Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1887
Complete Left, 12th May, 1888.
Complete Accepted, 15th June, 1888
I, ALFRED GEORGE MELHUISH of 138 Hemingford Road, Barnsbury, London N.,
Engineering Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
The object of my invention is to provide at moderate cost a force pump specially
adapted for domestic uses, and which, whilst being peculiarly adapted for use as a
garden pump, may also by reason of the great pressure which can be brought to
bear upon the water, be utilised advantageously as a most convenient portable fire
engine.
In order that my Invention may be the better understood I have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1. is a vertical sectional view of my
improved pump. Figure 2 is an elevational view thereof and Figure 3. a plan of same
at top. Like letters of reference being adopted to denote corresponding parts in the
various views.
The device in accordance with my Invention comprises a tube A secured to the
upper part D of a suitably shaped air chamber B, preferably spherical, which is fixed
in any suitable manner to the bottom of a pail M. The lower half C of the air
chamber B, I prefer to be of smaller diameter relatively to that of the upper half D,
and furnished with a narrow flange a. of a diameter corresponding with the internal
diameter of the upper half D into which it is inserted to the extent of about half an
inch, and secured by any suitable means. The bottom of the lower half C aforesaid
has a perforation formed centrally therein into which takes the extremity of the tube A.
of the pump to which it is brazed or otherwise secured.
On the outside of the lower half C. of the air chamber B, and placed concentrically
therewith, I secure to the bottom of the pail M. the hemispherical vessel E. shown
more particularly in Figure 4, which, with the lower part of the air chamber B.
forms a supplementary chamber h. into which the water or other fluid contained in
the pail, flows through small perforations i. made in the lower edge of the upper
part D. above described of the air chamber B.
The bottom of the hemispherical vessel E. aforesaid is perforated with a hole n,
provided with a cap or plug N, when the apparatus is used as illustrated in Figure 1,

page_text: but for which cap or plug N, may be substituted the bent pipe or tube, shown in
figure 5.
At or near the bottom of the inside of the tube A aforesaid is a spindle valve b, through
which the water or other fluid is drawn when the piston C is raised by means of the
handle d. and piston rod e.
On depressing said piston C. the water which was drawn into and is contained
in the tube A. is forced through the valve f. which latter is secured externally, to
the bottom of said tube A. The water or other fluid passing through the valve f.
into the air chamber B, gradually rises in same, thus reducing the air space and inas-
much as there is no escape, the air becomes compressed in consequence of the
water being forced into the air chamber B with greater rapidity than it flows out
of the relatively small outlet pipe 9, which extends as shown to nearly the bottom
of the lower part C. of the air chamber B. Thus, so long as the pressure of air is
maintained in the air chamber B, I am enabled to obtain a continuous flow of water
which, proportionally to the pressure brought to bear upon the piston, can be thrown
to a considerable distance or height.
As illustrative of the mode of using the device above described and taking the case
of its application as a portable garden pump or fire engine; assuming the pail M. to
have been filled with water, and a hose, provided with a nozzle, fitted on to the
pipe gl, the handle d, is successively lifted and forced down with the resultant action
hereinbefore described taking place, the water being expelled in a continuous stream
from the nozzle of the hose a considerable distance. To provide however for cases
where the supply of liquid contained within the pail would be insufficient, the bent
tube figure 5. would be screwed on to the nut n. so as to effect by means of a suction hose
or pipe a connection with the ordinary water service supply so as to allow of my
improved pump being employed as a very efficient and ever-ready-to-meet any
emergency, fire engine.
Referring to the valves b and f. above described, I wish it to be understood that I
do not confine myself to the adoption of any particular type of valve, but may use a
clack, ball, equilibrium or other suitable valve without deviating from the essential
features of my Invention.

page_text: 1, ALFRED GEORGE MELHUISH, of 138 Hemingford Road Barnsbury, London, N.
Engineering Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
imanner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of my Invention is to provide at a moderate cost, a simple and effective
force pump, the same being specially adapted for domestic use, and which, while
being useful as a garden pump, may also, by reason of the air pressure which may be
brought to bear upon the water, be advantageously employed as a portable fire
engine.
In order that my invention may be clearly demonstrated, reference may be made
to the accompanying two sheets of drawings sheet 1 having been filed with the
Provisional Specification, and therein identified and referred to, in which Figure 1 is a
vertical sectional view of my improved pump; Figure 2 is an elevational view
thereof, and Figure 3 a plan of same at top, like letters of reference being adopted
throughout to denote corresponding parts in the several views.
The device or contrivance in accordance with my Invention comprises a tube A
secured to the upper part 1 of a suitably shaped air chamber B, preferably spherical,
which is fixed in any suitable manner to the bottom of a pail or bucket M. The
lower half of the air chamber B I prefer to make of smaller diameter relatively
to that of the upper half D and also furnished with a narrow flange a arranged to fit
the internal diameter of the upper half D of the spherical chamber B into which it is
inserted to the depth of about half an inch, and secured by soldering brazing, or any
other equivalent method. The bottom of the lower half C aforesaid has a perforation
formed centrally therein, into which engages the extremity of the tube A secured
thereto by brazing, or an equivalent method. Upon the outside of the lower half C of
the air chamber B, and placed concentrically therewith, I attach to the bottom of the
pail or bucket M the hemispherical chamber E, shown more particularly by Figure 4,
sheet 1, which, with the lower part C of the air chamber B forms a supplementary
chamber h, into which the water, or other fluid contained in the pail M aforesaid
flows through the perforations i, pierced through the lower edge of the upper part D,
above described of the air chamber B. The bottom of the hemispherical vessel E
aforesaid is perforated at n, and a screwed plug N fitted therein so that the suction
valve and seat may be easily removed or renewed, but for other purposes the bent
pipe or tube shown by Figure 5 may be substituted for said screw plug N.
At, or near the bottom of the inside of the tube A aforesaid, is a spindle or winged
valve b through which the water or other fluid is drawn when the piston or plunger e

page_text: is raised by means of the handle d and piston rod e. On depressing said piston c the
water which was drawn into, and is contained in, the tube A is forced through
the valve, which latter is fitted externally to the bottom of said tube A. The water
or other fluid passing through said valve f into the air chamber B, gradually rises in
same, thus reducing the air space, and, insomuch as there exists no escape save through
the outlet nozzle 9, the air becomes compressed in consequence of the water being
forced into the air chamber B in greater quantity that it can flow out of the relatively
small outlet gl, the pipe g of which extends, as shown by Figure 1, nearly to the
bottom of the lower part of the air chamber B. Thus, so long as the pressure of
air is maintained in the air chamber B I am enabled to obtain a continuous flow
of water, which, proportionately to the pressure brought to bear upon the piston, may
be thrown to a considerable distance or height.
As illustrative of the mode of using the device or contrivance above described, and
taking the case of its application as a portable garden pump or fire engine; assuming
the pail or bucket M to have been filled with water, and a hose provided with a jet
nozzle or rose fitted on to the end g₁ of the pipe g; the handle d is successively lifted
and forced down, with the resultant action taking place as hereinbefore described, the
water being expelled with great force from the nozzle or rose to a considerable
distance. To provide, however, for cases where the supply of liquid within the pail
would be insufficient, the bent tube piece shewn by Figure 5 may be screwed into the
internal thread n so as to effect by means of a suction hose or pipe, a connection with
the ordinary domestic water service, and thereby allowing of the application of the
improved pump as a very efficient fire engine, which may always be kept ready for
emergencies.
Referring to valves b and f above described, I wish it to be understood that I
do not confine myself to the adoption of any particular type of valve, but may use a
clack, ball, equilibrium, or other suitable valve without deviating from the essential
features of my invention.
In the accompanying two sheets of drawings Figures 4 and 6, which have hitherto
not been identified, consist of a part sectional views of the air chamber B and the
pail, or bucket M, respectively; and Figure 7, sheet 2, represents an alternative
device, in which the air chamber B may be formed as an ovoid, or any spherical form,
and a channel o of rectangular section, provided for carrying the water contained in
the pail M to the suction valve b, hereinbefore referred to, all the other connections
and attachments remaining the same as in the above cases. I may, however, modify
the pump by substituting a plunger or bucket of wood, and dispensing with the
stuffing box and gland, merely providing slots or holes m for the free emission
of any water or fluid that may have leaked past the plunger or piston, which may
thereby be returned to the pail or bucket M. It is for this purpose that I have
provided the cap k Figure 1, sheet 1, and I may use a similar device upon the
alternative arrangement last described, either attaching such cap or shield to
the tube A, or to the piston rod so that it may move with it, and prevent water from
being ejected upward.
I may use a system of levers in cases where greater ease in working the pump is
required, without departing from the principles embodied in this my Invention.
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 1
claim is ;
First. In an improved force pump the application of a spherical or other suitably
shaped air chamber, with a barrel and plunger, valves and accessories, in combination
with a pail or bucket or other reservoir for use as a garden or fire engine substantially
as herein described and shewn.
Second. In an improved force pump, as and for the purposes herein before described,
the method of arranging part of the air chamber to project below the bottom of the
pail or other reservoir, substantially as, and for, the purposes herein described and set
forth.

page_text: Third. In an improved force pump as referred to in the foregoing claims, the
method of arranging the bottom of the pail or other reservoir in such a manner that a
space is left beneath said bottom to contain the lower part of the air chamber,
substantially as herein described and shewn.
Fourth. In an improved force pump as above referred to, the employment of
a screwed cap N, Figure 6, and the bent pipe shewn by Figure 5, in combination with
an air chamber attached to a pail or other reservoir, and having fitted thereto any
suitable form of bucket and valves, substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and set forth.
D
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