Improvements in and relating to Ball-valves.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 12th Apr., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Ball-valves.
I, WILLIAM WINBURN, of 7 Duppas Hill Lane, Croydon, in the County of Surrey,
Sanitary Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improvement in valves operated by a ball float, and it
has for its object shutting off the water in case the ball valve fails to act, from breakage
and other causes. It is well known that considerable damage is often done by the
over-flowing of tanks and cisterns from the failure of ball float valves, owing to the
time required to shut the water off from the main, by the valve in the service pipe
which is generally outside the house. 1 remedy this defect and attain the object of
my invention by combining with a ball float valve a screw down, or other type of valve
so that the water can be cut off directly at the tank or cistern. I effect this in the
manner illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1. is a broken view
in side elevation of my improved combination valve, Figure 2. is a view in transverse
section thereof showing the "cut off" valve screwed down to cut off the water.
Figure 3. is a broken view in side elevation-partly in section-of the valve, and
Figure 4. is a broken view in plan thereof.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
In a suitable casting A, having a nozzle a adapting it to be fixed to a service pipe,
are formed two chambers a' and a divided by a web a³ having a small circular hole a¹
through it. In the chamber a² is fitted any suitable form of vertical action valve B,
as illustrated, adapted to be operated by a ball float through the lever C fulcrated on
to a bracket A¹ on the casting A, and engaging with the valve B. In the chamber a¹
is fitted any suitable form of screw down valve D, preferably of the type illustrated
which consists of a spindle D' having a quick cut thread d. cut on it, and terminating
in a male cone D adapted to engage with the female coned edge of the hole a¹ in
the web a³ between the two chambers. The spindle D' is carried in a suitable cap A³
adapted to screw into the casting A, and having a stuffing box as formed in it, to receive
the gland d¹ on the spindle D'. The top of the spindle either carries a cross piece d²,
or it is adapted to fit a spanner or key, to enable it to be rotated to open and close
the valve.
It will be seen that by the combination of the screw down valve with the automatic
float valve, the water can be instantly cut off in case the ball float valve fails to act
from any cause.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of the particular
forms of valves, or to the precise details of construction or arrangement, hereinbefore
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but I hold myself at liberty
to use valves of any known or suitable construction, and to make such changes and
alterations in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, as fairly fall
within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1st. The combined valve constructed arranged and operating, as and for the purpose
set forth.
2nd. The combination with a ball float valve, of a screw down valve, as and for the
nurnose set forth

page_text: 3rd. In a combined ball float and screw down valve, arranging the valves to operate
on opposite sides of a hole in a web dividing the valve chamber into two parts, as set
forth.
Dated this 4th day of March 1800
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers, 70-72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.