IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH COCKS AND VALVES, ESPECIALLY ADAPTED TO PREVENTING THE BURSTING OF WATER PIPES FROM FROST
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Harris, of Hanwell, in the County of Middle-
sex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED
WITH COCKS AND VALVES, ESPECIALLY ADAPTED TO PREVENTING THE BURSTING
OF WATER PIPES FROM FROST."
Sealed the 30th March 1858, and dated the 30th September 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Harris at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 30th
September 1857.
I, JAMES HARRIS, of Hanwell, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
CONNECTED WITH COCKS AND VALVES. ESPECIALLY ADAPTED TO PREVENTING THE
BURSTING OF WATER PIPES FROM FROST," to be as follows:-
The bursting of pipes arises from the freezing of water therein, and if
no water is allowed to remain in them, then no bursting will take place.
One of the main features of my Invention consists in providing a valve
or passage for the admission of air into pipes in which water has been
led, say, for instance, from a main into a house cistern, in order to drive
out the water therefrom as soon as the supply is cut off, and this I effect
by certain arrangements of cocks and valves, or by fitting at the upper
part of the pipe, or behind a ball or other cock, a valve opening inwards
to allow of the entrance through it of air.
All my arrangements of cocks and valves consist in so fitting them that,
supposing water to be turned on from a main by means of any of my cocks
or valves, one movement of a lever to a given distance will shut off from

page_text: tion the services will be emptied or allowed to flow out.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Harris in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th March 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
HARRIS, of Hanwell, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said James Harris, Her special licence that I, the said
James Harris, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said James Harris, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH Cocks AND VALVES, ESPECIALLY
ADAPTED TO PREVENTING THE BURSTING OF WATER PIPES FROM FACST," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Harris, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Harris, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings here-
unto annexed, that is to say:-
The bursting of pipes arises from the freezing of water therein, and if
no water is allowed to remain in them, then no bursting will take place.
One of the main features of my Invention consists in providing a valve
or passage for the admission of air into pipes in which water has been led,
say, for instance, from a main into a house cistern, in order to drive out
the water therefrom as soon as the supply is cut off, and this I effect by
certain arrangements of cocks and valves, or by fitting at the upper part

page_text: of the pipe or behind a ball or other cock, a valve opening inwards to
allow of the entrance through it of air.
any
My arrangements of cocks and valves consist mainly in so fitting them
that, supposing water be turned on from a main by means of
of my
cocks or valves, one movement of a lever to a given distance will shut off
from the main, and by moving the same lever a little further in the same
direction the services will be emptied or allowed to flow out.
The improvements are also applicable to bib cocks and to cocks and
valves suitable for boilers, for water gauges, and for supplying baths.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed, I have represented various forms
and modifications of cocks and valves adapted for carrying my Invention
into effect.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a flexible diaphragm valve, applied
to a cistern for supplying water-closets and house services. A is the
bottom of the cistern; B is the flexible diaphragm, which is connected to
the rod C by nuts and collars, as shewn; D is a pipe containing the rod C,
and. protecting it from the surrounding water, to prevent it becoming
fixed by freezing; E is the valve seat; F, the air-pipe; and G, the outlet
pipe leading to the closet or elsewhere. On the rod C being raised by
means of a pull or otherwise, the diaphragm B is raised from the seat E,
and the surrounding water thus allowed to pass over the said seat into
the outlet pipe G. On the release of the rod C, the diaphragm B
descends upon the seat E, and the air acting through the air pipe F,
forces all the water which is left in the pipe G down into the closet or
elsewhere. The air pipe F also acts as a waste pipe when the water in
the cistern rises to its greatest height. Figure 2 is a sectional elevation
of a valve constructed upon the same principle as Figure 1, but in a
modified form. In this case the rod C is made hollow, and acts in the
same manner as the air pipe F in the former case.
The form and arrange-
ment of the flexible diaphragm B and the pipe or case D are also modified,
as shewn. The action of this arrangement is the same as the action of
the preceding arrangement. Each of these valves requires only a single
hole to be cut in the bottom of the cistern for fixing, and will always act
freely as the wires cannot freeze. Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a
contrivance which I sometimes employ in connection with Figures 1 and 2
for regulating the quantity of water supplied to waterclosets and else-
where. Figure 3* is a side elevation, partly in section, of a cistern with
the said contrivance applied to it.
A is the cistern; B is the case of the diaphragm valve; and C is a
cylinder connected thereto. Within the cylinder C is a piston D, worked
by a rod E, and having formed through it an aperture or channel closed

page_text: by the valve a, the motion of which is limited by the stop screw b. Below
the piston D is fitted an inlet valve c. The piston rod E and the valve
rod F are both connected to one arm of a lever G, to the other arm of
which is attached the wire or pull H. When the piston D is raised by
pulling the wire H, the water enters the cylinder C through the inlet
valve c, and can only escape through the small valve a. By properly
adjusting the stop screw b, the time occupied in the descent of the piston,
and consequently the time during which the water is allowed to flow
through the valve B may be regulated as desired. A weight w is applied
to the end of the lever G to ensure the downward motion of the piston D.
The piston D need not be perfectly water-tight in the cylinder. For ex-
posed situations the regulator is fitted with a flexible diaphragm and pipe
to prevent the wire freezing. I sometimes use a diaphragm with suitable
valves in the cylinder, but without a piston.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of another valve, which is applicable
to the supply of water to waterclosets, and to the regulation of the
quantity of water supplied. To the lower end of a spindle a is attached
a perforated piston a'; which is furnished with a small flexible valve b
on its under side. In the valve case is formed a side passage or channel c
opening into the cylinder above and below the piston a', and in this passage
is fitted a cock c'. A is the inflow, and B is the outflow passage; d is a
valve upon the spindle a; and e is a cupped leather near the top of the
apparatus to render it water-tight. The valves are worked by the con-
necting rod or link C and the weighted lever D, which moves upon E
as a fulcrum. When the valve d is lifted by means of the lever D, a
small quantity of water will pass through the flexible valve b from the
upper to the lower side of the piston a', and the valve d will remain open
until the water has escaped from the under to the upper side of the
piston a through the side passage c, and the quantity allowed to pass
through the valve d at each time of using may be adjusted by the small
cock c', which will either prolong or shorten the time of descent according
as the said cock is more or less closed. Instead of the cupped leather e,
a diaphragm or stuffing box may be used, and it is not essential that the
piston a¹ be perfectly water-tight.
Figures 5, 5, 5, and 5, illustrate the arrangements which I employ for
removing water from pipes in frosty weather. Each or either of these
valves is to applied to the upper part of a service pipe, and so connected
therewith as to have an internal communication established between it
and the said service. Figure 5 shews an air-tight cylinder a open at the
bottom, and within a suitable case b, provided at the upper part with air
holes c, c.
This arrangement acts upon the principle of a ball valve for

page_text: both the exit and the admission of air. The case is connected with the
service at d, and when the water rises therein the air in the cylinder a
will be compressed, and the said cylinder forced upwards until the convex
valve face e comes against and closes the seat f, after which the air
remaining within the valve will act like the air in an ordinary air vessel.
As soon as the pressure within the service is removed, the air will rush
in at the perforations c, c, force the face e from the seat f, and drive the
water out of the service through the cock or tap provided for the purpose
in the lower part of the building. In Figure 5 the arrangement is
simplified and used for the admission only of air to the service. A tapered
or conical valve a is suspended as shewn within the case b, and upon the
stem of the hook which carries it a slight spiral spring c is placed to keep
the valve a to its face. As soon as the upward pressure of the water is
removed the valve will open and admit the air, which will, as in the
former case, drive the water out of the service. In Figure 5° a light valve
a is fitted in the under side of the case b, in such manner as to close when
the water from the service presses upon it, and to open by the atmospheric
pressure when the pressure within the service is removed; the atmospheric
pressure then forces the water from the service as before. In Figure 5°
is shewn a like arrangement, but in this case a light ball valve c is sub-
stituted for the valve a, Figure 5.
C
Figure 6 represents a ball cock, to which also I have applied a light
ball valve a opening inwards before the atmospheric pressure, when the
internal pressure of the fluid is removed, which is effected by opening
my three-way cocks in the lower part of a building, for emptying
the pipes which lead up from the street or other main to the said ball
cock.
one of
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of a three-way cock or valve constructed
according to my Invention. A is the inlet branch; B, the reservoir or
house-service branch; and C, the outlet branch; a, a, are valves opening
downwards; b, b, are cup leathers for making the valve chamber water-
tight. The valves a, a, are carried upon spindles D, D, which are con-
nected by links E, E, to a lever F. This lever F is supported by a ful-
crum G, which has a spring placed beneath it in order to allow it to
yield slightly when pressure is applied to the lever F. Supposing the
water to be turned on from the main to the house service, by opening the
valve a in the passage A, one downward movement of the handle N of the
lever F to a given distance will close the valve a communicating with the
main, and the further movement of the lever F in the same direction will
open the valve a communicating with the outlet, and permit the services
to become emptied. The valves a, a, are carried home to the seatings

page_text: by the pressure of the fluid against the cupped leathers b, b. The spring
under the fulcrum is simply intended to overcome the trifling friction of
the leather cups, and has to be depressed on opening either the inlet or
outlet valve.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of another three-way cock or valve con-
structed according to my Invention, but more compact of form than
Figure 7, A is the inlet branch; B; the reservoir or house service branch;
and C, the outlet branch. The two valves a, b, are in this case affixed to
one diaphragm c, and are kept against their seats by the springs d. By
placing a weight w on one end of the lever F, as shewn, the inlet valve is
kept open and the service box is charged, and by depressing the other
end of the lever F the inlet valve is closed, the outlet valve is opened, and
the contents of the service box are drawn off.
Figures 9, 9, 9, 9, and 9ª, are different views of a revolving three-way
cock or valve with turned and ground faces. The seat (shewn in Figure
9") has two openings a, b, the former communicating with the house ser-
vice or reservoir, and the latter with an outlet for emptying the pipes or
for driving off from a service box when the apparatus is used as a waste
preventer. A is the inlet branch; B, the house service or reservoir
branch; and C, the outlet branch. In the face or flat part of the valve
is an opening corresponding with the opening a, through which the water
passes when turned on from the source of supply, and in the under side
of the valve is a raised waterway c, which covers and forms a passage
between the two openings in the seat when the lever D is turned for
drawing off. The valve is provided with a projection d, which comes
against stops e, f, whereby its motion is limited in either direction. The
action of this cock or valve needs no further description. The cocks
represented in Figures 7, 8, and 9 may also be applied to the drawing
of liquids by means of an intermediate service box or reservoir to prevent
waste, one valve being always closed before the other is opened.
Figure 10 represents an apparatus for regulating the flow of water, con-
structed upon the same principle as the fan or fly employed in the striking
part of a clock. This apparatus differs from others constructed for the
purpose, inasmuch as it admits of the full flow of the water through the
cock or valve, and consequently of the flushing process up to the instant of
shutting off. The apparatus in the Figure is constructed suitably for a
watercloset; for example, A is the pull, which, by means of the pin a,
lifts the weighted lever B, to which is attached the rod C connected to a
cock or valve. Affixed to this rod C is a spring catch a', which, when it
is raised, catches upon the end of an adjustable lever D carried by a
toothed sector E. The teeth of this sector, by driving the pinion b after

page_text: the pun has been raised, causes the nyc to revolve, and accordingly as
the fans are set at a greater or less angle, so will the time which elapses
before the catch a' is liberated be of longer or shorter duration. As soon
as the liberation of this catch is effected the weighted lever B falls the
remaining distance, and suddenly closes the cock or valve to which it is
attached. I sometimes use the pendulum or balance wheel escape move-
ment, which are well understood, for the same purpose as that just de-
scribed.
Figure 11 represents a three-way cock for shutting off and emptying
pipes by a single movement of a lever, which is also suitable for drawing off
water by means of an intermediate service box or reservoir A for pre-
venting waste. Such reservoirs have self-acting ball valves for the ad-
mission and exit of the air when used under low pressures; but they
act well without such valves under high pressures. The construction of
this cock will be evident on an inspection of Figure 11ª, which is an
enlarged section of it. A is the inlet branch; B, the reservoir or house-
service branch; and C, the outlet branch. It will be observed that the
tapered plug of this cock cannot wedge or stick itself fast under the
highest pressures, its motion endwise being restricted by the collar nut a,
screwed on as shewn. This collar nut also prevents the plug from wearing
faster in that direction than is necessary to keep it water-tight, and- if
from disuse the plug should stick fast, it may be immediately eased by
slightly turning the collar nut. Figures 11° and 11° are sections, at right-
angles to each other, of a modified form of the same cock, the action of
which will be at once understood. Figures 11 and 11° are similar
sections, representing another modification of the same principle of con-
struction. The cock is in this case shortened, the apertures in the plug
being brought opposite each other for that purpose. Figure 11' shows a
modification in which a single water-way is provided, under which form it
may be used as a common bib cock.
Figures 12 and 12" are a section and an elevation of a water gauge
cock furnished with a collar nut a, similar to that shewn in the several
modified forms of cocks just described, and with screwed plugs as shewn,
to afford facilities for clearing the passages. In all such forms of cocks a
small spring s may be applied, to prevent the plug shifting inwards, in
the event of all pressure being taken off in the interior of the cock.
Figure 13 represents the manner in which I combine a conical valve a
with a diaphragm b to act as a stuffing box, and with a spring c of sufficient
strength to resist the pressure of the water and to keep the valve to its
seat. This valve is worked by the lever d, and constitutes an almost
frictionless self-closing bib valve; well suited to exposed situations, where

page_text: common plug cocks from the effects of frost have to be renewed almost
annually.
Figure 14 shews a modification of the foregoing arrangement, in which
the diaphragm is dispensed with.. The construction of this valve is
modified in other respects, as will be fully seen on inspection of the Figure.
The hexagonal nuts indicated at the lower parts of Figures 13 and 14 are
intended to illustrate the manner in which I sometimes apply these
apparatuses as water gauge cocks for boilers.
Figure 14 represents a modified form of cock applied to this purpose,
A being the end of the boiler. The springs in the cocks thus applied
may be so adjusted, that in the event of the steam in the boiler becoming
of a pressure much greater than the usual working pressure, the valves
will open and steam escape, thereby giving warning to the attendant that
something is wrong with the safety valves.
Figure 15 is a section of a screw plug water gauge cock applied to a
boiler of which A is the end.
Figure 16 represents a sectional elevation, shewing the manner in which
I sometimes combine two gauge cocks similar to that represented in
Figure 14. The two valves are here kept to their seats by one spring a,
and are acted upon by one and the same lever b, each valve respectively
becoming the fulcrum when the other is opened. The spring a in this
arrangement may also be so adjusted by the set nut c, that warning shall
be given in the event of the steam getting much above the usual working
pressure.
In Figure 17 I have represented the method by which I so arrange a
single lever, that it shall when moved be made to act upon two valves
fitted as water gauges and opening against the pressure.
In Figure 18 I have illustrated in sectional side elevation and in Figure
18* in front elevation on a smaller scale a method which I adopt for
applying two water gauge valves a, a, which shut against the passages
b, b, leading directly into the boiler B. The two valves are kept to their
seats by one spring c, and are acted upon by a single lever C. In connec-
tion with this arrangement of valves, a ball float attached to a suitable
cranked lever D, D', is made to act by means of the arm D' upon a pin
or rod d protruding into the boiler from the upper valve a. In the event
of the water getting low from any cause, the arm D of the cranked lever
will sink with the ball float, and the lower arm D' coming against the pin
or rod d will force the upper valve a open, and thus by allowing the steam
to escape will give warning that the water has fallen too low in the boiler.
As in Figure 16, the spring c in this arrangement may be so adjusted as
to allow the valves to be forced open at little more than the usual working

page_text: pressure, and thus to act as safety valves. The arrangement of spring
and lever shewn in Figure 18, may also be fitted to sliding plugs like that
represented in Figure 19. In all the foregoing valves, arranged to be
used as water gauges, screwed plugs are provided for facilitating the
clearing out of the passages, as will be understood on inspection of the
Figures; the valves when used as water gauges are, moreover, easy of
repair, being readily ground in if leaky, and made perfectly tight in a few
minutes; and further, they are not affected by the unequal expansion of
the metal, as is the case with the common plugged bib cocks, which are
continually sticking fast, leaking, and otherwise getting out of order, and
owing to the corrosion of the plugs are most difficult to repair.
Figures 20 and 20* represent sections at right angles to each other of a
three-way nozzle cock, suitable either for shutting off and emptying the
pipes by one movement of the lever, or for drawing off by means of an
intermediate service box as a waste preventer. A is the inlet branch,
B, the branch leading to the service or reservoir, and C is the outlet
branch. The two valves a, a', are acted upon by a spindle D, having
two arms b, b', for the purpose; the spindle D works through a stuffing
box, as shewn in Figure 20*, and the whole is made convenient for taking
apart, as will be understood on inspection of the Figures.
Figure 21 is a view, partly in section, of a four-way nozzle for the supply
of baths, and is fitted with three conical valves. A is the branch affording
inlet to the bath; B, the hot-water branch; C, the cold-water branch;
and D, the waste branch; the waste valve having no pressure to resist
is merely lifted by a knob, and kept open by a spring or catch as long as
necessary. The hot-water and cold-water valves are fitted as shewn in
the section, Figure 21*; the method of opening and closing these valves
is illustrated in Figure 21'; they are kept to their seats by means of a
spring a, and are both acted upon by the lever b, which is raised or de-
pressed according as hot or cold water is required. The valves are kept
open by means of moveable pins c, c, or by spring catches, or by other
contrivances for supporting the lever b. All the valves have rods c, c,
carried up through pipes d, d, to nearly the top of the bath, and their
upper ends are kept tight by means of either stuffing boxes or diaphragms.
The whole of the valves may be examined by taking off the cover of the
nozzle.
The valves throughout the foregoing arrangements are shewn as being
kept to their seats by springs, but I sometimes employ weights for the
purpose.
In the preceding description of the several forms of cocks and valves
which I employ for carrying my Invention into effect, I have not entered

page_text: into very minute and unessential details, but have, nevertheless, in all
cases, given sufficient to enable an intelligent mechanic to understand with
the aid of the Drawings how to construct them.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, I declare
that I claim the improvements in and connected with cocks and valves
herein-before described and represented in the Drawings hereunto
annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Harris, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of March One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight.
JAMES HARRIS. (L.S.)