IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR HOSE AND OTHER PIPES
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Phinchas Barnes, junior, of Troy, New York,
United States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings,
London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR HOSE
AND OTHER PIPES."
Sealed the 12th September 1871, and dated the 16th March 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Phinchas Barnes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 16th March 1871.
I, PHINEHAS BARNES, junior, of Troy, New York, United States of
America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS
FOR HOSE AND OTHER PIPES," to be as follows:―
The object of my Invention is the manufacture of a tight coupling
without the use of the ordinary washer and loose ring heretofore applied
to the male end of such couplings, and without any contrivances for
forcing the two parts of the coupling together in the line of their axes
in order to compress the washer.

page_text: The male part of my coupling slides easily into the female part, as
usual, and has formed in it a recess or annular groove, and several small
holes leading from the hollow of the male part into the said groove. In
this groove is placed a ring of vulcanized rubber or other suitable
packing. In the flange of the male part of the coupling are cut slots,
and upon the flange of the female part are formed hooks. In putting
the parts together they are applied cach to cach, so that the aforesaid
slots are in line with the hooks. The latter are then pushed through
the former, and one member of the coupling is turned on its axis, so
that the hooks rest upon the flange of the female part, the two parts
being thus secured together by the device known as a bayonet joint.
As soon as there is any pressure inside the coupling the fluid will enter
the holes and press upon the inside of the packing ring, forcing its
periphery against the interior of the female part of the coupling, and
preventing leakage between the exterior of the male part and the
interior of the female part of the coupling. I sometimes form opposite
the packing ring an annular depression in the female part of the
coupling. Pressure inside the coupling will force a portion of the
packing ring into this depression, and the ring itself will hold the two
members of the coupling together, thus dispensing with the hooks and
slots. I prefer, however, to use the bayonet fastening, or some
equivalent mechanical contrivance, as the parts of the coupling are
thereby held in place prior to the application of pressure inside the
coupling. I may sometimes use a screw or wedge in place of the bayonet
or similar fastening. I sometimes make the aforesaid recess dovetailed
in section, and force the packing ring into it, thus ensuring the tightness
of the joint between the ring and the male part of the coupling.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Phinchas Baines in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 15th September 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, PILINEHAS
BARNES, junior, of Troy, New York, United States of America, now of
No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.

page_text: our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Phinehas Barnes, junior, Her special
licence, that I, the said Phinchas Barnes, junior, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Phinchas Barnes,
junior, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR HOSE AND OTHER PIPES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Phinehas Barnes, junior, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Phinehas Barnes, junior, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same.
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing forming a part of this Specification:-
The object of my Invention is the manufacture of a tight coupling
without the use of the ordinary washer and the loose ring heretofore
applied to the male end of such couplings and without any contrivances
for forcing the two parts of the coupling together in the line of their axes
in order to compress the washer.

page_text: from the hollow of the male part into the said groove. In this groove
is placed a ring of vulcanized rubber or other suitable packing. In.
the flange of the male member of the coupling are cut slots g,
and upon the flange of the female member are formed hooks or
projections h.
In putting the parts together they are applied each to each so
that the slots are opposite or in line with the hooks. The latter are
then pushed through the former, and one member of the coupling
is turned so far on its axis as to bring the hooks into the position
shown in Figure 3, where they rest upon the flange of the female
member, the two members being thus secured as by an ordinary bayonet
joint. As soon as pressure is produced inside the coupling the fluid
will enter the holes e and press upon the inside of the packing ring,
forcing its periphery against the interior of the female member of the
coupling and preventing leakage between the exterior of the male and
the interior of the female parts of the coupling.
I sometimes form opposite the packing ring an annular depression
in the female part of the coupling, as indicated by dotted lines at m,
Figure 1. Under pressure inside the coupling a portion of the packing
ring will be forced into this depression and the ring itself will hold the
two members of the coupling together as soon as pressure is applied.
I thus dispense with the hooks and slots, but I prefer to use the bayonet
fastening or some well-known substitute or equivalent contrivance, as
the parts of the coupling are thereby held in place prior to the appli-"
cation of pressure inside of the coupling. But it must be distinctly
understood at the same time that a screw or wedge or other mode of
holding the parts in place may be used in place of the bayonet fastening
without changing the principle of my Invention.
I intend at times to make the recess d dovetailed in its section and
to force the packing ring into it, thus insuring the tightness of the
joint between the ring and the male member of the coupling, but this
construction is more judicious in theory than in practice, as I have
found by actual trial that the construction represented in the Drawing
is tight at the highest pressures usually applied to hose. In Figure 4
I have shown the female part of the coupling provided with a screw i
which is passed through one side of it, the end of the said screw being
formed with a collar which enters and fits the recess in the male part
of the coupling.

page_text: By this Invention I obviate the difficulties attending the use of the
ordinary washers for couplings, such as their falling off and being lost
when most wanted, their wearing out quickly, and their failure to
form tight joints. My coupling is cheaper than those hitherto used,
it may be put together in less time, it always makes a tight joint,
the packing ring wears but little, if at all, and is not liable to fall off.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, I claim,-
First. A packing ring placed in a recess in the male part of a coupling
in combination with the female part of the said coupling, substantially
as specified.
Second. In combination with a packing ring applied and acting as
specified, and the male and female parts of a coupling, a bayonet
fastening, or some equivalent contrivance or other suitable device for
holding the parts in place until the packing ring is subjected to pressure,
substantially as set forth.
Third. An annular recess in combination with the male part of a
coupling, and with holes leading into it from the hollow of the said
coupling, forming a seat and an apparatus for applying pressure to a
packing ring, substantially as described.
Fourth. An annular recess formed in the periphery of the male part of
a coupling provided with holes leading into it from the hollow of the
said coupling in combination with the female part of the same, whereby
a packing ring may be applied to pack a coupling joint, as herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Phinehas Barnes, junior, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of August, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-