A Contrivance for Coupling Steam-heating Hose-pipe in Two Parts on Railway Carriages.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Contrivance for Coupling Steam-heating Hose-pipe in Two Parts
on Railway Carriages.
ric
I, EMIL FLECHSIG, Imperial Railway Works Superintendent, of 17, Berliner-
strasse, Halle on Saale (Province of Saxony) 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:--
The object of the present invention is a contrivance which renders it possible
to divide in the middle of the hose-pipe for transmitting steam between two
coupled railway carriages-the said hose pipe having hitherto consisted of one
piece leaving half for each carriage. By this means the steam heating hose
pipe is coupled just as two carriages are coupled.
The disadvantages obviated by this method are loss and mislaying of hose pipe
which now forms a serious annual item loss of time in removing and replacing
hose pipe carrying it to and from store and searching for it when mislaid. Wear
and tear of hose pipe caused by removal and replacing.
There is also a saving in time inasmuch as the hose pipe has not to be coupled
to each of two carriages.
The present system of connection has the disadvantage that the parts to be
united by a middle piece are not of like construction. That the main pipe has
to be bifurcated, while each carriage end has to have two steam hose pipes other-
wise two unlike parts might be opposite each other and no connection would be
possible. Also steam hose pipes which can only be coupled parallel cannot be
used in conjunction with carriages intended for diagonal coupling.
In the present invention the situation of the main pipe and the disposition of
the carriages to each other are immaterial. The central connection of the steam
hose pipe is possible in any direction and the change from the present system to
the new one does not entail any considerable outlay nor any difficulty. In fact
with the ordinary hose pipe and the present pipes no alteration is necessary except
in the case of the middle piece of hose pipe.
The accompanying drawing shews a method of executing the object of the
invention.
Figure 1 is the connection of the steam hose pipe in side view.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section through A A Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a view of the connection from above.
Figure 4 is a view of the two steam hose pipes between two carriages, out of
use.
Figure 5 is a top view of coupled hose pipe in which the connection is made
diagonally.
Figure 6 is a top view of coupled hose pipes in parallel connection.
Figure 7 is a side view of coupled steam hose pipe.
The contrivance for connecting two steam heating hose pipes on railway
carriages &c. consists essentially of, two separate shells to be united in one whole
by a special arrangement. The two shell portions are provided on their upper
sides with, connection supports C fixed in the ends of the steam hose pipe d while
on the under side small cocks & are provided which serve for the exit of condensation
water. On the sides of the shell pieces a and b pins f are provided to which the

page_text: bends are rotably attached so that they encompass the shell-halves a and b
A screw at the point where the arms of the bend meet presses the shell-haives
together when tightened and holds them in position. The coupling halves a and b
are provided on their end in contact with wedge shaped closing surfaces by
means of which a steam tight connection is secured. The screws h are screwed
down on to a corresponding depression on the shells, thereby securing a firm
hold and. preventing possible slipping. To secure these screws still further
counter-female screws are provided with a view to prevent them from working
loose. Such a bend is arranged on pins on each shell-half, one of which when
the two halves are coupled keeps them together by the pressure of the screw point
in the depression, while the other is directed upwards out of action. The shell-
halves themselves are hollow bodies, constructed of suitable material through
which the steam, after entering through the hose pipe on the support e of the part a
passes in the direction of the arrows and consequently into the support
and through the hose pipe into the pipe on the adjoining carriage.
C
By this contrivance the steam hose pipe of two coupled carriages is easily
coupled and uncoupled. In order that the steam pipes may not be separated
from the carriages without tools they are fastened to the same by means of chains
or in any other convenient way. If the steam hose pipe is out of use e.g. if the
carriages are unemployed or if steam heating is not required, the hose pipe halves,
when their end-fastenings have been previously loosened, are turned inwards under
the carriages and secured in holders. No tools are required for coupling
and uncoupling the steam hose pipes.
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:-
CLAIMS.
First: A coupling for a divided steam heating hose pipe on railway carriages
or the like characterised by a hollow body consisting of two parts (a & b) which
can be easily separated and closed, and to which (a & b) hose pipe ends (d) of the
heating pipes are attached with a view to enabling the heating pipe of one
carriage to be quickly connected with or disconnected from that of another
carriage and also with a view to rendering the removal of the hose pipe un-
necessary.
Second: A coupling for divided steam hose pipe on railway carriages or the
like according to Claim 1, characterised by each coupling part (a or b) with its
connection support (c) being provided with a bend (g) attached rotably to pins (f)
on the side which bend supports a screw (h) which when screwed up engages with
its point a depression (2) on the part to be coupled (a or b) and presses together
the two coupling parts (a and b) where upon the corresponding surfaces in con-
tact on the sides of the coupling parts (a and b) secure a steam-tight connection
while a counter female screw (v) prevents a possible slipping of the parts (a and b).
Third: -A coupling for divided steam hose pipe for railway carriages and the
like according to Claims 1 and 2 characterised by the coupling parts (a & b)
being so symmetrically arranged that the closing surfaces always fit into each
other in any possible disposition of carriages to each other.
Doted this 15th day of October 1898.
EMIL FLECHSIG.
By George Barker,
Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
Agent for Applicant, 77, Colmore Row, Birmingham.