Improvements in Detachable Pipe Couplings.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 17th May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Detachable Pipe Couplings.
I, ISAAC BROADWORTH POTTS, of Columbus, in the County of Franklin, State of
Ohio, one of the United States of America, Brass Founder, do hereby declare 'the
nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to the
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide a simple and convenient coupling whereby
the ends of pipe may be quickly and easily joined without the use of solder, cement
or packing, and to this end I proceed as follows, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings forming a part hereof where
Fig. 1 is a view in central, sectional elevation of a detachable pipe-coupling.
constructed according to my invention, and
Figs. 2 and 3 detached views on an enlarged scale of the rings showing the
construction thereof.
The letter a indicates the coupling nut, b the sleeve, c c the rings and d the core-
pipe, e e, the adjacent ends of the pipe-being united:
The coupling nut a and sleeve beach have screwed throaded ends by which they
are united and their opposite ends are formed with interior tapered shoulders as
at a and b respectively. The rings c c are each of like construction, are cylindrical
in form and longitudinally split or divided diagonally as at c¹ for the purposes as will
presently appear. Extending longitudinally of the rings c c are formed integral
therewith, inclined or tapered splines or ribs c², and the interior surface of the rings
is corrugated as at c³.
To apply the coupling-the nut a and sleeve bare first run upon the ends of the
pipe to be united. The rings c c are next also placed upon the ends of the pipe within
the nut and sleeve and then the core d is placed in position within the ends of the
pipe. The nut a is now screwed upon the sleeve b which draws these parts together
and with their interior tapered ends a riding upon and up the inclined ribs c² of
the rings c c.
The incline of the shoulders a¹ and of the sleeve band nut a are the
same as the incline of the ribs c² of the rings c c, and the exterior opening of said nut
and sleeve are only just sufficient to admit the outer ends of the rings cc, when therefore
the nut and sleeve are drawn together by the action of their screw threaded portion
lateral pressure is exerted by the tapered ends a' and ' of said nut and sleeve upon
the inclined ribs c² of the rings ce so that as said nut and sleeve advance to each
other the rings c c, are compressed upon the pipe e e and the same securely held upon
the core d. The interior corrugations of the rings c c prevent the longitudinal
displacement of the pipe and should the pipe become loose a simple movement of the
nut will bring it and the sleeve together and to a new position upon the inclined ribs
of the rings so that said rings will be again compressed upon the core-pipe.
By reason of the inclined ribs on the rings less metal is required than were the
rings simply tapered from end to end, and there is less friction between the nut and
sleeve and said rings, consequently less exertion is necessary to adjust the coupling.
The ribs also tend to strengthen the rings, and by reason of the rings being
longitudinally divided or split at an angle, the rings may be used upon various sizes
of pipe, and continued adjustment or compression of the said sleeves may be
continued even after the edges of the slot come together, because of the taper given
to said slot, the edges of the rings will slip upon each other and continue to exert
pressure upon the pipe.
Because of the ribs the body of the rings need not be made so heavy as would be
the case were the rings simply of tapered form, and as a separate ring is used upon
each end of the pipe being coupled, pipes of different diameters may be united, which
would not be the case where the ring continued across the ends of both pipe.

page_text: Whon coupling together the ends of iron pipe, the core-pipe may be omitted, but
for use with lead pipe the core is necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In a pipe-coupling of the nature described, the rings having tapered ribs and
longitudinally split or divided diagonally, combined with a coupling nut and sleeve
having tapered interior shoulder substantially as described.
2. The combination in a detachable pipe coupling, with the coupling nut and sleeve
having tapered shouldered interior ends, the rings with corrugations upon their
interior, inclined ribs and diagonally split or divided longitudinally, and core-pipe,
all constructed and arranged substantially as described and shown for the purposes
specified.
Dated this 25th day of March 1890.
ISAAC BROADWORTH POTTS.
Herbert & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.