Improvements in Slow-closing Valves for Water Closet Tanks.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Slow-closing Valves for Water Closet Tanks.
We, JOHN VINCENT GLOVER, of 30 Fort Pleasant Avenue, in the City of
Springfield State of Massachusetts United States of America Brass Machinist and
WELLINGTON DUSTAN STEVENS of 133 Spring Street, in said Springfield, Manu-
facturer, 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 has for its object the improvement of valves, especially designed
for use in water-closet tanks, which arc of the class known as slow-closing valves,
whereby they have unusual advantages in point of simplicity and economy of
manufacture, adaptability for a rapid, or slow-closing, non-liability of becoming
choked up or rendered inoperative by grit or other foreign matter, and in the
feature of a more free egress passage than heretofore usual in valves of this
character, and all as will be made fully apparent by the description hereinafter
given.
The invention consists in parts formed and combined as will hereinafter be
described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings accompanying
Figure 1 is substantially a central vertical section through the valve, the same
being shown as open.
Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of a part of the valve embodying a slight
structural modification to be hereinafter referred to
In the drawings, A represents the tank-section of the valve and egress opening
for the tank, constituted by the tubular section which is adapted to pass through
the bottom of the tank, receiving therebelow, by means of a union-coupling, the
pipe as usual; the upper end of said section constitutes the valve-seat.
The tank-section A, has at diametrically opposite sides and just below the seat, a,
the horizontal extensions, c, and e, each provided at its end with an upwardly
extended boss.
The boss, at the left, is shown as socketed and receives therein the rigid vertical
post, d, while the boss at the right, being socketed and screw-threaded receives the
lower externally threaded end portion of a vertical tube b. This tube receives
therein a tubular plunger spindle, f, the lower end of which is equipped with a
piston that is adapted to play vertically in the tube, b. The upper end portion of
the tubular spindle f, is externally screw-threaded, with a seat, as shown at i, below
the threaded portion.
B represents a yoke for supporting the valve, D, the said yoke consisting of a
collar, g, with opposite radially extended arms, h, h, vertically apertured the one
to loosely set about the post d, and the other to set over the externally_threaded
extremity of the tubular spindle, and to rest upon the shoulder i. The nut j
screwing down about the upper threaded extremity of the spindle, f forces the right
hand arm of the yoke, and holds the same in confinement, against the spindle
shoulder, i, whereby the spindle is, as it were, a rigid pending extension from the
arm of the yoke.
The valve is constituted by a tube, k, of a diameter smaller, slightly, than the
tank section, A, having near its lower end the weight-enlargement, m of a general
cylindrical form, the same being usually formed of lead and cast upon the tube, k,
which is of brass. The lower extremity of the tube, k, which extends below the
weight-enlargement is externally threaded receiving the washer, n, of leather,

page_text: rubber or other suitable compressible material,-about same and to lie closely up
against the bottom of the enlargement m, the washer being held in place by the
confining ring o,. which screws upon said tube extremity and clamps inner portions
of the washer against the base of the enlargement.
The valve-tube, k, is passed through the ring g, of the yoke being secured in its
position relative thereto by the set screw, p, or other equivalent means. The upper
end of the tube, even when the valve is in its closed position, stands above the
normal level of the water in the tank for constituting the overflow; it is, of course,
much preferable to have the upwardly extended part of the valve constituted by
the tube, k, as shown, and common in this class of valves, but, leaving the capabilities
of such part, k, for constituting the overflow out of the question, the upwardly
extended part of the valve might be a solid rod.
The piston, shown as provided at the lower end of the tubular spindle f, is
constituted as follows:-The spindle is internally threaded at, and a short distance
within, its lower end, and at its lower extremity is slightly outwardly enlarged to
constitute the shoulder g the diameter of which is somewhat less than the internal
diameter of the tube b.
t represents a plug consisting, as to its upper portion, of a shank externally
threaded to screw into the lower end of the spindle and the enlarged lower
extremity to lie across the end of the spindle. The plug has a minute opening u,
through it from end to end. The plug clamps between its shoulder and the lower
end of the spindle the annular packing, v, which is of rubber, leather asbestos, or
other analogous material, the flanged edged portions of the packing (which packing
is preferably provided) closely hugging the internal wall of the tube >>, especially
as the spindle moves downwardly and forms practically a watertight partition
therein.
wo represents a thimble internally threaded to loosely surround the tubular
spindle, f, or to screw engage the upper externally threaded extremity of the tube, b,
and constitutes a stop to limit the upward movement of the tube spindle and piston,
being contacted internally upon by the shoulder g.
The tube b, towards its upper end has one or more ports, to communicate with
the water in the tank. The tube spindle, f, at its upper end has the screw plug, y,
one side of which is flattened in a plane which inclines to the axis so that there
may be a greater or lesser opening at the top of the tube spindle, according as the
plug, y, is screwed further in or out.
The operation of the valve will be plain on an inspection of the drawings, but
the same will be briefly described, as follows:-
As the valve is raised through means of the usual chain or other lifting device
therefor moving as one with the yoke, B, the left-hand arm, h, slides up on the
post, d, and the tubular spindle, f, and piston, move upwardly, being guided by
the bearing of the piston in the tube, b, leaving the valve opening at, a, free for the
egress of water from the tank, and it will be noted that the piston is in such a
high position, relative to the ports, that the water from the tank may enter and
fill the tube b.
The force applied to raise the valve having been terminated, the valve
will under its weight, descend in its true vertical line, being guided by the means
set forth, but of course the descent will be slow for the reason that the water in
the tube b, will form a cushion against the free passage of the plunger or tube-
spindle and piston, permitting the valve to descend only so fast as the water becomes
expelled which is through the minute opening in the plug t, and spindle f, and
out of the upper end of the latter, as permitted by the adjustment of the bevel
sided plug y.
It will be noted that in this valve, there is no occasion for any internal spider in
the tank-section A, or spindle internally supported or guided in the tank section
and projected up into the tube, k, which forms the part of the valve and which as
usual also constitutes the overflow or safety pipe for the water-closet tank, and
therefore the tank-section A, and the said overflow pipe, being unobstructed may,

page_text: in order to secure the discharge of a sufficient quantity of water in a given time,
be of comparatively small diameters.
This valve due to the arrangements of its parts for the manner of operation
substantially as described, requires an unusually small amount of nice and special
machine-work, and without detracting from its capabilities for efficient use the parts
may be produced at a comparatively low cost.
The grit and foreign matter which is more liable to be present at the bottom of
the tank, is not as likely, in this valve as in some others, to enter, as a deranging
factor, into the water-cushioning chamber.
The feature of the collar g, being adjustable on the upwardly extended part k, of
the valve whereby the height of the piston relative to the base of the valve may.be
variable, is advantageous, as it becomes possible to regulate the extent of upward
movement of the valve from its seat, before such movement is limited by the lower
enlarged part 9, of the spindle f, contacting with the internal shoulder. of the
thimble w.
It will be seen that if the collar g is adjusted well up on the tube k, the piston
may be normally maintained in the middle of the water-cushion-chamber in tube />,
when, of course, the valve cannot be raised as far away from its seat as if the
collar g, were fixed lower on the tube to sustain the piston normally lower in the
water-cushion-chamber, thereby giving capability to the piston spindle for a longer
play upwardly, and with it the valve, before the enlargement at the piston comes to
its limiting abutment at the upper end of the tube b.
In lieu of relief of the water from the cushion-chamber upwardly through the
spindle which carries the piston as described and as shown in Figure 1, the spindle
may be solid, and a minute egress passage be formed to lead from the lower end of
the cushion-chamber in the tube b. Thus in Figure 2, it will be seen that the
tube b, screws only part way to the bottom of the socket therefor formed at the end
of the tank-section extension e. The wall forming the socket for the reception of
the lower end of the tube b, has a radial perforation u². The lower end of the
tube may, as the tube is screwed into the socket therefor leave open or more or
less nearly closed the said perforation u².
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
:-
1. In a
slow-closing valve the combination with the tank-section formed to con-
stitute the valve seat and having an unobstructed opening therethrough, and an
outwardly extended member with a vertical tube or cylinder supported on said
member, having one or more ports through an upper portion of its wall, of the
valve vertically movable to open from and close upon the said tank-section, and
provided with an upwardly extended-portion which has an outwardly extended
member, and which supports a pending spindle and piston, that plays in said tube,
and a passage leading from the chamber of said tube for the relief thereof, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
2. In a slow-closing tank-valve the combination with the tank-section having
outwardly projected arms at opposite sides thereof the one supporting a vertical
post, and the other, a vertical tube with one or more ports through an upper portion
of its wall, of the valve having an upwardly extended member, with rigid arms
outwardly extended therefrom, and having a guiding engagement with said post
and the other supporting a pending spindle which has at its lower portion a piston
that plays in said tube and a passage leading from the chamber in said tube for the
relief of the chamber, means for regulating the degree of freedom of the water
passage from the cushion-chamber through said relief passage.
3. The combination with the tank section, and a vertical water-cushion tube
supported thereby, of the valve guided vertically to move from and close upon the
tank-section, a spindle or plunger and means for securing same adjustably asito

page_text: height upon the valve, and having a piston which plays in said tube and a passage
in communication with the chamber in said tube for the relief thereof, substantially
as described.
4. The combination with the tank section having an outwardly extended part,
and a tube vertically supported thereby provided at an upper portion thereof with
one or more ports, the valve movably guided and having the upwardly extended
spindle-like part, and an arm outwardly extended therefrom, a vertical spindle
supported by said arm and having its lower end-portion exteriorily shouldered and
internally screw-threaded, the plug t, having the screw-threaded shank and the
enlargement at its lower end, a packing applied at the lower end of the spindle, and
clamped thereon by the union therewith of said plug, the thimble w, applied at the
upper end of said tube, and the passage communicating with and leading from the
water cushion-chamber in the said tube, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
5. The combination with the tank-section having an outwardly extended
member e and supporting a vertical tube or cylinder having one or more ports at an
outer portion thereof, of a valve guided vertically to move from and close upon the
tank-section and having the upwardly extended tube k, a spindle or plunger having
a piston which plays in said tube and the collar and set screw for confining the
collar on the valve tube and said collar provided with an outwardly extended part
which supports the piston spindle and a passage in communication with the chamber
within said tube which leads outwardly therefrom for the relief thereof, sub-
stantially as described.
6. In a slow-closing valve the combination with a tank-section and a vertical
water-cushion tube supported thereby, of the valve guided to move from and close
upon the tank-section a spindle or plunger and means for securing the same
adjustably as to height upon the valve, and having a piston which plays in said
tube, a stop or abutment for limiting the upward movement of the valve and its
piston spindle, and a passage in communication with the cushion chamber for the
relief thereof and means for regulating the degree of freedom of the water passage
from said chamber, all whereby the play of the valve may be adjusted as to its
extent of movement, and its rate of movement may be regulated, substantially as
described.
7. The combination with the tank-section having the horizontal arms ce, each
with an upwardly extended boss, the one supporting the vertical post, d and the
other the vertical tube b, with one or more ports, the valve m, with the tube k,
the collar g, having the arms one being vertically apertured to have a sliding
engagement with the post d, and the other having rigidly connected thereto the
vertical spindle provided at its lower end with the piston which plays in the tube,
the passage leading upwardly through the piston and said spindle and a regulating
device for said passage, substantially as and for the purposes described.
8. In a slow-closing valve the combination with the tank section having outwardly
projected arms at opposite sides thereof, the one supporting a vertical post and the
other a vertical tube with one or more ports through an upper portion of its wall of
the valve having the upwardly extended tube with a rigid arm outwardly extended
thereirom, and being vertically apertured to fit and be guided by said post and
another outwardly extended arm also vertically apertured, a spindle having at its
lower portion a piston which plays in the said tube, and which has its upper portion
externally screw-threaded with the shoulder i, and which threaded portion is
upwardly passed through said second named arm, and the confining nut, j, and a
relief passage leading from the chamber in said tube, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
9. In a slow-closing valve the combination with the tank-section having an out-
wardly extended member and a vertical tube supported thereon which is provided
with one or more ports through an upper portion of its wall, of the valve having the
upwardly extended spindle-like part provided with a rigid outwardly extended arm,

page_text: a tubular spindle vertically supported by said arm and having at its lower portion a
piston, which fits in said tube, a passage leading through the said piston and in
communication with the passage through the spindle, and the tapered plug y applied
at the upper end of said spindle, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated this 20th day of June 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.