IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN EMPTYING THE CONTENTS AND SUPPLYING WATER TO WATER CLOSET BASINS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT. to Henry Saxon Snell, of Southampton Buildings, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
USED IN EMPTYING THE CONTENTS AND SUPPLYING WATER TO WATER CLOSET
BASINS."
Sealed the 7th February 1879, and dated the 7th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Saxon Snell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th December 1878.
HENRY SAXON SNELL, of. Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN EMPTYING THE CONTENTS AND SUPPLYING
WATER TO WATER CLOSET BASINS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus used in emptying
the contents and supplying water to the basins of water closets that are ventilated
below the lids.
To this end I propose to attach to the lids forming the coverings of such basins
a contrivance, by which the closing of the lid shall cause the emptying or flushing
apparatus, or both, to act.
By this means the noxious or offensive gases which usually rush into the basin
from the soil pipe during the act of flushing and emptying do not pass into the
room in which the apparatus is situated, but are retained beneath the lid until
carried off into the outer air by the ventilating flue or other contrivance.
The form and arrangement of the apparatus are capable of various modifications
to suit different descriptions of water closet apparatus, but it is preferred to use an
arm projecting backwards from the hinged lid, which arm shall be connected by a
rod, lever, or chain to the contrivance used in any particular apparatus for emptying
or flushing the basin, or both.
Or the lid, or a lever, or projection therefrom may be otherwise connected to the
emptying or flushing apparatus or to both.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Saxon Snell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
June 1879.
HENRY SAXON SNELL, of Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN EMPTYING THE CONTENTS AND SUPPLYING
WATER TO WATER CLOSET BASINS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus used in emptying
the contents and supplying water to the basins of water closets that are ventilated
below the lids. To this end I propose to attach to the lids, forming the coverings
of such basins, a contrivance by which the closing of the lid shall cause the
emptying or flushing apparatus, or both, to act.
By this means the noxious or offensive gases which usually rush into the basin
from the soil pipe during the act of flushing and emptying do not pass into the
room in which the apparatus is situated, but are retained beneath the lid until
carried off into the outer air by the ventilating flue or other contrivance.
The form and arrangement of the apparatus are capable of various modifications
to suit different descriptions of water closet apparatus, but it is preferred to use an
arm projecting backwards from the hinged lid, which arm shall be connected by a
rod, lever, or chain to the contrivance used in any particular apparatus for emptying
or flushing the basin, or both.
Or the lid, or a lever, or projection therefrom may be otherwise connected to the
emptying or flushing apparatus or to both.
And in order that my said Invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawing,
11
The Drawing represents a vertical section of a water closet and flushing
apparatus with my improvements applied thereto; a represents the closet seat;
b, the lid; c, the basin; and d, the flushing pipe and valve.
The lid is mounted on axes of motion at 61 and the closet is ventilated below the
lid, the foul air being caused to pass through the opening e at the back of the closet
into a ventilating flue or shaft f.
The projecting part 6 of the lid b serves when the lid is raised to close the
opening e, and in the act of lowering the lid such part 62 acts against the tumbler g¹,
which is pin jointed to the upper end of the rod g to raise such rod and with it the
valve lever h into the position shown by dotted lines, in which position the flushing
valve d is opened, then by the fall of the rod g the valve d is closed; i is a regu-
lator to regulate the action of the valve d.
In the act of raising the lid 6 the projecting part 63 in passing the tumbler g¹
merely turns it slightly on its axis of motion, as shown by dotted lines.
In the Drawing I have represented the closet as provided with a flushing
apparatus only and not with an emptying apparatus; but it will be readily
understood that an emptying apparatus may be combined with the flushing
apparatus, and both or either may be operated by the lid in a similar manner to
that herein before described, whilst the details of construction of the various parts
may be variously modified without departing from the peculiar character of my
Invention.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim in that
class of water closets which are ventilated below the seats is causing the lid or a

page_text: projection or connection therefrom to operate the flushing or emptying apparatus,
or both, substantially as herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Saxon Snell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
H. SAXON SNELL. (L.S.)