IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPLY AND WASTE VALVES FOR BATHS AND LAVATORIES AND IN APPARATUS FOR TRAPPING OFF AND AFFORDING ACCESS TO WASTE PIPES AND DRAINS AND FOR FLUSHING THE SAME.
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Stevens Hellyer of the Firm of Dent and Hellyer
Newcastle Street Strand in the County of Middlesex, Engineer for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPLY AND WASTE VALVES FOR BATHS
AND LAVATORIES AND IN APPARATUS FOR TRAPPING OFF AND AFFORDING
ACCESS TO WASTE PIPES AND DRAINS AND FOR FLUSHING THE SAME.'
"
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Stevens Hellyer at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th September 1882.
SAMUEL STEVENS HELLYER of the Firm of Dent and Hellyer Newcastle Street
Strand in the County of Middlesex, Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPLY AND
WASTE VALVES FOR BATHS AND LAVATORIES AND IN APPARATUS FOR TRAPPING
OFF AND AFFORDING ACCESS TO WASTE PIPES AND DRAINS AND FOR FLUSHING
THE SAME
"
This invention relates partly to an improved arrangement of valve suitable
either as a supply or as a waste valve for baths and lavatories. The valve itself
consists of a mitre valve faced with rubber and closing in the case of a supply
valve against the pressure. The opening and closing of the valve is effected by an
arrangement of toggle joint levers connected with a weighted arm the toggle joint
levers being so disposed that when the valve is closed they will be straight and
will thereby maintain the valve securely locked or closed against the pressure and
prevent its opening and causing concussion in the event of any other valve or draw-
off cock on the same pipe being opened whilst at the same time the slightest
movement of the weighted lever arm will deflect the toggle joint levers and allow
the valve to be fully opened. The valve itself is mounted on a short spindle which
may work either through an ordinary stuffing box or by preference through a
rolling packing ring of rubber or other suitable elastic material. As applied to a
Lavatory or Bath waste valve for example the valve and toggle joint levers are by
preference disposed at an angle to the discharge thoroughfare so as when open to
leave a free and direct outlet for the waste a comparatively slight movement of the
weighted arm serving to open the valve to its fullest extent and thereby ensure a
quick discharge.
According to another arrangement of waste or discharge more especially
applicable to Baths I not only ensure a quick and direct discharge which constitutes
a sufficiently powerful flush to maintain the discharge or waste pipe thoroughly

page_text: clean but I obviate the necessity for the usual stand pipe or other passage way
which although liable to become fouled is not subjected to any flushing action to
keep it clean as is the case with the ordinary arrangement of feather waste or quick
discharge valves. In this arrangement I combine with the discharge nozzle a valve
box within which there is suspended on suitable rocking journals a hanging or
flap valve faced with rubber (and free to rotate if desired) and kept in close contact
with the end of the discharge nozzle by a weighted lever which I prefer for
compactness to make of a shape connected with a pull handle so that when
this lever is lifted the valve will turn more or less on its centres and leave the
mouth of the discharge nozzle inside the valve box fully open the discharge
passing through a nozzle in the underside of the box and communicating with a
syphon trap or with the discharging waste. The valve box may be of lead or brass
or of cast iron porcelain enamelled inside.
In order to ensure a fluid tight joint at the bearings of the valve journals one or
both of the said bearings are made adjustable and their inner ends are faced so as
to fit accurately against a rubber washer or washers fitted onto either or both the
journals and supported by a collar or shoulder thereon. The beforementioned
arrangement of discharge or waste valve effectually prevents the passage of air
through the waste pipe into the house whether the trap be sealed or not there
being no other channel or opening for access of air as is the case when the overflow
is combined with the waste arrangement. For trapping off and affording access to
waste pipes and drains I employ a U shaped head or socket piece to receive the
end of the split or channel pipe said socket piece being combined with a syphon
trap preferably made in one piece therewith. The discharge side of this trap is
connected by a bridge pipe with the closed end of the U shaped head or socket
piece so that ready and direct access is afforded to the waste pipe or drain for
cleaning and inspection from the inside of the said head or socket. The mouth of
the said bridge pipe is sealed over by a plate secured thereon by readily removeable
thumb nuts or screws inside the head or socket when not in use. When required
the usual aperture for ventilation of the waste pipe or drain is provided on the
outlet side of the trap. It having been found in practice that the well known
annular syphon or automatic flushing tank arrangement requires a more sudden
influx of water to start it than can be obtained by a constant dropping or gradual
addition of water to the main cistern I combine with the main flushing syphon a
secondary and smaller syphon contained in a separate small cistern or compartment
inside or otherwise connected with the main flushing cistern. In this smaller
cistern water is allowed to drop or dribble slowly from a cock until a sufficient
quantity has entered to start the secondary syphon which then quickly discharges
the entire contents of the smaller cistern into the main cistern this operation being
repeated until sufficient water has entered the main cistern to start the main
syphon. In lieu of a smaller or secondary syphon a self-acting tipping or tilting
vessel may be employed which so soon as it is filled by the gradual inflow or
dropping of water therein will suddenly tip over and discharge its entire contents
into the main flushing cistern and so start the larger syphon.. When found
desirable a stationary water displacer inside the main tank may be used so as to
cause the level of the water to rise to a higher point therein for a quicker action of
the main syphon. Or the before mentioned subsidiary syphon and tipping vessel
may be dispensed with by using a moveable displacer or float mounted on a lever
or otherwise which when more or less immersed in the water in the main tank
when a flush is required will produce the desired head and start the syphon
without the necessity for any further addition of water.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Stevens Hellyer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th March 1883.
SAMUEL STEVENS HELLYER of the Firm of Dent and Hellyer Newcastle Street
Strand in the County of Middlesex Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPLY AND
WASTE VALVES FOR BATHS AND LAVATORIES AND IN APPARATUS FOR TRAPPING.
OFF AND AFFORDING ACCESS TO WASTE PIPES AND DRAINS AND FOR FLUSHING
THE SAME."
My said invention relates partly to an improved arrangement of valve suitable
either as a supply or as a waste valve for Baths and Lavatories. Also to an
arrangement of waste or discharge valve more especially applicable to baths.
Also to an arrangement of syphon trap and socket for trapping off and affording
ready access to waste pipes and drains generally and for receiving the well known
split or open channel pipes. Also to certain peculiar arrangements of self acting.
and other syphon flushing apparatus for closets and urinals and for drains and
waste pipes generally.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the several figures on the explanatory sheets of drawings hereunto annexed the same
letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding figures.
Figure 1 of my drawings represents a sectional elevation of one form of my
improved arrangement of supply or waste valve more particularly adapted as a
waste valve for baths and lavatories. a is the main thoroughfare for the waste.
b is a disc or mitre valve (or if preferred a flap valve) faced with rubber if desired
such facing being by preference free to revolve for the sake of uniformity of wear.
c is the valve seat. The said valve and seat are disposed at an angle to the main
thoroughfare the valve being contained in a chamber or valve box d through the
side of which passes at a suitable angle the tubular slotted guide e for the valve
stem f. An ordinary stuffing box or a rolling packing ring g enters the valve stem
to work fluid tight in the said guide. To the lower end of the stem f there is
jointed one end of a link h the opposite end being jointed to the shorter end i of a
weighted lever worked by a pull or otherwise and turning on a fulcrum k in the
end of the said guide, the link and short end of the lever i constituting a knee or
toggle joint lever which when the valve is closed as shown in the drawing will le
in a straight line within the guide and maintain the valve securèly locked or closed
against the pressure thus preventing it from opening and causing concussion in the
event of any other valve or draw off cock in the same pipe being opened, whilst the
slightest movement of the weighted lever will deflect the toggle joint and allow the
valve to open fully as shown by the dotted lines. For supply valves I prefer to
make the valve so as to shut against the pressure.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of another arrangement of waste or discharge
valve specially adapted for baths. Fig 3 is a plan of the same. Figure 4 is a view.
of the back of the valve inside the valve box and figure 5 is an edge view of the
plate forming the back of the valve box and showing one of the bearings which
carry the valve.
a is the valve box secured to the plate or flange b which carries
the two lugs or bearings c c' for the journals d of the flap valve e and has cast
thereon the screwed nozzle f of the waste discharge. One of these lugs c¹ is
removeable to facilitate the mounting of the valve it being attached by screws to
the plate or flange b (see figure 5). This valve e is faced with rubber (by preference

page_text: left free to rotate on a centre e¹) which bears against a seat formed round the mouth
of the discharge nozzle f opening into the back of the valve box. g is a weighted
lever attached to the valve journals which lever I make by preference of a U shape
as shown in figure 3 for the sake of greater compactness for keeping the valve
closed. h is the connector with any convenient pull or handle so that when this
lever is lifted the valve will leave the mouth of the discharge nozzle f fully open.
i is the outlet from the bottom of the valve box leading direct to a syphon trap or
to the discharge waste. kk are rubber washers mounted on the valve journals and
held against the inner faces of the lugs or bearings by shoulders or collars on the
journals for keeping the joints fluid and air tight. By this arrangement of waste
or discharge I not only ensure a quick and direct discharge which constitutes a
sufficiently powerful flush to maintain the discharge or waste pipe thoroughly clean
but I obviate the necessity for the usual stand pipe or other passage way which
although liable to become fouled is not usually subjected to any flushing action to
keep it clean as is the case with the ordinary arrangement of "feather waste or
quick discharge valves. The said arrangement moreover effectually prevents the
passage of air through the waste pipe into the house whether the trap be sealed or
not there being no channel or opening for access for air as is the case when the
over flow is combined with the waste arrangement.
"
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a combined syphon trap and deep U shaped
head or socket piece with vertical sides for receiving the end of a split or open
channel pipe of corresponding section and also affording ready access to the lowest
part of the trap as well as to the discharge side thereof. Figure 7 is a front
elevation of the said socket piece and Figure 8 is a longitudinal section detached of
a channel pipe corresponding to the said U shaped socket piece. a is the socket
piece left open at the top to receive removeable grating into which socket piece
may be fitted the end of the channel pipe b (fig 8) of the same shape as the
socket piece. c is the syphon trap the inlet to which opens direct from the bottom
of the socket piece a and is readily accessible whilst the outlet side of the said trap is
in direct communication through the bridge piped with the end e of the said socket
piece such pipe or passage d affording ready and direct access to the waste pipe or
drain for cleansing and inspection from the inside of the socket piece a the waste
pipe or drain being connected at f to the syphon trap. g is a plate secured by
thumb screws nuts or otherwise (so as to be readily removeable) over the mouth of
the bridge piece d in order to perfectly seal the same when not in actual use as
shown in figures 6 and 7. In most cases I mould the open U shaped socket or
head a the syphon trap c and the bridge pipe d in one piece as shown in fig 6
but they may be made in separate parts jointed together if desired. h is the usual
ventilating outlet for the waste pipe or drain on the said bridge pipe for the sake
of compactness and to bring it closer to the trap for more effectual ventilation.
Apertures can be made in the side or sides of the U shaped socket piece or head for
receiving other pipes as required. The channel pipe b may be made with or
without lateral branch inlets curving into the side of the channel pipe as found
desirable and shown at i in the separate perspective view at figure 8.
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of one of my arrangements for effecting the
intermittent automatic flushing of urinals or of drains or waste pipes generally.
It having been found in practice that the well known annular syphon or automatic
flushing tank arrangement requires a more sudden influx of of water to start it than
can be obtained by a constant dropping or gradual addition of water to the main
flushing cistern I propose to combine with the main flushing syphon a secondary
and smaller syphon contained in a separate small cistern or compartment inside
or otherwise connected with the main flushing cistern. a is the usual flushing
tank or cistern and 6 is an annular flushing syphon fitted therein as is well
understood. c. is a smaller secondary syphon contained within a separate small
tank & for the purpose of starting the main syphon. Into this secondary cistern d
water, is allowed to drop or dribble slowly from a cock e until a sufficient quantity.

page_text: has entered to start the small or secondary syphon c which then quickly discharges
the contents of the tank or cistern d into the main flushing tank a. So soon as
the water in a rises above the top of the longer leg b of the flushing syphon the
contents of the tank a are rapidly discharged into the urinal or drain pipe until
the level falls below the lip of the short leg b'. The lower ends of the longer legs
of both syphons are sealed by cups f f. I have found in practice that the well
known annular flushing syphon is occasionally liable to start its action even before
the flushing tank has received its full supply of water; to obviate this defect and
to ensure a greater regularity in the action of the syphon I make a small air vent
in the upper part of the cap or short leg which vent I prefer to make in the form
of a small air cock g' capable of being regulated as shown in figures 9, 10, 11,
and 12. I do not confine or restrict myself to the use of a single additional or
secondary syphon and cistern as shown in figure 9 as it is obvious that any
number of such syphons and cisterns may be employed in combination each
syphon and cistern being smaller than the next succeeding one into which it
discharges until by increasing the number of secondary syphons and cisterns the
largest or last of the set or the main syphon can be started by the slightest
addition of water to the first or smallest of the series of cisterns. This arrange-
ment will be found to be well adapted for flushing ranges of urinals where an
extra large flushing pipe is required.
Figures 10 and 11 are sectional elevations at right angles to eachother of
another arrangement of automatic flushing apparatus. a is the main flushing
tank, b the flushing syphon, ca tipping vessel mounted on trunnions d d so centred
(or the vessel so weighted at one end) as that immediately the vessel is filled by
the drip from a supply cock c¹ it will become overbalanced and tip over (as shown
by the dotted lines in figure 10) discharging its entire contents into the flushing
tank a thereby raising the water level therein sufficiently to start the syphon b..
When empty the vessel c resumes its normal position again being controlled in its
return motion by a buffer stop e when it is again filled and the action is repeated
as before. In order that the requisite rise of the water level in the flushing tank
may be effected more quickly I place inside the said tank at or about the level
of the top of the longer leg of the syphon a stationary water displacer f as shown.
in my drawings.
Figure 12 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 1-2 in the plan figure 13
of a third arrangement of flushing apparatus but which is not automatic in its
action as are the previously described arrangements. This apparatus consists of
the combination of a moveable water displacer with a combined supply and
flushing tank whereby I not only ensure an effectual flush with a given quantity.
of water at any time required but also prevent waste of water as hereinafter
explained. a (figures 12 and 13) is the main flushing tank which may be of any.
desired shape but is here shown as adapted for fitting into the corner of a closet
or other place. Within this tank there is formed a separate open supply tank b
containing the usual ball cock c and overflow pipe c¹ but communicating with the
main tank through a small opening or openings d only e is the longer leg of the
flushing syption fitted inside the flushing tank the shorter limb of which is formed
by the vertical partition f which descends nearly to the bottom of the flushing
tank. The shorter limb of the syphon is closed by a horizontal partition g a little
above the top of the flushing pipe e. Between the supply tank b and the syphon
there is forined a vertical compartment / open right through from top to bottom
and communicating freely at its lower end with the main body of the tank a.
compartment serves as a guide for the moveable float or plunger i connected to the
overhead lever k. This lever is weighted at one end or a spring may be used to
maintain the plunger elevated its opposite end being connected in any suitable
manner with a handle or pull for lowering the plunger when a flush is required.
are two lids or covers fitting into the space between the guiding compartment h
and the sides of the main tank a such lids or covers being fixed at or about the
h
This

page_text: normal level of the water in the tank so as to prevent the water rising at those
parts of the tank when the plunger is lowered and confining the rise of water level
to the shorter limb of the syphon thereby starting its action more quickly or with
a less depression of the plunger. By combining with the main flushing tank a and
its flushing arrangements a supply tank 6 partitioned off from a the two tanks
being in communication with eachother only through the small opening or
openings d I prevent waste of water by rendering it impossible under any circum-
stances to keep the syphon in continuous action by the simultaneous supply from
the ball cock as is sometimes the case with apparatus of this character working
with constant service under great pressure. When a reserve of water is required
for recharging the basin of a closet urinal or other sanitary appliance after flushing
I employ an additional reservoir for intercepting a portion of the flush and allowing
it to flow slowly down the flush pipe after the action of the syphon, lateral openings
being provided in the flush pipe at or about the level of the bottom of the said
reservoir.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect
I would observe in conclusion that as I am aware that various arrangements of
moveable water displacers have been proposed in connection with syphon flushing
apparatus for the purpose of charging and so starting the syphon I do not claim
separately the use of a moveable water displacer for such purpose but what I
consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the invention secured to
me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is:-
First. The combination with a supply valve or with a waste valve for baths and
lavatories of a weighted lever arm and toggle or knee joint lever substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by fig 1 of my
drawings
Second. Disposing the said valve and toggle joint lever at an angle to the
discharge thoroughfare as and for the purpose specified and illustrated by figure 1
of
my
Thir ne peculiar arrangement of bath waste or discharge as hereinbefore
descued and illustrated by figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 of my drawings.
Fourth. The combination with a syphon trap of a deep seated U shaped socket
piece or head for receiving the end of a corresponding split or channel pipe the
closed end of the said socket piece being in direct communication by a bridge pipe
or passage with the discharge side of the syphon trap substantially as and for
the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by figures 6 and 7 of my
drawings.
Fifth. Sealing the mouth of the said bridge pipe when not required for use by
a removeable plate easy of access from the interior of the beforementioned socket
piece as hereinbefore described and illustrated by figures 6, and 7.
Sixth. In an automatic syphon flushing tank arrangement the combination with
the main flushing syphon and tank of one or more secondary and self acting
syphons thereby enabling the main flushing syphon to be started automatically
and at any given interval of time with a very slight expenditure of water substan-
tially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by figure 9 of
my drawings.
Seventh. In an automatic syphon flushing tank arrangement the combination
with the flushing syphon and tank of a self acting tipping or tilting vessel which
when filled, suddenly discharges its contents into the flushing tank and so starts
the syphon therein substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
figures 10 and 11 of my drawings.
Eighth. The combination with the aforesaid tipping or tilting vessel and flushing
syphon of a stationary water displacer in the flushing tank as and for the purpose
herein before described.
Ninth. The peculiar.combination and arrangement of supply and flushing tanks

page_text: with the flushing syphon the central guiding compartment containing a water
displacer and the lateral compartments closed at the normal water level by lids or
covers as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated by figures 12
and 13 of my drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Samuel Stevens Hellyer have hereunto set my
hand and seal this fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
S. STEVENS HELLYER (L.S.)