IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPERTAINING TO WATERCLOSETS, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR FLUSHING, TRAPPING, AND VENTILATING THE SAME
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Stevens Hellyer, of the Firm of Beard, Dent, &
Hellyer, Newcastle Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPERTAINING TO WATERCLOSETS,
AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR FLUSHING, TRAPPING, AND VENTILATING
THE SAME"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Stevens Hellyer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd December 1878.
SAMUEL STEVENS HELLYER, of the Firm of Beard, Dent, and Hellyer, Newcastle
Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
APPERTAINING TO WATERCLOSETS, AND IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR
FLUSHING, TRAPPING, AND VENTILATING THE SAME."
This Invention relates partly to certain improvements in what is known as the
"artizan" water closet basin, which is described and illustrated in the Specification
of Letters Patent granted to me on or about the 15th of November 1876, No. 4424,
the present improvements having for their object the obtainment of perfect
cleanliness of the basin at all times and under all circumstances. In using the said
basin as heretofore constructed it has been found in practice that the deposit is
sometimes apt to be caught on and adhere to the exposed surface of the front
sloping side in lieu of falling direct into the trap (which in ordinary cases it does),
consequently the subsequent removal of the adhering deposit (when such is the
case) is less easily and expeditiously accomplished. In order to overcome this
objection I propose to combine the said basin and S trap in one in such a manner
as to ensure the presence in the bottom of the basin of a sufficient amount of water
to cover the lower part of the front sloping surface: From the fact of the presence
Price 1
.

page_text: of this water I have found however that the paper has a tendency to float on tho
surface, and is not so readily carried away as in the artizan basin if special pro-
vision be not made to remedy this inconvenience. For this purpose I employ in
combination with the usual flushing rim of the "artizan" basin (or which I prefer)
with a slightly modified form of rim, one or more auxiliary jets directed from the
rim down into the centre of the basin, which jet or jets by falling directly upon the
paper cause it to be instantly submerged or forced by the strength of the said
auxiliary jet or jets down to the bottom of the basin, whence it is instantly carried
off by the vigorous flushing obtained from the apertures in the flushing rim and
peculiar configuration of the basin. These auxiliary jets may be obtained from one
or more special openings in the side of the rim in the form of short jet nozzles
directed obliquely downwards to the angle found to be the most suitable in practice,
and these nozzles may if desired be supplied by separate pipes leading from or
branching out of the main flushing pipe. The S trap may be disposed either at the
back, front, or side of the basin, as circumstances may permit, and the auxiliary
jet or jets should be so directed as to impinge more or less in a corresponding
direction upon the water in the closet basin.
My Invention further relates to the supply or flushing apparatus for water
closets, and consists according to one arrangement of a peculiar sluice water closet
supply cistern made by preference with what is known as an angle rain-water head,
for the convenience of fixing and for neatness of appearance, such head surmounting
a deep angle pipe of, say, about two to three feet in depth and having the flushing
valve at the bottom of extra large diameter (say about three inches), a door being
If desired
situate in the angle pipe just above the valve to afford access thereto.
a water waste preventer arrangement may be disposed inside the angle head of the
said cistern consisting of a divided chamber, with a separate valve and pipe com-
municating with the before-mentioned angle pipe and worked by a lever and pull.
An air vent is formed in the angle of the head and pipe leading from the outlet
under the flushing valve, constituting at the same time an overflow pipe. By the
above arrangement I obtain a more forcible flush than heretofore for cleansing the
water closet, combined with compactness and convenience for fixing in any angle
of the closet.
Another arrangement of feed or supply cistern, which also combines great com-
pactness with efficiency, consists of a cistern combined with a bellows arrangement,
having for its object the ensuring a sufficient discharge to cleanse the closet under
any circumstances when the handle is once pulled. The bellows is inserted into a
recess or chamber formed inside the cistern and is connected with the lever of the
valve, which as in the previous arrangement is made of extra diameter. The outlet
pipe is brought well into the angle, and the combined air and overflow pipe are
arranged also as hereinbefore last described. The ball valve in both arrangements
(for the sake of easy connection or disconnection with or from the service pipe) is
fitted so as to pass vertically through the top of the cistern.
One arrangement of my improved soil pipe trap consists of an earthen-ware round
pipe trap, having a dip or seal of, say, three inches, and formed on the outlet side
with two lateral apertures serving the one for a ventilating pipe to the drain, and
the other as a hand hole for access to trap and drain. The inlet side of this trap
is dwarfed or shortened in order to receive a separate short piece of pipe formed
with a lateral branch for foot ventilation of the soil pipe. By this arrangement of
trap the discharge from the closet is brought in vertically so as to obtain a vertical
pressure upon the standing water in the trap and thus ensure its contents being
changed each time the closet is used, the body of the trap being also for the same
object made smaller than the inlet and outlet. I also employ in connection with
the above trap another trap for intercepting the cesspool or sewer from the house
drain pipe.
It consists of a round pipe trap with a three inch dip or seal. The
body of the trap is comparatively of small diameter, and the inlet side of the said
trap is of extra depth so as to allow the level of the standing water to be con

page_text: siderably below the outlet from the house drain, whence results a vertical pressure
which effectually clears the trap as in the previously described trap. The upper
part of the trap, which may be made separate from the trap itself or in one piece
therewith, and which is considerably enlarged or funnel shaped, is continued
upwards so as to ensure the admission of fresh air into the house drain, and this
part when not high enough to reach the surface of the ground may be continued
upwards in brickwork and fitted with a grating, or the top can be sealed and a
large air pipe brought into the side of the air chamber.
In connection with the before mentioned or other traps I sometimes use an air
inlet hinged valve of mica, talc, or other suitable light material, which is so hung
as to open and allow fresh air to enter the soil pipes or drains but to close against
any back pressure, such a valve being intended more especially in those cases where
any foul air discharged from these pipes has access to the doors or windows of the
house.

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
27th May 1879.
SAMUEL STEVENS HELLYER, of the Firm of Beard, Dent, & Hellyer, Newcastle
Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR
APPERTAINING TO WATER-CLOSETS, & IN THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR FLUSHING,
TRAPPING, & VENTILATING THE SAME."
"
My said Invention relates first, to improvements in what is known as the
!! artisan water-closet basin & other rimmed water-closet basins of like character
referred to in the Specification of my Patent dated Nov. 15th, A.D. 1876, No. 4424,
whereby a more effectual cleansing and flushing of the basin is ensured at all times
& under all circumstances.
Secondly. To improved supply or flushing apparatus for water-closets generally.
Thirdly. To a peculiar arrangement & combination of soil pipe trap with inter-
changeable & adjustable connecting pieces for the ventilating & soil pipes in con-
nection with the trap.
Fourthly. To a peculiar arrangement of combined ventilating house drain, syphon,
& sewer or cesspool interceptor for connection with water closets.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, & 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.
In using the said artisan basin as heretofore constructed by me, I have found in
practice that the soil is occasionally liable to be caught on & adhere to the exposed
surface of the front sloping side of the basin in lieu of falling direct into the trap
(which in ordinary cases it does), consequently the subsequent removal of the
adhering deposit is less easily & expiditiously accomplished. Now in order to
overcome this objection I propose to so combine the basin with its trap, made
by preference in one piece therewith, as to ensure the presence in the bottom of
the basin of a sufficient amount of water to cover the lower part of the front sloping
surface. From the fact however of the presence of this water I have found that the
paper has a tendency to float on the surface & is not so readily carried away as in the
"artisan" basin unless special provision be made to remedy this inconvenience.
For this purpose I employ according to my present Invention in combination
with the usual flushing rim of the "artisan" basin (or which I prefer) with
the modified form of rim herein-after referred to and shown in my Drawings, one
or more auxiliary jet nozzles passing through or over the rim and disposed at such
an angle as to throw one or more separate jets down into the centre of the basin,
which auxiliary jet or jets falling directly and with considerable force upon the
centre or thereabouts of the floating paper causes it to be instantly submerged or
forced by the strength of the said jet or jets down to the bottom of the basin or
trap mouth, whence it is instantly carried off by the vigorous flushing obtained
from the apertures made all round the flushing rim assisted by the configuration of
the basin itself, as shown in the Drawings.
Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings represents a longitudinal vertical section (taken
along the line 1, 2, in Fig. 2) of my improved water closet basin and trap complete,
with auxiliary flushing jet, nozzle, & rim combined. Fig. 2 is a corresponding
transverse vertical section of the same taken along the line 3, 4, in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a detail vertical section showing the auxiliary jet nozzle and a portion
of the flushing rim, & Fig. 4 is a corresponding detail horizontal section of the
same; A is the front sloping side of the basin; B, the steep back portion thereof;
C, the mouth of the trap; D, the trap, which is represented as in one piece with

page_text: the basin. This trap may either terminate short off above the floor, as shown by
the dotted lines in Fig. 2, or it may be carried down to the floor & formed with
a flange & screw holes for fixing, as shown in the full lines; E is the ventilating
pipe socket. This trap may be disposed at the back or front or as will be most
generally used on either side of the basin (see Fig. 2); F is the flushing rim which
for greater convenience of use I prefer to make narrower at the front part of the
basin (see Fig. 1); I also make the slits or openings round the rim narrower than
heretofore in order that the force of the auiliary jet supplied by the special nozzle
G may not be in anywise weakened. This nozzle may be either made separately
or in one piece with the basin & rim. It passes through the hollow saucer &
through the flushing rim, as shown, its discharge end being more or less tapered in
order to increase the force of the jet. The auxiliary nozzle G & rim F may both
be supplied from one and the same flushing pipe (see Fig. 4), in which case I make
two apertures, as shown on the upper side of the nozzle as far back from the orifice
as practicable but well within the surrounding saucer H, so that some of the water
supplied to the nozzle direct may flow freely through the said lateral apertures into
the rim whilst the jet from the nozzle itself impinges directly on the centre of the
standing water in the basin. Free space is left all round the nozzle inside the rim,
as shown, to afford an unimpeded passage or course to the water round the interior
-of-the rim &-thereby-facilitate the washing of the sides of the basin. Or, if
desired, the rim may be supplied by the usual pipe opening into a saucer, as is well
understood, such pipe branching out from the pipe which supplies the special jet
nozzle, as shown in the horizontal section at Fig. 5. The nozzle G may be situate
at any point round the flushing rim, but I prefer to place it on the side of the basin
or rim opposite to the out-go.
In order to prevent draughts & to check the escape of effluvium under the
seat I make my improved water-closet basins with a rubber packing in a groove
at K (Figs. 1 & 2), the seat being caused to bed against such packing.
Figs. 6 & 7 (Sheet 1) represent a longitudinal vertical section & plan of one
arrangement of my improved supply or flushing apparatus for water closets, whereby
I obtain greater compactness with a more effectual flushing & an ensured supply.
A is a cistern adapted for fitting into any convenient angle, it is provided with an
The seat of this valve is
extra large flushing valve B of say 21/2 inches diameter.
sunk or recessed slightly below the bottom of the cistern, whereby I reduce some-
what the height of such cistern. The valve opens into a large discharge chamber C
cast on the under side of the cistern & extending to either corner thereof, as shown
dotted in Fig. 7, according as the cistern is intended for a right or left angle, the
core being adjusted accordingly when making the mould. Fig. 8 is a detail vertical
section taken along the centre of the discharge chamber C and air & overflow
passage D. From the bottom of this discharge chamber, close into the angle of the
wall, descends the vertical flushing pipe E, & into the top of the said chamber
there opens a large air & overflow passage D formed inside the cistern at the angle
or corner above the flushing pipe with which it communicates freely, as shown in
Fig. 8. An ensured supply is obtained by the well known bellows arrangement
connected with the weighted valve lever F & disposed for the sake of greater
compactness in a recess or chamber G formed inside the body itself of the cistern.
H is the pull or handle connected with the weighted valve lever & guided by
lugs K on the outside of the cistern, collars or stops being provided to regulate or
control the movement. Figs. 1 & 2, Sheet 2, represent a vertical section & plan
of another arrangement of supply or flushing cistern & apparatus which I call the
"cataract." It is made by preference for the sake of compactness & convenience of
fixing, with what is known as an angle rain water head A surmounting a deep angle
flushing pipe E shown in cross section at Fig. 3. This pipe is from two to three
feet in depth, & is provided with a flushing valve B at the bottom of extra large
diameter, say about 2 to 3 inches, a door L or removeable plate being fitted just
above the valve to afford ready access thereto. An air vent pipe or passage D is

page_text: formed in the angle of the head & flushing pipe leading from the outlet under the
flushing valve so as to constitute at the same time & overflow pipe. Figs. 4 & 5
(Sheet 2) are a vertical section & plan of a similar apparatus with the lower part
broken away, & having a water waste preventer arrangement provided in the angle
head of the cistern, such cistern being divided by a partition M. & having a separate
valve N worked by the lever & pull as shown, & a pipe or passage com-
municating with the deep angle flushing pipe E before referred to. The air and
overflow pipe D is the same as in Figs. 1 & 2. In all these improved flushing
cisterns the connection for the ball valve is fitted on a small cross plate or bracket
so as to pass vertically through the top of the cistern, as shown, for the sake of
greater facility of connection or disconnection with or from the service pipe.
Fig. 9 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings is a sectional elevation of my improved soil
pipe trap with interchangeable pieces for making the connections with the soil pipe
& ventilating pipes. This Figure shows an arrangement for horizontal air inlet
into the foot of a vertical soil pipe. The trap itself A. consists of a stoneware round
pipe trap having a dip or seal of about 3 inches, & provided on the outlet side
with a loose connecting piece B having two branch openings C, C', the one C for
ventilation to the drain, & the other C¹ to afford ready access to the trap, the
two branches being made at different angles to suit any required position. A
removeable plate D is fitted into a surface stone over the hand hole to afford easy
access to the trap. The inlet side of this trap is dwarfed or shortened as shown
at E in order to receive the short connecting piece B¹ of stoneware with lateral
branch opening F for horizontal foot ventilation to the vertical soil pipe G
which is connected to the top of the intermediate connecting piece B¹. By the
arrangement of trap & connecting pieces illustrated at Fig. 9, the discharge from
the closet is brought in vertically, thereby exerting a direct vertical pressure upon
the standing water in the trap, which ensures its contents being changed each time
the closet is used, the body or part H of the trap being also for the same object
made rather smaller in diameter than the inlet E or outlet F'. By substituting the
peculiar connecting piece B", Fig. 11, for the connecting piece B¹ (Fig. 9), a vertical
foot ventilation through F is at once obtained without disturbing the trap. Again,
by substituting the connecting piece B (Fig. 10), a horizontal soil pipe G, with
vertical foot ventilation through F can be at once obtained without interfering with
the vertical pressure on the standing water in the trap. Each of the before men-
tioned four connecting pieces can be turned round in the sockets of the trap to suit
the positions of the soil pipe & ventilating pipe, whilst the trap itself can also be
turned round to suit the position of the drain. I also employ in connection with
the trap above described, but at the farthest end of the drain, another trap shown
in vertical section at Fig. 12, which I call my combined ventilating drain, syphon,
& sewer interceptor, for intercepting the cesspool or sewer from the house & water
closet pipe. It consists of a round pipé trap I, having a 3 inch dip or seal,
& with the body of the trap at I of smaller diameter than the inlet & outlet.
The inlet side I' of the said trap is of considerable depth, so as to allow the level
of the standing water of the trap to be at least six inches below the outlet from the
house or water closet drain K, whence results a vertical presure, which effectually
clears the trap as in the previously described arrangement. The upper part L of
the trap, which may be made separate from the trap itself, as shown, or in one piece
therewith, & which is considerably enlarged or funnel shaped, is continued upwards,
so as to form an air chamber & ensure the admission of fresh air into the house
drain. This part, when not sufficiently high to reach the surface of the ground,
may be carried upwards to any height required in brickwork, and it may be fitted
with a grating, as shown, or the top may be sealed down when preferred by the
stoneware cover M, a large air pipe N being brought into the side of the air chamber
when closed at the top for the admission of fresh air into the drain K. A second
ventilating aperture similar to N is provided on the opposite side for taking the air
pipe to any position required. A socket O, shown in dotted lines, is further provided

page_text: on the outgo side of the trap when required for ventilation on the cesspool side.
In conjunction with the before mentioned or other traps, I sometimes use an air
inlet hinged valve of mica, talc, or other suitable like material, which is so hung as
to open & allow fresh air to enter the soil pipes or drain, but to close against any
back pressure, such a valve being more particularly useful in those cases where any
foul air discharged from the pipes has access to the doors or windows of the house,
but I do not claim such a inica valve or its application as forming any part of my
present Invention. I may also observe that I am aware that it has been proposed
to use one or more fans or distributors in water-closet basins in combination or
conjunction with a hollow flushing rim pipe or channel round the upper edge of the
basin, such rim having openings in those portions situate between the said fans or
distributors, & therefore I do not claim as my Invention any such arrangement.
Having now described & particularly ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, & the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel & original, &
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,-
First. The application & use of one or more special jet nozzles passing through'
or over the flushing rim of a water closet basin, & arranged to operate substantially
in the manner & for the purpose hereinbefore described, & illustrated by my
Drawings.
Second. The peculiar combination & arrangement of water closet basin & trap
with flushing rim & auxiliary jet nozzle, as herein before described, and illustrated
in Figs. 1, 3, 4, & 5 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings.
Third. The peculiar combination & arrangement of parts constituting the novel
flushing apparatus for water closets, as hereinbefore described, and illustrated on
Sheets 1 & 2 of my Drawings.
Fourth. The peculiar combination of one or more of the four connecting pieces
B, B', B, & B, with the trap H, as & for the purpose hereinbefore described, &
illustrated by my Drawings.
Fifth. The peculiar construction & arrangement of combined drain syphon &
sewer or cesspool interceptor with its increased fall on the inlet side for clearing the
trap, & its enlarged air chamber L with apertures N in the side for convenience of
connecting air inlet pipes to the saine for admission of fresh air to the drain, as
herein before described, & more particularly illustrated at Fig. 12.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Stevens Hellyer, have hereunto set
my hand & seal, this Twenty-sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred & seventy nine.
S. STEVENS HELLYER. (L.S.)