IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR USE IN DISTRIBUTING WATER ON ROADS OR OTHER WAYS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF LIQUID MANURE AND OTHER LIQUIDS
Year: 1878

page_text: .
LETTERS PATENT to James Gledhill, of No. 172, New Kent Road, in the
County of Surrey, Surveyor, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR USE IN DISTRIBUTING WATER ON ROADS OR OTHER WAYS,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF LIQUID
MANURE AND OTHER LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 23rd May 1879, and dated the 26th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Gledhill at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th November 1878.
JAMES GLEDHILL, of No. 172, New Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Surveyor.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR USE IN DISTRIBUTING WATER ON ROADS OR
OTHER WAYS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE IN THE DISTRIBUTION
OF LIQUID MANURE AND OTHER LIQUIDS."
According to my improvements the tanks or reservoirs to the carts, or vans, or
other the apparatus for carrying the liquid to be distributed are formed in two or
more parts or separate tanks, one part of which I apply as in ordinary watering
carts or vans with outlet pipes and distributing pipe or pipes therefroin, and the
other part or parts, or separate tank or tanks, I apply over the first referred to
tank, with separate outlets for the distribution of the liquid therefrom to other
distributing pipes for use when a greater pressure and further distribution is
required.
The upper and lower tanks are filled by first filling the upper of them to the
height of the upper end of a stand pipe or pipes therein, the lower end or ends of
which communicate with the upper part of the lower tank, so that as soon as the
upper tank or tanks become filled to the upper end or ends of this or these stand
pipes the liquid supplied to the upper tank or tanks overflow into the lower one to
supply that tank.
For ordinary purposes the liquid is supplied from the lower tank through a feed
pipe or pipes to the distributing, pipe or pipes, the passage to which is regulated by

page_text: The upper tank is provided with outlet pipes to communicate with other dis-
tributors, and the liquid thereto is controlled to supply the distributor at one side
or the other, or both together, as desired, by suitable valve or valves. For a single
upper tank a three way cock or valve answers the purpose well.
Thus suppose in the use of the apparatus for watering roads or ways it should be
desired to water the channels only of a road; or one of them, or the roots of the
trees, or a path at the side, the water will be allowed to escape from the upper
reservoir or reservoirs to one or the other of the distributors as the case may require
without using the water from the lower tank.
Or by using both sets of distributors a greater spread or width of distribution
may be obtained.
When desired the liquid contained in the upper tank or tanks may by suitable
valve or valves be allowed to flow into and supply the lower tank.
The distributors in connection with the upper tank or tanks may also have com-
munication with the lower tank, controllable by taps or valves so as to afford
facility for obtaining a double supply at either or both sides from the lower tank.
The tank or tanks as I arrange them are supported on three wheels, but this may
be varied. Two of the three wheels are the chief support or main carrying wheels
of the tank or tanks by an axle to one wheel on each side.
The third wheel is placed in front, and it revolves by pivots at the end of a fork
from a vertical axle which is capable of turning in a corresponding vertical socket
formed in the shoulder of forked curved stays, the forked ends of which are bolted
or welded to the main frame; this front wheel takes the front weight in place of
the shafts. The shafts are fitted on this vertical arm of the front wheel so that the
shaft and front wheel are capable of turning in directions to either side of the centre
line of draught.
I also apply a band of india rubber between the underside of the lower tank
and the body of the frame to relieve the 'strain on the parts or the jolting when
in use.
I also generally arrange the tanks so that a seat may be applied for the driver
at the back part of the tank in position so that he may freely have control over his
horse and be able more readily to see the effect of the distribution, and to control
it by operating on the respective valves as he requires.
For filling the tanks in place of making use of flexible or other pipes of com-
munication from stand pipes I fit closely on to the upper tank a pipe, which by a
flexible or other connection and screw cap or other junction may be connected to
any correspondingly arranged stand pipe or hydrant, and if desired the force of the
pressure of the water from the hydrant may be employed to compress the air in the
tank or tanks to increase the extent of distribution therefrom.
The tanks are then formed to be air tight when required.
By these means facility is given for regulating or controlling the flow and width
of distribution, and for the saving of the liquid distributed, and the wear and tear
of the apparatus, and also in the labor or power employed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Gledhill in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th May
1879.
JAMES GLEDHILL, of No. 172, New Kent Road, in the County of Surrey, Surveyor.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR USE IN DISTRIBUTING WATER ON ROADS OR
OTHER WAYS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE IN THE DISTRIBUTION
OF LIQUID MANURE AND OTHER LIQUIDS."
According to my improvements the tanks or reservoirs to the carts, or vans, or
other the apparatus for carrying the liquid to be distributed are formed in two or
more parts or separate tanks, one part of which I apply as in ordinary watering
carts or vans with outlet pipes and distributing pipe or pipes therefrom, and the
other part or parts, or separate tank or tanks, I apply over the first referred to tank
with separate outlets for the. distribution of the liquid therefrom to other dis-
tributing pipes for use when a great pressure and further distribution is required.
The upper and lower tanks are filled by first filling the upper of them to the
height of the upper end of a stand pipe or pipes therein, the lower end or ends of
which communicate with the upper part of the lower tank, so that so soon as the
upper tank or tanks become filled to the upper end or ends of this or these stand
pipes the liquid supplied to the upper tank or tanks overflows into the lower one
to supply that tank.
For ordinary purposes the liquid is supplied from the lower tank through a feed
pipe or pipes to the distributing pipe or pipes, the passage to which, is regulated by
suitable valve or valves.
The upper tank is provided with outlet pipes to communicate with other dis-
tributors, and the liquid thereto is controlled to supply the distributor at one side
or the other, or both together, as desired, by suitable valve or valves. For a single
upper tank a three way cock or valve answers the purpose well.
Thus suppose in the use of the apparatus for watering roads or ways it should
be desired to water the channels only of a road, or one of them, or the roots of the
trees, or a path at the side, the water will be allowed to escape from the upper
reservoir or reservoirs to one or other of the distributors as the case may require
without using the water from the lower tank. Or by using both sets of dis-
tributors a greater spread or width of distribution may be obtained.
When desired the liquid contained in the upper tank or tanks may by suitable
valve or valves be allowed to flow into and supply the lower tank.
The distributors in connection with the upper tank or tanks may also have
communication with the lower tank, controllable by taps or valves so as to afford
facility for obtaining a double supply at either or both sides from the lower tank.
The tank or tanks as I arrange them are supported on three wheels, but this may
be varied. Two of the three wheels are the chief support or main carrying wheels
of the tank or tanks by an axle to one wheel on each side.
The third wheel is placed in front, and it revolves by a spindle passing through
the ends of a fork from a vertical axle, which is capable of turning in a corre-
sponding vertical socket formed in the shoulder of forked or inclined stays, the ends
of which are bolted to the main frame. This front wheel takes the front weight in
place of shafts. The shafts are fitted on this vertical arm of the front wheel so that
the shaft and front wheel are capable of turning in directions to either side of the
centre line of draught.
I also generally arrange the tanks so that a seat may be applied for the driver at
the back part of the tank in position so that he may freely have control over his
horse and be able more readily to see the effect of the distribution and to control
it by operating on the respective valves as he requires.
For filling the tanks, in place of making use of flexible or other pipes of com-
munication from stand pipes, I fit closely on to the upper tank a pipe which by a

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents a side view, Figure 2 an end view, and Figure 3 a plan
of apparatus arranged according to my Invention for use in distributing water on
roads or other ways; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 show details.
In each of the Figures the same letters indicate corresponding parts wherever
they occur.
a, a, represents the main framing, which is supported to travel on the two hind
wheels b, b, and the central fore wheel c; d, d, represents portions of shafts
attached by pin joint d' to the fork c¹ carrying the axle of the forewheel c to
facilitate draught thereof by horse or other animal. The main framing carries the.
two tanks e and f, one over the other; g is a pipe, which is connected at one end
to the upper tank e, and at its other end g¹ is formed with a screw thread to
facilitate the application thereto of a screw cap attached to a flexible hose from a
suitable stand pipe, by which the upper tank e may be readily filled, and the lower
tank fis filled from the upper one by means of the stand pipe h, which at its lower
end h¹ opens into the upper part of the lower tank. So soon as the upper tank e
becomes filled up to the upper edge h² of the stand pipe h the liquid continuing to
be supplied thereto will overflow into the lower tank until that tank ƒ also is
filled.
The liquid is distributed for ordinary purposes in the ordinary way through a
feed pipe i to the distributing pipes, , and the supply to the pipe i is regulated
by a valve i², acted upon by a rod 3 rising up through a packed guide or stuffing
box is formed for it in the upper part of the lower tank f, and at its upper end this
rod is connected to one end of the lever is, which is supported to turn on a fixed
stud 6, and at its other end this lever 15 is formed into a handle to facilitate its
movement in opening or closing the valve i. To facilitate the holding of the handle
7 so as to retain the valve i raised that handle lever is acted upon by a
spring stop 8. j and k are other distributors, which with the distributor i¹ are
perforated with numerous small holes for the distribution of the liquid, as is well
understood. These distributors.j and k are intended generally to be supplied from
the upper tank e, but, as shown, they may be supplied also from the lower tank f.
For this purpose the tube is connected to the tanks so as to open at its upper
end into the upper tank e, whilst its lower end is capable of opening into the lower
tank f. The ends of this tube have applied to them valves 11, 12, which are con-
nected with capability of adjustment to the spindle ³, so that by the raising of that
spindle to its highest the lower valve 2 will be closed on the lower end of the
pipe and the upper valve will be raised, by which communication with the
interior of the pipe will be from the upper tank e only. On lowering that spindle
to its lowest position the upper valve will be closed, shutting off the upper tank e,
and any supply to the interior of that pipe will be from the lower tank f. Or
the valves,, may be operated by their spindle so as to hold both of them open
if desired, when the supply will be from both the upper and the lower tanks. The
upper valve is prevented in its movement from rotation by means of horns 1, and
the upper part of its spindle 13 is tapped and passes through a female screw formed

page_text: in the neck, which is held with capability of revolving freely in a socket formed
for it in the upper part of the upper tank, and it is provided with a handle wheel
by which the rotation of the neck to raise or lower the valves may be readily
effected.
The liquid supplied to the tube / is conducted to a valve chamber m formed with
three ports; one of these (1) leads from the tube l, and the others (2) and (3) lead
respectively to the distributing pipes j and k, and the direction of the flow of liquid
from the pipe to both of the distributing pipes ; and k, or to one or the other of
them, is effected by the valve n, which is also formed with three ports 4, 5, and 6.
This valve n is connected to the spindle n¹, by which it is controlled to move in a
partially rotary direction on the seat m as desired, and it is held to that seat by
the spring o. Figure 4 shows a section of parts of the tube with its valves 11, 12,
on a larger scale, showing also its connection with the valve seat m and the valve n;
Figure 5 shows a sectional plan view of the tube and the valve seat m; Figure 6
shows another sectional view of part of the seat m and valve n and their connec-
tion with one of the outlet passages. Figures 7 and 8 show an upper view and
an underside view of the valve n; Figure 9 shows the position of the valve n
with its ports in relation to the openings or ports in the seat, such as to admit of
liquid passing into the valve n to flow therefrom by both of its ports 5 and 6 to
both the ports or passages 2 and 3 leading to the extra distributors j and k at both
sides of the apparatus: Figure 10 shows the valve n turned partially on its axis
so as to direct the flow by the ports 1 and 4 to the ports 5 and 2 leading to the
distributing pipe'j only whilst the passages or ports to the distributing pipe k
are closed; Figure 11 shows the valve turned to open the ports 3 and 6 for the
flow to the distributing pipe whilst that to the pipe is closed; Figure 12
shows the valve so turned as to close all the ports and prevent any supply to
either of the distributing pipes j or. k. The spindle n of the valve n passes
through a stuffing box n² between the two tanks f and c, and through a
stuffing box n³ in the upper tank, where the upper end of that rod has applied
to it a lever handle and pointer n¹, by which and a corresponding index on the
plate n the attendant may know exactly how to set the valve as he requires,
so that the liquid may be supplied to either side distributor, or to both at the same
time, or may be shut off from both for the time, according to the requirements for
the time being.
To save waste of water in the lower tank f that tank is formed with a well f¹ to
receive the valve apparatus.
When supplying liquid to such or other apparatus for watering roads and other
ways, or for the distribution of liquid manure or other liquid by a pipe g under
pressure I prefer that the inlet end of such pipe g open into the lower tank or low
down in the tank employed so as to afford facility for the use of the upper tank or
part thereof, or the upper part of the tank employed as an air chamber.
The stand pipe h will then be unnecessary, and a tap or valve will be applied in
lieu thereof as a means of, communication between the upper and lower tank.. A
stop cock or valve will also be applied to the supply pipe g, and there will be also
a pressure valve applied to the tank or tanks.
In some cases I apply a band of india rubber between the underside of the lower
tank and the body of the frame to relieve the strain on the parts or the jolting
when in use.
p is the seat for the person in charge.
The tanks may be formed with passages thereto capable of being closed air tight
when required to be used under pressure.
Although the apparatus as described is chiefly adapted for use in watering roads
and ways it is also applicable for use in the distribution of liquid manure and other
liquids, care being taken to form the various passages of somewhat larger dimensions.
The form also of the tanks may be varied, and the apparatus for regulating the
distribution of the liquid with or without an upper tank may be applied to be used
with the tank of a slop cart of the character of that described in the Specification

page_text: of Letters Patent granted to me, bearing date the 17th day of March, 1877,
No. 1075, or otherwise, should it be desired to use the same conveyance at one time
to collect road refuse, and at another time to water roads and ways.
Having thus described my Invention and means which I adopt in carrying the
same into effect I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the
precise details shown and described, as the same may be varied without departing
from the peculiar character of my Invention, but what I do claim is, the arranging
apparatus for distributing water on roads or other ways, and the distribution of
liquid manure and other liquids, whereby the liquid distributed may be supplied
from either or both of two reservoirs placed one over the other. Also I claim the
arranging or combining parts whereby the liquid may be distributed from either
side, substantially as described.
Also I claim the arranging or combining parts whereby apparatus for the dis-
tribution of water on roads or other ways, and for the distribution of liquid manure
or other liquid, may be supplied from mains under pressure so as thereby to obtain
a compression of air contained in such apparatus in aid of the distribution of the
liquid therefrom.
In witness whereof, J, the said James Gledhill, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
ALFRED G. BROOKS,
37, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane,
London.
JAMES GLEDHILL. (L.S.)