Improvements in Closets, Cisterns, and Controlling the Water Supply thereto or therefrom.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1897
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PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Closets, Cisterns, and Controlling the Water Supply
thereto or therefrom.
PHILIP JOHN DAVIES, of 78, Earl's Court Road, Kensington, W., Plumber and
Hydraulic Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows;
This invention relates to, and has for its objects, improvements in closets,
cisterns, and waste preventors, and in the controlling of the water supply thereto
or therefrom, whereby simplicity of action, cheapness in manufacture, and more
certain and quieter at work is maintained than anything heretofore in the market.
Parts of this invention are especially applicable to work in conjunction with
my improvements in water closets and traps, for which provisional protection
I have been granted Patent No. 8614 of 1896.
Parts of this invention are also applicable to be used in conjunction with other
cisterns, or common, or other closet basins, and to properly describe my invention
or parts of this invention, it will be necessary to proceed at the ball-valve or inlet
supply to cisterns, especially that class known at the Croydon or other loose
valve class of ball valves, which are noted for the peculiar rumble or vibration
which they sometimes make when closing, especially under heavy pressure.
BALL VALVE OR INLET.
Here my invention or improvement consists of constructing cistern inlet valves,
(especially of the Croydon class) portion in the shape of an elastic plug preferably
of india rubber, which is not a washer, yet answering the purpose of a washer,
and which may be built up with a number of india rubber washers, and which
will, when closing under pressure from the lever and the seating, together with
the pressure of water, spread or expand laterally, in such a manner as to press
against the sides of the outlet and thereby steady itself from vibrating.
At other times I use a steadying spring or kind of set screw or screws to create
friction with this closing valve and thus prevent vibration.
THE CISTERN PART.
The second part of my invention relates to the general arrangement and con-
struction of the waste preventor cistern, whereby I am enabled to greatly economise
space in the main body or ball valve part of the cistern, especially applicable to
after flush waste preventors, of the weeping box class. This I do by the intro-
duction of a novel arrangement for forming the necessary syphon for supplying
an afterflush weeping box, and which arrangement consists in the employment of
two diaphragms or partitions which is preferably formed in one end of the cistern,
such diaphragms being so arranged as to form the syphon above the weeping
box or chamber, and above the top division of the waste preventor.

page_text: THE OUTLET VALVE.
It also consists in the arrangement and manner of fixing the necessary waste
preventor or outlet valve, (preferably of my well known patent waste not or sucker
class) between lugs, on or above the top part of the division situated directly above
the weeping or afterflush portion of the cistern, such valve and syphon arrange-
ment to work above a preferably stand up weeping pipe; or a diaphragm may
be used for the purpose of giving this desired after flush, especially applicable
to work in conjunction with, and to supply water to, my syphonic action closet
before referred to.
This syphon arrangement will also greatly improve waste preventor cisterns
generally, making them more commodious and cheaper to make.
THE JOINTS.
A further part of this invention consists in the better securing the necessary
pipes to the waste preventor and also to the arm inlet of closet basins, and also
such joint is required for the better securing the outlet of closet basins to traps,
closet boxes, and such like generally.
These joints I make by casting preferably with lead or lead alloys, on to the
outlet of the waste preventor; the inlet or outlet of the basins, a kind of ring, or
flange, having a lug or lugs formed in such a manner as to receive bolts for
screwing up a corresponding flange or ring securely together, and in such a manner
that it will form a very rigid and substantial joint, especially suitable for ship
closets, and also my syphonic closets, shown at Figs. 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, &c.
of the Complete Specification (not yet accepted by the Examiners of our English
Patents), and numbered 8614 of the year A.D. 1896.
THE SILENCING SHIELD.
A further improvement in this cistern is (and for the purpose of silencing the
inlet rush of water) the employment of a fixed shield, preferably on the end of the
cistern, for the purpose of guiding the stream of water obliquely, and towards
the side or end, and in such a manner that the water will glide silently into the
cistern for the purpose specified.
I may here remark that parts of this invention are to be used for improving
other closets, and waste preventors, or ordinary cisterns, and when used, especially
the improved valve part of the ball valve, it will greatly improve such articles,
and the diaphragm arrangement will do likewise to waste preventing cisterns
generally, and when the whole is used together it will form a most substantial
improvement for controlling the water supply to closets and therefrom.
Dated this 10th day of April 1807
Improvements in Closets, Cisterns, and Controlling the Water Supply
thereto or therefrom.
PHILIP JOHN DAVIES, of 78, Earl's Court Road, Kensington, W., Plumber and
Hydraulic 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 and has for its objects improvements in closets,

page_text: cisterns and water waste preventers and in the controlling of the water supply
thereto or therefrom whereby simplicity of action cheapness of manufacture, and
more certain and quieter at work, is maintained than anything heretofore in the
market.
Parts of this invention are especially applicable to work in conjunction with
improvements in syphonic and other water closets generally, and traps connected
therewith, especially Patent No. 8614 of 1896.
Parts of this my present invention are also applicable to other closets, such as
valve closets, and at times are used in conjunction with other cisterns; and the
chief points I have in view is the perfecting of especially the afterflush water
supply to syphonic traps and valve closets, and also doing away with the noise
which at times takes place with ball valves having valves to close against the
stream, and which (owing to their simple construction) when closing becomes in
a semi state of vibration. But the pressure of the water in the mains at times
being somewhat of an unequal balance causes the valve to "stagger" when th
valve & water are near about in equilibrio. The consequence is that if once starte
it sets up a very rapid motion and this motion in turn creates a rapid slamming
of the valve against its seating and the water, and thus creates a most horrible
rumbling sound, until sufficient water is allowed to dribble into the cistern to
well buoy up the ball. Often the ball under these conditions becomes drowned
and when such is the case overflows and inundations are the sequence.
Now one part of this my present invention is to obviate this generally without
incurring much expense in the alteration of fittings &c., and will be readily
understood by the following brief explanation.
THE BALLVALVE.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, illustrates this very simple improvement.
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A, represents the inlet of a ball valve (invented by me and shown at Figs. 36,
37, and 38 of the Specification 1179 of 1876 which then denominated as the
patent safety ball valve, and which in after years was, and is now, known by the
title of the Croydon ball valve, and is now largely used throughout Great Britain).
The present improvement consists in adapting a flexible plug shown at W, Fig. 2,
preferably of india-rubber, and which plug or valve is when under pressure
adapted to expand laterally against the walls, shell, or sides of the body of the
valve as at W, Fig. 1 & Fig. 2.
This plug is at times fixed with one end in a kind of socket as shown in the
dotted lines d, Fig. 2, or in other ways. But this expanding plug or valve may
be made to work without this separate bottom part X, Fig. 2 and Fig. 1. The
lever X, 2, being sufficient to cause the necessary expansion, if the plug W, Fig. 1,
and guide X be in one solid piece of india rubber of any suitable shape.
E, Fig. 1, and a, Fig. 2, are simple guides which fit fairly well the inside
cylindrical part of the outlet of the valve for the purpose of keeping the valve
true to the seat E Fig. 1. Sometimes I make this valve or plug, barrel or tub
shape as the dotted lines W y Fig. 2. At other times I use a wedge or cone,
cam, or screw & other means to work or expand the flexible plug or valve, and
which will be readily understood by an intelligent mechanic without further
detail.
CISTERNS.
The second part of this invention relates to the improvement in waste preven-
tors or supply cisterns to closets whereby I am enabled to greatly economise
space in the main body or ball valve part of the cistern, and which invention is
especially applicable to afterflush waste preventors of the weeping box class as
shown at Fig. 626 of Vol. I of my Standard Practical Plumbing.
This improvement partially consists in adapting to or forming thereon a syphon
for supplying the afterflush weeping box, B Figs. 3 and 4 Sheet 1, and which

page_text: syphon is shown at i, h, and is fixed in such a manner as to empty, or nearly so,
the contents of the cistern A, into the weeping box B, after the valve d is dropped.
In the Provisional Specification of this present application for Patent reference
is made to the employment of two diaphragms or partitions formed in the end
of this cistern. This is shown at h, i, Fig. 3, but by referring to Fig. 24, Sheet 4,
in the Specification for April 24th 1896 No. 8614, and at line 41 to 44, Page 6,
which should read Provisional instead of "Patent Waste Preventor" and also by
referring to the Figs. 3 and 4 of the present specification by a close observance of
these figures the characteristic part of this invention will be clearly understood
without any more explanation, as I do not confine myself to any particular form
of valve or syphon for supplying the afterflush weeping box.
The action of this is as follows; On pulling up the lever F, Fig. 3 Sheet 1, it
raises the lever E, on the fulcrum D, and the sucker e, lifts the valve d, off its
seating, the water then rushes between the guides g, g, and through the seating b,
and instantly fills the weeping box B, but this valve being preferably of the
waste preventor kind (to suit the water companies) almost momentarily drops
and the water running full rush down the weeping pipe C, causes what is known
as a suction which instantly brings the syphon h, i, as shown by the arrows
into action and empties the contents of the small cistern A. This done the great
rush or flush of water necessary for starting the trap syphon is over, and the
weeping box gradually emptics itself at the weeping hole a, H, is the ball valve
which may be of any kind but preferably of that shown at Fig. 1. I, is a stop for
preventing the lever dropping too low.
<
"
Fig. 4, is the same action as Fig. 3, but the parts are somewhat varied, A, being
the ball valve part of the cistern. B, the afterflush weeping box with the outlet
pipe C. J, J, is the cover preferably domed as at r, to stop the vena contracta
over the end of the outlet pipe C which also allows the whole of the weeping box
space to be economised. t, are fixing screws sometimes used for fixing the syphon
to the cover J, J, and which cover may when necessary be actually the bottom of
the cistern that is when the weeping box is fixed on to the bottom of the tank
or cistern as shown by the flange represented by the dotted lines s, s.
q, are the fixing screws for another class of valve seating b. e, is one form of
my well known
waste not" sucker playing upon a kind of seating j. f, the
actuating spindle. m, the sucker presser.
D, would be a rod which may be connected to any suitable actuating parts.
d, the valve. i, h, u, k, a syphon. S is a silencing shield for the water to glide
down in the cistern without splashing. a, is the weeping hole for allowing the
afterflush box B, to slowly empty which actually gives the afterflush. n, a bridge.
2, is the bridge hole, g, the valve spindle x, w illustrates one method of forming
the weeping box outlet with a diaphragm to do away with the pipe C when
necessary, then the afterflush weeping hole would be as at x. The ball valve is
not shown in this cistern.
Now I have explained the action and parts it may be necessary for me to
explain why the demand for this apparatus. The patent syphonic trap shown at
Fig. 6, Sheet 3, in the Specification No. 8614, A.1). 1896, is practically useless
for small property on account of cost, without a simple and cheap apparatus,
nothing suitable being in the market under twice the price of this my present
invention.
It will further be observed that the before mentioned syphonic closet necessarily
requires a very strong and immediate flush in order to start the syphon trap, F, G,
being from 3½" to 4" diameter, and it necessarily follows that F, G, portion of
the pipe must be instantly enlarged in order to cause a syphonic action.
The waste preventor for these closets, according to the Water Companies
Parliamentary. Act, states that the cistern must not contain more than two
gallons, and when this is the case a gallon and a half out of the two gallons is
instantly required to start the closet, and with my arrangement if the cistern_be

page_text: full you cannot possibly get less for the main flush, nor is it possible for the
syphonage of the closet trap to rob the basin of the necessary afterflush which
comes dribbling in after the closet trap has resumed its normal state and thus
fills the basin, to its proper level making a common closet basin and my trap when
combined together with this my present invention equal in sanitation to a first
class valve closet the latter of which is four times the cost, and will not last half
so long without getting out of order.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, the water supply thereto or therefrom, I desire to state that I do not
here claim the use of weeping box nor syphons separately, working in connection
with valves and such like generally, but what I do claim is:-
-
Firstly. Adapting a syphon to supply a weeping box from a waste preventor
or other supply cistern valve substantially as described and for the purpose
specified.
Secondly. The combination of the syphon and weeping box, which weeping box
is not an ordinary box, but a box having a stand up overflow pipe as at a, a, or
its equivalent such as a diaphragm & which weeping box is not an ordinary box,
but a box screwed on to the bottom of a waste preventor cistern or otherwise
cast or fitted with a cover J, J, substantially as shown at J, J, Figs. 3 and 4 of
the drawings attached.
Thirdly. The application or combination of a waste preventor valve working with
a syphon, both discharging into a weeping box, substantially as described and
shown in the drawings attached.
Fourthly. The adaption of a flexible plug, or valve, which valve is not a
washer, sometimes formed barrel shaped as per dotted lines W, y, Fig. 2, also
formed large enough to spread with pressure laterally so as to jamb itself or to
produce friction against the sides or other part of the ball valve for better con-
trolling the inlet water supply to cisterns substantially as described and illustrated
at W Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings and for the purpose specified.
Fifthly. The application of a syphon to supply an afterflush weeping box
actuated by any known means such as with a plunger or plungers, displacers or
a displacer and such like well known contrivances substantially as described and
illustrated and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 10th day of April 1897