Improvements in Cocks for Water, Gas, Steam, or other Fluids.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 25th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 1st June, 1895
Improvements in Cocks for Water, Gas, Steam, or other Fluids.
I JOHN LEWIS DUBOIS of 13 West Bank Stamford Hill N. do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to cocks or taps of the screw down kind and has for its
object the creation of improved mechanism by which rotary motion of the valve
while being pressed upon its seat in the ordinary use of the cock is continually
effected.
I form the guide pin upon the back of the valve and the hole in spindle which
receives it square triangular or such other form in cross section that the valve is
compelled to revolve in unison with the spindle while at the same time these parts
are free to approach or recede from each other. Interposed between these two
parts are placed elastic compression rings or springs which under the action of the
screwed spindle are compressed and transmit corresponding pressure to the valve
while at the same time the latter is caused to revolve upon its seat.
modification cause the screwed spindle to work in a screwed nut which can move
vertically in the body of the cock. The said nut has wings and works in guides so
that it cannot revolve. The compression rings or springs are placed between the
top of the nut and the cap or plug which closes the body of the cock.
In one
The action of the screwed spindle when it has forced down the valve to its seat
is to thrust back the nut against the rings or springs compressing them and at same
time turning the valve upon its seat. In another modification I cause the screwed
spindle to work in a screwed nut so held in the body of the cock that it cannot
move vertically but is free to make a portion of a revolution. The spindle being
turned to close down the valve carries the nut round with it until the end of a slot
created in the latter comes into contact with a stub or pin provided in or put through
the body of the cock for the purpose of arresting its motion. The spindle then
turns alone carrying the valve down to its seat and the passage is closed. Upon
turning the spindle in the reverse direction to open the cock both the nut and
spindle revolve together without any withdrawal of the screw and thereby turning
the valve upon its seat until the motion of the nut is arrested by reason of the
other end of the slot coming into contact with the stub or pin. The screwed spindle
then acts alone and being withdrawn allows the valve to rise and the fluid to pass.
These conditions in some cases may be reversed. The said out is then screwed
externally and works in a corresponding female screw thread provided inside the
body of the cock. The hole through centre of nut is plain and the spindle is
plain but formed upon the latter below the nut is a collar which receives the thrust
of the nut.
A slot is cut in the nut exposing the spindle for a portion of its
circumference and in this exposed part of the spindle the stub or pin is fixed.
It is thus obvious that in this case also the spindle can revolve to a limited extent
free of the nut until the stub or pin pressing against one end of the slot in the latter
causes it to revolve with it and the bottom of the nut pressing upon the collar the
valve is screwed down upon its seat. When the spindle is turned in the reverse
direction to open the cock the nut is not moved until the pin reaches the other end
of the slot and the valve is of necessity revolved upon its seat until the nut is like-
vise put in motion withdrawing the spindle and allowing the valve to rise and the
luid to pass.

page_text: To afford quicker action than that permitted by the ordinary screwed spindle a
plain spindle may be employed working backward and forward in a plain cylinder
formed upon the body of the cock.
In said cylinder are provided two transverse helical slots each extending about
oue fourth of its circumference. One of the said slots has an extension at right
angle and in line parallel with the cylinder. A lever passes through the last
described slot, through an opening provided in the plain spindle and enters the
opposite slot in cylinder which serves as a fulcrum therefor. This arrangement
admits of two rapid motions. The lever can be moved backward and forward
longitudinally and when in line with both helical openings it can be moved
transversely therein from left to right and vice versa. The last described motion
partakes therefore of the nature of a screw and by the combined movements the
valve is quickly carried to and locked tightly down upon the seat. To permit a
larger amount of revolving motion of the valve the spindle may be made tubular in
which to place a suitable spring which receiving the thrust of the lever imparts same
to the valve as already described. The valves may be made separate or apart
from the spindle or formed solid therewith and in addition to closing the passage by
a single valve a supplementary valve which fits into and works in a recess provided
in the closing surface of the main valve and having a spring interposed as before
described may be employed.
The supplementary valve in that case reaches the seat first and is followed and
covered by the main valve.
In the spindles suitable passages are created for the conveyance of lubricants to
the frictional parts of the cock.
Dated this 26th day of June 1894
1, JOHN LEWIS DUBOIS of 13 West Bank Stamford Hill London N. Commercial
Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
The improvements have reference to cocks or taps of the screw-down kind and
the object of the invention is to render them more efficient by improving the
construction of the parts which control the passage-way therethrough and rendering
them more certain in action by causing motion of such parts upon or against each
other in the ordinary use of the cock so that by grinding together the closing
surfaces may be maintained in a perfect state of adjustment and leakage
prevented.
To attain this object in cases wherein the valve is made separate from the
spindle I form the guide upon the back of the valve and the hole or recess in
spindle which receives it square triangular oval half-circular oblong or of any other
form in cross-section of such character that the valve must revolve in unison with
the spindle while at the same time these two parts are free to approach or recede
from each other. Interposed between these two portions of the cock I place an
elastic compression ring or spring which under the screwing down action of the
spindle is compressed and transmits corresponding pressure to the valve while the
same turning of the spindle causes the valve to revolve in like manner upon
its seat.
In another case wherein the valve is formed solid with and part of the spindle
instead of providing a screw thread upon the latter I employ a nut which is screwed
externally and works in a corresponding female screw thread provided upon the inner
surface of the body of the cock. The hole through centre of the said nut is plain and

page_text: that part of the spindle which works therein is likewise plain but formed upon the
latter below the nut is a projection or collar which may be the top surface of the
bulb or valve end. In the said nut a slot is cut exposing the spindle for a portion
of its circumference and in this exposed part of the spindle is fixed a stub or pin.
Consequently when the spindle is turned it can revolve to a limited extent free of
the nut until the stub or pin coming into contact with the end of the slot opposed
to it causes the nut to revolve also and the bottom of the nut pressing upon the
collar direct or upon a compressible ring or spring interposed between these two
parts as before described the valve is screwed down upon its seat. When the spindle
is turned in the reverse direction the nut is not moved until the stub or pin reaches
the other end of the slot and the valve is of necessity revolved upon its seat under
the pressure of the nut until the latter is likewise put in motion withdrawing the
spindle and opening the passage.
In addition to closing the passage-way through the said cock by means of a
single valve only in some cases I employ a duplicate or supplementary valve which
fits into and works in a recess provided in the closing surface of the main or
principal valve. This minor valve in some cases has a compression ring behind it
as before described and is so arranged that it projects beyond the plane of the
main valve in order that it shall reach its seat before the main valve, seal the
passage way and arrest any particles of grit or other matter which would be likely
to injure the main valve by which it is followed and covered. This minor valve
may be made to revolve upon its seat or not as desirable and it may be made of
metal of metal faced with any suitable packing or of any other suitable solid or
elastic substance and may likewise be made of any suitable form. In some cases
I make the minor valve of a sphere of india-rubber or other elastic material with a
suitable recess in the seat for its reception.
But in order that the invention may be better understood I will by the aid of the
accompanying drawings proceed to describe the means pursued by me in carrying
the same into effect.
Figure illustrates the spindle and valve of a screw down cock in which a is the
spindle having formed therein a square triangular or other shaped hole a¹ for the
reception of valve B which has formed upon the back thereof a square triangular
or other shaped guide B' corresponding with the hole in the spindle.
compression ring or spring.
e is the
Figure 2 illustrates the spindle and valve of a screw-down cock in which a is the
spindle having formed therein an oblong slot or opening with centre enlargement a¹
for the reception of valve B which has formed upon the back thereof the
corresponding oblong guide B'.
Figure 3 illustrates the spindle and valve of a screw-down cock which is a
modification of Figure 2. In this case the oblong slot or opening a¹ on each side
of the spindle a does not extend right out to the end and the corresponding oblong
extension B upon back, of the valve B is formed of a loose piece of metal or
key B2 which passes through an opening B³ created in the pin B' formed upon the
back of valve B. When in its place the said key B2 never entirely emerges from
that portion of the body of the cock in which the spindle a works therefore it is
impossible for it to get out of place and by means thereof the valve is not only
secured to the spindle but is inevitably compelled to rotate in unison therewith and
as the said key is narrower than the opening a' in which it works it follows that the
valve is permitted to approach or recede from the spindle under the influence of the
compression ring or spring as before described to the extent of the difference in
the respective widths of these two parts.
Figure 4 illustrates the spindle and valve of a screw-down cock in which the
spindle a has a portion of its substance removed at a¹ in order that the flat surface
so created may receive the flat surface of the half-round portion of the guide B'
formed upon the back of the valve B.
By each of the foregoing illustrations it will be seen that the valve while free
to approach and recede from the spindle under the influence of the compression

page_text: ring or spring interposed between them is compelled to revolve in unison with
the spindle so that when the latter is screwed down the valve is turned or revolved
upon its seat.
Figure 5 illustrates the working portion of a screw-down cock in which the
valve is made solid with the spindle. a is the spindle with valve-end a¹. B is au
externally screwed nut having part of its substance removed so as to form a slot
and expose a portion of the spindle. a² is the stub or pin. c is the compression
ring or spring. When the spindle is turned to close the cock it moves alone until
the pin comes into contact with the end of the elot in the nut opposed to it. The
latter is then caused to revolve and the bottom of the nut acting upon the projecting
collar or upon the compression ring or spring interposed carries down the valve and
presses it upon its seat. Upon the spindle being turned in the reverse direction the
said nut is not moved until the stub or pin reaches the other end of the slot and the
valve is of necessity revolved upon its seat until the nut is likewise put in motion
withdrawing the spindle and opening the passage.
Figure 6 illustrates one forin of a compound or duplicate valve in which D is
section of the main valve. E is the minor valve. F is the compression ring or
spring which causes the minor valve to project slightly beyond the closing edge of
the main valve in which it works. The guide upon the back of the minor valve
may be constructed as described in Figure 1 so as to revolve in unison with the main
valve and spindle.
Figure 7 illustrates a modification of Figure 6 the minor valve in this case being
formed of a globe or disc of suitable compressible material. D is the main valve.
E the minor valve.
In connection with the two last described Figures 6 and 7 it will be readily seen
that under the influence of the screw and spring mechanism described in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 the minor valve reaching the seat ürst shuts off the flow
of the fluid and as a necessary consequence prevents any gritty matter or other
substance passing and injuring the main vaive when that is pressed home and
revolved upon the seat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In connection with cocks of the screw-down kind. Forming the guide upon the
back of the valve and the hole or recess in the spindle which receives it as shown
and described in respect of Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
2. Combining with valves and spindles so formed a compression ring or spring for
the purpose of transmitting the pressure from the screwed spindles to the valve as
and for the purpose herein described and set forth.
3. The combination of an externally screwed nut working intermittently upon a
plain spindle with a compression ring or spring interposed between the nut and the
valve substantially as shown and described in Figure 5.
4. The arranging or combining the valves of cocks or taps in two parts whereby
the passage-way through the cock may be doubly sealed as shown and described in
Figures 6 and 7.
5. The combination of the various portions herein-before described for the
purposes set forth.
Dated this 25th day of March 1805
JOHN LEWIS DUBOIS.