CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- RATUS FOR PREVENTING THE RISE OF EFFLUVIUM FROM DRAINS, SEWERS, CESSPOOLS, AND OTHER PLACES, AND IN APPARATUS AND MACHINERY FOR REGULATING THE LEVELS OF WATERS IN RIVERS, RESERVOIRS, AND CANALS
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
HARCOURT THOMPSON, of Blackheath Hill, in the County of Kent, Civil
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
cight hundred and forty-nine, in the twelfth year of Her reign, did give and
grant unto me, the said Thomas Harcourt Thompson, my exors, admors,
and assigns, Her special license, full power, sole privilege and authority,
that I, the said Thomas Harcourt Thompson, my exors, admors, and assigns,
and such others as I, the said Thomas Harcourt Thompson, my exors, admors,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term of years therein mentioned, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, Her Dominion
of Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in Her Islands of
Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR PREVENTING THE RISE OF EFFLUVIUM FROM DRAINS, SEWERS, CESSPOOLS,
AND OTHER PLACES, AND IN APPARATUS AND MACHINERY FOR REGULATING THE
LEVELS OF WATERS IN RIVERS, RESERVOIRS, AND CANALS;" in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso, that I, the said Thomas Harcourt Thompson,
shall particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said Iuvention, and

page_text: in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large. appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Harcourt Thompson, do hereby declare that the nature of my Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following instrument in writing, reference being
to the letters and figures therein contained, and to the Drawings thereunto
annexed.
My Invention relates,―
Firstly, to improvements in the construction of apparatus for preventing the
rise of effluvia from sewers, drains, cesspools, waterclosets, and other places;
and I construct this apparatus in such a manner that the bottom (which
moves on a hinge) shall be retained and kept close up to the bottom rim of
a pan or cylinder by means of an arrangement of a weighted latch, stop, or
click, and that when a certain quantity of matter, either in a liquid or solid
state, shall have been accumulated thereon, it shall suddenly tip and leave the
bottom of the pan or cylinder open, and when released of its load, the hinged
bottom shall (by the preponderance of weight on one side) immediately rise up
against and close to the bottom edge or rim of the pan or cylinder, and be
retained in that position by the arrangement of the weighted. latch, stop, or
click herein-after described until the same weight of matter has again accu-
mulated thereon, when it will immediately tip again, and release itself as
before; and in order to effect a better and a closer joint, I fix a ring of vul-
canized india rubber, gutta percha, leather, or any other suitable or elastic
material to the bottom edge or rim of the pan or cylinder.
Secondly, my Invention relates to an arrangement of apparatus more
especially applicable to waterclosets for preventing the rise of effluvia there-
from, by the action of which the pan is washed round by a stream of water let.
in by the tipping motion of the hinged bottom referred to in the first part of
my improvements; and,
Thirdly, my Invention relates to the construction of apparatus and machinery
for regulating the flow of water in rivers, canals, and reservoirs, cisterns, and
other places, which apparatus and machinery are so constructed and adjusted
that when a certain quantity of water shall have been allowed to pass from
one side thereof to the other, or from one place to another, the supply or flow
of water shall be stopped.

page_text: But in order that my Invention may be better understood and more readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed,
in which the same letters of reference in all the Figures denote similar parts...
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
a, a,
Fig. 1, Sheet A, represents a section of the apparatus or effluvium. trap
taken through the dotted line 1, 2 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2, a side view of the trap,
with one side of the case removed to shew more clearly the hinged, bottom
close up to the pan or cylinder; Fig. 3 shews the same view, with the bottom
in the act of tipping; Fig. 4 shews the same when tipped or open to its full
extent; and Fig. 5 shews the plan view, with the grating fixed therein.
is a cast-iron box or case furnished with flanges or supports b, b, on which
rests the pan c, and the grating d, d; e is a dished bottom (the shape of
which is more readily understood by referring to Fig. 1) moving on and sus-
pended on the rod f, which passes through and is supported by the cast-iron
box or case a, a; g is a counter-balance weight, which may either be cast on
or otherwise attached to the dished bottom e, and of sufficient gravity to bring
up the dished bottom e, as seen at Fig. 2. This counter-balance weight may
be made hollow to allow of its being loaded with lead; h is a regulating
weight suspended by the rod i, which rod passes through the slots j,j, formed
in the bosses k, k, and is supported on the sides of the cast-iron box or case
a, a. This weight h may be made hollow, so as to be regulated in its weight
with lead or otherwise, as circumstances may require. l, l, are two levers, the
lower ends of which are always in contact with the bottom edge of the notch
m, which is formed in the counter-balance weight 9. n, n, are two mortice
brackets furnished with two friction rollers o, o, capable of moving up or down
in the levers l, l. The exact position of the brackets n, n, and friction wheels
o, o, is ascertained by holding the dished bottom e close up to the bottom edge
of the pan or cylinder c, as seen at Fig. 2, and allowing the friction rollers o, o,
to rest on the upper corner p of the notch m, and fixing. them when so adjusted.
to the lever by the screw q. It will be evident that the weight h (being. all.
on one side of its supporting rod i,) will keep the levers 1, 1, always close.
against to. and in contact with the lower corner p¹ of the notch m; and so long
as no accumulation. of matter or substance is deposited upon the dished
bottom e, it will remain up. against the ring of vulcanized india rubber or
other suitable substance r, fixed to the bottom of the pan c, and thereby.
entirely prevent the rise of effluvia; but when the matter in. the. pan c: is
heavier than the combined weight of the two counter-balance weights g and.h,
then the dished bottom e will tip, and that part p, of the counter-balance.

page_text: weight g, acting as a lever; will lift up the friction rollers o, o, and weight h in
the slots j,j, as seen at Fig. 3, which represents the dished bottom e in the
action of tipping and relieving itself from the pressure of the counter-balance
weight h; but in order that, during the whole of the tipping action, the
brackets n, n, and the friction wheels o, o, should not impede the full opening
or fall of the dished bottom e, I make the levers 1, 1, of sufficient length to be
always in contact with the bottom edge p¹ of the notch m, as seen at Fig. 4,
which represents the trap open to its full extent, and the dished bottom e
relieved of its weight of matter, and ready to tip back close up to the vul-
canized india rubber or other suitable substance r. By referring to Fig 3, it
will be seen that when the dished bottom e is almost liberating itself from the
friction rollers o, o, that the weight h is not resting on the rod i, but is lifted
up in the slots j, j, until the friction roller passes the upper edge p of the
notch m. After which the weight h will immediately fall and rest on the rod i.
The use of the ring of india rubber or other elastic substance r, at the lower
edge of the pan c, is to prevent the rise of effluvia when there is no water or
liquid in the pan c; for being made to project below the edge of the pan c, it
will come in contact with the dished bottom e, and thereby form a close joint
which will obviate the necessity of correctly fitting or adjusting the edge of
the pan c to the inside surface of the dished bottom e. Although I have
enumerated various substances by which a close joint may be obtained, I prefer
using vulcanized india rubber, as it will always retain the same degree of
elasticity.
I will now proceed to describe the second part of my Invention which
relates to the arrangement of apparatus for preventing the rise of effluvia
from waterclosets.
Fig. 6, Sheet B, represents a vertical section of a watercloset; and Fig. 7,
a view of the outside case. The action of the dished bottom e, and counter-
balance weights g and h, is precisely similar to that described with reference to
the first part of my Invention; but in order that the pan c may be washed
every time the dished bottom e has tipped, I fix a rod 8, one end of which is
secured to the counter-balance weight g, and the other end to the lever of a
cock t, fixed in the supply pipe u, which is in connection with the hollow rim
v, v, surrounding the top of the pan c. The rod is made in two parts, and
joined together by the adjusting nut w, with a left and right handed screw cut
therein, so that the opening and shutting of the cock t may be properly
adjusted to the tipping or rising action of the dished bottom e. When the
bottom e tips or leaves the bottom edge of the pan c, it will force the rod s in
the direction of the arrow flight, which action will open the cock t to which

page_text: the rod s is fixed, and allow the water, from the pressure of a cistern above,
or otherwise, to rush into and round the pan c, until the dished bottom e is
released of its contents, and rises up against the bottom of the pan c, when
the cock t will be immediately closed, and the supply of water stopped.
I will now proceed to describe the third and last part of my Invention,
which relates to the construction of apparatus and machinery for regulating
the flow of water in rivers, canals, reservoirs, and other places.
Fig. 8, Sheet B, represents a vertical section of a regulating ball valve; and
Fig. 9, the elevation of the same. a, a, is a metal tube fitting closely in the
outside tube b, b, and in connection with the pipe leading from a a cistern
or reservoir. c, c, is a thin, air-tight, hollow metal ball or float securely fixed
to the outside tube b, b. d is a rod of metal secured to the knob e by the
screw f, the knob e being firmly fixed to the outer tube b, b. h is a cone
made water-tight to fit into the bottom part of the cone box i, by grinding or
otherwise. is a small piston fitting in the cylinder k, seen at Fig. 10, on
section through the line 1, 2 of Fig. 8. 1, 1, are two arms fixed to and in
communication with the tubes a, a, and passing through the outer tube b, b,
through the long slots m, m. This construction of apparatus is more especially
adapted for cisterns or reservoirs, as they must be fixed therein to such a
height as will float up the ball c, c, and stop the supply when the cistern or
reservoir is full to its required level. The action is as follows:-"The water
being forced up through the spaces n, n, n, of the cylinder k, passes up through
the cone box i into the tube a, a, and escapes through the two arms l, l, which
are extended so as to throw the water away from the ball c, c. In order that
the force of water should not force and press up the cone h, I affix the small
piston j, which presents an equal surface to the pressure of the water as the
cone h, so that the water pressing equally on the bottom of the cone and on
the top of the piston, will prevent the cone from rising, and the water will
continue to flow into the cistern or reservoir through the arms l, l, until it
reaches the ball c, c, which will float up and continue rising until the cone h
and cone box i are closed, and they will continue closed so long as the same
level is maintained in the cistern or reservoir; but on the depression of the
water the ball c, c, will drop and carry the rod d with it, thereby opening the
cone h, and cone box i, when the water (if the pressure is on) will imme-
diately flow through until it has again risen to its regulated level in the cistern
or reservoir. n' is a small vent hole to allow the escape of air or water should
any accumulate under the piston.
Fig. 11 shews another modification of apparatus by which the same object
may be attained. a, a, the metal tube which is fixed to the pipe of the cistern

page_text: and fitting in the outside tube b, b, which carries the ball c, c. d is a knob
which is secured to the tube b, b. e is a short tube made to fit water-tight in
the tube a by a slight packing f, f. This short tube e is fixed to the knob d
by the small rod and screw 9. Two holes are formed in the short tube e
corresponding with the orifices of the tubular arms h, h. When the water
has not reached the ball c, c, sufficiently to float it, then the holes in the short
tube e will be immediately opposite to the orifices of the arms h, h, and the
water passing up the tube a, a, will escape through the holes in the tube e,
and out of the arms h, h, into the cistern or reservoir; but when the water
reaches the ball c, c, so as to float it, it will as it rises carry the knob d with
it, to which the short tube e is fixed, and gradually draw up the tube e, and
clese the orifices of the arms h, h, and will keep on rising until the orifices are
completely closed, when the supply will stop; and when the level of the water
is lowered, the ball c, c, will fall with it, and, drawing the tube e downwards,
will again form a communication with the arms h, h, through which water will
continue to flow until it has again reached or attained its regulated level.
Fig. 12 represents a section through the line 3, 4 of Fig. 11.
;.
Fig. 13 represents the elevation (partly in section) of an arrangement of
machinery for regulating the waters in rivers, ponds, canals, and large reser-
voirs; Fig. 14, a plan of the same. a, a, are the embankments built in stone,
brick, or otherwise. b, b, are two cylinders, which may be of cast iron, brick,
or stone, cemented or otherwise smoothly surfaced in the inside. c, c, are
two hollow piston or floats moving freely up and down in the cylinders b, b.
d, d, are two connecting rods passing through holes in the plate e, e, and
guide standards f, f, and fixed to the floats c, c, the upper ends of which rods
are furnished with two friction pullies g, g. h is a sluice gate sliding up and
down on the upright rails i, i, and is supported by the cross beam; resting on
the friction pullies g, g. When the water is admitted under the two floats c, c,
they will rise up and carry with them the cross beam; and the sluice gate h
to which the cross beam is attached by the upright arm k, and thereby
gradually close up the space l, and the water on either side will be kept
to a regulated level, according to the rise and fall of the top edge of the
sluice gate.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do, not
confine myself to the exact details herein described so long as the same prin-
ciple is maintained, neither do I lay claim to the hinged bottom or counter-
balance weight affixed thereto to apparatus for preventing the rise of effluvia ;
but I claim

page_text: Firstly, the arrangement of a weighted latch, stop, or click for suddenly
releasing and securing the dished bottom of the trap, and also the ring of
vulcanized india rubber or other elastic substance as above described.
Secondly, I claim the arrangement of apparatus for preventing the rise of
effluvia from and washing the pans of waterclosets as above described; and,
Thirdly, I claim the constructing of apparatus for regulating the flow of
water in cisterns or reservoirs, with tubes sliding one over the other, and
passing through the float ball as above above described; and,
Lastly, I claim the constructing sluice gates, for the regulating of water in
rivers, canals, ponds, reservoirs, and other places, by floats or hollow pistons
floating up and down in upright cylinders as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Harcourt Thompson, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of October, One
thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
THOMAS HARCOURT (L.S.) THOMPSON.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-sixth day of October,
in the year of our Lord 1849, the aforesaid Thomas Harcourt Thompson came
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.