US2096844A

US2096844A - Combination valve and vent for plumbing fixtures

Info

Publication number: US2096844A
Authority: US
Inventors: James G Cekal
Original assignee: Crane Co
Current assignee: Crane Co
Priority date: 1934-08-09
Filing date: 1934-08-09
Publication date: 1937-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 1954-10-26

Description

J. G. CEKAL 2,096,344

COMBINATION VALVE AND VENT FOR PLUMBING FIXTURES- Oct. 26, 1937;

Filed Aug. 9, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l lllllll l J. G. CEKAL Oct. 1937.

COMBINATION VALVE AND VENT FOR PLUMBING FIXTURES Filed Aug. 9, 1934' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w z J 3 7 r J Patented Oct. 26, 1937 UNITED" STATES COMBINATION VALVE AND VENT FOR PLUMBING FIXTURES James G. Cekal, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Crane 60., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application August 9, 1934, Serial No. 739,093

7 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in devices to be used in combination with the flushing of such fixtures as, for example, water closet bowls, urinals, and the like.

More particularly it relates to a combined valve and vent for use with a water control device as,

for example, a flushing valve in which my invention permits an exceedingly large size air vent to be used to prevent back siphonage. At the same time, it prevents the objectionable spitting" caused by the quick and sudden flow through said device ordinarily resulting in leakage outwardly into the atmosphere. This latter action is commonly referred to by the trade as spitting of the valve, and is very objectionable in being unsanitary.

Another important advantage lies in providing for a device which offers a minimum of resistance to the flow of water to the fixture to be flushed, in that, in no way does my device interfere with the normal flow of water as discharged from the control flushing valve or other control means.

A further advantage is that my device is normally open to the atmosphere; that is, a direct communication exists between the atmosphere and the interior of the device. This is a desirable feature, in that, no part is required to move in order to admit the'atmosphere into the device, when a vacuum is created therein.

In general, heretofore, the use of small vacuum breakers has been objectionable because of the inadequacy or relatively small capacity of the air vent size used. I

In addition, those previously furnished with a generous capacity of air vent have been objectionable in that escape of water to atmosphere occurred when water flowed through the device.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent upon reading of the description as disclosed in the patent drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows one of the many conventional installations in which the device of my invention identified by the numeral 2 in the drawings is attached to the downstream or discharge side of the flushing valve 1 I or any similar water control means and leading into a discharge pipe I for the purpose of flushing the bowl I0.

Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing a preferred vent port arrangement.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 showing a preferred guide means for the float, and in addition accomplishing adequate Venting clearance.

Fig. 5 is a sectional assembly view of another preferred form of my device hereinafter identified as the offset type, in which the valve portion is placed off to one side of the normal line of flow within the vertical tubing and leaving the water to flow unrestricted into the fixture to be flushed.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a modification of a vent float or disc suitably designed to permit buoyancy when made from such materials having a relatively higher specific gravity than cork, as for example, certain compositions, rubber, wood, and the like, having a relatively large air space 3e for facilitating greater buoyancy.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the discharge tubing l is shown for illustrative purposes only as being flared as at 2 thus forming casing to contain the float 3, preferably ade of cork or other light, buoyant materials, the float 3 being preferably loosely guided on either its inner or outer peripheries. The inner guiding is preferably accomplished by means of the guide ribs 3a, which assure uniform clearances so as to provide proper areas 30 (see Fig. 4) between the outside diameter of the tubing 6 and the inside diameter of float, also between outside diameter of float 3 and inside diameter of easing 2.

Guide ribs 3a also serve to guide float 3 to the seat lilo. The guide ribs 3a are so arranged on float 3 so as to allow sufficient distance between the underside of float 3 and baiiie 2a to provide enough area for venting. Such clearances around the float allow suflicient volume so as to permit substantially unrestricted venting completely around the aforesaid float. Therefore, in the normal position as shown in Fig. 2, the float 3 being supported by the guide ribs 311 rests upon the baflle 2a so that an annular opening or space is created above the baffle perforations 21) directly around-and centrally under the float 3.

For purpose of maintaining a tight seat the fioat 3 is preferably provided with a facing material 4, which may be made readily renewable of such material so as to be specially adaptable for certain services although the latter provision is not absolutely necessary, but obviously depends upon the nature of the float material used. At the upper end of the flared portion 2 and preferably loosely surrounding the tube 6, a bell-shaped shield 5 with a curved surface 5b venting exteriorly is positioned so as to rest upon a plate It by. means of equally spaced lugs 50 forming the annular clearance 5a.. The plate I is preferably threadedly attached to the housing 2 by means of the threads d and as shown more clearly in F18. 3.

The plate It) is provided with arcuately extending ports Illa of such form and size as to permit the suflicient entrance of the outside atmosphere in the event that a vacuum within the device is created. The tubing 6 is shown sweated or otherwise connected to cap in as shown at illb to provide a leak proof Joint. It is obvious that tubing 6 could also be made integral with plate I0. It is preferred that the port I of the tubing 6 be of the same internal diameter as the smaller part I of the flared housing 2 and which forms the piping as a direct connection to the fixture to be flushed thus tending to induce unbroken flow of the flushing discharge.

The union ring 8 -is threadedly attached to the lower enlarged portion 9 of the flush valve H by means of the threads 9a, the discharge tubing 6 extending upwardly into the port i la of the flush valve I i or similar flush control means.

In describing a typical operation of my device, let it be supposed that the valve II is normally flushing. During such operation, the water in large volume flowing downwardly will lift the float 3 to its seat lilo, thus preventing escape of water or spitting" of the valve.

Should the fluid level within the housing 2 drop by a reason of back siphonage occurring or the normal downward flow ceases, obviously the buoyant float 3 will again fall back to its normal position resting upon the bailie 2a, thus again opening the ports lfla and permitting the entry of air from the outside atmosphere through the respective clearances 30 and past the underside of the float 3 entering the perforations 2b to destroy the vacuum. It will thus be apparent that my device is a sensitively operating arrangement, responsive to the slightest changes in conditions of flow.

Referring to Fig. 5, applying to a structural modification, the casing I2 is preferably attached as at l3 by sweated connections to the divided tubing I. The latter tubing at its upper portion is preferably made with a lower extending biased portion ll tending to direct the flow of water uninterruptedly downward rather than to impinge against the side of the valve casing I2, and induce the buoyancy to occur immediately under the float 3, rather than around it. The latter casing is provided with an opening l5, which is preferably sufllciently large in its size to allow for the area of 1" pipe or more. On its inner edge the opening I5 is provided with a seat l6 adapted for complementary engagement with the facing 4 of the float, which is preferably of cylindrical shape in its structure, and being of a comparatively soft material is preferably made with an insert guide member I! adapted for a loose guiding fit on the vertical extending pin I8 of the cap IS. The latter is preferably threadedly attached to the casing H by means of the threads l9a, although the attachment may be by any suitable means.

From the detailed description above given, it is evident that my invention is capable of numerous modifications and any desired proportion of parts may be used. I, therefore, desire. to be limited only to the extent of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an atmospheric vent for the supply to plumbing fixtures having an inlet and an outlet in substantial axial alignment, comprising in combination a centrally positioned discharge tubing providing unrestricted passage to said outlet, a housing surrounding a portion of the exterior of said discharge tubing, a ported cap in communication with the atmosphere transversely positioned in leak-proof relation between the said tubing and the interior of the said housing, a float within said housing adapted for leak-proof engagement with the said cap, a bailie peripherally arranged within the said housing, the said float being normally positioned intermediate the said baille and the said cap and annularly surrounding the said tubing, whereby during normal flow, the

said outlet is in free access to the atmosphere.

2. In an atmospheric vent for the supply to plumbing fixtures having an inlet and an outlet in substantial axial alignment, comprising in combination a centrally positioned discharge tubing providing for unidirectional flow to said outlet, a housing surrounding a portion of the exterior of said discharge tubing, a ported cap in communication with the atmosphere transversely positioned in leak-proof relation between the said tubing and the interior of the said housing, a float within said housing adapted for leak-proof engagement with the ports of the said cap, a bafile peripherally arranged within a lower portion of said housing, the said float annularly contacting with the said tubing and being normally positioned intermediate the said baffle and the said cap, the said float being supported by the said baille.

3. In an'atmospheric vent for the supply to plumbing fixtures having an inlet and an outlet in substantial axial alignment, comprising in combination a centrally positioned discharge tubing providing for unidirectional flow to said outlet, a housing surrounding a portion of the exterior of said discharge tubing, a ported cap transversely positioned in leak-proof relation between said discharge tubing and the interior of said housing, a shield superposed over said cap, a float within said housing adapted for leak-proof engagement with the said cap, a baflie peripherally arranged within a lower portion of said housing, the said float being normally positioned intermediate the said baille and the said cap, whereby upon occurrence of back flow the said float will close off said ports.

4. In an atmospheric vent for the supply to plumbing fixtures having an inlet and an outlet in substantial axial alignment, comprising in combination a centrally positioned discharge tubing between said inlet and outlet, a housing surrounding a portion of the exterior of said discharge tubing, a shielded cap transversely positioned in leak-proof relation between said discharge tubing and the interior of said housing and providedwith openings in communication with the atmosphere, a float within said housing adapted for leak-proof engagement with the said cap, a baflle annularly positioned within said housing, the said float being normally supported by the said baflle intermediate the latter and the said cap and annularly guided by the said tubing.

5. In an atmospheric. vent for a supply to plumbing fixtures having an inlet and an outlet in axial alignment, a centrally positioned discharge tubing providing unrestricted passage from said inlet to said outlet, a housing surrounding a portion of the said discharge tubing, the interior of the latter being in communication with a ported vent having access to atmosphere, a float within said housing adapted for leak-proof engagement with the said vent upon upward vertical movement thereof occasioned by the occurrence of back flow or the creation of a vacuum therewithin, the said float being so positioned within the said housing as to permit simultaneous venting to atmosphere of both the said inlet and outlet.

6. In an atmospheric vent for a supply to plumbing fixtures having an inlet and an outlet in axial alignment, a centrally positioned discharge tubing providing unrestricted passage from said inlet to said outlet, a housing surrounding a portion of the said discharge tubing, the interior of the latter being in communication with a ported vent having access to atmosphere, a float within said housing adapted for leak-proof engagement with the said vent upon upward vertical movement thereof occasioned by the occurrence of back flow or the creation of a vacuum therewithin, the said float being so positioned within the said housing as to permit simultaneous venting to atmosphere of both the said inlet and outlet, central guide means for the said float and supporting the latter so as to render it readily buoyant.

'7. In an atmospheric vent for a supply to plumbing fixtures having an inlet and an outlet in axial alignment, a centrally positioned discharge tubing providing unrestricted passage from said inlet to said outlet, 9. housing surrounding a portion of the said discharge tubing, the interior of the latter being in communication with a ported vent having access to atmosphere, a float within said housing adapted for leak-proof engagement with the said vent upon upward vertical movement thereof occasioned by the occurrence of back flow or the creation of a vacuum therewithin, the said float being so positioned within the said housing as to permit simultaneous venting to atmosphere of both the said inlet and outlet, annular guide means for the said float providing for an annular space beneath the lower face of the latter so as to render it readily buoyant upon back flow or the accumulation of liquids therewithin. JAMES G. CEKAL.