IMPROVE- MENTS IN LAVATORIES, AND IN MEASURING APPARATUS FOR SAME AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin William De Rusett, of Anerley, in the County of
Surrey, Civil Engineer, and Frederick Philip Preston, and John Theodore
Prestige, and Edwin James Preston, trading as J. Stone and Company, of
Deptford, in the County of Kent. Engineers, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LAVATORIES, AND IN MEASURING APPARATUS FOR SAME AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin William De Rusett,
Frederick Philip Preston, John Theodore Prestige, and Edwin James Preston
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd October 1880.
EDWIN WILLIAM DE RUSETT, of Anerley, in the County of Surrey, Civil
Engineer, and FREDERICK PHILIP PRESTON, and JOHN THEODORE PRESTIGE, and
EDWIN JAMES PRESTON, trading as J. Stone and Company, of Deptford, in the
County of Kent, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAVATORIES, AND IN MEASURING
APPARATUS FOR SAME AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to lavatories and their fittings, where the object is to
economise space, to promote cleanliness, and to effect economy in first cost and in
the use of water.
In one modification of this Invention, especially applicable to lavatories for use
on shipboard, railway carriages, and similar situations, we enclose the water
reservoir, wash basin, and slop container in a case formed of either wood, metal, or
other suitable material, and we sometimes add to it, together or separately, soap
and brush trays, water bottle, and tumbler holders, towel rails or books, and
looking glass, either fixed or pivotted, also chamber cupboard, whatnot shelves, and
other appropriate fittings.
We place the supply tank or tanks at a suitable level above the wash basin or
basins; when more basins than one are used we sometimes place this tank between
them. The basin may be oval or of any suitable shape, and is by preference made
with a lip to prevent the water spilling. We prefer to fix the basin on a hinged
or pivotted, or pivotted and sliding slab, or combination of these, or each separately,
with a ledge round to stiffen it and prevent slop; but this latter object may be
obtained by a suitably made basin with projecting rim. The basin is turned upwards
Do31

page_text: when not in use, but is lowered so as to project entirely or partially beyond the
lavatory case when being used; it is again tilted when required to be emptied, and
is allowed to remain in that position so as to economise space.
The slop container is placed under the basin. This we prefer to hinge or pivot
so that it may be emptied by tilting, and we provide it with spout, pipe, or passage,
so placed and arranged that the contents may be poured out with but little if any
risk of spilling. We sometimes use a cock or valve to empty this container. This
container is formed so that the interior may be readily cleansed.
To economise water we make a division in the bottom or lower part of the
supply tank or tanks, or provide a separate vessel or vessels which will contain the
quantity of water apportioned for each wash. It or they may be filled from
the supply tank by valve or cock appliance, which may be opened or closed by the
same action which tilts the wash basin. Water from this measuring arrangement
is admitted to the basin by cock or valve appliance, which may be opened and
closed by the aforesaid action of the basin, or be opened by the hand of the operator,
and closed by suitable mechanism, or as the basin is being tilted up; but we prefer
the latter, so that the water be automatically admitted to the measurer and
supplied to the basin by a cock or valve having suitable ways or passages; if with
three such, one of them will be in communication with the supply tank, another
with the measuring tank or division, the third being the exit to the basin, the key
or plug of the cock being so arranged that either the two tanks are in connection, or
the measuring tank with the exit to the basin; thus when the water is not being
drawn off to the basin, the water from the supply tank is filling the measuring tank,
and when the basin is being supplied there is no communication with the supply
tank.
The supply tank may be hinged so as to be enabled to be tilted to supply the
basin with a measured quantity of water, or as required. Or the measuring tank
may be formed round the basin itself, and so as to be filled for the supply, and to
be emptied into the basin when lowered down for use.
We sometimes dispense with the measuring tank, and fit a suitable cock or valve
to supply the basin from supply tank direct, either alone or in connection with any
suitable waste preventing appliance.
Sometimes we fit the water bottle and tumblers on the top of the water tank or
tanks, the recesses which hold them in position serving for filling purposes.
We sometimes arrange the lavatory so that one or more of the parts only are
covered in, or all the parts are exposed to view; in the latter case we sometimes
use porcelain for the tank, basin, and container, and these are either supported in
frames and hinged or pivotted to brackets; or we sometimes make the tank and
container with rounded bases, so that they can be readily tilted in their frames;
or we fit the supply tank and container with cocks for the purpose described, when
they need not have rounded bases, or be pivoted or hinged to their brackets.
We make the foregoing parts of any suitable material, and multiply the parts
where required for the attainment of the purposes described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edwin William De Rusett, Frederick Philip Preston, John Theodore
Prestige, and Edwin James Preston in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd April 1881.
EDWIN WILLIAM DE RUSETT, of Anerley, in the County of Surrey, Civil
Engineer, and FREDERICK PHILIP PRESTON, and JoпN THEODORE PRESTIGE, and
EDWIN JAMES PRESTON, trading as J. Stone and Company, of Deptford, in the
County of Kent, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LAVATORIES, AND IN MEASURING
APPARATUS FOR SAME AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to lavatories and their fittings where the object is to
economise space, to promote cleanliness, and to effect economy in first cost and in
the use of water.
In one modification of this Invention, especially applicable to lavatories for use
on shipboard, railway carriages, and similar situations, we enclose the water
reservoir, wash basin, and slop container in a case formed of either wood, metal, or
other suitable material, and we sometimes add to it, together or separately, soap and
brush trays, water bottle and tumbler holders, towel rails or hooks, and looking
glass either fixed or pivotted; also chamber cupboard, whatnot shelves, and other
appropriate fittings.
1
We place the supply tank or tanks at a suitable level above the wash basin or
basins or the water level therein; when more basins than one are used we some-
times place this tank between them. The basin may be oval or of any suitable
shape, and is by preference made with a lip to prevent the water spilling. We
prefer to fix the basin on a hinged or pivotted and sliding slab, or combination
of these, or each separately, with a ledge rour to stiffen it and prevent slop, but
this latter object may be obtained by a suitably made basin with projecting rim.
The basin is turned upwards when not in use, but is lowered so as to project
entirely or partially beyond the lavatory case when being used; it is again tilted
when required to be emptied, and is allowed to remain in that position so as to
economise space.
The slop container is placed under the basin. This we prefer to binge or pivot,
so that it may be emptied by tilting, and we provide it with spout, pipe, or passage,
so placed and arranged that the contents may be poured out with but little if any
risk of spilling. We sometimes use a cock or valve to empty this container. This
container is formed so that the interior may be readily cleansed.
To economise water we make a division in the bottom or lower part of the
supply tank or tanks, or provide a separate vessel or vessels which will contain
the quantity of water apportioned for each wash. It or they may be filled from
the supply tank by valve or cock appliance, which may be opened or closed by the
same action which tilts the wash basin. Water froin this measuring arrangement
is admitted to the basin by cock or valve appliance, which may be opened and
closed by the aforesaid action of the basin, or be opened by the hand of the
operator and closed by suitable mechanism, or as the basin is being tilted up;
but we prefer the latter, so that the water be automatically admitted to the
measurer and supplied to the basin by a cock or valve having suitable ways or
passages; if with three such, one of them will be in communication with the supply
tank, another with the measuring tank or division, the third being the exit to the
basin, the key or plug of the cock being so arranged that either the two tanks are
in connection or the measuring tank with the exit to the basin; thus when the
water is not being drawn off to the basin the water from the supply tank is filling

page_text: the measuring tank, and when the basin is being supplied there is no communication
with the supply tank.
The supply tank may be hinged so as to be enabled to be tilted to supply the
basin with a measured quantity of water, or as required. Or the measuring tank
may be formed round the basin itself, and so as to be filled for the supply and to
be emptied into the basin when lowered down for use.
We sometimes dispense with the measuring tank and fit a suitable cock or
valve to supply the basin from supply tank direct, either alone or in connection
with any suitable waste preventing appliance.
Sometimes we fit the water bottle and tumblers on the top of the water tank or
tanks, the recesses which hold them in position serving for filling purposes.
We sometimes arrange the lavatory so that one or more of the parts only are
covered in, or all the parts are exposed to view; in the latter case we sometimes
use porcelain for the tank, basin, and container, and these are either supported in
frames and hinged or pivotted to brackets; or we sometimes make the tank and
container with rounded bases, so that they can be readily tilted in their frames; or
we fit the supply tank and container with cocks for the purpose described, when
they need not have rounded bases or be pivotted or hinged to their brackets.
We make the foregoing parts of any suitable material, and multiply the parts
where required for the attainment of the purposes described.
We will now proceed to describe the manner in which we prefer carrying out
our Invention with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Figure 1 shews a front elevation of our single lavatory fitted with looking glass,
decanter and tumbler stand, cistern, soap and brush trays, cock for regulating the
flow of water, washbasin, tilting slop container with lock and with spout for
emptying, towel racks, and drawers, &c.
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional side view, and shews the measuring cistern with
decanter removed to shew the filling hole or holes and the air escape hole or holes
and the lever or levers for actuating the regulating cock; also the way we prefer to
make the slop container. In the above mentioned Figures 1 and 2, a is the looking
glass; b, decanter; b, filling hole; c is the top cistern; c', measuring cistern; d, one of
the air pipes for the latter, and o, the passage forming communication from one
cistern to the other through the regulating cock, which is also shewn separately in
vertical and horizontal section in Figures 3 and 4, and in end view with cover
removed in Figure 5. is the lever and f the rod for working the cock f from
prolongation of side of basin support g; his the pipe leading the water from the
larger end of the cock f into basin '; i is the sink, which may have a strainer or
grating placed at the bottom; le is the soap and brush tray with waste pipe leading
to sink is the slop container hinged at m, and with outlet n and shield o, and
ι
washboard p, buffers or bumping pieces, in which by preference india rubber
washers are placed at to stop the basin support when down, and afford the needed
elasticity when the basin with its support is let down into the position shewn in
full lines in Figure 2; represents a latch for the slop container to hold it in the
position shewn; 8 is a shelf for general purposes, and t, t, are drawers for towels
or brushes, &c.
701
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The full lines, Figure 2, shew the
basin ready for use; after use the basin with support is lifted up into position,
shewn by dotted lines in Figure 2; a latch is shewn at g¹ to keep it in that position
similarly the latch for the slop container, but any other convenient form of latch
may be used, or the latch may be dispensed with; this empties the basin into the
sinki, through bottom of which the slops fall into the slop container 7; at the same
time the communication in the cock f between basin and measuring cistern c¹ is
closed, and the way opened between top cistern c and measuring cistern c', the
cock being arranged so that the two ways cannot be opened at one and the same
time, see Figures 3, 4, and 5; the measuring cistern will now fill, whereupon the
apparatus will be ready for use again.

page_text: Now when it is required to remove the slops all that is necessary to be done is
to place a pail or other convenient receptacle in front of the lavatory, and tilt the
slop container 1, the contents of which will run out over the shield o and through
the outlet; also the inside of container will be visible, and can easily be cleaned
out through the opening p at the top; when emptied or cleaned all that is
necessary to do is to tilt it back into position shewn in full lines in Figure 2. In
some cases it may be thought better to have the container hinged at the top in
front, as in Figure 2a, in which case we prefer having the outlet pipe n continued
to the bottom of container, and by doing this we may make the container and
sinki in one piece, and raise the level of same, giving either more room in con-
tainer or greater height from deck or floor line to under side of lavatory; we may
also have a hand or cleaning hole in front near the top. Or we may arrange the
slop container so that it may be emptied from a spout or lip at or near the top in
connection with a shield, as will be described further on with reference to Figures 8
and 10.
In this Figure 2ª we have also shewn an arrangement whereby we can let down
the basin without turning the supply cock f, but so that the action of folding up
or raising the basin will ensure the closing of the cock f if it should have been left
open inadvertently, and thus also ensure that the measuring cistern is charged
ready for the next time of using it. For this purpose we form the rod f (or
other connecting part) with a slot (or other means for producing a so called lost,
motion), and in this slot a pegi f³ from the back prolongation of basin support g
works.
When the basin is let down the peg f³ works freely in the slot without moving
the lever for rod ƒ2, or opening the cock f. The latter may then be opened by
hand, and if inadvertently left in the open position the peg f³ will when the basin
is folded up pull the rod f° down and close the cock. Or a rod having shifting
nuts may be attached to the lever f' and work through a swivel connected tr .e
basin support g, so that by shifting the nuts the cock may be made to work
automatically ne or both ways, or be worked by hand only.
Figure 6 shews a double lavatory arranged-side by side with one slop container l,
which in this case is shewn with a cock n at bottom, but may be made to tilt,
as in Figures 1 and 2, and 2, and as will be described with reference to Figures 8
and 10; Figure 6 also shews a large cistern c, which may be divided into
two, the measuring cistern or part being likewise either divided or in one as
desired.
Figure 7 shews a vertical section through the arrangement which we prefer to
use when space is a great object, and a lavatory or 2, or more, are required in
adjoining compartments; by this arrangement we utilize the thickness of the par-
tition between the compartments by fixing the lavatories in the {partition as
shewn, where n, n, is the partition; we thus gain either half the thickness of
partition in both compartments, or the whole of the thickness in one or part in
each; the cistern c is here shewn in one, and the measuring cistern c¹ is divided in
two, but it may be vice versa, or both divided if desired; the slop container
is also shewn in one and with inlets p, but may be made with one inlet,
and to tilt either way as before described, and with any sort of bottom outlet
cock n.
Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of an arrangement which we prefer when
the normal position of basin is as shewn, that is to say, the basin h¹ is only tilted
with the slop container when it is required to empty the latter. In order to have
this tilting arrangement of slop container we arrange a bracket u to carry same
attached to wall or partition; or we carry up a support for same from floor and
balance the container and basin, or have a catch to hold same in position, as shewn
at v; n is a hole for emptying the slop container, either at the front, as shewn in
full lines, or at the back, as shewn in dotted lines, where we have also indicated
a shield or splash board n' for directing the slops into the pail. The basin is
emptied by means of a plug in the bottom. In this view we do not shew a

page_text: measuring cistern, although one may be applied, and the cock is shewn worked by
hand, but we may use either an ordinary cock or valve, or what is known as a
waste preventing valve, or a self closing valve, or any convenient waste preventing
arrangement.
The looking glass a is also shewn independent of the lavatory, but may be
supported, as also the cistern, by the saine bracket u or brackets that support
the basin, continued up high enough for that purpose. Figure 9 is a front
clevation of the arrangement shown in Figure S, and shews the brackets u, u,
continued up to support the cistern; Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of an
arrangement similar to the last mentioned one, but the basin, in this case, tilts
independently of the slop container . If the latter is made to empty through an
opening n at the back, we fit it there with a shield n¹, which also serves to keep
the slops out of sight. Figure 11 shews a method of arranging the different articles
either by separate brackets bolted to the partition or wall, or by a simple frame
carrying samo, and also without the supply cistern; in this case we simply have at
top a shelf w, with or without holes to carry the clean water bottles or jugs; lower
down there is shown a bracket u carrying a hinged basin ¹ which can be tilted, or
the basin may be dropped into a ring attached to the brackets or frame, or may be
hinged or pivotted at centre, similar to that shewn in Figure 10, or may be hinged
or pivotted in any other suitable manner.
Figures 12 and 13 shew our arrangement of pivotted and sliding basin, which
arrangement allows us to lessen the height of lavatory above basin, making it
easier to fill the cistern; the basin is prevented from falling down outwards by the
jointed levers or rods a, and also by the pivots y, which slide up and down in
grooves y at the sides of frame or casing; on tilting up the basin the jointed levers
or rods double up in the shape shown by dotted lines, the pivots y can then slide
downwards in the slots y', carrying the basin h' with them, and bringing it into the
position shown in dotted lines. To prevent the basin shifting when in position
shewn in full lines, a stop or recess is made in the under side at z so as to hold on
to the front part of casing.
The basin may also, in this case, be automatically supplied with water when it is
lowered, as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, by connecting a rod
similar to the rod f2, Figure 2, to the basin, or a part connected thereto.
We do not confine ourselves to the particular arrangements shown; neither do
we claim the measuring cistern, or the tilting basin separately, but what we do
claim is,―
Firstly. The construction of fold up lavatories, in which a folding, or swinging,
or sliding basin is connected to a cock or valve and a measuring chamber, in such
manner that the act of letting down the basin for use automatically charges the
basin with a definite quantity of water from the measuring chamber, substantially
as described and shown.
Secondly. The application to lavatories, and similar apparatus, of a tilting or
swinging slop container, constructed substantially as described and shown.
Thirdly. The general arrangement or combination of supply cistern, measuring
cistern or chamber, and automatically worked cock, as described and shewn.
Fourthly. The general arrangement or combination of parts forming an improved
encased lavatory, consisting mainly of a supply cistern, a measuring chamber which,
by cock or valve, is automatically filled therefrom when the basin is put up, and
automatically emptied into the basin when the same is moved into position for
use, and a hinged or movable slop container; substantially as described and
shown.
Fifthly. The construction of fold up lavatories, in which a folding, or swinging,
or sliding basin is connected to a supply cock or appliance in such manner that
the folding or putting up of the basin ensures the closing of the supply passage
to the basin, the latter being opened by hand, substantially as described and
shown.

page_text: Sixthly. The arrangement of a tilting or swinging basin in combination with a
tilting or swinging slop container, substantially as described and shewn.
In witness whereof, we, the said Edwin William De Rusett, Frederick Philip
Preston, John Theodore Prestige, and Edwin James Preston, have hereunto
set our hands and seals, this Thirty-first day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one. ·
EDWIN WILLIAM DE RUSETT. (L.S.)
FREDERICK PHILIP PRESTON. (L.S.)
JOHN THEODORE PRESTIGE.
EDWIN JAMES PRESTON.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)
EDWIN WILLIAM DE RUSETT.
FREDERICK PHILIP PRESTON.
JOHN THEODORE PRESTIGE.
EDWIN JAMES PRESTON.
(L.S.)
(L.S.)
(L.S.)
(L.S.)