IMPROVEMENTS IN DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR FIRE-ENGINE HOSE AND OTHER PIPES, AND IN PACKING FOR MAKING THE JOINTS THEREOF WATER- TIGHT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR FIRE-ENGINE HOSE AND
OTHER PIPES, AND IN PACKING FOR MAKING THE JOINTS THEREOF WATER-
TIGHT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by
Thomas Shepard Nowell, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America,
Manufacturer.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th March 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent .Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DISCHARGE APPARATUS
FOR FIRE ENGINE HOSE AND OTHER PIPES, AND IN PACKING FOR MAKING THE
JOINTS THEREOF WATER TIGHT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication
from abroad by Thomas Shepard Nowell, of Boston, Massachusetts, United States
of America, Manufacturer.
The first part of this Invention relates to discharge pipes for fire-engine-hose, and
to the manner of packing the joints to render them watertight.
This part of the said Invention comprises the employment of a T-shaped pipe
secured by the end of its upright arm to the hose, and provided in each end of its
cross arm with an inwardly projecting collar or shoulder in combination with two
elbow branch pipes, each provided with a flange or other surface fitted to the
chambered or enlarged end of the said cross arm, and terminating at its opposite
end in a semi-circular outlet, the said branch pipe being so shaped that when
secured in position and clamped to the T-shaped pipe by a suitable clamping bolt
passing through the said branch pipes with its axis coinciding with the axial line
of the cross arm of the T-shaped pipe, the opposite ends of the said brauch pipes
will fit together so as to form a complete circular outlet, in which position they are
secured by means of a coupling ring screwed upon their exterior surfaces.

page_text: It furtlier comprises the combination with a hose or other pipe of a T-shaped
pipe coupled to the said hose or other pipe by means of a conical swivelling
coupling joint, and two curved branch pipes connected by a pivoted joint to the
cross arm of the T-shaped pipe, one at each end, and secured together at their
opposite ends by a female coupling or binding ring, so as to form a single circular
outlet, the said branch pipes being so arranged that they may be turned about
their pivotal connection to the T-pipe to any desired angle, as hereinafter
described.
It further comprises the combination with a hose or other pipe of a T-shaped
pipe section, two curved branch pipes pivoted one to each end of the cross arm of
the said T-shaped section, and united at their opposite ends to form a single
circular passage, and a hollow frusto-conical valve located within the cross arm of
the T-section, and adapted to be rotated therein to let on or shut off the water or
other fluid.
It further comprises the combination with a hose or other pipe of a T-shaped
pipe section, two curved branch pipes pivoted one to each end of the cross arm of
the T section, and united at their opposite ends to form a single circular passage, a
hollow tapering or frusto-conical valve fitted to the interior of the said cross arm
of the T-section, and adapted to open or close the passage through said pipe
section, a slot formed in the wall of the cross arm of the said T-section, and
extending circumferentially partially around the said cross arm, a handle passing
through the said slot and attached to the said valve, as a means of turning it
about its axis, and a check-nut working upon a screw-thread formed upon the said
handle, and adapted to be operated by the thumb and fingers of the operator to
securely bind or fasten the valve in the desired position, whether open or shut, as
hereinafter more fully described.
It further comprises a swivelling ring provided with one or more hook-shaped
horns or prongs surrounding a hose butt or pipe, as a means of supporting a hose
upon a ladder by engaging with a ring of the same, and for other purposes which
will be hereinafter referred to.
It further comprises the combination with a flexible cupped packing of leather
or other suitable material, of a metal ring placed within the said packing, and
provided with annular chambers upon the two faces thereof, which are contiguous
to the inner surfaces of the said cup, and orifices leading from one of the opposite
faces of the said metal ring to one or both of the said annular chambers, as
hereinafter described.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved hose pipe and joint, and
Figure 2 is a central vertical section of the same viewed from the same position
as Figure 1.
.
Figure 3 is a partial section on the line x, x, Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4 is a section on the line y, y, Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 2, 2, Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 6 is a similar section on the line v, v, Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 7 is a similar section through one of the curved pipes on the line w, w,
Figure 2.
Figure 8 is a plan of the swivelling hook-carrying ring.
Figure 9 is a central vertical section illustrating a modification in which the
shut-off valve is dispensed with.
Figure 10 is a section drawn to an enlarged scale of a portion of the T pipe
section, and the two branch pipes pivoted thereto with an improved packing ring
applied to the joints.
Figure 11 is an elevation of the cupped leather packing, and
Figure 12 is a central section of the same.
Figures 13 and 14 represent an elevation and a section of the metal ring
bereinafter described.

page_text: Figurės 15 and 10 are similar views of a modified form of the said metal ring,
and
Figure 17 is a central longitudinal section through a portion of a pump cylinder
and its piston, with the improved packing ring applied thereto.
The remaining Figures are hereinafter described.
A is a section of a metallic pipe which may be of greater or less length than that
shewn in the Drawings, as may be desired, and which is provided at one end with
a female screw-thread as a means of coupling the said section to the hose or other
pipe, and at or near its other end with the shoulder or collar a, a smooth cylindrical
bearing surface to receive the ring B, and a male screw-thread to receive the
frusto-conical coupling ring C, the conical portion of which embraces and forms a
water-tight swivelling joint with a correspondingly shaped ring D which is
screwed into the base of the T-shaped pipe-section E, as shewn in Figure 2.
The cross arm of the T-section E, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, is made some-
what larger in diameter at one end than at a point near its other end, so as to
form a frusto-conical interior chamber, into which is fitted the frusto conical
tubular valve F open at each end, and having a peripheral opening b which
corresponds in shape to the cross section of the opening through the central branch
of the T-section into the chamber of the cross arm.
The cross arm of the T section has cast therein near one end the inwardly
projecting annular flange c, and has screwed into its other end the ring d, which
has formed on its inner end the inwardly projecting annular flange c¹. G, G, are
two curved branch elbow pipes, each of which is provided at one end with the
flange e, and is so shaped at its other end that when the said pipes are placed in
position, the two pipes unite to form a single circular passage, as at f. The said
pipes G, G, are secured to the cross arm of the T-shaped pipe section E by means
of the bolt g, which is so located that its axis coincides with the axis of the
cross-arm of the T section, and with the centres of the flanges e, e, of the pipes G, G,
the said flanges being turned to fit, one to the interior of the ring d and the other
to the short cylindrical section of said cross arm that is outside of the inwardly
projecting collar or flange c, the inner faces of the said flanges e, e, being pressed
by the bolt g upon the packing rings interposed between the said flanges and the
flanges c and c, as shown in Figure 2.
The semi-cylindrical ends of the pipes G, G, are firmly secured together by the
ring or clamping nut i fitted upon a male screw thread formed upon the said pipes,
which thread also serves for securing the discharge nozzle H or another section of
hose as may be desired.
A slot j is cut through the wall of the cross arm of the T section E; this slot
extends lengthwise circumferentially around the periphery of the said cross arm a
distance about equal to ninety degrees. Through the said slot the screw or screw
handle is screwed into the periphery of the valve F, a boss being cast upon the
interior of said valve to give more length of thread for securing the said screw
firmly in position. Upon the screw is fitted the thumb nut m, which serves by
pressing upon the exterior of the T section to clamp the valve F in the desired
position, whether open or shut, and prevent it from being accidentally displaced.
The ring B has cast thereon the two hook shaped horns B¹, B¹, which are used
to engage with the rungs of a ladder, and thus support the weight of the hose when
the firemen are obliged to play from a ladder.
Another advantage of the use of the horns B', B', is that in cases where the
firemen are obliged to lie upon the floor of a room filled with dense smoke, in order.
to see how to direct the stream upon the fire, the horns will support the pipe at a
sufficient distance above the floor to permit the free movement of the nozzle in any
direction, which the hoseman is enabled to do by moving the said nozzle about the
aerial bolt g, while at the same time the T section to which the said nozzle is
pivoted may be swivelled in the frusto-conical coupling ring C.
'
The frusto-conical rings C and D are fitted together by a ground joint, and are
nicely adjusted to each other by means of a nut n and check-nut n', so that while

page_text: the joint between the two rings is water tight, one may be moved within the other
in order to enable the nozzle H to be turned in any desired direction.
The valve F is also fitted to the interior of the cross arm of the T section by a
ground joint in the same manner as a plug cock.
In the modification shown in Figure 9 the valve F and the ring d are dispensed
with, the cross arm of the Ṭ section being made alike at both ends. I thereby
effect a saving in cost, and for some purposes the joint is all that is required
without the valve.
The packing which is used in this apparatus, and which is applicable to other
purposes, is composed of the cupped ring of leather or other suitable flexible
material, and the metal ring m¹ having formed in its periphery a groove m³ and in
one of its faces an annular groove m³. These grooves m³ and m³ when the ring m¹
is placed in position in the cupped ring form annular chambers between the
metal and the flexible rings, to which water is admitted through the orifices n²
and n³, and thus by its pressure forces the cupped packing ring closely against the
joint to be packed.
The construction of the rings and m¹ will be best understood by reference to
Figures 11, 12, 13, and 14.
In some cases the ring m² is cut through upon one side, as shewn at o in
Figure 15, so that the pressure of the water upon its inner periphery will cause the
said metal ring to be forced outward against the cupped packing ' by expanding
the said metal ring.
•
Figure 17 illustrates the application of this improved packing to the piston of a
pump, in which I is the cylinder; J, the piston proper; ', the cupped packing-
ring; m, the metal ring; and K, a clamping plate or disc for holding the said
ring min place, so constructed that an annular space is formed between it and the
radial portion of the cupped ring ', to which space water is admitted through the
orifices p to press upon the inner periphery of the ring m¹, as above described.
The second part of this Invention relates to a modified form of the apparatus
designed especially for use as a stand hose pipe for throwing large streams of water
upon the fire.
This part of the said Invention comprises the combination of a discharge pipe
bifurcated or divided into two branches at its butt or rear end, and pivotted by
said branches to a three-way section, a stationary base section provided with two
inlet orifices and means for coupling thereto two or more lines of hose, and means
for connecting the said three way and base sections in such a manner that the
former may be revolved upon the latter, as more fully hereinafter described.
It further comprises a novel method of mounting the three-way section upon the
base section, whereby the pressure of the water passing through the said three-
way-section acts thereon in opposite directions, and thus equalizes the pressure
upon the bearing, upon or about which the said three-way-section revolves, and
reduces the friction of the said bearing, and consequently the labor required for
operating and controlling the hose-pipe.
It further comprises the combination of a hose section having a vertical opening
through it, and provided with two inlet passages or nozzles and means for con-
necting thereto two or more lines of hose, a three-way-section fitted to a short
cylindrical bearing upon the upper side of the said base, a curved disc or head
fitted to a circular bearing in the lower portion of the said base beneath the inlet
passages, suitable flexible packing rings adapted to be pressed by the water firmly
upon the joints of the said bearings, and a tie bolt connecting the said curved disc
with the three-way-section in such a manner that the said disc may be adjusted
towards or from the said three-way-section for the purpose of tightening or
loosening the bearing and at the same time be compelled to revolve with the
three-way-section and serve to resist the upward pressure of the water upon the
same.
It further comprises the combination of a stationary base provided with two
inlet passages communicating with two or more lines of hose and with a partition

page_text: three-way-pipe section, a curved disc or head, and a bolt and suitable nuts for
connecting the said disc or head to the three-way-section in such a manner that it
must revolve therewith.
It further comprises a novel arrangement of the packing for rendering the joint
between the stationary base and the revolving three-way-section water tight, and
a novel construction and arrangement of some of the parts, which will be under-
stood from the ensuing description.
Referring to the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 18 is a side elevation of a stand hose pipe embodying this part of my
Invention; and
Figure 19 is a central vertical section of the same.
Figure 20 is a partial vertical section on the line x, x, Figure 19.
Figure 21 is a plan, partly in section, the cutting plane of that portion below the
centre line being on the line 3, y, Figure 19, and that above the centre line on the
line z, z, in the same Figure.
Figure 22 is a plan of a three branch pipe illustrating the method of connecting
a series of hoses or pipes to the stationary base, and
Figure 23 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line v, v, Figure 22.
A is the base ring provided with a flange A¹ by which it is secured to the plat-
form B of a suitable carriage, and having a vertical opening through it, and two
inlet passages or nozzles A2, A2, each adapted to receive the large end of the three
branch pipe A³, to each of the small branches of which are secured a plug, cock, or
valve a, provided with a screw thread a¹, to receive a female coupling ring b of a line
of hose C, as shown in Figures 22 and 23. The said base ring A is also provided
with a partition c, which divides its lower portion into two parts, and the annular
bearing shoulders or surfaces d and d', whose purpose will presently appear.
D, D¹, is a three-way-pipe section made for convenience in two parts bolted
together and provided with the annular lip e which embraces the upper cylindrical
portion of the base A, and rests upon the bearing surface d, the part D¹ being
curved so as to turn the water from a vertical to a horizontal direction.
E is a disc or head fitted to the circular opening in the lower portion of the
base A, and bearing around its outer edge upon the shoulder or bearing surface d¹
of the said base; this disc has its central portion curved upward, as shewn in
Figure 19, and has secured thereto the bolt F, the upper end of which is provided
with a male screw thread and the nuts f and f', by which it is secured to the
upper part of the part D¹ of the three-way-pipe section, as shown. The partition c
has its lower edge finished to fit nicely to the finished curved upper or inner
surface of the disc E, and serves to keep the streams of water entering the said
base separate until they are turned in an upward direction. A flexible packing
ring g of leather or other suitable material is inserted in a groove formed in the
inner periphery of the base, just above the outer portion of the disc E, and projects
inward in a horizontal direction across the joint formed between the said disc and
base, as shown in Figure 19.
An annular groove is formed in the upper end of the cylindrical portion of the
base A, into which is fitted closely the packing ring h of leather or other flexible
material, which projects upward above the top of the said base in the form of a
short cylinder, and laps over the joint between the top of the said base and the
shoulder i of the said three-way-pipe section; an annular groove is formed in
the lower end of the said three-way-section into which the said packing-ring h
projects and fits loosely, the said groove being so formed that the water will
enter between its inner wall and the said packing ring, and thus press the said
ring outward to ensure a perfect packing of the joint.
G is a bifurcated pipe made up of four sections F¹, F1, F2, and F³, constructed
and pivoted to the three way section, substantially as described.
One of the sections or branches F' of the bifurcated pipe G has formed thereon a
hub or boss m³, to which is firmly secured the segment of a worm-wheel H; with

page_text: this segment the worm I, mounted on the shaft I¹, engages so as to impart a
vibratory motion to the pipe G about the axis of the bolt G₁, the said shaft I being
mounted in bearings in the stand J secured to the three-way-pipe section D, D',
and being provided with the hand wheel or crank K by which it may be revolved.
L is a lever also bolted to the three way pipe section D, D¹; by means of this
lever the said section may be revolved around the axis of the bolt F..
M is a segmental guide secured upon the carriage platform B and provided with
the groove n, into which is fitted the lip o secured to the three-way-pipe section D;
the said guide and lip serve as an additional support and guide for the said three
way pipe section in its movements about the axis of the bolt F. It is a well
known fact that in discharging water under pressure from a hose pipe a reactionary
effect is produced upon the said pipe, which tends to force the pipe from the hands
of the hosemen toward the rear, and that said reactionary force is increased with
the increase of the size of stream discharged if the pressure is maintained.
It has been found by actual test that in using the bifurcated pipe in combination
with the three way section, the objectionable reactionary force is overcome or
counteracted whenever the stream is discharged in a direction in line with the
movement of the current of the water, just before it is divided in the three way
section, to be forced through the two arms of the bifurcated pipe, but that said
force appears and asserts itself whenever the discharge pipe is so held as to deliver
the stream in a direction at right angles or nearly so to the direction of the
current of water just before it is divided in the three-way-section, as above
described.
To obviate as much as possible the objectionable features of this reactionary
force, the three way section D, D', is provided with the quarter turn or bend, so
that the current of water just before being divided in the said three way section to
pass into the branches F, F¹, of the pivoted pipe G shall move in a horizontal
direction, and by impinging upon the end wall of said section counteract the
reactionary force caused by the discharge of the water from the nozzle of the pipe
when the said pipe is so held as to direct its streams horizontally or nearly so, at
which time the reactionary force would be the most objectionable, and so that the
recoil caused by the discharge of the streams from the nozzle when the pipe is
turned at right angles or nearly so to the direction of the current of water just
before it is divided in the three way section, as before described, shall be received
by the carriage and transmitted through it to the ground, thereby making it much
easier to hold the pipe in the desired position.
By the employment of this improved stand hose pipe a very powerful stream of
water may be concentrated and directed to any desired point without requiring
the services of several men to hold and control the pipe, as is the case with the
pipes now in general use.
The construction of this apparatus is such that the pressures are to a great
extent equalized, and hence the pipe G may be moved about its pivotal axis and
revolved about the vertical axis of the three-way-section with comparative ease,
and the said pipe may be maintained at any desired angle of elevation or pointing
to any point of the compass by one man, while it discharges a stream of water
three inches in diameter.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In combination with a hose or other pipe the T-shaped section E provided
with a screw-thread for securing it to the said hose or other pipe, and an inwardly
projecting annular lip or flange in each end, the two curved branch elbow pipes
G, G, the axial pivot bolt g, and the clamping nut i, all constructed, arranged, and
adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose described.
.
Second. The combination of the pipe or coupling section A, the T-section E, the
frusto-conical coupling rings C and D, the two curved branch elbow pipes G; G,

page_text: the pivotal bolt g, and the clamping ring nut i, all constructed, arranged, and
adapted to operate substantially as and for the purposes specified
Third. The combination of the pipe or coupling section A, the frusto-conical.
rings C and D, the T-shaped pipe section E, the hollow frusto-conical valve F,
the two curved elbow-pipes G, G, the clamping pivot bolt g, and the ring nut i, all
arranged and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination of the pipe or coupling A, the T-shaped pipe-section. E
provided with the circumferential slot j, the frusto-conical valve F, the curved
elbow-pipes G, G, the ring-nut i, the screw handle k, and the thumb-nut m,
substantially as set forth and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. In combination with a hose pipe or butt the hook-shaped horns B'.
attached permanently thereto, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Sixth. In combination with a hose-pipe or butt, the swivelling ring B provided
with one or more hook-shaped horns B¹, all arranged and adapted to operate
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Seventh. The combination of the pipe or coupling section A, the swivelling
ring B provided with one or more hook-shaped horns B', the frusto-conical coupling
rings C and D, the T-shaped pipe-section E, the curved elbow-pipes G, G, the
pivot bolt g, and the ring-nut i, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The combination of the pipe or coupling section A, the swivelling
ring B provided with one or more hook-shaped horns B', the frusto-conical rings Č
and D, the T-shaped pipe-section E provided with the slot j, the frusto-conical
valve F, the two curved elbow branch pipes G, G, the pivotal binding bolt g, the
ring-nut, the valve screw handle k, and the thumb-nut m, all arranged and
adapted to operate substantially as and for the purposes described.
Ninth. As the means for packing joints to render them water-tight the com-
bination of a cupped ring of leather or other flexible material and a metal ring
placed within the said cupped ring and provided with the annular grooves m²
and m³ and the orifices n² and n³, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Tenth. As the means for packing joints to render them water-tight, the com-
bination of the cupped packing ring and the metal ring m³ provided with the
annular grooves m² and m³, and the orifices n² and n³, and divided upon one side,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Eleventh. The combination of the bifurcated hose-pipe G, the three-way section
D, D', the stationary base A provided with two inlet passages, and means for
coupling thereto two or more lines of hose and means for securing the base and
three-way sections together and permitting the latter to be revolved upon tho
former, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Twelfth. The base A provided with two inlet-passages A2 and the two annular
shoulders & and d¹ in combination with a three-way-section connected to the said
base by bearings upon the said shoulders d and d and adapted to be revolved
thereon, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Thirteenth. The combination of the base A provided with the annular shoulders
d and d', and two inlet passages communicating with two or more lines of hose,
the three-way section D, D', the curved disc or head E, the packing rings g and h,
and the bolt F, and nuts fand f', all arranged and adapted to operate substantially
as and for the purposes described.
Fourteenth. The stationary base A provided with the annular groove h, a
packing ring secured in the said groove, the three-way section D, D', fitted to and
having a bearing upon the upper portion of the said base and provided with the
aunular groove to receive the upper edge of the said packing ring, all
constructed, arranged, and combined to operate substantially as and for the
purposes described.
the
Fifteenth. The combination of the base A, the three-way section D, D¹,
bifurcated pipe G, the worm-wheel-segment H, and the worm I, all arranged and
adapted to operate substantially as and for the purposes described.

page_text: Sixteenth. The base A provided with two inlet passages communicating with two
or more lines of hose, and the partition c in combination with the three-way pipe-
section D; D'; the curved disc or head E, the bolt F, and the nuts fand ƒ, all
constructed, arranged, and adapted to operate substantially as described.
Seventeenth. The combination of the stationary base A, the three-way section
D, D', provided with a quarter. turn or bend, as set forth, and the bifurcated.
discharge-pipe G, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as described.
Eighteenth. The combination of the platform B, the base A, and segmental
guide M secured thereon, the three-way section D, D', provided with a quarter
turn or bend, the bifurcated pipe G, and the supporting and guiding lipo, all
arranged and adapted to operate substantially as described.
In witness whercof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty eighth day of March, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
117M DODT TAG Gal