Improvements in Couplings for Flanged Pipes and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Couplings for Flanged Pipes and the like.
We, JOSEF GÜRNDT, Engineer, and BERNARD HÜBSCH, Technical Assistant,
both of 12 Stefanstrasse, Rohatetz, in the Province of Moravia, in the Empire
of Austria, 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 :-
Up to the present time, the making of tight joints in pipes, valve casings, steam
cylinders and other hollow bodies provided with flanges, has been effected by the
use of screw bolts; and for this purpose the flanges have had to be made out of all
proportion to the beaded edges of the parts to be joined together, in order to
provide holes for the screw bolts. This has the drawback that the flanges are
weakened by the boring of the holes, and that by reason of their increased size
they lose in strength and stiffness. Bolting the flanges together has also the
drawback that the making and breaking of the joints occupies a great deal of time,
and it is difficult to obtain an uniform pressure over the entire surface of the
joint.
Now the aforesaid objections are completely obviated according to the present
invention, by providing on the flanges (which may have contact or jointing surfaces
of any desired shape and size) laterally projecting studs, and by effecting a firm
connection of the two flanges with each other by means of cam-shaped hooks or
clips which are pivotted on two co-axial studs on the one flange, and are adapted
each to engage with or hook over the corresponding studs on the other flange.
In the accompanying drawing which illustrates our invention as applied to
flanged pipes:-
Figure 1 is a view in elevation-partly in section-of our improved coupling, and
Figure 2 is a view in plan thereof.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The flanges a and a' (which are shown by way of example to be of rectangular
shape) are each provided on two opposite edges with two studs b, b, b', b', of which
the co-axial studs 6', 6', of one flange a' for instance constitute the pivots of the
two clips c and c¹ which are formed with cam-shaped hooks d and d¹. These hooks
are so shaped as to take over the correspondingly located studs b, b, on the other
flange a as shown by Figure 1, and so, in consequence of their eccentricity with
relation to their respective pivots, press the flange a with considerable force against
the other flange a¹.
By this means the beadings f and f1 of the two pipes 9 and g¹ to be joined
together, are pressed firmly against the interposed packing or jointing ring h, and
thus make a perfectly tight joint.
By turning the clips c, c', in the direction of the arrow-Figure 1-the coupling
can be quickly disconnected.
As is shown in the drawing, the flanges a, and a¹, project but slightly beyond
the beadings and f₁ of the two pipes, so that the strength and stiffness of the
flanges which are moreover not weakened by any holes, is considerably increased.
It will be understood that the flanges may be of any other desired shape, for
instance that of a polygon, to correspond with the shape and dimensions of the pipes
or other hollow bodies to be coupled together; and that the studs and clips or
straps are fitted to the sides of the said flanges in a suitable manner as regards
number and location.
In order to prevent the coupling being surreptitiously loosened or disconnected,
or in order to enable a leaden seal such as is prescribed in many industries, as for

page_text: instance in the manufacture of spirit, to be fastened directly to the clips without
employing the special protective casings requisite in the case of bolted joints, the
clips c and care formed with holes i through which a locking pin, rod or wire k is
passed, and in the free end of which is inserted a split pin to which the leaden
seal is attached.
We wish. it to be particularly understood that, we do not limit ourselves to the
precise details of construction hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawing, but that we hold ourselves at liberty to make such changes
and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of our invention.
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 :-
:―
1. The combination of parts hereinbefore described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawing constituting a new and useful coupling for flanged pipes
and the like.
2. A coupling for flanged pipes and the like consisting essentially of the
flanges a and a' each having two co-axial studs b, b, and b', 6'; and of the clips c
and c having cam-shaped hooks d and respectively, all combined, arranged and
adapted to operate as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
Dated this 15th day of February 1894.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Associate Agent.