Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Dec., 1887
Complete Left, 11th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1888
I, JAMES THORNTON of No. 87 Cuthbert Street, Hebburn-on-Tyne, Engineer, do
bereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in instantaneous couplings applicable to
steam, gas, water and other pipes, as also as couplings to fire and like flexible hose,
whereby a number of lengths of pipe or hose may be joined together without trouble
or loss of time.
The device or contrivance in accordance with my invention comprises two short
lengths of pipe, one of which may have a square, hexagon or other shaped collar
formed thereon, and one end of each of which short lengths of pipe is provided with a
male screw thread when applied to metal pipes or with corrugations when applied to
rubber, canvas or like flexible hose. The other end of one of said short pieces of pipe
has a male conical formation thereon which takes into, and accurately fits a female
conical formation in the end of the other short length of pipe. Upon the extremity of
the female conical formation is provided two segments of a screw thread; similar two
segments being formed upon the base of the male cone.
In conjunction with the short lengths of tube disposed as above described is
provided a coupling nut having pius, recesses or like contrivances formed on its onter
periphery to allow of its being turned by a spanner, and is bored on one side to ride
or move freely upon one of the tubes, the other side of the coupling nut has a bore of
a size sufficiently large to pass over the segments of the screws, and is provided with
projections which pass through the spaces between the segments, so that when turned
the coupling nut, by reason of the inclination of the screw threads, grips and holds
the two tubes firmly together.
The mode of using the device above described is as follows:-The two lengths of
pipe having been brought together, the coupling nut is pushed along the pipe, the
projections within the larger bore passing through the spaces between the seguients of

page_text: screws upon the pipes, said coupling nut is then turned by which action the two
cones aforesaid are brought into intimate contact forming both a steam and water
tight joint. Should however the coupling nut from constant use wear loose, a metal
washer may be interposed which will compensate for such wear and allow of a tight
joint being effected.
In order to allow of the closing of the end of the main pipe and to fit a branch pipe
thereto a cap or plug may be attached to the open end of the main pipe formed in a
manner similar to the coupling nut aforesaid, but instead of both sides being bored,
one side thereof is provided with a male conical formation closed at its extremity; the
fixing and tightening of said cap being effected in the same manner as herein
described for the coupling nut.
Dated this Thirty-first day of December 1887
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: I, JAMES THORNTON of No. 87 Cuthbert Street, Hebburn-on-Tyne, Engineer, 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:
My Invention has reference to improvements in instantaneous couplings for
steam, gas, water and other pipes and which are also applicable as couplings for fire
and like flexible hose, whereby a number of lengths of pipe or hose may be joined
together without trouble or loss of time. In order that my Invention may be the better
understood I have appended the accompanying sheet of drawings--in which Figure 1
represents an elevation of the coupling, and Figure 2 an end view-Figure 3 is a
longitudinal section, and Figure 4 an elevation of the male conical portion of said
coupling, and Figure 5 an end view of the same. Figure 7 is an elevation of a short
length of pipe having a female cone formed therein, shown more particularly at e
Figure 3, and Figure 6 is an end elevation of same; Figure 8 is an end elevation of
the coupling sleeve, and Figure 9 a section of the same. Figure 10 is a blank
coupling sleeve which is provided for application to pipes when not in use. Similar
letters of reference denoting corresponding parts in the several views.
In carrying out my Invention, I provide two short lengths of pipe A B, one of
which, A is provided with a male cone a Figures 3 and 4, and a fillet or collar b, the
configuration of which forms a portion of a screw thread or helix. Two slots c c¹
Figure 5 are cut through said screw thread or helix to allow of the passage there-
through of two corresponding projections d, d', Figure S formed on the interior of the
coupling sleeve C. The other short length of pipe B has a female cone e formed
therein which engages with the male cone a of the short length of pipe A, and forms
a steam, gas or water tight joint when the coupling sleeve C is passed over the fillets
and turned one quarter of a revolution.
The mode of using the device or contrivance according to my Invention is as
follows, that is to say :-
The two short lengths of pipe A B are brought together, so that the external and
internal cones are coincident: The coupling sleeve C is now pushed forward so as to
allow the lugs d d¹ which form segmental portions of a screw thread or helix, to pass
over the corresponding collar or fillet b, and, since the latter corresponds with the
angular and helical formation of the lugs d, d¹ upon the sleeve coupling, a partial
turn or revolution of the latter causes the internal and external cones a and e upon the
pipes A. B to be intimately connected, forming a water, steam or gas tight joint.
The ends ff of the short pipes A and B may be provided with ordinary screw
threads as shown or with spiral or circumferential slots, grooves or corrugations for
connection with lengths of leather, india-rubber, composite or other hose, and
hexagonal or other suitable heads as shown at D may be provided for the
accommodation of a spanner or other suitable turning device.

page_text: In order to allow of the closing or stopping of a pipe fitted with the improved
coupling according to my Invention, I provide a blank sleeve, Figure 10, whereof one
part may have either a male or female conical formation, and the segmental screw
k
threads or helical lugs d d provided as before so as to assure a perfectly steam, gas or
airtight joint between the blank coupling and the end of the pipe to which it is
fitted.
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 1
claim is:
:
First In a coupling for the junction of two pipes for the transmission of any fluid
or gas, the combination therewith of two cones, respectively male and female with
segmental helical lugs, and entering gaps, with a corresponding sleeve coupling link,
substantially as herein described and shown.
:
Second In the improved coupling referred to in the preceding claim the
employment of lugs d. di forming part of an internal or female screw thread or helical
worm, in the coupling sleeve or link C, and the corresponding segmental lugs upon
the short pipes A B with the grooves or slots formed thereon to allow of the passing
of the sleeve or coupling link and force the coincident cones together to form a
perfectly tight joint substantially as herein set forth and shown.
Dated this Ninth dov of February 1888
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.