US1413560A - Automatic vacttum device fob - Google Patents

Description

c. o. MCGRAW ANDI. L. MARTIN.'

AUTOMATIC VACUUM DEVICEJOR GASOLINE FILLING. STATIONS. APPLICATION FILED IAN.6. 192|.

1,413,560. 'j f Patented Apr.18,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

C. 0. McGRAW AND J. L. MARTIN.

AuToIvIAIIc vAcuuM DEVICE FOR GASOLINE FILLING STATIONS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6I |921.

l'1,41 3,560. y Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

l 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. fzs /26 /5/ lgf/5., 4; #a e AI o; *L* //a //4 M9 f/f 26 12a/ja l /za ,2;2/ 3

C. O. MCGRAW AND J. L. MARTIN.

AUTOMATIC VACUUM DEVICE FOR GASOLINE FILLIN'G STATIONS. APPLICATION FILED IAN. s. 192|.V

1,413,560. Y y PatendApr.18,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3. Zrg'.

UNITED STATES PATENT orifice.

CARI; 0. MCGRAW .AND J'AlvIES L. MARTIN, 0F ROYSE CITY, TEXAS, ASSIG-NORS OF ONE- THIRD lO FRANK P. HOLLAND, SR., 0E' DALLAS, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC VACUUM DEVICE FCR GASDLINE FILLING- STATIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patient-.gd ADL 18, 1922 Application filed January 6, 1921-. Serial No. 435,37*?.

To all w hom/t may concern.'

Be it known that we, CARL O. MOGRAW and JAMES L. MARTIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Royse City, in the county of Rockwall and State oi' Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Vacuum4 Devices for Gasoline Filling Stations, of which the following'is a specification. A

The invention relates to an automatic vacuum device, for gasoline lilling stations.

The object of the present invention is to provide a' simple, practical and eilicient automatic vacuum device for measuring and delivering gasoline at filling stations and adapted to be adjusted for delivering the gasoline in charges or portions of the desired amount and capable when set tothe desired discharging amount and the Adischarging or delivering hose opened, ci continuous operation of lilling Vand discharging until the discharge or delivering hose isclosed thereby simplifying the operation or' lling stations and lessening the labor and of enabling the operator to attend to other matters while the device is measuring and delivering the gasoline to the purchaser.

A further object or' the invention is to pro` vide an apparatus of this character which, while capable of continuous automatic operation until the valve or faucet is closed, will also be equipped with a manually operable device adapted tov control the valve mechanism for enabling the Vdischarge of the contents of the measuring receptacle to be checked at any point independently of the automaticmeans so that a complete control ot the operation will be afforded.

Another object of the invention is `to provide a gasoline filling device capable of operation by a single vacuum pumpand of automatic control, by va valve circuit and adapted to enable the wiring to be arranged a -sui'hcient distance from the gasoline to avoid all danger of ignitioncaused by a shortcircuit or similar wire trouble likely to produce sparking.

It is another obj ect'ofthe invention to pro` vide an automatic gasoline filling and measuring device in which the mechanism will be visible and readily accessible should it be' necessary to clean, adjust or repair the same or access required for any other purpose.

71th these and other objects in view, the

invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying vdrawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the appended claims, may beresortedto without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriiicing any or' the advantages thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals 'oi reference designate corresponding parts in the lseveral ligures Figure l is a vertical sectional view of an automatic vacuum gasolinenieasuring and filling device constructed in accordance with this invention, theparts 'being in position for iilling the receptacle. Figure Qis a detail view of a valve operating mechanism illustrating amodiiication of the invention. Y

`Figure 8 is a detail view of the float and the trip rod.

Figure t is a side elevation of the float partly in section.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the rotary adjustable float guide.`V

Figure 6 is an elevation of the complete apparatus showing the vacuum electric switch for controlling the operation of the vacuum pump.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of the switch and vacuum device.

Figure 8 is a detail View of the double throw trigger.

Figure 9 is a detail view of the trigger actuating lever.

ln the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, the automatic valve iilling device, comprises in itsconstruction, a transparent measuring` receptacle l constructed oic glass and preferably of'cylindrical form but it may be of any other desired coniiguration and instead of employing a transparent receptacle, anon-transparent recep# tacle of metal or any other suitable material may be provided. This will render the apparatus practically 4unbreakable and the receptacle is arranged upon a bottom plate 2 which is mounted upon a supporting casing 8. The supporting casing 3 is preferably tapered upward as shown and it may be composed of sections or plates or be constructed in any other desired manner. When con.- structcd of plates or sections the latter are inclined upwardly and inwardly and are riveted or otherwise secured together and they may be mounted upon any suitable foundation or support. The said casing 3 constitutes a housing for a portion of the mechanism asclearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The bottom plate 2 is connected with a top plate 6 by rods or bolts 7 preferably provided at their upper vends fwith heads and at their lower ends with `nuts 9 piercing the top plate 6 and the bottom plate 2 and detachably securing the same to the receptacle 1. The device is also preferably provided with a cover 10 designed to'be constructed of any suitable material and preferably of ornamental form and 'provided at the top with a transparent globe 11 adapt-ed to receive an electric light 12 or other suitable lighting means. Y. f

The device is preferably mounted adjacent a gasoline storage tank 13 and the gasoline which is drawn therefrom by a vacuum pump 14: passes through an inlet pipe 15 having its upper end 16 mounted in an opening in the bottom plate 2 whilel the lower portion 17 of theinlet pipe extends into the storage tank to a point adjacent the bottom thereof. The storage tank is designed to be opened to the atmosphere by a suitable venting and filling means 18 and when the air within the receptacle and the inlet pipe is exhausted by the vacuum pump, the atmospheric pressure will force the gasoline into the receptacle 1 as will be readily understood. The filling device may'of course be arranged any suitable distance from the storage tank and the inlet pipe is provided at its upper end 16 with a ball check valve 19 which automatically closes under atmospheric and liquid pressure while the device is discharging through the adjustable hose 20. The adjustable hose 20, which is provided at its outer end with the usual cut olf faucet or valve 21, is flexibly connected at 22 to an outlet pipe 23 preferably of elbow form as shown in Figure 1 and provided with an automatic outwardly opening valve 24E. Also instead of arranging the faucet or valve 21 at the outer end of the flexible hose 20, this valve or faucet 21 and the check valve 24 may be arranged at any other desired points. The valve 211-7 which is hinged at the top, closes against a suitable seat 25 when the vacuum pump is in operation and gasoline is being drawn from the receptacle V1. The vacuum tube or pipe 26 which is connected at the outer end with the vacuum pump extends into the base casing' at the bottom thereof and passes up'- wardly through said casing 3 exteriorly of the receptaclel. t0 the cover 10 which is hol- V low and which forms a cap for the receptacle. The vacuum .tube is connected with a nipple or flange 27 of an opening 28 in the head or top plate 6. The nipple 27k is provided with a valve seat and is adapted to be closed by an upwardly seating valve 29 consisting lof ahead and a stem 30 extending downwardly from the head and pivoted at the lower end at 31 to a valve actuating lever 32. The stem of the valve 29 operates in a suitable guide 33 in the nipple 27 and the valve actuating lever 32 is fulcrumed intermediate of its ends on a suitable pin or pivot 34 between lugs or ears 35 of a stud or rbolt 36 which pierces the head or top plate 6 `and is threaded at its upper end for the reception of the nut as shown. The stud and the ears or flanges constitute a hanger or support forthe valve actuating lever but the 'latter may be mounted in in any suitable manner as will be readily u ndersteod. rllhe valve 29 controls the vacuum tube 26 and the said lever 32falsoA carries a.

downwardly seating valve 37 consisting'of a Y head or vbody and a stem 38 which is pivoted at 39'to the valve carrying and actuating le# ver 32 adjacent vto one end thereof. The valve body or head of the valve 37 is located at the upper end of the stem 38 whichextends through an opening 40 in the head or top plate 6. The head or top plate 6y`is provided at the opening 40 with aV valve seat and when the lever 37 isv opened tlie"1neasur'- ingl receptacle 1 is connected through the opening or passage 40 with the atmosphere. rlhe valve 37 is located above its valve seat while the valve 29 is located below its valve seat and when the arm'ofvthe lever carrying the said valves is moved upwardly the valve 29 is closed and thevalve 37 is opened.

When the valve carr infr arm of the leverV 32 is swungV downwardly the valve 29 is opened and the valve is closed. The valve 37 constitutes a vent valve and when the valve carrying arm is moved upwardly air under atmospheric pressure is admitted to the receptacle 1 for 'permitting the liquid contents of the'receptacle to discharge therefrom until Y the valve carrying lever 32 is operated to cli-urge thelpositions of the valves 29 and 37. Y l

The valve carrying arm of the lever `32 Yis operated in its upward movement by 'a float 10a to close the vacuum tube or pipe and open the vent passage or opening. When this operation takes place, the vacuum pump 14 continues its operation until the air is exhausted from a bellows which operates an electric vacuum switch hereinafter described and'opens the c'ircuit 71 in which an electric motor 72 is arranged and thereby stops the operationfof the'vacuum pump.` By this operationythe device will operate continuously and automatically as long as there is 'liquid in the storage tank or until the valve or faucet 21 of the discharge hose is closed. The

receptaclemay be oiE any desired capacity and the quantity of liquid discharged at each operation of the device may be variedv as hereinafter fully explained so that the required amount will be discharged and the operation continued until the desired quantity of the gasoline is measured and delivered. y

The float 4()1 which may be vof jany desired construction is provided with a centrai rectangular opening 42 and it moves vertically within the receptacleY l until it is limited in its upward movement by contact with an arm 43 oIn a vertically movable rod or tripping member 44. The float is guided in its vertical movement by a rotary adjustable squared standard or guiding member 45 which has its lower portion 46 reduced to form a stem and journaled in an opening 47 of the bottom plate 2. The stem extends below thebottom plate and through a stuitling boi; 48, which may be or any desired con-v struction. Thestuiling. bor` 48 is shown consisting of a packing nut mounted on a threaded flange or nipple 49 of the bottom plate. The stuiling box prevents leakage of the gasoline and the stem 46 ci: the vertical guide 45 is journaled in the bottom plate to permit an adjustment of the float for controlling theamount of the discharge of the liquid from the receptacle.

The vertically movable tripping rod or member 44 is guided at its lower portion in a drain pipe 50 and is pivoted at the top at 5l to the outer end of the va ve carrying arm of the lever 32. The arm 43 which is arranged in the path of the iioat is preferably L-shaped as shown and it is adjustably mounted on the tripping rod at 52 and is adapted to clamp the same whereby it is secured in its adjustment. The L-shaped arm 43 extends horizonta ly Vfrom the tripping rod and then downwardly over the float and is preferably equipped with an anti-'friction roller or wheel 53, which is directly engaged by the iioat 4and when'the float arrives near the limit or its upward movement it engages the rollers 53 andflifts the tripping rod 44 and swings the valve carrying arm oit the lever upwardly. This will cause the lever to reverse the valves and stop the" operation of the motor and'open the vent passage 40 and permit the gasoline to discharge from the receptacle 1. The rear end of the lever 32 is connected by a suitable pivot 54 with one end of a rod or-member 55 slidable in an opening 56 in a horizontal pivot 57 and having mounted yon it a coiled spring 58a which is interposed between the rear end of the lever 32 and the pivotal member 56. The pivotal member y56 is mounted between spaced sides of a bracket 59a and when the rear end of the lever is oscillated from the position shown in Figurel, it'will be moved downwardly and the coiled spring 58 will be compressed until the lever reaches a hori- Zontal position and the continued downward movement of the rear end of the lever carries the pivot 54 or the lever and the adjacent end of the spring below a horizontal position and the ltension of the spring will thereby maintain the lever and the valves in such position until the lever is oscillated-to swing its rear end to a position above the horizontal plane of the Vpivot 34. When the rear end of the lever 32 is carried above suchL position the spring will operate to hold the lever against movement and the vacuum valve will be opened and the vent valve closed as shown in Figure l.

The bracket which is provided with a stud or bolt 60:l is secured to the head of the top plate 6 and depends therefrom and the transversepivot in which the rod 55 slides is adapted to rock in suitablebearings of the spaced sides of the bracket 59a.

is the liquid discharges 'from the receptacle l the `lioat descends and if itis desired to empty Vless than the entire contents of the receptacle l' at each operation oi the device, the float is adjusted to carry a tripping arm 5.3 into the path of one oi the arms 59 of the vertically movable trigger rod 44. The arms 59 of the :trigger rod are lprovided at their inner ends with heads having opening 60 toreceive the Vrod 44 and provided with clamping screwsvl for securing the arms in proper position on the rod 44. The arms gradually increase in length rom the top to the bottom of the series and are of suljlicient difference in length to permit the float to be set to engage any one of the arms of the series. The rod 44 is shown equipped in the accompanying drawings with five arms, the first being set for discharging a gallon of theV contents oit the receptacle, the second arm being set for `discharging two .gallons` the third ior three gallons, the fourth Vfor four gallons and the lilith arm for live gallons. By 'this arrangement, the device may be set for. discharging any number of gallons between one and 5 at each operation oili the device. The rotary adjustment ci? the guide 45 and the float enables the tripping arm to be set so that in descending from the uppermost position or the lioat it will engage with one of the arms 59 of the rod, or member 44. rlhe opening of the float 'and the guide may be ci anyV polygonal shape andany suitable anti-'friction means be employed if desired. The lloat is adjusted by means or' an arm' 63 suitably connected 'at its inner end to the lower end oi: the stem 46 ofthe very is adapted tocxtend vinto any one of a series of notches 67 formed in the base casing at the bottom 'of the slot 65 and corresponding to the several positions of the float for arranging the trip arm 58 to engage the trigger arm 59. The base casing is designed to be rprovided at the notches or recesses 67 with numeral designations 68 fso Vthat the operating afrm lmay be readily Varranged in thedesired notch or recess of the slot 65 ofthe base casing.

The drain pipe is provided with a suitable valve 69 adapted to be opened to permit gasoline to drain 'from the receptacle 1 back to the storage tank. vA valve `69 is normally closed and is spaced from 'the bottom plate 2 a sufficient 'distance to permit the lower portion'o't the rod edito be guided in the upper portion of the drainpipe. The discharge hose or Vpipe 20 is of the usual construction and in practice `ineans'will be provided for supporting the same in an elevated position as shown in Figure 1.

In order to enable Vthe discharge of the liquid from the measuring receptacle 1 to be manually controlled and the discharge stopped at any desired point by the tripping of the valve mechanism, the device is provided with valve tripping mechanism comprising a bell crank lever 105 fulcrumed at its angle in a suitable'bracket or support 106 having one of its arms arranged horizontally above the vent valve and the other arm of the bell crank lever 105 extends upwardly and is arranged in a vertical position when the other arm is in a horizontal position. The horizontal arm is rounded at the end as shown for engaging the vent valve anda flexible connection such as a chain 107 isattached to the upwardly extending arm of the bell crank lever for enabling the latter to be rocked on its pivot 'for engaging the vent valve to move the same to its closed position. This will swing the spring 58a to the opposite side of the center and the valve mechanism will be thereby maintained in such shifted position. The chain 170 is preferably arranged on a guide pulley 108 and is providedat its outer or free end with a suitable handle or grip 109 which may be in the Jform of a ring as shown or of any other suitable construction. Then the valve mechanism is tripped by the manually operable means, the closing of the vent valve andthe opening of the Vvacuum valve will cause a relilling ot' the measuring receptacle.

The bellows 70 whichmay be of any desired construction is mounted upon a base 73 and is provided with an intake pipe 74 which extends from the bellows to the vacuum pipe or tube 2G so that the continued operation of the vacuum pump 14 after the vacuum pipe Aor tube has been closed by the valve 20 and the vent opened by the Laisse@ valve S5 will exhaust the air from the bellows and close the same and move the upper board or member 75 downward. lThis closing of the bellows by the action of the vacuum pump moves downwardly a link 7 6 pivoted at its lower end at `77 to the upper board or member 'of the bellows and at its upper end 7 8 to one end of a trigger actuating lever 79. The trigger actuating lever 79 is Apivoted at 80 to a depending post or support 81 `'provided atits upper end with a threaded 'shank 82 and secured by a'nut in an opening in a iber insulating head or plate The fiber insulating 'plate '83 is supported above the case in spaced relation with the saine by corner rodsa which may be of any desired construction and which are suitably secured at their terminals to the base k73 and to vthe vinsulating plate or head 88. The closing movement of the bellows incident to the "exhausting'ot the vair therefrom and the creating ot a vacuum therein is controlled 4by a tension'device consisting of a rod 85 .pivoted at yits lower lend l86 Yto the upper vboard or member 75 of the bellows andextending through `an opening 87 oi' the liber head and having a coiled spring 8S disposed on Vits upper portionand interposed between the liber Vheador plate 83 and an adjusting v'nut l99. The `'nut 89 is mounted on a threaded portion 90 of the rod 85j a washer being preferably interposed between thc nut and the `upper end of Vthe tensioning spring as shown.

The lever 7 9 is connected by a liber insulating link-91 with a trigger member or lever 92 tulcrumed at one-end by a-pin'93'to ra-supportingand bindingpost 94e and connected by side springs 95 with a-trigger member or .lever`96 carrying a Contact 97. IThe lever 79 is provided with a projecting lug98 for engaging the trigger. member 92 to llimit the downward movement of the saine and the said triggerinember 92 is'bifurcated at its inner end as shown to vstraddle the binding posts 911 and the adjacent end of thetrigger member or lever 96. The trigger menibers or levers`9el and 96 are provided at theirouter oriir'ee ends with laterallyv extending arms 99 and 100 having hook-shaped terminals vfor the attachment of the ends of the Yside springs 95. The trigger members constitute a double trigger-and are adapted toswingupwardly and downwardly suilicient A'distance to' carry their terminals and the side springs connected therewith above and below the horizontal plane-ot1 vthe -fulcrum or pivot whereby the springs are operated to maintain the trigger members in either position. lhenthe trigger members or levers are swung upwardly Vthe contact 97 whichfis preferablyapredetermined point is carried into electrical engagement with a binding post 101 4tor closing the support 71 to start the electric motor 72 and operate the.

ico

vheat or other cause.

vacuum pump 14 and when the trigger members or levers are swung downwardly, the contact 97 isv carried downwardly out of engagement with the binding posts 101 and the contact portion thereof to open the circuit 71 and stop the electric motor. When the electric motor is in operation the air as `heretofore explained will be ex vhausted from the receptacle 1 which will fill and operate the said valves 29 and 35 and the continued operation of the vacuum pump will tend to'produce a vacuum within the bellows and will eect a closing movement of the same sufficient to operate the vacuum switch mechanism and open the circuit 71. The current for the circuit 71 may be supplied from any suitable source and the electric motor while shown connected with the vacuum pump by sprocket gearing 102 may be connected with the said pump by any other suitable gearing and instead of employing a bellows, any equivalent expansible and contaractile means such as a piston and cylinder or the like may be utilized for operating the vacuum switch mechanism.

The invention provides a visible pump allowing the customer to see whether or not he is getting the amount of liquid for which he is to pay. The measurements of the liquid are absolutely accurate and the automatic device renders the measurements of each indicated operation uniform so that noV guess work whatever is involved. The invention also provides a labor saving device since the turning of the faucet at the end of the delivery hose starts the machine which continues its automatic operation thereafter until the said faucet is closed.

The glass receptacle is filled after each operation thereby saving the time usually required for filling such a receptacle after a customer drives up to a filling station. 1f the glass receptacle is constructed to contain only five gallons, it will be impossible to supply more than five gallons in the receptacle as theautomatic action automatically cuts off the flow whenthe receptacle has been filled. Also the pump being a vacuum pump no air is required in the storage tank thus obviating any and all danger of explosion in the storage tank.

.Also the pump being a vacuum pump cmploying a vent in the glass receptacle to permit the liquid to gravitate into any other receptacle from the said'vent permitting air to pass into the said receptacle removes all danger of the glass receptacle bursting from gas which might form from Tie gasoline filling station is absolutely safe from explosions from electric ignition since the electric motor and all the electrical wiring can. be placed at any distance from the gasoline. For example, the motor and the electrical switch device may be placed in a building separate from and a considerable distance away from the pump or storage tank. The pump will supply the customer with any number of gallons or fractional gallons and requires only one simple adjustment, the other operations of the device being entirely automatic.

` The gasoline cannot be stolen from the storage tank, and by draining the glass receptacle and by opening the vacuum cock, which may bekept under lock and key the motor may be started but'no gasoline will rise in the glass receptacle. One motor and one pump and one automatic electrical device may be employed to operate a plurality of the pumps, thereby saving the cost of supplying and installing individual motors, vacuum pumps and electrical switches for each gasoline filling device. The invention is simple and easily constructed and not likely to getfout of order and can be manufactured as cheaply as the ordinarygasoline filling station and can be operated by any person who can turn a simple `faucet at the end of a hose.

In Figure 2 of the drawings is illustrated a modication of the invention in which the valve carrying lever 110 is fulcrumed intermediate of its end at 111 in a suitable bracket or support 112 and the front arm of the lever 110 is connected with stems'113 and 114 of vacuum and vent valves 115 and 16. The stem 1111 yis preferably slotted at 117 to receive the pivot 118. The rear end of the valve carrying and actuating lever 110 is provided with an anti-friction wheel 119 which is arranged to ride upon oppo sitely inclined faces 120 of a head 121 of a slidably mounted stem or member 122 which is yieldably maintained in engagement with the roller or wheel 119 by a coiled spring 123. The coiled spring 123 mounted on a reduced portion 124 of the stem 122 and is interposed between an interior shoulder of a sleeve 125 and the shoulder formed by reducing the stem. vThe rear terminal 126 of the stem is threaded to receive a nut 12'?r which is adapted to control the tension of the coiled spring of the device. The sleeve 125 is eXteriorly threaded at 128 to engage a threaded opening 129 of a bracket or support 130. The sleeve is provided adjacent the head 121 with an enlargement or flange 130 and the threaded mounting of the sleeve provides for a longitudinall adjustment of the device to arrange` the. same in proper position to the roller of the rear end of the lever 110 and the adjustment of the stem controls thetension of the spring. In-*the operation of the lever the roller rides `over the oppositely inclined faces 120 and after passing the center will be maintained at either side of the center by the action of the spring 123.

.ward movement which will result in the shifting of the vacuum and vent valves 29 and 87. The vacuum valve will then be closed and the continued operation of the pump will exhaust the air from the bellows 70, and open the circuit and thereby stop the pump. The opening of the vent valve 87 by the said operation places the receptacle in communication with the atmosphere so that the receptacle will automatically empty when the outlet or discharge valve 2l is; lowered and opened. As soon as the receptacle empties or discharges the required amount of liquid, the arm 58 of the 'float will engage one of the arms 59 or the vertically movable float 40 and reverse the positions of the vacuum and vent valves 29 and 37. This will close the receptacle to the atmosphere and establish a communication between the receptacle and the vacuum pipe and the atmospheric pressure within the receptacle will reduce the vacuum within the bellows sufficiently to permit the spring 88 to expand the bellows to the position shown in Figure 7 of the drawings and close the circuit and again start the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump will lill the receptacle and the operation will continue automatically filling and emptying the receptacle until the discharge valve is closed. ln this automatic iilling and emptying, the apparatus may be arranged to deliver the full capacity of the receptacle at each discharge or the arms 59 may be positioned to reduce the amount of the discharge as will be readily understood. Should the receptacle be discharging and it be desired to reverse the positions of the vacuum and vent valves 29 and 87, this may be manually eiiected by pulling the operating` member 107 for swinging the bell crank lever 105 into engagement with the vent valve io move the latter downward to the position shown in Figure 1. This will reverse the positions of the valves 29 and 37 and the apparatus will again start filling the receptacle. No claim is made in the present application to the speciic construction of the double 'electric switch and the vacuum controlling device as this forms the subjectmatter of a divisional application.

That is claimed is l. An apparatus' of the class described with the receptacle. simultaneously operated valves for controlling vacuum means and the vent, and means for automatically operating the latter valves, said-valve operating means comprising a fioat and mechanism actuated by the float for closing the vacuum valve and opening the vent valve on the upward movement of the 'lloat and 'for reversing the said position of the said valves'on the downward movement of the float.

3. An apparatus of the class described having valved inlet and discharge pipes, said receptacle being also providedy with a vent, vacuum producing means connected with the receptacle, simultaneously operated valves for controlling the vacuum means and the vent, and means for automatically operating the latter valves, said valve operating means comprising a pivoted valve carrying lever connected with the said valves, and yieldable means connected to said lever and ar anged to be carried to opposite sides of the pivot point of the valve carrying lever.

4. An apparatus of the class described having valved inlet and discharge pipes, said receptacle being also provided with a vent, vacuum producing means connected with the receptacle, ysimultaneously operated valves for controlling the vacuum mea-ns and the vent, means for automatically operating the said valves including a lever connected with said valves, yieldable means connected with the said lever and arranged to be carried to opposite sides of the pivotal point of the lever, a float, and means actuated by the float for oscillating the lever to reverse the position of the valves.

5. In an apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having reversely movable valves for controlling the inlet and discharge of liquid, a lever connected with the valves, yield-able means connected with the lever and arranged to carried to opposite sides of the-fulcrum of the lever for holding the lever and the valves against movement, and means for automatically 0perating the valves comprising a float, a vertically movable rod or member connected with the said lever and provided with a plurality of trigger arms arrange-d to be engaged-by the float, and means for adjusting the float for operating the trigger arms.

6. In an apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having reversely movsol able valves for controlling the inlet and discharge of liquid,y a lever connected with the valves, yieldable means connected with the lever and arranged to be carried to opposite sides of the fulcrum of the lever for holding the leve-r and the valves against movement, and means for automatically operating the valves comprising a float having a tripping arm, and a vertically movable rod or member connected With the said lever and provided ivith a plurality of trigger arms of different lengths adapted to engage the tripping arm of the float.

7 In an apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having reversely movable valves for controlling the inlet andy discharge of liquid, a lever connected with the valves, yieldable ymeans connected With the lever and arranged to be carried to opposite sides of the tulcrum of the lever for holding the lever and the valves against movement, means for. automatically operating the valves comprising a float having a tripping arm, and a vertically movable rod or member connected with the said lever and provided With a plurality of trigger arms `ot different lengths adapted to engage the tripping arm of the float, a vertical guide for the lloatand means for adjusting the guide `lor changing the positions of the .trigger arm of the Heat.

8. An apparatus oit-the class described including a receptacle having a vent and vacuum producing vmeans connected with the receptacle, simultaneously operated valves for controlling the vacuum means and the vent, means for automatically operating the said valves vcomprising a pivoted lever, a vertically movable rod or member connected with the lever and provided with a plurality of trigger arms of diii'erent lengths, a float having a tripping arm for engaging the said trigger arms, a vertical standard forming a guide tor the lioat and journaled ior rotary movement, and an operating arm connected with the standard. y

9. An apparatus of the class'described including `a receptacle having a vent and vacuum producing means connected with the receptacle, simultaneously operated valves ior controlling thevacuum means and the vent, means tor automatically operating the said valves comprising a pivoted lever `and provided with a plurality of trigger arms of different lengths, a float having a tripping arm for engaging the said trigger arms, a vertical standard forming a guide for the tloat and journaled for rotary movement, an operating arm connected With the standard, and yieldable means for maintaining the valves in either position of the lever.

10. In an apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having a vent and vacuum producing means,` vent and vacuum valves, an inlet pipe, a dischargepipe, and

means for automatically shifting the valves to change the position of the same when the receptacle ills and empties.

11. A device of the class described including a receptacle, a casing supporting the receptacle and provided with a horizontal slot having a plurality of notches, valved inlet and discharge pipes connected with the re ceptacle, means 'for varying the pressure Within the receptacle, ventA and vacuum valves, means for operating said valves comprising a float having a tripping arm, a trigger rod or member provided with a plurality of triggers, a standard journaled for rotary movement and forming a guide for the float, and an arm connected with the standard and extending through the said slot for adjusting the position of the iloat with respect to the arms of the trigger rod or member.

12. Adevice of the class described includ` ing a transparent receptacle having'valved inlet and outlet pipes, means for varying pressure Within the receptacle, simultaneously movable valves for controlling the pressure changing means and means for operating the valves including a float arranged Within the receptacle and having a tripping arm, a vertically movable trigger rod or member provided with a plurality of arms and also arranged Within the said receptacle, means for connecting the trigger rod or member with the said valves, and means for yeffecting a relative adjustmentbetvveen the trigger arms and the tripping arm.

13. A device of the class described including a base casing, a receptacle mounted upon the said casing, valved inlet and discharge pipes connected with the receptacle, a drain pipe having a valve and connected With the receptacle, means for varying the pressure Within the receptacle 4for filling and discharging the same, valves for controlling the pressure varying means, and means for operating the valves comprising a float, and a trigger member guided by the drain pipe and arranged to be actuated by the fioat.

let. A device of the class described including a receptacle having inlet and dischargepipes,` means including a motor operated vacuum pump for varying the pressure Within the receptacle ior lilling and emptying the same, valves for controlling the pressure Within the receptacle, means for automatically operating the valves When the receptacle fills and empties and a circuit including the motor of the vacuum pump having a switch arranged to be operated by the said device whereby a continuous automatic operation of the devicev is effected While the discharge pipe is open. A

l5. A device of the class described comprising a base casing, a superimposed transparent receptacle, head and bottom plates arranged at the top and bottom of the receptacle and connected With each other, valved inlet and discharge pipes connected with the receptacle and mounted in the bottom plate, a drain pipe also connected with the receptacle and mounted in the bottom plate, vacuum producing means having a Yacuum pipe extending to the top plate, said top plate being also provided with a vent, valves operating in the top plat-e for controlling the vacuum tube and the vent, and means for operating the said valves.

1G. A device oit' the class described comprising a base casing, a superimposedtransparent receptacle, head and bottom plates arranged at the top and bottom ot the receptacle and connected with each other, valved inlet and discharge pipes connected with the receptacle and mounted in the bottom plate, a drain pipe also' connected with the receptacle and mounted in the bottom plate, vacuum producing means, having a vacuum pipe extending to the top plate, said top plate being also provided With a vent and valves operating in the top plate ior controlling the vacuum pipe and the vent, means for operating the said valves, and a cap mounted on the top plate and provided with a bowl arranged to receive a light.

17. An apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having valved inlet and discharge pipes and provided also with a vent and having a vacuum pipe, automatic means for controlling the vent and vacuum pipe operating when the receptacle ills and empties and vacuum producing means comprising a pump, a motor for operating the pump, a vacuum controlled device connected with the vacuum pipe and adapted to be operated by the pump When the vacuum pipe is closed to the receptacle and means cont-rolled by the vacuum controlled device for starting and stopping the motor.

18. An apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having valved inlet and discharge pipes and provided also With a vent and having a vacuum pipe, automatic means for controlling the vent and vacuum pipe operating when the receptacle lills and empties,land vacuum producing means comprising a pump, a motor for operating the pump, a vacuum controlled device connected with the vacuum pipe and adapt-ed to be operated by the pump when the vacuum pipe is closed to the receptacle and means including an electrical switch connected with and actuated by the vacuum controlled device for starting and stopping the motor.

19. An apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having valved inlet and discharge pipes, vent and vacuum valves, automatic means within the receptacle and operated When the receptacle is empty or full for controlling the said valves tor permitting the receptacle to fill and empty, vacuum producing means connected with the receptacle for filling the same and means for automatically stopping the vacuum producing means when the vacuum producing means is cut oil' from the receptacle.

20. An apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having valved inlet and discharge pipes, vent and vacuum valves, automatic means Within the receptacle and operated when the receptacle is empty or full tor controlling the said valves for permitting the receptacle to till and empty, vacuum producing means connected with the receptacle for filling the same and means for automatically stopping the vacuum producing means when the receptacle has been `illed, and means for automatically Starting the vacuum means when the vacuum producing means is cut off from the receptacle.

21. In an apparatus or' the class described including a receptacle having a vent and vacuum producing means, vent and vacuum valves, an inlet pipe, a discharge pipe, means for automatically shifting the valves to change the position of the same when the receptacle fills and empties, and manually operable means for operating the valves.

22. ln an apparatus oF the class described including a receptacle having la vent and vacuum producing means, vent and vacuum valves, an inlet pipe, a discharge pipe, means for automatically shifting the valves to change the position ot the same When the receptacle fills and empties, and manually operable means for operating the valves comprising a lever having an arm arranged to engage one ot the said valves and an operating device connected With the lever.

23. ln an apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having a vent and vacuum producing means, vent and vacuum valves, an inlet pipe, a discharge pipe, means for automatically shifting the valves to change the position of the same when the receptacle lills and empties, and manually operable means for operating the valves comprising a bell crank lever varranged to engage one of' the valves and a flexible connection attached to the other arm and extending exteriorly of they machine.

24. An apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having an inlet and a' discharge pipe and provided With a vent and vacuum producing means, vacuum and vent valves, a lever connected with the said valves and adapted to be oscillated to reverse the said valves, one of said valves being open While the other is closed, and a spring actuated device 'forholding the lever at either side of a central position.

25. An apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having an inlet and a discharge pipe and provided with a vent and vacuum producing means, vacuum and vent valves, a lever connected with the valves and adapted to be oscillated to reverse the position of the valves, a rod or member pivoted to the lever, means for slidably and pivotfv ally mounting` the rod, and a spring for urging the rod in one direction.

26. An apparatus of the class described including a receptacle having` an inlet and a discharge pipe and provided With a vent and vacuum producing means, vacuum and vent valves, a lever connected with the valves for reversing the position of the same, a

pivot having an opening, a rod or member slidable in the opening of the pivot and pivotally supported by the same, said rod or member being pivotally connected to the lever, and a spring mounted on the rod or member and arranged to urge the same in the direction of the said lever whereby the spring will maintain the lever at either side of the central position.

n testimony whereof we hereunto aiX our hands.

CARL O. MGGRAVV. JAMES L. MARTIN.

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