Improvements in the Construction of Automatic Fountains.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 30th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Automatic Fountains.
I, WENZEL LANGBEIN of 49 Southville Wandsworth Road, South Lambeth
London, Horticultural Decorator and Contractor for the Erection of Rockwork,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object an improved method of constructing a series of
automatic fountains containing no valves, pumps, or parts liable to get out of
order; the whole internal parts being an arrangement of pipes only, the taps
required being all on the outside and free of access.
"
of equal
construct a fountain of two vessels called hereafter "chambers
capacity but not necessarily of the same shape, for air and water connected
together by two flexible pipes, one larger by preference to act as air pipe, & water
pipe alternately, the other, smaller to act as forcing pipe, when, the water
descending through it, forces the air up the air pipe; which air pressing on the
surface of the water contained in the upper chamber causes it to issue through the
fountain-jet, forming a spray in fountain bowl or aquarium, then returning through
the forcing pipe into the lower vessel or chamber.
This fountain consists of three parts:-
1. The fountain bowl, aquarium or ornamental figure with shallow fountain
dish.
2. The upper vessel called compressing chamber.
3. The lower vessel called lower chamber.
The compressing chamber contains a fountain pipe reaching nearly to the
bottom at A No. 1 drawing and terminating outside in the fountain bowl or
aquarium at jet B.
The compressing chamber contains also an air escape pipe which commences
from the highest point in the said chamber at C and terminates with a small tap or
screw cap at D near the jet or at any convenient place in the upper part of the
fountain bowl or aquarium.
The compressing chamber contains also the upper end of air pipe E this air pipe
connects the compressing chamber to the lower chamber by means of a flexible
pipe and this air pipe commences at the top of lower chamber at F. A forcing
pipe leads from the fountain bowl or aquarium at G or from any convenient place
direct, or, first passing through the compressing chamber to nearly the bottom of
lower chamber at H. The connection between G. H. is also a flexible pipe. The
lower chamber has at its bottom a tap or screw cap J.
The mode of setting this fountain in action is as follows:-
First filling
:-
- Pour down sufficient water to fill lower chamber, through forcing
pipe G. H. and fill fountain bowl or aquarium.
The lower chamber being now filled with water, and the compressing chamber
empty, raise by hand or other known mechanical-means-the lower chamber and
invert the same at the height of fountain jet, then open, both the air escape D-
and the air inlet tap J which is now on the top of lower chamber, immediately the
water will run through the air pipe F. E. which pipe is now converted into a water
filling pipe, and fills the compressing chamber in a short space of time. Then close
both taps and replace the lower chamber in its former position and the fountain will
play so long as there is water in the compressing chamber.
The fountain bowl or aquarium or other receptacle for water above the
compressing chamber can be on specially constructed bamboo, iron, wood, or any
ornamental stands of various patterns or can be placed on any occasional table,

page_text: sideboard, bracket or inside window conservatories wardian cases, green-house
staging.
The compressing and lower chambers can be directly beneath or on one side or
any distance away or even in another room. The air escape pipe C. D. can be
used for an ornamental and useful purpose of aërating the water each time it is
used by forcing air bubbles into the water as is usual in well appointed aquaria.
The air pipe F. E. is preferably a larger pipe for when converted into the water
filling pipe it does the filling more rapidly.
The above fountain can be adapted to any existing aquarium without making any
holes in the bottom, simply by placing the forcing pipe and fountain pipe, in the
shape of a syphon over one of the sides.
Instead of flexible pipes strong metal pipes can be used, and the lower chamber
raised with elbow joint taps.
The pipes named can enter and leave each chamber at almost any given
point, provided their respective ends finish at the points shewn on accompanying
drawings or described.
The pipes can be so arranged as to make use of several compressing chambers
or of several lower chambers to suit any design.
The pipes can be so arranged as not to have to invert the lower chamber, but
simply to lift it level with the jet.
The pipes can be arranged on pulleys to form a hanging fountain, raising lower
chamber by lowering compressing chamber & fountain bowl.
Both chambers contain pipes only the only two taps are on the outside free of
access, and the fountain can practically never get out of order the pipes being free
of access by removing the flexible pipes.
If pipes are arranged to raise lower chamber without inverting the same, the air
inlet tap is connected by a flexible pipe by preference larger with a pipe reaching
to top or bottom of compressing chamber.
Another fountain I make has also a compressing chamber and lower chamber
connected by a central tube from top of lower chamber A terminating in top of
compressing chamber B. The fountain pipe commences at C in lower part of
compressing chamber, and leads by means of a flexible tube to fountain bowl or
aquarium terminating at jet D. The forcing pipe commences in fountain bowl at E
or any convenient place passes direct or as shewn on drawing No. 2, first
upwards into compressing chamber & through central tube into lower chamber
where it terminates at the bottom F: part of this pipe is also flexible.
The air escape pipe commences at the bottom of compressing chamber with a
tap at G which is on the outside free of access and leads to the bottom of lower
chamber at H.
Both fountain & forcing pipe are provided with a tap at any convenient place for
instance as shewn on drawing at J J.
To set this fountain playing first fill the lower chamber, then close both fountain
tap & forcing pipe tap, & reverse by hand or other known mechanical means, or on
a spindle as shewn on drawing No. 2, the two chambers and open the air escape
pipe tap which is now at the top of chamber, the water fills in a short time the
compressing chamber, close air escape tap reverse the chamber to proper position
open both fountain & forcing pipe taps and the fountain begins to play.
The two chambers can be placed on an ornamental stand carrying the fountain
bowl or aquarium, with or without plants revolving on the spindle, or can be
placed any distance away fixed on a spindle, on a rough wooden or other stand or
made with flat bottoms to stand erect without other support to be reversed by
hand.
The pipes can also be made to travel inside central tube & come out of a hollow
spindle at K. K. the connections from K. K. to J. J. can in this case be either a
flexible pipe or metal pipes in which latter case, the two taps J. J. are dispensed
with & two elbow joint taps are placed at K. K. opening & closing automatically on
reversing chambers. Or, the pipes can travel through central tube into a plug
L

page_text: forming the spindle round which the chambers revolve & so close & open the
three taps J. J. G. automatically on reversing the chambers.
Another, fountain I make accomplishes the same object by being reversed once
only, the two chambers on being reversed become compressing chambers & lower
chambers alternately.
In constructing this fountain the fountain pipes A A commence at the top of
lower chamber & the bottom of upper chamber respectively & join by means of
two short flexible pipes at B into one from which they travel by means of a single
flexible pipe to fountain jet pipe C terminating at fountain jet C. C.
The flexible air pipes D. E and F. G. commence at A in each chamber and
lead to E. H. in upper chamber & G. H. in lower chamber the pipes H. H. are
also joined together by means of two short flexible pipes at J and travel from
there by a single flexible pipe to forcing pipe K. Three special flexible pipe closers
are placed on sections B. D. J. E. G. F. closing these sections by compressing the
flexible pipes.
On filling the lower chamber with water through K. H. the air escapes through
A. D. E. H. into upper chamber & from there by A. B. C. finds its way out.
The lower chamber being full & the upper one empty, to set the fountain playing
change the flexible pipe closers, from B. D. to B. F. section of flexible pipe, from
J. E. to J. G. section of flexible pipe, from G. F. to E. D. section of flexible
pipe, reverse chambers and fountain will play. By changing the pipe closes back
to first position & reversing the chambers the fountain will play again and so on.
Instead of the short flexible pipes metal pipes can be used and six taps fixed
two at B. two at J. one at G one at E three of which are closed and three
open during each action. Or, automatic elbow joint taps can be placed at J and B
which open and close on reversing the chambers and a tap in centre where air
pipes cross each other to be turned by hand opening one section & closing the
other at same time.
Or, the fountain pipe, forcing pipe and two sets of air pipes are made to travel
inside the central tube, the extended plug of a tap forming the spindle round which
the chambers revolve: this plug is pierced in four places opening & closing
fountain & forcing pipes automatically on reversing.
Two sets of air pipes independant one from the other open and close in turn
automatically on reversing chambers.
The advantage of the flexible pipes in all the fountains, however, is obvious as
by removing them the short sections of metal pipes can easily be cleaned out in
case of a stoppage through dirt getting into them from aquarium, to reduce this
danger to a minimum a strainer is placed upon all forcing pipes.
These fountains are by a combination of flexible & metal pipes & taps or
screw caps as fully described herein; easily adapted to any situation any shape
aquaria fountain bowl, fountain figures, rockwork, window conservatories, hanging
baskets, dinner table, side boards, brackets, occasional tables, ornamental stands,
pedestals, groups of plants, or played by means of a syphon connected to any
existing aquarium or vessel containing water. The taps being all free of access
can be repaired or ground in without removing them. By the special arrange-
ments of pipes described herein, I am able to separate lower chamber from
compressing chamber & by placing-the-same considerably lower obtain a greater
pressure & also hide the chambers in convenient places with-plants or rocks or
ornaments if objectionable to be seen. I am able to disconnect both chambers
from aquarium etc. and use the two chambers as a motor at any distance with or
without stand for them to revolve on. I can construct them partly with flexible
pipes partly with metal pipes or wholly with flexible pipes or wholly with metal
pipes with taps placed where they are easy of access for the purpose of cleaning
or repairing. Or without any taps at all.
WENZEL LANGBEIN.

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Automatic Fountains.
I WENZEL LANGBEIN of 49 Southville Wandsworth Road London Horticultural
Decorator and Contractor for the Erection of Rockwork, 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:-
My invention has for its object an improved method of constructing a series of
automatic fountains containing no valves pumps or parts liable to get out of order
the whole internal parts being an arrangement of pipes only, the taps required
being all on the outside, and free of access.
I construct a fountain of two vessels called hereafter "chambers" of equal
capacity but not necessarily of the same shape for air and water connected together
by two flexible pipes one, larger by preference, to act as air pipe, and water pipe
alternately the other, smaller, to act as forcing pipe, when, the water descending
through it forces the air up the air pipe which air pressing on the surface of the
water contained in the upper chamber causes it to issue through the fountain jet
forming a spray in fountain bowl or aquarium, then returning through the forcing
pipe in the lower vessel or chamber.
This fountain consists of three parts.
1. The fountain bowl, aquarium or ornamental figure with shallow fountain dish.
2. The upper vessel called compressing chamber.
3. The lower vessel called lower chamber.
The compressing chamber contains a fountain pipe reaching nearly to the bottom
at A No. 1 drawing left with the Provisional Specification and terminating outside
in the fountain bowl or aquarium at jet B.
The compressing chamber contains also an air escape pipe which cominences
from the highest point in the said chamber at C and terminates with a small tap or
screw cap at D near the jet or at any convenient place in the upper part of fountain
bowl or aquarium.
The compressing chamber contains also the upper end of air pipe E this air pipe
connects the compressing chamber to the lower chamber by means of a flexible pipe
and this air pipe commences at the top of lower chamber at F. A forcing pipe leads
from the fountain bowl or aquarium at G or from any convenient place direct,
or first passing through the compressing chamber to nearly the bottom of lower
chamber at H. The connection between G. H. is also a flexible pipe. The
lower chamber has at its bottom a tap or screw cap J.
The mode of setting this fountain in action is as follows:-
First filling-Pour down sufficient water to fill lower chamber through forcing
pipe G. H. and fill fountain bowl or aquarium.
The lower chamber being now full of water and the compressing chamber empty
raise by hand or other known mechanical means the lower chamber and invert the
same at the height of fountain jet then open both the air escape D and the air
inlet tap J which is now on the top of lower chamber; immediately the water
will run through the air pipe F. E. which pipe is now converted into a water filling
pipe, and fills the compressing chamber in a short space of time. Then close
both taps and replace the lower chamber in its former position, and the fountain
will play so long as there is water in the compressing chamber.
The fountain bowl, aquarium, or other receptacle for water above the compressing
chamber can be on specially constructed, bamboo, iron, wood or any ornamental
stands of various patterns or can be placed on any occasional, table, sideboard,
bracket, or inside window conservatories, wardian cases, green-house staging.
The compressing chamber and the lower chamber can be directly beneath or on
one side or any distance away or even in another room,

page_text: The air escape pipe C. D. can be used for an ornamental and useful purpose of
aerating the water each time it is used by forcing air bubbles into the water as is
usual to do in well appointed aquaria.
The air pipe F. E. is preferably a larger pipe for when converted into the water
filling pipe it does the filling more rapidly.
The above fountain can be adapted to any existing aquarium without making any
holes in the bottom, simply by placing the forcing pipe and fountain pipe, in the
shape of a syphon over one of the sides.
Instead of flexible pipes strong metal pipes can be used and the lower chamber
raised with elbow joint taps.
The pipes named can enter and leave each chamber at almost any given point,
provided, their respective ends finish at the points shewn on the drawings left with
the Provisional Specification or described.
The pipes can be so arranged as to make use of several compressing chambers or
of several lower chambers to suit any design.
The pipes can be so arranged as not to have to invert the lower chamber, but
simply to lift it level with the jet.
The pipes can be arranged on pullies to form a hanging fountain, raising lower.
chambers by lowering compressing chamber and fountain-bowl.
Both chambers contain pipes only the only two taps are on the outside free of
access and the fountain can practically never get out of order, the pipes being free
of access by removing the flexible pipes.
Another fountain I make has also a compressing chamber, and lower chamber
connected by a central tube, from top of lower chamber A No. 2 drawing left with
Provisional Specification, terminating in top of compressing chamber B. The
fountain pipe commences at C in lower part of compressing chamber and leads by
means of a flexible tube to fountain bowl or aquarium terminating at jet D. The
forcing pipe commences at fountain bowl at E or any convenient place and passes
direct or as shewn on this drawing (No. 2.) first, upwards into compressing chamber
and through central tube into lower chamber where it terminates at the bottom F
part of this pipe is also flexible.
The air escape pipe commences at the bottom of compressing chamber with a tap
at G which is on the outside free of access and leads to the bottom of lower
chamber at H.
.
Both fountain and forcing pipe are provided with a tap at any convenient place
as for instance shewn on drawing at J. J.
To set this fountain playing first fill the lower chamber, then close both fountain
tap and forcing pipe tap and reverse by hand or other known mechanical means or
on a spindle as shewn on drawing; the two chambers, and open the air escape pipe
tap which is now at the top of chamber, the water fills in a short time the com-
pressing chamber. Close air escape tap reverse the chamber to proper position
open both fountain & forcing pipe taps; when the water descending through the
forcing pipe forces the air up the central tube A. B. which air pressing on the
surface of the water contained in the upper chamber causes it to issue through C
to fountain jet D-and-the-fountain-begins-to-play...
The two chambers can be placed on an ornamental stand carrying the aquarium
or fountain bowl with or without plants revolving on the spindle or can be placed
any distance away fixed on a spindle on a rough stand or made with flat bottoms to
stand erect without other support to be reversed by hand.
The pipes can also be made to travel inside central tube and come out of a
hollow spindle at K. K. the connections from K. K. to J. J. can in this case be
either flexible pipes or metal pipes, in which latter case the two taps J. J. are
dispensed with and two elbow joint taps are placed at K. K. opening and closing
automatically on reversing chambers. Or, the pipes can travel through central
tube into a plug forming the spindle round which the chambers revolve and so
close and open the three taps J. J. G. automatically on reversing the chambers.
Another fountain, I make, accomplishes the same object by being reversed once

page_text: only: the two chambers on being reversed become compressing chambers, and lower
chambers alternately.
In constructing this fountain the fountain pipes A. A. No. 3 drawing left with
Provisional Specification: commence at the top of lower chamber, and the bottom
of upper chamber respectively and join by means of two short flexible pipes at B
into one from which they travel by means of a single flexible pipe to fountain jet
pipe C terminating at fountain jet C. C.
The flexible air pipes D. E. and F. G. commence at A in each chamber and lead
to E. H. in upper chamber and G. H. in lower chamber. The pipes H. H. are also
joined together by means of two short flexible pipes at J. and travel from there
by a single flexible pipe to forcing pipe K. Three special flexible pipe closers
are placed on sections B. D. J. E. G. F. closing these sections by compressing the
flexible pipes.
On filling the lower chamber with water through K. H. the air escapes
through A. D. E. H. into upper chamber and from there by A. B. C. finds its
way out. The lower chamber being full and the upper one empty: to set the
fountain playing change the flexible pipe closers from B. D. to B. F. section of
flexible pipe from J. E. to J. G. section of flexible pipe: from G. F. to E. D.
section of flexible pipe reverse chambers and fountain will play. By changing the
pipe closers back to first position and reversing the chambers the fountain will play
again and so on.
Instead of the short flexible pipes, metal pipes can be used and six taps fixed
two at B two at J, one at G, one at E three of which are closed, and three open
during each action. Or, automatic elbow joint taps can be placed at J and B, which
open and close on reversing the chambers, and a tap in centre where air pipes cross
each other to be turned by hand opening one section and closing the other at same
time. Or, the fountain pipe, forcing pipe, and two sets of air pipes are made to
travel inside the central tube, the extended plug of a tap forming the spindle
round which the chambers revolve this plug is pierced in four places opening and
closing fountain & forcing pipes automatically on reversing. Two sets of air pipes
independent one from the other open and close in turn automatically on reversing
chambers.
The advantage of the flexible pipes in all the fountains however is obvious as
by removing them, the short sections of metal pipe can easily be cleaned out in
case of a stoppage through dirt getting into them from aquarium. To reduce this
danger to a minimum a strainer is placed upon all forcing pipes.
These fountains are by a combination of flexible & metal pipes and taps or
screw caps as fully described herein, easily adapted to any situation any shape
aquaria, fountain bowl, fountain figures, rockwork, window conservatories hanging
baskets, dinner table, side boards, brackets occasional tables, ornamental stands,
pedestals, groups of plants, or played by means of a syphon connected to any
existing aquarium or vessel containing water. The taps being all free of access
can be repaired or ground in without removing them. By the special arrangement
of pipes described herein, I am able to separate lower chamber from compressing
chamber, and by placing the same considerably lower obtain a greater pressure
and also hide the chambers in convenient places, with plants or rocks or ornaments
if objectionable to be seen. I am able to disconnect both chambers from aquarium
etc., and use the two chambers as a motor at any distance with or without stand for
them to revolve on. I can construct them partly with flexible partly with metal
pipes, or, wholly with flexible or wholly with metal pipes with taps placed where
they are easy of access for the purpose of cleaning or repairing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I, declare that what I
claim is :-
No. 1. The construction of an automatic fountain which by the introduction of
special air escape pipe and air inlet tap and by adapting a combination of flexible

page_text: & metal pipes as described can be recharged by lifting and reversing lower
chambers at height of jet opening and closing two taps and replacing lower
chamber in position. I can adapt this fountain to any existing vessel containing
water by means of a syphon. I can also construct this fountain with strong metal
pipes and lift & reverse the lower chamber on strong elbow joints placed at a
convenient height in the air and forcing pipes.
No. 2. The construction of a fountain which by the introduction of an air escape
pipe and tap and a combination of flexible pipes and metal pipes can be recharged
by reversing twice and opening and closing three taps. I can also construct this
fountain wholly with metal pipes and taps so arranged as to open and close
automatically.
No. 3. The construction of an automatic fountain which by a combination of
flexible pipes and metal pipes and pipe closers can be recharged by once reversing
chambers and changing places of pipe closers. 1 can also construct this fountain
wholly of metal pipes with taps so arranged as to open and close automatically or
by hand.
1000
WENZEL LANGBEIN.