Improvements in Pipe-couplings.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
GUMI LIPID SI DOITWALION
Improvements in Pipe-couplings.
I, HENRY BALBIAN, of Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Machinist, 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 invention relates to pipe-couplings and is illustrated in the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a partial side elevation and partial vertical section of a
pipe-coupling, embodying my invention.
Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a packing detached.
Figure 3 represents a partial side elevation and partial vertical section of a
coupling on an enlarged scale, showing the interior valves thereof.
Figure 4 represents a longitudinal section of a flexible elbow joint of pipes, to
which the coupling is applied.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A designates two shells or hollow bodies, each having an open end B, and an
open end C, as inlets or outlets, the ends C being in communication, whereby
fluid may pass through the bodies.
The bodies adjacent to the ends C are formed with arms D, the inner faces of
which have depressions or grooves E, to receive tongues Fon the bodies, whereby
the bodies may be properly seated on each other, and longitudinal displacement of
the same prevented.
G designates rokes which embrace the bodies A and arms D, and have pivoted
to them cam or eccentric levers H, the heads J whereof bear against the bodies A,
so as to be tightened thereon.
In the sides of the yokes are slots K, which receive screws L, the latter being
connected with the bodies A, thus securing the yokes in position, and guiding the
same in their motions, during the clamping and releasing operations of the coupling.
Within the slots K, are coiled springs M, which bear against the end walls of
said slots, and the screws L, said walls having pins or studs N, which enter the
springs, and prevent displacement of the same.
Within the bodies at the ends C thereof, are packings P, which are tubular, or
of the form of frustums of hollow cones, the bases of which have flanges Q, which
are in contact and project outside of the bodies, so as to occupy a position between
the same, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.
In order to retain the packing in position, when the coupling is separated. I
employ cross-heads R, which bear against the inner faces of the packing, and
are held there-against by screws S, the latter being secured to the walls of the
bodies A.
It will be seen that the packings may be firmly compressed against the contiguous
walls of the ends C of the bodies A by properly rotating the screws S, thus
tightening the cross-heads against the inner faces of the packings, it being noticed
that the seats of the packing are conical, so as to conform to the exterior contour of
the packings.
When the screws are removed, the packings may be displaced, when so desired.
It will be seen that when the bodies are in coupling positions, the levers H are
properly rotated, whereby the yokes G draw the bodies together, thus firmly
connecting or coupling the same, and compressing the flanges of the packings,
producing tight joints at the coupled ends C of the bodies.
When the levers are rotated in opposite directions, the power of the same is
emoved from the bodies A, and yokes G, thus permitting the bodies to separate.

page_text: The springs M now exert their pressure, so as to force the yokes in the direction
from the heads of the lever, this overcoming any sticking of the yokes, and
removing the cross-bars of the latter from contact with the arms D, so that the
bodies may be readily disconnected, and the coupling thereby separated.
T designates shoulders on the sides of the boilies, for guiding and steadying the
yokes G, in their motions, and U designates ears seenred to the body, constituting
bearings and guides for the heads of the levers 11.
In order to control the flow of fluid through the coupling, when the parts are
uncoupled, the valves V are employed, each consisting of a movable head W. the
commeeting screw spindle X and plug Y, which latter has said spindle fitted to it,
and is connected with the body A. "The wall of the plug has port- Z, and its inner
end rests upon a packing A', the latter having a flange 13, which engages thinner
shoulder of the buy, thus preventing said packing from falling out, when the
bodies are separated or closed,
It is evident that the valves may be readily opened or closed at will, and the
flow of fluid regulated.
D' designates springs between the bodies, for holding the same sufficiently
apart, for preventing the tongues F from engaging the respective grooves E, when
so required.
Referring to Figure 4, the inner ends of the pipes are shown flanged, and abutting
against glands which are also flanged. Cups F1 engage with said glands, and
packing is interposed between the glands and the tubes and also between the
caps and the tubes, forming tight joints thereat, it being evident that as packing is
interposed between the metals at every point the pipes are readily flexible in their
coupling.
The coupling will be found to be admirably adapted for the heating and brake
apparatus of railway trains.
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 :-
1st. A coupling formed of shells or hollow bodies, slotted yokes embracing the
same, tightening levers connected with said yokes and bearing on the bodies, screws
connecting the yokes with the bodies, and springs bearing against said screws and
yokes, for separating the yokes, said parts being combined substantially as
described.
2nd. A coupling formed of shells or hollow bodies, provided with a packing at
the couple ends thereof, the same being secured in position by a cross-head and
screw, substantially as described.
3rd. The packing of the form of the frustum of a hollow cone with a flange at
the base thereof, substantially as described.
4th. A coupling consisting of the shells or bodies A, with projecting arms D, the
embracing yokes with slots K, the tightening levers H connected with said
yokes, the serows L attaching the yokes to the boilies, and the springs M in the
slots of the yokes, bearing against the end walls of the same, and the screws L, said
parts being combined, substantially as described.
5th. The combination with a section of pipe, of two part coupling made up of the
bodies having on their bearing-faces the corresponding tongues and grooves, the
yoke attached to each body, the levers pivoted to the yoke, and the springs located
between the bodies, substantially as described.
6th. The improved coupling consisting of the similar body parts, each part
having a bearing surface on its side, and the communicating openings, the yoke
secured to each body part by a screw passing through a slot in the side part of the
yoke, the lever pivoted to the yoke on the side opposite the cross-bar, and an arm,
substantially as described.
7th. In a compling, the combination of the similar body parts, both having a
steam-way, the tongue and a groove on the benring face of the body part, the yoke

page_text: with the connected lever, and secured to its respective body part by a screw passing
through the slot in the side part of the yoke, the projecting arm, and the springs
located between the bearing faces of the body parts, substantially as described.
8th. The combination in a pipe coupling of the similar body parts with steam-
way, arm and valve, the packings held between the flange on the body part and the
end of the plug that has ports F, the valve and the clamping device consisting of
the yoke and lever, substantially as described.
9th. A pipe coupling consisting of two similar hollow parts, each having a
projecting arm and a lateral opening, two yokes each having a slot in one of its
sides, levers pivoted to said yokes, plugs secured in each of said parts, and valves in
said plugs, said parts being combined substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day
1900
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.