Year: 1887

page_text: We, FRIEDRICH WILHELM KLEVER of Cologne, Germany, Manufacturer, and CARL
AUGUST GUIDO STORZ of Frankfort on the Maine, Germany, Engineer 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:-
This invention relates to couplings for pipes or hose such as are used for the
extinguishing of fire or similar purpose and it has for its object to render the
coupling very easily manipulated, that is to say to enable it to be easily fastened and
unfastened and to enable subsequent tightening to be effected while in use.
This improved coupling is shewn in the annexed drawings both as a double coupling
with symmetrical coupling parts and as a single coupling with two dissimilar coupling
pieces; also the improved means for tightening the two coupling pieces to one another
and the improved mode of connecting the hose with the union pieces.
Fig. 1 is a section through the double coupling on line VIX VI Fig. 3, in the
coupled state.
Fig. 2 is a development of the coupling rings shewing the introduction of the
coupling hooks into the entrance holes.
Fig. 3 shews one of the coupling rings seen from the coupling side at line I II
Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a section of the same at the back through line III IV Fig. 1.
Figs. 5 and C are sections through lines V VI and VII VIII Fig. 3 through a
single coupling piece to shew distinctly the inclined surfaces of the same.
Figs. 7 and 8 shew the new form of the packing rings in the uncoupled and the
coupled state.
Figs. 9 to 11 shew a modification of the general arrangement which is to be used
more particularly with metal packing.
Figs. 12 to 14 shew the single unsymmetrical coupling in two modifications and
Fig. 15 shows the new mode of fixing the hose in the union sockets.
The double coupling parts consists of a tubular union piece a on which turns the
ring e, furnished with books and entrance holes k.

page_text: The ring is prevented from falling backwards by means of the ring m which is
fixed on the union socket.
The coupling ring is provided with grooves which are furnished with auxiliary
inclines (Figs. 5 and 6) descending from the rounded entrance holes & towards the
inner part, thus gradually enlarging the grooves.
In an ordinary coupled state the closing hooks e are situated on the lowest part of
the auxiliary incline h, at i, but the pressure of the rings against one another, is at
least with new rings, in so far sufficient, that the pressure of the water will effect. a
further tightening. But soon the closing of the joint, which at the beginning will be
absolutely tight, will, in consequence of the diminution of the elastic resistance of the
rings against one another become less and less tight which happens especially with
hose that is always coupled and rolled up on a windlass. Also the moderate pressure
in the ordinary coupled state is not sufficient to effect hermetic closure when the
surfaces get sand &c. upon them.
To obviate these difficulties the before-mentioned auxiliary inclines are employed,
by means of which a subsequent tightening of the connection can be effected, and
which at the same time have the object to prevent the coupling from turning back of
itself, and to facilitate the mechanical uncoupling. The coupling is effected by the
introduction of hooks e into those of the bayonet joint notches or holes k k that may
at the time be in convenient positions, and then shifting the coupling rings round until
the hooks of the one part come in contact with the sides i of the hooks e of the other
part. The uncoupling is effected by a reverse movement. The coupling hooks e are,
for facility of manufacture constructed of ring segments which are hooked under
the circular grooves of the coupling rings and are secured thereto by screws, as
shown.
When fitting the parts together, the projecting caoutchouc rings d have to be pressed
togther partly by hand and partly by the action of the rounded edges of the entrance
holes to such an extent as to pass over the highest parts of the auxiliary inclines h,
which is situated at this point.
To facilitate the compression against each other of the double packing rings d
situated in undercut grooves as at Fig. 7, the projecting parts are made to spread out
so as to form lappets while the central parts of the meeting surfaces are made hollow,
so that when pressed together as at Fig. 8 the two meeting surfaces can be readily
pressed flat against each other, and will in that condition resist any displacement by
pressure, while at the same time the internal radial or transverse pressure of the water
or even the external pressure of the air in the case of partial vacuum will also assist
in making the joint tight.
The subsequent adjustment of the joint is only effected when the pipes are charged,
by means of a slight turn backwards towards the entrance holes, so that in all cases a
perfect hermetic closure is effected, and it is rendered possible to increase the durability
of the packing rings for a considerable length of time.
In those cases where the elastic packing rings cannot be employed, and it is necessary
to use vulcanite or metal packing the auxiliary inclines are shifted somewhat
farther back from the inlet points and the rounded part of the entrance hole is then
ormed into a continuous auxiliary reverse incline g so that the closure is then effected
by the drawing in and pressing together of the hose unions and packing surfaces,
produced by the turning forward of the coupling rings. This arrangement is shown
on the coupling rings at Figs. 9 and 10, which shew the same sections as at Figs. 5
and 6, while Fig. 11 shews a development of this arrangement.
In order to prevent sand or ice from interfering with the action of the coupling, the
coupling rings care formed with lateral discharge slits f, so arranged that the
corners into which the hooks e fit are kept quite clear and which slits also permit of
the introduction of a key or lever for obtaining increased purchase for tightening up
ae joint.
The small slits of the coupling rings at the stop i serve for facilitating the formation
of the auxiliary inclines in the manufacture.
The simple coupling is shewn at Figs. 12 to 14. This is provided with only one

page_text: coupling ring and two differently constructed hose unions a' in which a metal
packing is made to press against a caoutchouc packing, the former being made to
correspond with the latter. Instead of hooks e, the lug on the one hose union is in
this case made to take into the coupling ring, which bears against the stops. Fig. 12
shews the section through the coupling in the coupled condition while Fig. 13 shews
the development of the coupling for the arrangement with rounded insertion opening
and descending auxiliary incline; Fig. 14 shews the development of the coupling in
which the rounded edge of the entrance hole is formed into a rising auxiliary incline 9
as at Figs. 9 to 11.
The improved mode of securing the hose in its socket is shewn at Fig. 15 in com-
bination with the arrangement shewn in Figs. 11 and 12. The hose union a is provided
with a number of slots, corresponding in position with the helical or circular grooves
on the inner face of its socket. The hose is pushed or screwed in up to the inner end
of the recess n Fig. 7, and is secured by thread or wire stitching through the slots.
When the water pressure is admitted, it presses the hose tightly against the socket of
the union, and also closes uthe swelling of the stitching.
tightly the places where the stitching passes through, such
closure being assisted by
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. In hose couplings, the use of auxiliary inclines within the coupling rings e c¹
that descend or fall away from the entrance holes k, for the purpose of allowing of a
subsequent tightening up, preventing the backward motion of the coupling, and
facilitating the uncoupling, substantially as herein described.
2. In combination with the auxiliary inclines h referred to in the first claim,
forming at the entrance hole & reverse inclines joining on to the inclines hh, for the
purpose of enabling the meeting surfaces of the union or of its packing to be drawn
gradually tighter together by a partial rotation of the coupling rings when coupling,
more particularly applicable when harder packing material is used, substantially as
herein described.
3. In combination with the hose coupling referred to in the preceding claims, the
use of openings in the coupling rings e c¹, in order to prevent the clogging of the
inner locking devices by means of sand, ice or water, and to allow of the introduction
of a coupling key, substantially as herein described.
4. In combination with the hose coupling referred to in the first and second claims,
the use of elastic packing rings d d made of a reduced width behind the meeting
surfaces and having a hollow in the middle of the latter, for the purpose of facilitating
the pressing together of the packing and to afford a permanently tight joint that is
automatically tightened both by internal and by external pressure, substantially as
herein described.
5. In combination with the hose coupling referred to in the first and second claims,
the use of sockets a a¹ for the reception of the hose having internal annular or helical
grooves, and an annular recess n, and also having slots for securing the hose in a
water tight manner therein, substantially as herein described.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.