IMPROVEMENTS IN COCKS OR TAPS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Lewis Dubois, of Lillieshall Road, Clapham, in
the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COCKS OR
TAPS."
Sealed the 25th July 1876, and dated the 1st February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Lewis Dubois at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st February 1876.
JOHN LEWIS DUBOIS, of Lillieshall Road, Clapham, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COCKS OR TAPS."
The improvements have reference to that class of cocks or taps in which valves
are used, and the object of the Invention is to secure increased efficiency in use.
The passage for the flow of the fluid is closed by a duplicate valve applied to
and partly formed on a spindle working between the parts of the cock or tap and
with a flexible diaphragm, the edge or circumference of which is secured by the
securing of the dome or cover to such diaphragm and other parts of the valve. To
this upper part of the spindle of the valve I sometimes apply a disc or arms to act
as guides to that part of the spindle in the opening and closing of the valve. The
spindle of the valve is acted upon for this opening by a scroll-formed cam turning
upon an axis, and operated by a lever arm, mitre, or other tooth gear, or other
suitable means. For this motion I form the scroll so that the increase in the radius
thereof is not more than about two-thirds of its smallest radius, and in place of
acting by such scroll directly on the upper part of the spindle of the valve, I apply
thereto a rocking piece, the surface of which acted upon by the scroll is extended,
and of form corresponding with that of the scroll, so as to obtain sufficient holding
for readily retaining the valve at any extent of partial opening; or I form the upper
end of the spindle or the guides thereof acted upon by the scroll of corresponding
shape and extent of surface, or with rollers thereto of like correspondence, or with
cup applied either above or below the diaphragm, or both; with the cup below the
diaphragm the end of the spindle is formed to correspond.
In forming the valve in two parts, one part is formed on or applied directly to
the spindle so as to operate in closing a comparatively small passage through the
secondary part of the valve which closes on to the valve seat.
The sealing of each part may be effected by the aid of india-rubber, leather, or

page_text: other suitable flexible material, and in some cases the secondary or outer: portion
of the valve may be formed mainly of flexible material, so that, the closing edge
of the portion attached to or forming part of or acting with the stem may act on
one surface, whilst the edge of the seat of the larger opening acts on the opposite
surface thereof.
In place of the valve being in only two parts or separate openings it may consist
of other number of parts for separate opening or passage. The separate parts act
one upon the next in succession.
In place of a flexible diaphragm a cup leather may be employed.
In combination with the means for operating the valve stem I sometimes apply
a conical, or spherical, or such like valve to such stem.
:
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Lewis Dubois in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th July
1876.
JOHN LEWIS DUBOIS, of Lillieshall Road, Clapham, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COCKS OR TAPS.”
The improvements have reference to that class of cock or taps in which valves
are used, and the object of the Invention is to secure increased efficiency in use.
The passage for the flow of the fluid is closed by a duplicate valve applied to
and partly formed on a spindle working between the parts of the cock or tap,
and with a flexible diaphragm, the edge or circumference of which is secured by
the securing of the dome or cover to such diaphragm and other parts of the valve.
To this upper part of the spindle of the valve I sometimes apply a disc or arms
to act as guides to that part of the spindle in the opening and closing of the valve.
The spindle of the valve is acted upon for this, opening by a scroll formed cam
turning upon an axis, and operated by a lever arm, mitre, or other tooth gear or
other suitable means. For this motion I form the scroll so that the increase in the
radius thereof is not more than about two-thirds of its smallest radius, and in place
of acting by such scroll directly on the upper part of the spindle of the valve I
apply thereto a rocking piece, the surface of which acted upon by the scroll is
extended and of form corresponding with that of the scroll, so as to obtain sufficient
holding for readily retaining the valve at any extent of partial opening, or I form
the upper end of the spindle or the guide thereof acted upon by the scroll of cor-
responding shape and extent of surface, or with rollers thereto of like correspondence,
or with cup applied either above or below the diaphragmn, or both; with the cup
below the diaphragm the end of the spindle is formed to correspond.
In forming the valve in two parts, one part is formed on or applied directly to
the spindle so as to operate in closing a comparatively small passage through the
secondary part of the valve which closes on to the valve seat.
The sealing of each part may be effected by the aid of india-rubber, leather, or
other suitable flexible material, and in some cases the secondary or outer portion of
the valve may be formed mainly of flexible material, so that the closing edge of
the portion attached to or forming part of or acting with the stem may act on one
surface, whilst the edge of the seat of the larger opening acts on the opposite
surface thereof..
In place of the valve being in only two parts or separate openings it may consist
of other number of parts for separate opening or passage. The separate parts act
one upon the next in succession.
In place of a iflexible diaphragm a cup leather may be employed.
But that the Invention may be the better understood, I will, by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, proceed to describe means pursued by me in carrying the
same into effect.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shews by sectional view one arrangement of cock or tap according to
my Invention. A is the body of the cock or tap; B, the dome or cover of it;
C, C, are, the cam and lever; D is the disc or guide plate having on its upper
surface the arms forming an elongated cradle corresponding in shape or form with
the cam C. E is the flexible diaphragm; F, the valve spindle having at its lower
end a flexible washer for sealing the passage through the main valve H. Gis.a
nut for holding the spindle F and diaphragm E to the disc or guide plate D. H is
the main portion of the valve. In operating with this cock or tap by the lever C¹
being drawn forward, the cam C in contact with the cradle on the guide plate D
opens first the small passage between the spindle F and the main valve H, and then
by contact of its upper surface H¹ with the nut G, the main valve H itself is
opened. Upon returning the lever C¹ to its original position the pressure of the
fluid first causes the main valve H to reach its seat, the small passage remaining
open a moment longer.
Figure 2 represents a modification of the above, but in this case in place of the
washer the edge F¹ of the portion of the valve formed on the stem F acts directly
on the packing to the main portion H of the valve. The parts are lettered with
the same letters of reference already employed.
Figure 3 shews a slight modification of some of the parts. A, body of cock ;
B, dome or cover; C, C¹, cam and lever; D, dise or guide plate having on its upper
side two rollers D¹ to take bearing against the cam C; E, flexible diaphragm ;
F, spindle; G, nut; and H, main valve, as before described under Figures 1
and 2.
Figure 4 is another modification similar to Figures 1, 2, and 3, except that the
disc or guide D has on its upper surface a rocking piece or cradle D² of correspond-
ing form to the cam C.
Figure 5 shews another modification of my improvements. A is the body of the
cock or tap; B, the dome or cover; C, C, cam and lever; D, the cup for cam C to
work in; E, the flexible diaphragm; F is a cup applied underneath, holding the
flexible diaphragm and cup D together; G is a spindle having at its lower end the
hollow head for sealing the passage through the main valve H. H is the main
valve; I is a flexible spring to maintain the spindle G in the cup F.
Figure 6 shews another modification of parts of a cock or tap. A is the body
of the cock or tap; B is a cylinder having its lower end formed as a seat for the
valve G. This cylinder is screwed into the body A with openings through its sides
B¹ to permit of the flow of the fluid when the valve is open into the chamber a,
and thence out of the nose of the cock or tap. C and C¹, cam and lever; D, cup
in which cam works; E, cup leather; F, spindle screwing through the cup leather
E into the cup D, having at its bottom end the hollow head F¹ for scaling the
passage through the main valve G.
Figure 7 represents a triple valve which is formed in three parts A, B, C, so
that in addition to closing the main passage through the cock or tap, there are other
two passages through itself which are closed in succession after the said main
passage. The object of this arrangement is gradually to diminish and arrest the
flow of the fluid. A¹ is the spindle of the valve having at its lower end a valve
formed by the flexible washer A, attached by means of a screw or other suitable
means, and which when in contact with the cylinder B seals the passage between
A and B, in which it works. B is a cylinder having at its lower end a hollow
flange B', which when in contact with the flexible washer C¹ on the main valve C
seals the passage in which the combined valve works. C is a flexible washer,
having a metal lining C screwed in, which seals the main opening through the cock,.
and through which the other parts of the valve work.
Figure 8 represents a quadruple valve which is formed by the parts A, B, C, D,
so that in addition to as a whole closing the main passage through the cock or
tap, it has three other passages through itself closing in succession for the purpose

page_text: of gradually diminishing and arresting the flow of the fluid. A¹, spindle having
at its lower end a hollow head A, the edge of which acts for sealing the passage
through the cylinder B. B is a cylinder having at its lower end a flexible washer
B', which in its turn seals the opening through the cylinder C. D is a flexible
washer having a solid lining. This washer H by its upper surface seals the main
opening through the cock or tap, and by its lower surface receiving the edge C¹
seals the part C.
Figure 9 shews my improvements applied to a ball cock or tap. A is the body
of the cock or tap; B, the socket thereof with seating B' and lugs B² for the stem
of the ball. This socket B forms with the part A the body of the cock or tap;
C and C¹, are the lever and ball; D is a spindle having at its upper end a hollow
head D E is the main valve. It will thus be seen that the falling of the ball C¹
raises the spindle D, first opening the small passage between the parts D₁ and E,
and then by projections D on the stem D acting on the part E' opening the main
passage. Upon the cistern becoming filled with water the main valve reaches its
seat E first, and afterwards the smaller passage is closed by the hollow head D' on
the spindle D coming in contact with the flexible washer forming the main valve E.
The hollow head D₁ by offering a much smaller surface to the pressure of the fluid
than the main valve E is much more under the control of the ball, thus doing away
with vibration and admitting of the quiet closing of the cock. It will thus be
seen that my Invention has for its object the construction of cocks or taps so that
they may be closed by the pressure of tlie fluid without creating concussion and
vibration in the pipes.
These improvements are attained by diminishing or arresting the flow of the
fluid by the valves being formed with an opening or openings through them, closed
by means of a smaller valve or valves which remain in operation after the main
portion of the valve itself has reached its seat, and which, in the case of valves
with more than one opening through them close one part after the other as the
action or formation of the operating cam allows the spindle which operates them
to rise by the pressure of the fluid..
The cam is so formed that the increase of the radius is only about two-thirds
of its smallest radius; and such increase is most gradual as it starts from the
smallest radius, augmenting more rapidly as the largest radius is approached, thus
affording more gentle action at the first part of the opening, or the last part of the
closing of the cock. In conjunction with this formiation of the cam I apply to the
upper part of the spindle either, a cup, a fixed cradle, a rocking piece, or rollers,
corresponding to the form thereof, so that at any position of partial opening there
is sufficient "holding" to retain the cock in opération to any desired extent.
Having thus described my Invention and means which, I adopt, in carrying the
same into effect, I would have it understood, that what I do claim is,
First. The arranging or combining parts of cocks or taps whereby the passage
therethrough is closed by a duplicate valve, the portions of which are operated as
shewn and described in respect of Figurd 1.
Secondly. I claim the arranging or combining parts as shewn and described in
respect of Figure 2.
Thirdly. I claim the arranging or combining parts as shewn and described in
respect of Figure 3.
Fourthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts as shewn and described in
respect of Figure 4.
Fifthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts as shewn and described in
respect of Figure 5.
Sixtlily. I claim the arranging or combining parts as shewn and described in
respect of Figure 6.
Seventhly. I claim the arranging or combining parts whereby the valves of cocks
or taps are formed in two or more parts adapted to admit of the opening and a
closing of passages by them in succession, substantially as described.

page_text: Eighthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts as shewn and described in
respect of Figure 9.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Lewis Dubois, have hereunto set my
hand and scal, this Twenty-eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
WILLIAM BROOKES,
62, Chancery Lane,
London.
J. L. DUBOIS. (L.S.)