US420327A - Flushing mechanism for water-closets - Google Patents

Description

(No Mndel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. A. BLESSING. FLUSHING MECHANISM FOR WATER GLOSETS.'

N0. 420,327. Patented Jan. 28, 1890'.

I I 97M (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. A. BLESSING.

FLUSHING MECHANISM FOR WATER onosms. No. 420,327.

Patented Jan. 28, 1890..v

" z'lafdfiagw' 'h n. PETERS. Mommnblm. Wishingtnn, mu

UNITED STATES.

PATENT FFrcE.

CHARLES A. BLESSING, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLU SH I'NG M ECHANISM FOR WATER-CLOSETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 420,327, dated January 28, 1890.

Application filed se tember 3, 1889. Serial no. 322,864. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. Bnnssme, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flushing Mechanism for ater-Closets, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to apparatus for flushing water-closets in which automatic time-valves or valves of other forms are employed.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide simple means whereby the action of the valve may be adjusted to the particular necessitiesof each case by regulating the discharge from the valve-chamber, whereby it is caused to close after the desired quantities of water are discharged.

It is my purpose, also, to simplify and improve the construction of the automatic timevalves used in flushing-tanks, to provide an improved and simplified form of bracket for the supportof the operating lever or levers, and to combine with the pulling-lever an adjustable weight balancing the weight of the closet-seat, by which the valves may be operated only when the pull or seat is released. It is my purpose, also, to provide means for producing an afterwash only, or both a beforewash and an afterwash when the seat or pull is used.

It is my further purpose to provide simple an d inexpensive means whereby the discharge of water may bQ'EttltOIIlZttlCtllY controlled in accordance with the circumstances of each case, for preventing waste in places where the water-supply is not plentiful, for giving full long washes where water is abundant, for affording a small before or preliminary wash and a long afterwash, or for giving an afterwash only without any b'eforewash, as the user may prefer.

It is my purpose, also, to provide simple means whereby a continuous but small afterwash for filling the'bowl and trap may be obtained without depending upon the action of the valve, such afterwash being supplied directly from the inlet or ball cock.

I also purpose inlet or supply a valve or ball cock controlled by a float which, instead of being spherical,

supporting the time-valve attachment.

combining with the water' as has heretofore been the custom, shall be flattened upon opposite sides to the form of an oblate spheroid, to enable it to discharge the maximum volume of water by quickly opening the water-cock with a slight fall of water-cock.

To these ends my invention consists in the several novel features of construction and new combinationsof parts hereinafter fully set forth, and then definitely pointed out in the claims following this specification.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to make and use my said invention, Iwill now describe the same in detail, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section of a flushingtank,illustrating.the invention in part. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the universal automatic time-valve, overflow and air-valve, and

its cage. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the spider Fig. 4.- is a sectional view of the ball-cock and supply-pipe. Fig. 5 is aview showing one doubleacting construction for obtaining a small preliminary or before wash and a full afterwash by the pull and release of the flushing-levers by means of a seat action, giving a beforewash sufficient to wet the water-closet. and so fill bowl, and a long afterwash for thoroughly flushing the closet. Fig. 6 is a view showing a modified construction for a similar purpose working from the top of valve-lever. Fig. 7 is a view showing a construction whereby a full afterwash is given upon releasing the seat or lever without any beforewash. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the construction of the bracket, its attachment, and one form of flushing lever and weight.

In the drawings, the reference-numeral 1 denotes the flush in g-tank, having any desired form and construction. The tank is provided with a valve-seat 2, having the usualcommunication with the flushing-pipe 3, leading to the bowl of the closet. Seating upon the valve-seat 2 is an automatic timeva1ve4,having a tubular stem 4:, provided with open ends, within which is formed a spider 5, having a threaded central aperture, in which is inserted the threaded nipple of a yoke 6. This yoke is united to a central depending piece or stem 7 having a concavo-c'onvex disk 8 on its lower end, from which rises a circular flange-on open- ICO top shell 9, fitting closely, but sliding freely, Within a cylindrical cup-shaped chamber .or shell 10, closed at its lower end by a valve, hereinafter described, and open at its upper end, which rises into the lower open end of the tubular valve stem 4. On the lower closed end of the cylindrical cup 10 is atubular stem 12, opening into the cup or chamber below the shell 9. This tubular stem is closed by a puppet-valve 13, having a stem 14 lying in the tubular stem 12, and provided with pins 15, projecting laterally from the valve-stem and lying in slots 16 in the tubular stem 12 to limit the upward movement of the valve. Upon the lower closed extremity of the tubular stem is mounted a cylindrical suction-cup 17, rising above and surrounding the lower portion of the cylindrical cup 10 at a little distance therefrom. Below this cup 17 the solid end of the stem 12 receives a jam-nut 12, holding the cup 17, below which the stem is extended sufficiently to form a neck 18, below which is a collar or flange 19.

When in operative position, the parts are arranged as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the neck 18 of the depending stem being inserted in a central aperture in a spider or cross 20, placed below the valve-seat 2. This spider consists of four or more cross-arms meeting at the cen- .ter, where a circular aperture 21 is formed, having an opening 22 on one side to admit the neck of the stem and allow it to be readily removed.

The central depending piece "or stem 7 is provided with a longitudinal opening 23, opening below into the cup or shell 10 and having in its upper end a minute aperture 24, immediately above which is a vertically-adjustable screw 25, tapped through the threaded nipple supporting the yoke 6, and having its point lying directly over the small aperture 24, by which the escape of air and fluid through the said aperture is regulated with great accuracy.

The operation of these parts is as follows: When the valve is pulled, the rise of the tubular valve 4 lifts the open-top shell 9, which moves with the valve-stem L and slides up in the cylindrical cup 10. This producesa suction in the lower part of the cup 10, lifting the valve 13 and drawing up water from the lower cup 17, which passes through the slots 16 and through the tubular stem 12 into the cup 10. As the upward movement ceases the valve 13 closes and the water contained in the cup 10 prevents the descent of the shell 9, save as the water escapes through the piece or stem 7. As this escape is very slow the tubular valve-stem 1, which is sustained by the shell 9, sinks down gradually, giving ample time for the flow of the water through the flushing-pipe. By the raising or lowering the screws 25 the operation'of the valve may be regulated with accuracy, and adjusted to discharge the desired quantity of water required in every case.

The flushing-tank is supplied by an inlet 26, which consists of a nozzle having a crosshead or plate 27, through which screws are passed into the edge of the wall of the tank. Upon the end of the nozzle is a valve-chamber 28, containing a valve 29, actuated by a lever 30,fulcrumed upon lugs 31, and having upon its end a float 32. The valve 29 descends upon a Mai 33, which lies upon a circular shoulder firmed upon a hollow nipple 34, which is screwed into the lower end of the valve-chamber, holding the valveseat between it and an interior flange 35. The ball-float 32, I construct in the form of an oblate spheroid and attach it to the lever in such manner that one of the flatten ed sides rests upop-rthe water in the tank, whereby its immersion effects a greater displacement than would be possiblewith a spherical float, or one having the form of a prolate spheroid, at equal depths of immersion.

In closets Where it is desirable or necessary that the bowl be filled after the flushing-valve closes, or where for other reasons a small long-continued run of water is wanted after the valve has cut off the escape through the flushing-pipe, I connect a tube 36 of suitable diameter with the tubular nipple 34, in such manner that its open end lies in the discharge-opening of said nipple, as seen in Fig. 4, the other end being inserted in an opening 37 in the valve-seat 2. By this arrangement a continuous small stream runs through the flushing-pipe into the bowl during the whole time the tank is filling.

Upon the upper open end of the tubular overflow and valve-stem 4 is mounted a hollow float-valve38, confined in place by a cage formed by a yoke 39,cast on the stem, and one or more wire yokes 40, passing through the central part of the yoke 39, and having the ends thereof attached to the tubular stem. The float-valve 38 may be a section of a cylinder, as shown, or it may be a ball, and in either case it may be formed of metal, rubber, or other material, its specific gravity being such that it will rise and unclose the open end of the tubular stem should the waterlevel in the tank rise above the op n end of the stem, thereby utilizing the latter as an overflow or waste pipe. The valve-stem 4 is made of a single casting or in .two or more parts united, and is valve-seating ring 2.

The float 38 constitutes an air-valve and subserves two distinct purposes, One object is to stop the noise produced by air upon entering an open overflow-pipe after the valve in the bottom of the tank is closed. This noise is effectively prevented by the floatvalve closing the top of the tubular overflow and valve-stem. The second purpose is, to prevent the Water from rushing too quickly down the flush-pipe, and to retain enough water therein to fill the basin and trap of the closet after it has been thoroughly flushed.

The tubular stem 4 is raised by a lever 41, connected at its end to the yoke 39 by means of a link 42. At the other end this lever is pivotally mounted on a bracket, which is shown in detail in Fig. 8. It is composed of a standard 43, having an aperture 44 in its upper end to receive the pivot-pin of the flu shing-lever, and upon its lower portion at one side is formed a lateral extension 45, forming a broad baseto rest upon the edge of the tank. Upon opposite ends of this extension are formed jaws 46, lying on the outside and inside of the tank, a set-screw 47 being tapped through the outer jaw to bear against a pillow-block 48, inserted between the jaw and the wall of the tank. The edge of the stand-' 'ard extends inward and is curved slightly upward to form a lug, and a similar and parallel lug 49 extends from the end of the inner jaw, each lug having an open seat 50. In

these seats are laid trunnion-pins 51, which project from the flat opposite sides of a weightlever 52, which lies between the lugs 49, its outer end being preferably bent or turned upward at an angle with the inner end. This upwardly-bent portion lies beside the standard 43 and against a lug 53 thereon. Holes 54 are formed in the lever for the attachment of the chain, wire, or other connection, which is attached to the seat or brought within reach of the person using the closet. Upon the inner end of the lever is mounted a crescent-shaped weight 55, between the ends of which lies the upper part of the tubular valve-stem 4. Projecting from the lever 52 is a rigid arm 56, the end of which lies just beneath the edge of the lever 41, which is curved upon a line struck from the pivotal axis of the lever 52, as shown in Fig. 1. Above this curved portion or edge is a lug or projection 57, upon which is pivoteda dog 58, lying against the fiat face of the lever 41. This dog is provided with a toe 59, which abuts against a stop 60 on the lever and arrests the pivotal movement of the dog in that direction,-and on the lower edge of the dog is formed an angular cam 61, projecting below the curved edge of the lever 41. Between this cam and the toe 59 is a notch or recess 62, in whichthe end of the arm 56 normally lies, which operates the lever 41, and also holds it in its position when not operated.

The parts being constructed and arranged in the manner described, and the outer end of the lever 52 being connected to the seat of the closet in the usual manner, the weight of the person using the closet depresses the seat and raises the weighted end of the lever 52, vibrating the arm 56, by which the dog 58 is swung toward the standard 43 until its cam portion 61 passes above the curved edge ofthe lever 41, whereupon the dog swings back to normal position with its toe against the stop 60, the arm 56 remainingupon the other side of the cam 61. v This action of the lever 52 produces no movement of the lever 41, but when the weight is removed from the seat of the closet the gravity of the weight 55 draws the end of the arm 56 against the inclined edge of the cam 61, and as the dog 58 is unable to turn by reason of the stop 60 the lever 41 is raised by the arm and the timevalve is lifted ofi the valve-seat 2. A long full wash is thus obtainedwithout any beforewash. This construction effectually prevents waste where water is not plentiful, as it gives but one full wash upon releasing the seat or the pull. It is often desirable, however, to have a small preliminary fiush orbeforewash to wet the closet and prevent the adhesion of soil, followed, upon the release of the seat, by a full flush or afterwash, and this arrangement is'frequently advantageous in connection with automatic time-valves, and when the flushing apparatus is operated by seat-action instead of by a pull. For this purpose, therefore, I may employ the construction of parts shown in Fig. 5, which differs from that already described only in one featureviz., in the depth of the notch or recess 62. By cutting this notch in such manner that it lies substantially flush with the curved edge of the lever41,beneath which the end of the.

arm 56 vibrates, the dog 58, inswinging away from the stop 60, will project the notched portion below the curved edge of the lever and against the end of the arm 56, thereby raising the lever 41 slightly or about onethird its full stroke, thus affecting the beforewash by a slight rise of the valve and stem 4. Upon the release of the seat the arm will operate on the cam 61 on the dog in themanner already described, the two movements giving a small beforewash and a full afterwash. 1 may also use for the same purpose the arrangement of parts shown in Fig. 6. In this construction an arm 63 is formed on the weighted lever, said arm extending above the flushing-lever 41 and lying close beside the same, a cam-lug 64 being formed .on the arm to extend over the upper edge of the lever 41. Upon the latter and between it and the arm 63 is pivoted a dog 65, having a toe 66, resting on a stop-lug 67 on the flushing-lever, and provided with an angular cam 68, which extends above the upper edge of the said lever. Near the angle of this cam is a stop-pin 69, projecting from the side or face of the dog which lies next the lever, and at such a distance from the angle that in orderto ride over thecam the lug 64 must depress the end of the lever 41 sufliciently'to slightly raise the end connected to the valve. When weight is placed upon the seat, or when the pull is operated, the weighted lever is tilted, the arm 63 moves, carrying the camlug 64 over the cam 68, and turning the dog 65 until the stop-pin 69 rests on t-heedge of the lever 41. The further movement of the arm then depresses the lever, thereby slightly lifting the end connected to the valve and giving a small beforewash. The release of the pull or seat gives afull afterwash by the cam-lug 64 riding over the cam 68 at its full height, the dog 65 being pivoted to fall by its own gravity after the cam-lug 64 has passed,

' sbezproduced bya'hand-pull.

.uItpreferred,'instead-oficonnecting the lever to the seat by. a chain" orxwire, the con- 'an'ection may be% madeiwith a door, which may and bringing the toe 66 uponthestop-lug 67. .=By v removing .the-stop-pin 69 therconstruction shown in Fig. 6 is made to givea full afterwash without any beforewash. In this case I prefer to curve the edge of the lever 41, as shown in Fig. .7, in a line struck from the pivotal axis of the arm 63, Fig.6, whereby the cam-lug 64 may ride on the edge and hold the lever motionless. In all other respects the construction shown in Fig.--7issimi-.

llar to that shown in Fig. 6, with the stop-pin j 6.9 removed. I-nboth the figures named, the

' 1 action being overhead of instead-of beneath.

thelever 41, the pivot-alaxisof the latter must be placed between the arm 63 and the .endto which thexvalve is.connected,'said It '=is:evident. that :the? parts shown in Figs.

said weight to .lraise the water-closet r seat when'a seat action is used, andto also. oper:

( ate the leverfora singleor double action, as. thecase may be... The same resultxm'ayalso ibecaused-to do *the work byxmeans of links o'r pulley-rollers. ;This arrangement can be used to good advantagepin school houses, railway-stations,v and other *public places I :-:'where a number of people have access-to lthe All' the parts of this. apparatus may be removed,- separated, and again; assembledw ith out thesnecessity of exercising any special mechanical? skill.

closets, the doors all, of course, self-closinfg.

. Theball-cock shown can be used 'fordrfaw ing liquids of any kind in addition to its use in: azflushing-tank. l

. l In an application filed by me ofeven date herewith Ihave shown a 'further 'construction-of flushing-:leverfor giving a full pre.

:liminary' Wash and a .fullafterwash, said lever being used ill-connection with a bracket .similar to that-shown in this application. i 5 r The cage confining thefioat-valve 38 may be formed .entirely'of arms castintegral with the tubular stem of thetime-valve. This rcage, in conjunction with the valve, forms a.

' :strainer, preventing the stem from becoming 'f .:choked .with.for.eign matter, should any. be i present in the water.

What= I claim is I 1. In a flushing-tank for water-closets,;the

ficombinatiomwith a valve and with a flushinglever or levers connected to said valve, of an operating-lever having an, adjustable weight, and a dog pivotally mounted on 'the flushing-lever and provided with an angular .cam projecting beyond the edge. ofz said flushsupport and connected to .saidvalve, 1 of a ...-weighted leverhaving an arm, and a dog pivotally mounted on theflushing-lever and provided with. an angular cam projecting beyond theedge of said flushing-lever, said dog being free:to. swing in one direction .under the impulse of the-arm on the weighted lever, and being prevented from swinging in the opposite direction by astop-lug onthefiushing-lever, the weighted lever being operated by the person using the closet,- substantially asdescribed.

.3. Ina; flushing-tank .fonwater-closieits, the combination, with a valve. and-witha fflushin g-lcver pivoted. on a suitable support connected .to'said valve, of an operatinglever having its one end: connected -.to i anoperat ing-chain and provided with;:an armrising :from said lever, anda dog pivotally mounted on the fiat vertical face. of .the flushing-lever, and provided with. an angular cam projectingv beyond the edge of said lever and acted .upon: by the arm, saidleverbeing provided .with a lug arresting the swing of .the dog in one direction andpermitti-ng it in the other "direction, substantially as described.

4. In aflushing-tank for watervclosets, the

combination, with a. valve and witha flushing-lever mountedon asuitable support and connected 'to said valve, of a, weighted lever connected to an operating-chain, and having an arm rising. beneath the flushing-lever, a dog pivotally mounted on the. latter and providedwith a toe abutting against. a stop-lug on the flushing-lever, said dog having also a cam projecting beyond the lower edge of the flushing-lever, and a notch or recess between said cam and the toe inwhich the end-of the arm normally lies, substantially as described.

5. In a fiushingstank for Water-closets, the combination, with a valve-seat .having a spider in its lower part, of atubular valve-stem carryinga valve engaging the valve:seat, said stem having interior cross-arms 5, a, central depending stem 7., connected to: said. crossarms and carrying on its lower end a cupvalve 9, a cylindrical cup 10, within. which the cup-valve 9 slides, having a tubular stem 12 at its lower closed end, a suction-cup 17, mounted by a jam-nut 12?.on-the lower end of thetubular stem, and a puppetvalve closing the open end of the tubular stem-l2 and cup 10, the cup 10,rising into the lower end of the tubular stem 4", and the stem 12 having slots 16,which receive pins 15 on thestem of the puppetvalve, substantially as described.

6. In a flushing-tank for water-closets, the combination, with a valve-seat havingv a spider in its lower part, of atubularvalve-stem 4, carrying a valve engaging the valve-seat, said stern having interior cross-arms 5, a central depending stein connected to said crossarms, and carrying upon its lower end a'cupvalve, a cylindrical cup Within which the cupvalve 9 slides, having a tubular stem at its lower closed end connected to the spider in the valve-seat, a puppet-valve closing the open end of the tubular stem and cylindrical cup, and a suction-cup 17, mounted on the latter and partly surrounding the cylindrical cup, with which it communicates through the tubular stem, substantially as described.

7. In a flushing-tank for water-closets, the combination of the rising and falling valvestem carrying the outlet-valve, a flushing-lever connected to the valve-ste1n and having a cam-dog pivoted to swing upon the hat vertical face of said lever, a main operating-lever located under the flushing-lever and having an arm the pointof which lies in a notch in the cam-dog to swing it in one direction

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