Improvements in or connected with Joints or Couplings for Metallic Pipes or Tubes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 20th May, 1897-Accepted, 25th June, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Joints or Couplings for Metallic
Pipes or Tubes.
I, JOSEPH AIRD of Wellington Tube Works, Great Bridge, Tipton in the
County of Stafford Manufacturer of Iron and Steel Tubes do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements upon an invention in respect of
which Letters Patent were granted to me dated the 23rd day of October 1890
No. 16896.
According to the specification of the said Letters Patent the two parts of the
joint or coupling were forced together by means of screws and nuts, but for some
purposes where speed is essential it is found that the manipulation of a number of
bolts and nuts necessarily causes considerable delay, and the primary object of the
present invention is to dispense with the bolts and nuts and substitute therefor a
simple device whereby the coupling or uncoupling of the joint may be instantaneously
effected.
In carrying the present invention into effect the meeting ends of the two sections
or lengths of pipe or tube to be connected together have each formed upon the
exterior thereof a broad flange or collar, and the adjacent or meeting faces of the
flanges or collars are each provided with an annular groove or channel for the reception
of a ring of asbestos, rubber, or other suitable packing.
Upon each section or length of tube or pipe is placed a loose clamping collar
which takes an abutment against the flange and one of the clamping collars is
formed with an annular flange thereon which covers the joint formed by the
meeting faces of the flanges or collars of the tubes and thus renders it impossible
for the packing to blow out and the other of such clamping collars is formed to
overlap or receive the flange of the first or inner clamping collar so as to reinforce
the covering flange thereof.
Thus far the device is substantially the same as that shown and described in the
specification of the said former Letters Patent.
According to the present invention the covering flange of the inner collar is
provided upon the outer face thereof with several inclined or wedge shaped lugs or
projections, and the outer or overlapping collar is interiorly formed at suitable
intervals with co-acting long inclines adapted to engage the lugs or projections,
whilst the back of each collar is formed nutlike, that is to say with a number of
sides or facets so that it is adapted to receive a spanner or key by the aid of which
it may be readily turned.
By this arrangement of parts in order to couple together the two lengths of pipe
it is only necessary to put the collars in position and with the aid of spanners or
keys hold one of such collars stationary, whilst the other is turned, when the
inclined co-acting faces of the lugs and inclines will force the two lengths of
tube together with great power thereby instantaneously making a perfectly tight
joint.
In order to lock the parts against slacking back in cases where the joint is subject
to severe vibration one of the collars is provided with a dog catch or bolt so
arranged that in the tightening up of the joint the catch or bolt will engage one of

page_text: the lugs or projections or specially formed ratchet or other projections or teeth and
thus prevent the back movement of the parts.
To enable the coupling to be unlocked when it is desired to disconnect the two
lengths of tube the dog or catch or bolt is loosely mounted upon a pin or pivot
which screws into or otherwise engages a hole in the collar and extends to or is
accessible on the exterior of the coupling so that by withdrawing the pivot the
catch or bolt will be dismounted and the coupling unlocked.
Or the catch or fastening may be formed with a joint in its length so that it may
be straightened to hold the parts in position and bent or cranked to free them or a
simple plate or wedge may be inserted through one of the openings between the
inclines with a similar object.
By the means bereinbefore described a pipe joint or coupling is obtained which
consists of very few parts, is simple and inexpensive to produce, is instantaneous. in
its action, whilst at the same time it is perfectly reliable in use.
Dated this 19th day of December 1896.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.
Improvements in or connected with Joints or Couplings for Metallic
Pipes or Tubes.
1, JOSEPH AIRD of Wellington Tube Works, Great Bridge, Tipton in the
County of Stafford, Manufacturer of Iron and Steel Tubes 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 present invention relates to improvements upon an invention in respect of
which Letters Patent were granted to me dated the 23rd day of October 1890
No. 16896.
According to the specification of the said Letters Patent the two parts of the
joint or coupling were forced together by means of screws and nuts, but for some
purposes where speed is essential it is found that the manipulation of a number of
bolts and nuts necessarily causes considerable delay, and the primary object of the
present invention is to dispense with the bolts and nuts; and substitute therefor a
simple device whereby the coupling or uncoupling of the joint may be instantaneously
effected.
In carrying the present invention into effect the meeting ends of the two sections
or lengths of pipe or tube to be connected together have each formed upon the
.exterior thereof a broad flange or collar and the adjacent or meeting faces of the.
flanges or collars are each provided with an annular groove or channel for
the reception of a ring of asbestos, rubber, or other suitable packing.
Upon each section or length of tube or pipe is placed a loose clamping collar
which takes au abutment against the flange and one of the clamping collars is
formed with an annular flange thereon which covers the joint formed by the
meeting faces of the flanges or collars of the tubes, and thus renders it impossible
for the packing to blow out, and the other of such clamping collars is formed to
overlap or receive the flange of the first or inner clamping collar so as to reinforce
the covering flange thereof.
Thus far the device is substantially the same as that shown and described in the
specification of the said former Letters Patent.
According to the present invention the covering flange of the inner collar is

page_text: provided upon the outer face thereof with several inclined or wedge shaped lugs or
projections, and the outer or over-lapping collar is interiorly formed at suitable
intervals with co-acting long inclines adapted to engage the lugs or projections,
whilst the back of each collar is formed nut like, that is to say with a number of
sides or facets so that it is adapted to receive a spanner or key by the aid of which
it may he readily turned.
By this arrangement of parts in order to couple together the two lengths of pipe
it is only necessary to put the collars in position and with the aid of spanners or
keys hold one of such collars stationary, whilst the other is turned, when the
inclined co-acting faces of the lugs and inclines will force the two lengths of
tube together with great power thereby instantaneously making a perfectly tight
joint.
In order to lock the parts against slacking back in cases where the joint is subject
to severe vibration the device is provided with a dog catch or bolt so arranged that
in the tightening up of the joint the catch or bolt will engage one of the lugs or
projections or specially formed ratchet or other projections or teeth and thus
prevent the back movement of the parts.
To enable the coupling to be unlocked when it is desired to disconnect the two
lengths of tube the dog or catch or bolt is loosely mounted upon or held in place
by a pin or stud which screws into or otherwise engages a hole in the collar and
extends to or is accessible, on the exterior of the coupling so that by withdrawing
the pin the catch or bolt will be dismounted and the coupling unlocked.
Or the catch or fastening may be formed with a joint in its length so that it may
be straightened to hold the parts in position and bent or cranked to free them or a
simple plate or wedge may be inserted through one of the openings between the
inclines with a similar object.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side view representing two lengths of tube connected by a
constructed according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is an end view thereof.
coupling
Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of the female part or collar of the coupling.
Figure 5 is a face view thereof.
Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side view of the male part or collar of the coupling.
Figure 8 is a face view thereof.
.
Figure 9 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 illustrating
more particularly the locking dog or catch.
Figures 11 are respectively an edge view and a face view of the dog or catch
separately.
Figure 12 is a similar view to Figure 2 representing a slight modification in the
locking dog or catch.
Figure 13 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 12.
Figures 14 are respectively a face view, edge view, and end view of the locking
dog or catch separately.
Figure 15 is a similar view to Figure 2 of a portion of a coupling representing
the application thereto of a further modification in the form of the dog or catch.
Figure 16 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 15
with some of the parts removed.
Figure 17 is an edge view of the dog or catch separately.
Figure 18 is a side view thereof.

page_text: Figure 19 is a side view showing the upper part folded at right angles to the
lower part.
Figure 20 is a similar view to Figure 1 of a slightly modified device.
Figure 21 is an end view thereof and
Figure 22 is a longitudinal section thereof.
In the several figures in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of
reference Figures 15 to 19 are drawn to an increased scale with respect to the
other figures of the drawings.
Referring to Figures 1 to 11 a represents portions of two lengths or sections
of pipe or tube upon the exterior of the meeting ends of which is formed a
broad flange or collar a¹ and in the adjacent or meeting faces of each of these
flanges or collars a' is formed an annular channel or groove a' in which is placed
a ring of asbestos, rubber or other suitable packing b.
Upon each section or length of tube or pipe a is placed a loose clamping
collar c c which takes an abutment against the flange or collar a¹ of its respective
length or section of the tube.
The male one c of the clamping collars is formed with an annular flange c*1
thereon which covers the joint formed by the meeting faces of the flanges or
collars a¹ of the tubes a, and thus renders it impossible for the packing b to
blow out.
The female one c of the clamping collars is formed with a part c¹ to overlap
or receive the flange c of the collar c so as to reinforce the covering flange c
thereof.
Thus far the device is substantially the same as that shown and described in
the specification of the hereinbefore recited Letters Patent.
According to the present invention the covering flange c of the male collar c
is provided upon the outer circumference thereof with several inclined or wedge
shaped lugs or projections c and the female collar c is interiorly formed at
suitable intervals with co-acting long inclines c2 adapted to engage the lugs or
projections c of the male part c whilst the back of each collar is formed nut
like that is to say with a number of sides or facets cc so that it is adapted
to receive a spanner or key by the aid of which it may be readily turned or
held against revolution.
By this arrangement of parts in order to couple together the two lengths of
pipe a it is necessary to put the lengths of pipe in position, then to advance the
collars cc against the flanges a¹ of the pipes a so that the male part of the
collar centers the female part of the collar c, the spaces between the inclines ³
admitting of the passage of the inclines c, and with the aid of spanners or keys
to hold one of the collars stationary, whilst the other is turned when the inclined
co-acting faces of the lugs and inclines c c will force the two lengths of tube a
together with great power, thereby compressing the packing b between the flanges a¹
and instantaneously making a perfectly tight joint.
In order to lock the parts against slacking back in cases where the joint is
subject to severe vibration the device is provided with a dog catch or bolt a loosely
fitting in one of the spaces c and adapted to engage specially formed ratchet teeth
or projections c" upon the male part c" or it might be caused to engage the end
of one of the lugs or inclines c whilst in order to hold the dog or catch up to its
work and prevent the accidental displacement thereof a screw stud e is employed
which screws through a tapped hole formed in the female collar c and impinges
upon the back of the dog or catch d whilst its extreme end e' which is of reduced
diameter is received into a hole d formed in the dog or catch d and by these means
the back movement of the parts is prevented.
To enable the coupling to be unlocked when it is desired to disconnect the two
lengths of tube a the dog catch or bolt d is released by screwing back the stud or
pin e and may then be withdrawn through one of the openings c by any convenient
instrument adapted to hook into or engage the hole d' after which one of the

page_text: collars c c may be turned and the two lengths of pipe a thereby instantaneously
disconnected.
In the example given at Figures 12, 13, and 14 the device is substantially the
same as that herein before described with the exception that the dog or catch d is
formed wedge shaped in cross section so that it may be inserted at one of the
openings and driven into position and in this case the ratchet teeth are also
formed inclined to receive the wedge shaped dog d as shown more particularly at
Figure 13 whilst the dog d may be withdrawn by means of a hooked instrument
as described with respect to the previous figures.
In the example given at Figures 15 to 19 the dog or catch d is formed with
a joint d' in its length so that it may be inserted or withdrawn through one of
the openings in the cranked position indicated at Figure 19 and as shown by the
dotted lines in Figure 16, and then straightened into the position shown in
Figure 18, and by the full lines in Figure 16, so as to hold the parts in position
whilst in order to facilitate the withdrawal of the dog or catch d a notch d² is
formed therein adapted to receive a hook or like instrument by the aid of which
that part of the dog or catch may be turned over or cranked.
In the example given at Figures 20, 21, and 22 the device is similar to that
hereinbefore shown and described with respect to Figures 12, 13, and 14 but in
this case the longitudinal movement of the clamping collars c c upon the lengths
of pipe a is limited by means of collars a which are shrunk on to the pipe a and
act as stops to prevent the clamping collars c c* in the handling of the joint sliding
by gravity upon the tube with the risk of injury to the operator.
In this example also instead of the clamping collars cc being formed with
facets to receive spanners or keys they are provided with lugs c³ and c**
apertured to receive bars or levers by the aid of which one part may be held whilst
the other is turned and the necessity for the employment of special spanners or
keys is thereby avoided.
By the means hereinbefore described a pipe joint or coupling is obtained which
consists of very few parts, is simple and inexpensive to produce, is instantaneous
in its action whilst at the same time it is perfectly reliable in use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A joint or coupling for metallic pipes or tubes comprising a fixed flange or
collar upon each of the lengths of pipe to be connected, a ring of packing
material, interposed between such flanges, two loose clamping collars abutting
against the flanges of the tubes and formed one to receive the other and to overlap
the joint, co-acting inclines lugs or projections formed on the loose collars and nut
like facets or their equivalent upon each loose collar adapted to receive a spanner
or other instrument by the aid of which one collar may be held whilst the other
is turned substantially as herein shown and described.
2. A joint or coupling for metallic pipes or tubes comprising a fixed flange or
collar upon each of the lengths of pipe to be connected, a ring of packing material
interposed between such flanges two loose clamping collars abutting against the
flanges of the tubes and formed one to receive the other and to overlap the joint,
co-acting inclines lugs or projections formed on the loose collars, nut like facets or
their equivalent upon each loose collar adapted to receive a spanner or other
instrument by the aid of which one collar may be held whilst the other is turned
and a loose dog adapted to be inserted between the loose collars and designed to
take an abutment against part of one collar and to engage specially formed teeth
or one of the lugs or projections upon the other collar in order to prevent the
working back of the parts and means such as a wedge formation, a screw pin
or the like for holding the dog in place substantially as herein shown and
described.

page_text: 3. A dog for use in connection with a joint or coupling of the character referred
to in the preceding claim formed with a hinge or pin joint in its length enabling
the same to be cranked or folded in order to facilitate placing the same into
and removing it out of position substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 20th day of May 1807
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.