Protecting Water Cisterns, Main Supply Pipes, and the like from Frost.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Protecting Water Cisterns, Main Supply Pipes, and the like from
Frost.
I, JOHN ARCHIBALD, Bucksburn House, Bucksburn, Aberdeenshire, Gardener,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the protecting of cold water cisterns and the main pipe
supplying same, from frost, and more especially to cold water cisterns which feed
hot water circulation and water closets.
In carrying out my invention I first cover the cistern either completely or
partially as found most convenient with flock, cork, wood or other similar material
either separately or collectively, the said materials being retained in position by
straps of suitable material or other convenient means.
I also situate upon the top of the cistern an appliance consisting of a vertical
rod or spindle having at its lower end a band or strap shaped and arranged to
engage with the float of the ball cock, the said rod working through a horizontal
guide mounted by a joint and screw to the cistern, in such a manner that by
actuating two screws its position and height may be adjusted.
In a period of frost therefore by lowering the said rod the float of the ball
cock may be prevented from rising sufficiently far as to completely close the valve
thus ensuring a steady flow of water in the main pipe, variable at will by adjusting
the rod, which together with the packing surrounding the cistern entirely prevents
the possibility of the water freezing and thus gives a constant supply.
When not required the rod may be put out of action and the ball cock allowed
to completely close the valve as usual.
1000
Protecting Water Cisterns, Main Supply Pipes, and the like from
Frost.
I, JOHN ARCHIBALD, of 127, Union Grove, Aberdeen, N.B., Gardener, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
Die 77

page_text: formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates to the protecting of cold water cisterns and the main pipes
supplying same, from frost and more especially to cold water cisterns which feed
hot water circulation and water closets.
In carrying out my invention I first cover the cistern either completely or
partially, as found most convenient, with flock, cork, wood or other similar material
either separately or collectively, the said materials being retained in position by
any convenient means.
I also situate upon the top of the cistern an appliance whereby, in a period of
frost, the ball cock may be prevented from rising sufficiently far as to completely
close the water thus ensuring a steady flow of water in the main pipe, variable
at will, which arrangement together or not with the packing surrounding the
cistern prevents the possibility of the water freezing and ensures a constant supply.
But in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and easily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation.
Fig. 2 a plan, with the cover removed, and
Fig. 3 a sectional end elevation of a water cistern shewing my improvements
applied thereto.
Referring to the said drawings I first cover the cistern with an outer lining or
covering A of cork, flock, wood or other material either separately or collectively,
the said cork or wood being either formed in portions with the flock packed
between them and the cistern; or the lining may be formed of sections of ground
cork, compressed into suitably shaped slabs either with flock or sawdust incorpo-
rated therewith or not. The lining, of whatever form, is secured by means of
straps of suitable material or by any other convenient means.
Situated upon the top of the cistern, below the cover, is an appliance consisting
of a vertical rod or spindle B having at its lower end a band or strap 6 shaped
and arranged to engage with the lever of the float C, or the float itself, of the
ball cock. This rod works through a guide D which is capable of sliding along a
horizontal bar E, secured to the top of the cistern, so that its position can be
altered to suit the varying position occupied by the ball cock in different forms of
cisterns.
The guide D is fitted with a screw d which may either impinge directly upon the
rod or spindle B or be caused to enter one of a series of holes d¹ formed therein,
whereby the height of the band b can be adjusted.
The horizontal bar E is formed in two portions as shewn and connected together
by screws e so that its length may be extended or contracted at will to suit different
sized cisterns. A screw serves to hold the bar rigidly when in position.
Thus by actuating the screw d the valve can be kept open to the required extent
to allow a steady flow of water to pass through the cistern during a period of frost
which flow, together with the packing surrounding the cistern, as before stated
prevents the water becoming frozen in the pipes either supplying the cistern or
leading from it.
When not required the rod 13 may be put out of action and the ball cock allowed
to completely close the valve as usual.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be used, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In means for protecting water cisterns, main supplying pipes and the like
from frost, the covering A of cork or other material, surrounding the cistern,
substantially as herein before described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
2. In means for protecting water cisterns, main supply pipes and the like from 5

page_text: frost, the appliance whereby the valve of the ball cock is kept open to allow a
steady flow of water to pass through the cistern, constructed and arranged sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
1000
JOHNSONS,
Petitioner's Agents, 115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.