IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS FOR CON- TROLLING THE FLOW OR PASSAGE OF FLUIDS
Year: 1862

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Wall and Thomas
Dadd, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 30th June 1862.
We.. JOSEPH WALL, of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Plumber,
and THOMAS DODD, also of Liverpool, aforesaid, Glass Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TAPS FOR CON-
TROLLING THE FLOW OR PASSAGE OF FLUIDS," to be as follows:-
Our Invention embraces improvements in taps or cocks, which are mainly
applicable for controlling the flow or passage of fluids for flushing water-
closets; and although each type of tap or cock is more especially useful when
employed with a particular system or arrangement of flushing apparatus, and
we have preferred describing them in connection with the same, such taps or
cocks (herein-after numbered 1, 2, and 3.) may also be employed with different
systems or arrangements, and for other purposes.
No. 1 is an equilibrium tap designed for use with a pressure cistern and
pressure seat. This tap may have any external form, but it must be provided
[Price 8d.]

page_text: with four openings, one for connection to the water supply, another for the
outlet of the water from the tap to the pressure cistern, and from the said
pressure cistern back to the third way, which is connected to a pipe leading to
the basin to be flushed, and the fourth for the valve spindle, which may be
made tight by a sinfling gland or other arrangement. This spindle is coupled
to the pressure seat direct, or is disposed so as to be acted on by the said
pressure seat, or by levers, as is well known; and on that end of it which
is inside the tap is a plain valve which is capable of being moved to and kept
on one or other of two seatings between which it works. When the closet is
out of use the valve shuts off the supply by closing against one seating, but as
soon as the pressure-seat is depressed the valve is moved to close on the other
seating, and the water is allowed to flow through into the cistern, and com-
presses the air; as soon as the pressure is removed, however, the valve
returns and closes the supply, and the water in the cistern by the force of
the compressed air, and in many cases by its own gravity, flows back
into and through the tap by the third way, herein-before named, to the closet
basin.
No. 2 is a novel construction of tap or cock for pan closets, the object being
to shut off the supply gradually, and thus give a sufficient supply of water to
the container. To a lever suitably jointed, say, to a flange cast on the tap,
and balanced, is coupled a valve spindle. which passes downwards vertically
through a stuffing box into the tap, which has inlet and outlet apertures or
connections, and between these is the seating for a plan valve fixed on or
made part of the spindle above mentioned. The spindle is carried through or
beyond the valve, and its lower end is secured by two or more prongs or bent
rods to a tube, which fits plunger or piston-like into a space in the bottom of
the tap.
When the spindle is raised the flushing fluid rushes through into
the pan, and a small quantity also passes throngh between the prongs or rods
above-mentioned into the tube, and past a ball valve into the space vacated
by the said tube in the bottom of the tap: but when the spindle is released
the water in the space below the tube lifts the ball valve and closes the
aperture by which the largest volume of the water had entered. In the
bottom of such hollow tube there are small openings for the exit of the con-
fined water, and the size of these determines the time in which the valve shall
reach its seating and entirely shut off the flow.
No. 3 is a novel ball tap or cock for cisterns, especially suitable when the
water supply is high pressure; for, unlike other taps, the valve closes with the
flow or current of the water. Like most others for the same purpose, it
can most conveniently be used in a horizontal position, and from its con-

page_text: struction we prefer making the body in two main parts, the one for connection
to the supply pipe. and the other with the outlet valve seating and valve
The valve
spindle, which latter is coupled to the float in any usual way.
seating consists of a shoulder projecting inwards from and for a short distance.
longitudinal with the body of the tap. The valve spindle is carried through
this opening, and the valve, which should be cylindrical, is secured on its
extreme end. Encompassing the valve, and secured water-tight to the longi-
tudinal part of the seating. is a thimble or cap to prevent direct through flow
of the flushing fluid, and in the side of this thimble or cap, or in the longi-
tudinal part of the valve seating, or in both, are small openings for the passage
of the flushing fluid. Thus, when the float falls the valve is pushed back-
wards from its seating into the thimble, and the fluid is allowed to pass; but
as soon as the float rises the valve regains its seating, where its periphery is
opposite to the water-supply openings.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Wall and Thomas Dodd in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th December 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSEPH
WALL, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster. Plumber. and THOMAS DODD,
also of Liverpool, aforesaid. Glass Merchant, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said Joseph Wall and Thomas Dodd. Her special licence that we,
the said Joseph Wall and Thomas Dodd. our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said Jospeh Wall and Thomas
Dodd, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, 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
TAPS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OR PASSAGE OF FLUIDS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said Joseph Wall and Thomas Dodd, our
executors or administrators. by an instrument in writing under our, or.
their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and.

page_text: 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 Joseph Wall and Thomas Dodd,
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 (that is to say):-
Our Invention embraces improvements in taps or cocks, which are mainly
applicable for controlling the flow or passage of fluids for flushing water-
closets and although each type of tap or cock is more especially useful when
employed with a particular system or arrangement of flushing apparatus, and
we have preferred describing them in connection with the same, such taps or
cocks (herein-after numbered 1, 2, and 3.) may also be employed with
different systems or arrangements, and for other purposes.
No. 1 is an equilibrium tap designed for use with a pressure cistern and
pressure seat. This tap may have any external form, but it must be provided
with four openings, one for connection to the water supply, another for the
outlet of the water from the tap to the pressure cistern, and from the said
pressure cistern back to the third way, which is connected to a pipe leading
to the basin to be flushed, and the fourth for the valve spindle, which may be
made tight by a stuffing gland or other arrangement. The spindle is coupled
to the pressure seat direct, or is disposed so as to be acted on by the said
pressure seat, or by levers, as is well known, and on that end of it which is
inside the tap is a plain valve, which is capable of being moved to and kept on
one or other of two seatings. between which it works. When the closet is
out of use the valve shuts off the supply by closing against one seating, but
as soon as the pressure seat is depressed the valve is moved to close on the
other seating, and the water is allowed to flow through into the cistern, and
compress the air. As soon as the pressure is removed, however, the valve
returns and closes the supply, and the water in the cistern, by the force of the
compressed air, and in many cases by its own gravity. flows back into and
through the tap herein-before named to the closet basin.
No. 2, tap for pan closets, the object of which, as described in our Pro-
visional Specification, was "to shut off the supply gradually. and give a
sufficient supply of water to the container." we have found, after repeated
trails. to be intermittent and unsteady in its action: we therefore abandon
any claim given to us by Provisional Protection of date the 30th June, herein-
before named, and now declare that such tap numbered 2, and described in

page_text: the Provisional Specification of our Invention. does not form any part of our
improvements herein specified and claimed.
No. 3 is a novel ball tap or cock for cisterns, especially suitable where the
water supply is high pressure, for, unlike other taps. the valve closes with the
flow or current of the water. Like most others for the same purpose, it can
most conveniently, be fitted in a horizontal position. and from its construction
we prefer making the body in two main parts, the one for connection to the
supply pipe, and the other with the outlet valve seating and valve spindle.
which latter is coupled to the float in any usual way. The valve seating
consists of a shoulder projecting inwards from and for a short distance longi-
tudinal with the body of the tap. The valve spindle is carried through this
opening, and the valve, which should be cylindrical, is secured on its
extreme end. Encompassing the valve, and secured water-tight to the lon-
gitudinal part of the seating. is a thimble or cap to prevent direct through
flow of the flushing fluid, and in the side of this thimble or cap. or in both.
are small openings for the passage of the flushing fluid. Thus, when the float
falls the valve is pushed backwards from its seating, and the fluid is allowed
to pass; but as soon as the float rises this valve regains its seating, where its
periphery is opposite to the water-supply openings.
That the details of our said Invention may be thoroughly understood, we
have hereto attached a Sheet of explanatory Drawings, in which the figures
and letters herein-after mentioned are used to denote the different views and
parts referred to.
Fig. shews a vertical section of No. 1 equilibrium tap, arranged in the
manner we prefer, with lever and balance weight; Fig. 2 is a side elevation
of the same tap, with a pressure cistern communicating therewith: Fig. 3 is
a longitudinal elevation of No. 3 ball tap or cock, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal
section of the same. Like letters of reference are used to indicate the same
parts in the different views of each type of tap or cock.
In Figs. 1 and 2, a represents the inlet or water-supply entrance; b. the
outlet connected to the pipe c, at the end of which is the air-tight pressure
cistern d; e, the outflow passage to the basin; f. the valve spindle packed or
made tight by the stuffing gland h; i, the valve, the upper and lower bearing
surfaces of which we prefer to cover with leather, as shewn, and marked
respectively and the seating for the upper surface of the valve; k, the
seating for the lower surface or bearing; 1, a bracket fastened to or cast with
the tap for supporting a joint m or other arrangement to act as the fulcrum
of the lever n, on or towards the one end of which we place the stud o, and

page_text: at or towards the other end the balance weight. p: which latter may be moved
nearer to or further from the fulcrum m as required.
The mode of action of our said tap, which, as shown in the Drawings, and
herein-before described, is to be used with a moveable, say, hinged pressure
seat, is as follows:-The seat when depressed acis on the stud, and raises
the long end of the lever n; as, the said lever is carried through, or other-
wise attached to the spindle f, the valve i is raised into the position shewn in
Fig. 1. and the supply of water is allowed to pass through or by the fluted
spaces in the valve guide r into the cistern. When the pressure on the
seat is removed. the balance weight causes the valve to close against the lower
seating, and allows the water in the cistern to pass through over the upper
surface of the valve, by way of the outflow passage e, to the basin to be
flushed. When the valve spindle is coupled direct to the pressure seat we
prefer to fit springs to the said pressure seat sufficiently strong to keep the
valve close up to the seating j, and to prevent the pressure of the water from
opening the said valve, and in this case we make the outflow passage e the
inlet, and the supply entrance the outflow passage to the basin, care being
taken to size and adjust the valve and its seatings. The foregoing arrange-
ments, however, might be variously modified, by lever and other couplings. to
suit different positions, as is well known to plumbers and others, and they
might also, by the size of inflow and outflow valve passages, be made suitable
for hand-pull and other systems at present in use.
In Figs. 3 and 4, a represents the main part of the body of the tap, to be
connected by soldering or otherwise to the water-supply pipe; b, the other
main part of the body of such tap, which is here shewn coupled by a female
screw on the part marked a, and a male screw on that marked b; c, the
outflow orifice; d. the ball or float secured on a lever e, working on a joint f.
and coupled to a soled plunger-like guide g on the end of the valve spindle h;
near the other end of the said spindle is the circular, or it may be cylindrical
or other shaped valve i and piston j. both of which latter fit tightly into the
thimble or cap , through the periphery of which are a number of small
apertures to permit the passage of the water; this thimble or cap is coupled
to the part b by a screw joint. m, a small valve to allow the valve and piston
to work freely backwards from and forwards towards the valve seating n. The
valve, piston, and spindle may be connected to the float and its lever in
various ways, as at present practised. This tap or cock may be used in
various positions, and may be operated by means other than a ball or float,
The action of this ball tap or cock is as follows:-When the cistern is filled

page_text: with water the ball will float on the top of the same, and cause the moveable
parts of the tap to take the position shewn on the Drawings, where the
periphery of the valve i will be opposite to or in front of the apertures 1; but
when the water level falls by the abstraction of water for flushing the closet,
then the float falls and pushes the spindle and valve back, and allows the
water to flow through the apertures I and orifice e into the cistern until the
desired water level has been attained.
Having now described the nature and particulars of our said "Improve-
ments in Taps for Controlling the Flow or Passage of Fluids," and the most
advantageous employment of the same with which we are acquainted, we
would have it understood that we do not confine ourselves to the particular
details and forms herein mentioned, and laid down on the accompanying Sheet
of Drawings, as many modifications may be made without departing from our
improvements; but what we claim as our Invention is,-
Firstly, the construction of taps or cocks with one valve working between
two seatings, substantially in the manner herein described, a convenient modi-
fication for a particular use being shewn by Figs. 1 and 2 on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings.
And, secondly, the construction of taps or cocks with a thimble or cap
having apertures therein for the passage of the fluid, over the internal surfaces
of which apertures the whole or part of the outer surface of the valve must
travel either in opening or closing. a convenient modification for a particular
use being shewn by Figs. 3 and 4 on the Sheet of Drawings accompanying
this Specification.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph Wall and Thomas Dodd, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-ninth day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
JOGEDU WLU
In the presence of.
JOHN THOMSON KING.
Patent Agent,
4, Clayton Square,
Liverpool.
THOMAS DODD. (1..s.)