which is very
similar to that first described, but intended to bo used more especially where the
saving of the water is not a desideratum, or where a continuous uninterrupted flow
is desired for flushing a closet, the upper outlet valvo (c¹¹) on the valve spindle B is
dispensed with; and by this means, when the closet handle is drawn up, the single
valve e' is lowered from its seat c, and the water escaping from the upper compart-
ment all of the chamber, a continuous flushing occurs so long as the handle is held
up, but on its being lowered again the valve c' closes up against its seat c, allowing
the upper compartment all to fill again, and only gives time before the diaphragm
valve a closes for a sufficient discharge of water through the lower chamber a¹ for
tho after flush.
Figure 3 is an clovation of a modification of my improved apparatus very similar
to that shown in Figure 2, but with the position of the valve c' inverted or over its
seat c, and having the lever L centred at L' on the stem A¹, so as to lift the
valve c¹ off its seat when the closet handle is raised. By this arrangement of the
valve c', which is closed on its seat c against the pressure of the water by the
weight of the lever L and its usual connections, water is only admitted to and
through the chamber A when the valve c¹ is open to relieve the pressure in the
upper compartment a", and the stuffing box at A³ may be dispensed with, or if
fitted does not have to bear the water pressure, as in the modifications already
described. The water allowed to escape at each lift of the valve c' escapes through
a small opening, shown dotted at a³, and is led by a duct to the chamber a¹ and
outlet 2, the action of the apparatus as regards the flushing and after flushing of
the closet basin being the same as described in reference to Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a vertical section showing a modification of my improved water
supply apparatus similar to that shown in Figure 1, but having the stem A
formed over the chamber A¹ a little to one side of the centre, so that the lever L
centred on it can also be linked to a short spindle L' screwed to raise the diaphragm a
with it when the handle is lifted to give a sudden and complete flushing of the
closet at each operation, and thus is particularly applicable where the pressure of
water is very low. A second diaphragm a* of a slightly smaller diameter is also
fitted above tho first a, and this serves the purpose of a stuffing box for the spindle L².
The arrangement and action of the valves is also the same as that described in
reference to Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a vertical section showing a modification of my improved water supply
apparatus for water closets fitted to act automatically as a water waste preventer
by measuring or more effectually determining the quantity of water to be discharged
at each operation, which consists in the use of a pair of piston valves c², c³, in placo
of the double or single rubber washer valve (c', c) actuated by the hand lover L,
these piston valves working in bored cylinders A³, A. These valves c³, c³, are
connected by thoir spindles L³, L, and short links L" to the levor L on opposite sides

page_text: of the fulcrum L', so that the one valve is raised as the other is lowered. The chamber
all above the diaphragm valve a communicates by the small ports or openings a²
with a chamber A³ or A¹ over each piston valve c³, c. The chamber A³ is closed
by the piston c² when it is lowered or in its normal position, so that no water can
escape, but when this piston valve c² is raised a short distance to its highest
position, by raising the handle or acting lever L of the closet, as shown, part of the
water in the upper compartment all flows through the working valve chamber A³
into a lower chamber A at the under side of the piston working chamber A³. This
flowing of the water relieves the pressure above the diaphragm valve a, which
now rises off its seat on the supply pipe, and admits a uniform supply or flushing
of the water to the closet or discharge pipe or cock for other supply through the
inlet 1, which is regulated by the time the water would take to flow out of the
diaphragm chamber all to fill the chamber A³ or A°, or a separate chamber in com-
munication with it, through or past the piston valve c² or c³, and also by the time
the pressure water would take to flow in through the small regulating opening or
waterway b, and refill the chamber a" above the diaphragm a to close it. The
lowering of the hand lover L also raises the piston valve c³ to its upper normal
position, and lowers the other valve c³ to close the port or opening a² between the
upper and lower piston valve chambers A³, A5, which action also lowers and opens
a small valve c³ in the bottom of this lower chamber (which was closed when the
piston valve was in its highest position) by means of a link or rod attached to it
so as to allow the water in this lower chamber A³ to escape into the discharge
pipe 1, whilst a corresponding valve c in the opposite chamber A rises and is
closed to prevent the passage of the water from the upper compartment all through
it. The valves are so arranged that the upper or lower sets c, c, are always closed
before the others c³, c", are opened. The first action of lifting the handle by opening
one valvo c3 and relieving the pressure of water over the diaphragm a allows of
the flushing of the closet basin to the extent desired, and the action of lowering the
handle by opening the opposite piston valve, and again relieving the pressure above
the diaphragm a, gives the after flush, and the relative quantities of water discharged
for each operation is partly determined by the relative size of the valve chambers A
and A°, or of the ports a opening to them.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of a modified construction of my improved waste
preventing water supply apparatus, only differing from that just described in the
arrangement of the piston valves c², c³, and valve chambers A³, A. In this modi-
fication the lever L is centred on the stem A as a beam lever, and connected by
links L" to the spindles L³, L', of the valves c³, c³, on each side of the centre, so
that the one piston valve c is raised, while the other is lowered by the lifting of
the closet handle and lever L. The valve c³ when so depressed or lowered off its
seat c allows a portion of the water in the compartment el to flow into a small
chainber A connected with and surrounding the valve chamber A³, and the pressure
above the diaphragm a being thus relieved a quantity of water flows through the
inlet 1 sufficient to flush the closet, which however ceases when the compartment all
is refilled through the waterway b; then when the handle and lever L'are lowered
the valve c² rises and closes the communication between the compartment a" and
the chamber A³, at the same time allowing the contents of this chamber A³ to flow
into the outlet to be ready for the next action, whilst the valve is lowered and
the chamber Aº opened to the compartment all, so as to relieve the pressure in the
latter on the diaphragin a a second time, and thereby permit a flow of water through
the inlet orifice 1 sufficient for the after flush. The next operation of lifting the
handle allows the water in the chamber A to escape into the outlet, the action of
both valves c³, c, being alike but operated alternately. The travel of the valves
c², c³, when opening the chambers A³ or A to the compartment all closes their
communication with the outlet 2, and vice versa; but although not so preferred,
the chambers A and A may only communicate with the valve chambers A³, A+, by
ports, and have separate valves fitted to open or close the communication with the
outlet 2, as in the modification shown in Figure 5.

page_text: Instead of placing the valves and valve chambers, as shown in these Figures 5
and 6, on each side of the casing A, A¹, they may be placed alongside each other,
the one set of valves being operated by the lever L direct and the other by a
supplementary beam lever connected to the lover L to actuate the valves in the
reverse direction. Thus when the first piston valve is raised by the main lever L
to its upper normal position to close the flushing of the closet, the second piston
valve would be lowered by its supplementary lever, and would open the admission
port from the chamber above the first piston valve to admit water to and through
the chamber above the second piston valve to fill the chamber beneath it, and so
give an after flush during the time of filling this chamber below the second piston
valve, by relieving the pressure on the diaphragm, and thus opening it a second
time for this short interval. This interval would actually regulate the amount of
water discharged for the after flush, and is determined by the size of this second
piston valve chamber and the port or orifice leading to it. The water may bo
discharged from this lower chamber into the outlet pipe through valves similar to
those c³, c, shown applied in Figure 5, and opening upwards or downwards, or by
the lifting of these valves by means of light chains connected to the piston valves
above.
In the modification of my improved apparatus, shown in Figure 7, which is only
intended to give a single uniform flushing of the closet at each operation, a small
piston valve c* is fitted in the top of the upper casing A' and connected to the
end of the lever L so as to be depressed and opened when the closet handle and
lever L are raised. The opening of the valve c* allows a portion of the water in
the chamber all to flow through the port a³into the valve chamber A³, and, relieving
the pressure on the diaphragm a, the pressure water flows through the inlet 1 to
flush the closet until the chamber A2 is completely filled and the compartment all
refilled. When the handle is lowered the valve c* is closed, and the valve c¹ in the
bottom of the chamber A³ opened to empty that chamber to the outlet 2 ready for
the next action.
Any of the modifications of the improved apparatus described may obviously be
used for the water supply of lavatorios, urinals, and shower baths, and for other
purposes where a regulated supply of water is required, and also for supply regu-
lating bib-cocks or taps.
Figure 8 shows a modification of water supply tap constructed in accordance
with my improvements. The diaphragm a is retained on its seat on the inlet
orifice 1, as before, by the pressure of water in the compartment all above it, and
the pressure water is allowed to flow through the inlet 1 by pressing the knob K
of the valve spindle to open the valve c*, which allows part of the water in the
compartment all to escape through it by the port a³ to the outlet 2, and relieves
the pressure above the diaphragm a. When the hand is removed from the knob K
the action of the spring closes the valve c* and the compartment a" is refilled
through the waterway b, and thus closes down the diaphragm a on its seat.
In all the modifications shown of my improved apparatus springs may be used
iustead of, or in addition to, the weight on the lever L to keep it in its normal
position. The relative positions of the inlet and outlet may also be reversed, that
is to say, the apparatus may be arranged and fitted so that the pressure water
would enter by the orifice 2, shown and described as the outlet, and it may be
discharged through the orifice 1, described as the inlet in these Drawings, without
material alteration of the construction of the apparatus.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not confine myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but what I consider novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The general arrangement and combination of the parts of a water flushing
or service supply and regulating valve chest or apparatus for water closets, and
other analogous uses, having, and actuated by, a diaphragm a with a service

page_text: chamber a below and pressure controlling chamber all above, controlled by a
double or single faced valve c, c², c", and small set screw orifice b, b¹, all substantially
as and for the purposes herein described in reference to and shown in Figures 1
to 4 and 7 and 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The general arrangement and combination of the parts of water waste
preventing supply apparatus, for delivering a nearly uniform and regulated
quantity of water at each action, with an after flush or discharge for water
closets and other analogous uses, having two sets of duplex valves c², c³, c³, c², and
chambers A3, A4, A5, A6, in addition to the diaphragm a and its service and pressure
chambers a¹, a¹¹, all substantially as and for the purposes herein described in
reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Smith, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and cighty.
Witness,
W. R. M. THOMSON,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
ROBERT SMITH. (L.S.)