IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING MAIN COCKS, VALVES, PLUGS, OR OTHER CONNECTIONS TO SERVICE PIPES FOR WATER WHEN UNDER PRESSURE
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Bates, of Lewes, in the County of Sussex,
Ironmonger, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
ATTACHING MAIN COCKS, VALVES, PLUGS, OR OTHER CONNECTIONS TO SERVICE
PIPES FOR WATER WHEN UNDER PRESSURE."
Sealed the 21st August 1875, and dated the 23rd February 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Bates at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd February 1875.
I, GEORGE BATES, of Lewes, in the County of Sussex, Ironmonger, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING MAIN COCKS, VALVES, PLUGS, OR OTHER CONNECTIONS
TO SERVICE PIPES FOR WATER WHEN UNDER PRESSURE," to be as follows:-
When gas or water service pipes require repairing or the addition of
taps, plugs, or valves, it is necessary to shut off the supply from the
main to the service so as to prevent any pressure on that part of the

page_text: service pipe to be operated on; this is an objectionable arrangement
because in towns having the constant service supply of water the mains
must be closed from one neighbourhood while the repairs are in progress,
and in the case of gas it must be shut off from one district which may
require it while one or more houses are being repaired. With my
improved apparatus this difficulty is avoided, and the service pipe may be
repaired or receive additions without shutting off the supply or lessening
the pressure, the apparatus itself preventing the passage of the fluid to
the part of the pipe to be operated upon.
For this purpose I construct and use my improved apparatus in the
following manner:-On the end of the pipe to be operated on I pass an
india-rubber, gutta percha, or metal tube round which is passed a screw,
bond, or clip; this clip is screwed or tightened so as to make a tight
joint with the pipe end; the other end of the tube is. furnished with a
screwed cap
and stuffing box so as to effectually close the tube with the
exception of a hole left for the passage of a spindle which is previously
inserted; at the end of the spindle nearest the pipe is affixed a broach or
screwed bit for boring and opening out the end of the pipe; at the other
end of the spindle is a cross handle for turning it and actuating the
broach.
When the pipe is bored and sufficiently opened out the spindle is
partially withdrawn, and intermediately is passed a screw valve or clip
which on being closed prevents the passage of fluid; while the stuffing
box is taken off and the spindle removed I only insert in the extremity
of the tube a testing cock- to empty that end of the tube and test the
efficiency of the valve.
The end of the pipe being properly opened out and the broach
removed I insert a hollow spindle and plug and replace the stuffing box;
the clip is then unscrewed and the plug forced into the pipe; this plug
is peculiarly constructed, and consists of two spindles one within the
other, one extremity of each being raised into the form of a head, and
.connected by means of an india-rubber or other flexible band; the inner
spindle is drawn, backwards bulging out or expanding the india-rubber
band, and so forming a water-tight plug and being held in this position
by a screwed nut on the spindle. The tube may now be taken off and
the boss or union, which has been previously put in place, soldered on to
the pipe, a tap, plug, or valve can then be screwed in and the spindles

page_text: removed, the tap being closed behind them as they pass out. The pipe
being now properly fitted at one end with a tap or valve other alterations
may be made as required, and connection made without interfering with
the main.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Bates in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 23rd August 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
BATES, of Lewes, in the County of Sussex, Ironmonger, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by. Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said George Bates, Her special
license, that I, the said George Bates, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as the said
,
, 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 APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING MAIN Cocks, VALVES, PLUGS, OR OTHER CONNECTIONS
TO SERVICE PIPES FOR WATER WHEN UNDER PRESSURE," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said George Bates, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands 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 George Bates, 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 :- :

page_text: '
My improved apparatus is to enable plumbers or gasfitters to repair
or make additions to water or gas service pipes without shutting off the
supply or lessening the pressure, as is necessary with ordinary apparatus,
it often being necessary to shut off the supply from a whole neighbour-
hood while repairing a single pipe; this inconvenience may now bei
obviated, as my apparatus prevents the passage of the fluid while the
pipe is being operated upon.
For this purpose I construct and use my apparatus in the following
manner: When a service requires to be repaired or have inserted a tap,
plug, or valve, I pass over it after the end has been made up an india-
rubber, gutta percha, or metal tube, round which is placed a screw, bond,
or clip; this clip is tightened by a thumb screw so as to make a tight
joint with the pipe end. The other end of the tube is furnished with a
'tap and screwed branch, the tap effectually closing the tube; on the
branch is screwed a cap and stuffing box carrying a sliding rod; at the
end of the rod nearest the pipe is fixed a broach or screwed bit for
boring and opening out the end of the pipe; at the other end of the
rod is a cross handle for turning it and actuating the broach after the
tap has been opened and the rod forced up to the end of the pipe.
When the pipe is bored and sufficiently opened out the rod and broach
is withdrawn and the tap closed so as to prevent the passage of fluid
while the stuffing box is taken off and the rod and broach removed.
The end of the pipe being properly opened out and the broach.
removed I insert a hollow spindle and plug and replace the stuffing box;
the tap is then unscrewed and the plug forced into the pipe; this plug
is of peculiar construction, and consists of two spindles one within the
other, the extremity of the inner one is raised into a head, and between
this head and the end of the outer spindle is an india-rubber or other
flexible band; the inner spindle is drawn backwards bulging out or
expanding the band and so forming a water-tight plug; it is held in
this position by a nut on the screwed end of the outer spindle. The
tube may now be taken off and the boss or union, which has been
previously put in place, soldered on to the pipe, a tap, plug, or valve,
can then be screwed in and the spindles removed, the tap being closed
behind them as they pass out. The pipe being now properly fitted at
one end with a tap or valve other alterations and connections may be
made as required.

page_text: And in order that my Invention may be better understood and more
readily carried into operation, I will now proceed to describe the Sheet
of Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my pipe contractor and cutter used to
make up the end of the pipe before commencing repairs.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the flexible tube and tap with a piece of
pipe in position ready for being clipped by the bond; the other end of
the tube carries the tap with screwed branch.
Figure 3 shews the sliding rod and broach passed through the cap and
stuffing box; when the broach is in use the cap is screwed on to the
branch shewn in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shews the spindles and plug in connection with the
cap and
stuffing box to be used after the removal of the broach, the cap also
screwing on to the branch shewn in Figure 2; the inner spindle is shewn
by dotted lines through the outer or hollow spindle.
Figure 5 is the handle used to draw back the inner spindle and
expand the band.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of my Inven-
tion, and how the same may be carried into operation, I would have it
understood that what I claim and desire to secure by the herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The construction and use of a pipe contractor and cutter, as
herein-before described and illustrated by Figure 1 on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings.
Secondly. The construction and use of a flexible tube with tap and
clip for making a water-tight chamber to the pipe, as herein-before
described and illustrated by Figure 2 on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
Thirdly. The construction and use of a sliding rod and broach with
cap and stuffing box for boring out the end of pipe, as herein-before
described and illustrated by Figure 3 on the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
And, Fourthly. The construction and use of double spindles and
plug with cap and stuffing box for plugging up the end of pipe while

page_text: repairs are being done, as herein-before described and illustrated by
the Figure 4 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Bates, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
"Witness,
CHARLES BARLOW,
23, Southampton Buildings,
London, W.C.,
Patent Agent.
GEORGE BATĘS. (L.S.)