IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO WATER-CLOSETS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, WHICH INVENTION* ALSO COMPRISES MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS OF SUCH APPARATUS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake
& Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO WATER-CLOSETS AND APPARATUS FOR
USE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, WHICH INVENTION*
ALSO COMPRISES MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS OF SUCH APPARATUS
communicated to him from abroad by John Pickering Putnam of Boston,
Massachusetts United States of America. Architect
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd October 1883.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings London "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO WATER-
CLOSETS, AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES, WHICH INVENTION ALSO COMPRISES MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS
OF SUCH APPARATUS [a communication to him from abroad by John Pickering
Putnam of Boston, Massachusetts United States of America. Architect]
"
This invention relates to water closets, traps, valves, and other apparatus for
sanitary or similar purposes, and comprises various improvements as hereinafter
set forth.
I will first describe the water closet proper, which forms a part of this improved
system of sewerage.
The said water closet is of the class known as a trapped water closet and is
provided with means for an upper and a lower flushing, the latter serving to
remove the contents of the trap, while the upper flushing cleanses the basin, and
serves in part to restore the level of the seal of the trap.
One feature of the invention relates to the construction of the water closet, and
the manner in which the flushing streams are introduced. Under this head one
of its most important improvements is the breaking up of the lower flushing
stream into several minute streams below the normal water level of the trap.
stream acting upon a body of water to force it from the vessel in which it is held,
A
Pmins 101

page_text: will be not only noisless but more effective when broken within the body of water
than when broken before reaching it. In the latter case each small stream loses a
part of its force through the resistance of the air and water surface while there is
no such loss when the stream is broken up under the water, and the force may be
distributed to the greatest advantage. And when a cross section of the pipe or
passageway, through which the flushing stream flows before it is broken, is larger
than the aggregate area of the perforations or holes through which it flows in
breaking, each opening becomes as it were, independent of the others, and the
water flowing through it has practically the same force that it would have if it
were flowing through the only outlet of a large head. By the use of the rose, each
jet may be made very small, say a little over an eighth of an inch in diameter,
since the power required of each is small, and the flushing in this water closet is
accomplished with a minimum quantity of water, all the water that is used being
used effectively and to the very best advantage, the head of water required is very
small. The water closet may be flushed with a cistern giving a head of only two
or three feet. Several contrivances for breaking up the lower flushing stream are
hereinafter described, but each may be regarded as the equivalent of a rose nozzle
upon the end of a flushing pipe introduced into the trap below the level of its seal
and in a direction to force its contents towards the overflow.
Another improvement consists in introducing the upper flushing stream into a
large body of water, thereby deadening its sound and reducing its velocity; in this
connection an additional improvement is gained, by causing the upper flushing
stream to enter the said body of water in a downward direction, and a still further
improvement by breaking up the downward flowing stream under water by a rose
nozzle. When the stream enters the body of water in a downward direction, that
body may be smaller in quantity than when the stream enters it in an upward
direction.
Another improvement consists in retarding an upper flushing stream, when it is
used in connection with a lower flushing stream, so that it will not do its flushing
until the lower flushing water has partially performed its own office, lowering
the contents of the basin of the water closet down to the neck, whereby the said
upper flushing water acts upon the contents of the basin with the most powerful
effect,
Another improvement consists in the combination with the basin of a water
closet or similar waste receptacle, sealed by a trap at the bottom thereof, of an air-
tight water-supply chamber, communicating with the said trap immediately
below the normal level of the water therein, so that a column of water may be
supported in the said chamber by the pressure of the atmosphere upon the water
in the trap. This restores automatically the water seal in case of its loss by
evaporation, siphonage or other cause.
This part of the said invention further comprises various modifications and details
of construction, all of which are hereafter described.
A
In carrying this part of the said invention into practice I provide an outer shell
or casting having hollow arms, either cast therewith or bolted thereto, the same
being respectively portions of the inlet and outlet passageways. I also provide a
basin proper preferably of white opaque glass, and set within the outer shell.
lining of plaster of Paris is inserted between the basin and shell. The neck of the
basin makes a close connection with the outlet. In a hole in this neck, opposite the
end making the aforesaid connection and in line with the outlet, is inserted a brass
tube which screws in to a rose nozzle. The said brass tube has a flange while the
outer shell has an inwardly projecting flange and the former is brought up to the
latter by screwing the tube into the rose nozzle. A water-proof cement makes a
packing, and protects the plaster of Paris at the joint.
A chamber is cast in the outer shell to receive the upper flushing water, as
before described; and a pipe is inserted in the said shell in such manner as to
form a branch of the main inlet, and to give to the water flowing through it for the
upper flushing a general direction towards the bottom of the said chamber. The

page_text: said pipe enters the chamber below the normal water level of the trap, and is
provided with a rose nozzle. The upper flushing water entering as before described
and welling up rises over an inclined ledge, cast with the outer shell, until it fills
an outer chamber or passageway formed around the upper edge of the basin under
the flushing rim, as will next be described.
Supported on the outer shell is a combined flushing rim and drip-tray, made
adjustable horizontally in either direction upon the said shell by means of slots
and bolts.
A cover of wood is supported by the outer shell or casting. To it is hinged a
wooden cover provided with a glass window. By the use of a glass window in
the cover the closet may be rendered still more noiseless in its action, for the cover
may be closed during the flushing and still permit the effect of the flushing to be
seen without raising the cover.
The operation of this apparatus may be briefly described as follows that is to
say;-Water stands in the basin, trap, and pipes or passageways. When the valve is
lifted, the pressure of the atmosphere will cause water to descend from the chamber
and a portion of it will pass with great force and yet without noise through the
rose nozzle to contend with the inertia of the contents of the trap. Another
portion will flow noiselessly and comparatively slowly into the chamber and
welling up therein, always without noise, will gradually fill an enlargement of the
said chamber formed by the inclined ledge and the sides of the basin and outer
shell until it overflows the edge of the basin under the flushing rim. This
overflow takes place when the lower flushing water has by suction or otherwise
drawn the contents of the basin down as far as the neck of the basin. Both
flushing streams continuing to act, the contents of the basin and trap are carried
out. When the fresh supply of water is cut off, water standing above the inclined
ledge will fall back to assist in restoring the level of the seal of the trap.
It is obvious that in the apparatus thus far described the supply pipe may be of
any ordinary description. But in carrying out this invention as a whole, I make
use of an air-tight chamber. The said air-tight chamber or supply pipe forms in
effect an inverted bottle opening into the trap of the water closet below the level
of the seal; and it follows that when the chamber is filled with water, the pressure
of the atmosphere upon the water in the trap will sustain the column of water in
the air-tight chamber, and that when by evaporation or siphonage or otherwise,
the water in the trap falls below the level of the upper portion of the mouth or
opening of the chamber communicating with the trap, air will pass through the
said mouth or opening and rise in bubbles to the top of the chamber and cause
water to flow therefrom until the mouth or opening is again covered, and the level
of the seal of the trap restored.
A valve is provided in the top of the water supply pipe the peculiar
construction and operation of which will be described hereinafter. The main
purpose of the said valve is to admit when required, the pressure of the atmosphere
to the surface of the water in the air-tight chamber, although in actual construction
a second water chamber or reservoir is placed above the air tight chamber, the
valve being between the two chambers, and the water in the upper chamber being
open to the air. Accordingly the pressure of the atmosphere is directly upon the
water in the water chamber and acts indirectly upon the column of water in the
supply pipe, only when the valve is lifted from its seat. It is so lifted by pulling
a cord.
It is obvious that the pressure of the atmosphere acting directly or indirectly
upon the column of water in the supply pipe, when the valve is open, will
counterbalance the pressure of the atmosphere upon the water in the trap and
consequently when the valve is open, the water in the supply pipe will descend of
its own weight to flush the basin and trap. The port of the valve between the
water chamber and the supply pipe should be larger than the combined area of
all the openings from the lower chamber into the trap, in order that the lower
chamber may always be full of water.

page_text: .
This combination with a water closet or similar waste receptacle of a water-
supply chamber in the nature of our inverted bottle is very valuable. Besides the
advantage of restoring the waterseal of the trap, it has other important
advantages, thus;-The supply pipe being always full of water no air pipe is
required, as with ordinary water closet supply pipes, and the descending water has
much greater flushing power because it is not obliged to overcome friction of air
in the pipe. The flushing moreover, takes place instantly upon opening the valve,
because, the supply pipe is constantly full of water and it is not necessary to wait
for the water to fall as is the case in other supply pipes from the valve to the
water closet; moreover the noise of water falling from the cistern valve to the
water closet is by this device entirely obviated.
According to a modification of this part of the said invention the water chamber
is adapted to furnish water for the lower flushing only. The trapped basin is of a
shallow form, the dip being well to one side, and the lower flushing water sweeps
across the bottom of the basin and contends with great advantage with the inertia
of the water and waste matters, if any there be, lying in the bend of the trap.
An air-tight supply chamber communicates, with the trapped basin by a mouth or
opening through which water passes in one direction and air in the other, as
already described. A second water chamber or reservoir is used in connection
with the first chamber and separated therefrom by a valve the area of which in
this instance is larger than the mouth. The upper flushing is furnished from the
upper reservoir by an independent pipe which enters the basin near the upper rim
thereof. The upper ond of this pipe extends through the port of the valve so that
this single valve controls the flow of the water from the first chamber for the
lower flushing, and the flow of the water through another pipe for the upper
flushing. It is desirable to use a fan with the independent pipe. A fan of
ordinary construction will answer the purpose; but I have used an adjustable fan
of novel construction which will be described hereafter as an independent feature
of this invention. The basin has a flushing rim. An air pipe leads from the
upper part of the first chamber and enters the trapped basin under water; its
purpose being to permit the escape of air upon the opening of the valve, which
accumulating at the top of the said first chamber, might otherwise interfere with
the working of a valve whose port was smaller than the chamber.
The apparatus constructed according to another modification is similar in all
respects to that just herein before described with the exception that the trapped
basin is provided with a diaphragm or false bottom and the air-tight supply
chamber has two mouths or openings communicating with the trapped basin both
below the level of the seal of the trap but one entering above the false bottom, and
the other entering below. The seal is maintained by air passing through one of
the mouths and rising in bubbles to the top of the chamber when the water in the
trapped basin falls below the level of the said mouth. This mouth is above the
level of the lowest part of the dip of the trap, and at, or just below, the level of
the lowest part of the overflow.
The advantage of this modification over that first described, is that the greater
part of the lower flushing stream is brought more directly against the contents of
the bend of the trap.
There is another modification of a water closet especially adapted to be used
with an air-tight water chamber, but in which the upper flushing is served from
the said air-tight chamber as well as the lower flushing. In this apparatus as well
as in the apparatus constructed according to the modification just herein before
described, the lower flushing water enters the trap so as to act directly upon the
contents of the bend of the trap; and it is obvious that it might enter at any
distance below the normal water level of the trap, and in any required direction;
but instead of maintaining the normal water level of the trap by a second passage-
way entering at about the level of the dip of the trap as in the said former
modification, I make use of a bent stand pipe which has a dip of its own
substantially at the required level of the water in the trap; one arm of this stand

page_text: pipe is open to the air, while the other leads from the air-tight water-supply
chamber, so that water will stand in the open arm at the same level at which it
stands in the trap of the basin. The use of this independent pipe and dip enables
the air-tight water chamber to be applied to any kind of water closet in use:
Leading from the air-tight supply chamber to the trap is a pipe for a lower
flushing; the said pipe is preferably provided with a rose nozzle. A branch pipe
leads from the stand pipe to a basin which it enters under the flushing rim. The
stand pipe enters the upper reservoir through suitable packing, and rising above
the normal water level of that reservoir serves with the branch pipe as an overflow
for that reservoir as is obvious. A valve is between the reservoir and the chamber.
The said chamber being air tight and full of water, it is obvious that the said
water will be held or supported therein by the pressure of the atmosphere upon
the water in the trap of the basin and the stand pipe until the said water in the
basin and stand pipe by siphonage or otherwise falls below the dip; when this
happens, air passing under the said dip restores the level in the trap and stand
pipe, substantially as before described. When the valve is lifted from its seat
water flows from the chamber through a pipe and flushes the trap. At the same
time water flows from the chamber into the stand pipe, a portion passing directly
through the branch pipe to flush the upper part of the basin while another portion
rises in the stand pipe above the level of the basin; and when the valve iş
afterwards closed the water standing in the stand pipe above the level of the basin
will descend and flow through the branch pipe for an after flushing..
It is obvious that without departing from the nature of this invention which
relates to maintaining the seal of the trap, the arm of the stand pipe, which is open
to the air, instead of extending above the basin, might open directly into the basin
near the
upper rim thereof for an upper flushing. It is also obvious that the office
of the arm of the stand pipe which communicates with the air-tight supply chamber
might be performed by the chamber itself; that is the stand pipe might have but
one bend, and enter the air tight supply chamber substantially at the level of the
seal of the trap.
According to another modification, instead of a tube with a rose nozzle for the
lower flushing inserted in the bend of the neck of the basin, holes are made through
the wall of the basin itself, and that these may be made readily, the wall in that
portion of the basin in which they are required is made flat, and at right angles
to the general direction of the overflow. A valve is placed in the trap in such
position that it is operated and well scoured by the flushing streams. A valve is
also placed to regulate the amount of the upper flushing water, and consequently
as will hereinafter appear, the time at which it shall act relatively to the time of
the first action of the lower flushing. A ventilating pipe which passes through the
shell has its mouth extending over the basin, beneath the flushing rim. It may be
here remarked that since provision is made that the water for the upper flushing
shall rise or well up slowly until it overflows the upper edge of the basin, a
flushing rim, in the usual signification of the term is not required; and if used, not
being subjected to any considerable pressure from the water, it may be made of
sheet metal or similar light material and merely placed in position upon the frame,
being merely steadied in its position by a flange.
'
These improvements in part are sometimes applied to a wash-out closet in which
the trap is distinct from the basin proper. The neck of the said basin is in two
parts the lower of which constitutes a large portion of the trap, and is of clear glass
that the contents of the trap may be visible through a window in the casing;
while the joint in the neck is beyond the line of vision from the top of the closet.
A chamber is formed in the casting into which the flushing water enters from the
inlet. A small-portion of the flushing water flows through a passageway to
supply the trap, but the greater portion rises to the upper part of the said chamber
until it flows over the ledge under a flushing rim which, directs its course over the
said ledge and finally over the upper edge of the basin as will next be described.
A combined flushing rim and drip-tray, is made adjustable horizontally in either

page_text: direction upon the shell or casting by means of slots and bolts. This combined
flushing rim and drip-tray is supported in the shell or casting at the edges. A
flange resting in a ring of cement which is placed above the plaster of Paris
between the basin and shell divides the passageway under the flushing rim and
above the ledge, which is cast with the basin into two circular passageways the
outer opening into the inner, while in the inner passageway are inserted two
barriers to control the amount of water which shall pass under them and around
the inner passage-way to overflow the greater portion of the upper edge of the
basin. The flushing rim is also cast with horizontal ears to narrow the inner
passageway between the rim and the basin immediately on each side of the
entrance of the principal upper flushing stream into the basin opposite the passage.
This is done to ensure the passage of a considerable part of the flushing water
throughout the inner chamber. The same result might be accomplished by
thickening the edge of the basin at corresponding positions.
When the water rises in the chamber it first flows over the ledge, in both
directions, until it comes to the opening. Flowing through this opening, by far
the larger portion of the flushing water goes directly over the edge of the basin at
this point, which is opposite the discharging neck of the basin and thus forces the
contents of the basin into and through the discharging neck. A smaller portion is
turned into the inner passageway, and finally overflows the remaining portion of
the basin as above set forth.
A fan of a novel and convenient form is constructed as follows that is to say ;-
Passing loosely through the centre of the fan is a stout stem threaded at both
ends and having a fixed shoulder behind the fan and a nut in front of the fan. A
coupling having a shoulder and a threaded bearing receives the threaded end of the
fan stem. The water closet bowl is drilled to receive the pipe or coupling the hole
being just large enough to receive the body of the pipe, the shoulder resting
against the inside surface of the water-closet bowl. This coupling is firmly secured
to the bowl. The stem is next put through it from the inside of the bowl and the
end threaded into the bearing until the shoulder stands at the desired distance
from the inner surface of the bowl to accommodate the fan to the size and strength
of the flushing stream. The fan is then put on and screwed up tightly against the
shoulder by means of the nut. The stem cannot be unthreaded by the action of
the water, because it is held tight by the fan which is itself held from turning by
its two upper square shoulders, resting against the upper rim of the bowl.
I will now describe the improved trap which can be used with the said water
closets, or for other purposes.
The said trap is designed to retain its water seal without ventilation or
mechanical closure, even when subjected to the influence of suction, syphon action
or other cause which usually deprives traps of their water seal. The principle of
the common S trap is employed and this part of the said invention consists in
making the upcast limb larger in diameter or sectional area than the two downcast
limbs, and in making the seal of greater depth than usual, thereby increasing the
depth for traps to be used in places where the syphonic action is liable to be
greatest. This part of the said invention also comprises novel details of construction
as bereinafter described.
According to this part of the said invention the upcast limb is made larger in
sectional area than the downcast limb and the depth of the seal is considerable
and dependent upon the amount of suction or syphonic action likely to be brought
to bear on the trap. Thus for use in the upper stories of houses or where fixtures
are used but little above the fixture to which this trap is connected and both
fixtures are connected with the same waste or soil pipe the dip may be smaller,
and the excess of size of the downcast over the upper pipes less than when used
in the larger stories of buildings or where higher fixtures are very much above that
to which this trap is fixed.
In its normal condition the water stands at a level in the downcast limb leading
from the fixture and the upeast limb. When through suction or syphonic action

page_text: there is brought to bear on this water a downward atmospheric pressure in the
down cast pipe leading from the fixture or a partial vacuum is produced in the
other downcast pipe, producing what is called a suction, the water will be drawn
or pressed out of the trap into the second downcast pipe until the water in the
first downcast pipe reaches the bottom of the bend. At this moment the air will
pass under the bend and enter the upcast pipe. The air being lighter than water
and less retarded by friction in the pipe will pass quickly up the upcast pipe, and
owing to the great depth of the seal and the great excess of sectional area of the
upcast pipe over the others, this air will have time to break the syphon or suction
before a sufficient quantity of water is drawn from the trap to permanently destroy
its seal.
In order to obtain economy in construction and material, and facility of taking
apart for cleansing, the trap is made in three pieces, à central piece and two caps
or end pieces, which end pieces can be taken off at any time and the trap wholly
cleansed by simply unscrewing a coupling and without taking the trap off. This
construction enables all parts of the trap to be easily cast in metal.
According to a modification of this part of my invention the downcast pipe from
the fixture and the upcast pipe only are cast together. The downcast pipe leading
to the drain, is cast on the upper cap or section; as also is the neck, thus both the
lower cap and the main body of the trap up to the upper cap may be unscrewed
and removed without touching the joints by which the trap is connected with the
fixture and drain. Small shoulders and slots cast in the body of the trap and on
the caps serve as a guide in putting them together. This trap may be reversed or
set upside down if desired.
According to another modification a projection or pocket is made above the outlet
neck to receive the splashings of water, occasioned by a sudden syphonic action,
and direct them back into the trap instead of through the outlet. The top of the
pocket might be made if desired straight instead of curved thus forming a still
better obstruction to the escape of the water through the outlet. Another feature
of this form is the gradual diminution of the downcast pipe as it descends from
this fixture. It has its smallest sectional area at the bottom, this makes a still
greater difference between the size of the downcast and upcast pipe without
injuring the working of the trap.
Another modification consists in connecting the outlet neck with the upcast pipe
in such a manner that at its junction the neck shall have a downward direction, so
that water striking the top of the pocket and rebounding upon the lower side of
the neck near its junction with the upcast pipe shall again be deflected back into
the trap.
.
According to another modification the upcast and downcast pipes are cast
together. The "clean out" opening female screw is cast in the bottom of the
upcast pipe and the male screw cap is screwed into it. A cross bar serves as a
handle for turning the screw cap.
I thus obtain the useful principles of the bottle trap and of the S trap combined
without the defects of either. The upcast limb is not so large that it can become
fouled by secretions as in the case with the bottle trap yet it retains its water as
well as the bottle trap when syphonic action takes place.
I will now describe the valve for the water tank. The said valve is particularly
adapted to be used with the air-tight water-chamber heretofore described, and when
so used is inserted between the upper reservoir or tank and the said air-tight
chamber; but as in substance stated before, and as will hereafter appear, it may be
used with ordinary water tanks and pipes leading therefrom. Its object is to
prevent waste of water, to act without noise or shock, and to do away with parts
which corrode and collect grit or dirt to alter its action.
The valve employed and to which those parts of this invention which relate
particularly to the valve are applied, is one which is made to leave its seat and open
its port by being sucked up within a fixed cylinder through the upward movement
of a plunger having an up-and-down movement in the said cylinder above the

page_text: valve. When the plunger rises, more or less of a vacuum is created in the cylinder
between the plunger and the valve and the valve rises also; but as the space
between the plunger and the valve fills with water or air from above, owing to the
loose fit of the plunger in the cylinder the valve fits by gravity, independently of
the plunger, and closes the port. The quantity of water in the tank being
substantially uniform, the same quantity of water will flow through the port
whenever it is opened, since the valve will always occupy the same time in falling
if raised to a uniform height. The height to which the valve is raised is determined
by the height to which the plunger rises; and accordingly, by fixing limits to the
play of the plunger in the cylinder, the quantity of water flowing through the
port at each operation of the valve is regulated.
The valve thus operated by a plunger has a ring seat with an outlet port through
the said ring, and a part of the invention consists in giving such shape to the valve,
that as it approaches its seat, it will close either the inlet or the outlet port, or
both, before the seat is finally reached, thereby preventing shock or rebound.
Another part of the invention consists in reducing the points of contact of the
valve and plunger with the fixed cylinder to a minimum, whereby the evils attended
by corrosion and collection of grit and dirt are avoided; and in constructing the
valve and plunger so that it may be moulded in glass or celluloid, which do not
corrode in water, and are harder and cheaper than metal.
The said invention further comprises a device for furnishing a water cushion to
the valve, in order that it may reach its seat without noise or shock. A cup of
requisite dimensions is so placed in the passageway, through which the water flows
when the valve is open, as to fill with water without essentially interfering with
the general flow of the water. When the cistern valve descends, the water in the
cup becomes a cushion to receive a projection from the valve, which loosely fits the
cup, thereby retarding and rendering easy the fall of the valve, upon its seat.
Either of these principal features may be used without the other, or both may be
applied to one and the same valve. Generally the cushion cup is movable
although in most instances where the cushion cup is used it may be stationary as
hereafter described.
In carrying this part of the said invention into practice I provide a case or
cylinder of glass or other suitable material set in a hole in the bottom or floor of a
tank, a water-tight connection being made between the said cylinder and floor by
means of a flange upon the said cylinder, a ring cemented or otherwise secured to
the floor so as to form a rim to the said hole, a second ring, two packing rings and
several bolts and nuts. The bottom of the case is open, and in it is firmly secured
a ring seat for a valve by means of a shoulder packing and a nut. Speaking more
exactly, the said ring seat is the upper edge of a brass tube thus secured in the
bottom of the case, and the said tube forms the valve-port.
That part of the valve or the true bottom thereof which would otherwise come
into contact with the ring seat proper is provided with a washer ring, which is
secured to the bottom of the valve by means of a cup-shaped piece serving as a
nut, and screwed upon a rigid tubular projection from the bottom of the valve.
The cup-shaped piece for a purpose which will appear hereafter, thus forms a still
larger rigid projection extending through the valve-port from the true bottom of
the valve, and from its upper flanged edge or rim, which is in constant contact
with the packing rim depends a boss or ring which may be regarded as a third
rigid attachment to the valve. The office of this boss or ring is to close the valve.
port an appreciable time before the valve finds its seat and thus prevent a rebound;
and for a second office, in consequence of the gradual or partial closing of the port,
it gives an after-wash to the basin of the water closet with which it is connected,
by allowing a feeble stream to pass through the valve-port after the main flow of
the water has been cut off.
A cup into which the before-mentioned cup shaped piece fits loosely is supported
upon projections from the tubular ring seat by means of a flange and has a
telescopic play upon the said piece being secured thereto and guided by a headed

page_text: rod which extends through the bottom of the cup shaped piece into the tubular
projection while it connects with a valve at the bottom of the cup. This headed
rod might be inserted directly in the bottom of the cup but to overcome a liability
of the cup to stick to the projection as will hereafter be described I place the small
valve in the bottom of the cup and screw the rod into the said small valve.
The valve works up and down in a fixed cylinder which is screwed into a ring
supported by standards from the flange of the tubular ring seat. It is lifted by
the suction of a plunger which also works up and down in the said cylinder boing
attached to the lower end of a tube to which in turn is attached the pull. cord.
Within the said tube is a guide rod for the valve into which the said guide rod is
screwed. The guide rod fits loosely within the tube, but has a head which fits
somewhat more tightly.
A cap which contains a number of holes is screwed upon the top of the fixed
cylinder. These holes are covered by a movable ring, which is free to move up and
down upon a tube which is firmly fixed in the said cap, or forms with the said cap
a single casting. The tube forms a guide for the tube. It is threaded down to a
shoulder and a nut is screwed on this threading down to the said shoulder, and
serves to prevent the ring from rising higher than the said shoulder. The tube is
also threaded from the top a considerable distance downwards, and the nut and
check-nut serve to regulate the length of the tube within the fixed cylinder and
consequently the amount of the play of the plunger.
Both the valve and the plunger are cup-shaped, the latter fitting loosely within
the former; and those portions of both, which are in contact with the cylinder are
limited in extent while both valve and plunger are bevelled downwards at the
upper edge in such a manner as to throw grit back from the surface in contact
with the cylinder. The cup shape given to both plunger and valve affords a large
area for suction, while their contact with the cylinder remains small
A supply pipe which is in the general system, the air-tight water chamber
herein before described is attached to the tubular ring seat by a coupling.
The operation of the valve apparatus just described is as follows, that is to say;-
Upon pulling the wire the plunger is raised, and draws after it by suction, the
valve thus opening the part for water to pass through the ring seat into the supply
pipe or air-tight chamber of the general system. The small valve in the bottom of
the cup opens, and the cup is drawn up along with the valve by the suction of the
projection. On the upward stroke of the plunger the water in the cylinder above
the plunger is drawn up through the holes into the tank. At the end of the stroke
the ring covers the holes, and water gets back into the cylinder only by leakage.
This leakage, however, is. sufficient to restore partially or entirely the vacuum
between the valve and the loosely fitting plunger, and the valve and cup begin to
descend of their own weight; and this happens whether or not the plunger is
released and allowed to fall.
As the valve and cup descend the flowing water strikes the flange of the cup
and hurries the cup in advance of the valve to its resting place on the projections.
The cup is now filled with water which acts as a cushion to retard the valve as it
gains its seat, the water of the cushion being gradually displaced owing to the
loose fit of the projection in the cup; but, as before mentioned the flow of the water is
cut off by the boss before the valve reaches its seat. The shoulders are bevelled to
aid the rod in grinding the cup to its resting place, and the bottom of the said cup
is bevelled for the same purpose. As before stated a tendency of the cup to stick
to the projection is relieved by the valve which opens when the water first strikes
the flange to overcome any back pressure of the atmosphere or water.
As will hereinafter be made evident the valve with its boss may be used without
the cup and water cushion. Or the valve may be used with the water-cushion cup
and without the boss; but in very high pressures the two contrivances are used
together with the best effect.
In a modification of this part of the said invention the water-cushion cup is
omitted, but otherwise the valve closely resembles the valve just described.

page_text: According to the said modifications I provide a fixed cylinder within the casing,
and a ring into which the fixed cylinder is screwed, the ring in turn being
supported by standards from the said shoulder or flange. In the cap or cover of
the cylinder instead of holes covered by a ring as in the apparatus already described,
are valves.
The main valve is cup-shaped and of a general conical or acorn form, a very
considerable portion passing through the valve-port and shoulders resting on the
ring seat. A packing ring is secured to the seat instead of being secured to the
valve. The said valve has for the most part a small bearing against the cylinder,
but it is provided with several small ribs or flanges which fit the said cylinder
sufficiently accurately to guide the valve in its up-and down movements. In
practice I make this valve of glass, and it can be stamped to shape at a very
small cost.
The plunger is made in like manner of glass. A cone of lead is placed within
the plunger, to give the same sufficient weight. The rod by which the the plunger
is lifted passes through a guide tube cast with the cap. Considerable accuracy of
construction is required to prevent binding by either the rod or the plunger and
this accuracy I have secured in the following manner: The plunger having been
stamped from glass to the required conical shape, as before stated, I cast the lead
in a mould of corresponding shape about the rod held in an exactly perpendicular
position. I then put the cone of lead into the cone of glass, and thus preserve the
perpendicular position of the rod. The threaded lower end of the rod passes
through a hole in the bottom of the glass plunger and receives a nut to hold all
together. Any water-proof putty or cement may be used between the lead and
the glass in putting them together.
The cup or cover carries a second cup and the cylinder is made somewhat deeper
than would otherwise be necessary in order that this second cup may be wholly
below the level of the floor of the tank. This is in order that the valves in the
cover may be under water when by chance the water runs wholly out of the tank
and to ensure the presence of water in the said cup, the supply pipe of the tank
has its discharging end immediately over the cup, or the ring may be furnished
with a flange and a pipe inserted therein on a level with the floor of the tank.
The presence of water in the cup. tends to prevent the passage of air into the
fixed cylinder and the too rapid descent of the valve. It ensures a flowing of
or less in quantity down the outside of the cylinder when the
valve is operated and this tends to prevent air from rising above the valve from
water more
below.
According to another modification of my improved valve the fixed cylinder is
some what longer than the fixed cylinder hereinbefore described and is secured
directly to the outer cylinder or case by means of rings and washers while the ring
seat is screwed directly to the cylinder. A washer above the ring seat is secured
thereto by a flange ring. At some distance above the seat in the inner cylinder
are several holes, through which in the operation of the valve, water flows in the
sane manner in which it flows between the standards supporting the inner
cylinder. The valve proper has a flange which, as well as the small bearing at the
top of the valve, fits the cylinder pretty accurately, thereby doing away with the
necessity of further guides for the valve. This is the principal advantage of this
form of construction. The flange rests upon the washer of the ring seat when the
valve is closed, and it will be observed that in the operation the holes are all closed
and the flow of the water cut off and the momentum of the valve overcome before
the flange reaches the seat.
I will now describe the pipe joint forming a part of this system of sewerage;
that is to say I will describe the manner in which I form the joint between two
flanged pipes. This part of the invention consists partly in the combination with
two pipes each provided with a flange at or near the end adjacent to the other, and
each flange having a shoulder by which it may be drawn towards the other, of
suitable bolts and nuts for drawing and holding the pipes. together, and a tubular

page_text: ring lying within said bolts and forming with the flanges at the seam between the
pipes an annular chamber substantially triangular in cross section. It also partly
consists in the combination with pipes, provided with flanges, of suitable bolts and
nuts for drawing and holding the pipes together, and a tubular ring lying within
the bolts at the seam between the pipes to hold the bolts in position, this
construction allowing one pipe to be turned independently of the other, before the
nuts are tightened.
According to this part of the said invention each pipe has two flanges differing
in diameter since in laying continuous piping it is necessary to slip a ring over
one of the flanges. The pipes are so laid that adjacent ends have different flanges.
The smaller flange is provided with a boss ring. A ring passes over the pipe from
its end with the smaller flange, as above mentioned, until it abuts against a
shoulder upon the larger flange. This ring is furnished with ears, holes in which
receive bolts. When the nuts are tightened against the ears, the heads of the bolts
are drawn against a shoulder of the small flange of the other pipe. A tubular ring
which I term the chamber ring serves as one of the walls of an annular chamber
for holding mastic at the seams between the pipes. It is applied to the pipe so as
to rest upon the large flange before the bolts are put in place. It thus forms with
the pipe & trough which is filled with mastic and receives the boss ring when the
joint is formed. In another construction the chamber ring is provided with ears
which have holes through which the bolts are passed, and in another construction
the chamber ring is under the flanged heads of the bolts. In either construction
the chamber ring prevents the heads from slipping off the flange. In the last
modification a washer is used. When the pipes are drawn together by the bolts
and nuts the boss ring enters the above mentioned trough and forces the mastic
into the seams and inequalities of the surfaces; the cylindrical faces of both the
flanges are bevelled to form with the chamber ring a chamber triangular in cross
Bection, the acute angles being at the top and bottom, and the seam between the
pipes being at the middle and obtuse angle.
Before the nuts are tightened the two rings may be turned together in either
direction or either pipe may be turned alone in either direction. In some instances
it is sufficient that one of the pipes may be turned freely before the bolts are
placed and nuts tightened; and when this is all that is required one of the rings
may be dispensed with, or rather cast in one piece with the other of the two pipes,
for since the heads of the bolts are not confined to any particular positions on the
small flange the ring may be turned with them to any position required by the
bolt holes of the pipe.
The construction and arrangement of the chamber ring first described is of
peculiar advantage. It is so shaped and applied to the pipes as to be in contact
with them both and thus relieve the mastic from pressure or changes in pressure
after it is once hardened. Moreover, the temperature of the pipes is equalized
through the ring rather than through the india-rubber. The bolts and their holes
are preferably square or angular in cross section in order that they may not turn
in their holes and the nuts are preferably round that they may not be turned by
ordinary wrenches.
In constructing the water-closet bowls of opaque glass according to the first part
of this invention the glass may be blown into the mould from either of the three
openings corresponding to the openings in the glass bowl but in most cases it will
be found best to blow the glass into the lower opening corresponding to the lower
flushing opening opposite the outlet, and I so construct the mould as to render
this possible.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Patent Office on the 2nd April
1884.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO WATER-
CLOSETS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES, WHICH INVENTION ALSO COMPRISES MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS
OF SUCH APPARATUS," A communication to me from abroad by John Pickering
Putnam, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, Architect,
"
This invention relates chiefly. to the construction of water-closets and apparatus
for use in connection therewith, but parts of the said apparatus are applicable for
other purposes. The said invention also comprises means for manufacturing parts
of the said apparatus.
One part of the said invention relates to the construction of water-closets of the
class known as trapped water-closets, and provided with means for an upper and a
lower flushing; the latter serving to remove the contents of the trap, while the
upper flushing cleanses the basin, and serves in part to restore the level of the seal
of the trap. It also relates to the manner in which the flushing streams are
introduced into the basin of a water-closet. One of its most important features is
the breaking up of the lower flushing stream into several minute streams below the
normal water level of the trap. A stream acting upon a body of water to force it
from the vessel in which it is held will be not only noiseless but more effective
when broken within the body of water than when broken before reaching it. In
the latter case each.small stream loses a part of its force through the resistance of
the air and water surface, while there is no such loss when the stream is broken
up below the level of the water, and the force may then be distributed to the
greatest advantage. And when, as in the apparatus shewn in the accompanying
drawings, the transverse section of the pipe or passage-way, through which the
flushing stream flows before it is broken, is larger than the aggregate area of the
perforations or boles through which it flows in breaking, each opening becomes as
it were independent of the others, and the water flowing through it has practically the
samme force that it would have if it were flowing through the only outlet of a large
head. By the use of a rose each jet may be made very small, say a little over an
eighth of an inch in diameter, since the power required of each is small, and the
flushing in this water-closet is accomplished with a minimum quantity of water,
all the water that is used being used effectively and to the best advantage. The
head of water required is very small. The water-closet may be flushed with a
cistern giving a head of only two or three feet. Several contrivances for breaking
up the lower flushing stream are hereinafter described, but each may be regarded
as the equivalent of a rose-nozzle upon the end of a flushing pipe introduced into
the trap below the level of its seal, and in a direction to force its contents towards
the overflow.
One improvement consists in introducing the upper flushing stream into a large
body of water, thereby deadening its sound and reducing its velocity; an additional
advantage is gained by causing the upper flushing stream to enter the said body
of water in a downward direction, and a still further advantage is gained by
breaking up the downwardly flowing stream under water by a rose-nozzle.
the stream enters the body of water in a downward direction, that body may be
smaller in quantity than when the stream enters it in an upward direction.
When
Another improvement consists in retarding an upper flushing stream when it is i

page_text: used in connection with a lower flushing stream so that it will not act until the
lower flushing water has partially performed its function and has lowered the
contents of the basin of the water-closet as far as the neck, so that the said upper
flushing water acts upon the contents of the basin with great effect.
Another improvement consists in the combination, with the basin of a water-
closet or similar receptacle, sealed by a trap at the bottom thereof, of an air-tight
water supply chamber communicating with the said trap immediately below the
normal level of the water therein, so that a column of water may be supported in
the said chamber by the pressure of the atmosphere upon the water in the trap.
This column of water automatically restores the water seal in case of its.
destruction by evaporation or otherwise.
The said invention also comprises various details of construction and modifications,
all of which are hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a water-closet and apparatus connected
therewith, made in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the said water-closet on the line x, x,
Figure 1.
Figures 3 to 9 are views hereinafter described and illustrating modifications of
the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The forin of water-closet which prefer is shown in figures 1 and 2, in which
A is an outer shell or casting; and a, b are hollow arms, either cast therewith or
bolted thereto as shown, and forming portions of the inlet and outlet passage-ways.
B is the main portion of the outlet passage-way, and C the main portion of the
inlet passage-way. E is the basin proper, which is cast of clear or opal glass and is
fixed within the shell A as shewn. A lining p of plaster of Paris is inserted
between the said basin and shell. The neck of the basin E is connected with the
outlet b without the line of vision from the top of the closet. In a hole in this
neck, opposite the connection with the outlet b and in line with the said outlet is
inserted a brass tube J which screws into a rose-nozzle F. The tube J has a flange a¨
and the shell A has an inwardly projecting flange s'. These flanges are brought
together by screwing the tube J into the rose-nozzle F. A water-proof cement
serves for packing and protects the plaster of Paris at the joint. D is a chamber
formed in the shell A to receive the upper flushing water, as above described;
and G is a pipe inserted in the shell A in such a manner as to form a branch of the
main inlet, and to give to the water flowing through it for the upper flushing a
general direction towards the bottom of the chamber D. The pipe G enters the
chamber D below the normal water level g of the trap, and is provided with a
rose-nozzle h. The upper flushing water, entering as above described and welling
up, rises over an inclined ledge l, cast with the outer shell A, until it fills an outer
chamber or passage-way e formed around the upper edge of the basin under the
flushing rim hereinafter described.
K is a combined flushing rim and drip-tray, made adjustable horizontally in
either direction upon the shell or casting A by means of slots and bolts at the
corners, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. This flushing rim and drip-tray K
is supported on the shell or casting A at the edges.
1
L is a wooden cover supported by the outer shell or casting A. To this cover is
hinged the wooden cover M which is provided with a glass window v. By the use
of a glass window in the cover, the closet may be rendered almost noiseless in its
action, as the cover may be closed during the flushing and still permit the effect of
the flushing to be seen.
The operation of the apparatus may be briefly described as follows, that is to
sayWater stands in the basin, trap, and pipes or passage-ways normally to the
level g. When the valve V is lifted the pressure of the atmosphere will cause water
to descend from the chamber C¹ and a portion of it will pass with great force and
yet without noise through the rose-nozzle F to contend with the inertia of the
contents of the trap. Another portion will flow noiselessly and comparatively

page_text: slowly into the chamber D and welling up therein, always without noise, will
gradually fill an enlargement of the chamber formed by the inclined ledge and the
sides of the basin and outer shell until it overflows the edge of the basin under the
flushing rim. This overflow takes place when the lower flushing water has, by
suction or otherwise, drawn the contents of the basin down as far as the neck of
the basin. Both flushing streams continuing to act, the contents of the basin and
trap are carried out. When the fresh supply of water is cut off, the water standing
above the ledge will fall back to assist in restoring the level of the seal of the
trap.
It is obvious that, in the apparatus above described, the supply pipe or
chamber C¹ may be of any ordinary description, but in carrying the said invention
into practice I prefer to use an air-tight chamber as hereinafter described. This
chamber forms in effect an inverted bottle or vessel opening into the trap of th
water-closet below the level of the seal; it follows, therefore, that, when the
chamber is filled with water, the pressure of the atmosphere upon the water in the
trap will sustain the column of water in the air-tight chamber, and that, when, by
evaporation or otherwise, the water in the trap falls below the level of the upper
portion of the mouth or opening of the chamber communicating therewith, air will
pass through the said mouth or opening and rise in bubbles to the top of the
chamber and cause water to flow therefrom until the mouth or opening is again
covered, and the level of the seal of the trap restored. In the apparatus shewn in
figures 1 and 2, the upper holes of the rose-nozzle h of the pipe G are the
openings through which air passes to the top of the chamber C¹ to restore the level
of the seal of the trap as above described.
V is a valve in the top of the water supply pipe or chamber C'. The main
purpose of this valve is to admit, when required, the pressure of the atmosphere to
the surface of the water in the said chamber, and, in practice, a second water
chamber or reservoir T is placed above the chamber C¹, the valve V being between
the two chambers and the water in the upper chamber T being open to the
atmosphere. The pressure of the atmosphere therefore acts directly upon the
water in chamber T, but acts indirectly upon the column of water in the
chamber C only when the valve V is lifted from its seat. It is so lifted in
the usual manner by pulling the cord k.
It is obvious that the pressure of the atmosphere, acting directly or indirectly
upon the coluinn of water in the chamber C₁ when the valve V is open, will
counterbalance the pressure of the atmosphere upon the water in the trap and
consequently that, when the valvo V is open, the water in the chamber will
descend by its own weight to flush the basin and trap. The port of the valve
between the two chambers T and C should be larger than the combined area of all
the openings from the lower chamber into the trap, in order that the lower
chamber may always be full of water.
This combination, with a water-closet or similar receptacle, of a water supply
chamber in the nature of an inverted bottle or vessel is very valuable. Besides
the advantage of restoring the water seal of the trap it has other important
advantages, viz:-The chamber C₁ being always full of water, no air-pipe is required
as with ordinary water-closet supply pipes, and the descending water has much
greater flushing power because it is not obliged to overcome friction of air in the
pipe. The flushing, moreover, takes place instantly upon opening the valve,
because the supply-pipe is constantly full of water, and it is not necessary to wait
for the water to fall (as is the case in other supply pipes) from the valve to the
water-closet; moreover the noise of water falling from the cistern-valve to the
water-closet is, by this device, entirely obviated. I have shewn in the accompanying
drawings various modifications of this combination.
In Figure 3 (which is a vertical central section) the air-tight water chamber is
represented as adapted to furnish water for the lower flushing only. The trapped
basin is shallow, the dip is at one side, and the lower flushing water sweeps across
the bottom of the basin and contends with great advantage with the inertia of the

page_text: water and waste matters (if any there be) lying in the bend of the trap. In this
Figure, E is the trapped basin, the dip of its trap being at f¹ and the overflow
at g'. C is the air-tight supply chamber communicating with the trapped basin E
by a mouth or opening e', through which water passes in one direction and air in
the other as above described. T is a second water-chamber or reservoir used in
connection with the chamber C and separated therefrom by the valve V; the area
of the opening between the chambers is, in this instance, larger than the mouth or
aperture e. In the apparatus shewn in Figure 3, the upper flushing is furnished
from the reservoir T by an independent pipe K¹, which enters the basin E, as
shewn, near the upper rim thereof. The upper end of this pipe K¹ extends through
the port of the valve V, so that this valve controls the flow of the water from the
chamber C¹ for the lower flushing and the flow of the water through the pipe K¹
for the upper flushing. It is desirable to use a fan with the pipe K¹ as shewn
at L'. A fan of ordinary construction will answer the purpose; but I prefer to use
an adjustable fan of novel construction, which will be hereinafter described as an
independent feature of my invention. The basin E has a flushing rim K. R¹ is
an air-pipe extending from the upper part of the air-tight water chamber C¹ and
entering the trapped basin below. the level of the water; the object of this pipe is
to permit the escape of air, upon the opening of the valve, which air accumulating
at the top of the chamber C₁ might otherwise interfere with the working of the
valve, whose port is smaller than the said chamber.
In Figure 4 (which is a vertical central section) I have shown an apparatus
similar to that shewn in Figure 3, excepting that the trapped basin E is provided
with a diaphragm or false bottom m' and the air-tight supply chamber C₁ has two
mouths or openings, both communicating with the trapped basin E below the level
of the seal of the trap, but one e' entering above the false bottom and the other n'
entering below the same. In this figure, T is the upper reservoir, K¹ the upper
flushing pipe, V the valve, f the dip of the trap, and g the overflow. The seal is
maintained by air passing through the mouth e and rising in bubbles to the top
of the chamber C₁ when the water in the trapped basin falls below the level of the
mouth e. This mouth e' is above the level of the lower part of the dip f³, and at,
or just below, the level of the lowest part of the overflow g². The advantage of
this form of apparatus over that shown in figure 3 is, that the greater part of the
lower flushing stream is brought more directly against the contents of the bend of
the trap.
In Figure 5 (which is also a vertical central section) I have shewn a further
modification of a water-closet especially adapted to be used with an air-tight water
chamber, but in which, as in the apparatus shewn in Figure 1, the upper flushing
is supplied from the said air-tight chamber as well as the lower flushing. In the
apparatus shewn in Figure 5, as well as in the apparatus shewn in Figure 4, the
lower flushing water enters the trap so as to act directly upon the contents of
the bend thereof; and it is obvious that it might enter at any distance below the
normal water level of the trap, and in any required direction; but in the apparatus
shewn in Figure 5, instead of maintaining the normal water level of the trap by a
second passage-way entering at about the level of the dip of the trap as in the
apparatus shewn in Figure 4, I make use of a bent stand-pipe M³ which has a dip
of its own substantially at the required level of the water in the trap; one arm of
this stand-pipe is open to the atmosphere while the other arm extends from the
air-tight water supply chamber C¹, so that water will stand in the open arm at
the same level at which it stands in the trap of the basin. The use of this
independent pipe and its dip o³ enables the air-tight water chamber to be applied
to any kind of water closet in use. e is a pipe extending from the chamber C¹ to
the trap for a lower flushing. The pipe e³ is preferably provided with a rose-
Dozzle as shown. The dip of the trap is shewn at f³ and the overflow of the trap
is shewn at g³, while the dip of the stand-pipe is at o³, substantially at the level of
the overflow g³ and above the level of the dip f³. T is the upper reservoir, and p³
is a branch-pipe extending from the stand-pipe M³ to the basin E which it enters

page_text: under the flushing rim. The stand-pipe M³ enters the upper reservoir T through
suitable packing and rising above the usual water level of the said reservoir serves
with the branch-pipe p³ as an overflow for the said reservoir. V is a valve between
the reservior T and the chamber C¹. The chamber C¹ being air-tight and full of
water, it is obvious that the said water will be held or supported therein by the
pressure of the atmosphere upon the water in the trap of the basin and in the
stand-pipe M³ until the said water in the basin and stand-pipe, by evaporation or
otherwise, falls below the dip o³. When this happens air passing under the said
dip restores the level in the trap and stand-pipe, substantially as above described.
When the valve V is lifted from its seat, water flows from the chamber C¹ through
the pipe and flushes the trap. At the same time water flows from the
chamber C¹ into the stand-pipe Ms, a portion passing directly through the branch-
pipe ps to flush the upper part of the basin E, while another portion rises in the
stand-pipe M³ above the level of the basin E; and, when the valve V is afterwards
closed, the water standing in the stand-pipe above the level of the basin will
descend and flow through the branch-pipe p³ for an after flushing.
Figure 6 is a vertical central section showing a trapped wash-out basin substituted
for the ordinary trapped basin shewn in Figure 5; but further description of this
particular figure is unnecessary.
It will be obvious, upon referring to Figures 5 and 6, wherein deep bowls or
basins are represented, that without departing from the feature of the said
invention which relates to maintaining the seal of the trap, the arm of the stand-
pipe which is open to the air, instead of extending above the basin, might open
directly into the basin near the upper rim thereof for an upper flushing. It is also
obvious that without departing from the nature of the said invention the function
of that arm of the stand-pipe which communicates with the air-tight supply
chamber might be performed by the chamber itself, that is to say, the stand-pipe
might have only one bend, and might enter the air-tight supply chamber
substantially at the level of the seal of the trap. It will be seen that this feature
is embodied in the apparatus shewn in Figure 1.
The water-closet shewn in vertical central section in Figure 7 does not differ
from that shewn in figures 1 and 2, except in minor details. Instead of a tube
with a rose-nozzle for the lower flushing inserted in the bend of the neck of the
basin, holes e* are made through the wall of the basin itself, and to enable these
holes to be made readily the wall in that portion of the basin in which they are
required is made flat and at right angles to the general direction of the overflow.
In the apparatus shewn in Figure 7 a valve is placed in the trap in such a
position that it will be operated and well scoured by the flushing streams, as
indicated. A valve v is also placed in the pipe G to regulate the quantity of
water permitted to pass for the upper flushing, and consequently, as will herein-
after appear, the time at which it shall act relatively to the time of the first action
of the lower flushing. o' is a ventilating pipe, which, passing through the shell A,
has its mouth or opening above the basin E and beneath the flushing rim K. It
may be here remarked that, since in the form of apparatus shewn in Figure 7
provision is made that the water for the upper flushing shall rise or well up slowly
until it overflows the upper edge of the basin, a flushing rim in the usual
signification of the term is not required; and if used, not being subjected to any
considerable pressure from the water, it may be made of sheet metal or similar
light material and merely placed in position upon the frame. In the construction
shown in Figure 7, the combined drip-tray and flushing rim is merely steadied in its
position by a flange.
In Figures 8 and 9 (of which Figure 8 is a vertical central section and Figure 9
a section on the line ', ', Figure 8) I have shewn the said invention in part
applied to a wash-out closet in which the trap is distinct from the basin proper.
A is the outer shell or casting; C the inlet and B the outlet; and E the basin
proper whose neck is in two parts, the lower of which, constituting a large portion
of the trap, is of clear glass so that the contents of the trap are visible through a

page_text: window win the casing; while the joint in the neck is beyond the line of vision
from the top of the closet. D is a chamber formed in the casing A, into which
chamber the flushing water enters from the inlet C. A small portion of the flushing
water flows through a passage-way e³ to supply the trap, but the greater portion
rises to the upper part of the chamber D until it flows over the ledge under a
flushing rim which directs its course over the ledge and finally over the upper
edge of the basin as hereinafter described.
When the basin E is made of glass it is preferably formed by blowing the melted
glass in a mould, and the mould is best formed in such a manner as to perinit the
glass to be blown into it through an opening corresponding with the opening which
is to contain the rose-nozzle. The manufacture of the glass basin is thus greatly
facilitated.
K is a combined flushing rim and drip-tray, made adjustable horizontally in
either direction upon the shell or casting A by means of slots and bolts as shewn
in Figure 9. This combined flushing rim and drip tray is supported on the shell
or casting A at the edges. A flange 1, resting in a ring of cement y which is
placed above the plaster of Paris between the basin E and shell A, divides the
passage-way under the flushing rim and above the ledge l, which is cast with the
basin, into two circular passage-ways e5 and e*, the outer e opening into the
inner eat m³, while in the inner passage-way are inserted two barriers n³ to
control the amount of water which shall pass under them and around the inner
assage-way to overflow the greater portion of the upper edge of the basin E.
The flushing rim is also cast with horizontal ears n*, to reduce the width of the
inner passage-way between the rim and the basin immediately on each side of
the entrance of the principal upper flushing stream into the basin opposite the
passage m. This is done to ensure the passage of a considerable part of the
flushing water throughout the inner chamber e. The same result might be
accomplished by thickening the edge of the basin at corresponding positions.
When the water rises in the chamber, it first flows over the ledge in both
directions, until it comes to the opening m³; flowing through this opening, by far
the larger portion of the flushing water goes directly over the edge of the basin at
this point, which is opposite the discharging neck of the basin, and thus forces the
contents of the basin into and through the discharging neck. A smaller portion is
turned at m³ in either direction into the inner passage-way e* and finally overflows
the remaining portion of the basin E as above set forth.
Figures 3, 3b and 3c show a novel and convenient form of adjustable fan. F' is
the fan proper made slightly curved to fit any ordinary bowl or basin. Passing
loosely through the centre of the fan is a stout stem e' screw-threaded at both ends
and having a fixed shoulder t' behind the fan, and a nut in front of the fan.
R' is a coupling with a shoulder 77 and a screw-threaded bearing m' to receive the
screw-threaded end n' of the fan-stem e7. The water-closet bowl or basin is drilled
to receive the pipe or coupling R7, the hole being just large enough to receive the
body of the pipe, the shoulder 7 resting against the inside surface of the water-
closet bowl. This coupling is firmly secured to the said bowl. The stem is next
put through it from the inside of the bowl and the end n screwed into the
bearing m until the shoulder stands at the desired distance from the inner
surface of the bowl to accommodate the fan to the size and strength of the flushing
stream.
The fan F' is then put on and screwed up tightly against the shoulder 7 by
means of the nut n°. The stem cannot be unscrewed at n' by the action of the
water because it is held tightly by the fan F7 which is itself held from turning by
its two upper square shoulders resting against the upper rim of the bowl.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. The combination, with the basin of a water-c'oset or similar receptacle
provided with a trap, of a passage-way for a flushing stream, whose inlet end

page_text: communicates with the said trap below the water-level and is provided with small
holes, substantially as described.
Second. The combination of a basin for a water-closet or similar receptacle with
an outer shell provided with an inlet passage-way for flushing water, the said
passage-way branching within the outer shell and communicating with the upper
and lower parts of the said basin, substantially as described.
Third. The combination, with a trapped basin for a water-closet or similar
receptacle and an inlet for an upper flushing, of an intermediate chamber normally
holding water to above the entrance therein of the said inlet, which is adapted to
give at first a general downward direction to water flowing through it into the
chamber, substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination, with the basin for a water-closet or similar receptacle,
of an inlet for an upper flushing and an intermediate chamber, the said chamber
normally holding water to above the level of the entrance therein of the said
inlet, which has a general downward direction and is provided with a rose-nozzle,
substantially as described.
Fifth. A trapped basin for a water-closet or similar receptacle provided with an
inlet for an upper and an inlet for a lower flushing, both inlets entering below the
normal water-level of the trap and the inlet for the upper flushing being adapted
to give at first a general downward direction to water flowing through it,
substantially as described.
Sixth. The combination, with the basin and supply pipe or passage-way of a
water-closet or similar receptacle, of an intervening passage-way or chamber
adapted to bold water normally to above the entrance therein of the said supply
pipe in order to check the direct flow of the flushing stream before overflowing,
substantially as described.
Seventh. The combination, with the basin and supply pipe of a water-closet or
similar receptacle, of an intervening passage-way or chamber of larger diameter
than the said supply pipe and adapted to hold water normally to above the
entrance therein of the said supply pipe, substantially as described.
Eighth. The combination, with the basin of a water-closet or similar receptacle
and a supply pipe containing a regulating valve, of an intervening passage-way or
chamber of larger diameter than the said supply pipe and adapted to hold water
normally to above the entrance therein of the said supply pipe, substantially as
described.
Ninth. A basin for a water-closet or similar receptacle provided with an inlet
for an upper and an inlet for a lower flushing, the inlet for the upper flushing
having an enlargement or retarding chamber, substantially as described.
Tenth. A basin for a water-closet or similar receptacle provided with a supply
pipe or passage-way and having a number of perforations in a portion of the wall
separating the interior of the said basin from the said passage-way, substantially
as described.
Eleventh. A basin for a water-closet having a bent discharging neck, flattened
and provided with holes in the bend, substantially as described.
Twelfth. The combination, with the basin of a water-closet or similar receptacle
provided with a trap, of a passage-way for a flushing stream, whose inlet end
communicates with the said trap near the bottom thereof and below the water-
level in a general direction towards the overflow, and is provided with small holes,
the aggregate area of which is less than that of the cross-section of the said
passage-way, substantially as described.
Thirteenth. A basin for a water-closet or similar receptacle provided with a
U-shaped supply pipe or passage-way, one arm of which forms the delivery arm
and enters the basin above the level of the dip or bend in the said pipe or passage-
way, substantially as described.
Fourteenth. A trapped basin for a water-closet or similar receptacle provided
with a bent supply pipe or passage-way, whose delivery arm is connected with the
said basin both above and below the level of the seal and has a holding capacity

page_text: below the level of the said upper connection and above the level of the seal,
substantially as described.
Fifteenth. A trapped basin for a water-closet or similar receptacle provided
with an air tight water supply chamber communicating with the trap of the said
basin immediately below the normal water-level thereof, substantially as described.
Sixteenth. The combination, with a trapped basin for a water-closet or similar
receptacle, of an air-tight water supply chamber communicating with the trap of
the said basin immediately below the normal water-level thereof, and provided
with a valve through which the pressure of the air may be admitted to counter-
balance the pressure of the atmosphere upon the water in the trap of the said
basin, substantially as described.
Seventeenth. The combination, with a trapped basin suitable for a water-closet
or similar receptacle, and an air-tight water supply chamber whose outlet
communicates with the trap of the said basin below its seal, of a reservoir above
the said supply chamber, and an intervening valve between the said reservoir
and the said supply chamber, substantially as described.
Eighteenth. The combination, with a trapped basin for a water-closet or similar
receptacle, of an air-tight water supply chamber communicating with the trap of
the said basin immediately below the water level thereof, and provided with an
air-pipe leading from the top of the said chamber to the said trap, near the bottom
thereof, substantially as described.
Nineteenth The combination, with a trapped basin suitable for a water-closet
or similar receptacle provided with an air-tight water supply chamber whose outlet
communicates with the trap of the said basin below the seal, of a bent pipe or
passage-way whose dip is substantially at the level of the said seal and whose arms
communicate respectively with the said air-tight chamber and the open air,
substantially as described.
Twentieth The combination, with a trapped basin suitable for a water-closet
or similar receptacle and an air-tight water supply chamber whose outlet
communicates with the trap of the said basin below its seal, of a bent pipe or
passage-way which has a dip substantially at the level of the said seal and one of
whose arms communicates with the said air-tight chamber while the other
communicates with the said basin for an upper flushing, substantially as described.
Twentyfirst The combination, with a trapped basin suitable for a water-closet
or similar receptacle, an air-tight water supply chamber whose outlet communicates
with the trap of the said basin below its seal, a reservoir above the said supply
chamber, and an intervening valve, of a bent pipe which has a dip substantially at
the level of the said seal, one of whose arins communicates with the said air-tight
chamber, while the other communicates both with the said basin for an upper
flushing, and with the said reservoir for an overflow, substantially as described.
Twenty second. The combination, with a trapped basin suitable for a water-
closet or similar receptacle, of an air-tight water supply chamber provided with
two mouths entering the said trapped basin, one above the other, but both below
the level of the seal, substantially as described.
Twenty third. The combination, with a trapped basin suitable for a water-
closet or similar receptacle provided with an air-tight water supply chamber
having two mouths entering the said trapped basin, of a reservoir above the said
air-tight chamber, and a valve intervening between the said reservoir and the said
air-tight chamber, substantially as described.
Twenty fourth. The combination, with a trapped basin suitable for a water-
closet or similar receptacle provided with an air tight water supply chamber
having two mouths, both entering the said trapped basin below the seal, a
reservoir above the said air-tight chamber and an intervening valve between the
said reservoir and the said air-tight chamber, of an upper flushing pipe extending
from the said reservoir to the said basin and controlled by the said intervening
valve, substantially as described.
Twenty fifth. The combination, with an outer shell or casing provided with inlet

page_text: and outlet passage-ways forming a trap, of a basin for a water-closet or similar
receptacle, whereby a passage-way is formed between the said shell and the said
basin for an upper flushing, the said last mentioned passage-way communicating
with the said trap at, or above, the level of the dip and below the level of the
overflow of the said trap, and the bottom of the said basin opening into the said
trap, substantially as described.
Twenty sixth. The combination with a water-closet basin, of a flushing rim
adjustable horizontally, substantially as described.
Twenty seventh. The combination, with a water-closet basin, of a drip-tray and
flushing rim formed in one piece, substantially as described.
Twenty eighth The combination, with a basin for a water-closet or similar
receptacle provided with a flushing rim and a passage-way around the upper
portion of the basin, of a ventilating pipe entering the said passage-way under the
flushing rim, substantially as described.
Twenty ninth. The combination, with the basin of a water-closet or similar
receptacle provided with a trough or channel around its upper edge, of a flushing
rim provided with a flange projecting downward from its horizontal portion, the
said basin and the said Hushing rim being cast separately, and the lower edge of
the said flushing rim extending within and below the upper edge of the said basin,
while the said flange divides the said trough or passage-way into two passage-
ways, substantially as described.
Thirtieth. A basin of a water-closet or similar receptacle provided with an
opening, below the normal water-level, larger than the sectional area of the supply
pipe and oppo ite the outlet of the basin, substantially as described.
Thirty first. A basin of a water-closet or similar receptacle provided with an
opening opposite the outlet of the basin, and formed to receive a rose-nozzle,
substantially as described.
Thirty second. A basin of a water-closet or similar receptacle constructed of
glass blown in a mould, and having two openings below the upper opening or
entrance of the bowl, one serving as the usual outlet for the bowl, and the other
for blowing the glass into the mould, substantially as des ribed.
Thirty third. A mould for blowing glass water-closet bowls having three
openings, one for the top or entrance of the bowl, one for the outlet, and one for
the entrance of the glass in blowing, as above described.
In Witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Second day of April in the year of our Lord Oue thousand
eight hundred and eighty four.
W
ROB LAKE
(L.S.)