Improvement in Water Closet Valves.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1898
DE MULTICATION.
Improvement in Water Closet Valves.
We, ROBERT STEWART WATSON, Plumber, and FRANK HOWE DURELL, Book-
keeper, both of Bay City, Michigan, and MARY BROWER MILLER, Lady, of
Detroit, Michigan, all in the United States of North America, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to flushing valves for water closets and more parti-
cularly to that class of water closet valves adapted to be interposed directly
between the water main and the closet bowl.
An air chamber located above the water regulating valve contains a piston
which is connected to the water valve by a rod and is normally pressed to the
top of the air chamber by a spring. The air chamber is open to the atmo-
sphere at the bottom, and a check valve which may be of any suitable form
and located in the top of the air chamber admits air above the piston, but
prevents its egress. A small opening in the top of the air chamber, the size
of which can be regulated permits air to escape slowly from above the piston.
When the piston is depressed by pushing down the rod the space above the
piston is filled with air which gradually discharges through the small opening
as the piston is slowly pushed upward by the spring. Thus a slow closing
of the water regulating valve is effected.
The general principle of operation of the present improved valve differs in
no essential feature from that of the devices above described, this invention
relating solely to improved details of construction and arrangement of the
water controlling mechanism, whereby we are enabled to accomplish the
objects of the invention, which are first, to secure prompt and positive closure
of the relief valve upon removing pressure from the valve stem; second to
cushion the main valve at the top of its travel and to prevent noise when
working under high pressure; third to secure a positive but quiet flow of water
into the bowl for a brief period after flushing.
The valve mechanism, forming the subject of the present invention, is
enclosed in the water compartments, and is operated conjointly with the air
piston by a central valve rod. The function of the apparatus as a whole, is
explained above rendering further general description at this time unnecessary,
it being understood that the present invention is applicable to a flushing device
of the kind above described.
A hollow cylindrical valve chest is secured by screw threads or otherwise
in the water chamber, and a compression chamber is located above the valve
chest and preferably made in one piece with it. Discharge ports or openings
are provided between the chest and chamber. The chamber also has a small
slit or discharge opening above the ports.
A hollow cylindrical valve attached to the valve rod and movable thereby
longitudinally within the valve chest opens or closes the discharge ports above
mentioned. At the lower end of the valve are water inlets also opened and
closed by the movement of the valve in the chest. The bottom of the valve

page_text: is provided with a water inlet or port which is opened or closed by a flat valve
attached to the valve stem, thus forming a relief valve by means of which the
pressure on the main valve may be balanced thus allowing the main valve to
be opened easily although the pressure in the main may be high.
The operation of the valve is as follows:-
Depressing the valve stem opens the relief valve. Water under pressure of
the main then enters the valve filling it and balancing the pressure on it.
Further depression of the valve stem lowers the valve within its chest opening
the inlet ports and discharge ports, permitting the free passage of flushing
water through the valve.
Upon releasing the pressure on the valve stem the relief valve automatically
closes and the escape of air from above the spring pressed air piston raises
the valve stem, thus closing the discharge ports and ending the flush.
Water entering the lower inlet of the valve which is still partly open after
the upper discharge ports have closed, fills the valve and compression chamber,
augmenting the pressure therein and cushioning the valve. For a brief period
after closing the discharge ports, while the valve is still rising in the valve
chamber a certain quantity of water is discharged through the slit in the
compression chamber, refilling the closet bowl.
Further rise of the valve closes the slit and the lower inlet. By cushioning
the top of the valve in the compression chamber as described all pounding
or jar noticeable in uncushioned valves when operating under high pressure is
avoided.
Improvement in Water Closet Valves.
We, ROBERT STEWART WATSON, Plumber, and FRANK HOWE DURELL, Book-
keeper, both of Bay City, Michigan, and MARY BROWER MILLER, Lady, of
Detroit, Michigan, all in the United States of North America, 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 flushing valves for water closets and more parti-
cularly to that class of water closet valves adapted to be interposed directly
between the water main and the closet bowl.
An air chamber located above the water regulating valve contains a piston
which is connected to the water valve by a rod and is normally pressed to the
top of the air chamber by a spring. The air chamber is open to the atmo-
sphere at the bottom, and a check valve which may be of any suitable form
and located in the top of the air chamber admits air above the piston, but
prevents its egress. A small opening in the top of the air chamber, the size
of which can be regulated permits air to escape slowly from above the piston.
When the piston is depressed by pushing down the rod the space above the
piston is filled with air which gradually discharges through the small opening
as the piston is slowly pushed upward by the spring. Thus a slow closing
of the water regulating valve is effected."
This invention relates solely to certain improved details of construction and
arrangement of the water controlling mechanism, whereby we are enabled to

page_text: accomplish the objects of the invention, which are first, to secure prompt and
positive closure of the relief valve upon removing pressure from the valve
stem; second, to cushion the main valve at the top of its travel and prevent
noise when working under high pressure; third, to secure a positive but quiet
flow of water into the bowl for a brief period after flushing.
The various means by which these objects are attained are shewn in the
accompanying drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the casing, shewing the valve open.
Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of the valve stem with valves in place.
Figure 3 is a side view of the valve seat and compression chamber.
Figure 4 is a top view of the parts shewn in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a side view partly in section of the main and relief valves.
Figure 6 is a top view of the same.
Throughout the several views similar figures and letters of reference
designate similar parts.
1 is the air chamber in which operates the piston or plunger 2. 3 is a water
chamber having an inlet 4, an outlet or discharge 5.
The valve mechanism, forming the subject of the present invention, is
enclosed in the water compartments, and is operated conjointly with the air
piston by a central valve rod 6.
7, is a cylindrical valve chest secured by screw threads or otherwise in the
water chamber 3 as shewn in Figure 1. 8 is a compression chamber located
above the valve chest and preferably made in one piece with it, discharge
openings or ports 9 being provided between the chest and chamber.
chamber is also provided with a small discharge opening 8° above the
ports 9.
The
A hollow cylindrical valve 10, attached to the valve rod 6 and movable
thereby longitudinally within the chest 7, opens or closes the ports 9. At
the lower end of the valve 10 are water inlets 11 also opened and closed by
the movement of the valve in the chest 7. The bottom of the valve 10 has
water inlets 10%, and the cap 12, the head of which is provided with a water
inlet 12 and forms a seat for the relief valve 13.
A nut or washer 14" is adjustably attached by screw threads or otherwise
to the valve rod 6, and a spring 14, extending between the washer and the
bottom of the valve 10, closes the relief valve when the pressure is removed
from the valve rod 6. The proportions of the valve chest 7 are such that the
water inlets 11 are still partly open when the discharge ports 9 are closed, and
the inlets 11 close when the top of the valve passes and closes the small slit 8*
in the chamber 8.
The top rim of the cap 12 is provided with a ring of rubber or other suitable
packing, 15, to form a water tight joint between the valve 10 and the bottom
of the valve chest 7 when the valve is closed.
The operation of the valve is as follows;
Depressing the rod 6 compresses the spring 14 and opens the relief valve 13.
Water under pressure of the main enters the valve 10 through the openings 12ª
and 10, filling the valve and balancing the pressure on it. Further depression
of the rod 6 lowers the valve 10 within the chest 7, opening the inlet ports 11,
and discharge ports, permitting the free passage of flushing water therethrough.
Upon releasing the pressure on the valve rod the spring 14 expands closing
the relief valve. The spring pressed air piston 2 slowly raises the valve stem
the air slowly escaping as above described from the air chamber above said
piston. The valve 10 rises, closing the discharge ports 9, thus ending the
Alush. Water entering the inlet 11 which is still partly open fills the valve
and compression chamber, augmenting the pressure therein and cushioning the
valve.
For a brief period after closing the ports 9 while the valve rises in the
chamber 8, a certain quantity of water is discharged through the orifice 8ª

page_text: refilling the closet bowl. Further rise of the valve 10 closes the opening 8ª and
the inlets 11.
By cushioning the top of the valve in chamber 8 as described, all pounding
or jar noticeable in uncushioned valves when operating under high pressure
is avoided.
Heretofore it has been our practice to allow the relief valve 13 to remain
open until the flush has ceased and the main valve closed, permitting the
water pressure to close the relief valve. Under light pressures this arrange-
ment was satisfactory, but when subjected to heavy pressure it closed too
suddenly, causing a sharp noise.
་་,
Therefore we have applied the spring 14 to the valve rod whereby the relief
valve is mechanically closed before the main valve 10 closes, thus avoiding all
shocks, and this means or its equivalents for closing the relief valve while
the main valve is open forms an important feature of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
wo claim is:-
י
1. In a sanitary flushing device the combination with a casing having
openings for inlet and discharge of water and means for opening and closing
a water regulating valve; of a valve chest within said casing, a water regulating
valve to operate within said chest and ports communicating therewith, a
cushioning chamber adapted to receive the end of the valve, means whereby a
certain quantity of water is discharged after the ports are closed, and a relief
valve attached to the water valve, for the purpose set forth.
2. In a sanitary flushing device having openings for intake and discharge
of water and means for opening and closing a water regulating valve; of the
herein described means for controlling the now, that is to say: a hollow valve
chest, a hollow water regulating valve operated therein, a cushioning chamber
adapted to receive the end of the valve and to cushion the valve by hydraulic
action, an opening in said chamber whereby a small quantity of water is
discharged after the valve is closed, a relief valve attached to the hollow valve,
adapted to open before it and to close before it, substantially as described.
3. A water valve for flushing purposes comprising a cylindrical valve chest,
a cylindrical valve having a water passage therethrough, the valve being
longitudinally movable within said chest, a chamber above said chest, adapted
to cushion the valve by hydraulic action, water passages between the chest
and chamber adapted to be opened or closed by the valve, and means, sub-
stantially as described for permitting temporarily the escape of water from the
chamber, and then closing the escape orifice, for the purpose set forth.
4. In a water-closet valve, a cushioning chamber located near the extremity
of the valve travel and adapted to engage the end of the valve for the purpose
set forth.
5. In a water controlling device for flushing purposes an outer valve chest,
a cushioning chamber made integral with and above the chest, ports inter-
mediate the chest and chamber; a hollow cylindrical valve fitting said chest
and having longitudinal movement therein past the ports, together with open-
ings in the chamber above the ports, the flow through the ports and chamber
opening being controlled by the valve, substantially as described.
6. In a water-closet flushing device having a relief valve and a main valve
operated by the same valve stem, a spring or other means substantially as
described, operating between the valve stem and the body of the main valve
to allow the relief valve to open before the main valve, and closing the relief
valve immediately upon removal of pressure from the valve stem.
7. In a flushing device of the kind described a hollow cylindrical valve
having lateral openings near its lower end, a perforated base, a cap for said base

page_text: having a water inlet, a valve to close said inlet, and means substantially as
described for closing the valve.
8. In a relief valve for water-closet valves the inlet (12") valve (13), valve
rod (6), and spring (14) and nut (14), for the purpose specified.
9. In a water-closet flushing device, a valve chest having discharge ports,
a cushioning chamber having a lateral opening therein, a hollow valve having
inlet ports near its bottom and adapted to fit the valve chest and cushioning
chamber comprising means whereby the progressive longitudinal movement of
the valve in closing successively closes the discharge; cushions the valve,
permits the escape of a small quantity of water from the cushioning chamber:
and finally closes the inlet ports, substantially as described and for the purpose
set forth.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.