Improvements in Hose or Pipe Couplings.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
Improvements in Hose or Pipe Couplings.
A communication by FRANK JOHN BERNILARDT and MARVIN BRISTOL ROSEN-
BERRY, both of the City of Wausau, County of Marathon, and State of Wisconsin,
United States of America Engineer and Lawyer, respectively.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil 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:—
This invention relates to improvements in hose or pipe couplings and more
particularly to that class of hose coupling known as snap hose couplings.
The objects of the invention are therefore first:-to provide a hose coupling
which is simple in its construction, accurate in its working, that does not form an
obstruction either on the outside or the inside of the hose and that is easy and
convenient to operate and not liable to any leakage. Second, to provide a snap
hose coupling in which the lugs or dogs which hold the members together will
positively engage and lock the members together without strain upon the pivots
on which they are carried; Third-to provide in a coupler an improved packing.
Fourth, to provide an improved snap coupling of great strength. Fifth, to
provide improved means of securing the members of the coupling upon the ends
of rubber or similar hose when a coupling is used in that connection. Further
objects will appear definitely in the detailed description to follow.
The objects of the invention are accomplished by the devices and means
described in the following specification, definitely pointed out in the claims and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:-
-
Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved coupling in use as a hose coupling, a
portion being broken away to show details of construction.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal detail sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1,
looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.
Figure 3 is a transverse detail sectional elevation taken on line 3-3 of
Figure 2 looking toward the left of the view or in the direction of the little arrows
at the ends of the section line.
Figure 4 is a detail view of a modified construction of lever and dog.
In the drawing similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the
several views.
Referring to the lettered parts of the drawing, A is the male member of the
coupling and A¹ is the female member of the coupling. The male member of the
coupling is slightly conical in form and is adapted near the inner end to receive
the packing E, which is U-shaped in cross-section. The limbs of the U-shaped
packing E, project toward the female coupling and rest against a shoulder therein.
Perforations G, are made through the shoulder on the female coupling to admit

page_text: whatever fluid is being conducted through the pipe to press the limbs of the
U-shaped packing E tight against the opposite members of the coupling to form
a tight joint in that way. Grooves I, are in the male coupling near the shoulder
and serve to receive any sand that might accumulate.
On the male coupling up towards the shoulder against which the end of the female
coupling rests an annular groove C, is formed. This is formed preferably by a
phosphor bronze ring F that is screwed on to the male member. This groove has
a square shoulder to ward its end and is engaged by the dogs C¹, on the female
member of the coupling.
In suitable recesses formed on opposite sides of the female coupling are sup-
ported levers C, which are fulcrumed on the pivots J. The rear ends of these
levers are thrown normally out by coiled springs D. Toward the front end of the
lever are pivoted engaging dogs C, which pass through and are guided by suitable
apertures or mortises formed in the female coupling a little distance from the outer
edge. This leaves stock between the lugs C, and the shoulder of the male member
of the coupling that serve to support the same. These dogs C¹, being pivoted to
the ends of the lever it is impossible for any strain to be transferred to the pivots J,
on which the levers are supported and the strain comes directly upon the dogs them-
selves. This is due to the fact that they are inserted through comparatively.
tight fitting apertures or mortises in the female member of the coupling.
Where the improved coupling is used as a hose coupling it is preferred to attach
the same and secure it to the hose by the means illustrated in the drawing, though
my correspondents are aware that the remaining features of this improved coupling
can be utilized with any means of attaching the coupling to a hose. Ordinary
rubber hose is secured to the coupling by inserting the end of the hose within the
coupling which is of sufficient size to admit the hose freely. The end of the
member contains annular depressions within. A soft metal band H is then
inserted made of lead and copper or other ductile material and having projecting
annular ridges corresponding to the annular depressions in the coupling within
the hose and expanded within the end of the hose so that the projections extend
into the corresponding depressions in the members of the coupling. With these
bands H, expanded so that their inner diameter is the same as that of the hose a
very smooth and perfect joint is formed with no opportunity for leakage. Where
the coupling is secured to steam pipes or other pipes, the attaching means shown
would be impracticable. Any practical and well known means can be employed
for attaching it under such circumstances. In Figure 4, is shown a modification
of the lever C, and dog C, in which the lever and dog are shown in a single piece.
This greatly cheapens the structure but transfers a portion of the strain to the
pivot J, unless great care is taken in fitting the parts.
Having thus described this improved coupling, it is desired to state that many
of its features are available in styles of coupling other than shown here. The
U-shaped packing shown is also capable of utilization with other styles of coupling
but is particularly adapted to a coupling of this style. By constructing a
coupling with great care very little or no packing will be needed even with this style
of coupling, but the great care required would make the coupling unnecessarily
expensive and it would be impracticable for ordinary use. It is needless to
remark that more than two of the levers C, and dogs C¹, might be distributed
around the circumference of the coupling.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a coupling for pipes or hose, the combination of a male member A,
containing a groove C, towards it outer end for engagement with dogs on the
female member and containing sand grooves formed next the shoulder; a female
coupling A', fitted to said male coupling with a groove and internal collar G,
at its inner end containing perforations G; a U-shaped packing E, between the

page_text: shoulders of the female coupling and the male coupling with the opening side
toward the female coupling so that any fluid in the pipe will enter between the
limbs of the U-shaped packing; levers C, pivoted to the outside of the female
member with dogs C, pivoted towards their outer end and fitted through mortises
toward the center and positioned to engage the grooves C", of the male coupling;
and springs D, under the outer ends of said levers C, to hold them normally in the
engaging position; all co-acting together as described for the purpose specified.
2. In a
coupling for pipes or hose, the combination of a male member tapering
toward its inner end to receive a packing; the female member to fit the same
having a shoulder at its inner end to receive the packing, the said shoulder con-
taining suitable perforations; a packing ring U-shaped in cross section adapted to
fit between said members with its open side towards the female member so that
fluid can be admitted thereto to press the packing into place to form a tight joint
and suitable engaging means for locking the members of the coupling together as
specified.
•
3. In a coupling for pipes or hose, the combination of a male member containing
a groove with a shoulder on its side toward the outer end for engagement by
suitable dogs on the female member; a female member adapted to fit the male
member of said coupling; levers pivoted to the outside of said female coupling;
dogs pivoted on the ends of said levers towards the outer end of the female coupling
adapted to pass through suitable mortises toward the outer end and engage the
male coupling within and springs to throw said levers normally into the engaging
position, co-acting as specified.
4. In coupling for pipe or hose, the combination of a male member, a female
member, levers pivoted to the outside of said female member having suitable dogs
thereon toward the outer end of the female member passing through suitable
mortises in the same to engage the male member within and retain it by the
dogs engaging the sides of the mortises, as specified.
5. In a hose coupling, the combination of a male coupling A, with an annulus C
thereon, the female coupling B joined thereto by a tapering joint; levers C, in
suitable recesses to the outside of the female coupling and beyond the diameter
of the annulus G having inwardly projecting square faced dog portions to engage
the annulus on the male coupling; and springs to hold the said lever normally
in the engagement position so that the coupling can be locked or unlocked by
grasping the levers to the outside of the coupling as specified.
6. In a hose coupler, the combination of a male coupling A, with an annulus C
thereon; the female coupling B; levers C, to the outside of the female coupling
and beyond the diameter of the annulus having inwardly projecting dog portions
to engage the annulus on the male coupling; and springs to hold the said levers
normally in the engaging position so that the coupling can be locked or unlocked
by grasping the levers to the outside of the coupling as specified.
n: Oth Jazz of Novambon 1207
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.