Improvements in Gas Cocks or Valves.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas Cocks or Valves.
I, ALBERT EUGENE BOCQUET, of Maromme, near Rouen, in the Republic of
France, Founder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The loss caused to gas companies, by the use of defective cocks or valves, and
the want of an effective system by which the secure closing of such cocks or valves
in the supply pipe, when the supply of gas is cut off, can be effected, is considerable.
By the improved system of cock or valve which forms the subject of the present
invention, the desired result is completely attained, and it also presents other
advantages, the direct passage through the cock being equal in area to that of the
pipes employed, the closed bottom preventing leakage, and avoiding the washer
and screwed nut on the plug which is always an objectionable method of tightening
the latter, whilst a safety locking pin is employed which absolutely prevents the
plug of the cock from being turned in either direction when the pin has been
inserted after the cock is shut off, the pin being then secured by a lead or other seal,
so that the cock is absolutely secure against the escape or passage of gas.
The improved apparatus consists of an ordinary cock having a taper opening or
case, for a plug of such size that it can have a transverse passage through it equal
in area to that of the pipe on which the cock is fitted; the bottom of the recess for
the plug being closed, and a projecting annular collar at the upper end of the case
being screwed outside to receive a corresponding screwed cap. The upper end of
the plug is formed with a cylindrical projecting end which passes through the cap,
and round it is fitted a helical spring by which the plug is gently pressed into its
seat, so as to keep it perfectly tight, but without preventing it from being turned
when required. In the top of the plug round the cylindrical projection, and in
the bottom of the cap, annular recesses are made to receive the spring, and thus
to reduce the height of the entire cock.
The upper end of the projection on the plug is made square or triangular in
section, to receive a corresponding key by which it can be turned round, a hollow
cylindrical extension of the cap upward surrounding the square or triangular part,
but with sufficient space between them to receive the key, which is provided at
one end with a corresponding square or triangular recess, whilst the other end is
made with a fork having cylindrical pins at its ends which fit into corresponding
holes in the top of the cap, so that the latter can be screwed on or unscrewed,
where this cannot be easily done by its milled edge. A cross bar upon the key
enables the latter to be easily handled.
The cylindrical projection on the cap, and the square or triangular end of the
plug, which it surrounds, have a transverse hole through them, through which a
pin can be passed when the plug has been closed, the pin having a head at one end.
The hole in the cylindrical projection through which it passes is somewhat
elongated vertically so that, as the plug fits lower down in the case, the pin can
he inserted

page_text: The pin is of a diameter exactly equal to the width of the holes, so as to prevent
the possibility of any turning movement of the plug, and it has at its outer end a
transverse hole through which is passed a wire of iron, copper, or other material,
to which a seal can be affixed.
The pin affords perfect security, as it can only be introduced when the plug is
completely closed and the cap screwed down, and as the latter screws from left
to right, whilst the plug is only allowed by the ordinary stop to open from right
to left, when the pin is inserted (as the cap and the plug are held in opposite
directions) the plug can only be turned by the key after the pin has been removed.
By the improved cock or valve described, there can be no escape of gas, and no
supply of gas when it is closed, through the pipes.
The invention may be applied to all kinds of cocks used on gas pipes.
I, ALBERT EUGENE BOCQUET, of Maromme, near Rouen, in the Republic of
France, Founder, 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, and accompanying drawing, that is to say: -
During many years past, gas companies have considerably increased the number
of their customers, by the supply of apparatus either gratuitously or on hire.
But with the number of customers the number of risks have increased, waste of
gas being caused by the use of defective cocks and by the want of a system of
locking cock on which the company can absolutely rely in case of the supply pipe
to the customers being cut off.
By the improved system of cock or valve which forms the subject of my present
invention, I have succeeded in completely attaining the result so long sought,
whilst the cock possesses numerous other advantages, namely, a direct passage equal.
to the section of the pipes used, a closed case preventing escapes of gas, and
especially the doing away with the washer or nut which are always objectionable
as a means of tightening, and the use of a locking pin which absolutely prevents
the plug of the cock from being moved in either direction, when the pin is inserted
in the square of the cock, after the latter has been closed, so that if the pin is sealed
with a leaden seal the cock is absolutely safe against any danger of escape, or
passage of gas to a customer after the cock has been closed.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of the invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section,
Figure 2 a view from above, and
Figure 3 an end view, of the improved cock or valve;
Figure 4 is a view of a separate handle by which the cock can be opened or
closed, or the cover removed.
The improved apparatus consists of a stop-cock A, of suitable size, recessed and
closed at its lower end, and having a projecting flange at a, screwed to receive
a hollow cap F. Between the plug B, which has a passage equal to that of the
cock A, and the cap F, is placed a spring E, the object of which is to allow the
hermetical closure of the plug B in the case or shell of the cock A, without in any
way interfering with its proper working, by a constant very gentle pressure.

page_text: his spring, moreover, lies in two circular grooves or recesses A and M, sorely
avoid a too great height of the upper part of the cock, which is always objec-
onable when the latter is enclosed in a box.
The plug B is surmounted by a square or triangle C forming a projection by
hich it is turned; the square or triangle being enclosed in the upper part of the
ap F which surrounds it, and thus renders necessary, in order to turn it, a special
tey
J which consists of a hollow socket K square or triangular as the case may be,
nd of a fork I having at its end two nipples i, which fit in two holes H, H',
nade for the purpose in the cap F and serving to unscrew the latter in cases where
t is enclosed, whilst in other cases the milled edge O is sufficient to unscrew it by
and..
The hollow end L, as well as the square or triangle at the top for turning the
plug, are perforated with rectangular holes rounded at their ends, forming when
the plug B is closed, a passage for a pin N.
The height of the hole through the plug is made a little greater than the
diameter of the pin, as shewn at X, Figure 1, so as to prevent the possibility of
the pin not being able to be inserted when the plug has, from use, worn further
down in its seat.
The diameter of this pin is exactly the same as the width of the holes, so as to
prevent the plug being turned in either direction, when once the pin has been
inserted in the holes, and, further, this pin has at one end a hole in which is passed
a wire of iron, copper, or other material, by which the sealing is effected.
The pin serves as a security, in the sense that it can only be introduced when
the cock is shut and the cap screwed down, the latter screwing from left to right,
and the cock closed against its stop when turned from right to left, so that when
once the pin has been passed through the hollow L and the square of the
plug B, as these two parts are stopped in opposite directions the plug of the cock
can only be turned after the withdrawal of the pin.
With this system of cock I obtain the desired result, that is to say, no loss of
gas, and an absolute security for gas companies when the gas is cut off from a
customer.
This system is applicable to all cocks employed in the distribution of gas.
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:-
A stop-cock, for the distribution of gas, kept automatically and constantly tight,
and having a safety locking pin, characterized by:--
a direct passage through it,
1. The combination of a cock closed below, having
and screwed to receive a hollow cap, with a plug having a circular passage and a
0 square or triangular projecting top by which it is turned, a casing on the cock
and the square top of the plug contained in it being pierced with a rectangular hole
to receive a pin by which they are held solidly together and which is secured by
a suitable seal.
2. The combination of a cock, a plug, and a safety pin, with a spring lying in
5 grooves in the cap and in the plug, and ensuring tightness between the plug and
the cock in which it fits.
All substantially as described and shown in the drawing.
1000
ted this ou ay
EDWARDS AND
Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.