Flexible Coupling for Metal Pipes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 15th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Flexible Coupling for Metal Pipes.
I, JOHN SUYDAM of 138 Western Avenue, in the City of Albany, State of New
York, U.S.A. Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "FLEXIBLE
COUPLING FOR METALLIC PIPES," to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a practical flexible coupling for metal
pipes, designed more especially for steam, air and water pipes or conduits wherein
shifting, lengthening, shortening or bending of the conduit is desirable as with the
steam pipes used with steam drills.
My invention consists mainly of a flexible pipe coupling comprising two
adjustable sections, each curved and formed at one end with a union to connect
with the main pipes to be coupled, and each formed at the other end with a neck
and bearing-stud in line therewith and with a seat for packing. The necks to the
adjustable sections are joined by a curved connecting pipe which is formed at its
ends with a seat for the packing and with a central screw tapped bridge which
receives a bolt to retain a clamp plate which embraces the bearing studs of the
adjustable sections and clamps the adjustable sections and the curved connecting
pipe together.
When the parts are put together and the bolt screwed down the adjustable
sections and the curved connecting pipe become united by steam-tight joints, so that
fluids or gases may pass freely through the coupling without escape, and yet are
free to be held in line with one another or they may be easily turned to any desired
angle without disturbing the coupling more than to turn the adjustable sections in
and upon their bearings.
Dated this 10th day of March 1892.
ABEL & IMKAI,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Flexible Coupling for Metal Pipes.
I, JOHN SUYDAM, residing at 138. Western Avenue, in the City of Albany, State
of New York, U.S.A. Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS FOR METAL PIPES, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to provide a practical flexible coupling for metal
pipes, the same being designed more especially for steam, air and water pipes or
conduits, wherein shifting, or shortening or lengthening of the conduit is desirable
as with the steam pipes used in connection with steam drills, or with pipes used in
pumping mines or in other situations; and my invention consists in a flexible pipe
coupling comprising pivoted or adjustable end sections and a curved or bent inter-
mediate section or connecting pipe, to the ends of which the pivoted sections are
united by suitable means which permit the adjustment of the sections to the right
or left or vertically.
My invention also consists of the special construction of the flexible coupler all
as hereinafter described and shown in the drawings.
In the accompanying drawings to which reference is made
Fig. 1 shows the arrangement of flexible couplers of my invention, connecting
pipes A, A, one of the couplers being vertically the other horizontally arranged;

page_text: Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of my new flexible couplers;
Fig. 3 is a detached view of one of the end sections; and
Fig. 4 shows in sectional elevation a modification wherein one of the end sections
is provided with a union piece adapted for axial rotation and with which anti-
friction balls are used at the joint.
A, A' represent two metal pipes, and B, B two of my new flexible couplings
uniting said pipes and arranged at right angles to one another which said couplings
are so constructed as to permit the pipes A A' to be placed at any desired angle to
each other, either vertical or horizontal, or turned parallel, or nearly so, with one
another.
The couplings B are substantially duplicates of each other, and are constructed
as shown in Fig. 2, each comprising four main parts, vir.: the two end sections a, b,
the intermediate connecting pipe o and the yoke D. The section a is formed with
a lateral circular neck a¹ and with a journal or step-bearing a in line with the axis
of the neck; and the outer surface of said neck a' is formed with a seat a³ for
packing. The section 6 is formed at one end with a circular lateral neck b¹ and
with a step-bearing & also in line with the axis of the neck, and the outer surface
of the said neck is formed with a seat 6 for packing f'. At its opposite or outer
end said section b is formed with a circular neck 6 and bearing 6 at right angles or
thereabouts to the said neck as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and the outer surface of
this neck is formed with a seat f'. The section a' is a duplicate to section a above
described placed at right angles to section a
The connecting pipe c is curved and is formed with a bridge to receive the
bolt C for uniting the yoke D and the connecting pipe o and the end sections firmly
together. The open ends or ports of the connecting pipe c receive the necks of the
section ab and are enlarged to form seats of to receive and hold the packing as
clearly shown in Fig. 2.
The yokes D are each formed with two seats d and sockets e to receive the
studs e formed on the sections a b to prevent displacement, and said yokes are each
by preference projected inwardly in the centre as shown at d¹ and recessed at its
outer surface as shown at d to enclose the head of the bolt C as shown.
In Fig. 4 the end section a is formed with an outer screw-thread to receive the
sleeveg which is curved inwardly at its outer edge to form a concaved seat g¹ to
retain and work upon the series of anti-friction balls h. The sleeve g serves
to unite the section a and the rotating union or swivel piece i to which the pipe A,
or other pipe, may be attached, so that said pipe may be rotated axially. The said
union piece i is formed with a packing seat or gland and the end of the section a
is formed with an annular recess to receive packing on which the said gland rests,
and the said union is formed also with a flange on which the anti-friction balls
rest; a small plate of copper, brass, or other similar metal may be placed on the
flange to prevent rusting and sticking of the balls.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. A coupling for pipes comprising two sections each formed with a lateral neck
and a bearing in line with the neck, in combination with a connecting pipe formed
with a bridge and a yoke and bolt for holding the said lateral necks and the ends
of the connecting pipe firmly together, substantially as shown and described.
2. The connecting pipe e formed with a bridge and with open ports and seats
for packing the yoke D formed with seats d and the bolt C, in combination with
the sections a 6 formed with lateral necks and seats for packing and bearings in line
with the necks and fitted in the ports of the connecting pipe, substantially as
described.
3. The section 6 formed with a lateral neck at each end and with a bearing in
line with each neck, substantially as described.
4. The couplings B, B, each connected to a pipe A, A' by adjustable sections a², aª

page_text: and united by the section 6 formed at each end with a lateral neck and a bearing in
line therewith, the neck at one end being formed at an angle to that of the other
and said necks being adjustable, held in the couplings, substantially as described.
5. The section a formed with a lateral neck a³ and with a stud and the section b
also formed with a lateral neck and with a stud in combination with the yoke D
formed with recesses e, the bolt C and the connecting pipe c formed with a bridge c
and with open ports to receive the lateral necks of the said sections a b,
substantially as described.
6. The section a and sleeve screwed thereon and formed with a curved seat
combined with a swivel-piece and anti-friction balls the swivel piece being formed
upon the packing substantially as described.
7. The section a and sleeve g screwed therein and formed with a curved seat in
combination with the anti-friction balls held in said seat and resting upon a plate
and a flange formed on the swivel-piece, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the laterally adjustable section a of a swivel connection
for connecting the pipe A to the said section substantially as described.
Did thi. 18th day of December 1800
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.