IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR-TIGHT JOINTS FOR GAS RETORTS
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR-TIGHT JOINTS FOR GAS RETORTS."
-A communication from abroad by James R. Floyd, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.
Scaled the 9th April 1874, and dated the 23rd February 1874.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 23rd February 1874, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.

page_text: WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AIR-TIGHT JOINTS FOR GAS RETORTS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to
grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal
Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that
it has been communicated to me from abroad by James R. Floyd, of
the City and State of New York, United States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, referenco being had to the accompanying Drawing forming
a part of this Specification :-
This Invention relates to forming an air-tight joint for gas retorts by
attaching to the lid a fillet of lead extending around it near the edge
and providing the outer face of the flange surrounding the neck of the
retort with a corresponding rib or projection that presents a sharp edge,
which by pressure of the lid against the said neck is forced into the
lead.
Figure 1 is a view of the front surface of the neck of a gas retort.
Figure 2 is a view of the face of a lid designed to fit upon and close
the neck of the said retort.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the neck of a gas retort with its lid in
position.
Figures 4 to 0 inclusive exhibit several modifications of the method
employed to fasten the lead packing to the neck of the retort, or to
the lid.
A represents the neck of a gas retort made in the usual form, the
outer end being surrounded by a flange B, upon which to fasten the
lid C designed to close it. Upon the face of this flange is cast or other-
wise formed a rib or projection a extending entirely around the said
flange. This projection is triangular in form as represented in tho
Drawing, whereby its apex presents an edge more or less sharp. The said
lid C for closing the mouth of the retort has around its border or rim
a fillet of lead b, or some soft alloy of that metal corresponding to the
rib a upon the face of the retort. This fillet of lead is to be secured
upon the lid in some convenient manner, so that while the lid may be

page_text: put on and taken off without disturbing or displacing the same; it
may he readily removed when worn out and replaced by a new one.
This purpose may be effected in many ways, some of which are illustrated
in Figures 3 to 9.
This purpose may be effected in many ways, some of which are illustrated
in Figures 3 to 9.
In Figure 3 a single groove is made in the lid and the lead is run
into it.
Figure 4 shows a mode of fastening the lead cast upon the surface of
the lid by making holes through the latter, allowing the lead to run
through them and riveting it down upon the opposite side.
Figure 5 shows the lead run upon studs cast in the lid.
Figure 6 shows the lead run entirely into a dovetailed groove.
Figure 7 shows the lead simply bolted on.
Figure 8 shows a band of lead lying upon the face of the lid and
secured to it by running a portion into a dovetailed groove; or if
desired the lead may be attached to the neck of the retort, and the
angular projection cast or formed upon the lid as shown in Figure 9.
The better arrangement however is to secure the lead to the lid and form
the projection upon the flange of the retort.
The lid and face of the retort being thus constructed and provided, it
is evident that when the former is pressed against the latter by being
bolted or clamped to it, the edge of the projection a will be forced into
the lead, forming thereby an air-tight joint, and that each time the lid
is removed and replaced the said rib will readily embed itself anew in
the lead by not a very severe pressure.
When by repeated removals and replacements the lead becomes worn
out, it may be easily and conveniently taken off and new lead applied.
By the application and use of lead as herein described, a convenient,
economical, and entirely effectual air-tight joint for the purpose specified
will be obtained.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing tho
same, I wish it understood that I do not restrict or confine myself to
the use of lead, but may use any soft metal or equivalent substance, and
that I claim, the combination upon the faces of the lid and neck of a

page_text: gas retort of the rib a and the lead packing 6 or its equivalent, as herein
set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of February,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy- E
four.
Witness,
H. J. NOONE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
W". ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)