US2965106A

US2965106A - Pipestem couplers

Info

Publication number: US2965106A
Application number: US796834A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen P Chernock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-03-03
Filing date: 1959-03-03
Publication date: 1960-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 1977-12-20

Description

Dec. 20, 1960 s. P. CHERNOCK PIPESTEM COUPLERS Filed March 5, 1959 INVENTOR. JTEPHENP CHE/PNOK.

B Y M United States Patent PIPESTEM COUPLERS Stephen P. Chernock, Flax Mill Lane, Milford, Conn.

Filed Mar. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 796,834

2 Claims. (Cl. 131-225) The invention relates to pipestem couplers of a general type which has been used for generations in smokers pipes to form a detachable tight joint between the pipestem and mouthpiece, so that the latter can readily be detached and reattached as is frequently desired in service, for example when the stem is to be cleaned or a new mouthpiece substituted. For many years the objection has persisted that after substantial use, which involves twisting the parts during insertion and withdrawal of the mouthpiece, the engagement between the interior wall of the stem and coupler becomes loose, so that the mouthpiece is no longer held tightly and securely in place.

The present invention aims primarily to provide a pipestem coupler of the above type which will largely eliminate the above mentioned looseness of the joint between the stem and mouthpiece after continued use, and yet afiord facility in the attachment and detachment of the mouthpiece when desired. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part specifically referred to in the description hereinafter contained which taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, discloses a pipestem coupler of preferred form and which is constructed to operate in accordance with the invention; the disclosure however should be considered as merely illustrative of the invention in its broader aspects. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the end portion of the coupler with which the invention is primarily concerned;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section taken through such end portion;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 4 is a side view partially in section showing the coupler in operative position between the stern and mouthpiece of a pipe.

Referring first to Fig. 4, the pipestem 1, having a cylindrical hole 2 running therethrough, is shown as detachably connected to the mouthpiece 3 by means of a tubular coupler 4 having a generally cylindrical outer surface. The coupler 4 may be understood as forced tightly into the mouthpiece 3 and provided with a knurled portion 5 engaging within the mouthpiece, in such manner that in normal use the coupler 4 is held rigidly in position in the mouthpiece, but is movable both axially and angularly with respect to the stem 1. A disc-like flange 6 may be understood as fixed to the coupler 4, and engaging against the end of the stem 1 when the parts are assembled. The end portion of the coupler which engages within stem 1 may also be understood as provided with any desired number of slots 7, the metal of the coupler being somewhat springy so that these slots ease the insertion and withdrawal of the coupler to some extent, while still being intended to maintain a tight joint. The parts as thus far described may be understood as of previously known or appropriate construction.

In accordance with the present invention the side walls 8 (Figs. 1-3) of the slots 7 are provided with outer portions 9 which flare outwardly away from each other to meet the generally cylindrical peripheral wall 10 of the coupler, at an obtuse angle. These outwardly flaring por tions 9 may be formed after the slots 8 have been cut, for example by machining or grinding, and it is not necessary that they lie in a plane, since they may be somewhat rounded if desired. I have found that the primary cause of the above-mentioned looseness between the coupler and the stem after continued withdrawal and insertion of the coupler, is the wear on the wall of the hole 2 in the pipestem by engagement with the outer edge portions of the side walls 8 of the slots as heretofore constructed for many decades, and that such wear and looseness is largely eliminated by providing the outwardly flaring outer portions 9 for such side walls, as above described. The coupler is usually twisted into and out of place, and it is necessary that the slotted portions of the coupler bear tightly against the wall of the hole 2 through the stem, a forced fit being usually provided so that the slots 7 are slightly narrowed during the process of inserting but the peripheral cylindrical wall of the slotted portion tending to spring outwardly when forced into place, so as to bear tightly against the interior wall of the stem.

I prefer also to provide the peripheral wall of the coupler with a channel 11 which intersects the end walls 12 of the slots 7, so that the outer edge portions of said end walls lie inside of the general cylindrical surface of the coupler. Accordingly any sharp outer edges of these end walls 12 cannot engage the interior wall of the pipestem during either axial or angular movement of the coupler. This further relieves the interior wall of the stem from wear during insertion or withdrawal of the coupler.

I prefer that this channel 11 shall completely encircle the coupler, to cause the slotted portions of the coupler which are springy as above mentioned, to flex more easily when inserted into the hole 2 of the stem, and nevertheless maintain tight engagement with the interior wall of the stem. The end of the coupler which penetrates into the stem may be also tapered as indicated at 13 (Figs. 1 and 2) to ease the insertion of the coupler into the stem, without undue wear.

While the invention has been disclosed as carried out by a pipe coupler of the above described specific form, it should be understood that changes may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a smokers pipe, the combination comprising a pipestem having a cylindrical hole formed therethrough, a mouthpiece for such pipe, a pipestem coupler secured to said mouthpiece for insertion in such hole thereby detachably to interconnect said mouthpiece to said pipestem, such pipestem coupler comprising a tubular member having a slot therethrough thereby forming a slotted wall of such member, such slot having opposite sides, such slot extending from one end of said tubular member part way along the length thereof, the outer portions of the opposite sides of said slot flaring radially outwardly away from each other to meet the peripheral wall of said tubular member at an obtuse angle, the material of said tubular member being springy and the outer diameter of said tubular member being substantially equal to but slightly greater than the inner diameter of the hole in said pipestem whereby a friction fit between the periphery of said tubular member and the inner surfaces of said pipestem defining said hole is obtained of a satisfactory degree to hold said pipestem and mouthpiece together when said tubular member is inserted into said hole in the pipestem, such slot being slightly narrowed as a result of inserting said tubular member in the hole, the end of said tubular member which penetrates into the hole in said pipestem being tapered to ease the insertion of such member into said pipestem without undue wear-of the walls of such hole, said outwardly flaring side wall portions of said slot of the tubular member preventing wear of the wall of the hole due to action of sharp slot edges;

I end of said slot to cause the outer portion of the inner extremities of such wall to lie inside the peripheral surface of said tubular member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,051,427 McCluskey Jan. 28, 1913 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,254 France Apr. 10, 1907 67,559 Norway Mar. 13, 1944 taut