An Improved Joint for the Covers of Manholes and similar Openings in Boilers and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 4th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1802
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Joint for the Covers of Manholes and similar Openings
in Boilers and the like.
We, JAMES NOAH PAXMAN of The Standard Iron Works, Colchester, in the
County of Essex, Engineer, and HENRY GEORGE PLANE, of the Works aforesaid
Foreman Boiler Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
Our invention relates to an improved form of joint for the covers of manholes,
mudholes, and similar openings in boilers, and the like, and it consists in the use of
a metallic packing ring in combination with coned, or equivalent shaped, surfaces,
and it has for its object, the formation of a strong and reliable joint, and facilitating
the insertion and withdrawal of the cover.
In carrying our invention into practical effect we proceed as follows:-We make
the hole in the boiler, or the like, of any desired size and shape, but tapered from
the outside to the inside; i.e. with its largest area on the inside. The cover
which is made of a similar shape to the hole in the boiler, or the like, is also made
taper in the same direction as the hole in the boiler, or the like, but preferably,
though not necessarily, the taper is rather less than that of the said hole, for a
purpose that will presently be made clear. The largest part of the cover is made
slightly smaller than the smallest part of the hole so that it can be passed freely
through the said hole, and it is provided with one or more studs according to its
size, for the purpose-with the aid of the usual bridge or bridges-of drawing the
said cover up to its seat and retaining it there.
The joint is made by a flexible metallic ring, made of any suitable pliable metal.
This ring is made of the same shape as the hole it is intended to close, and of a size
to adapt it to just fit in the largest part of the said hole, its pliability enabling it to
be easily pushed through the hole, to enable it to be placed in that position. When
the cover is drawn up the metallic ring, by reason of the taper or conical form of
both the hole and the cover, is jambed between the edges of the cover and the hole,
and thus makes the joint.
The flexible metallic ring may be made of a flat, oval, round, or any other suitable
section, so long as its size and section are such as will adapt it to just fit in the
largest part of the hole in the boiler, or the like, and will allow the smallest part
of the cover to enter it.
As a modification we sometimes make the edge of either the hole, or the cover
square, and with a recess or shoulder formed in or on it, instead of making it taper
or conical, in which case we prefer to use a metallic ring of a round or equivalent
section.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E., ETC.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Joint for the Covers of Manholes and similar Openings
in Boilers and the like.
We, JAMES NOAH PAXMAN, of The Standard Iron Works, Colchester, in the
County of Essex, Engineer, and HENRY GEORGE PLANE of the Works aforesaid,
Foreman Boiler Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
DQ27

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
Our invention relates to an improved form of joint for the covers of manholes,
mudholes, and other holes or openings in steam boilers and other vessels and receivers,
and it consists in the use of a flexible metallic packing ring in combination with
coned or equivalent shaped surfaces on the edges of the cover and hole, and it has
for its object, the formation of a strong and reliable joint, and facilitating the
insertion and withdrawal of the cover.
In carrying our invention into practice we proceed as follows: We make the
hole in the boiler or the like, of any desired size and shape-preferably round-and
having either parallel or tapered edges, if the latter, the edges are tapered from the
inside to the outside; .e. with its larger area on the inside. The cover which is made
of a similar shape to the hole in the boiler or the like, is made taper in the same
direction; i.e. from its back to its front edge the largest part of the cover being
made slightly smaller than the smallest part of the hole in the boiler or the like, so
that the cover can be passed freely through the said hole. The cover is provided
with one or more studs according to its size, by means of which with the aid of the
usual bridge or bridges and nuts, cottars, levers, or their equivalents, the said cover
is drawn up to its seat and retained there.
The joint between the cover and the plate of the boiler or the like, is made by a
flexible metallic ring made of any suitable pliable metal. This ring is made of a
size and shape to adapt it to just fit in the largest part of the hole to be closed, its
pliability enabling its shape to be so altered as to allow of its being easily passed
through the hole to enable it to be placed in that position. When the cover is
drawn up, the metallic ring by reason of the taper or conical form of either the
hole, or the cover, or of both, is jambed between the edges of the cover and of the
hole, and thus makes the joint.
The flexible metallic ring may be made of a flat, oval, round, or any other suitable
section, so long as its size and section are such as will adapt it to just fit in the
largest part of the hole in the boiler or the like, and will allow the smallest part of
the cover to enter it.
As a modification we sometimes-when the edge of either the hole in the boiler,
or the like, or of the cover, is made square,-form a recess or shoulder in or on it to
locate the flexible metallic ring before the cover is placed in position, in which case
we prefer to use a metallic ring of a round or equivalent section.
In order that our invention may be fully understood we will more particularly
describe it, making reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a view in sectional elevation showing our improved joint and
Figure 2 is a plan thereof.
Figures 3 and 4 are other forms our invention may assume and
Figures 5 and 6 are further modifications thereof.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 & 4, A. designates the plate of the boiler or the like,
and A the hole therein. The edge of the hole A' may be either square as shown
by Figure 1, or tapered as shown by Figures 3 and 4, the taper being from the
inside to the outside; i.e. the largest area is on the inside.
As an alternative the
edge of the hole A' may be made slightly rounded instead of square as shown by
dotted lines in Figure 1. B designates the cover which is provided with one or
more studs having nuts 6. The edge of this cover may be made either square or
tapered according to the shape of the hole A' in the plate A, but if tapered the
taper is from the back to the front in all cases. If the hole A is tapered the edge
of the cover may be either made square as shown by Figure 3, or tapered as shown
by Figure 4, in which case the taper of the cover is less than that of the hole. As
an alternative the edge of the cover may be slightly rounded when the edge of the
plate A is tapered as shown by dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4. C designates the

page_text: flexible metallic ring which may be of any suitable section and form, and
D designates the bridge by means of which the cover is drawn up into position.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6. When the edge of the hole A' or the cover B is
made square, we sometimes form a shoulder a on it to locate the flexible metallic
ring C which in this case we prefer to make of a round section as shown. With
this formation of hole or cover, the engaging part-either cover or hole as the case
may be is tapered.
It will be understood that whenever the hole A¹ is tapered, it is always from the
inside to the outside of the boiler or the like, and that whenever the cover B is
tapered it is from the back to the front, and further that the largest diameter of the
cover is slightly smaller than the smallest diameter of the hole, thus enabling the
cover to be passed directly through the said hole.
We wish it to be clearly understood that our invention is applicable for all types
of steam or other fluid boilers, and other receivers, tanks, or similar vessels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1st. The improved joint for the covers of manholes, and similar openings in steam,
gas, or water vessels, constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as and for
the purpose herein set forth.
2nd. In a joint for the covers of vessels adapted to contain steam, water, and
other fluid, the combination with the hole in the said vessel, of a cover small enough
to allow it to be passed directly through the said hole, and of the flexible metallic
ring adapted to make the joint between the cover and the plate of the vessel, as set
forth.
3rd. In a joint for the covers of manholes and the like in boilers or other vessels,
the use of a ring made of any suitable flexible or pliable metal enabling the shape
of the said ring to be so varied as to allow it to pass through a hole of a smaller
diameter than itself, as set forth.
4th. The improved joint for the covers of manholes and the like in boilers and
other vessels, as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawing.
5th. The improved joint for the covers of manholes and the like in boilers and
other vessels as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figure 3 of the accom-
panying drawing.
6th. The improved joint for the covers of manholes and the like in boilers and
other vessels, as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figure 4 of the accom-
panying drawing.
7th. The improved joint for the covers of manholes and the like in boilers and
other vessels, as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figure 5 of the accom-
panying drawing.
8th. The improved joint for the covers of manholes and the like in boilers and
other vessels, as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figure 6 of the accom-
panying drawing.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1891
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.