Improvements in Air Brake Hose Couplings.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1897-Accepted, 27th Nov.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Air Brake Hose Couplings.
I, JOSEPH REDFERN of Wilmerding, County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania U.S.A.,
Hotel Keeper, 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 object of this invention, amongst others, is to provide an air brake hose
coupling of a simple and cheap construction by which several steps in the process
of manufacture are dispensed with and the coupling rendered more durable and
efficient.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is an elevation of the coupling of this
invention. Fig. 2 a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of
the arrow. Figs. 3 and 4 are separate views of details.
A are the two coupling parts of ordinary form in their general contour and
each provided with a nipple or extension B for connection with a rubber hose
or flexible tubing (not shewn). The face portion of the coupling parts is pro-
vided with an annular undercut recess C (Fig. 2) into which recesses are fitted
the gaskets D or packing rings of rubber, asbestos, or any suitable material the.
inner circumference of which may or may not be provided with an annular groove
or depression E (Fig. 3).
The
F is a split ring, preferably of flat spring material, adapted to be placed within
the gasket or packing ring, and when the groove or depression E is present the
said ring is fitted into said groove or depression, as shewn in Fig. 2.
gasket or ring is of such thickness as to have its outer face project beyond the face
of the casting or coupling part, so that when the two coupling parts are united
or coupled, as shewn, the abutting faces of the two gaskets or rings will insure
a perfectly water and air tight joint. The tendency of the spring is to expand
and when placing the gasket in position the said gasket is first placed within
the socket or depression in the coupling and then the ring sprung together, so
that its two ends will meet or approach each other when it is fitted into the recess
or groove in the gasket, or the spring may be placed in the gasket before the
latter is placed in position and the spring grasped beween the thumb and finger
and sprung together until the ends overlie each other enough to permit the
gasket to be sprung into position. When in position, the ring expands and holds
the gasket firmly in position and the two ends of the ring practically come
squarely together, and being body bound by the gasket become virtually a solid
ring. The ends coming squarely together prevent its coming out. As it has
a constant tendency to expand, the gasket cannot be accidentally forced out
of its socket. It may be readily removed by springing one end of the spring
ring out of place and pushing it up or down when a new gasket is to be placed
in the coupling and the same spring can be used. It requires no tools other than
the finger and thumb, and, further, the necessity of grooving the inner wall of
the coupling to form the seat for the gaske is obviated.
The body portion of the coupling parts is formed with a lug G projecting parallel
to the opening in the body portion of the coupling and extending beyond the face

page_text: thereof, having a square or straight side (Fig. 1) the two straight edges coming
together and forming a perfect lock and preventing movement of the parts in
the direction of movement given them to couple them.
Each coupling part is formed with a wing H the inside face of which is grooved
out on a circle struck from the centre of the coupling face, (Fig. 4) while the
lip is formed with a bead or projection K upon a corresponding curve and
adapted to engage in and fit said groove, (Figs. 1, 4). As the gaskets project
beyond the faces of the coupling parts there is when they are given a partial
rotary movement, considerable friction between the lip and the wing, and thus
the joint is formed. The lips entering the grooves serve to prevent any endwise
movement until after the parts have been given the necessary rotary movement
to couple or uncouple them.
The coupling may be employed in connection with the air brake hose coupling
now in general use. In Fig. is shewn the interlocking of the same with a
coupling having the ordinary pin, as shewn by dotted lines at L.
The rounded bead or projection on the lip is so disposed relatively to the groove
of said lip that in case of accident, as a break in the train, as will sometimes
occur on a heavy grade, the coupling parts will separate by abnormal longitudinal
strain thereon, the beads on the lip passing over the outer walls of the grooves
in the wings, and thus avoid injury to the couplings, such as results from the
use of such couplings as require a partial rotary movement in order to uncouple
or disconnect the same. In this invention the parts are so disposed that in normal
conditions separation of the couplings by the longitudinal strain cannot take place.
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 of the class described, provided with a lug extending at an angle
to the face of the coupling and projecting beyond the same and having a square
face at right angles to the face of the coupling located at such a point as to abut
against a similar lug upon an adjacent coupling, substantially as described and
shewn.
2. A coupling of the class described, provided with a wing having a groove
upon its under face concentric with the opening in said face, a lip diametrically
oppositely disposed and having a rib on its outer face concentric with the opening
in the face of the coupling, and a lug between the wing and lip and projecting
at right angles to the face and extending beyond the same, substantially as
described and shewn.
3. A gasket for an air brake hose coupling, the same having a tapered outer
surface, an annular depression upon its inner surface, and a split spring ring
adapted to be seated in said depression, substantially as described and shewn.
4. The combination with the coupling having an annular socket with undercut
wall, of
gasket having a correspondingly bevelled outer wall fitting said socket
and projecting beyond the face of the coupling, and provided upon its inner wall
with an annular depression, and a split spring ring seated in said depression,
substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1897
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.