IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COUPLING OR CON- NECTING JOINTS OF PIPES FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF LIQUID, FLUID, OR SOLID BODIES
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the British and
Foreign Patent Offices, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of
France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COUPLING OR CON-
NECTING JOINTS OF PIPES FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF LIQUID, FLUID, OR SOLID
BODIES." A communication from Mr. J. B. Lavril, resident at Paris.
Sealed the 19th November 1861, and dated the 21st May 1861.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of. Patents, with his
Petition, on the 21st May 1861.
I, MARC ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the British and Foreign Patent
Offices, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COUPLING OR
CONNECTING JOINTS OF PIPES FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF LIQUID, FLUID, OR SOLID
BODIES," to be as follows:-
The object of these improvements is the production of an elastic com-
pensating and hermetical pipe-joint, comprising the advantages,
1stly, of enabling the pipes to follow the sinuosities of the locality in which
they may be set, thus obviating the necessity for angle and elbow pieces.
2dly, of rendering almost imperceptible at the interior of the pipe the dis-
continuity of the connected parts.

page_text: 3dly, of compensating the alternate expansions and contractions of the pipes,
resulting from the variations of temperature.
4thly, of correcting the rigidity and consequent liability to rupture inherent
to a large proportion of the joints at present in general use.
These results are obtained by the isolation of the different pieces composing
the joint as seen in the section and plan, Figures 1, 2, of the accompanying
Drawing. A represents the extremity of a pipe provided with a projecting
edge B, B, in the centre of which is formed a groove or chamber D fitted with
a vulcanised caoutchouc washer.E. A second chamber-D is formed in the
overlapping extremity of the second pipe A', on which are cast two ear
pieces F, traversed by the wrought-iron bolts H. On the pipe A at B' slides an
annular counterfort or moveable ring I, carrying two pierced ear pieces J. A
similar set of ear pieces and pressure bolts are mounted on the opposite
diameter of the pipes, and at such other points of the circumference as may be
rendered necessary by the dimensions of the latter. To close the joint thus
arranged, the bolts I are passed through the holes G, K, and are screwed
down by the nuts L, L', during which process the moveable ring I being
drawn forward compresses the caoutchouc E in the chamber-D,-D'...
It is obvious that the pipes thus connected may be curved or inclined to a
certain extent according to the requirements of their position, without affecting
either the hermeticity of the joints or the continuity of the inner surfaces;
while the dilatation and contraction from the variations of temperature aré com-
pensated by the clasticity of the interposed caoutchouc. It may be observed
that the extremities A, B, and C, C, of the connected pipes should be set
more or less closely together according to the degree of inclination or curve to
be given in the laying down..
The arrangement of the different working parts of the joints may be varied
according to the form or intended application of the pipes; as, for instance, in
replacing the pressure bolts by key pieces adjusted in corresponding ears or
projections suitably distributed. The chambers D, D', in which the caoutchouc
is lodged may be grooved to a conical, circular, oval, triangular, or rectangular
form, according to the degree of hermeticity, resistance, or elasticity required
in the joint.
In certain cases the caoutchouc may be replaced by gutta percha, tarred
cord or tow, bitumen, resin, leather, lead, and other, substances applied in the
manner above described.
I

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said. Marc Antoine François Mennons in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th November 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices,
39, Rue de l'Echequier, Paris, in the Empire of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord'
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, Her special licence that I, the
said Marc Antoine François Mennons, my executors, administrators, and.
assigns, or such others as I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, 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 COUPLING AND CONNECTING
JOINTS OF PIPES FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF LIQUID, FLUID, OR SOLID BODIES," a com-
munication from J. B. Lavril, a Person resident at Paris, upon the .condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Marc Autoine François Mennons, do
hereby declare the nature of the 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 figures of the accompanying
Drawing, and to the letters marked thereon, that is to say:-
The object of these improvements is the production of an elastic, compensating,
and hermetical pipe joint, comprising the advantages,―
1stly, of enabling the pipes to follow the sinuosities of the locality in which
they may be set, thus obviating the necessity for angle and elbow pieces.
2dly, of rendering almost imperceptible at the interior of the pipe the.
discontinuity of the connected parts.

page_text: 3dly, of compensating the alternate expansions and contractions of the pipes
resulting from the variations of temperature.
4thly, of correcting the rigidity and consequent liability to rupture inherent
to a large proportion of the joints at present in general use.
These results are obtained by the isolation of the different pieces composing
the joint, as seen in the section and plan, Figures 1, 2, of the accompanying
Drawing.
A represents the extremity of a pipe provided with a projecting edge B, B,
in the centre of which is formed a groove or chamber D fitted with a vulcanised;
caoutchouc washer E. A second chamber D₁ is formed in the overlapping
extremity of the second pipe A', on which are cast two ear pieces F, traversed
by the wrought-iron bolts H. On the pipe A at B' slides an annular counter-
fort or moveable ring I carrying two pierced ear pieces J. A similar set of
ear pieces and pressure bolts are mounted on the opposite diameter-of- the-
pipes, and at such other points of the circumference as may be rendered
necessary by the dimensions of the latter. To close the joints thus arranged,
the bolts Hare passed through the holes G, K, and-are screwed down by the
nuts L, L', during which process the moveable ring I being drawn forward
compresses the caoutchouc E in the chamber D, D¹.
Figure 3 represents a cross section of the jointed pipe through X, X,
Figure 1. It is obvious that the pipes thus connected, may be curved or
inclined to a certain extent, according to the requirements of their position,
without affecting either the hermeticity of the joints or the continuity of the
inner surfaces, while the dilatation and contraction from the variations of
temperature are compensated by the elasticity of the interposed caoutchouc.
It may be observed that the extremities A, B, and C, C", of the connected
pipes should bo set more or less closely. together, according to the degree of
inclination or curve to be given in the laying down.
The arrangement of the different working parts of the joints may be varied
according to the form or intended application of the pipes; as, for instance, in
replacing the pressure bolts by key pieces adjusted in corresponding ears or
projections suitably distributed. The chambers D, D', in which the caoutchouc
is lodged may be grooved to a conical, circular, oval, triangular, or rectangular
form, according to the degree of hermeticity, resistance, or elasticity required
in the joint.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, represent in longitudinal section a series of joints
comprising the most obvious of the above-noted modifications. In certain
cases the caoutchouc may be replaced by gutta percha, tarred cord, or tow,

page_text: bitumen, resin, leather, lead, and other substances, applied in the manner
above described.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the said improvements,
and the manner of carrying them into effect, I would have it understood that
I do not confine myself to the precise details above laid down, as these may be
modified without deviating from the principles or main features of the Inven-
tion; but what I claim and desire to protect by the above in part recited
Letters Patent is,-the construction and application to gas, water, air, and
other pipes, of an elastic and compensating or stuffing box joint, composed of
isolated parts arranged and secured, substantially as herein set forth and
represented in the Figures of the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
bereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
M. F. MENNUNS. (LS.)