Improved Fittings for the Ventilation of and Access to Drains, Sewers, and Waste Water Pipes, also Applicable for Surface Drainage.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1886.
Complete Left, 7th May, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 7th June, 1887.
Improved Fittings for the Ventilation of and Access to Drains,
Sewers, and Waste Water Pipes, also Applicable for Surface
Drainage.
I, PETER ROY SMYTH, of 40 Allison Street, Govanhill Lanarkshire, Plumber, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
Heretofore it has been the practice to simply fit boxes or frames with removable
perforated or open barred tops or lids, directly over the top of the pipes leading down
to the sewer traps for ventilating and cleaning these, and also over the like ducts or
pipes of drains and sewers, and the man-hole doors leading into main drains; which
perforated or barred lids have also been used for conducting the surface drainage
down into such traps or sewers.
In my experience I have found that this is very objectionable in so far that many
articles such as straw, and wood, get straight down through the open grating into the
traps and drains and choke them up, and lead to much labor and trouble in their
cleaning, especially in the smaller class of traps, when they are deep below the surface
of the ground.
My invention or improvements comprise new or improved constructions of boxes,
or trap boxes, for fitting over such vertical pipes and ducts at the surface of the
ground, which will prevent the said evils; while being equally serviceable for the
ventilation, or the cleaning of the said traps or drains through the vertical pipes or ducts,
or admitting the men through them as manhole doors, while yet allowing the surface
drainage also to pass down, and trap any straw or chips of wood and such like, which
may pass in through the ventilating openings.
The new or improved construction of these surface or ground boxes, when intended
for the smaller class of siphon sewer or other traps, would consist in one form of a
light cast-iron circular box, of a depth of about twice the diameter of the pipe for
which it was intended to be fitted, and having in the centre a smaller pipe of about
the same diameter as the trap or pipe to which it was to be fitted, preferably with an
open spigot end the same size as the central pipe projecting slightly below the flush
of the close bottom of the circular box. The sides of this short central pipe would be
perforated with holes as a rose sufficient to let all ventilation up through from the

page_text: central pipe, and surface water down through it. The upper lip of both the upper
and inner pipes, which would be the same height flush with the ground, would be
fitted with recessed bearings for flat metal lids to rest on, the one in the small centre
pipe being solid on the top. But the lid round the annular space between the outer
box and the inner pipe, which would be annular, would be perforated all round, so as
to let out the gases from and ventilate the drains, or vice versa allow air to pass in, and
also let in surface drainage through the annular space between the inner and outer
cases of this box, which annular space would require to have an area fully equal to
the area of the trap or drain pipe to which it was fitted. The holes in the side of the
central pipe need not quite extend down to the bottom of the annular space, which
while allowing of the ventilation and inlet of the drainage water, would yet form a
trap to prevent straw, chips of wood or other articles from getting into the central
pipe or drain, and could be cleaned out from time to time by lifting the annular
perforated cover. While the close cover on the central pipe would prevent the direct
admission of any inatters into the vertical pipe, and still allow of free admission for
cleaning out the trap or drain by when required. Instead of having two lids as
described, one circular plate lid only may be used, close over the central pipe, but
perforated over the annular trap space around the central pipe.
For large drains, the box box might made in the form of a rectangular or elongated
elliptical shape divided into two chambers by an open barred or perforated partition;
the one divison with the close lid over it, would be mounted directly over the drain or
pipe to be ventilated, either with or without a spigot in the centre of the bottom of
this chamber. The other division of the chamber would be fitted with a perforated or
open barred lid, and might be formed deeper than the other chamber below the
grated division, all so as to form a trap for any straw or chips or sand, which might
get through the perforated cover with, and allow the surface drainage to pass down
into the drain. And allow of the perfect ventilation up through the close covered
chamber, through the grated division, into the perforated cover chamber; or vice
versa allow air to pass down through the perforated and open chamber and central
grated barred division and through the close covered chamber into the drain.
For the large and heavy class of grated lids, used for manhole doors, for main
sewers, or the drainage of streets and thoroughfares, where the chambers at the
surface are built of brick or stone, the chamber above at the surface of the ground
would be built preferably of a rectangular form, and have a vertical grated plate built
in the centre, with a rectangular double ported open frame fitted over the two
divisions of this rectangular built chamber. The manhole port in the frame directly
over the drain, and chamber for getting down into the drain, would have a close lid
fitted over it, which would prevent any obstructive debris getting in, while yet
allowing of being lifted for the men getting into the drain when required. The other
open division on the opposite side of the vertical grated division, would be fitted with
a perforated or an open grated cover plate to allow of the outer or inner ventilation
of the drain, and of the free admission of surface drainage, while this open chamber
would yet form a trap for preventing straw, wood, or other obstructive matters
getting through the grating into the drain, which could be cleaned out from time to
time as required, by opening the open grated cover, the other close cover being lifted
when men were require to go down into the drain.
These improved. trap ventilating boxes, although here described as being fitted at
the surface for traps and drains leading to the common sewers, they may also be
fitted to upright roof, drain, and waste pipes leading down to traps or drains, and
any level on these, having a lateral branch from such upright pipes entering through
the side of the annular chamber of this trap, and so ventilate these pipes, as well as
allow of the free escape of the waste water down the central rose pipe.
Dated this 10th dow of dat 1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Fittings for the Ventilation of and Access to Drains,
Sewers, and Waste Water Pipes, also Applicable for Surface
Drainage.
I, PETER ROY SMYTH, of 40 Allison Street, Govanhill, Lanarkshire, Plumber, do
hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:
Heretofore it has been the practice to simply fit boxes or frames with removable
perforated or open barred tops or lids, directly over the top of the pipes leading down
to the sewer traps for ventilating and cleaning these, and also over the like ducts or
pipes of drains and sewers, and the man-hole doors leading into main drains; which
perforated or barred lids have also been used for conducting the surface drainage
down into such traps or sewers.
In my experience I have found that this is very objectionable in so far that many
articles such as straw, and wood, get straight down through the open grating into the
traps and drains and choke them up, and lead to much labour and trouble in their
cleaning, especially in the smaller class of traps, when they are deep below the surface
of the ground.
My invention or improvements comprise new or improved constructions of boxes,
or trap boxes, for fitting over such vertical pipes and ducts at the surface of the
ground, which will prevent the said evils; while being equally serviceable for the
ventilation, or the cleaning of the said traps or drains through the vertical pipes or
ducts, or admitting the men through them as man-hole doors, while yet allowing the
surface drainage also to pass down, and trap any straw or chips of wood and such
like, which may pass in through the ventilating openings.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing or carrying the
same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
an explanatory Sheet of Drawings, in which the same reference letters are used to
indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures where shown. Figures 1 and 2 aro a
vertical section and a sectional plan respectively of a circular or cylindrical form of
my new or improved construction of box or trap box for fitting over vertical pipes
and ducts at the surface of the ground. Figures 3 and 4 are a vertical section, and a
plan respectively, and Figure 5, a transverse section taken on the line 1 - - - 1 of
Figure 3, all of an elongated elliptical shaped trap box, constructed in accordance
with my improvements. While Figures 6 and 7 are a vertical section and a plan
respectively, and Figure 8, a transverse section taken on the line 2 - - 2 of Figure 6,
of a rectangular shaped box, constructed in accordance with the improvements of my
invention.
Referring to these Drawings.-the new or improved construction of these surface
or ground boxes, when intended for the smaller class of syphon, sewer or other traps,

page_text: would consist in one form of a light inner cast-iron circular box or case A B, as
shown in Figures 1 and 2, (of a depth preferably of not more than about twice the
diameter of the pipe for which it was intended to be fitted) and having in the centre
a smaller pipe A of about the same diameter as the trap or pipe to which it is to be
fitted, preferably with an open spigot end the same size as the central pipe projecting
slightly below the flush of the close bottom of the circular box into the brick or
mason work. The sides A¹ of this short central pipe A are perforated with holes a
as a rose sufficient to let all ventilation up through from the central pipe A, and
surface water down through it. The upper lip 6 of both the inner pipe and outer
box B, which would be the same height flush with the ground, is fitted with recessed
bearings b, for a flat metal lid CC, to rest on, the part C, over the small centre
pipe A, being solid on the top. But the lid part C round the annular space B¹
between the outer box B and the inner pipe A², is perforated all round at c so as to
let out the gases from and ventilate the drains, or vice versa, allow air to pass in, and
also let in surface drainage through the annular space B¹ and openings a between the
inner and outer cases A¹, B, of this box, which annular space is of an area fully equal
to the area of the trap, or drain pipe A, to which it is fitted. The holes a in the side
of the central pipe A need not quite extend down to the bottom of the annular
space B¹, which while allowing of the ventilation and inlet of the drainage water, yet
forms a trap to prevent straw, chips of wood or other articles from getting into the
central pipe A or drain, and could be cleaned out from time to time by lifting the
annular perforated cover C. While the close cover C on the central pipe A when
two covers are used prevents the direct admission of any matters into the vertical
pipe, and still allows of free admission for cleaning out the trap or drain by when
required. Instead of having two lids as described, one circular plate lid C C¹,
only may be used as shown in Figures and 2, close over the central pipe, but
perforated at c over the annular trap space B' around the central pipe A. When this
trap box A B, has to draw off surface drainage, the perforated cover part c may be
made concave, as dotted in at c¹ in Figure 1, so that the water would run into this
annular perforated space c', and down into the annular space B', and into the main
sewer A. When drain pipes have to be connected to these trap boxes A B, faucet
branches may be cast on the outer annular box B, as indicated at D to receive the
ends of such drain pipes as indicated at d.
2
Under another modification the box might be made in the form of a rectangular or
elongated elliptical shape as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, divided into two boxes or
chambers A and B, by an open barred or perforated partition A2 a; the one division A
with the close lid C, over it, would be mounted directly over the drain or pipe A
and to be ventilated, either with or without a socket A, in the centre of the bottom
of this chamber A'. The other division B, of the chamber is fitted with a perforated
or open barred lid Cc, and preferably of the same depth, but which might be formed
deeper than the other chamber A, below the grated divisions A2 a, all so as to form a
trap for any straw or chips or sand which might get through the perforated
cover C¹e, with and allow the surface drainage to pass down into the drain. And
allow of the perfect ventilation up through the closed covered chamber A, through
the grated division A2 a, into the perforated cover chamber B; or vice versa allow
air to pass down through the perforated and open chamber B, and central grated
barred division A2 a and through the close covered chamber A into the drain. In
some cases when surface drainage had to be drawn off through the trap chambers B
and A', the perforated cover C¹, might be made hollow as indicated in dotted lines
at c¹ to receive such drainage; and when water from drain pipes, or from the roofs
or the sinks or cisterns of houses had to be led into these traps, faucets and branches
at DD, might be formed in the close cover C to receive such pipes, as dotted
in at d.
For the large and heavy class of grated lids, used for manhole doors, for main
sewers, or the drainage of streets and thoroughfares, where the chambers at the
surface are built of brick or stone, the duplex chamber box A, B, above at the surface
of the ground is built preferably of a form as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, and has a

page_text: vertical grated plate A' a built in the centre, with a rectangular double open mouthed
or ported walled frame A¹, B', formed with broad basement flanges at B³, and over or
around the two divisions A B, of this rectangular built chamber and brickwork z.
The manhole port in the frame directly over the train, and chamber A, z, for getting
down into the drain, has a close lid C fitted over it, which prevents any obstructive
debris getting in, while yet allowing of being lifted for the men getting into the drain
when required. The other open division B on the opposite side of the vertical grated
division A³, a, is fitted with a perforated or an open grated cover plate C c to allow
of the outer or inner ventilation of the drain, and of the free admission of surface
drainage, while this open chamber B would yet form a trap for preventing straw,
wood, or other obstructive matters getting through the grating A a, into the drain
or main sewer, which could be cleaned out from time to time as required, by opening
the open grated cover C₁ c, the other close cover C being lifted when men were
required to go down into the drain or sewer. The covers and C₁ (of these trap
boxes A, A, and B, B¹,) are preferably made strong with bars below and ribs above,
and corner brackets C for holding them in position in their boxes A, A', and B, B¹,
respectively, suitable for horse and strong carriage traffic, as these are generally
fitted in the main part of streets or roadways.
These improved trap ventilating boxes, although here described as being fitted on
the mason work z, at the surface of the ground Z for traps and drains leading to the
common sewers, may also be fitted to upright roof, drain, and waste pipes d D,
leading down to traps or drains, at any level leading to the main drains or sewers,
having a lateral branch from such upright pipes entering through the side of the
annular chamber of this trap, and so ventilate these pipes, as well as allow of the free
escape of the waste water down the contral rose pipe, as described in reference to
Figures 1 to 5.
Although these boxes or trap boxes have only been described and shown, as fitted
with one chamber B, with open perforated or barred portable cover C¹ c, it is to be
understood that they may be similarly constructed with two or more of such
chambers B, to serve the same object; and that they might be made of iron,
porcelain or other material, and with or without solid bottoms, and with iron tops,
but they might be of different depths, and have the trapping box B, in the
masonwork.
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 :-
First. The construction, or arrangement and combination of the parts of boxes or
trap boxes with duplex chambers and close and open lids for fitting over vertical
pipes, ducts or channels at the surface of the ground, substantially as and for the
purposes and advantages herein described, in reference to and shown in the accom-
panying Drawings.
Second. In boxes or trap boxes, the constructing of a separate open covered
division chamber or chambers, leading to the close covered chamber, substantially as
and for the purposes and advantages herein described, and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Third. In boxes or trap boxes, the combination of a closed covered chamber, and
a chamber or chambers with open perforated or barred portable cover, and with a
perforated or barred division or wall between them, substantially as and for the
purposes and advantages herein described, in reference to and shown in the accom-
panying Drawings.