IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND TAPS OR STOP-COCKS AND IN HOSE UNIONS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Breeden, of the Firm of J. and W. Breeden and
Booth, of Birmingham, in the County of. Warwick, Manufacturers, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND TAPS OR STOP-COCKS AND IN
HOSE UNIONS."
aled the 26th April 1877, and dated the 10th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Breeden at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th January 1877.
JOSEPH BREEDEN, of the Firm of J. and W. Breeden and Booth, of Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND TAPS
OR STOP-COCKS AND IN HOSE UNIONS."
My Invention consists, first, of the following improvements in ball and other
valves and taps or stop-cocks. I make the stem of the valve or tap of a cylindrical
rod, the diameter of the middle of which is reduced to about one-half that of the
parts above and below it. The upper and lower ends of the reduced part of the
stem are provided with collars. The parts of the stem of larger diameter above
and below the collars of the reduced part are made separately from the reduced
part, the three parts of the stem being connected together by screwing or otherwise.
Between the collars of the reduced part and the upper and lower parts of the stem
leather washers having cupped edges are fixed, the said cupped edges of the
washers having the diameter of the largest parts of the stem. The lower cupped
washer constitues the valve of the cock or tap and the upper washer forms a packing
between the upper part of the stem and the barrel. The part of the stem below
the valve has a cross guide to permit of the passage of the liquid when the valve is
raised from its seat. When the stem is depressed the leather valve seats itself.
around the top of or in the bore of the delivery pipe of the tap or stop-cock and
closes the said tap or stop-cock, and when the stem is raised the leather valve is
lifted from the bore described, and the tap or stop-cock is opened, the upper
washer sliding during the opening and closing of the tap in the upper part of barrel
of the said tap.
In applying this part of my Invention to ball-cocks or valves the stem of the
cock or valve is worked by the short arm of the ball or float lever in the ordinary
"

page_text: .
way, but when I apply my Invention to bib and stop-cocks and other cocks, the
valve stem is raised and lowered by means of a handle, the screwed stem of which
works in a screw box in the upper part of the valve stem, the said valve sten
having only a sliding motion in its barrel. The improvements described may be
applied to self-closing taps and also to valves for hydrants, fire-cocks, and for other
purposes.
My Invention consists further of the improvements in diaphragm taps or stop-
cocks herein-after described. In place of the diaphragm of india-rubber or leather
ordinarily employed in the said taps, I employ a diaphragm of thin sheet metal
having a series of concentric corrugations. The said corrugated metallic diaphragm
occupies the place of and has the same function as the india-rubber or leather
diaphragm ordinarily employed, but is. more lasting and is not liable to the derange-
ment to which india-rubber or leather diaphragms are liable. I prefer to make the
said corrugated diaphragm of German silver, but do not limit myself thereto.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in hose unions
whereby the two parts of the hose are joined together with an ease, speed, and
certainty unattainable by the use of the ordinary hose union.
My improved hose union consists of two metallic pipes to which the two parts of
the hose are respectively connected. A portion of the bore of one of the pipes is
larger than the bore of the other pipe and constitutes a socket into which the
smaller pipe fits. On the exterior of the socket part of the union is a collar or
enlargement, in which a screw with a milled head works for fixing the two parts of
the hose union together. The inner end or base of this screw has a convex figure
and works in a slot in the collar described. On the exterior of the smaller pipe of
the hose union is an annular groove of a figure proper to receive the centre of the.
convex base of the fixing screw. At the rear end of the socket part of the hose
union a cup leather packing is secured open to the bore of the said socket part. By
means of this cup leather packing a water-tight joint is made between the two
pipes or parts of the hose union. The collar of the socket part is made in two
parts screwed together, the cup leather packing being enclosed between the two
.parts.
In order to connect the two parts of the hose together, the smaller pipe of the
hose union is introduced into the larger pipe or socket and the fixing screw is
turned so as to engage its base with the groove in the smaller pipe. The two traps
'of the union are thus connected together. When the hose is in use the inner or
acting edge of the cup leather packing is expanded by the pressure of the water
in the hose and the said edge is made forcibly to bear against the exterior of the
inner or smaller pipe and form a water-tight joint between the two parts of the
hose union.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Breeden in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th June
1877.
JOSEPH BREEDEN, of the Firm of J. and W. Breeden and Booth, of Birmingham,
in the County of Warwick, Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN VALVES AND TAPS
OR STOP-COCKS AND IN HOSE UNIONS."
My Invention consists, first, of the following improvements in ball and other
valves and taps or stop-cocks. I make the stem of the valve or tap of a cylindrical
rod or tube, the diameter of the middle of which is reduced to about one-half that
of the parts above and below it. The upper and lower ends of the reduced part
of the stem are provided with collars. The parts of the stem of larger diameter
above and below the collars of the reduced part are made separately from the reduced
part, the three parts of the stem being connected together by screwing or otherwise.
. Between the collars of the reduced part and the upper and lower parts of the stem

page_text: leather washers having cupped edges are fixed, the said cupped edges of the washers
having the diameter of the largest parts of the stem. The lower cupped washer
constitutes the valve of the cock or tap and the upper washer forms a packing
between the upper part of the stem and the barrel. The part of the stem below
the valve has a cross guide to permit of the passage of the liquid when the valve
is raised from its seat. When the stem is depressed the leather valve scats itself
around the top of or in the bore of the delivery pipe of the tap or stop-cock and
closes the said tap or stop-cock; and when the stem is raised the leather valve is
lifted from the bore described and the tap or stop-cock is opened, the upper washer
sliding during the opening and closing of the tap in the upper part of the barrel of
the said tap.
In applying this part of my Invention to ball-cocks or valves the stem of the
cock or valve is worked by the short arm of the ball or float lever in the ordinary
way, but when I apply my Invention to bib and stop-cocks and other cocks the
valve stem is raised and lowered by means of a handle, the screwed stem of which
works in a screw box in the upper part of the valve stem, the said valve stem having
only a sliding motion in its barrel. The improvements described may be applied
to self-closing taps and also to valves for hydrants, fire-cocks, and for other
purposes.
My Invention consists further of the improvements in diaphragm taps or stop-
cocks herein-after described. In place of the diaphragm of india-rubber or leather
ordinarily employed in the said taps I employ a diaphragm of thin sheet metal
having a series of concentric corrugations. The said corrugated metallic diaphragm
occupies the place of and has the same function as the india-rubber or leather
diaphragm ordinarily employed, but is more lasting and is not liable to the derange
ment to which india-rubber or leather diaphragms are liable. I prefer to make the
said corrugated diaphragms of German silver, but do not limit myself thereto.
My Invention consists further of the following improvements in hose unions
whereby the two parts of the hose are joined together with an ease, speed, and
certainty unattainable by the use of the ordinary hose union.
My improved hose union consists of two metallic pipes to which the two parts of
the hose are respectively connected. A portion of the bore of one of the pipes is
larger than the bore of the other pipe and constitutes a socket into which the
smaller pipe fits. On the exterior of the socket part of the union is a collar or
enlargement in which a screw with a milled head works for fixing the two parts
of the hose union together. The inner end or base of this screw has a convex
figure and works in a slot in the collar described. On the exterior of the smaller
pipe of the hose union is an annular groove of a figure proper to receive the centre
of the convex base of the fixing screw. At the rear end of the socket part of the
hose union a cupped leather packing is secured open to the bore of the said socket
part. By means of this cupped leather packing a water-tight joint is made between
the two pipes or parts of the hose union. The collar of the socket part is made in
two parts screwed together, the cupped leather packing being enclosed between the
two parts.
In order to connect the two parts of the hose together the smaller pipe of the hose
union is introduced into the larger pipe or socket, and the fixing screw is turned so
as to engage its base with the groove in the small pipe. The two parts of the union
are thus connected together. When the hose is in use the inner or acting edge of the
cupped leather packing is expanded by the pressure of the water in the hose, and
the said edge is made forcibly to bear against the exterior of the inner or smaller
pipe and form a water-tight joint between the two parts of the hose union.
I will now describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in
which my Invention is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in section a ball-cockorvalve constructed according to my
Invention; and Figure 2 represents in section a bib, or other cock or tap constructed
according to my Invention. The stem of the valve is represented in elevation

page_text: and raised from its seat in Figure 1; and in section and closed upon its seat in.
Figure 2.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1'and 2.
a is the entrance pipe; b is the delivery or exit pipe; and c is the barrel of the
cock, tap, or valve. The stem of the cock, tap, or valve consists of a cylindrical
tube d having at its upper and lower ends collars marked e, e, as best seen in
Figure 2; is the cross guide below the lower collar e; and g is the guide or sliding
piece above the upper collar e. The said parts f, g, are made separately from the
tube d and collars e, e, and the said parts f, g, d, e, are connected together by screwing
as represented, the screws being marked e2, f. Between the faces of the collars e, e,
and the parts f, g, cupped leather washers h, i, are respectively secured by the screw-
ing of the parts f, g, to the said collars e, e. By an examination of the section,
Figure 2, of the stem, it will be seen that the cupped edges of the leather washers h, i,
have a size for fitting tightly in the barrel or case of the tap or valve. The lower
éupped washer / constitutes the valve of the tap or valve, and the upper washer i
forins a packing between the upper part of the stem and the barrel c. When the
stem constructed as described and represented is depressed the cupped leather washer
or valve proper h seats itself around or in the bore of the delivery pipe b as seen in
Figure 2, and closes the tap or valve. When the stem is raised, as represented in
Figure 1, the leather washer or valve h is lifted from its seat in the bore of the
delivery pipe b and the tap or valve is opened, the cross guide f permitting of the
passage of liquid from the entrance pipe à to the delivery pipe b. On opening or
closing the tap or valve the upper capped leather washer i slides in the upper part
of the barrel c of the cock or valve. and thereby forms a tight packing between the
parts and prevents leakage. The stem of the ball valve, Fig. 1, is raised and
lowered by means of the ball or float lever k, the short arm of which works in the
slot g² in the part g in the usual manner. The stem of the bib or other tap, Figure 2,
is raised and lowered by the screw / worked by the handle m; the said screw taking
into a screw box in the sliding part g of the stem. Rotary. motion in the stem is
prevented by the screw pin n taking into a slot in the part g.
Figures 3, 4, 5;-6, 7, and 8 represent my improvements applied to a hydrant.
Figure 3 represents in section the complete hydrant in position for use, the valve of
the hydrant being opened and closed by a detachable sliding key; Figure 4 represents
the valve and its case, without the hydrant barrel, the valve being represented in
elevation; and Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the same taken on the line A, A,
of Figure 4; Figure 6 represents the coupling by which the hydrant barrel may be
readily connected with and disconnected from the valve case, the section, Figure 6,
being taken at right angles to that in which the section, Figure 3, is taken; and
Figures 7 and 8 represent a modification of the hydrant in which the hydrant valve
is raised and lowered by a screw.
I will first describe the arrangement, Figures 3, 4, and 5-The valve and its case
are placed permanently as usual in a recess o below the floor or ground, a square
box p being situated above the said recess, the said box being opened for gaining
access to the valve for applying the hydrant by lifting the jointed lid q as represented in
Figure 3; is the main water pipe in connection with the case 8 of the valve, and 82
is the exit pipe of the valve case to which the hydrant barrel t is coupled, in the
inanner herein-after described. The stem of the hydrant valve is built up some-
what differently from that of the valve or tap first described. The hydrant valve
-consists of a central rod u having a collar at each end, and around the said rod u
a tube having a collar at each end is situated. Between the collars of the rod u
and tube v the cupped leather washers wu, x, are bound or fixed by the screwing
together of the parts u and v by means of the nut y screwed on the screwed end of
the rod u as represented. The upper cupped leather washer w constitutes the true
valve, and when raised to its proper position seats itself in the bore S² of the case
and thereby closes the valve, the pressure of the water on the washer w preserving
the tightness of the joint. The lower cupped leather washer on the opening and
closing of the valve works in the bore of the lower part of the case and acts as a

page_text: packing. Rotary motion in the valve stem is prevented by arms u, u², (see Figures
4 and 5) on the top of the stem working in slots in the barrel part of the valve
case.
For the purpose of opening the valve when the hydrant is to be used, and for
closing it after use, I employ in combination with the hydrant barrel-t a sliding
key z having a hollow conical figure. Connected to the said key is a rod 1 sliding
at bottom in the guide 2, and working at top in the stuffing box 3. On the end of
the rod 1-external to the hydrant barrel t is a knob. or handle by which the key
is worked. On the top of the stem of the valve is a conical peg 5 on to which the
conical key inay be fitted. On the inside of the conical key z is a stud z, and in
the conical peg 5 is a vertical slot opening at bottom into a horizontal or cross slot,
as best seen in Figure 4. The said stud and slots resemble the fastening commonly
called a bayonet joint fastening: After the barrel t has been connected to the
cases of the valve the key z is depressed in the said barrel t and in the case 8 by
means of the rod-1 until the stud 2 on the inside of the key z enters the vertical
slot in the conical peg 5; the key is then depressed to its full extent. The stud
is thereby brought opposite the horizontal or cross slot in the said stud, and by
turning the key through a small angle the said 'stud enters the said cross slot and
the key is securely connected to the valve, and the said valve may be depressed
from its seat and the waterway opened and the water from the main pipe permitted
to pass into the barrel of the hydrant. The valve is closed after the hydrant has
been used by lifting the rod I so as to raise the valve into the position represented
in Figure 3, when the key z may be removed from the valve and the barrel t
uncoupled from the valve case. To disconnect the key from the valve it is only
necessary to turn the rod 1 through a small angle to bring the stud opposite the
vertical slot in the peg 5, when the key may be lifted and disconnected from the
valve.
Instead of opening and closing the hydrant valve by a key in the hydrant barrel,
as described and represented in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the said hydrant valve may be
opened and closed by a screw marked 6 working in the valve case, as represented in
Figures 7 and 8, the said screw 6 being turned by a key applied to its square end.
The arrangement, Figures 7 and 8, for raising and lowering the valve is the same
as that represented in Figure 2, but the parts of the valve are constructed in the
manner described with respect to Figures 3 and 4, and corresponding parts are
marked with the same letters of reference. In this modification of the hydiant
valve 7 is the entrance pipe connected with the water main, and 8 is the exit pipe
to which the hydrant barrel is coupled. The lower cupped leather washer in this
modification constitutes the valve and the upper cupped leather washer w, the
packing sliding in the barrel or case 10 of the valve: The hydrant barrel t is
coupled to the case of the valve, and the hose coupled to the top of the said hydrant
barrel, in the manner herein-after described.
Figure 9 represents in section drawn of the full size a hose union constructed
according to my Invention. 12, 13, are the two metallic. pipes to which the two
parts of the hose are respectively connected. On the pipe 13 is the socket 14 into
which the smaller pipe 12 fits, the said socket being formed mainly of a collar or
enlargement screwed on the pipe 13. In the collar or socket 14 a screw 15 with a
milled head works. By means of the screw 15 the two parts 12 and 13 of the hose
union are connected together. The base or inner end of the screw 15 is convex and
works in the slot 16 in the collar. On the exterior of the smaller pipe 12 of the
union is a shallow annular groove 17, the said groove having such a figure as will
receive only the middle part of the convex base of the fixing screw 15, as repre-
sented. At the rear of the socket part 14 is a cupped leather packing 18, the said
packing being open to the bore of the socket part, and forms a water-tight joint
between the socket 14 and the smaller pipe 12 of the hose union. The collar 14 is
screwed to the socket part 13 of the union, the cupped leather packing 18 being
enclosed between the said collar and a portion of the pipe 13, as illustrated in the

page_text: Drawing. The screw 15 is constructed in two parts, the base part being inade
separately from the screw part, and being connected to the screw part by passing
the stem of the base part through the screw part and rivetting it on the outside of
the milled head of the said screw part.
In using the hose union the smaller pipe 12 is introduced into the socket 14 of 5
the other pipe 13, and the fixing screw 15 is turned so as to engage its base with
the groove 17 in the smaller, as represented; the two parts of the union are thus
connected firmly together. When the hose is in use the inner or acting edge of
the cupped leather packing 18 is expanded by the pressure of the water in the hose,
and the said edge is made firmly to bear against the exterior of the inner or 1
smaller pipe 12 and form a water-tight joint between the two parts of the hose
union. By relaxing the screw 15 its base is withdrawn from the annular groove 17,
and the two parts of the union are released and may be disconnected.
A hose union of the construction described is represented applied to the hydrant,
Figure 3; the parts of the hose union in Figure 3 being marked with the same 1
letters as corresponding parts in Figure 9.
The connection of the bydrant barrel t to the valve case is constructed essentially
in the same manner as the hose union described. This coupling is best seen in
Figure 6, it is also seen in Figures 3 and 4. In the said Figures 3, 4, and 6, the
socket of the coupling is marked 20, and is secured by the screws 22 (see Figure 3) 2
to the flange on the valve case; 23 is the pipe at the bottom of the hydrant
barrelt for engaging with the socket 20; 24 is the cupped leather packing -for
forming a watertight joint between the pipe 23 and socket 20; 21 is the milled
screw for fixing the barrel t and pipe 23 to the socket 20. The action of this
coupling is essentially the same as that of the hose union or coupling herein-before
described.
Figure 10 represents in section a diaphragm tap or stop-cock, having a diaphragın
of thin German silver, or other hard elastic metal, according to my Invention; and
Figure 11 is a plan of the under side of the diaphragm. In the said Figures 10
and 11 the said thin sheet metal diaphragm is marked 25. The said diaphragm is
provided with concentric corrugations, and acts in the same way as the ordinary
india-rubber or leather diaphragm. A ring of lead or other soft. metal 26 is
situated at the outer edge of the metallic corrugated diaphragm 25 for forming
a packing between it and the body of the tap.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself
to the precise details herein described and illustrated, as the same may be varied
without departing from the nature of my Invention, but I claim,―
First. The improvements in valves, taps, or stop cocks, herein-before described
and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 of the accompanying Drawings,
that is to say, constructing the stem of the valve tap or stop-cock of cupped leather
washers aranged and fixed between metal collars, substantially as described and
illustrated; one of the said cupped leather washers constituting the valve proper,
and the other cupped leather washer a packing between the stem and barrel or
case, the stem thus constructed being worked either by a lever, screw, or key, as
described and illustrated.
Secondly. The construction and arrangement of parts herein-before described
and illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5, for opening and closing the valve of the
hydrant.
Thirdly. The construction and arrangement of the parts of hose unions or
couplings, herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 3 and 9 of the accom-
panying Drawings, that is to say, making on one part of the union or coupling &
socket for receiving the other or smaller part of the union or coupling, the two
parts being secured together by a screw on the socket part taking into an annular
groove in the other part, a water-tight joint being formed between the two parts
by a cupped leather packing, substantially as described and illustrated; also the

page_text: adaptation of the parts of the hose union or coupling to the coupling together of
the hydrant barrel to the valve case, as herein-before described and illustrated in
Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7, of the accompanying Drawings.
Lastly. The improvement in diaphragm taps or stop-cocks, herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying Drawings,
that is to say, making the diaphragms of the said taps or stop-cocks of thin German
silver or other hard elastic metal having concentric corrugations in it, as described
and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Breeden, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw, .
Birmingham.
JOSEPH BREEDEN. (L.S.)