AN IMPROVED VENTILATING VALVE FOR PREVENTING THE BURSTING OF WATER- PIPES DURING FROST."
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Saint-Clair Buxton and Frederick Ogilby Ross,
of 165, The Grove, Hammersmith, London, W., for an Invention of "AN
IMPROVED VENTILATING VALVE FOR PREVENTING THE BURSTING OF WATER-
PIPES DURING FROST."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Saint-Clair Buxton
and Frederick Ogilby Ross at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 20th February 1882.
ALFRED SAINT-CLAIR BUXTON and FREDERICK OGILBY Ross of 165 The Grove
Hammersmith London W. AN IMPROVED VENTILATING VALVE FOR PREVENTING
THE BURSTING OF WATER PIPES DURING FROST.
Our Invention consists of a new form of ventilating valve for preventing the
bursting of supply pipes, from water cisterns during frost. It is usual for persons
wishing to avoid the bursting of their water pipes, either to empty the cistern, or
to set the tap running, so as to keep a constant flow through the pipe, either
method involving a great waste of water. Our Invention enables the pipes to bo
emptied of their contents without wasting the water in the cistern. Reference to
the Drawing will explain how this is effected A. Fig I and 2 represents an
ordinary lead lined, zinc lined, or galvanized water cistern and B the supply pipe to
house service, entering the bottom of the cistern to which it is soldered. Into this
we solder or otherwise fix our improved ventilating valve, which is shewn in part
section in two separate forms. Under the valve or clack E is a small air or
ventilating pipe D, which rises above the surface of the water in the cistern, so that
when the valve is closed or upon its seat, as shewn in the Drawing, the pipes can
be readily emptied by opening their respective taps, air being admitted through
the pipe D, no water beyond that filling the pipes being wasted. When it is
desired to connect the supply again all that is needful, is to raise the valve E from
its seat, by means of a cord as shewn, fastened to a hook or nail, or in any

page_text: convenient manner water then fills the pipes, and it can be drawn from the cistern
in the usual way. The valve can be made in a variety of shapes, to suit circum-
stances, and may be screwed into the ends of the pipes or fastened by screws. By
lengthening the spindle, it can be forced from its seat from beneath, the spindle
passing through a stuffing box provided for the purpose to prevent escape of water.
Fig. 3 shews a flat form of valve specially designed to allow the water to be nearly
emptied from the cistern, and if required the valve can be sunk in a special
chamber provided for it, below the floor of the cistern. The valve can be made of
brass, gun metal, iron, or any other metal usually employed for such a purpose, or
it can be made of india rubber, wood or even cork a ventilating pipe passing
through the centre, which may be used to lift it in lieu of the cord as shewn
in Fig 4.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Saint-Clair Buxton and Frederick Ogilby Ross in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th August 1882.
ALFRED SAINT CLAIR BUXTON and FREDERICK OGILBY Ross of 165 The Grove
Hammersmith London W. AN IMPROVED Ventilating Valve for PREVENTING
THE BURSTING OF WATER PIPES DURING FROST.
Our Invention consists in a new form of ventilating valve for preventing the
bursting of water pipes during frost. The term ventilating means that although
the valve governing the house or other service be closed or upon its seat we are
enabled by admitting air through an independent channel under the seat of the
valve to ventilate or admint air to the valves and pipes so that they can be
emptied, independently of the cistern. The valves in general use are so constructed
that both air and water enter together through the same passage the result being
that the full flow of water is prevented when the valve is open; while on the other
hand it is impossible to empty the pipes governed by such a valve without
emptying the cistern or source of supply and it is quite usual for those who wish
to avoid the bursting of their water pipes during frost either to empty their
cisterns at once or to partially open the taps or valves leading from them so as
to keep a constant flow of water through the pipe either method involving great
waste of water and much inconvenience. Our Invention enables the pipes leading
from a tank or cistern to be emptied without wasting more than their contents
while if desired water can be drawn in any quantity by simply raising the valve.
Our Invention can be applied to every class of tank, cistern, or reservoir, whether
constructed of wood metal or stone.
In order to explain our Invention a reference to the accompanying Drawing
is needful. Fig 1 shews one form of valve known as a clack the face of the
valve being of leather or other suitable material B is the main service pipe
leading from the cistern A to the bottom of which it is soldered or screwed
in the usual manner. Into this main service pipe is screwed or soldered
our improved ventilating valve which is here shewn in part section E is the air
or ventilating pipe which rises above the surface of the water in the cistern so
that when the valve is closed or upon its seat as shewn in the Drawing the pipes
can be readily emptied by their respective taps, air being admitted through the
pipe E. No water beyond that filling the pipe is wasted and when it is desired to
connect the supply again all that is needful is to raise the valve C from its seat by
pulling the cord shewn at D which may then be fastened to a nail or hook or in
any other convenient manner Fig 2. shews our improvement as applied to what
are known in the trade as spindle valves, Fig 3 shews our improvement as applied
to an ordinary plug valve, which may be made of india rubber, wood cork or other
suitable material, the pipe E which passes through the plug, rises above the water
line of the tank or cistern, when frost is expected it is simply dropped into the
end of the pipe B, and air being admitted through the pipe E, the water can be
drawn off from the pipes, without emptying the cistern. Fig 4 shews our improve-
ment as previously described in Fig 1 but made to screw into the main service
pipe. Fig 5 shews a similar valve; but so arranged as to be forced from its seat
from beneath; this method being most convenient in some cases.
Having now described our Invention in the best manner we are able, we would
have it understood, that we do not confine ourselves to the precise details shewn
and described, since they may be varied to suit circumstances, without in any way
departing from the essential features of our Invention. What we claim is,
1st. The combination of parts forming our ventilating valve as described and
shewn in the Drawings.

page_text: 2nd. The application of our improved ventilating valve to cisterns, tanks, or
vessels capable of holding water, or other fluids liable to the action of frost, our
special object being to afford a means of emptying the pipes independently of the
cistern, or tank so that the said pipes may be prevented from bursting.
3rd. The arrangements of parts shewn in Figs 1, 4, 5, so that the valve cannot
be opened so wide as to become inoperative.
In witness whereof we the said Alfred St. Clair Buxton and Frederick
Ogilby Ross have hereunto set our hand and seal this Second day of
August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty
Witness,
FRANCIS M. ROGERS
Engineer
ALFRED SAINT CLAIR BUXTON. (L.S.)
FREDERICK OGILBY ROSS.
(L.S.)
21 Finsbury Pavt. E.C.