other Buildings, and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1886

page_text: other Buildings, and to Apparatus therefor. .
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex 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:-
The main objects of my said improvements are to provide for a frequent reliable
and effective siphonage of the contents of house drains, not only as regards liquids
and such solid matters as are incident to domestic drains, but also as to offensive
and dangerous gases. With my improvements in their best form I deem it practi-
cable to obviate all necessity for such traps as have heretofore been deemed
necessary adjacent to bowls, closets, and other feeders of house drains, but traps
may be thus employed if desired without departure from my invention, and a
portion of any present improvements are applicable thereto.
An important factor in my apparatus is a ball syphon which is described in the
specification of a former Letters Patent and which embodies a ball and an inclined
seat into which the ball can wedge itself, and thereby effect a tight closure, which
is not dependant upon the mere weight of the ball, but is due to the frictional
adhesion of said ball with its seat.
As a part of my present invention, I have provided for a reliable flushing
operation dependant upon the contents of the house sewer or drain pipe, and have
devised certain details in construction, involving economy and facilities for cou-
venient inspection of the ball and its seat; as well as for the convenient and
economical repair of the parts most liable to derangement from wear.
As another part of my present invention I have devised means whereby the
surface of the ball is scraped and kept free from slimy matter and thus rendered
more reliable, when employed with a seat into which it can wedge itself, and
at the same time enable the ball to more firmly seat itself, than when the plain
inclined seat is used. When this portion of my improvement is employed with
balls which co-operate with seats on which they merely rest, the balls are also

page_text: well scraped and kept free from undue accretions of slimy matter, and hence they
can operate with better closure and obviate the undue collection of offensive matter
common to balls in the ordinary forms of ball traps.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 illustrates in vertical section a building containing all of my improve-
ments in what I deem their best form,
Figure 2 is a plan or top view of the flushing siphon and its connections with
the main soil pipe and with an extension which leads to a street sewer, and
illustrates the use of a cut out pipe by which sewer connections can be established
with the house independently of the siphon.
Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the siphon, and its ball tripping
mechanism, portions of the several parts being either broken away or shown in
section for disclosing the interior.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section of figure 3 on line y.
Figure 5 is an exterior or side view of the portion of my apparatus which
contains the ball, and the ball cleaner or scraper.
Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the same with the ball in its seat.
Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the ball seat detached.
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively lateral sections of Figure 7 on lines x and y.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the scraping device by which the ball is kept
clean, the same being detached from the apparatus.
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate in vertical section, two variations in the con-
struction of the ball seat which is in each case provided with an integral scraper.
Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the scrapers as applied to ordinary ball traps and
in which the ball cannot wedge itself.
Figure 15 in section illustrates a variation in the construction of the scraper
shown in Figure 10.
In Figure 1 I have illustrated set basin A, closet B, local tanks B¹, kitchen
sink C with grease trap Cl, and bath tub D, each of which has its waste pipe
coupled to the vertical soil pipe E, in a manner substantially as heretofore, except
as will be observed, I employ no local traps as heretofore, in any of the lateral
waste pipes, and thereby not only obviate a large item in the cost of plumbing,
but I also avoid such offensive deposits as are well known to be liable to be
collected and retained in traps of all kinds. The grease trap C₁ it is to be under-
stood is not for cutting off gaseous communication with the soil pipe, but merely
to facilitate the collection and ready removal of such matter as should if possible
be excluded from all house drainage pipes. The theory under which I dispense
with what are intended to serve as sewer gas traps (but seldom so operate) is that
house drain pipes by being siphoned at more or less frequent intervals, and freely
supplied with fresh air following each flushing operation, will not and cannot
contain gases offensive or dangerous to health, especially if during the intervals
between the flushing operations, an absolutely reliable gas trap is afforded at the
siphon between the sewer connections and the main soil pipe of the house.
At its
As here shown the vertical soil pipe E extends from the cellar of the house,
through the roof in a direct line, and this I deem important in all cases.
top the soil pipe E communicates with the open air and may or may not be
provided with a cap. A ventilating cowl of small capacity may be applied thereto,
but I prefer that all air currents in said pipe should be downward. Near the
roof, or at any other desirable point, I couple said vertical soil pipe with a
flushing tank E¹, which may contain any of the well known mechanism for
automatically discharging its contents into the soil pipe.
For disinfecting the soil pipe after each flushing operation, it is sometimes
desirable to interpose between the tank E¹ and the soil pipe a chamber F to be
filled with suitable disinfecting salts, such as sulphate of iron (copperas) resting
upon a loose mass of fibrous matter, and said chamber is located below a bend.
in said connecting pipe, and respectively coupled thereto, and with the soil pipe
so that during each flushing operation, said chamber will be filled with water,

page_text: without in any manner impairing the rushing velocity of the water in large
volume into the soil pipe, and also so that after each flushing operation the liquid
contents of the chamber will pass downward into the soil pipe. The intervals
between the flushing operations, and the consequent intervals between the delivery
of the disinfectant can be varied according to the gradulated supply of water to
the tank, as from a street main or other available source.
At the foot of the vertical soil pipe and coupled thereto is what I term the
main soil pipe G usually located in the cellar of a building as shown, and secured
to a side wall thereof. I deem it advisable that its joints be wholly exposed in
order that any leakage may be at once detected and corrected. I also deem it
desirable that said main pipe be of considerable length, and inclined downward
towards its outlet as shown. Said main soil pipe should generally be considerably
larger in diameter than the vertical soil pipe, and be provided with an upwardly
turned elbow G with which the flushing apparatus H is connected, this latter
being in turn connected with the sewer I by the usual drain pipe I', this latter being
as much lower than the main soil pipe as circumstances will permit.
It is to be understood that the flushing apparatus H can be widely varied in its
construction without departure from certain features of my invention, provided it
is sealed against the escape of offensive gases, operates as a positively closed trap
against the entrance of sewer gases to the main soil pipe during its quiescent
intervals, and is capable of so permitting the rapid discharge of accumulated liquid
and solid contents from said soil pipes, as to also withdraw gases therefrom, and
still further to cause them to be filled with fresh air. I have, however, here shown
an automatic flushing siphon which was devised by me, as hereinbefore indicated,
and said siphon is so organized that it is automatically operated by the liquid
contents of the soil pipes at more or less frequent intervals, which may be readily
varied to meet requirements from time to time. The attachment to a house drain
or soil pipe, of a flushing apparatus capable of being intermittingly operated by
the contents of said drain or pipe, I believe to be a novel feature, and its value will
be obvious when it is considered that in many cases a large and wasteful use of
water would be required for effecting the clearance of the pipes, which I am enabled
to accomplish by the use of sewage alone. If, however, a waste of water be of no
consequence, it is always desirable that it be used freely, but with my apparatus it
can be best admitted directly into the soil pipes, and thus not only serve by its
weight for flushing, but also by its flow between the flushing operations to thoroughly
cleanse said pipes.
My flushing siphon Has here shown differs in some valuable particulars from
that illustrated in my aforesaid prior Letters Patent, and it is best illustrated on
Sheet 1. The elbow G¹ of the main soil pipe is provided with a flange a pierced
for the passage of bolts b. The siphon head c or ball chamber, at its front down-
wardly curved end has a flange d, also pierced for the reception of said bolts b, and
said head at its rear end is in any suitable manner thoroughly coupled to the drain
pipe I
Between the flanges a and d is the ball seat chamber e squared up at its
top and bottom edges and provided with gaskets in the form of discs of lead,
rubber, felt, or other suitable packing material, so that when the several bolts b are
in place, and their nuts tightened up, said chamber will be securely clamped
between the two flanges a and d. It will be readily seen although the ball
chamber or siphon head and the soil pipe elbow be firmly mounted i,e, so as to be
practically immovable, that they will nevertheless be capable of being sprung apart
slightly if the bolts be properly loosened, and that upon removal of the bolts at one
side of the ball seat chamber, the latter can be readily removed laterally, and be as
readily replaced. In its best form said ball seat chamber is made of transparent
glass, whereby its interior can be investigated. I am aware that ball traps have
heretofore had transparent glass casings, but I think that I am the first to provide
a detachable transparent ball seat chamber in connection with a separate ball
chamber, whereby not only can the interior be inspected, but also whereby a
durable and non-corrosive inclined ball seat is cheaply provided.

page_text: The ball within the siphon is composed of wood or metal or rubber or any other
suitable material, and is of such size that it snugly fits the interior of the ball seat
chamber so as to require pressure from beneath for releasing it from its seat. The
upper portion of the head c is so constructed internally that the ball after leaving
its sent is carried upward by a rush of liquid to the upper portion of the head on
supporting ways f₁, and is there retained until siphonage ceases, whereupon it rolls
backwardly and drops to its seat.
As thus far described it is to be understood that the ball and its inclined seat
are of such a character that the ball when fully seated can only be displaced by
pressure applied to and below the ball. Referring now to Figure 1 it will be
assumed that the ball in its lightest contact with its seat can be displaced by the
pressure thereon of the contents of the soil pipes when at the height indicated by
the lower dotted line ; and also that said ball may be so firmly seated as to
require such maximum pressure as would result if the vertical pipe were filled to
the height of the dotted line ¹. Under these circumstances the contributions
to the soil pipe from its various laterals will occasion intermitting rushing dis-
charges through the siphon, and into the sewer, and during each discharge, fresh
air will be drawn into the vertical soil pipe, and after each discharge the ball will
fall to its seat, and securely seal the mouth of the main soil pipe against the
entrance of gas from the sewer.
It will be observed that when the ball is thrown from its seat, that the entire
outward passage through the pipes to the sewer is wholly unobstructed. Should
masses of paper, rags, or other similar matter chance to accumulate below the ball,
they would only serve to more effectually close the siphon, and merely involve
correspondingly greater pressure for operating it, and as one safeguard against the
rising of the liquid in the vertical soil pipe above the entrance to its lowest series
of laterals, I introduce a small vent pipo g, which extends horizontally from said
pipe, above the line ¹ to the open air above the surface of the ground. This pipe g
when the siphon operates properly serves also as an air inlet.
In order to provide for unusually frequent operations of the siphon during
stormy weather, the main soil pipe is extended, as at G2, beyond its connection
with the vertical pipe, and is then connected with a down pipe K outside the
building and communicating with the gutters of the roof so that the collected rain
fall not only enters the soil pipe as has been done heretofore, but in this combi-
nation it for the first time serves to more frequently operate the syphon, and cause
fresh air to be more frequently drawn into and circulated through the vertical soil
pipe and its laterals. In this connection it is to be understood that a small air
inlet pipe extended from the open air to the main soil pipe near the siphon, as
indicated at h in dotted lines, will be generally desirable, so that as soon as the
liquid contents cease to fill the soil pipe G below the siphon air can enter for
enabling the contents of the sewer pipe I to be rapidly discharged and the ball to
promptly fall to its seat. For affording a sewerage connection in the event of
necessary repairs to the siphon, I introduce a "cut-out" pipe G³ provided with a
suitable gate or valve, by which the contents of the soil pipe G may pass around
the siphon to the sewer pipe I as illustrated in Figure 2. With the apparatus as
thus far described, reliable and satisfactory results can be obtained, but I deem it
advisable for guarding against all possible contingencies in the failure of the
siphon to operate, when an ample quantity of matter has accumulated within the
soil pipes to warrant flushing, and therefore I have introduced mechanically
operated tripping devices whereby additional pressure is applied to the ball to aid
in releasing it from its seat. This mechanism embodies a vertically sliding ball
rod in a loose housing formed in a thickened portion of the soil pipe elbow G¹,
and provided with a packing either in the flange of said elbow within the ball
seat chamber e, or at the lower end of its housing. The upper end of the rod i is
bent inwardly slightly so as to engage with the ball, when the said rod is forced
upwardly. In soine cases the housing of this rod is sufficiently large at its upper
end to receive the bent end of said rod, as when the ball seat chamber is to be

page_text: It is
removed. Another portion of the tripping mechanism consists of a lever k pivotted
at one end to said sliding rod i, and at its other end to a vertically sliding post or
bar provided with one or more guide brackets m extending from an adjacent wall,
Upon the bar la tripping tank 2 is mounted, and said tank and bar are maintained
normally in an elevated position by means of an expansive spiral spring encircling
said bar, and having its base on the bracket m. The upper end of said spring is
engaged by a set nut tapped on the bar Ɩ, and below the bracket m said bar is
provided with a sliding collar 13 having a set screw, thus enabling said spring to
be adjusted so as to support the tank n without depressing the bar until the
weight of said tank is properly supplemented by liquid deposited therein.
obvious that a tripping tank mounted on said rod might be supplied with water
by way of a cock from a house service pipe, and organized in a well known
manner for discharging its contents as soon as it had depressed the rod and tripped
the ball, and it is to be understood that such may be done without departure
from certain portions of my invention. In its best form however this tripping
apparatus is operated by liquid supplied by the soil pipe as follows: The tank is
coupled to the soil pipe by means of a small pipe o, coiled as shown to admit of
free vertical movement of the tank, and access to its interior from the open air is
afforded by the similarly coiled pipe o¹, so that as the liquid backs up in the soil
pipe it rises into the tank until it has a sufficient weight thereof to overcome the
spring, and trip the ball, whereupon as the siphonage proceeds the contents of the
tank return to the soil pipe and the tank rises, thus depressing the ball rod i.
The air pipe o not only serves as a vent for air during the filling of the tank with
liquid, but also as an air induct for permitting the liquid to freely leave the tank,
and also for admitting air to the soil pipe.
It is now to be understood, as herein before indicated, that the ball siphon can in
most cases be relied upon without the aid of the tripping apparatus, and especially
if the ball scat chamber be constructed in its best form. As shown in Figure 3
the ball seat chamber e has sinooth inclined sides into which the ball f wedges
itself, as in my said prior Patent. For keeping the ball clean and free from slimy
matter, a scraper or clearer is provided as illustrated in figures 5 to 12 inclusive.
In figures 5 to 10 I show an annular scraping ring p which is inserted between the
top of the ball seat chamber e, and the flange d of the head c, and suitable clastic
packing is also used, so that when the bolts bor their equivalent screw clamps b¹
are applied, the several parts are firmly united and tight joints secured.
The inner lower edge 21 of the scraping ring has a diameter somewhat less than
the normal diameter of the elastic faced ball fused therewith, so that the latter in
falling is uniformly compressed in passing said edge, which therefore operates not
only as a scraper for clearing the ball, but also causes the ball to be held to its seat
with greater firmness than when the plain smooth seat is used as shown in
Figure 3. In order that the ball shall be limited in its fall through or below the
scraping ring, the projecting lugs e¹ are provided which obviously serve as stops
for the ball.
Instead of having the scraping ring a separate piece, it may be formed integrally
with the ball seat chamber e as shown in Figure 11 wherein at p a properly
formed edge is developed on the interior of the chamber, and the interior of the
chamber is enlarged below said edge. The diameter of the chamber at said
scraping edge is less than the normal diameter of the elastic ball, and therefore
said edge operates like the detachable scraping ring first described, because as the
ball drops and passes said edge, it is well scraped and cleaned, and said edge also
enables the ball to be more firmly seated than if the seat were simply inclined and
smooth as in Figure 3.
These integral scrapers p² may be employed in any desired number, as for
instance in Figure 12, three are shown. It will be observed that above the
scraper in each case there is an inclined surface, and this provides for the gradual
compression of the ball as it descends, and that portion of the ball which passes
below the scraper is free to expand. The increased adhesion of the ball to its seat,

page_text: because of the presence of the scraper, enables a light ball to be used, which will
not be displaced from its seat in flushing, until a column of water is accumulated
in the soil pipe, which can exert a pressure against the ball many times greater
then its mere weight and consequently when the ball is dislodged it is readily
thrown to the upper end of the head c, and easily kept there during the rushing
passage of the mass of water and other matter through the trap. The feature of
employing a scraper for keeping a ball clean in a house drainage trap is broadly
new, and its valve is not limited to such traps as involve the ball wedging
principle, but is applicable with good results to those old forms of ball traps in
which the ball merely rests upon its seat; as for instance, as shown in Figure 13,
wherein the scraping rings p³ are above the ball, and mounted on suspended
supports p. In this case the scraping rings are enough larger in diameter than
the ball to permit the latter to freely rise and fall, but in doing so the ball will
strike the scrapers on one side or the other, and thus be kept practically clean and
free from the slime which would otherwise collect upon it.
In Figure 14 the scrapers p³ are integral with the ball seat chamber, but the
pendant guides are here shown so as to restrict the ball to a vertical movement
without obstructing the flow of water, and, as in the last described trap, the
diameter of the scrapers is greater than the ball, so that the latter in rising from
and falling to its seat will in like manner be scraped and kept practically clean.
It is not always essential that the scraping ring p shown in Figure 10, should be
composed of metal, or other rigid material except when a flexible, or flexible faced
ball is used, because if the ball be non compressible, the scraping ring can be
composed of flexible material; as, for instance, as illustrated in Figure 15, wherein
the scraper p is shown in section and hollow. In this case the flexible scraping
ring would normally be of less diameter than the ball, so that it could expand as
the ball passed through it, and thus perform not only the desired scraping function,
but it also serves to confine the ball to its seat, until proper pressure has been
applied for displacing it for securing a proper flusting operation.
Such flexible scraping rings can however be successfully employed with flexible
balls.
It is now to be understood that although I deem it seldom essential under my
system to employ special traps in connection with bowls and closets, I advise that
if traps be used such as are shewn in figures 13 and 14 be employed, or in lieu
thereof traps in which the ball will wedge, as previously described, care being taken
to provide for a proper head or fall of water below the bowl or closet, to insure the
detaching of the ball from its seat, and the consequent flushing action of the water
in considerable volume.
While I prefer to employ all of the several features of my invention substantially
as shown and described, it will be obvious from the foregoing description that
certain portions can be successfully used independently of others.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign Correspondent I declare that what I claim is:-
First. The combination of a vertical soil pipe, communicating at its top with
the open air, a main soil pipe coupled to the foot of the vertical pipe, and an
automatic flushing apparatus connected with said main pipe, and with a pipe
leading to a sewer substantially as described, whereby at intervals the liquid, solid
and gaseous contents of the main and vertical pipes will be automatically with-
drawn and discharged into the sewer, and the soil pipes and their laterals ventilated,
as Betforth.
Second. The combination of a ventilated vertical soil pipe, a main soil pipe, an
automatic flushing siphon coupled to said main pipe between it and a sewer, and
a down spout for receiving rain water from a roof coupled to said main soil pipe,
substantially as described, whereby during a rain storm the soil pipes are
frequently cleansed of liquids and gases and ventilated by the intermitting

page_text: action of the siphon due to the water delivered from the roof to the soil pipes as
set forth.
Third. The combination of an upwardly turned and flanged soil pipe elbow, the
flanged siphon head or ball chamber, the detachable ball seat chamber interposed
between the parallel flanges of the head and soil pipe elbow, and bolts or clamps
engaging with said flanges for clamping the ball seat chamber in position and for
enabling it to be removed laterally without disturbance of the soil pipe or said
head, substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination with the flanged siphon head or ball chamber, flanged
soil pipe elbow, and clamping devices, of the ball and the detachable ball seat
chamber composed of transparent glass, substantially as described, whereby the
ball seat chamber can be readily detached from the siphon head and soil pipe, and
the ball seat rendered accessible for convenient observation, and a non corrosive
Beat afforded for said ball, as set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the soil pipes, of the ball siphon, the ball tripping
rod, and a tripping tank alternately filled and emptied for operating the ball rod
and tripping the ball, substantially as described.
Sixth. The combination with the main soil pipe, and the flushing siphon,
embodying a ball and a seat for said ball, of a ball tripping rod, a tank supported
by a spring for operating said rod, and pipes for connecting said tank with said
soil pipe and also with the open air, substantially as described, whereby liquid from
the soil pipe, by rising into said tripping tank, causes the latter to descend and
release or trip the ball from its seat in the siphon, and also whereby after the
siphon has ceased to operate, the tripping tank is emptied and caused to resume
its normal position, as set forth.
Seventh. In combination with house drainage pipes, of a ball valve provided
with one or more annular scrapers for the ball, substantially as described, whereby
in moving to and from its seat, said ball has its surface scraped and freed from
adliering matter.
Eighth. In a house drainage system, the combination with an elastic faced ball,
of a ball seat, and a scraper for said ball which is above said seat, and smaller in
diameter than said seat, and also smaller in, diameter than the normal diameter of
said ball, substantially as described, whereby the ball in falling into its said seated
position, will have a portion of its periphery freed from adhering matter, and also
enable said ball to be wedged upon or in its seat, as set forth.
Ninth. In a house drainage system, the combination of an elastic faced ball and
a ball seat chamber provided with an annular ball scraper, less in diameter than
the normal diameter of the ball, and stop lugs, below said scraper, substantially as
described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.