JN WATER CLOSETS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, HUBERT CASPAR KÜRTEN, Engineer, of Aix-la-Chapelle, in the Kingdom of
Prussia, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
JN WATER CLOSETS and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
"
My invention relates to water closets, and it is designed to afford a sufficient
water seal for closets, both when in use and when disused, without interference
with the movements of the excreta, and their entrance into the drain pipe, and to
provide a more efficient flush than hitherto and to simplify the regulation of the
supply of the flushing water as much as possible.
The device usually employed in water closets to prevent the rising of gases from
the drains, by means of a water seal in the form of a syphon between the closet
and drains, bas the disadvantage of being one of the principal causes of stoppages,
and of a tendency for the excreta to collect in it for some time, and thus to form a
source for the development of noxious gases in the immediate neighbourhood of the
closet. Nor are the flushing devices usually employed sufficiently efficient to
prevent the adhesion of particles of the excreta to the walls of the closet pan.
In order that my invention, and the manner in which I overcome these dis-
advantages, may be the better understood, I now proceed to describe the same,
reference being had to the drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of my improved closet.
Figure 2 is a vertical section through the flushing pipe showing the method of
regulation of the supply of flushing water.
The closet consists of an outer funnel or pan A, in which is placed a second
somewhat narrower funnel or pan B, which rests upon a diaphragm or bottom, cast
with the outer pan. The pan B is supplied with tubular rims b, c, at the top and
bottom. The rim bis perforated at its lower side with numerous holes, and the
rim c has a slot running completely round its inner face, or is perforated on its
inner face with a large number of holes placed closely together. Both rims
communicate with each other by means of a pipe or channel d, conveniently cast
with the pan,

page_text: The discharge mouth of the bottom or diaphragm of the outer pan is formed into
a short pipe a, to which is hinged a flap valve or trap e, provided with a high rim.
This trap is operated through a connecting link by a weighted lever f and the rod g
which is attached to one side of the seat C. The seat is made to pivot upon a
central axis, so that when sat upon, the forward part depresses and the hinder part
rises operating the rod g.
On the upper part of the outer pan is situated a bridge or tube, upon, or within
which, is placed a strong tube i, figure 2, made of very soft indiarubber, but which
at the same time is capable of retaining the water pressure, and which is in
communication with the service pipe and the rim b. To the lower surface of the
seat board is fixed a block h, figures 1 and 2, above the before mentioned india-
rubber tube, where it rests upon a piston valve piece K, figure 2, which by its
downward pressure can compress and close the indiarubber pipe.
When the closet is not used, the front part of the seat is raised by the counter
balance weight on the lever f, the aforesaid valve piece K is depressed, and the
supply of water is thus interrupted.
The indiarubber tube operated by the pressure of the seat may either be within
a tube, as in figure 2, pressed by a sliding block K or may lie uncovered upon a
bridge, and be depressed directly by the block h to effect the required interruption
of the supply.
When the closet is in use, the seat is pressed downwards at the front, and thus
turned upon its central axis, lifting the back of the seat. In consequence of this
movement the lower closing trap or flap valve e is turned through a right angle, so
that it hangs vertically, and the escape of the excreta from the mouth A is thus
unobstructed. At the same time the block h fixed to the lower side of the seat C,
is lifted sufficiently to free the indiarubber tube i from pressure. The water now
enters the two rims, from the upper one of which it escapes in the form of
separate sprays, watering the walls of the inner pan, and from the lower one it
escapes in horizontal sprays, which unite to close the bottom of the orifice with a
water veil.
The effects produced are:-
First, the walls of the inner pan B are constantly watered and rendered slippery,
thus preventing the adhesion of the excreta.
Second, and more particularly, during the use of the closet, when the protection
of the flap valve or trap c is removed, a water veil or cover is formed above the
mouth of the inner pan, thus preventing the rise of gases from the drain pipe, but
not the escape of the excreta.
When the closet is no longer used, the seat goes back into its former position, the
indiarubber tube is again pressed together and the supply of water is cut off. The
trap or flap valve e is lifted, and retains part of the water leaving the rims at the
last moment, and the water seal thus prevents the escape of gases from the drain
when the closet is not in use.
This flushing apparatus allows of this closet being used as a urinal by the lifting
back of the seat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st In a water closet, the combination of an outer pan A, on which a bottom
diaphragm is cast, with an inner pan B, resting on the said diaphragm or bottom of
the outer pan, substantially as described.
2nd In a water closet, the arrangement at the lower end of the inner pan of an
inner channel c having on its inner side a circular slot, or holes situated closely
together, to create a water veil or cover to prevent the ascent of noxious gases from
the drain when the closet is in use, substantially as described.
3rd In a water closet, the arrangement of the trap e, in connection with the
seat C by means of the weighted lever f and the rod g, to close the exit of the pan
with a water seal when not in use, substantially as described.

page_text: 4th In such a water closet, the arrangement of an india-rubber tube either
enclosed in a pipe or lying free, compressed, when the closet is not in use, by the
combined action of the weighted lever and a rocking seat, either by a plain stop or
by a piston push, and released for the flush by the action of the seat to effect the
alternate supply and stoppage of the flush water, substantially as described.
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.