Improvements in Taps or Valves.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Taps or Valves.
We, JOHN JONES of 40 Sydney Street, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Builder, and HENRY WILKINSON LATHAM of 30 Priory Road, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to taps or valves more especially to what are known as
float valves or ball valves. In the case of the ball valves the particular object
which we desire to secure is to maintain a full through-way until the tank is almost
full when the valve is quickly closed. The details of the mechanism may be varied,
but the following description will serve to indicate how the invention and its
modifications may be carried into effect.
The valve stem may pass horizontally through the cock body and carrying the
float arm of a float valve which normally lies in a more or less vertical direction
the float oscillating upon each side of the vertical line and normally resting near its
bottom limit. The valve spindle carries a loose disc or equivalent provided with
two stops and carrying a float arm the float by preference being heavier and
having more floatation power than the previously described float. The operation
of this device is as follows:-The cistern being empty both floats lie at their lowest
limit, the float upon the disc which we will call the lowest float reaching its lowest
position and one of its stops forcing the float upon the valve spindle which we will
call the fixed float to one side we will say the left side of the vertical line. In this
position with the valve full open the apparatus remains until the water rises so far
as to engage with the fixed float which then remains held by the water in its
extreme position to the left of the centre line. As the water rises it ultimately
reaches the lowest float and carrying that up turns the disc upon the valve spindle
until when the cistern is approximately full the second stop upon the disc engages
the fixed float arm forcing it past the centre line when of its own accord it imme-
diately rises on the right side of the centre line turning the valve and closing it.
The fixed float may be provided with wings or equivalent to prevent it from
rising too rapidly, these wings having the same effect as the subsidiary valve
formerly described to prevent water hammer. The same result may be attained
by means of a weighted arm upon the valve spindle arranged above the valve
spindle and oscillating upon each side of the vertical line as in the case of the
float.
Dated this 19th day of August 1893
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Taps or Valves.
We, JOHN JONES of 40 Sydney Street, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Builder, and HENRY WILKINSON LATHAM, of 30 Priory Road, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, 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 relates to taps or valves more especially to what are known as

page_text: float valves or ball valves particularly suited for use in flushing cisterns. In
the case of the ball valves the particular object which we desire to secure is to
maintain a full through-way until the tank is almost full when the valve is quickly
closed.
The valve stem may pass horizontally through the cock body and carry the float
arm of a float valve which normally lies in a more or less vertical direction, the
float oscillating upon each side of the vertical line and normally resting near its
bottom limit. The valve spindle carries a loose disc or equivalent provided with
two stops and carrying a float arm the float by preference being heavier and
having more floatation power than the previously described float. The operation
of this device is as follows;-The cistern being empty both floats lie at their lowest
limit, the float upon the disc which we will call the loose float reaching its lowest
position and one of its stops forcing the float upon the valve spindle which we will
call the fixed float to one side we will say the left side of the vertical line. In this
position with the valve full open the apparatus remains until the water rises so far
as to engage with the fixed float which then remains held by the water in its
extreme position to the left of the centre line. As the water rises it ultimately
reaches the loose float and carrying that up turns the disc upon the valve spindle
until when the cistern is approximately full, the second stop upon the disc engages
the fixed float arm forcing it past the centre line, when of its own accord it
immediately rises on the right side of the centre line turning the valve and
closing it. The fixed float may be provided with wings or equivalent to prevent
it from rising too rapidly, these wings having the same effect as the subsidiary
valve hereinafter described, viz. ;-to prevent water hammer. The same result
may be attained by means of a weighted arm upon the valve spindle arranged
above the valve spindle and oscillating upon each side of the vertical line as in the
case of the float.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 represents a float-valve constructed according to this invention, shown
in side elevation, partly in section, Figure 2 being an edge view of the same valve.
Figure 3 a modification with one ball-float, and
Figure 4 a modification with two ball-floats.
Like letters represent like parts throughout the drawings.
A is the body or casing in which the valve works, and containing the valve
seat A' and valve B pivotted at B₁ upon the curved arm B2, forming part of or
fixed to the spindle C, Figure 2, to which at its outer end, is firmly secured the
stem D¹ of the ball-float D. The spindle C also carries loosely the disc E from
which extends the stem E¹ of the ball-float E2, studs E3 E' projecting from the face
of the disc in such a manner as to alternately engage the stem Ď' of the ball-float D,
the operation being as follows;-
In the drawing Figure 1, the cistern is supposed to be full and the valve closed,
both floats D and E being at their highest positions. When the water is with-
drawn from the cistern the float E2 falls, turning the disc E, and the stud E³
engaging with the stem D' of the float D forces that downwards (the float E³
being heavier than D) and as the stem D' is secured to the spindle C th
movement of the float D downwards has the effect of opening the valve B
and allowing the water to enter the cistern. It is assumed that all the water
or nearly so, will be drawn out of the cistern at each flush, as this device is
specially suitable for a flushing cistern. The position of the float D is indicated in
dotted lines in the drawing upon the left-hand of a vertical line drawn through the
centre of the spindle C, it having been forced to that position by the stud E³ of
the disc E, the float E having fallen to the position indicated in dotted lines. The
effect of the rising water therefore will be to retain the float D in the position
shown to the left of the vertical line and consequently to retain the valve B full
open, while the water rising in the tank gradually lifts the more powerful float E
which in rising turns the disc E until the stud E' reaches the float stem D¹
and pulls it round until it passes the vertical line when the float D immediately

page_text: rises as far as it can go, that is, until turning the spindle C, it has brought
the valve B firmly down upon its seat and the stem D' is in contact or nearly
so with the stud E³, after which upon the next flush the same cycle of operations
will be repeated.
To prevent the too sudden closing of the valve B by the float D rising too
quickly vanes F of suitable dimensions may be secured upon the stem D¹ or upon
the float D, so as to offer resistance in passing through the water and thus control
the movement of the float D.
In Figure 3 the same cycle of operations is employed but instead of using the
float D below the level of the valve a weight D above the level of the valve and
swinging to either side of the vertical line as before, is employed. The operation
is exactly the same as that previously described, but the position of the stem D' is
reversed. If desired an arm may project downwards from the spindle C and carry
vanes F which in moving through the water would prevent the weight D from
falling over too rapidly and causing water hammer in the pipe by the too sudden
closing of the valve B.
In Figure 4 the two floats and stems are employed, but their positions are
reversed, D being now the larger float and E2 the smaller. The valve B is
connected with the float stem D¹ by the link B³ the stem being pivotted in the
valve body A by a pin D³ which works in a slot A² so that when the float D is at
its lowest position as shown in full lines in the drawing the pin D³ bears upon the
lower end of the slot A2 and the valve is raised and fully opened, and drawn down
and fully closed when D is at its highest position shown in dotted lines, at
which time the pin D3 is at an intermediate part of the slot A2 and the relief
valve H hereafter described is pressed by the float stem D₁ up to its seat.
The second float E2 is by its stem E¹ connected with the detent G pivotted at Gi
in the valve body A; this detent is provided with a notch G2 in which under
certain circumstances rests the stud D2 of the stem D¹, the operation being as
follows:-
In the drawing the valve is shown fully open and the float D in its lowest
position at the bottom of the cistern, the detent G engaging with the stud D2 and
thus holding the float down. As the water comes in the float D remains at its
lowest position until the water reaches the float E2 which in rising withdraws the
detent G from the stud D2 when the float D immediately rises, the stud thus
passing inside the detent G which has been removed out of its way by the simul-
taneous rising of the float E2 to its highest position at the top of the water, as
indicated in dotted lines. The rising of the float D has drawn down and closed the
valve as will be readily understood. As the water falls the float E' also descends,
the detent G resting against the stud D' until the float D falling when the water
gets down to its level, the stud D2 travels along the face of the detent G until it
reaches the notch G2 when the weight of the float E2 causes the detent to slip over
the stud D and hold it as before explained.
To prevent water hammer a subsidiary or relief valve H is seated at the end of
a port or passage A2 in the valve body A so as to seal the cataract chamber A³
except as regards leakage past the loosely-fitting piston valve B (or through a
special bye-pass not shown in the drawing) thereby checking the descent of B
which can then only descend at the rate the water is admitted to chamber A³.
This valve H also serves to release the pressure tending to hold the main valve B
to its seat when valve H is to be opened, for before H can be raised the pin D³
must move to the bottom of the slot A2 and in doing so the float stem D' is with-
drawn from the valve H whereupon the pressure of water readily overcomes the
pressure of the spring H' and B may be easily raised.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is ;-

page_text: valve of a ball-float adapted to move to either side of a vertical line through its
pivot or centre of motion substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In a float valve the combination with a float such as described in the preceding
claim of a second float free to move within certain limits without operating the first
float but beyond those limits operating the first float substantially as and for the
purpose described.
3. In a float valve the combination with a spindle C having a valve carrying
arm such as B² moving with it of a float such as D rigidly connected to the spindle
a disc such as E loose upon the spindle and adapted by means such as the
studs E³ E to control the movements of the float D and rigidly connected with a
float such as E the whole constructed and operating substantially as described and
illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a float valve the combination of two floats such as D and E operating
together substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in Figure Ĭ
of the accompanying drawings.
5. In a float valve the combination with float D of vanes such as F substantially
as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In a float valve the combination with a valve operating spindle such as C of
a weighted arm such as D D' secured thereto a disc or equivalent such as E loose
on the spindle and controlling the movements of the arm D D' and a ball float
connected with the disc substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the
-accompanying drawings.
7. In a float valve the combination with a float such as D whose stem D' is
pivotted in the valve-body and connected to the valve of a second float E² whose
stem E' is rigidly connected to a detent such as G operating in conjunction with a
stud or equivalent D2 of the float stem D' substantially as and for the purpose
described and illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
8. In a float valve the combination of a float such as D whose stem D' is
pivotted as by a pin and slot D³ A² a loosely fitted main piston valve connected
with the float stem D₁ a cataract chamber A³ port such as A2 auxiliary valve H
second float E2 and detent such as G and D2 substantially as described and
illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of June 1894.
JOHN JONES.
H. WILKINSON LATHAM.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Date of Application; 21st Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left; 21st June, 1894-Accepted, 28th July, 1894
:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Taps or Valves.
We, JOHN JONES of 40 Sydney Street, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Builder, and HENRY WILKINSON LATHAM of 30 Priory Road, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to taps or valves more especially to what are known as
float valves or ball valves, although in some cases they can be used as ordinary
taps. In the case of the ball valves the particular object which we desire to secure
is to maintain a full through-way until the tank is almost full when the valve is
quickly closed. The details of the mechanism may be varied, but the following
description will serve to indicate how the invention and its modifications may be
carried into effect.
In the first form we employ any suitable form of cock body in which is a valve
operated by a weighted link spindle or equivalent so arranged that when the weight
has dropped the valve is closed. In this form of valve we also employ a trigger
which when set holds the valve in its open position and a ball float and arm adapted
to operate upon the weight and valve and also upon the trigger. The valve may
also have a small subsidiary valve if desired to prevent what is known as the water
hammer in the pipes when the valve is closed too rapidly. The operation of this ⚫
construction would be as follows:-The ball float in sinking with the water raises
the weight, valve stem and valve thus opening the valve and allowing the water to
flow into the tank; during this movement the trigger is free from control of the
float valve and being weighted or spring controlled it automatically engages with
the valve or some suitable working part so as to hold the valve open. When the
water begins to rise in the cistern the ball float rises and engaging with the trigger
gradually raises it until when the cistern is entirely or approximately full it releases
the valve and weight and allows the weight to fall thus closing the valve and
immediately, shutting off the water, the smaller or subsidiary valve if such be
employed allowing a slight escape of water during the closing of the main valve,
and preventing the water hammer. With this arrangement we may employ
cataract.chamber. into which the water can get past the valve which in this form
may conveniently be a piston valve loosely fitting in the cylinder, the water
escapes from the cataract chamber thus formed by the subsidiary valve already
mentioned.
B
In a modification. the valve is carried upon a curved arm the spindle of which
passes horizontally through the cock body or casing to the outside where it carries
a weighted arm to which is pivotted the float lever, the latter carrying a stud or
projection adapted to engage with a trigger and also with a fixed stop upon the
outside of the cock body. The weighted. arm also carries a stud or projection
adapted to engage with the trigger which is pivotted on the outside of the cock
body. The operation is as follows:-The water being out the ball float is at its
lowest position lifting the weighted lever to its highest position when the stud of
the weighted lever engages with the trigger which prevents the lever from falling.
The weighted lever being connected with the valve has opened it to its fullest
extent and the water enters fullbore. As the water rises the float also rises, the
float arm turning upon its centre upon the weighted lever until the cistern is
approximately full when.. the stud upon the float arm moving the trigger releases
the weighted lever it then falls and closes the valve a subsidiary valve if necessary
preventing the water hammer as in the previous case. Should the valve leak and

page_text: still allow the water in the cistern to rise slowly the float will rise carrying the float
arm with it when its stud engaging with the fixed stop upon the cock body will
force the weighted lever further down and thus press the valve more firmly upon
its seat and effectually close it. In this and other forms the outlet through which
the water escapes from the valve into the cistern may be provided with a pipe to
carry it down to or near the bottom of the cistern.
When it is desired to use these valves as ordinary taps for supplying water to
basins and the like it is merely necessary to apply a suitable button or handle in
the case of a horizontal valve spindle on to the end of that spindle and in the case
of a vertical valve spindle on to the float arm the arm being closed by the pressure
of the water or by a suitable spring or balance weight.
Dated this 19th day of August 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Taps or Valves.
☐ We, JOHN JONES of 40 Sydney Street, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Builder, and HENRY WILKINSON LATHAM of 30 Priory Road, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, 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 relates to taps or valves more especially to what are known as
float valves or ball valves (particularly suited for use in flushing cisterns), although
in some cases they can be used as ordinary taps. In the case of the ball valves
the particular object which we desire to secure is to maintain a full through-way
until the tank is almost full when the valve is quickly closed.
In the first form we employ any suitable form of cock body in which is a valve,
operated by a weighted link spindle or equivalent so arranged that when the weight
has dropped the valve is closed. In this form of valve we also employ a trigger
which, when set, holds the valve in its open position and a ball float and arm
adapted to operate upon the weight and valve and also upon the trigger. The
valve may also have a small subsidiary valve if desired to release the pressure
upon the main valve when opening and prevent what is known as the water hammer
in the pipes when the valve is closed too rapidly. The operation of this construction
would be as follows:-The ball float in sinking with the water raises the weight,
valve stem and valve thus opening the valve and allowing the water to flow into the
tank; during this movement the trigger is free from control of the float valve and
being weighted or spring coutrolled it automatically engages with the valve or
some suitable working part so as to hold the valve open. When the water begins
to rise in the cistern the ball float rises and engaging with the trigger gradually
raises it until, when the cistern is entirely or approximately full, it releases the
valve and weight and allows the weight to fall thus closing the valve and immediately
shutting off the water. With this arrangement we may employ a cataract chamber
into which the water can get slowly past the valve which in this form may con-
veniently be a piston valve loosely fitting in the cylinder, the water escapes from
the cataract chamber thus formed by the subsidiary valve already mentioned during
the opening of the main valve.
In a modification the valve is carried upon a curved arm the spindle of which
passes horizontally through the cock body or casing to the outside where it carries
a weighted arm to which is pivotted the float lever, the latter carrying a stud or
projection adapted to engage with a trigger and also with a fixed stop upon the
outside of the cock body. The weighted arm also carries a stud or projection
adapted to engage with the trigger which is pivotted on the outside of the cock

page_text: body. The operation is as follows:-The water being out the ball float is at its
lowest position lifting the weighted lever to its highest position when the stud of
the weighted lever engages, with the trigger which prevents the lever from falling.
The weighted lever being connected with, the valve has opened it to its fullest
extent and the water enters full bore. As the water rises the float also rises, the
float arm turning upon its centre upon the weighted lever until the cistern is
approximately full when the stud upon the float arm moving the trigger releases
the weighted lever, it then falls and closes the valve a subsidiary valve if necessary
preventing the water hammer. In this and other forms the outlet through which
the water escapes from the valve into the cistern may he provided with a pipe to
carry it down to or near the bottom of the cistern.
When it is desired to use these valves as ordinary taps for supplying water to
basins and the like it is merely necessary to apply a suitable button or handle
in the case of a horizontal valve spindle on to the end of that spindle and in
the case of a vertical valve spindle on to the float arm, the arm being closed
by the pressure of the water or by a suitable spring or balance weight.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a section of the first form of the invention as applied to an ordinary.
ball float, the cistern being supposed to be empty and the float down.
Figure 2 being an elevation of the same valve with the ball raised as when the
cistern is full.
Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section of a modification with a horizontal
valve spindle.
Figure 4 an elevation partly in section of a similar valve to the last, arranged as
an ordinary water tap..
Figure 5 being a cross section upon the line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Like letters represent like parts throughout the drawings.
1. .
Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, A represents the body of the valve and B the
valve itself, B being a link connecting with the weighted lever C. pivotted at C' in.
a lug or portion A' of the body A. The lever C has a projection C³ with which,
in the position shown in Figure 1, engages the projection or detent D' of the
trigger D pivotted at D2 in the lug A. E is the stem of the ball float terminating.
in the head E¹ pivotted. upon the same spindle C₁ which carries the weighted
lever C. This head E¹ is provided with a recess E2 into which when the water
rises and raises the ball and stem E, the head D of the trigger D enters; the
head E¹ is also provided with a projection E³ which under certain circumstances
engages with the weighted lever. C as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The pin C passes.
through two jaws of the lug A¹ between which are two jaws. (nearer together) of
the head E' and between these again is the single end of the weighted lever C, the..
same pin serving therefore to pivot both the float, stem E and the weighted lever C.
A is a rubber or other seating let into the body A and secured by a screwed collar.
or nipple A3; however, the exact construction of the valve seating and body A are
immaterial for the purposes of the present invention and may be varied according
to circumstances. The operation of this valve is as follows:-With the cistern...
empty and the ball float down, the projection or projections E of the head E'
engaging with the weighted lever C raise it into the horizontal position, the link B'
lifting the auxiliary valve B2 off its seat thereby allowing free egress of the water
contained in the cataract chamber A' and relieving pressure from top of valve B, the
further ascent of C₁ carrying the valve B to its raised position all as shown in
Figure 1. The lever C being raised to this position the trigger D falls to its
lowest position the detent D' engaging with the projection C' of the lever so that
the lever will be held up, and the valve held wide open during the rise of the water
and lifting of the float, the head E' of the stem E turning upon its pivot C' and
the projection E³ moving away from the weighted lever C. When the water rises
high enough the recess E' engages with the head D3 of the trigger D which then.
turns upon
its pivot D' as the ball float rises until the detent D is freed from the
projection C of the lever C when the weighted lever being then no longer
'

page_text: supported falls of its own weight and draws down first the auxiliary valve B
thereby sealing the cataract chamberi A except as regards the leak past the
valve B (or a special bye-pass provided for the purpose) and then the valve B with
it as fast as the leakage into the cataract. chamber will permit it to descend finally
closing valve B and stopping the supply, the. position then being that shown in
Figure 2, where the ball has risen to its highest climit and the head D³ of the
trigger D has worked out of the recess E' and the lever C having fallen has again
engaged with the projections E3 of the head E' which projections when the ball
falls again through water being drawn off will raise the weighted lever C and
open the valves B and B again. It will thus be seen that the valve B remains
full open until the cistern is full when upon the release of the trigger it is instantly
closed under the influence of the weighted lever C. Instead of being weighted
the lever C may be controlled by a spring.
To prevent the too sudden closing of the valve B and the production of what is
known as water hammer in the pipes a cataract chamber A* may be formed in the
valve body the water leaking slowly past between the walls of the valve B and the
body A when B is closing so as to exercise friction on it and fill chamber A*
allowing valve B to descend as the chamber fills; or this result may be obtained
by employing a special bye-pass.
The relief valve B' may be employed for allowing B to be opened against the
pressure of water in the supply pipe, thus, assuming for example that the pressure
be 40 lbs. upon the main valve B when it is closed and that the auxiliary or relief
valve B2 be one tenth the area of B, a lift of 4 lbs. will suffice to open the relief
valve thereby. releasing the pressure and enabling the main valve B to be freely
opened, whereas without B2 a lift of 40 lbs. would be necessary to open B. The
stem B³ of relief valve B² is connected by the link B¹ to lever C. Only a slight
amount of play is allowed to the valve B just sufficient to allow the water in the
cataract-chamber A' to escape through the opening in the valve B through which
the stem of the valve B' passes; the stem is enlarged into a head at B³ to prevent
it being pushed up too far under the influence of the link B'.
In Figure 3 is shown a modification in which a horizontal spindle F carries a
curved arm F to which at F2 is pivotted the valve B preferably of a mushroom
shape and fitting on to the seating A' in the valve body A much as in the former
case, but in this instance the shape of the valve differs from the cylindrical form
previously described and the water supply is shown directly above the valve B
instead of at right angles thereto as in Figures 1 and 2. The weighted lever C is
fixed upon the spindle F so that when the weight moves, the valve.B (which, as in
the former case may be provided with a relief valve B2) moves also. The ball
stem E is carried loosely upon the valve spindle F and is provided with a pro-
jection E to engage the lever C as before while the lever C has also the
projection C to engage the detent D' of the trigger D as before.
In this case
the operation is much the same as before.
.
In this form. however the cataract chamber is not employed; the head of water
being directly above the valve B. Upon the descent of E the valve B² as in
Figure 1 is opened by the spindleo. before the main valve.. B, to relieve the
pressure from .B, which: is immediately afterwards opened by the further.descent
of E. When, by the release of the trigger D, the lever C is allowed to fall the
valves B and B are drawn down the friction upon B2 or a weak. spring not shown
in the drawing preventing it from closing until after B has reached its seat A'
thereby preventing water hammer.
In Figures 4 and 5 we have shown the application of the valve as an ordinary
tap either for placing in a line of piping or provided with a bib as shown in
Figure 4. In this case the float and its connections are dispensed with, the valve B
(which in this instance is shown as a flat disc of indiarubber held between two
metal flanges in a well-known manner) is pivotted at F to the curved arm F¹
carried upon the spindle F, all very similar to what is illustrated in Figure 3; the
spindle F, however, outside the body or casing A, simply carries a. weighted.

page_text: handle G, the tendency of which in the position shown in full lines in Figure 4-
would be to hold the valve B closed, but as shown in the dotted lines, when the
handle is turned over to the right-hand side in the drawing Figure 4, the weight of
the handle G will tend to hold the valve open so that the valve can instantly be
moved to either the open or shut position and would be retained there by the
weight of the handle. It will be observed that the arm F1 either in this figure or
in Figure 3, instead of being curved as shown might be straight or nearly so, but
we prefer the curved form as it gives a much freer through-way for the water past..
the valve seat. If desired the handle can be placed at another angle upon the
spindle F so as always to exercise pressure in the direction to close the valve which
would then remain open only so long as the handle was held up. It will be
observed that in this form the spindle F is below the valve seat, so that, as the-
pressure of the water is above the valve it is not necessary to make a tight joint.
(as by employing the stuffing box) between the spindle F and the body A whereby
a saving of expense and greater freedom of action are obtained.
Where the relief valve B is required it need not as shown be placed in the main
valve B but may be carried in a suitable chamber formed in or upon the body A so.
as to be opened by the float stem, but we wish it understood that we make no claim.
to this relief valve in so far as regards its opening against pressure, our invention
in this respect residing in the arrangement whereby its closing is delayed until.
after the closing of the main valve.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a ball or float valve the combination with the valve and the float stem.
of a weighted lever such as C and trigger such as D substantially as and for the-
purpose described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying-
drawings.
2. In a ball or float valve the combination with a weighted lever such as C
having a projection such as C2 of a trigger such as D having a detent D² and.
weighted end D³ and a float stem or head such as E' E' E' substantially as and for
the purpose described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete float.
valve substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawings.
4. In a float valve the combination with a spindle F carrying upon the inside
of the body or casing a curved arm such as F1 and valve pivotted thereto of a
weighted lever such as C fixed upon the spindle outside the body or casing a.
float stem E loosely carried upon the spindle and a trigger such as D substantially
as described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
5. A float valve comprising a body or casing such as A valve B curved arm Fl
spindle F weighted lever C with projection C trigger D with projection D¹ and
float stein E with projection E substantially as described and illustrated in,
Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a tap or valve the combination with a spindle F passing through the body-
or casing and carrying inside the casing a curved arm such as F and valve pivotted.
thereto and outside the casing having a handle such as G or other means by which.
it may be turned substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of
the accompanying drawings.
7. In a tap or valve the combination with the valve operating spindle of a.
weighted handle such as G so set that when laying upon one side of the vertical.
line it will hold the valve closed and when upon the other side of the vertical line-
it will hold it open substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of
the accompanying drawings.
8. In a tap or valve the combination with apparatus for retaining the valve in a.

page_text: full-open position until the water nearly reaches its highest level of a cataract
chamber and auxiliary valve for preventing water hammer when by the release of
said apparatus the valve is allowed suddenly to close.
9. In a tap or valve the combination with apparatus for retaining the main valve
in a full-open position until the water nearly reaches its highest level of an auxiliary
valve kept open until after the main valve closes allowing a slight leakage and
thereby preventing water hammer when by the release of said apparatus the valve
is allowed suddenly to close.
10. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete tap or
valve substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of June 1894
JOHN JONES.
H. WILKINSON LATHAM.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Taps or Valves.
We, JOHN JONES of 40 Sydney Street, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Builder, and HENRY WILKINSON LATHAM of 30 Priory Road, Chiswick, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
This invention relates to taps or valves more especially to what are known as
float valves or ball valves. In the case of the ball valves the particular object
which we desire to secure is to maintain a full through-way until the tank is almost
full when the valve is quickly closed. The details of the mechanism may be varied,
but the following description will serve to indicate how the invention and its
modifications may be carried into effect.
The valve stem may pass horizontally through the cock body and carrying the
float arm of a float valve which normally lies in a more or less vertical direction
the float oscillating upon each side of the vertical line and normally resting near its
bottom limit. The valve spindle carries a loose disc or equivalent provided with
two stops and carrying a float arm the float by preference being heavier and
having more floatation power than the previously described float. The operation
of this device is as follows:-The cistern being empty both floats lie at their lowest
limit, the float upon the disc which we will call the lowest float reaching its lowest
position and one of its stops forcing the float upon the valve spindle which we will
call the fixed float to one side we will say the left side of the vertical line. In this
position with the valve full open the apparatus remains until the water rises so far
as to engage with the fixed float which then remains held by the water in its
extreme position to the left of the centre line. As the water rises it ultimately
reaches the lowest float and carrying that up turns the disc upon the valve spindle
until when the cistern is approximately full the second stop upon the disc engages
the fixed float arm forcing it past the centre line when of its own accord it imme-
diately rises on the right side of the centre line turning the valve and closing it.
The fixed float may be provided with wings or equivalent to prevent it from
rising too rapidly, these wings having the same effect as the subsidiary valve
formerly described to prevent water hammer. The same result may be attained
by means of a weighted arm upon the valve spindle arranged above the valve
spindle and oscillating upon each side of the vertical line as in the case of the
float.
Dated this 19th day of August 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Taps or Valves.
We, JOHN JONES of 40 Sydney Street, Chelsea, in the County of Middlesex,
Builder, and HENRY WILKINSON LATHAM, of 30 Priory Road, Chiswick, in th
County of Middlesex, 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 relates to taps or valves more especially to what are known as
P

page_text: float valves or ball valves particularly suited for use in flushing cisterns. In
the case of the ball valves the particular object which we desire to secure is to
maintain a full through-way until the tank is almost full when the valve is quickly
closed.
The valve stem may pass horizontally through the cock body and carry the float
arm of a float valve which normally lies in a more or less vertical direction, the
float oscillating upon each side of the vertical line and normally resting near its
bottom limit. The valve spindle carries a loose disc or equivalent provided with
two stops and carrying a float arm the float by preference being heavier and
having more floatation power than the previously described float. The operation
of this device is as follows;-The cistern being empty both floats lie at their lowest
limit, the float upon the disc which we will call the loose float reaching its lowest
position and one of its stops forcing the float upon the valve spindle which we will
call the fixed float to one side we will say the left side of the vertical line. In this
position with the valve full open the apparatus remains until the water rises so far
as to engage with the fixed float which then remains held by the water in its
extreme position to the left of the centre line. As the water rises it ultimately
reaches the loose float and carrying that up turns the disc upon the valve spindle
until when the cistern is approximately full, the second stop upon the disc engages
the fixed float arm forcing it past the centre line, when of its own accord it
immediately rises on the right side of the centre line turning the valve and
closing it. The fixed float may be provided with wings or equivalent to prevent
it from rising too rapidly, these wings having the same effect as the subsidiary
valve hereinafter described, viz. ;-to prevent water hammer. The same result
may be attained by means of a weighted arm upon the valve spindle arranged
above the valve spindle and oscillating upon each side of the vertical line as in the
case of the float.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 represents a float-valve constructed according to this invention, shown
in side elevation, partly in section, Figure 2 being an edge view of the same valve.
Figure 3 a modification with one hall-float, and
Figure 4 a modification with two ball-floats.
Like letters represent like parts throughout the drawings.
A is the body or casing in which the valve works, and containing the valve
seat A and valve B pivotted at B¹ upon the curved arm B2, forming part of or
fixed to the spindle C, Figure 2, to which at its outer end, is firmly secured the
stem D of the ball-float D. The spindle C also carries loosely the disc E from
which extends the stem E¹ of the ball-float E³, studs E3 E' projecting from the face
of the disc in such a manner as to alternately engage the stem D' of the ball-float D,
the operation being as follows;-
In the drawing Figure 1, the cistern is supposed to be full and the valve closed,
both floats D and E2 being at their highest positions. When the water is with-
drawn from the cistern the float E2 falls, turning the disc E, and the stud E³
engaging with the stem D' of the float D forces that downwards (the float E³
being heavier than D) and as the stem D' is secured to the spindle C th
movement of the float D downwards has the effect of opening the valve B
and allowing the water to enter the cistern. It is assumed that all the water
or nearly so, will be drawn out of the cistern at each flush, as this device is
specially suitable for a flushing cistern. The position of the float D is indicated in
dotted lines in the drawing upon the left-hand of a vertical line drawn through the
centre of the spindle C, it having been forced to that position by the stud E³ of
the disc E, the float E having fallen to the position indicated in dotted lines. The
effect of the rising water therefore will be to retain the float D in the position
shown to the left of the vertical line and consequently to retain the valve B full
open, while the water rising in the tank gradually lifts the more powerful float E²
which in rising turns the disc E until the stud E reaches the float stem D'
and pulls it round until it passes the vertical line when the float D immediately

page_text: rises as far as it can go, that is, until turning the spindle C, it has brought
the valve B firmly down upon its seat and the stem D¹ is in contact or nearly
so with the stud E³, after which upon the next flush the same cycle of operations
will be repeated.
To prevent the too sudden closing of the valve B by the float D rising too
quickly vanes F of suitable dimensions may be secured upon the stem D' or upon
the float D, so as to offer resistance in passing through the water and thus control
the movement of the float D.
In Figure 3 the same cycle of operations is employed but instead of using the
float D below the level of the valve a weight D above the level of the valve and
swinging to either side of the vertical line as before, is employed. The operation
is exactly the same as that previously described, but the position of the stem D' is
reversed. If desired an arm may project downwards from the spindle C and carry
vanes F which in moving through the water would prevent the weight D from
falling over too rapidly and causing water hammer in the pipe by the too sudden
closing of the valve B.
In Figure 4 the two floats and stems are employed, but their positions are
reversed, D being now the larger float and E the smaller. The valve B is
connected with the float stem D¹ by the link B³ the stem being pivotted in the
valve body A. by a pin D³ which works in a slot A2 so that when the float D is at
its lowest position as shown in full lines in the drawing the pin D3 bears upon the
lower end of the slot A2 and the valve is raised and fully opened, and drawn down
and fully closed when D is at its highest position shown in dotted lines, at
which time the pin D³ is at an intermediate part of the slot A2 and the relief
valve H hereafter described is pressed by the float stem D' up to its seat.
The second float E2 is by its stem E' connected with the detent G pivotted at G¹
in the valve body A; this detent is provided with a notch G2 in which under
certain circumstances rests the stud D2 of the stem D¹, the operation being as
follows
--
In the drawing the valve is shown fully open and the float D in its lowest
position at the bottom of the cistern, the detent G engaging with the stud D2 and
thus holding the float down. As the water comes in the float D remains at its
lowest position until the water reaches the float E2 which in rising withdraws the
detent G from the stud D2 when the float D immediately rises, the stud thus
passing inside the detent G which has been removed out of its way by the simul-
taneous rising of the float E2 to its highest position at the top of the water, as
indicated in dotted lines. The rising of the float D has drawn down and closed the
valve as will be readily understood. As the water falls the float E' also descends,
the detent G resting against the stud D² until the float D falling when the water
gets down to its level, the stud D2 travels along the face of the detent G until it
reaches the notch G2 when the weight of the float E2 causes the detent to slip over
the stud D2 and hold it as before explained.
To prevent water hammer a subsidiary or relief valve H is seated at the end of
a port or passage A2 in the valve body A so as to seal the cataract chamber A.³
except as regards leakage past the loosely-fitting piston valve B (or through a
special bye-pass not shown in the drawing) thereby checking the descent of B
which can then only descend at the rate the water is admitted to chamber A³.
This valve H also serves to release the pressure tending to hold the main valve B
to its seat when valve H is to be opened, for before H can be raised the pin D³
must move to the bottom of the slot A2 and in doing so the float stem D' is with-
drawn from the valve H whereupon the pressure of water readily overcomes the
pressure of the spring H¹ and B may be easily raised.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is ;-
1. In a float valve the combination with a spindle carrying or operating the

page_text: valve of a ball-float adapted to move to either side of a vertical line through its
pivot or centre of motion substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In a float valve the combination with a float such as described in the preceding
claim of a second float free to move within certain limits without operating the first
float but beyond those limits operating the first float substantially as and for the
purpose described.
3. In a float valve the combination with a spindle C having a valve carrying
arm such as B' moving with it of a float such as D rigidly connected to the spindle
a disc such as E loose upon the spindle and adapted by means such as the
studs E3 E to control the movements of the float D and rigidly connected with a
float such as E2 the whole constructed and operating substantially as described and
illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a float valve the combination of two floats such as D and E³ operating
together substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in Figure 1
of the accompanying drawings.
5. In a float valve the combination with float D of vanes such as F substantially
as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In a float valve the combination with a valve operating spindle such as C of
a weighted arm such as D D¹ secured thereto a disc or equivalent such as E loose
on the spindle and controlling the movements of the arm D D¹ and a ball float
connected with the disc substantially as described and illustrated in Figure 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
7. In a float valve the combination with a float such as D whose stem D' is
pivotted in the valve-body and connected to the valve of a second float E² whose
stem E is rigidly connected to a detent such as G operating in conjunction with a
stud or equivalent D2 of the float stem D' substantially as and for the purpose
-described and illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
8. In a float valve the combination of a float such as D whose stem D' is
pivotted as by a pin and slot D³ A² a loosely fitted main piston valve connected
with the float stem D₁ a cataract chamber A³ port such as A2 auxiliary valve H
second float E2 and detent such as G and D2 substantially as described and
illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 21st day of June 1894.
JOHN JONES.
H. WILKINSON LATHAM.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicants.