US1153187A - Flexible joint. - Google Patents

Description

E. F. BERRY.

FLEXIBLE JOINT.

APPucAnoN man AuG. 5. 1913.

Patented Sept. 14,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Zl/zesses E. F. BERRY.

FLEXIBLE JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED 1116.5. 1913.

1,153,187. Patented sept. 14, 1915.

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EDWARD FRANCIS BERRY, F NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

FLEXIBLE JOINT.

Speeication of Letters Patent.

Application tiled Augustl, 1913. Serial No. 783,179.

for use in connection with dredging pipe sections of that type disclosed in my Patent No. 1076738, of October 28, 1913, wherein the broad characteristics of the present coupling, as distinguished from the improvements hereinafter set forth, are claimed, and hence not included in the claims annexed hereto. y

The present invention vhas for its object the provision of improvements constituting a practical, indestructible, flexible coupling,

`@permitting yieldability of the parts in substantially any direction laterally and longitudinally of the coupled pipe sections, while preserving at all times the sealed relation between said sections irrespective of the adjustment or deflection thereof; and more specifically the formation of the packing members to secure the result thus stated; the means for fastening the packing vtov the members carrying the same; and means for pre- `ilventing undue, lengthwise separation of the pipe sections to overcome any liability of the packing member being unseated with reference to the surface of the parts over which free portions of the packing move in sealing :izengagement therewith;

Although the improvements herein to lvbe protected may be incorporated in various embodiments of the invention, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art towhichy fthe invention relates, I believe it will herein'- be necessary to illu'strate'but the preferred embodiment thereof, andV from which the improvements may be understood when considered in connection with the detail descripftion hereinafter contained.

Inthe accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the coupling complete; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal horizontal `sectional view of the same, TFigs. 3 and,` 4 are respectively, sectional views of two of the coupling members, Fig. 5 is an` end elevation looking-at the larger end of Fig. 3, Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view to clearly illustrate one of the packing members.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views, A and B represent the adjacent ends of dredgmg pipe sections, adapted to be iexibly coupled together, and C, D and E, are coupling members, the members C and E being of a relativelyiixed nature with refratentea sept. 14, 1915.

erence to the pipe sections A and B, and the member D being of a relatively floating nature, that ,is not xed with reference to the members C and E and' dredging sections A and B. The members C and E are connected to the sections A and B through the medium of lianges or-collars a, c, b and e respectively, bolted together, as at F and G, with suitably interposed packing f and g,

f clearly illustrated in Fig..2. The coupling member C is truly cylindrical, while the members D and E are of sinuous formation to provide lenlarged end portions d and e respectively, and in the case of the floating member D, a reduced end portion d. The reduced end portion of the ioating coupling member D is adapted tot in the enlarged end portion e of the member E, while the larger end portion d thereof receives the near end of the cylindrical member C.

I prefer to seal the coupling members by suitable packing arranged at the opposite ends of the sinuous coupling member D, one packing member exteriorly of the smaller end of said member, and theother packing member interiorly of the larger end thereof,

yso that the former will engage the inner suring, as clearly shown in detail, Fig. 6 will suffice for both.

\ Referring to Fi packing member 6, it 'will be seen thatthe preferably of rubber, is

Vec

2, so that a specic description of one packof a cup formation, having a thickened base portion 71and an annular ange h of pure` rubber projectingoutwardly from the base,

v let end of the dredging pipe, in the direction of the flow of the pipe contents therefrom.

To secure the packing in place as well as reinforce the base portion thereof, I provide at the end of the coupling member D, or at the end of the member C, as the case may be, a clamping ring J, and inwardly thereof, an angular ring K, having an outwardly projecting iiange 1c and a slotted base ange k',

, for the reception of fastening devices, such as screws L, the slots lc affording a means` of adjustment to position the ring K on the coupling member to which it is attached. The base portion h of the packing is interposed between the rings J and K, and the same is rigidly secured in place by means of fastening devices, such as screws, rivets, or the like M, passing through the rings J and K, and binding the base z, of the packing therebetween and with the inner edge of the packing held firmly against the surface of the member D, or other member to which the packing is fastened.

From the construction thus far defined, it will be appreciated that the intermediate or floating characteristic of the member D, will permit lateraldeiiection and iiexibility of the dredging pipe, as an entirety, as well aselongation and contraction of the interiitv ting sections, the parts being normally maintained in a contracted relation by means of springs N, engaging eyes n, n on the coupling members D and E, and other springs O, engaging eyes o, o on the members D and C, the latter being formed in the bolts F, utilized to fasten the pipe section A and coupling member C together, as hereinabove explained. There` are preferably four springs, N and O, in each set, as will appear in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, although the number will vary as may be in keeping with the demands of any particular service.

To resist undue elongation of the dredging pipe against the resistance of the springs N and O which would result in the withdrawal of the packing members H and I, from the members D and E, as is obvious, I form the coupling members D and E with annular projecting parts or flanges constituting shoulders P and Q, the same being.

constructedin any manner familiar to workers in the metal art, against which the reinforced base portionsof the packing members may abut and prevent abnormal lengthwise separation of the coupling members. This I regard as an important feature'of my present improvements. j

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that in a simple and inexpensive mannerxI have provided a practicable and durable coupling, .especially adapted for the purposes for which it is primarily intended,

to wit, the permitting of flexibility, to ay very considerable extent, while constantly maintaining a sealed relation of the parts, the latter being facilitated by reason of the special cup formation of the packing members with the reduced free iange portions of the members disposed in the direction of the iow of material through thepipe whereby the internal pressures are exerted against the free flanges of the packing and within the cup, to forcibly bind the packing against the walls opposed thereby,v and which as previously stated, is throughout a substantial area as compared to a line contact owing to the flat engagement of theentire liange k of the packing against the coupling member, which said flange faces and over which it works.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A coupling of the character described for dredging .pipes and the like comprising pipesections adapted to be connected, one of said sections being provided with an inwardly oilset portion to constitute a shoulder, a flexible packing member on the other pipe section adapted to slidably engage the shouldered section, said packing comprising a reinforced base portion and an offsetfree edge portion adapted to have an extensive surface engagement with the member which it opposes.

2. A coupling of the -for dredging pipes and the like, comprising pipe sections adapted to be interitted to permit swinging movement of one section relative to the other section, means on one` of the sections comprising an inwardly projecting flange or ring normally fixed in position with reference to the said pipe section to constitute a rigid abutting shoulder, a flexible pacln'ng member on the other pipe section adapted to slidably engage the character described for dredging pipes and the like comprising shouldered section, said packing having an offset free edge portion adapted to have an extensive surface engagement with the section which it opposes inside of said abutting 5 shoulder, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of tfwo Witnesses.

EDWARD FRANCIS BERRY. Witnesses: v

W. M. HARRISON, A. C. ALEXANDER.

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