Improvements in Couplings for Steam Pipes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 10th Nov., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Couplings for Steam Pipes.
I, WILLIAM SAMUEL LAYCOCK of Victoria Street Works, in the City of
Sheffield, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in couplings for steam pipes, and more
particularly for couplings for pipes of railway carriage warming apparatus.
The coupling consists of two facsimile parts one of which is fixed to the end of
one of the pipes, and the other part to the end of the other pipe.
Each part is provided with inclined segmental hooked plates which will engage
when the parts are held in position, and will draw the parts together when they are
turned to the coupled position.
Each half of the coupling is provided with a short tubular terminal to which the
flexible steam pipe is attached-and the steam passage or bore extends into the
central part and opens through the centre of the face which forms the junction
with the other half coupling.
In this opening I fix a valve seating of elastic or other suitable material, which
projects outwardly to a small extent so as to bear against that in the corresponding
half.
A valve upon a spindle fits against the inside face of the beforementioned seating
and is pressed against it by a spring and three lugs in the centre of the face of the
valve project through the opening and beyond the seating.
Surrounding the valve, and fitting the interior of the half coupling is a short
cylinder having its periphery perforated for the passage of steam from the tubular
end. The upper part of the cylinder is provided with two inclines, and a pin is
passed through the valve spindle, the projecting ends of which rest upon the
inclines, it consequently follows that when the valve is turned in one direction the
pins travel up the inclines and raise the valve from the seating, and when turned
in the opposite direction they slide down the inclines and allow the valve to close.
When the parts of the coupling are separated the valve is closed, when coupled
the valve is open.
On coupling the two parts; the projecting lugs in each part are engaged and
also the inclined segmental hooked plates, the two parts are then turned into the
"coupled " position during which operation the seatings are first brought into
contact and then the valve is raised by the inclines as before described admitting
steam and permitting its passage through the other coupling. When this action is
reversed the valve is turned by the lugs and travelling down the inclines closes
upon the seating before the faces are disengaged.
Dated the 1st day of January 1894.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.

page_text: When the parts of the coupling are separated either intentionally or by accident
the valve is closed by the spring I, and pressure of steam; but when coupled the
valve is open.
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 :
1. An overhead coupling for steam pipes that will open when coupled, and will
automatically close when uncoupled or drawn asunder from any cause, constructed
as herein before described and illustrated.
2. The overhead coupling consisting of two facsimile parts, as hereinbefore
described and shown in the drawings.
Dated the 3rd day of October 1894.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.