Improvements in Couplings for Water-closet Basins and other Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 10th Dec., 1392
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Couplings for Water-closet Basins and other
Apparatus.
I, GEORGE BETHELL HOWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at
Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United
States of America, Manufacturer, 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:-
My invention relates to pipe couplings for earthen water closets or other fixtures
made of earthen-ware, in which the connection between the bowl and flush pipe
or other fixture and the pipe to be attached thereto must be made from the
outside.
It has been the common practice heretofore to make the connection between the
earthen closet and attached metallic pipe by pouring molten sulphur between the
coupling section and the earthenware socket, thereby forming a rigid joint which,
in the usual wear and tear of a water-closet, is very likely to break the earthenware,
on account of the rigidity of the joint. These objections have been obviated to
some extent by interposing an elastic gasket or packing ring between the earthen
socket and metallic coupling section inserted therein, but in these latter contrivances
it has been necessary to use lock-nuts and washers or other means for compressing
or clamping the packing between the metal piece and earthen socket so as to form
a tight joint, and by thus multiplying the parts the cost of manufacture is increased,
the coupling is rendered more or less complex and difficult to attach, and the joint
thus formed is practically rigid or inflexible.
The primary object of my invention is to provide a coupling by which a per-
fectly tight, though slightly yielding or flexible connection may be made between
the earthenware fixture and metallic pipe attached thereto, and thereby prevent
breakage which frequently results in practice from a rigid joint.
A further object is to simplify the construction, reduce the cost of manufacture
and increase the efficiency and durability of couplings of this character.
The invention will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings
and then pointed out in the claims at the end of this description.
Referring to the drawings by figures and letters of reference,
Figure 1 represents in section so much of an earthenware fixture and inserted
packing ring as is necessary to illustrate my invention;
Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating the coupling piece and packing ring locked
to the earthen fixture;
Figure 3 is a detail sectional view of a modification of the metallic coupling
piece or nipple.
A, denotes a hollow projection or socket formning a part of the water-closet bowl
or other earthen fixture to which a pipe is to be attached. B, denotes a nipple or
coupling-piece which may connect with the flush pipe or other pipe to be attached
to the fixture A.
The socket A is provided at its end with an interior annular projection or lip a,
and may also have slightly in rear of the latter a similar projection or flange a¹,
both of which may be formed in a single piece with the fixture in the baking. The
nipple B, is formed with an exterior annular projection or collar b, intermediate the
ends thereof, and may also have a terminal projection or collar b', though the latter
may in some cases be dispensed with. C denotes a rubber gasket or elastic packing
ring which is adapted to fit within the earthen socket so as to protect the latter
from contact with the metal of the nipple B, when the latter is inserted therein,
and to be expanded by the nipple so as to bear against the walls of the socket and
form a perfectly tight joint.
.

page_text: The gasket may consist of a molded rubber ring having a conical opening
through the same to receive the end of the nipple or coupling piece and a collar c
to protect the rim of the socket and prevent the ring from being forced into the
socket when the nipple is inserted. The inner end of the ring C may also be
bevelled inwardly as at c, to facilitate the expansion of, the ring and the sealing of
the joint when the parts are in proper position. The insertible end of the nipple B
may also be made slightly tapering if desired to facilitate its introduction into the
conical opening of the ring, and may be exteriorly screw threaded at its opposite
end for connection with a pipe, but the diameter of the nipple should be such that
the inner thick portion of the rubber ring will be expanded and caused to bear
tightly against the interior wall of the socket.
To make the connection, the gasket is first inserted in the socket as indicated in
Figure 1, and thereupon the nipple is forced into the gasket so as to expand the
thick portion of the rubber ring against the inner wall of the socket as indicated
in Figure 2, in which position the parts will be securely locked together; the
overhanging lip or collar 6', preventing displacement of the nipple and the ring
being confined in the socket by the annular interior projection or lip a, of the
latter.
But when it is not desirable to form a lock-joint a coupling section B¹, Figure 3,
having an intermediate collar b, only, may be employed, so as to render the
coupling detachable. The inner flange a', of the socket may also be omitted,
though I preferably use the same as a protection to the gasket and to strengthen
the socket.
Furthermore while my invention is particularly applicable to fixtures of earthen-
ware, on account of the impracticability of threading the same and the
undesirability of using bolts therewith, it is also capable of other uses and may
be advantageously employed for many purposes, and wherever a similar joint is
desirable.
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
First In combination with the water-closet or similar fixture of earthenware
provided with an opening having an interior annular projection or flange, the
elastic gasket having a conical opening therethrough, and a nipple or coupling piece
adapted to be forced into said conical opening so as to expand the gasket within
the opening of the fixture, and secure the parts together without other fastening
means, substantially as described.
Second-In combination with the fixture having an opening therein provided
with an interior annular projection or flange, the elastic gasket having a conical
opening through the same, and the nipple or coupling-piece having a collar or lip.
adapted to overhang the inner end of the gasket when the parts are inserted in the
opening of the fixture so as to form a lock-joint, substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day of September 1892.