IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WATERING Camino Coum AND OTHER LOCALITIES
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Townley, of No. 2, Bartlett's Build-
ings, Holborn Hill, in the City of London, Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WATERING
Camino Coum AND OTHER LOCALITIES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Townley
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 8th October 1852.
I, WILLIAM TOWNLEY, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WATERING AND
FLUSHING STREETS, SQUARES, COURTS, AND OTHER LOCALITIES" to be as
follows:-
Instead of the present stone curbs which protect the edges of our
footways in the streets it is proposed to substitute curbs made of cast
iron or other suitable material, made hollow, and having at intervals
connection with the mains of water which supply the houses, and by
means of connecting pipes and stop valves to allow the water to be
admitted into the curbs at pleasure. These curls are perforated with

page_text: small holes in the sides facing the carriage road, and the portion or
section to which such water is admitted will be immediately watered.
This part of the Invention applies to wide or narrow streets, as the
curb can be fitted on one or both sides of the street, as may be required;
the curbs can be made any shape or size; they are fitted together by
bolts with india-rubber or gutta-percha washers, to allow for contraction
or expansion, and are always water-tight at the joints. As regards large
spaces, such as angles of squares, &c., or where the water cannot reach
from the curbs, an apparatus, which is denominated a rising distributor,
is applied, which can be raised at pleasure, and when not in use is
brought flush with the ground; the object in using this distributor is,
that the water may be thrown horizontally to a greater distance from
the perforation round its top. It will also have connection with the
main.
For narrow courts, alleys, &c., coupled with the usual gutter for
carrying off the waste water, is a gutter of iron or other suitable material,
made hollow, and perforated on the top to act as distributor, it being
connected with the mains.
The accompanying Drawing illustrates some of the plans proposed.
Fig. 1, exhibits the improved curb as laid down, having connection
with the main. Fig. 2, shews a cross sectional elevation of the same.
On both these Figures a, a, mark the apertures for distributing the
water; b, b, the tubular curb; c, c, pipes connecting it with the main at
certain distances; d, d, the stop valve; and e, the main. Fig. 3, is a
sectional elevation of two lengths of curbs, shewing the point of junction.
Fig. 4, is a plan of improved gutter to be laid down in narrow courts,
alleys, &c. a, a, is the usual gutter for carrying off the waste water; b, b,
is the improved tubular gutter for cleansing the courts, &c., by means
of appertures on the top, marked c, c, being connected with the main by
pipes at certain distances, similar to the curbs. Fig. 5, is a rising
distributor for throwing water to a greater distance horizontally, when
required for large spaces, squares, &c. a, a, a, a, shew the apparatus
for raising the distributor, and b, b, the connecting pipe with the main,
and c, the pipe which contains the stop valve for admitting water into
the distributor at pleasure.

page_text: What is claimed is, the application of perforated curbs, rising dis-
tributors, and perforated gutters for watering & flushing streets, courts,
squares, and other localities.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Townley in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 8th April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
WILLIAM TOWNLEY, of Bartlett Buildings, Holborn Hill, London,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of October, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Townley, Her special licence
that I, the said William Townley, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said William Townley, 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 "IMPROVED MA-
CHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR WATERING AND FLUSHING STREETS, SQUARES,
COURTS, AND OTHER LOCALITIES," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Townley, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, 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 William Townley, do hereby
declare the nature of the 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 (that is to say):

page_text: My Invention consists, firstly, in substituting hollow perforated curbs
of cast iron or other suitable material in the place of the stone curbs
hitherto employed at the edges of pavements or footpaths, to separate
them from the middle of streets, roads, or ways, and, further, in con-
necting such said hollow curbs with the main water pipes which are
laid down for supplying water to the different houses; and, secondly, in
the use and application of hollow gutters of cast iron or other suitable
material as conduits for water, for the purpose of watering and flushing
courts and alleys, said gutters being constructed and arranged for such
purposes in the manner hercin-after particularly described, set forth,
and represented by the illustrative Sheet of Drawings hereunto
annexed, and forming part of this my Complete Specification.
Another part of this Invention consists in the use and application of
certain mechanism or apparatus, which I denominate a rising distribu-
tor, for the purpose of watering and flushing the angles of squares or
open spaces, court yards, lawns, and other large areas of ground,
whether public or private, in the manner herein-after particularly
described, set forth, and represented; and the object and intention of
this Invention is, to dispense with the use of the watering carts hitherto
employed for such purposes, and also to render such operations less
tedious and more efficient than hitherto.
And in order to explain my said Invention as completely as possible I
will proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying
my said Invention into practical effect, and which I have found to
answer extremely well. And as regards that part of my said Invention
which has reference to watering and flushing streets or roads, the same
may be effected by the mechanical arrangements and combinations of parts
exhibited at Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, of the illustrative Drawing, the des-
cription whereof is as follows:-Figure 1, exhibits a top plan view of a
portion of a pavement and street or roadway, shewing the mode of connect-
ing the hollow curb before mentioned with the water main. Figure 2.
is a transverse and vertical section taken through the line A, B, at
Figure 1. Figures 3, 4, 5, are detached portions, hereafter referred to.
Figure 6, exhibits a transverse and vertical section of a road or street,
drawn to a reduced scale, explanatory of the means by which the same

page_text: may be watered and flushed. At cach of these figures, as also those
hereafter mentioned, the same letters of reference are employed to
denote corresponding parts, in so far as such parts appear or can be
seen at each of the Figures respectively. A, A, marks a hollow
rectangular shaped cast iron curb, formed in lengths of about six feet,
one end of each of such lengths is formed with a cylindrical or slightly
taper-shaped piece B, which fits into a corresponding shaped hole C,
formed in the next length of curb which is to be connected thereto,
and in like manner each length is formed with a circular projection at
one end and a socket at the other, as exhibited in section at Figure 5,
and there are smugs or projections a, a, formed near each end, and at
the sides of said curbs, through which a screw b, passes, for connecting
the several lengths of curb together by means of nuts, shewn at
Figure 5; and the points of junction of each such length of curb are
rendered tight by a washer c, of vulcanized india rubber or other
suitable elastic substance or material, and by this means the metal of
which the curb is made is at liberty to expand and contract, according
to the variations of the temperature of the atmosphere, without break-
ing or injuring the joints. At Figures 1, and 2, D, marks the water
main, composed of a series of pipes in the manner usually practised;
E, a flange pipe, of which there may be several, for connecting the
main D, with the curb, and disposed at certain convenient distances
asunder; to effect this connection it is also necessary to form the curb
at such part with a hole at the bottom thereof, to which is affixed the
pipes E', as shewn at Figures 2, and 4; the pipes E, are also fitted with
a sluice cock G, and pipe H, the upper part whereof is level or flush
with the surface of the road or street, and through this pipe a socket
key is to be passed, and fits upon the square of the cock, for opening
and closing the same. The curb A, has holes d, d, formed therein, as
shewn at Figures 3, and 4, through which the water rushes, and is
thereby distributed over the road or street, as exhibited at Figure 6;
and although at this Figure the road or street is represented as having
a hollow curb at each side thereof, this will only be found necessary
where the road or street is very wide, as for narrow roads or streets a
hollow curb on one side only will in most cases be found sufficient.
need hardly remark, that in order to water a road or street uniformly
I

page_text: across its surface, the same may be effected by the operator opening the
sluice more or less, so as to cause the water to be thrown to a greater
or less distance, as found necessary. It will also be found desirable to
construct the curb with feet, as at e, e, Figures 3, and 4, for the
purpose of affording stability thereto. And in this manner, and by these
means, I effect the watering and flushing of roads and streets.
I
I would remark, that although I have only exhibited this part of my
said Invention as applied to the curbs of streets, roads, or ways, pro-
pose also to apply the same in an ornamental form to the borders of
flower beds, or to the edges of walks of public or private pleasure
grounds, for the purpose of watering the same.
And in applying this Invention for the purpose of watering and
flushing narrow courts or alleys I employ the arrangement exhibited at
Figures 7, 8, of the illustrative Drawing, of which the following is a
description:-Figure 7, exhibits a top plan view of a portion of a court
or alley; and Figure 8, is a transverse and vertical section taken
through the line C, D, at Figure 7. A, A, marks a cast iron gutter
for carrying off the waste water which may accumulate from time to
time upon the surface of the stones (if paved) of the court or alley.
I propose by this Invention to form this gutter in suitable lengths,
say six feet, with two channels instead of only one, as heretofore; that
marked A, being open at top for the waste water, as above men-
tioned; and that marked B, which is closed at the top, is in connection
with the water main C, (as before mentioned with reference to Figures 1,
and 2) and I form the top of the channel B, with holes inclined in
opposite directions, so as to cause the water when turned on at the
main to pass off in the direction exhibited at Figure 8. Figure 9,
exhibits the compound gutter A, B, drawn to an enlarged scale, or,
instead of constructing the gutter in the above manner, it may be of the
form exhibited at Figure 10, where A, marks an open channel for the
passage of waste water, and B, B, closed channels perforated at the
top, as exhibited, and in connection with the water main, as before
stated with reference to Figure 9.
I will now proceed to describe that part of this Invention which
relates to the watering and flushing of large open spaces or areas of
ground, court yards, lawns, and other like places, which may be effected

page_text: by the mechanical arrangements and combinations of parts or apparatus
exhibited at Figure 11, 12, 13, 14, of the illustrative Drawing, the
description whereof is as follows:-Figure 11, exhibits a transverse and
vertical section of the piece of mechanism or apparatus which I deno-
minate a rising distributor, shewing its connection with a water main,
and certain mechanism for raising and lowering the same to any
required height. Figures 12, 13, 14, are detached portions, hereafter
referred to. A, A1, A2, mark a cylindrical shaped casting formed in
three parts, connected together by bolts and nuts, as shewn; the lower
part has an opening formed therein, to which is fixed one end of the
horizontal conduit pipe B, the other end thereof being connected to the
main water pipe C. The pipe B, is fitted with a sluice cock, which is
accessible from above by a pipe D, in a similar manner to that exhi-
bited at Figure 2. E, is a hollow cylindrical shaped casting or distri-
buting pipe, the upper part whereof is also formed hollow, and of a
button shape, and there are holes formed around such said upper part,
through which the water from the main passes, and the lower part or
tube E, is turned true in a lathe, and works through holes in the
middle casting A', which is also formed with a recess or groove, in
which a cupped leather ", is placed, and thereby forms a perfect water-
tight packing for the casting E, to work through.
The raising and lowering of this casting is effected by the following
means: A rack G, is formed at one end of the casting E, into which
a pinion H, takes or gears; this pinion is mounted upon a spindle I,
which passes through a tube a, a; one end of this spindle works in
suitable bearings formed in the brackets of the casting A², as shewn
at Figures 12, and 18, and the other and opposite end of the
spindle I, which has a worm wheel K, keyed thereon, which works
in a suitable bearing formed in the box or casting L; and there is a
worm M, working in bearings in the box or casting L, as shewn at
Figure 14, which is a section thereof, and said worm takes or gears
into the worm wheel K. Thus it will be seen that by placing a socket
key upon the upper and square part of the spindle of the worn, and
imparting motion thereto, rotary motion will be transmitted to the
5 spindle I, and pinion H, by which the casting E, or water distributor,

page_text: may be raised or lowered to any required height; and, supposing the
sluice cock to be opened so as to admit water from the main, it will
appear evident that the water will be forcibly discharged through the
holes or openings in the button shape part of the pipe E, and thereby
effect the watering or flushing of the angles of squares or other locali-
ties in which the apparatus may be placed, and which, when out of
usc, is flush with the surface of the ground, whereby no obstruction
is offered to the traffic. And in this manner, and by these means, I
effect the watering or flushing of the angles of squares or open spaces,
court yards, lawns, and other large areas of ground.
And lastly, for watering and flushing open spaces where obelisks
are situated, such as the open spaces which occur at the junction of
cross roads, I employ the arrangement exhibited at Figure 15,
where A, A, marks a hollow perforated curb of cast iron or other suit-
able material, of similar construction to that before mentioned with
reference to Figures 1, and 2, such curb being substituted in the
place of the ordinary stone curb; and I connect such hollow curb
with the water main, as before described, whereby I am enabled to
water or flush the surrounding ground.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed and carried into practical effect, I
desire it to be understood that I do not claim the exclusive use of any
of the separate parts above mentioned and referred to, except in so far
as the same may be employed in combination, and for the purposes of
my said Invention, which I hereby declare to consist in, and I claim
as my Invention of "Improved Machinery or Apparatus for Watering
and Flushing Streets, Squares, Courts, and other Localities."
Firstly, the use and application of a hollow perforated curb to one or
both sides of streets or roads, and to obelisks, as a conduit for water
to be employed in connection with any existing water main, for the pur-
pose of watering and flushing the surfaces of roads or streets, as herein-
before particularly described, set forth, and represented at Figures 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, of the illustrative Drawing hereunto annexed.
Secondly, I claim the use and application of a compound perforated
gutter as a conduit for water, to be employed in connection with any 3

page_text: existing water main, for the purpose of watering and flushing the
surfaces of courts and alloys, or other like localities, as herein-before
particularly described, set forth, and represented at Figures 7, 8, 9, 10,
of the illustrated Drawing hereunto annexed.
Thirdly and lastly, I claim the use and application of a moveable
perforated pipe, sliding within a fixed pipe, in connection with any
existing water main, and constituting an apparatus which I denominate
a rising distributor, for the purpose of watering and flushing the sur-
faces of the angles of squares or open spaces, court yards, lawns, and
other large areas of ground, as herein-before particularly described, set
forth, and represented at Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, of the illustrative
Drawing hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Townley, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of April, in the
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
year
Witness,
ALEX
WILLIAM TOWNLEY. (L.S.)
PRINCE,
4, Trafalgar Square,
Charing Cross.