IMPROVEMENTS IN ASH SHOOTS, FIXED WASHSTANDS, AND OTHER LIKE WALL. FIXTURES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Sineaton, of the Firm of William Smeaton and
Sons, of 2+, Moorgate Street, in the City of London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ASH SHOOTS, FIXED WASHSTANDS, AND OTHER LIKE WALL.
FIXTURES." A communication from abroad by John Peter Schweikert, of
New York, in the United States of America.
Sealed the 28th May 1880, and dated the 1st December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Smeaton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st December 1879.
JOHN SMEATON, of the Firm of William Smeaton and Sons, of 24, Moorgate
Street, in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ASH SHOOTS, FIXED WASH-
[A communication from abroad
STANDS, AND OTHER LIKE WALL FIXTURES."
by John Peter Schweikert, of New York, in the United States of America].
This Invention has for its object improvements in ash shoots, fixed wash stands,
and other like wall fixtures.
In the construction of shoots in dwellings and other buildings for the passage of
ashes and other rubbish from the upper floors or flats to a common receptacle
below, a branch shoot or swinging hopper is employed at each of the several Hoors,
so constructed and arranged that whether the hopper is open or closed the com-
munication between the main shoot and the several flats where the branches are
situated is so controlled as to prevent the entrance of dust from the main shoot
into any of the flats. Each branch shoot is provided with a swinging hopper
whose front side constitutes the door of the branch, so that when the hopper is
pushed in the entrance to the branch shoot is closed, and when the hopper is swung
out to receive ashes the bottom of the hopper serves as an inner door to close
the communication at the intersection of the branch shoot with the main shoot.
In this manner an efficient closing is effected to keep each floor or flat of a
building shut off froin open communication with the main shoot whether the door
of its branch shoot is open or closed, and consequently no foul air or dust can
enter from the main shoot through a branch shoot when ashes or rubbish are
descending past it from an upper floor, and the Invention thus obviates a great
defect in ash shoots as heretofore constructed.

page_text: In the construction according to this Invention of wash stands as wall fixtures
a recessed sink is let into the wall with a face plate flush with the surface, and
the basin when out of use is adapted to close the opening in the front plate, in this
respect corresponding to the door of the ash shoot.
The wash basin is supported on trunions which have their bearings in lugs on
the face plate of the sink, in the back plate of which is secured the faucet (one or
more), so that the basin can be turned up against the said face plate or down to a
horizontal position. On the face plate below the basin is secured a segmental
flange, so that when the basin is turned up and the contents thereof are emptied
into the sink the water is prevented from splashing out. The inner edge of the
basin is provided with a spout and a projecting flange, so that when the basin is
being emptied the water is prevented from flowing down over the bottom of the
basin. In the sink are stops to retain the basin in a horizontal position. It is
obvious that urinals may be fitted as wall fixtures in a similar manner.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Smeaton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st June
1880.
JOHN SMEATON, of the Firm of William Smeaton and Sons, of 24, Moorgate
Street, in the City of London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN ASH SHOOTS, FIXED WASH-
STANDS, AND OTHER LIKE WALL FIXTURES."
These improvements consist in the construction of ash or dust shoots, lavatories,
urinals, and water-closets for fixing in or against walls or other structures,
whereby an economy of space is effected.
In the construction of shoots in dwellings and other buildings for the passage of
ashes, dust, and other rubbish from the upper floors or flats to a common receptacle
below a branch shoot or swinging hopper is employed at each of the several Hoors,
so constructed and arranged that whether the hopper is open or closed the com-
munication between the main shoot and the several flats where the branches are
situated is so controlled as to prevent the entrance of dust from the main shoot into
any of the flats. Each branch shoot is provided with a swinging hopper whose front
side constitutes the door of the branch, so that when the hopper is pushed in the
entrance to the branch shoot is closed, and when the hopper is swung out to
receive ashes, dust, etc., the bottom of the hopper serves as an inner door to close
the communication at the intersection of the branch shoot with the main shoot.
In this manner an efficient closing is effected to keep each floor or flat of a building
shut off from open communication with the main shoot whether the door of its
branch shoot is open or closed, and consequently no foul air or dust can enter from
the main shoot through a branch shoot when ashes or rubbish are descending past
it from an upper floor, and the Invention thus obviates a great defect in ash shoots

page_text: fluids and solids pass out of the same, and m is the handle latch which holds the
dished plate in position when closed.
Having thus described the details of my Invention by reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, I will now add the following explanatory observations:—
The dust shoot is, it is to be observed, constructed with an outer casing having
an inlet and an outlet in the same, and a frame formned around the inlet by which
the casing may be fixed to a wall or other structure by screws or other suitable
contrivances; or the casing may be embedded in the wall or structure to which it
is attached, and in this casing a swinging or oscillating hopper box is fitted having
trunnions attached to it and working in bearings formed on the face of the casing
at the inlet. The form of the hopper is such that one end forms the door of the
ash or dust shoot when closed, the other end being formed at the angle desired to
cut off the connection to the dust flue when the hopper is swung outwards for the
reception of dust and rubbish in general, and when swung inwards shall discharge
the contents of the hopper into the dust flue with which it is in connection, the
hopper being held in its place when closed by an ordinary button, or spring latch
or lock. The washstand or lavatory consists of a hollow casing, around the front
or back edge of which a flange is formed for the purpose of fixing the same to any
structure to which it may be attached by screws or other contrivances, or it may
be embedded in the same; and to this casing a plate with a dish or bowl formed in
it to receive fluids is fitted to swing on two trunnions attached to the lower end of
the plate, which trunnions work in bearings formed on the outer face of the casing,
and within the casing lugs or stops are formed in which buffers of flexible material
are inserted, and against these the end of the dish plate or projections thercon bear,
and by these means the same is retained in the desired position for use when
swung outwards. In the interior of the casing a small shelf to hold toilet articles
is fixed by lugs and screws, and at the bottom of the casing a hole is formed to
receive a pipe to carry away the fluids from such lavatory, and on the inside
surface of the dished plate a raised rim is formed, as also a slight recessed water
way from the bowl to the end of the plate that terminates within the casing, so
that when the dished plate is oscillated inwards to empty the water out of the
bowl and to close up the lavatory, the water is restricted to passing into the
casing through the recessed water-way, thereby avoiding any overflow of the dished
plate, and in the interior of the casing two swing taps or valves are fitted for the
supply of hot and cold water, and at the bottom of the casing there is a hole for
the water or fluid to pass out by. The dished plate is held in its position when
closed by an ordinary button or spring latch or lock.
The urinal is constructed in manner similar to the lavatory hereinbeforo
described, but in this there is a raised rim formed around the bowl in the swinging
or oscillating dished plate to give greater depth for fluids except at the water
course way on the plate within the casing, and in the inside of the casing a little
above the level of the dished plate when oscillated outwards for use a tap or valve
is fixed for the water supply, and to the plug of this tap a lever is attached to
which a link is connected by a pin passing through it, and the other end of this
link is connected by a pin to a stud fixed on the inside face of the dished plate,
so that when the dished plate is oscillated outwards for use the motion of the
dished plate gives motion to the link and lever and thus opens the tap, and when
the dished plate is oscillated inwards to close up the urinal the tap is closed by
such motion. At the bottom of the casing there is a hole for the water or fluid
to pass out by, and the dished plate is held in its position when closed by an
ordinary button, or spring latch or lock.
The water closet. is constructed in manner similar to the lavatory hereinbefore
described, the swinging or oscillating dished plate constituting the closet pan, on
which a wood seat is fitted with screws or other suitable contrivances, and to this
wood seat a wood back is connected by means of hinges about in a line with the
face of the casing, and this wood back fits into the casing and moves within the
same when the dished plate is oscillated, and at or near the top of this back board

page_text: two eye bolts are fixed, one on either side, which eye bolts slide on two rods fixed
on the inside of the casing. By these arrangements when the dished plate forming
the closet pan is oscillated outwards for use motion is given to the backboard,
which rises up and comes slightly forward about in a line with the outer facing
of the casing, and so forms a rest for the back of the individual using the closet,
as also a stop to retain the dished plate in the desired position for use as a water
closet, and in the casing a water waste preventing or regulating valve or cock may
be fixed and worked by a stud or other suitable contrivance attached to the back-
board to open and close such valve or cock to supply water to the closet pan. At
the bottom of the casing there is a hole for the fluids and solids to pass out by, and
the dished plate is held in its position when closed up by an ordinary button, or
spring latch or lock.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out
in practice, I may here observe that my said improvements are capable of various
inodifications without departing from the principle thereof, and therefore I do not
restrict myself to material or dimensions, or to the precise form or placement of the
several parts thereof; and I declare that I claim as my Invention, the construction
of folding up dust shoots, lavatories, urinals, and water closets, substantially as
herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Smeaton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.
5 Witness,
T. MORGAN,
Secretary Inventors' Patentright Ass³., Ld.,
21, Cockspur Street,
S.W.
JOHN SMEATON. (L.S.)