IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF GAS AND OTHER FLUIDS OR LIQUIDS FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES. AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Joseph Parkes, of London Street, Paddington,
in the County of Middlesex, Bellhanger and Gas Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF GAS AND OTHER FLUIDS
OR LIQUIDS FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES. AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH."
Sealed the 14th February 1865, and dated the 18th August 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Joseph Parkes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th August 1864.
I, JOHN JOSEPH PARKES, of London Street, Paddington, in the County of
Middlesex, Bellhanger and Gas Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF GAS AND OTHER
FLUIDS OR LIQUIDS FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS
CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to a means of applying gas on railway lines, in
tunnels, or elsewhere, in order to afford light while effecting repairs to the
permanent way or otherwise; this has hitherto been but imperfectly effected
by means of naptha or other oil lamps, which are suspended at the desired
points.
According to my improvements I run a gas main below the surface of the
permanent way, either at the side or between the rails, and at about every fifty

page_text: or sixty feet apart I make suitable orifices for the outlet of the gas, commu-
nicating by means of short tubes screwed at their lower ends, with
gas
valves
of peculiar construction, and herein-after described. This valve is enclosed in
n hollow wood block forming a seat, and serving as a means of ombedding the
valve firmly below the surface of the line, the block being rigidly maintained
by means of galvanized iron hoops, and adjusting screws. or otherwise. In the
upper end of the block is fitted a small hinged cover which provents any dirt
entering the valve, and also affords easy access to the interior. A central
spindle projects from the upper part of the valve, on which fits the lower and
of a key or standard, serving to turn on or cut off a supply of gas. This stem
or standard forming a portable stand pipe, is made hollow for the gas to pass
up, and is surmounted by a cross tube or handle open at the ends, but
rendered gas-tight; on one or both the ends of this cross tubo are secured the
ends of flexible tubes, which is effected by means of a spring connection,
consisting of a hand-hold furnished with a spring clip, and capable of being
readily connected or disconnected from the cross tube. The flexible tubing
may be of any suitable length, and is furnished at the end with a gas nozzle
or jet. In this manner the tubing may be conveyed from the standard to any
desired point, where it is suspended from hooks carried on iron rods, pointed
at their ends, so as to be readily fixed in the ground, the gas being then lighted
and so carried from point to point of the work. The gas valve enclosed in the
wood block communicates with the main by means of a screwed stem, as
before mentioned. This valve, which is of cylindrical form, is furnished with
suitable flanges, securing the parts together, and all being bevilled, wherever
any dirt might otherwise effect a lodgement. The gas finds an inlet at tho
lower part through suitable orifices made in a central screwed part of the
valve up into the spindle, which orifices remain covered so long as the gas is
turned off at top by the screwed boss in which the key before mentioned
fits, and at bottom by a plate acted on by a spiral spring, so that there can be
no escape of gas possible, the contact surfaces being further furnished with
suitable packings to ensure such object.
The key before mentioned being applied on the central spindle takes on to
the screwed boss surrounding it, which on being turned in one direction
actuates a left-handed screw on its interior so as to raise the stern off its seat,
and so afford an inlet to the gas. On the top of the valve is mounted a ring
or guide, into which the key above mentioned fits, a small projection near the
bottom taking into a key way in the guido ring below; at one side of this key
way there is a stop to prevent the key from turning except in one direction,
and after about four turns it meets with another stop at bottom of the guide

page_text: ring, indicating that the valve is fully opened. The key may thus be readily
applied, and gas turned on at any moment without difficulty. All the contact
points of this valve are fitted with collars and elastic washers, so that no
corrosion can take place; it also prevents friction of the metals, which are
liable to become set by long standing. The valve may also be otherwise
arranged to suit the purposes of this Invention.
This apparatus may be variously used for affording instant supplies of gas
at any point, such as on roads, by connection with existing mains or other-
wise. The Invention is also applicable for obtaining a supply of water or
fluid at any point in a similar manner to the foregoing.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Joseph Parkes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th February 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
JOSEPH PARKES, of London Street, Paddington, in the County of Middlesex,
Bellhanger and Gas Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Joseph Parkes, Her special licence that 1, the said John
Joseph Parkes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
J, the said John Joseph Parkes, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF GAS AND OTHER FLUIDS OR LIQUIDS
FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Joseph Parkes,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Joseph Parkes, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thorcon (that
is to say) :-
My Invention relates to a means of applying gas on railway lines in
tunnels, or elsewhere, in order to afford light, while effecting repairs to
the permanent way, or otherwise; this has hitherto been but imperfectly
effected by means of naptha, or other oil lamps which are suspended at the
desired point.
According to my Invention I run a gas main below the surface of the
permanent way, either at the side or between the rails, and at distances of
about every fifty or sixty feet; I make suitable orifices for the outlet of the
the gas,communicating by means of short tubes, fitted at their lower ends with
gas valves of peculiar construction, and herein-after described. This valve is
cnclosed in a hollow wood block forming a seat, and serving as a means of
embedding the valvo firmly below the surface of the line; this block is rigidly
maintained by means of galvanized iron hoops, and the tube or valve orifice
adjusted inside by screws or otherwise. On the upper end of the block is
fitted a small hinged cover which prevents any dirt entering the valve cavity,
and also affords easy access to the interior. A central spindle projects from
the upper part of the valve on which fits the lower end of a key or standard
serving to turn on or cut off a supply of gas. The stem or standard forms a
temporary stand pipe for the gas to pass up, and is surmounted by a cross
tube with valve openings at the ends; on one or both ends of this cross tube
may be secured the ends of flexiblo tubes which is effected by means of
spring connections,consisting of a hand-hold furnished with a spring clip,and
capable of being readily connected or disconnected from the cross tube. The
flexible tubing may be of any suitable length, and is furnished at the end with
a gas nozzle or jet. In this manner the tubing conducts the gas from the
standard to any desired point betweon the stand pipes, where it is suspended
from hooks carried on iron rods pointed at their ends, so as to be readily fixed
in the ground, the gas being there lighted, and may be so applied from point
to point of the work. The valvo which is of cylindrical form is furnished
with suitable flanges securing the parts together, and all being bevilled where-
ever any dirt might otherwise effect a lodgement. The finds
gas passage at
the lower part, through suitable orifices made in a central screwed stem or
part of the valve up into the spindle, which orifices remain covered at top so long

page_text: as the gas is turned off by the screwed boss on which the key before described
fits, and at bottom by a plate acted on by a spiral spring, so that there can be
no escape of gas possible, the contact surfaces being further furnished with
suitable packings to ensure such object.
The key before-mentioned being applied on the central spindle, takes on to
the screwed boss surrounding it, which on being turned in one direction actuates
a left-handed screw on the interior valve stem, so as to raise the valve off its
seat and afford outlet to the gas. On the top of the valve is mounted a ring
or guide,into which the key above-mentioned fits, a sinall projection near the
bottom taking into the key way in the guide ring below; at one side of this
key way there is a stop to prevent the key from turning, except in one direc-
tion, and after about four turns it meets with another stop at bottom of the
guide ring, indicating that the valve is fully opened. The key may be thus
readily applied, and gas turned on at any moment without difficulty; all
the contact points of this valve are fitted with collars and elastic washers, so
that no corrosion can take place, it also prevents friction of the metals which
are liable to become set by long standing. The valve may also be otherwise
arranged to suit the purposes of the Invention.
This apparatus may be variouslyused for affording temporary supply of gas
at any point, such as on roads by connection or otherwise; the apparatus is
also applicable for obtaining a supply of water or fluid from main pipes at any
point in manner similar to the foregoing.
In applying my Invention the apparatus may be fitted to ordinary gas mains
or to main pipes laid for the purpose, but in either case is only intended for
the temporary lighting of places, such as on lines of railway for their repair or
other purposes.
Fig. 1 represents an elevation of a stand pipe and apparatus applied to a
gas main pipe, according to my Invention; Fig. 2 a section of same, showing
wood block let into the ground to protect the stand pipe, as also the section
of clip for attaching the flexible delivery pipe; Fig. 3 elevation of stem or key
piece detached,which opens the valve in the main, and conducts it upwards to
the delivery; Fig. 4 plan of wood block in grouud, and metal hinge cover to
same; Fig. 5 plan of the valve in the stand pipe, showing fitting of key piece
(Fig. 3) thereto; Fig. 6 section of Fig. 5 on line 1, 2. Fig. 1; Fig. 7 repre-
sents the gas nozzle or jet, detached with hook for hanging it upon pointed
standard, shown separately at Fig. 8 which is stabbed into the ground in the
position the gas light is required.

page_text: A is the gas main either an ordinary main or one laid on,for the purposes of
these temporary lights; B, the T piece and fixed stand pipe applied
thereto at intervals as before described; C, valve box permanently fixed on
piece B in which is disposed a valve a, fitting down on a seat b, the valve stem
dis fitted in a left hand screw thread e inside box C, by turning in which it is
raised from or depressed on its seat. The stem is continued upwards and
out at the conical top of the valve box. The upper part of this valve stem
is hollow, and gas, which passes up through valve a when open, enters hollow
stem by openings ff; a hole g is made in the side of stein & near the topwhich
permits gas to escape upwards, when valve az is open, the hole g rising above
the conical top of C, gas passing up through a when slightly open, will not
find access to the hollow of d by reason of disc plate or washer with a leather
face placed on lower stem of a,and pressed upwards by a spring c which keeps
it against the opposing face i formed on the stem d,and from which the holes
,, enter. When the valve stem is fully raised, plate h comes in contact
with a curtain piece or flange k, which stops it, and the face i recedes leaving
holes ff, open apertures made through the curtain piece k, permit the gas
to enter between plate and face i, gas is therefore free to enter stem d. and
escape at hole gas before explained, when valve a is fully open. The valve
a is fitted with india-rubber or other soft facing. E is a socket on the lower
end of upright pipe F, forming what is termed the key; in this socket is a
diaphragm or internal flange, with a soft packing m of india-rubber or other
material. This socket screws on the top of valve case C with a right hand
screw thread,and the packing m coming against the conical top thereof makes
a gas-tight junction therewith,a flat side is formed on the stem d, which is then
of a D form,a corresponding part is formed inside socket E,which therefore fits
on and turns the stem d, at same time that the key is screwed on its right hand
scrow, the screw e being a left hand thread as before-described raises the valve
at same time. These screws are so arranged that the desired positions of tho
parts correspond and are arrived at, when the key is applied or removed, that
is to say, when screwed on the valve is fully raised, when removed it is closed
down tight. When the valve a is opened as before described gas is free to
pass from the main A up the pipe F. A guard piece H is fixed to the valve
case C, down through which the socket E is inserted, having a projection 12
passing down recesso with a stop to prevent the socket E being turned the
wrong way, a stop g is also provided for contact when the socket E is fully
screwed on C. The pipe F is fitted at top with a T piece having fixed on oach
end a nose piece p with an enlarged end and groove around it, into which the
jaws, of the clip K take and hold it in position. Inside tho piece p is a sliding

page_text: tube t,pushed outwards by a spiral spring s; this tends to press a valve at inuer
end of tube against the socket u in which it is fitted. There is a lateral
hole v near the back end of t, so that when it is pushed inwards and the hole
v beyond u, gas will be free to enter and pass out through tube t; w is a wood
hand-hold fixed on a socket piece and tube x, to which the clip K is applied,
the nose of tube x being pressed against the end of t, and held up thereto by
the clips 1, 7, make a gas-tight junction. The piece t is at same time thrust
back sufficiently to open the hole v, and put the spring s in the necessary
state of tension to give the pressure required for the junction. The clip K
consists simply of two jaws with thumb lever pivotted on tube x at y, the jaws
fit in the groove p and hold tho parts firmly in contact, they being compressed
together by a strong india-rubber band z or other suitable spring. I fit a pipe
or bend L on the opposite end of, and attach thereto a piece of flexible
india-rubber tube M of any suitable length with the nozzle or jet piece P at
the opposite end furnished with a hook j, by which it may be hung on the
supporting rod R, and moved from place to placo as required within the range
of the length of tube M. Tis the binged cover to the wood block, enclosing
valve box C,hinged so as to close by its own gravity on withdrawing key piece
E after turning the gas on or off; this cover is bevilled on its upper surface so
as to present a smooth surface. V are screws steadying valve box C in the
block. Water and other fluid maius may be fitted and applied in same
manner as described with reference to gas in order to get a supply for tem-
porary purposes as described, the same apparatus being applicable in all cases.
Havingdescribed the nature of niy Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the temporary application of gas
for lighting in the manner, and by meansof apparatus herein-before described.
I also claim the application of such apparatus to water and other fluid mains
or pipes, as aud for the purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Joseph Parkes, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.