Improvements in Tube Connections for Point and Signal Rods.
Year: 1890

page_text: ..Date of, Application, 17th May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 30th May, 1890-Accepted, 5th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tube Connections for Point and Signal Rods.
We ROWLAND WATKIN LEWIS of Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford Tube
Manufacturer and LEICESTER BRADNEY STEVENS of Darlington Works, Southwark
Bridge Road in the County of Surrey, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
--
Our invention for improvements in tube connections for point and signal rods has
for its object to provide an improved construction of coupling which shall be very
strong, perfectly safe in its action, and have a less number of movable parts than is
usual.
In tube connections for point and signal rods constructed according to our inven-
tion, each tube has a short piece of pipe fitting its bore inserted into one end flush
with it and this end is then reduced until its diameter is equal to that of the unreduced
bore of the tube. It will be readily understood that in reducing the said end of the
tube it and the inserted pipe become welded together and consequently the strength
of the tube is not reduced at this point. In erecting tube connections constructed
according to my invention the reduced end of one tube is inserted into the bore of the
unreduced end of the next tube, and secured by a cotter or key passing through
corresponding slotted holes in the two tubes.
In order to further secure the coupling, a second cotter or key may be passed-
through holes in the two tubes.
Instead of a pipe inserted into one end of each tube, a solid rod may be employed'.
or the end of the tube may be reduced without the insertion of either pipe or rod.
We are aware that it is not novel to pass the unreduced end of one. tube into the
adjacent and enlarged or socketted end of the next tube, but such a construction of
tube is difficult to make. Our arrangement has also the further advantage that when
erected the diameter of the rods is the same throughout their whole length.
Dated this 17th day of May 1890.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tube Connections for Point and Signal Rods.
We ROWLAND WATKIN LEWIS, of Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford
Tube Manufacturer, and LEICESTER BRADNEY STEVENS, of Darlington Works,
Southwark Bridge Road in the County of Surrey, Engineer, 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:―
Our invention for improvements in tube connections for point and signal rods has
for its object to provide an improved construction of coupling which shall be very
strong, perfectly safe in its action, and have a less number of movable parts than is
usual.
In tube connections for point and signal rods constructed according to our
invention, each tube has a short piece of pipe fitting its bore inserted into one end
flush with it and this end is then reduced until its diameter is equal to that of the
unreduced bore of the tube. It will be readily understood that in reducing the said
end of the tube it and the inserted pipe become welded together and consequently the
strength of the tube is not reduced at this point. In erecting tube connections
constructed according to our invention the reduced end of one tube is inserted into

page_text: the bore of the unreduced end of the next tube and secured by a cotter or key passing
through corresponding slotted holes in the two tubes.
In order to further secure the coupling, a second cotter or key may be passed
through holes in the two tubes. Or the two ends may be joined by an ordinary gas
screw coupling in addition to the cotter or key.
Instead of a pipe inserted into one end of each tube, a solid rod may be employed,
or the end of the tube may be reduced without the insertion of either pipe or rod.
We are aware that it is not novel to pass the unreduced end of one tube into the
adjacent and enlarged or socketted end of the next tube, but such a construction of
tube is difficult to make. Our arrangement has also the further advantage that when
erected the diameter of the rods is the same throughout their whole length.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.
Fig. 1, is a longitudinal section through a coupling of a tube connection for point
and signal rods constructed according to our invention and,
Fig. 2, is a transverse section and.
Fig. 3, an inverted plan of the same.
Figs. 4 and 5 are similar views to Fig. 1 showing two modified constructions, the
cotter or key being supposed removed.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, a short length of pipe a. is inserted into one end b. of
each tube and this end 6 together with the greater portion of the pipe a. is so reduced
that it will pass freely into the bore of the adjacent end c of the next tube. A
cotter d is passed through corresponding slots in the ends b and c. and pipe a. The
pipe a serves to strengthen the connection at the reduced part, and if the reduction is
made at welding heat becomes welded to the end b. The cotter d is split and bent as
shown to retain it in position.
In the modification shown in fig. 4, the pipe a. is replaced by a solid rod e. and in
that shown in fig. 5, the pipe a or rod e is dispensed with, the end 6 being reduced by
itself..
'Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
In tube connections for point and signal rods, reducing one or both ends of one
tube so that it or they will pass freely into the bore of the adjacent end or ends of the
next tube or tubes substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 30th day of May 1890.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents.