IMPROVE- MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO TAPS OR VALVES, CHIEFLY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES, APPLICABLE IN PART WHERE STEAM IS EMPLOYED
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James Dawborn at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 21st February 1879.
JAMES DAWBORN, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND APPERTAINING TO TAPS OR VALVES, CHIEFLY FOR DOMESTIC
PURPOSES, APPLICABLE IN PART WHERE STEAM IS EMPLOYED."
This Invention has a twofold object; first, the production of a lasting tap for
hot or cold water in houses or other buildings or places (though I do not bind
myself to use them for water only, as it is evident that they may be advantageously
employed wherever taps of ordinary construction can be used); and, second, of a
serviceable valve which can be produced at a cheap rate, and is of the class known
as "ball" valves.
Under the first part of my Invention I construct the tap and fittings preferably
of brass or gun metal, and upon the body of the tap I place a flat face having a
flange round it, and resembling the cylinder face of a steam engine. Upon this face
slides a solid valve, protected by a cover or valve case, also somewhat similar to
that of some steam cylinders, and actuated by a spindle which can be either made
to draw in and out, or may be constructed with the end inside the valve case
screwed, in which event the valve would have a hole in it screwed or tapped to
match, so that by turning the spindle the valve would traverse the face. In the
tap face are two or more holes or ports, one communicating with the end of the tap
joined to the supply pipe, the other with the open end. I prefer to leave room in
the valve case and tap face for the valve to slide back clear of both holes or ports,
when it is evident that water or other fluid will have a clear passage through the
two holes, and the tap will be open. If the valve be drawn forward so as to cover
one or both of the holes the passage will be stopped, and the tap shut.
To keep
the valve firm upon the face when the tap is shut I preferably construct the top or
back of the cover inside upon a slight incline, the back of the valve being also
inclined or slanted to fit against it, so that when moved towards the narrowest
space between cover and face the valve may be pressed firmly against the face. It
is not material to my Invention towards which end of the face this inclination tends,
but I prefer to place it so that the valve is pressed over the opening or port farthest
from the supply pipe. In some cases I may employ other means of pressing the
valve on to the face, such as springs, or allowing the pressure of the fluid to act
upon the back of the valve. I generally place a stuffing box round the spindle to

page_text: keep it tight, and fasten the cover on to the tap by means of screws or bolts, the
joint being made secure by means of white or red lead, or any of the means usually
employed for such purposes. It will be seen that this form of tap is applicable to
a vertical or other position, as well as the usual horizontal one, and that it can be
used not only as a terminal tap, but may be placed between two pieces of pipe and
used as a stop cock. In the latter case I prefer to place the tap face at an angle to
the tap body for convenience in actuating the spindle. I can also place a spindle
carrying the handwheel or handle at right angles or nearly so to the tap body, and
connect it to the spindle proper by mitre or bevel wheels; or segments thereof if
the spindle is to revolve, or by a lever or spur segment and rack if it is to draw.
Under the second part of my Invention I prefer to use a cheaper form of material
than brass or gun metal, and to make the valve body cylindrical and reduced in
diameter at the end, which screws on or is otherwise fastened to the supply pipe,
and to still farther reduce part of the small end inside to form the seat, I form a
branch (having an internal diameter about equal to that of the hole in the valve
seat) upon the side of the larger part of the valve body, and just beyond the seat.
The terminal end of the large part of the body is threaded or screwed inside to a
very quick pitch, and having preferably more than one thread (in practice I
generally use four threads), and into this screws easily a plug, so that when turned
even a short distance round it shall travel a considerable distance into or out of
the body of the valve. Into the internal end of this plug is screwed or otherwise
fastened another piece of metal of smaller diameter, headed or flanged at the end,
this head or flange forming the valve; or I may fasten a piece of indiarubber,
leather, or other suitable material upon it. I fasten round the small part of the
plug, and at or near its junction with the larger part, a washer preferably of leather,
and technically known as a cup leather;" this fits the inside of the body and
keeps it sufficiently tight while the water or other fluid is running. The external
end of the plug is sometimes squared to receive the end of the rod or lever which
.carries the ball (this rod and ball being of the description usually employed for
this purpose in ball taps of ordinary descriptions), and beyond this again can be
reduced and screwed to receive a nut to keep the ball rod in its place upon the
squared part. Of course other means to secure the ball rod can be adopted. The
action is extremely simple. Upon the ball rising with the water in the tank or
vessel containing it, the plug is turned partly round, and by the quick screw
impelled forward so as to bring the valve against the soat, thus stopping the supply
of water. When the water level falls the ball falls with it, turus back the plug,
and opens the valve.
"