IMPROVEMENTS IN HOSE PIPE COUPLINGS, AND IN THE MECHANISM FOR ATTACHING SUCH COUPLINGS TO HOSE PIPES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of the Firm of Brandon
and Morgan-Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, South-
ampton Buildings, London, and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HOSE PIPE COUPLINGS, AND IN THE
MECHANISM FOR ATTACHING SUCH COUPLINGS TO HOSE PIPES."-A com-
munication from abroad by Andrew Jackson Morse, of Boston,
Massachusetts, United States of America.
Scaled the 12th April 1876, and dated the 10th November 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Morgan-Brown
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 10th November 1875.
I, WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-
Brown, Engineers and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
London, and 13, Rue Gaillon, Paris, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HOSE PIPE COUPLINGS, AND IN
THE MECHANISM FOR ATTACHING SUCH COUPLINGS TO HOSE PIPES," to be as
follows:-
-
•
haan fan bunula

page_text: of hose.
Hose used in connection with fire engines and for other purposes is
made of leather, of india-rubber, or of combinations of rubber and textile
materials. Hose is made in lengths, and these lengths are joined
together by couplings, and the object of this Invention is to produce a
coupling which shall grasp the end of the hose so firmly that it cannot
be moved or disturbed in its position by pressure from within the hose,
such pressure being in degree all that a fire engine ever exerts.
This Invention consists in a holder for the end of the hose composed
of a binding ring applied to the outside of the hose, and an inner
flanged and tapering ring applied to the inside of the hose within the
binding ring. This inner ring may be expanded against the inner side
of the hose to hold it firmly between the outer side of the inner ring
and the inner side of the binding ring; or the binding ring may be
compressed into smaller space, and compress the hose from the outer
side; also in a screw threaded binding and an inner ring firmly
secured to the end of the hose, and in connection therewith a screw
ring disconnected and removable from both the inner and binding rings,
and adapted to serve as the coupling member between the joints or
lengths of hose; also in the binding ring an inner flange and a tapering
ring to cap and form an immovable holder for the end of the hose, and
to permit the removal of the screw threaded working sections of the
coupling without disturbing or loosening the attachment of the binding
and inner rings, which are contracted or expanded to firmly grasp the
hose; also in a binding ring provided with a recess or channel to receive
the joint seam or lap of the hose.
The mechanism for attaching the couplings to the hose consists in a
*coupling holding clamp to hold the hose binding or outer ring and
devices for forcing one or more expanding discs through an inner ring
or tube and for withdrawing the same the movement of the expander
being first toward or into the hose, and next a withdrawal therefrom,
this operation holding the hose end firmly between the outer binding
ring or tube and the inner expanded ring or tube; also in the details by
which the expanding mechanism is held in position relatively to the
clamp and to the part of the hose coupling held thereby, and by which it
is removed to afford access to the clamp when adjusting the hose and the

page_text: parts of the coupling which are to be connected; also in combination
with the clamping and expanding mechanism of stops arranged to
prevent end motion of the coupling while the expander is withdrawn
therefrom. The inner tube or ring is stretched or expanded towards the
outer ring, and made to clamp the hose contained between the rings by
forcing a disc from the outer end of the inner ring through said ring,
and by withdrawing the disc (repeating the process if necessary (which
is commonly the case) with one or more discs, each being slightly larger
than the one used in the preceding operation.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Morgan-Brown in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 29th April 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
MORGAN-BROWN, of the Firm of Brandon and Morgan-Brown, Engineers
and Patent Agents, of 38, Southampton Buildings, London, and 13, Rue
Gaillon, Paris, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Morgan-Brown, Her special
licence that I, the said William Morgan-Brown, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Morgan-Brown,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HOSE PIPES, COUPLINGS, AND IN THE MECHANISM FOR
ATTACHING SUCH COUPLINGS TO HOSE PIPES," a communication to me
from abroad by Andrew Jackson Morse, of Boston, Massachusetts,
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that:
I, the said William Morgan-Brown, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands:

page_text: and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Morgan-Brown, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say :--
This Invention relates to couplings for use with hose for hydraulic
purposes, and to mechanism for attaching such couplings to the lengths
of hose.
Hose used in connection with fire engines and for other purposes is
made of leather, of india-rubber, or of combinations of rubber and
textile materials. Hose is made in lengths, and these lengths are joined
together by couplings, and the object of this Invention is to produce a
coupling which shall grasp the end of the hose so firmly that it cannot
be moved or disturbed in its position by pressure from within the hose,
such pressure being in degree all that a fire engine ever exerts.
This Invention consists in a holder for the end of the hose composed
of a binding ring applied to the outside of the hose, and an inner
flanged and tapering ring applied to the inside of the hose within the
binding ring. This inner ring may be expanded against the inner side
of the hose to hold it firmly between the outer side of the inner ring
and the inner side of the binding ring; or the binding ring may be
compressed into smaller space, and compress the hose from the outer
side; also in a screw threaded binding, and an inner ring firmly secured
to the end of the hose, and in connection therewith a screw ring
disconnected and removable from both the inner and binding rings,
and adapted to serve as the coupling member between the joints or
lengths of hose; also in the binding ring an inner flange and a tapering
ring to cap
and form an immovable holder for the end of the hose, and
to permit the removal of the screw threaded working sections of the
coupling without disturbing or loosening the attachment of the binding
and inner rings, which are contracted or expanded to firmly grasp the
hose; also in a binding ring provided with a recess or channel to receive
the joint, scam, or lap of the hose.

page_text: The coupling is composed of a number of parts, as herein described,
and such parts are as follows, viz.:-A represents the binding ring made
of any ductile or compressible metal, and having a flange or collar a¹
beyond which is a screw thread a; B represents the inner ring made of
any ductile metal made smaller than and so as to fit within the binding
ring, and provided with a flange band with the edge b, preferably
thicker than at or near the flange 6¹. This ring B is made somewhat
tapering, growing smaller toward the end b. C represents a screw ring
or coupling section having internal screw threads c to fit screw thread a
on A external screw threads c¹ to receive screw threads on inside of
loose ring D forming part of coupling section F, and the part C has a
shoulder c² to meet the flanged portion 6¹ of B. This coupling section
has spanner projections c³, and the loose ring D has spanner pro-
jections d³. So far the left-hand end of the coupling (see Figure 1) has
been described. The parts B, A, at the right-hand end are the same as
at the left, but instead of a screw ring or coupling section like C there
is employed a coupling section or screw ring F having an internal
screw thread to engage external screw threads on the binding ring, and
a shoulder to meet the flange of the inner ring b. Within F is screwed
a tubular flanged section g, so as to form a raceway for a flange i of the
loose ring D provided with internal screw threads d. This ring may be
turned in either direction without disturbing other parts of the coupling
when it is desired to unite or disconnect the lengths of hose.
Heretofore leather and other hose have been attached to the outer
side of rings scored or threaded to bite on the inner side of the hose and
the outside of the hose about the ring has been wound with wire, and in
fastening the coupling to that class of hose known as textile and lined
with rubber and also rubber hose it has been customary to introduce
into the interior of the hose a ring screw threaded on its outer side, and
this ring has been fitted with an outside ring, the hose being grasped
between them. This method of confining the end of the hose to the
coupling is very objectionable, for the screw thread embeds itself into
the rubber film or sheet which forms the internal lining of the hose and
displaces and cuts the rubber and weakens it where the pressure is
greatest, and this internal ring as it must be screwed in tightly has a
tendency owing to its friction to disturb and loosen the hold of the
rubber sheet or film on its adjacent fibrous material, and the parts thus
separated or in a measure loosened are more accessible to water, and

page_text: when wet soon rot and loose strength, and the hose is weakened at that
point. By loosening the contact between the lining and the adjacent
textile sheet the parts are liable when the hose is subjected to great
strain to move one on the other and draw out of the holding rings.
With this improvement there is no screw thread to engage or touch the
rubber lining, and when forming the connection between the hose and
the coupling the parts are not turned and there is therefore no liability
of detaching the interior rubber lining from the textile portion of the
hose.
The coupling may be applied to any known form of hose. Some of
the textile hose rubber lined has a lapped or sewed seam, and for this
class of hose a longitudinal channel a³ is formed in the interior of the
binding ring A to receive this lap or seam-like portion thicker than the
other parts of the hose. This channel may be serrated or not, as desired,
so as to present a better holding surface than if left plain, and the
whole of the inner portion of the ring A might be roughened or pro-
vided with projections to engage the fibrous part of the hose or its outer
surface.
The coupling holding clamp consists of side rods a³, a², fixed in
bottom and top pieces b², o¹, the latter having nut threads adapted to
the screw d', by which the top holding jaw e is forced toward the lower
jaw f, said jaws being interchangeable with other similar jaws of
different sizes. These holding jaws are notched, as shewn in Figure 5,
to accommodate the links g' and h which hinge on the rods a³, a², the
lower jaw thus forming shoulders which prevent the dropping of the
links. The cross bar ³ is fixed to the link g', and has at the centre of
its length nut threads which receive the screw j, these parts forming a
supporting frame for the shaft or screw of the expanding device or disc.
The free end of bar is slotted to receive the screw threaded free end
of link h, on which is a binding nut k, by which the parts g¹, i³, h, are
confined in the position best seen in Figure 3, and on loosening which
nut the parts can be moved to the position best seen in Figure 5, the
movement being indicated by the dotted lines and arrows in Figure 3.
The screw j, which is best worked by hand with a suitable lever, has at
its other end a collar or shoulder 7, beyond which projects a cylindrical
end slotted to receive a key m, which keeps the steel expanding disc n
from being drawn off from its bearing. On each rod g and h is an
adjustable gripe o. set so as to bear against the face of the coupling

page_text: projecting from the jaws e, f, the purpose of said gripe pieces being to
prevent withdrawal of the coupling from the jaws when the expanding
disc is being retracted by the action of the screw. The parts g¹, h, i³,
being in the position shown in Figure 5, the binding ring A is clamped
between the jaws e, f, and the hose end E is inserted in p up to the
shoulder therein, as seen in Figure 6, and the flanged inner ring or
tube B, preferably of copper (but other ductile metal may be used) is
inserted, it being then in the condition shown in dotted lines in said
Figure, and the end of the hose is contained in an enclosed chamber.
The ring B is brought to position with its flange b¹ resting against the
end of the binding ring A by means of the clamping ring s. The
parts g, h, ³, are then brought into the position shown in Figure 3, and
are held there by tightening nut k, and then by turning screw j in the
proper direction the steel disc n of suitable size is first forced into and
through the inner ring, and is then retracted therefrom, after which the
key m is driven out, the disc removed, and a slightly larger one secured
in place, and the operation of forcing it through the ring B is repeated.
•
In practice three or four discs are used to obtain the best results.
The expanding ring is held loosely on the screw end, and in the act of
expanding the inner ring the expanding ring does not rotate, as the
friction between it and the inner ring prevents such movement. Its
movement is only in a line through the ring B, the screw end turning
within the discs. By the passage of the expanding discs or rings the
opening through the ring is made of uniform diameter wherever the
discs take a bearing. The inner diameter of the ring A is somewhat
larger where the end of hose comes or rests than it is where the hose
emerges therefrom, in consequence of which and of the generally
tapered form first given the ring B the hose is at first gripped between
the ends of both rings most remote from the ring s. This inner ring
is preferably small enough to enter the hose without forcing, and its
flange b¹ meets the ring A and forms a cap or cover which prevents
water from coming in contact with the fibre at the end of the hose. As
the ring B is gradually expanded and set closer and closer on to the
hose, the end of the hose elongates under pressure toward the flange 61
in the enlarged space provided for it between the rings A and B, and
increasing in size towards flange 6¹, see Figure 1. This action allows
the process of expansion to be carried on without disturbing the position
of the hose or of the expanding ring. The inner or expansible ring is

page_text: flanged at its largest end. The flange by resting against the binding
ring prevents longitudinal movement of the inner ring under the action
of the expanders, and the ring is expanded uniformly throughout its
length. The face of the flange 61 may be recessed as shown at the left
in Figure 1 to receive packing, and so also might be the end of the
ring A where it meets the flange b¹. Should the coupling parts O
and F, D, of the hose become jammed or broken, it is only necessary to
unscrew them from the hose holding parts A, B, these parts when once
fitted always remaining on the hose.
Instead of expanding the inner ring B sufficient force may be applied
to the binding ring A to shut or compress it circumferentially or from
the full to the dotted lines (see 2, Figure 1), and in this way the hose is
held or gripped between the binding and inner ring by compression
rather than by expansion.
It is well known that hose are most apt to break or burst at the
couplings, due probably to the contraction of the waterway at that point,
and it is therefore very necessary to hold the hose at that point very
firmly and by a coupling that will not disturb or weaken the material
as by screw threads. The binding rings A are provided with external
screw threads a for the attachment of the screw-threaded coupling
sections C and F, D, the binding rings A and inner rings B being
positively and immovably connected with the hose ends by contraction
or expansion, and the coupling sections may at any time be disconnected
or removed from the hose holding parts A, B, without disturbing the
connection of the latter with the ends of the hose. The inner flanged
ring does not act as a holder for the coupling section, and it is not con-
nected directly with the coupling sections.
It is not desired to limit this Invention to the use of expanders of the
exact kind described, as it is evident that other forms and kinds of
expanders commonly used for other purposes might be used with beneficial
results, but the expander described is preferred, and so too the expander
might be forced forward and retracted by a system of levers, or the
expander might be attached to a slide rod operated by power from a
crank or piston.
In another modification, as shewn in Figure 8, the coupling section a
is provided with screw threads 6 to receive the usual loose running
section, not shown, and at its opposite end. it has the screw-threaded

page_text: projection c, to which is attached the binding ring d, provided at its
inner upper portion with screw threads to fit the screw threads in pro-
jection C, and below the shoulder f of the binding ring that meets the
end of c; the interior piece of the binding ring is inclined, as at e,
becoming smaller toward the lower end of the binding ring. The inner
capping and holding ring 9 has at its upper end a flange h, and at its
lower end an annular projection or series of projections i. The outer
capping ring j has at its upper end an inwardly projecting flange adapted
to extend over and form a bearing for the flanged portion of g, the flange
of the outer ring j resting against a shoulder on the inner portion of the
coupling section. The hose k is suitably lined with rubber, or it may
be of rubber or fibrous material, or of other usual hose fabric. When
this hose is to be coupled the binding ring is passed over the end, then
the inner ring g is inserted within the hose, the flange h preferably
meeting the hose end, and then the outer ring j is passed over the outer
portion of the end of the hose and its contained inner ring. In this
position the hose end is confined between the outer and inner faces of
the two cylindrical rings, and the lower end of j terminates preferably
a little above the annular projection i. The coupling section is now
applied, its screw-threaded portion c is connected with the upper screw-
threaded portion of the binding ring, and the binding ring as it is drawn
longitudinally over the hose and outer ring; (the upper end of the latter
ring resting against the shoulder on the coupling section) compresses
the lower end of the outer ring j from the position shown in dotted lines
to the position shown in full lines, the lower end of the outer ring closing
in upon the hose more or less, according to the degree of inclination
of e, or its length and the end of j meets the upper portion of the
annular projection, substantially as shown. A space is left between the
upper portions of the rings 9,j, to receive the portion of the hose crowded
from the nipped or compressed portion toward the end of the hose.
The binding ring may be provided with spanner projections, as shown
on the coupling section. The inner capping ring might be expanded
and the outer ring might be somewhat tapered so as to grasp the hose
end, and the rings so fitted might be placed between the binding ring
and coupling section, constructed as described, but in such case the
outer capping ring would be shaped before applying the binding ring, as
it is now shown as shaped by the action of the binding ring.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the

page_text: said Invention and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I
claim,―
First. The combination with the binding ring of the flanged inner
ring, constructed and arranged with relation to each other, sub-
stantially as described, to afford a larger space between them toward
the centre than toward the ends of the coupling, for the purpose
.described.
Second. The combination with the hose of an externally screw-
threaded binding ring adapted to receive the running section, and a
loose inner flanged ring, substantially, as described, the hose being held
between and by expanding or contracting the inner or outer rings, sub-
stantially as described.
Third. The combination of the flanged inner ring adapted to be
expanded against the hose with an outer or binding ring, having
external screw threads, and with a removable screw ring, substantially
as set forth.
Fourth. The loose ring D combined with the threaded binding ring,
the removable screw ring, and the removable screw-threaded flanged
section, substantially as described.
Fifth. The binding or hose-receiving ring, having a longitudinal
space to receive the lap or seam of the hose, substantially as described.
.
"
Sixth. The combination with the outer and inner rings A, B, A, B,
positively secured to different pieces of hose by expansion or contraction
of coupling sections C and F, D, provided with screw threads c³, d, and
each connected through screw threads with the outer or binding rings,
and removable therefrom without destroying the connection of the
outer and inner rings with the hose, substantially as described."
Seventh. The combination of the screw-threaded binding ring adapted
to sustain the flange of the inner ring, and a coupling section provided
with a shoulder c² to meet the outside of the flange and the end of the
inner ring, with the flanged tapering and expansible inner ring, sub-
stantially as described.
Eighth. The coupling holding clamp in combination with a movable
expanding disc and a supporting frame for the screw or shaft of the
expanding disc, the expander being adapted to move through or into the
inner ring of the coupling, substantially as described.

page_text: Ninth. The combination of the clamp of the pivoted links and cross
bar to support and adjust the shaft or screw of the expanding device,
substantially as described.
Tenth. The combination with the clamps of links and adjustable
gripes for holding the coupling against end movement, substantially as i
described.
Eleventh. The combination with the clamp adapted to receive and
hold the tubular binding ring and the clamping rings to centre and
hold the inner ring of the shaft or screw and the loose expanding disc
or ring, substantially as described.
Twelfth. The outer and inner capping rings in combination with the
coupling section and its threaded projection c and the screw-threaded
internally bevelled or inclined binding ring combined and adapted to
compress the outer capping ring by the movement of the binding ring,
substantially as described.
Thirteenth. A piece of hose and an inner and outer capping ring con-
nected positively thereto by compression or expansion of one of the
rings, in combination with a removable coupling section and a removable
binding ring attached only to the coupling section, and adapted to
surround the outer holding ring, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of April, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
six.