IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH. LAVATORIES, BATHS, CISTERNS, WATERCLOSETS, AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE USE OF WATER
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Shanks, of Barrhead, in the County of Renfrew,
North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH.
LAVATORIES, BATHS, CISTERNS, WATERCLOSETS, AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR
THE USE OF WATER."
Sealed the 16th November 1877, and dated the 20th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Shanks at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th May 1877.
JOHN SHANKS, of Barrhead, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain. “IM-
PROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH LAVATORIES, BATIIS, CISTERNS, WATER-
CLOSETS, AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE USE OF WATER."
This Invention has for its object to improve and simplify various details of
apparatus for using water in dwelling houses and other places, such apparatus
comprising lavatories, baths, cisterns, waterclosets, and the like.
In a lavatory made with some of the improvements, the basin and the top and
certain other parts are made in one piece of earthenware or of cast iron, so as to
reduce the number of joints, and of points where leakage may possibly take place.
The back of the basin is made nearly vertical or only moderately curved, and a
number of discharge orifices are made at the bottom of the back, and some distance.
up it instead of being at the centre of the bottom. The discharge orifices com-
municate with a vertical passage formed at the back, and in the same piece, this
passage having a flange at its bottom for the attachment of a flanged pipe piece,
which last has formed in it the seat for the discharge valve. This valve is a
tubular piece, which serves also as an overflow passage, its upper end being when
the valve is closed at the intended highest level of the water.
The fitting for the handle of the discharge valve is entered from above down into
the back passage, and is fixed by a single screw entered in front of it.
Recesses for soap and sponge, and also in some cases for ewer, or carafe and
tumbler, are former in the lavatory top, and drain pipes from these are led into the
vertical back passage instead of into the basin. The inlet valves or taps for hot.
Price 10d 1

page_text: and cold water are arranged in the lavatory top to either side of the discharge or
waste handle, and are made either with broad nozzles delivering over the edge of
the basin, or to communicate with inlets formed in the side of the basin, such inlets
being in some cases shaped to deliver the water in a circular direction, and in
others consisting of a passage with a slit or slits along its bottom and formed round
more or less of the basin edge.
Earthenware, glass, or other suitable ornamental mountings or casings are fitted
at the valve handles to cover metal parts, and admit of easy cleaning, whilst in
some cases the under body of the valve details is cast in one piece of iron or brass,
and is covered with a plate of brass or other ornamental material. In lavatories
for ships the basin is made with a curved-over rim at its edge to prevent spilling of
the water by the ship's motion, and rendering it unnecessary to make the basin so
inconveniently deep as it sometimes is made for the same" object. A lug is formed
on the basin bottom by which to secure it to the cross bearer in the case of ship
lavatories, and others similarly supported.
In applying the herein-before described improvements to baths of cast iron a
recess or step, is, by preference, formed across the end of the bath, so that the
handles of the inlet and discharge valves, and any articles placed in the recess, may
be below the general level of the top edge of the bath.
Where the bath is not of cast iron, and when applying some of the improvements
to existing baths, the valve fittings may be in a separate piece or casting; a pipe
casting with vertical and horizontal branches is provided with stuffing boxes for.
the introduction of the branch from the discharge outlet of the bath, and of the
vertical tube of the valve fittings.
The stuffing boxes are, by preference, packed with rubber rings, and admit of the
connections being made with great facility, notwithstanding considerable differences
in the relative positions of the parts.
Water inlet valves for baths, lavatories, and other vessels are by this Invention
made in a very simple and improved manner, when they can be arranged inside the
bath or vessel. The valve seat is the end edge of a pipe or nozzle entered through
a hole from the outside of the vessel, and the valve body which is screwed upon this
nozzle inside the vessel is fitted with a disc valve upon a spindle, which is screwed
inwards to close the valve, or outwards to open it, by means of an external handle
or knob; or in this or other water supply valves the well known diaphragm of
rubber may be employed, but fixed in an improved manner, the parts between
which it is held being grooved or indented and ridged, whilst the screws holding-
the parts are placed externally to the outer edge of the diaphragm.
The improved valve fittings, and the recess or step are advantageously applicable
to jaw boxes or sinks or washing apparatus for kitchens and sculleries. The
bottom of the box or sink is made with flanges or otherwise, so as to serve as the
cover for, and have directly attached to it a casting, constituting the water seal or
trap for the waste pipe. The part between the inlet and outlet of the trap is made.
so much larger in area than either inlet or outlet that the down rush of a con-
siderable quantity of water cannot empty the trap of water. The joint flange of
the trap casting is made with clongated holes, so that it can be fixed at the most.
convenient angle.
The improvements in the trap piece are applicable in connection with lavatories,
baths, waterclosets, and the like.
An improvement applicable in connection with the waste valve of any apparatus
for using water, and designed to admit of casy examination for cleaning or repairs.
without deranging any other fixed parts, consists in forming the valve seating in a
piece of such an external diameter as to be held between the flanges of a joint in
the castings, and of such a thickness that it can be drawn out when the bolts for
securing the joint are removed.
In watercloset apparatus when the discharge valve is a tubular plug, serving also
for the overflow, the upwardly extending tube for the overflow is by this Invention
made with two branches, which, when the plug is raised, enter up into two pockets

page_text: in the casing. The rod passes through a part of the casing between the bottoms of
the pockets, and this arrangement admits of the lever for working the water supply
valve being connected to the rod at a lower point, and in a more convenient manner
than formerly.
Another improvement applicable with the tubular plug closet, and rendering
certain modifications thereof more compact, and workable with less water, consists
in arranging the float lever with its trough or small cistern at the side, the lever
passing between the basin and the handle rod.
This Invention also comprises improved apparatus for regulating the supply of
water to waterclosets and the like; and in one modification the supply valve is
acted on by a weighted lever, which tends to close it, and a cylinder with a piston,
and with a quantity of oil, is interposed in any convenient way between the closet
handle and the weighted lever. With the usual quick movement, of the closet
handle the valve is opened as if the connections had no yielding parts, but the
weight causes the piston to force the oil through a small opening, and so closes the
valvo in a certain limited time. On the closet handle being let go a comparatively
large check valve arranged to open in the proper direction allows the oil to pass
rapidly back to its normal position. A similar arrangement is applicable for giving
an after flush. The apparatus can be used with a cistern or with a direct branch
pipe supply from the main.
In another modification suitable for application below the closet seat or otherwise,
a cistern is employed having two compartments, in one of which there is a float
acting on the valve which supplies the cistern, and which when open also by a
separato branch loads water directly into the closet basin. There is a valve
between the float compartment and the other one; and the latter has a valve
controlling a pipe leading to the basin, these two valves being connected to opposito
arms on a lever, and so that one closes before the other opens.
When the closet handle is pulled the valve between the compartments opens, and
the water passing out of the float compartment causes the float to descend, and the
supply valve to open, but the latter is closed in a limited time by the water which
enters raising the float; then on the closet handle being let go the valve of the float
compartment closes, and water from the other compartment passes to the basin and
forms the after flush or seal. The downlet valve is made with an open link or
slotted piece, and the lever is formed with a curved end to enter into the link,
arranged so that the lever when it has lowered the valve to its scat can move
somewhat further without disturbing the valve. The top or mouth of the overflow.
pipe is elongated horizontally, so that the water can get more freely away by it
when only a little above the proper level.
The last-described arrangement of closet cistern may be modified by being made
with a single small compartment supplied by a float cock, combined with a primary.
valve of any suitable kind. The closet handle is connected to the ordinary downlet
valve, and to the primary valve, and when opening the former, closes the latter, so
that only what is in the cistern can be run off by keeping up the handle. When
the handle is let go the downlet valve is closed and the primary valve opened, so
that the cistern fills again, whilst a branch from the float valve leads some water to
the basin for the after flow or scal.
An improvement applicable to pan or other closets, having the discharge valve
worked by a lever, consists in guiding the handle rod by a tube fixed to the bandle
cup, and to an arm cast on the trunk cover, the lower end of the rod being fitted
with an antifriction roller on which the lever rests. The lever is formed with lugs
near to and on the further side of its fulcrum, which lugs act as stops, and cause
less concussion and noise than the parts which strike in ordinary arrangements of
the lever.
Float valves applied as herein-before mentioned or otherwise are, by preference,
made in the following improved manner: The valve body is made with a part in
the line of the supply pipe, and with a discharge nozzle at right angles thereto.
The closing detail is a loose plug with an incased washer of rubber or other suitable.

page_text: compressible material closing against the pressure. The stein of the plug which is
concentric with the valve body is acted on by a peculiarly curved end of the float
lever, and this lever is centered on a pin which crosses the centre line of the valve
body.
When the float lever is horizontal or in line with the valve body the pressure of
the water on the plug cannot turn the lever, the part of the lever then in contact
with the stem of the plug being concentric with the fulcrum. With this float valve
and lever, waste may be prevented by connecting the closet-handle to the lever, and
to the downlet valve with a loose link or equivalent connection, such that the
downlet valve is not opened until the float valve is closed, after which the float
lever can still be moved sufficiently to open the downlet valve.
This Invention also comprises the making of the external casings of lavatories,
baths, waterclosets, and the like, with skeleton framings of cast iron made with
grooves, flanges, or snugs for the insertion or attachment of panels of wood, papier
maché, decorated glass, marble, slate, or other suitable plain or ornamental
inaterial.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said John Shanks in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd November
1877.
JOHN SHANKS, of Barrhead, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain. “Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH LAVATORIES, BATHS, CISTERNS, WATER-
CLOSETS, AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE USE OF WATER."
My said Invention has for its object to improve and simplify various details of
apparatus for using water in dwelling houses, and other places, such apparatus
comprising lavatories, baths, cisterns, water-closets, and the like.
My improvements and the modes of carrying them into effect will be best under-
stood, if, instead of a preliminary general indication of them, they are, as immediately
herein-after particularly described, with the aid of the accompanying explanatory
Drawings, of which there are three Sheets, and on which the same reference numerals
are used to mark the same or like parts, wherever they are repeated:
-
Figures 1, 2, 3, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, represent a lavatory
as made with some of my improvements, Figure 1, being a plan; Figure 2, a front
elevation; and Figure 3, a vertical section as at right angles to Figures 1 and 2.
In this improved lavatory the basin 1, and the top 2, and certain other parts are
made in one piece of earthenware, or of cast iron, so as to reduce the number of
joints, and of points where leakage may possibly take place. The back 3 of the
basin is made nearly vertical, or only moderately curved, and a number of dis-
charge orifices 4 are made at the bottom of the back, and some distance up it,
instead of being at the centre of the bottom, as in many ordinary cases. The
discharge orifices 4 communicate with a vertical passage 5 formed at the back
and in the same piece as the basin, this passage 5 having a small flange or
lip at its bottom for the attachment of a flanged pipe piece 6, which last has
formed on it internally the seat for the discharge valve 7. Or this valve seat,
instead of being formed on the pipe piece 6, may consist of a separate ring of
metal, or rubber, or other suitable inaterial held in the joint. The discharge valve

page_text: is a tubular piece 7, which serves also as an overflow passage, its upper end being,
when the valve is closed, at the intended highest level of the water.
The handle rod 8 of the discharge valve 7 is jointed to a pin fixed across the
valve tube and the fitting 9, through which the rod 8 passes, and which is formed.
with the usual slot and notch for holding the valve up, is entered from above down
into the back passage 5, and is fixed by a single screw entered in front of it.
Recesses 10, for soap and brushes or sponge (and also in some cases for ewer or
carafe and tumbler), are formed in the lavatory top 2; and drain passages, also
formed in the same piece, are led from the recesses 10 into the vertical back passage
5, instead of into the basin 1. The inlet valves or taps 11, for hot and cold water,
are arranged in the lavatory top 2, to either side of the discharge or waste handlo
8, and are made either with broad nozzles delivering over the edge of the basin 1, as
shown in Figure 1, or, as shown in Figure 5, which is a vertical section as taken
parallel to the back of the lavatory, with inlets formed in the side of the basin,
and which are in some cases shaped to deliver the water in a circular directiou,
and in others consisting of a passage 12, with a slit along its bottom, and formed
round more or less of the basin edge.
.
Earthenware, glass, or other suitable ornamental mountings or casings 13 aro
fitted at the valve handles to cover metal parts, and admit of easy cleaning; whilst
in some cases the body of the valve details is cast in one piece of iron or brass, and
is covered with a plate of brass ornamentally finished, or with a cover of earthen-
ware or other ornamental material.
Figure 6 is a plan of a portion of a plainer lavatory top and basin than that
shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and one fitted for cold water only, the inlet cock 14
being in this case placed to the back of the discharge or waste handle 8, and with
an overhanging spout, as shown in Figure 7, which is a vertical section, as at right
angles to Figure 6.
Figures 8 and 9, are a plan and vertical section of a combined arrangement of hot
and cold water inlet cocks 11, having one broad delivering mouth, and with the
discharge or waste handle 8, placed between their handles, the entire metal parts,
excepting the handles, being covered by an earthenware or other ornamental
casing 13, shown as formed, with a recess 10 for soap. This combination (Figures
8 and 9) may be advantageously applied when the basin and top of the lavatory,
and other parts, are made in the ordinary way.
Some other improvements in the inlets, valves, or cocks 11, are herein-after
described with reference to Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
When making my improved lavatories for ships, I form the basin 1 with a
curved-over rim round its edge to prevent spilling of the water by the ship's
motion, and rendering it unnecessary to make the basin so inconveniently deep as
it sometimes is made for the same object. I also form a lug or flange on the basin
bottom, by which to secure it to the cross bearer in the case of ship lavatories, and
others similarly supported.
In applying my improvements to baths, I construct the parts according to one
modification, as shown in plan in Figure 10, and in longitudinal vertical section in
Figure 11. A recess or step 14 is formed across the end of the bath, so that the
handles 11, 8, of the inlet and discharge valves, and any articles placed in the
recess may be below the general level of the top edge of the bath. The recesses 10,
for soap, brushes, and the like, are formed in the bottom of the recessed part with
passages to drain these into the vertical passage 5, and earthenware, or other orna-
mental casings 13, are fixed over the stop-cock bodies, all substantially as in the
lavatory herein-before described, whilst the discharge or waste outlet is also fitted
with a similar combined valve and overflow tube 7.
When the bath is not of cast iron, or when applying some of my improvements
to existing baths, I arrange the valve fittings in a separate piece or casting 15,
in the manner shown in Figure 12. A pipe casting with vertical and horizontal
branches 16, 17, is provided with stuffing boxes 18, for the introduction of the

page_text: branch pipe 19, from the discharge outlet of the bath, and of the vertical tube 15 of
the valve fittings.
The stuffing boxes 18, are by preference packed with rubber rings, and admit
of the connections being made with great facility, notwithstanding considerable
differences in the relative positions of the parts.
Water inlet valves for baths, lavatories, and other vessels, are by my Invention
made and fixed in a very simple and improved manner, when their delivering
nozzles can be arranged inside the bath or vessel. This improved arrangement is
shown in vertical section in Figure 14, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
The valve seat 20 is the end of a pipe or nozzle 21, entered from the outside
through a hole in the shell 22 of the vessel; and the valve body. 23, which is
screwed upon this pipe end 21, inside the vessel, is fitted with a disc valve 24 upon
a spindle 25, which is screwed inwards to close the valve or outwards to open it by
means of an external handle or knob 26. Or in this or other water supply valves
the well-known diaphragm of rubber may be employed, but fixed in an improved
manner, which will be understood from Figures 15 and 16, the former being a plan
of the under body of the valve, and the latter a vertical section. The joint between
the under body 27 and cover 28 is in or nearly in the plane of the rubber
diaphragm, which is shown black in Figure 16, and the parts are shaped so that the
rubber diaphragm covers part of the delivery passage 29, an arrangement admitting
of increased economy and accuracy in making the valve. A rib 30 is formed on
the under body joint surface round the space to be covered by the rubber diaphragm,
and a grooved or recessed part is formed in the cover 28 to receive the edge of the
rubber diaphragm, but shallow enough to insure its edge being securely nipped by
the rib 30, whilst the holes for the screws which fix the under body 27 and cover
28 together, are placed so that the screws pass beyond the edge of the rubber
diaphragm.
Figures 15, 16, now being described, are enlarged views of one of the water
supply valves shown as fitted to my improved lavatories in Figures 1 to 5, and the
earthenware or other ornamental cover 13 is shown in Figure 16. The valve
shown in this Figure is one specially arranged for hot water, a boss 31, of earthen-
ware or other bad conductor of heat, being fitted upon the top of the spindle.
This boss 31 is fixed to the valve spindle in an improved and simple manner by
means of the small handles 32, which being entered through holes in the boss, have
their inner ends screwed into the spindle.
My improved valve fittings (or some of them) and the recess or step are advan-
tageously applicable to jaw boxes or sinks, or washing apparatus for kitchens and
sculleries; Figure 17 is a vertical section of a jaw box or sink, showing such
application, and Figure 18 is an inverted plan explanatory of a further improvement,
also shown in Figure 17. The bottom 33 of the sink is made with flanges or other-
wise, so as to serve as the cover for, and have directly attached to it, a casting 34,
constituting the water seal or trap for the waste pipe. The part 35 between the
inlet 6 and outlet 36 of the trap is made so much larger in area than either inlet
or outlet, that the down rush of a considerable quantity of water cannot so far
empty the trap as to allow air or gas to pass upwards. The joint flange of the
trap casting 34, which casting may be made circular instead of oblong, as shown,
is made with elongated holes, so that it can be fixed at the most convenient
angle.
These improvements in the trap piece are also applicable in connection with
lavatories, baths, waterclosets, and the like.
An improvement applicable in connection with the waste valve of any apparatus
for using water, and designed to admit of easy examination for cleaning or repairs
without deranging any of the fixed parts, is shown in Figures 11, 12, on Sheet 1,
of the accompanying Drawings, and consists in forming the valve seating in a piece 37,
of such a thickness that it can be drawn out from between the upper and lower
joint flanges when the bolts for securing the joint are removed.

page_text: In watercloset apparatus when the discharge valve is as shown in Figures 19, 20,
and 21, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, a tubular plug 38 serving also
for the overflow, the upwardly extending tube for the overflow is by my present
Invention made according to one modification with two branches 39, as shown in
Figure 19, which is a vertical section. These branches 39 when the plug is raised
enter up into pockets 40, which are formed in a piece of the casing, and act as trap
covers. The handle rod 41 passes through the part of the casing between tho
bottoms of the pockets 40, and the arrangement admits of the lever for working the
water supply valve being connected to the handle rod 41 at a lower point and in a
more convenient manner than formerly.
T
In the modification shown in Figures 20 and 21, a single lateral overflow branch 39
is formed on the plug 38, and a trap pocket for it is formed by attaching a separato
shell 40 to the side of the main casing 44.
Another improvement applicable with the tubular plug closet, and rendering
certain of my former modifications thereof more compact, and workable with less
water, consists in arranging the float lever 42 with its trough or small cistern 45 at
the side, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the lever 42 passing between the basin 46
and the handle rod 41.
My present Invention also comprises improved apparatus for regulating the
supply of water to waterclosets and the like, and in one modification, which is shown
in sectional elevation in Figure 22, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, the
supply valve 43 is acted on by a weighted lever 47 which tends to close it, and is
in this example connected by a link 48 to the main closet lever 49. A cylinder 50
with a piston (shewn in section and enlarged in Figure 23), and containing a quantity
of oil is interposed in any convenient way between the handle rod 41 and the
lever 49. In the example shown the handle rod 41 forms or is attached to the
piston rod of the oil cylinder 50, and the cylinder is formed with or has attached to
its upper end two diametrically opposite pins 51, which are connected by links to
the forked ends of the lover 49. When the usual quick lifting movement is applied
to the handle rod 41 the water supply valve 43 (as well as the main discharge
valve) is opened as if the connections had no yielding parts, but the weight causes
the piston in the cylinder 50 to force the oil through a small opening 52, Figure 23,
and so gradually and in a certain limited time closes the valve. On the closet
handle being let go a comparatively large check valve arranged to open in the
proper direction allows the oil to pass rapidly back to its normal position, which in
the example shown is at the upper side of the piston. The check valve for the
return upwards of the oil is shown in Figure 23 to consist of a ring of leather 53
applied to a series of holes inade through the piston. To meet the case of the
closet handle being let go too soon, the oil cylinder 50 is arranged to work and bo
guided in a fixed air cylinder 54, and has formed on its bottom end an annular
Blange 55 with holes through it, to the under side of which a disc valve of rubber is
applied, the combination acting as a piston. The rubber disc valve allows the oil
cylinder 50 to move freely upwards, but air being imprisoned under it, its return
downward cannot take place more quickly than is required for the air to escape past
the flange 55 or through a regulated orifice.
The apparatus just described can be used with above the closet or with a direct
branch pipe supply direct from the main, and no separate after flush is required
with it, as the apparatus being applied to the main discharge valve lever 49 the pan
valve worked by that lever closes so far before the water supply valve 43 closes, as
to allow sufficient water to be retained for the after flush or basin seal.
In another modification of watercloset water supply apparatus, which is suitable
for application below the closet seat, but which I have shown in plan in Figure 24,
and in vertical section in Figure 25, as arranged for an overhead cistern, the cistern
is made with two compartments, 56, 57, separated by a partition 58 which is supposed
to be partly broken away in Figure 25. In one compartment 56; there is a float 59
acting on the valve 43, and which when open, also by a separate branch (indicated
by dotted lines), leads water directly into the closet basin. Thero is a valve 60

page_text: between the float compartment 56 and the other one 57, and the latter has a downlet
valve 61 controlling a pipe leading to the basin, these two valves being connected by
links 62, 63, to opposite arms or levers 64, 65, on a rocking shaft 66, so that one
closes before the other opens, the lever 65 being weighted. The rocking shaft 66
has also on it a lever 67, which is pulled down in the usual way by a wire when the
closet handle is raised, and when that is done the valve 60 between the two compart-
ments is closed, and the other or dowulet valve 61 opened to allow the water in the
compartment 57 to pass down to the basin.
When the closet handle is let go, the downlet valve G1 is closed, and the valve 60
between the two compartments is opened, and the water in the float compart-
ment 56, now passing into the other one 57, the float 59 descends and admits a
fresh supply of water sufficient for the after flush, at the same time passing by the
branch to the basin as in some of my former arrangements. Or the action of the
parts may be modified so that the raising of the closet handle raises the lever 67,
and first opens the valve 60 between the two compartments, and the water passing
out of the float compartment 59 causes the float to descend and the supply valve 43
to open, but the latter is closed in a limited time by the water which enters, raising
up the float. Then on the closet handle being let go the valve 60 of the float
compartment 56 closes, and water from the other compartment 57 passes to the
basin and forms the after flush or seal. When the apparatus is worked in this
modified way the weight must be applied to the lever 64, or to the lever 67, and
not to the lever 65. The downlet valve 01 is made with an open link or slotted
piece 63, and the lever 65 is formed with a curved end to enter into the links 63,
arranged so that the lever when it has lowered the valve to its scat can move or
turn somewhat further without disturbing the valve. For convenience of adjust-
ment and freedom of action, the link 63 is connected to the valve by a rod or
wire, on which it has a movement limited by a nut screwed on the upper end. To
prevent clatter, pieces of rubber tubing are pnt on the levers 64, 65, where they
encounter the links 62, 63.
My arrangement of closet cistern just described may be further modified, as shown
in section in Figure 26, by being made with a single small compartment supplied
by a float cock 43 combined with a primary valve of any suitable kind. The
closet handle is connected by means of the levers 67 and 65 on the rocking shaft 66
to the ordinary downlet valve 61, and to the primary valve (which latter is not
shown), and when opening the downlet valve 61 closes the primary valve which is
on the branch supply pipe leading to the float cock 43, so that only what is in the
cistern can be run off by keeping up the closet handle; then, when the closet handle
is let go, the downlet valve is closed and the primary valve is opened, so that the
cistern fills again, whilst a branch may be fitted to the float cock to lead some
water to the basin for the afterflow or seal. The top or mouth 68 of the overflow
pipe is elongated horizontally, so that the water can get more freely away by it
when only a little above the proper level.
An improvement applicable to pan or other closets having the discharge valve
worked by a lever 49 is shown in side elevation in Figure 28 on Sheet 3 of the
accompanying Drawings, and consists in guiding the handle rod 41 by a tube 69,
fixed to the handle cup 70, and to an arm 71, either cast on the trunk cover, or, as I
prefer it, formed in a separate piece which can be adjustably attached to an
intermediate piece 72, capable of being bolted in any required position to the trunk
cover, as will be understood from Figures 27 and 28, the former being a plan of the
pieces 71, 72. The lower end of the handle rod 41 is fitted with an antifriction
roller on which the lever 49 rests, the rod being forked to pass on each side of the
lever, and several holes being made in the forked parts to allow of the pin of the
antifriction roller being put in different positions to suit different cases.
lever 49 is formed with lugs 73, near to and on each side of its fulcrum, which
lugs act as stops to the lever, and cause less concussion and noise than the parts
which strike in ordinary arrangements of the lever 49, and as an additional
preventive of noise, pieces of rubber tubing are put on the lugs 73.
The

page_text: i
Float valves applied as herein-before mentioned or otherwise are by preference
made in the improved manner shown in Figures 29 and 30, the former being a
plan and the latter a vertical section. The valve body 43 is made with a part 75
in the line of the supply pipe, and with a discharge nozzle 76 at right angles
thereto. The closing detail is a loose piece 77 with a partly incased plug of
rubber or other suitable compressible material closing against the pressure.
The
stem of the valve piece 77 which is concentric with the valve body is acted on by a
peculiarly curved end 78 of the float lever 42, and this lever is centered on a pin
which crosses the centre line of the valve body, or nearly so, and is held between
projections on the cover 28.
When the float lever 42 is horizontal or in line with the valve body, the pressure
of the water on the plug cannot turn the lever, the part of the lever end 78 then
in contact with the stem of the plug piece being concentric with the fulcrum. The
cover 28 is formed with a lug 74, by which the float cock can be conveniently
attached to the side of the cistern. With this float valve and lever, waste may be
prevented by connecting the closet handle to the lever 42, and to the downlet
valve (61) with a loose link or equivalent connection, such that the downlet valve
is not opened until the float valve is closed, after which the float lever 42 can
still be moved sufficiently to open the downlet valve.
In
Figure 31 is a plan, and Figure 32 is a vertical section of a float cock, in which
the construction herein-before described with reference to Figures 15 and 16 is
combined with an ordinary arrangement of the float lever 42, Figure 33 being &
face view of the part of the valve body which is attached to the inlet pipe.
this example the rubber diaphragm closes upon the valve seat, but the piece 77
moved by the float lever 42 is fitted with a plug of rubber of increased depth to
bear on the diaphragm, and which will admit of some compression by a little extra
movement of the float lever 42 after the passage is quite closed, and thus prevent
breakage from the parts being over strained.
The last of the improvements comprised in my present Invention consists in
making the external casings of lavatories, baths, waterclosets, and the like, with
skeleton framings of cast iron made with grooves, flanges, or snugs for the insertion
or attachment of panels or coverings of wood, papier maché, decorated glass, marble,
slate, or other suitable plain or ornamental material.
This improvement is shown as applied in the construction of the lavatory
represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, and
herein-before partly described.
The arrangement of the cast-iron skeleton framing may be varied in different
cases; but in the example shown there are two vertical side frames 80, of which
one is seen in Figure 3, and which are connected by horizontal front and back
bars 81 at the bottom. At the top of the side frames 80 there is fixed a lower
horizontal frame 82, and to this is attached by vertical bars 83 an upper horizontal
frame S4, the two horizontal frames 82, 84, having the general contour of the
lavatory, as seen in plan in Figure 1. The iron frames are of course shaped to
receive, and are fitted to the earthenware combined top and basin. The horizontal
frames 84, 82, are grooved to receive an ornamental shell 85, of wood, papier maché,
or other suitable material, and ornamental sides 86, of wood or other material, are
attached to the side frames 80 by screws or otherwise, a panelled or ornamented
piece 87 being fixed across the front below the basin.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original and claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
1. The combining of parts to form a lavatory, substantially in the improved
mannér herein-before described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the accom-
Danving Drawings
'

page_text: 2. The making of the lavatory basin and top and back discharge passage in one
piece, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described.
3. The combined arrangement of the several details, herein-before described, as
formed in one piece with the lavatory basin.
4. The configuration of the lavatory basin, combined with making of the back
passage 5 in the same piece, in the manner herein described and delineated.
5. The fixing of the fitting for the handle rod of the discharge valve of the
lavatory in the simplified manner herein-before described. .
6. The formation of the mouth or passage for delivering water into the lavatory
basin, in the improved manner herein-before described with reference to Figure 5
of the accompanying Drawings.
7. The application to the inlet and discharge valve details of lavatories, baths, and
the like of ornamental covers or mountings of earthenware, glass, or other suitablo
material, as herein-before described.
8. The constructing of baths, jaw boxes, sinks, or the like apparatus, with a
recess at the end for the valve handles and other articles, and otherwise made and
fitted, substantially as herein-before described with reference to Figures 10, 11,
and 17, of the accompanying Drawings.
:.
9. The making of the discharge passage (5) and the part carrying the valve
mountings in baths, jaw boxes, sinks, and other washing apparatus in the same
piece with the bath or other vessel, as herein-before described with reference to
Figures 10, 11, and 17 of the accompanying Drawings.
10. The application, in connection with baths or the like, of a two-branched
stuffing box pipe fitting (16, 17, 18), substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described with reference to Figure 12 of the accompanying Drawings.
11. The constructing and fixing of water inlet valves for lavatories, baths, or
other vessels, in the simplified manner herein-before described with reference to
Figure 14 of the accompanying Drawings.
12. The applying and fixing of rubber diaphragms to water supply valves, in the
improved manner herein-before described with reference to Figures 15, 16, 31, 32,
and 33, of the accompanying Drawings.
13. The constructing and fitting of trap boxes to jaw boxes, sinks, baths, or
other washing apparatus, in the improved manner herein-before described with
reference to Figures 17 and 18 of the accompanying Drawings.
14. The forming of the valve seating for the discharge or waste valve of any
apparatus for using water in a piece (37, Figures 11, 12, of the accompanying
Drawings) which can be withdrawn from between the joint flanges without dis-
turbing fixed parts, as herein-before described.
15. The forming of my tubular-plug watercloset discharge valve with a lateral
overflow branch (39), or with two overflow branches (39), and the forming of the
trap pockets (40) to correspond, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described with reference to Figures 19, 20, and 21 of the accompanying
Drawings.
16. The combining or arranging of the parts of my tubular-plug closet in the
improved manner herein-before described with reference to Figures 20 and 21 of
the accompanying Drawings, and in particular the placing of the float lever (42)
between the handle rod (41) and the basin (46).
17. The improved combination of watercloset water supply regulating apparatus,
herein-before described with reference to Figures 22 and 23 of the accompanying
Drawings.
18. The combining and working of parts of watercloset water supply apparatus,
substantially in the improved modified manner herein-before described with
reference to Figures 24 and 25 of the accompanying Drawings.
19. The combination of the curved lever (65) and link (63), in the manner and
for the purpose herein-before described with reference to Figures 24 and 25 of the
accompanying Drawings.
20. The combining and working of the parts of watercloset water supply

page_text: apparatus, as herein-before described with reference to Figure 26 of the accom-
panying Drawings.
21. The guiding of a watercloset handle rod and connecting it to the closet lever,
in the improved manner herein-before described with reference to Figures 27
and 28 of the accompanying Drawings.
22. The forming of the closet lever (49) with stop snugs (73), arranged as herein-
before described, and as shown in Figure 28 of the accompanying Drawings.
23. The combination of parts forming the improved ball-float valve, herein-
before described with reference to Figures 29 and 30 of the accompanying
Drawings.
24. The making of the external casings of lavatories, baths, waterclosets, and
the 'like, with skeleton framings of cast iron, to which are attached panels or
coverings of wood, papier maché, decorated glass, marble, slate, or other suitable
plain or ornamental material, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Shanks, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JOHN SHANKS. (L.S.)