Improvements in Urinals.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June, '1850
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Apr., 1891-Accepted, 23rd May, 1891
PROVIDIVAALSIUITICATIVA.
Improvements in Urinals.
JOHN ARMSTRONG C.E. Great Western Works Bilston Staffordshire do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is for the purpose of making urinals of a more perfect sanitary
nature than those at present manufactured.
The present system of urinals constructed of iron, slate, or other non-vitrious
substance are absorbent, and do not stand the action of the urine but soon become
foul in this invention glass is used in slabs which are bent round to form a curve or
plan, this forms the back part of the urinal and the sides or divisions together,
consequently there are no corners or jointing of the slabs where any dirt can collect,
which is also an objection in those of slate &c.
Under this curved slab is a trough which runs the whole length of the range of
urinals (if more than one compartment is required) and forms a channel, this is
also made of bent glass or glass pressed into shape so that any water that runs down
the back bent slab, runs away at once down the channel, in front of this channel
are glass floor tiles which are corrugated to form a firm footing and are cut so as to
form a channel for any water that may collect to run into the curved trough or
channel. These may be laid in pieces or sections to fit the positions they may
Occupy.
The front edges of the curved upright slabs are protected by a beading formed
of glass or carthenware or majolica or brass or other suitable material this is
formed so that it may embrace in a rebate formed in it the two edges of the slabs
forming the two adjacent compartments or the outside edge of a single compartment,
and may be constructed in one single piece the full height or may be piled up in
sections, a metallic rod may be made to pass up through this beading and to be
fitted so that it may go into the wall at the sides or back to form a stay for the
support of the whole compartiment, this metallic stay may pass through downwards
into the ground or simply connect the top piece. The capping or beading may be
dowelled into each other at the joints.
The spaces between the curved surfaces of the several compartments at the back
may be filled in with concrete or other suitable material.
The glass in the whole apparatus may be constructed with wire in the interior of
it for the purpose of strengthening it or may be made without.
The flushing water may be conveyed to the slabs in glass or porcelain or in
earthenware tubes or bibs or in metallic tubes.
The backs or upright slabs may also be made of glass bent into angles at the
corners and form flat sides and backs and also into any particular shape that may
be necessary to fit any particular space. They may also be constructed in separate
sheets or slabs, and jointed together in glass rebates made in sections and occupying
the angles in the same mar ner as the glass or earthenware does in the front capping
or bead only that the back angle may have one two or three rebates in it.
The slabs may also be fused together at the angles in a furnace so as to make the
whole in one piece similar to the slabs that are bent.
Dated this 20th day of June 1890.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Urinals.
1 JOHN ARMSTRONG, late of Great Western Works, Bilston, Staffordshire, and
now of Albion, near Birmingham, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention is for the purpose of making urinals of a more perfect sanitary
nature than those at present manufactured.
The present system of urinals constructed of iron slate or other non-vitreous
substance or absorbent, and do not stand the action of the urine, but soon becomes
foul.
In this invention glass is used in slabs, which are bent round to form a curve on
plan, this forms the back part of the urinal with the sides or divisions together,
consequently there are no corners or jointing of the slabs, where any dirt can
collect, which is also an objection in those of slate &c.
Under this curved slab is a trough which runs the whole length of the range of
urinals (if more than one compartment is required) and forms a channel, this is also
made of bent glass or, glass pressed into shape so that any water that runs down
the back bent slab, runs away at once down the channel. In front of this channel'
there are glass floor tiles which are corrugated to form a firm footing and are cut so
as to form a channel for any water that may collect, to run into the curved trough
or channel, these may be laid in pieces or sections to fit the positions they may
оссиру.
The front edges of the curved upright slabs are protected by a beading formed
of glass or earthenware or majolica or brass or other suitable material, this is formed
so that it may embrace in a rabbet formed in it the two edges of the slabs forming
the two adjacent compartments or the outside edge, of a single compartment and
may be constructed in one single piece the full height or may be piled up in sections,
a metallic rod may be made to pass up through this beading and to be fitted so that
it may go into the wall at the sides or back to form a stay for the support of the
whole compartment, this metallic stay may pass through downwards into the ground
or simply connect the top piece; the capping or beading may be dowelled into each
other at the joints.
The space between the curved surfaces of the several compartments at the back
may be filled in with concrete or other suitable material.
The glass in the whole apparatus may be constructed with wire in the interior of
it for the purpose of strengthening it or may be made without.
The flushing water may be conveyed to the slabs in glass or porcelain or in
earthenware tubes or bibs or metallic tubes.
The backs or upright slabs may also be made of glass bent into angles at the
corners and form flat sides and back and also into any particular shape that may be
necessary to fit any particular space. They may also be constructed in separate
sheets or slabs and jointed together in glass rabbets made in sections and occupying
the angles in the same manner as the glass or earthenware does in the front capping
or bead, only that the back angle may have one, two, or three rabbets in it.
Having now described the nature of this my invention, I will proceed to explain
more particularly how it is to be performed, having reference to the accompanying
illustrative sheet of drawings, upon which are figures and numbers of reference,
similar numbers refering throughout the several views to the same thing or part, and
in which
Fig. 1, is a side sectional elevation of one form of carrying out this my
invention.
Fig. 2, is a sectional plan of Fig. 1, upon line A-B.
Fig. 3, is a side sectional elevation of a modified form of carrying out this my
invention.

page_text: Fig. 4, is a sectional plan of Fig. 3, upon line C-D.
Figs. 5 & 6, are sectional plan views of further modifications of this my
invention.
Figs. 7, 8, 9 & 10, are detached detailed views of parts of this my invention.
In Figs. 1 & 2, I have shown my invention as applied to an urinal having semi-
circular bays independent of each other, in which 1, 1, are slabs of glass, preferably
of a black or other dark colour, and bent into the said circular shape as shown,
and consisting of one piece. These slabs are then backed up or filled in at 2, with
concrete or other similar suitable material.
The edges of the said plates 1, 1°, I connect or secure as follows:-3, is a
metallic partly tubular pillar, having a rabbet or what perhaps may be more
correctly termed a slot, into which the two edges of the plate are passed. A. central
iron rod 4, is passed down the said pillar, and secured at its bottom end to the floor,
and also suitably connected at its upper end, to the wall to form a stay or support
to the compartment or compartments. Around this central rod, that is, between it
and the part tubular pillar and the edges of the plate, I may fill in with concrete 5,
or other suitable material. Or, in some cases instead of using metallic pillars, I
make blocks 6, of glass, earthenware or majolica, but preferably of the first, similar
to that shown in Figs. 9 & 10. These blocks are provided with the rabbet or groove 7,
to receive the edges of the glass slabs, and also with a hole that they may be slid on
to the rod 4, one above the other (see Fig. 10), the said rod being secured top and
bottom, after the manner herein before described.
Figs. 3 & 4, show a similar arrangement of bent slabs 1, 1, having their sides
and backs straight (or flat) and their corners bent, but otherwise treated as those
of Figs. 1 & 2.
Beneath the floor I further provide the trough 8, of a bent glass slab, and having
provided therein the outlet rose 9. The said trough continuing from one com-
partment to another.
In some cases however, where one compartment only is required, or where each
compartment is to be independent of the others, I take a slab of glass and dish
it, as seen at 10 in Figs. 1 & 2, providing also therein the outlet roses 9, 9.
In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified arrangement of applying these bent glass
slabs to form an insular urinal. In this case also the edges of the said slabs 1d, may
be secured as previously described, and at their upper ends be further secured to
each other, and to the central iron rod 11, by means of the rods 4'.
The space 5",
being again filled in with concrete or other suitable material.
In Fig. 6, I have shown a further modified form of applying this my invention in
which, 12, is a circular glass centre piece, having longitudinal rabbets 13, into which
the edges of the slabs 1, are fitted, while their outer edges are secured in the
manner before stated as to Figs. 8, 9 & 10. In cases similar to Figs. 5 & 6, I
may make the trough or dished pieces, 10, & 10b, of one slab dished or curved as
required, and in which one or more outlet roses 90, may be provided.
Further, in some cases in the construction of such urinals, and for connecting flat
or curved slabs or sheets together, I may employ glass pillars 14, as seen in sectional
plan in Fig. 7, such pillars having one, two, or more rabbets 15, formed thereon, to
receive the slabs 16, I may make these pillars 14, in one piece or I may build them
up in blocks similarly as shown and described for Figs. 9 & 10.
The canopy or other overmounting 17, or ornamentation of these urinals may be
of marble or other suitable material according to taste or design.
The floor of these urinals are laid with glass blocks 18, having upon their upper
surface grooves or channels, by which any water falling thereon will find its way to
the glass trough or dished piece below.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The employment in, or combination with urinals, of bent or curved glass slabs,

page_text: substantially as in the manner herein described and shown, and for the purposes
specified.
2. The employment in, or combination with urinals, of the glass slab dished
parts 10, substantially as described and shown and for the purposes specified.
3. The employment in, or combination with urinals, of the channels 8, consisting
of bent glass slabs, substantially as herein described and shown and for the purposes
specified.
4. The method and combination of parts for connecting the edges of the slabs
by means of the glass pillars, 6, having a rabbet 7, such pillars consisting of one
piece or built up of blocks substantially as described and shown.
5. The combination in an urinal of a central column of glass 12, having a
number of rabbets 13, to receive the slab walls 1, substantially as described and
shown.
6. Supporting the slabs or walls by the combination therewith of urinals by
means of the glass pillars 14, having one or more rabbeted grooves 15, constructed
substantially as herein described and illustrated in Fig. 7.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1891.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12, Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicant's Agent.