IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS OR CONNECTIONS FOR TUBES OR PIPES
Year: 1876

page_text: A
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS OR CONNECTIONS FOR TUBES OR PIPES."
communication from abroad by Leonard Richardson, of Brooklyn, New York,
United States of America, Merchant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at tho
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th November 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS OR CONNECTIONS
FOR TUBES OR PIPES." A communication from abroad by Leonard Richardson, of
Brooklyn, New York, United States of America, Merchant.
This Invention relates to the forming of joints between sections of flexible and
other pipes, being applicable to hose couplings, to the connection of lead pipe, and
of copper tubes.
One portion of my Invention is more especially intended for pipes or tubes
composed of copper or other soft metal; and its object is to provide a joint for such
pipes or tubes which shall be perfectly tight and proof against leakage without the
interposition of any special packing; and this part of the said Invention comprises
the combination of an internal thimble, constructed with a central peripherical
packing flanch, and tapered or diminished in diameter from said flanch outward to
its opposite ends, the said thimble having its two oppositely tapered ends fitted
into the flared extremities of the two pipes or tubes joined, and the said extremities
being forced toward each other and firmly against the opposite sides of the packing
flanch of said thimble by means of two tightening nuts, screwing one upon the
other and serving to press the parts snugly in contact to effect the result desired.
Another portion of my Invention in the fitting of the pipes or tubes upon.
locomotives, and in other cases it is necessary to fit a piece or section of the pipe
or tube within a given length or space, the longitudinal movement of the inserted
pipe or section being necessarily prevented by the rigidity of the parts to which it
is to be affixed or joined.
The object of this part of my Invention is to provide means whereby such section
•

page_text: of pipes or tubes may be fitted into place without. dislocating the pipes or tubes, to
which they may be attached and with very great ease and convenience of mani-
pulation.
This part of the said Invention comprises a peculiar construction of what may be
termed a ball joint, the end of the section to be fitted into place being turned or
swung to its place laterally without the necessity of longitudinal movement; it
also comprises a novel combination of a main nut constructed with a concave
socket, an internal taper thimble, constructed with a hemispherical or. semi-
spheroidal bearing face and a taper holding nut, these several parts being com-
bined in such relation with each other and with the flared end of the pipe or tube
section, that the holding nut being first slipped upon the pipe or tube section the
latter with its thimble may be swung with the face of the thimble fitted into the
socket of the main nut, and the holding nut then screwed home to bind the parts
firmly together with a tight and snug joint.
In order to secure the attachment of a hose to the nut whereby it is attached
to its coupling section, it has been customary to insert within the hose concentric
with the aforesaid nut a copper ring, which being forcibly expanded by means of
special appliance of an apparatus devised and remaining set after such expansion
confines the intervening portion of the hose snugly between said copper ring and
the external or surrounding portion of the nut; this method has proved of con-
siderable utility, but inasmuch as it is necessary to remove the hose and its coupling
section to a workshop, and to use special tools and appliances in the attachment of
the hose to such coupling section by means of the copper ring, as just described,
this method is wholly and entirely inapplicable to those cinergencies in which, as
for example during conflagrations, it is frequently necessary to attach a length of
hose to a coupling section for immediate use.
The object of another part of my Invention is to provide means whereby this
attachment of the end of the hose to its coupling section may be almost instantaneously
performed, even during the confusion and the lack of useful appliances incident to
the actual use of hose during the fire; this object I accomplish by the combination
of a tapering external ring of lead inserted within the end of the hose concentric
with the correspondingly tapered surrounding portion of the nut, and expanded
by a simple expansion tool or reamer in such manner as to crowd the hose against
the surrounding portion of the nut, and confine the same firmly and solidly to the
said nut; this attachment of the hose to the nut by means of an internal ring of
lead differs from a copper ring, for this reason, that the copper being practically
incapable of flowing upon itself when inserted is forced upon the substance
of the hose by merely radial pressure, and in the event of inequalities in the
thickness of the hose fails to confine it with equal firmness at all portions of its
circumference, whereas the lead flowing upon itself, in other words, being in a great
degree plastic and at the same time firm when brought to place is moulded to the
hose fitted to the inequalities of the latter and caused to exert equal pressure at all
portions of the same, so that I am enabled to attach the hose to the nut by hand
without the aid of any special appliance and without the removal of the same to
a workshop, and secure a firmer and more solid hold or attachment of the hose to
the nut than is possible with the copper incapable of flowing upon itself, as just set
forth, the hold of the lead and the nut upon the portion of the hose embraced
between them being moreover aided by the taper form given to the ring of lead.
Another portion of my Invention is applicable to couplings for hose, for flexible
pipes, railway air brakes, and for other analogous purposes, and its object is to
provide a means whereby the ends of the hose may be attached to the sections of
the hose couplings without the use of binding wire or the various more or less
complex devices hitherto provided for such purposes.
The said Invention further comprises a novel combination of an internal sleeve
constructed with a circumferential bulb or enlargement, with the end of the hose
to be attached to the coupling section with a taper or flaring external collar and a
screw thread formed upon the coupling section and screwed upon the internal

page_text: sleeve in such manner that the end of the hose will be forcibly gripped between the
peculiarly constructed outer surface of the sleeve and the tapering inner surface of
the collar, with sufficient force to ensure the absolute and firm retention of the hose
to the coupling section.
The said Invention further comprises a novel combination of an angular packing
rib formed upon the coupling section, and arranged in such relation with the end
portion of the hose, the internal sleeve, and the external collar, as to bite into the
end of the hose, and by end compression of the same condense the substance thereof
to such an extent as to render the joint between the hose and the coupling section
gas and water tight.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coupling made according to one
portion of this Invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the same; Figure 3 is a sido
view of the several parts thereof detached.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a coupling made according to another
portion of the said Invention; Figure 5 is a side view of the same; Figure G is a
side view of the several parts thereof detached.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of a pipe coupling made according to another
portion of this Invention; Figure 8 is a side view of the same; Figure 9 is a sido
view of the several parts thereof detached.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of a coupling embracing another portion of
my Invention; Figure 11 is a side view of the same; Figure 12 is a side view and
partial section, showing the several parts thereof detachod.
Figure 13 is a side view representing the essential features of said coupling in
connection with the modified construction of coupling sections.
And Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of the devices made and applied
as represented in Figure 13.
Having reference first to Figures 1, 2, and 3, A is the thimble, made preferably
of copper, soft brass, or like material, and provided centrally with a circumferential
flancha, the opposite sides of which are flat, as represented more fully in Figure 1.
This thimble A is tapered at each end outward from the just mentioned flanch a,
as shown at f; B, B, are the opposite ends of the copper or other pipes or tubes to
be connected by the coupling, these ends being flared as shown at b; C is the one
tightening nut constructed with an external screw thread g; and D is the other
tightening nut constructed with an internal screw thread h. These two tightening
nuts C, D, are made internally of such shape as to fit upon the flared or enlarged
ends of the pipes or tubes B, as more fully represented in Figure 1. The opposite
taper ends of the thimble A are fitted into the opposing, enlarged, or flaring ends
of the pipes or tubes B, as also shown in Figure 1, and the nut D is screwed home
upon the nut C, the said nuts being drawn snugly upon the flared or enlarged ends
of the pipes or tubes B, forcing the same firmly upon the oppositely taper circum-
ferential surface of the thimble A, and with the ends of the pipes or tubes B forced
firmly and tightly against the flat opposite surfaces of the packing flanch a, the
parts being held firmly in this position. The snug contact of the ends of the pipes
or tubes B with the opposite flat surfaces of the packing flanch a, will in connection
with the contact of the flared ends of the pipes or tubes B with the oppositely
tapering outer surface of the thimble A, ensure a perfectly tight joiut without the
use of any other packing than that provided by the flanch a itself. The said
flancha is formed in one piece with the thimble A.
In Figures 4, 5, 6, A¹ is the main nut provided upon the end of the pipe, tube,
or fixture to which the pipe or tube section is to be attached. The said pipe or tube
section is shown at B₁, and in practise is commonly and preferably made of copper,
although it may be of any other suitable metal or material. The end of this pipe
or tube section B¹ is enlarged to a taper or flaring form, as shown from a¹ to b¹. Cl
is an internal thimble, the principal portion c¹ of which is externally of a form
tapered to correspond to the internal taper of the part a, b, of the pipe or tube
.section B. At the outermost end portion of the thimble C' is a circumferential

page_text: Hanch d', flat at its innermost side, but on its outer side or face made sloping out-
ward and toward the axis of the thimble upon an outward curve, as represented at
f, thereby giving to the outer face of the thimble C a partially spherical or semi-
spheroidal contour, as more fully indicated in Figures 4 and 6. The adjacent end
of the main nut A¹ is recessed concentrically with the bore of said nut, forming a
concave socket corresponding in shape with the face f¹ of the thimble C, and into
which, when the parts are put together in forming the joint, said face f¹ of the
thimble C¹ is fitted, as represented in Figure 4, this thimble O' having its taper
main portion c¹ fitted into the flared end of the pipes or tube sections B¹, with the
end of the latter bearing against the flat inner surface of the flanch d¹. D¹ is the
holding nut constructed to screw upon the main nut A¹, as represented at g', and
with a taper neck or collar m³, which fits the flared external surface of the end of
the pipe or tube section B, as more fully shown in Figure 4.
In the practical application of this Invention the holding nut D¹ is slipped upon
the pipe or tube section B, and the end of the latter is then brought to the requisite
taper or flaring form by the use of a suitable tool. This done, the thimble C' is
inserted in the said end of the pipe or tube section B¹, as herein-before explained.
The said section is then swung laterally to bring the convex face f¹ of the thimble C¹
into the concave socket provided in the adjacent end of the main nut A', whereupon
the holding nut D' is screwed upon the said main nut A¹; the taper collar m' of the
nut D¹ drawing and holding upon the enlarged or flaring end of the pipe or tube
section B¹ forces the same firmly upon the taper portion c¹ of the thimble C¹, with
the end of said section pressed against the Hat inner side of the flanch of the
aforesaid thimble C¹; this at the same time binds the convex face f' of the thimble C¹
snugly and firmly into the socket in the adjacent end of the main nut A¹, there
being thus provided a firm, close, and tight joint between the pipe or tube section B
and the main nut A¹ without the necessity of displacing the nut A¹ from the fixed
position which ordinarily it necessarily occupies during the attachment of the pipe
or tube section B' thereto.
In Figures 7, 8, and 9 A³ is the end of the hose; B is the nut whereby it is
attached to the coupling section; and C is the section or half of an ordinary
coupling. The nut B comprises the cylindrical internally threaded part a² and the
taper hollow portion b², the part a² screwing upon the adjacent external thread c
of the coupling section C in the ordinary manner. The end of the hose A* is thrust
into the taper portion be of the nut B², and there is then forced within the said end
of the hose A a ring of lead D. This ring D by the insertion of a tapering tool
or reamer is then expanded into a taper form nearly or quite coincident with the
taper of the part 6 of the nut B², and the expansion of this leaden ring D2 is con-
tinued until the pressure exerted by its outward movement grips the end portion de
of the hose between the said ring and the part 6 of the nut B².
It is to be observed that during this expansion of the leaden ring D2, which is
principally accomplished by an axial movement given to the tapering tool or reamer
simultaneously with the forcing inward of the same, the lead is caused to flow upon
itself, in other words, to be moulded to fit into the inequalities of the end portion d³ of
the hose A, and thereby exert a uniform pressure or grip upon all parts of said end
portion d, and ensuring a firm and equal hold upon said part of the hose A at all
portions of its circumference. The end portion d² of the hose is rendered flaring by its
compression upon the flaring inner surface of the part 62 of the nut B2 by the joint
action of the outward pressure of the expanded leaden ring D and the flaring form
given to it. Between the said end 63 and the flaring portion of the ring D the end
of the hose is firmly, strongly, and tightly gripped, and thereby securely attached to
the nut B³.
It will be observed that this expansion of the leaden ring D³ may be effected by
hand with one of the simplest implements, and no special skill or manipulation is
required to effect the firm attachment of the nut B to the end of the hose, so that
the said nut being readily secured upon the coupling section C, provision is made
for the coupling of a new hose to replace a ruptured or otherwise injured hose

page_text: during the exigencies of actual use in case of fire or otherwise, a result not hitherto
practicable.
In Figures 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, A³, B³, are the two sections of an ordinary
screw coupling for hose or flexible pipes. The swivelled nut A* of the coupling A³,
and the external screw thread B* of the coupling section B are of the cominon
construction, and therefore need no special description here. Each of the said
coupling sections has moreover its outer end formed with an angular rib a³, the
purpose of which will herein-after fully appear. So far as concerns this Invention
it is applied in the same manner to each of the coupling sections A³, B³. C³ is a
metallic sleeve, whose outer surface is during the greater part of its length cor-
rugated, as shown at b³, to ensure its firmer hold upon the same. The end of the
sleeve C is swelled or made larger externally than the main length or portion of
the sleeve. The form of this swell may be widely varied; for example, it may
be as represented in Figures 10, 12, and 14, or when preferred the said sleeve may
be externally tapered, small at its outer end, that is to say, the end adjacent to the
extremity of the hose, and large at its inner end. D³ represents a hose, into the
end of which is thrust the sleeve C, thereby expanding the end d³ of the hose.
The said end fits snugly upon the sleeve C³ inserted as above described. Upon the
innerinost end f³ of the sleeve C³ is formed a screw thread. Es is an internally
taper collar; this collar is slipped upon the end d³ of the hose, and is concentric
with the internally arranged sleeve C³
The coupling section A or B³, as the case may be, is constructed with an internal
screw thread g, and is thereby fitted upon the screw thread f³ of the sleeve C³, the
end of the collar E³ bearing against the adjacent outer surface of the coupling
section external to the rib a³. As the coupling section is screwed home upon the
sleeve C³ it forces the collar E³ outward, compressing the interposed end portions d³
of the hose Ds between the external collar E³ and the internal sleeve C³, thereby
binding the hose firmly and tightly upon the internal sleeve C³, which being screwed
into the coupling section by the screw threads f³, g³, ensures the firm attachment
of the hose D³ to the coupling section. Moreover, the rib c³ being of angular form,
as represented more fully in Figures 10 and 12, and herein-before described, bites
into the end surface of the hose, and spreading the same in an inward and outward
direction condenses the substance thereof to form a complete and perfect packing
between the collar E³ and the internal sleeve C³, thereby rendering the joint gas
and water-tight.
When this Invention is applied as represented in Figures 13 and 14, the com-
bination of the internal sleeve C3, the taper external collar Es, the coupling section,
the end portion of the hose D", and the angular rib a are all identical or nearly so
with that represented in Figures 10, 11, and 12, these Figures being introduced to
illustrate the fact that my said Invention may be applied to coupling sections them-
selves connected as a coupling in widely differing ways, for instance, as shown in
Figures 13 and 14.
The two coupling sections AS, B³, instead of being united by a swiveled screw A*
working upon an external thread B*, may be connected by radially movable clutches
E provided upon one of the coupling sections, and holding upon a shoulder provided
on the other coupling section, the means by which the two coupling sections are
themselves connected being immaterial so long as the attachment of the hose to
one or both of the coupling sections is substantially as herein set forth.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. The doubly tapered thimble A. constructed with the circumferential packing
flanch a, the tightening nuts C, D, and the flared or enlarged end portions of the
pipes or tubes B, the several parts being constructed, combined, and arranged sub-
stantially in the manner herein described, and with the ends of the pipes or tubes B
abutting upon the opposite sides of the packing flanch a of the thimble A for the
purpose specified.

page_text: Second. The pipe coupling comprising the main nut A¹ having the concave socket
provided in its end, the tapering thimble C¹ constructed with the convex face f¹,
the holding nut D¹ constructed with the collar m', and the pipe or tube section B¹
having its end flared or enlarged, the whole constructed, combined, and arranged as
above described and for the purpose herein set forth.
Third. The internal leaden ring D2, expanded or of a taper form in combination
with the nut B2, constructed with the taper portion 62, and the end portion d² of
the hose A2, gripped between the expanded leaden ring D2 and the taper part of the
nut B2, all as herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The internal sleeve C³, constructed with the circumferential bulb or
enlargement c³, the internally taper collar E³, a coupling section screwing upon the
sleeve C³, and the interposed end portions ³ of a hose D³, all as above described
and for the purpose set forth.
Fifth. The angular rib as provided upon a coupling section, and arranged to
operate in relation with the internal sleeve C³, the external collar E³, and the end
surface of the interposed end portion d³ of the hose D³, as above described and for
the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W ROB. LAKE. (L.S.)