IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGE- MENTS OF APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THE WASTE OF WATER FROM SERVICE PIPES OR CISTERNS
Year: 1855

page_text: George Eskholme, of Rotherham, in the County of York, Brassfounders,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGE-
MENTS OF APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THE WASTE OF WATER FROM SERVICE
PIPES OR CISTERNS."
Sealed the 11th December 1855, and dated the 6th July 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Richard Morris,
William Morris, Richard Chrimes, and George Eskholme at the. Oflice
of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 6th July
1855.
We, WILLIAM RICHARD MORRIS and WILLIAM MORRIS, of Deptford, in the
County of Kent, Engineers, and RICHARD CHRIMES and GEORGE ESKHOLME,
of Rotherham, in the County of York, Brassfounders, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND
ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THE WASTE OF WATER FROM SERVICE
PIPES OR CISTERNS," to be as follows:- -
This Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrangements of
apparatus for preventing any continuous flow or waste of water from service
pipes or cisterns beyond a regulated and adjusted quantity.
According to one modification, the improvements consist in the employment
of a cistern partially filled with water, and divided into two portions by a vertical
[Price 8d.]

page_text: division plate, such plate having a hanging valve at its lower extremity, with a
small aperture perforated through the valve, to allow of a free passage of water
taking place between the two divisions. In each of these divisions is a
hollow box, which we shall term for distinction the closet and the supply box;
they are composed of sheet metal, or any other suitable material. One of
these boxes, namely, the closet box, is connected either directly or by levers
with the handle of a water-closet, if applied to such a purpose, and this box
is filled or partially filled with water, having suitable apertures at its lower
extremity opening into one division of the main cistern. The other or
supply box is connected either directly or by levers to the supply valve or
cock when applied to water-closets, and must be buoyant or floating in the
water contained in the second division of the cistern. In using this apparatus
for water-close is, the handle connected with the closet box is clevated, and
the box is raised with it, the level of the water in that division being thereby
lowered by reason of the reduced immersion of the closet box. This lowering
of the water in one division causes a rapid flow of water to take place from
the other division through the hanging valve, and thereby allows the buoyant
supply box to descend, which, being connected with the supply valve or cock,
opens the same, and allows the water to pass into the closet. The handle of
the supply box being raised, the action of the apparatus is secured, whether
the same be allowed to fall or not; in either case a restoration of the level
of the water in both boxes must take place through the free aperture in the
closet box and hanging valve. The supply valve or cock thus remains open
until the water in each division has attained the same level. As the water
will require some little time to regain its own level, by having to pass through
the small apertures in the hanging valve and closet box, it follows that a
certain regulated time will elapse between the opening and shutting of the
supply valve or cock.
In our second modification, the lever working the supply cock is entirely
out of the control of the party using the closet, and although the handle or
pull be kept elevated, no flow of water can take place until the handle
is released again, when only a fixed regulated quantity will escape to. flush
the closet effectually. This is effected by connecting the cock lever at
one end to a vessel, which we term the "cock vessel," whose weight is
more than balanced by a counterpoise on the opposite end of the cock
lever. This "cock vessel" communicates by a valvular opening & small
apertures at the bottom with another vessel, which we term the "closet vessel,"
inside which it works freely. The bottom of this second or "closet vessel,"
is considerably below the bottom of the first or "cock vessel" when not in

page_text: action, and contains enough water to fill or partially fill the cock vessel
when raised. The "closet vessel" is attached to the handle or fall of the
closet, and when drawn up it forces the water into the "cock vessel" (which
is kept elevated by the weighted lever) through the valve and perforations; the
weight of such water then overcomes the weight on the lever, and causes the
"cock vessel" and lever to descend, thereby opening the supply cock, which
will keep open until the weight of the water has decreased sufficiently, by its
escaping through the apertures in the bottom of the "cock vessel,") to allow
the weight to raise the vessel again, thereby closing the supply cock. In this
apparatus the cock will not be opened until the handle is released, and the
time it remains open will depend entirely on the time required for the water
to escape from the "cock vessel" into the "closet vessel." If found desirable,
the cock and closet vessels may be enclosed in an outer chamber for the
purpose of checking evaporation, such chamber being fitted with an overflow
pipe to carry off any undue overflow from the closet vessel.
According to a third arrangement, the supply cock is connected to a weighted
lever, which is raised, and thereby opens the supply cock by the aid of a double
bellows operated upon either by air or water; one, the lower or "closet bellows;"
the other, the upper or cock bellows." The "closet bellows," being actuated
by the handle or pull of the closet, operates upon and expands the "cock
bellows," and with it the lever acting upon the cock, and opens the same, and
as the handle or pull is consequently only connected with the cock bellows, so
far as the expanding of the bellows is concerned, it is allowed to collapse
independently, and thereby close the supply cock. By this means. although
the handle is held up. the escape of air or water will still continue from the
upper portion or "cock bellows" through a small aperture formed therein
for that purpose, and permit of the weighted lever descending and closing the
supply cock.
Our fourth arrangement consists simply of a cock or valve formed with
two faces or beats, the upper one of which is slightly larger in area than the
lower one, by which means the pressure of the water tends to keep the cock
elevated or closed. On the upper end of the spindle which actuates the
cock is fitted a concave disc, on which is placed an inflated ball, of india-
rubber or other suitable elastic material, having a small perforation formed
therein. for the purpose herein-after described. This ball, and the concave
disc on which it is supported. are enclosed inside a hollow metal sphere, which
forms the knob or rose of the valve-actuating spindle, down which it slides
freely when depressed by the hand for the purpose of opening the supply
cock. The sudden depression of the knob compresses the ball slightly, and

page_text: forces down the valve-actuating spindle, thereby opening the supply cock or
valve, which cannot rise or close again if the knob be held down, until the
collapsing or gradual escape of the air from the compressed ball allows the
valve-actuating spindle to rise again and close the cock, the duration of time
which it will remain open depending entirely on the rapidity with which the
air escapes from the elastic or flexible ball. If found desirable, a catch or
trigger may be fitted to the apparatus for the purpose of catching the sphere
or knob, and holding it down when depressed, the ball gradually refilling when
the pressure is removed from it by the release of the knob. Although we have
described a flexible or elastic inflated ball as the elastic medium, yet we do
not confine ourselves strictly to this arrangement, as metal springs or other
elastic media may be employed; and in place of a hollow spherical knob a
piston and cylinder may be employed for compressing air and forcing down
the valve-actuating spindle, the air being re-admitted into the cylinder through
a small opening in the piston or side of the cylinder. It is proposed to
employ this last-described or fourth modification to other purposes than water
closets, as, for example, to street pipes, and other public cocks or supply pipes
where an undue waste of water is likely to occur.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Richard Morris, William Morris, Richard Chrimes,
and George Eskholme in the Great Seal Patent Office
January 1856.
on the 5th
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
RICHARD MORRIS and WILLIAM MORRIS. of Deptford, in the County of Kent,
Engineers, and RICHARD CHRIMES and GEORGE ESKHOLME, of Rotherham, in
the County of York, Brassfounders, send greeting.
WHEREAS Iler most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Iler heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
William Richard Morris, William Morris, Richard Chrimes, and George
Eskholme, Her special license that we, the said William Richard Morris,
William Morris, Richard Chrimes, and George Eskholme, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we. the said William Richard
Morris, William Morris, Richard Chrimes, and George Eskholme, our executors,
administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,

page_text: 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT
OF APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THE WASTE OF WATER FROM SERVICE PIPES OR
CISTERNS," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said William
Richard Morris, William Morris, Richard Chrimes, and George Eskholme,
by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand
and seal of one of us, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, 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 we, the said William Richard Morris, William
Morris, Richard Chrimes, and George Eskholme, do hereby declare the nature
of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
Our said Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrangements
of apparatus for preventing any continuous flow or waste of water from.
service pipes or cisterns beyond a regulated and adjusted quantity, and
preventing concussion of the valve or cock, and consists in so arranging
the apparatus that the valve, which when open permits of a regulated flow
of water passing through it, shall not be under the immediate or direct
control of the party opening the same, whereby the valve cannot be held open
at the will of such party, but will always close itself after a certain fixed
amount of water has flowed through it..
And in order that our said Invention may be fully understood, we shall now
proceed particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose we shall refer
to the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 of our Drawings represents an external side elevation of one
modification of our apparatus; and Figure 2 is a corresponding longitudinal
section of the same. A. A, is a cistern, which may either be open or closed.
as shewn in the Drawing, partly filled with water, and divided into two portions
or chambers B, C, by the vertical division plate D, which extends from the top
to within a short distance of the bottom of the cistern. E is a valve, of leather,
gutta percha, or other suitable material, which is laid on the bottom F of the
chamber C. This valve may consist of a large disc, corresponding to the inner
diameter of the chamber C. in which it is fitted loosely. This disc is cut away
in three or four places round its periphery, in order to allow of a free passage

page_text: of water through it, and through the large aperture G in the centre of the
bottom F of the chamber, those parts of the disc which are left uncut serving
merely as guides to keep it in its proper central position. II is a small opening
made through the centre of the disc, the object of which opening will be
herein-after fully described.
In place of the valve of the above construction, a hanging valve with a small
opening in it may be fitted on to the lower edge of the vertical division plate D,
such hanging valve being made to open towards the chamber C. In each of
the chambers B and C is a hollow box I and K, which we shall term for
distinction the supply box and the closet box; they are composed of sheet
metal or any other suitable material. The supply box I is connected either
directly or by a lever L working on a fixed centre M, as shewn in the Drawing,
to the supply valve or cock N, when applied to water-closets, and must be
buoyant or floating in the water which is contained in the chamber B. The
closet box K is connected either directly by the rod O, as shewn in the
Drawing, or by a lever or levers, with the handle P of the water-closet, and
this box is filled or partially filled with water, and has one or more small
apertures Q at its lower extremity opening into the chamber or division C of
the cistern.
In using this apparatus for water-closets, the handle P connected with the
closet box K is elevated, and the closet box is raised with it. The level of
the water in the corresponding chamber C is thereby lowered by reason of the
reduced immersion of the closet box; this lowering of the water level in
one chamber causes a rapid flow of water to take place from the other
chamber B, through the large opening G and valve E. until the water levels
in the two chambers coincide, thereby allowing the buoyant supply box I to
descend, which box, being connected with the supply valve or cock, opens the
same, and allows a certain regulated amount of water to pass into the closet.
The handle of the closet box being raised, the action of the apparatus is secured,
whether the same be allowed to fall or not; in either case a restoration of the
level of the water in both boxes must take place through the small apertures
in the closet box and valve, which allow the water contained in the closet box
K to run out gradually so long as it is kept elevated, and so restore the
original water level in both boxes. The supply valve or cock N thus remains
open until the water in each chamber B and C has attained the same level.
As the water will require some little time to pass through the small aper-
tures in the valve and closet box, it follows that a certain regulated time must
elapse between the opening and shutting of the supply valve, such period
being regulated by the size of the small openings or apertures Q and H.

page_text: The handle P should, however, be held up a sufficient length of time to
allow the whole or the greater portion of the water to escape from the interior
of the closet box K.
Figure 3 represents an external side elevation of a second modification of
apparatus for a similar purpose; and Figure 4 is a corresponding longitudinal
section of the same.
The lever A working the supply cock or valve B is entirely out of the control
of the party using the closet, and although the handle or pull C be kept
elevated, no flow of water can take place until the handle is released again,
when only a fixed regulated quantity will escape to flush the closet effectually.
This is accomplished by connecting the cock or valve lever A at one end to
the supply vessel D, the weight of which vessel is more than counterbalanced
by the weight E on the opposite end of the lever A. This supply vessel
communicates by a valvular opening F, and small apertures G, G, at the bottom
with the closet vessel H, inside which it works freely.
The bottom of this second or closet vessel is considerably below the bottom
of the first or supply vessel D when not in action, and contains enough water
to fill or partially fill the supply vessel when raised. The closet vessel is
attached to the handle or pull C of the closet, and when drawn up it forces
the water contained inside it into the supply vessel D, through the valvular
opening F and apertures G, G, the supply vessel being previously kept elevated
by the counterweight E. The weight of this water then overcomes the weight
on the lever A, and causes the supply vessel and lever to descend, thereby
opening the supply cock B, which will keep open until the weight of the water,
which gradually runs out by the small perforations or apertures G, G, into the
vessel H, which vessel has been allowed to descend again,) has decreased
sufficiently to allow the weight to raise the supply vessel and lever again,
thereby closing the supply cock.
In this apparatus the cock will not be opened until the handle or pull of
the closet is released, and the time it remains open will depend entirely on the
time required for the water to escape from the supply vessel into the closet
vessel. If found desirable, the supply and closet vessels may be enclosed in an
outer casing I for the purpose of checking evaporation, such casing being
fitted with an overflow pipe to carry off any undue overflow from the closet
vessel.
Figure 5 represents a perspective view of a third modification of apparatus,
for preventing the waste of water from service pipes or cisterns and avoiding
concussion; and Figure 6 is a side elevation of the same.
The supply cock or valve A is connected to a weighted lever B, which works

page_text: on a centre at C. This lever is raised, and thereby opens the supply cock or
valve by the aid of a double bellows, operated upon either by air or water.
The lower or closet bellows D, which is actuated by the handle or pull E of
the closet, elevates or expands the upper or supply bellows F, raising with
it the weighted lever B, which is passed through an eye-piece G on the top of
the supply bellows, thereby acting upon the supply cock or valve A, and open-
ing the same. As the handle or pull is only connected with the upper or
supply bellows so far as the expanding of the bellows is concerned, the supply
bellows will obviously be allowed to collapse or descend independently, and
thereby close the supply cock, the air or water escaping from such bellows
gradually by a small aperture made for that purpose. By this means,
although the handle or pull be held up, the air or water will still escape slowly
from the supply bellows, and permit of the weighted lever descending and
closing the supply cock.
Figure represents an external side elevation of a fourth modification, for
preventing waste of water and avoiding concussion of the valve, and Figure 8
is a vertical section of the same. A is the barrel of the cock or valve, the
valve spindle being fitted with a heat at its lower end, and a piston on the
upper extremity, working water-tight inside the upper part of the barrel A,
(see section, Figure 9.) This piston is of rather larger area than the beat, so
that the head pressure of the water, which enters by the branch at B, shewn
in dotted lines, and escapes by the branch C to the closet, tends always to keep
the beat elevated or closed. On the upper end of the spindle which actuates
the valve is fitted a concave disc, on which is fixed a self-inflating ball, of india-
rubber or other suitable elastic material D, having a small perforation formed
therein. for the purpose herein-after described. This ball and the disc on which
it is carried are enclosed inside a hollow metal case E, which forms the knob
or rose of the valve-actuating spindle, and which slides freely down the barrel
A of the valve when depressed by the hand for the purpose of opening the
valve The sudden depression of the knob forces down and opens the valve,
which cannot rise or close again the knob be held down until the collapsing
or gradual escape of the air from the compressed ball allows the valve spindle.
to rise again and close the valve, the duration of time which it will remain
open depending on the rapidity with which the air escapes from the ball. If
found desirable, a catch or trigger may be fitted to the apparatus for the pur-
pose of catching the knob and holding it down when depressed, the ball
gradually refilling when the pressure is removed from it by the release of the
knob. In place of an elastic self-inflating ball, a single air cylinder and piston
may be used for compressing air and forcing down the valve-actuating spindle,

page_text: ine air being re-admitted into the cylinder through a small opening in the piston
or side of the cylinder.
:
Figure 9 represents a vertical section of another modification of the same
principle, wherein a self-inflating elastic ball A is used in conjunction with an
air cylinder B and piston C. The spindle D of the valve, which is of the same
construction as that herein-before last described, namely, fitted with a piston E
and beat F, is connected to the air piston C. On the top of the air cylinder
B is screwed the cap G, in which are drilled the different air passages. The
elastic ball A is fixed on to the screwed neck of the cap G. and when com-
pressed, by depressing the casing or knob H, it forces a certain amount of air
down the passage I and underneath the valve K, which is thereby elevated,
and allows the air to escape by a lateral passage L, shewn in dotted lines, into
the air cylinder; and by acting on the air piston C so as to depress it, the
valve F will be depressed also and opened, allowing the water which enters by
the side branch M to escape through the valve into the closet by the branch N.
The valve will remain open until the air above the air piston has escaped,
which it does gradually by a very small aperture O, whilst at the same time
the ball A inflates itself again through the passage P, which contains a small
valve Q, opening upwards, to prevent the air when the ball is compressed from
escaping by the passage P; the head pressure of the water on the valve piston
E raises and closes the valve when the air has escaped from the air cylinder B.
This form of self-closing valve may, if found desirable, be applied to all the
previous modifications of apparatus herein-before described. In place of using
a self-inflating ball in conjunction with an air cylinder and piston, a second air
cylinder and piston may be employed for forcing air into the lower air cylinder
and opening the valve. Springs or other suitable elastic media may obviously
be substituted for the elastic balls when found convenient. We propose to
apply the modifications herein-before last described, and those represented by
Figures 7, 8, and 9, on the Drawings, to other purposes than water-closets, as,
for example, to street pipes, and other public cocks or supply pipes where an
undue waste of water is likely to occur.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we would observe, in conclusion, that we do not confine or restrict
ourselves to the precise details or arrangements which we have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of our said Invention; but
what we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-

page_text: First, the general constructions & arrangements of apparatus for prevent-
ing the waste of water from service pipes or cisterns whilst insuring the
requisite supply, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of preventing the waste of water from service
pipes or cisterns, by so arranging the apparatus that the supply cock or valve
shall not be under the immediate and direct control of the party opening such
valve, as herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of preventing the waste of water from service
pipes or cisterns, by causing the valve or cock to be acted upon by a float
which rises or falls according to the varying level of water upon which the said
float is supported.
Fourth, the system or mode of preventing the waste of water from service
pipes or cisterns, by causing the valve to be opened by the gravity of water,
and closed by the action of a counterweight, which may be assisted by the
head pressure in the service pipe.
Fifth, the application and use of a double bellows for operating on the
valves or cocks of service pipes or cisterns, in the manner and for the purpose
herein-before described.
Sixth, the application and use of a single self-inflating elastic ball or two
elastic balls for operating on the valves or cocks of service pipes or cisterns, in
the manner and for the purpose herein-before described.
Seventh, the application and use of either a single cylinder and piston or two
cylinders and pistons for operating on the valves or cocks of service pipes or
cisterns, in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described.
Eighth, the application and use of a self-inflating elastic ball in conjunction
with a cylinder and piston for operating on the valves or cocks of service pipes
or cisterns, in the manner and for the purpose herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Richard Morris, for and on
behalf of myself and the said William Morris, Richard Chrimes, and
George Eskholme, have hereunto set my hand and seal, the First
day of January, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
W. R. MORRIS. (L.S.)