US296547A - Elegtbigal cootectoe if pipe couplings foe aie beakes - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) B'Sheets-Sheet 1.

HJLAD. ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN PIPE UOUPLINGS FOR AIR BRAKES.

N0. 296,547. Patented Apr. 8, 1884 A/A/A/ 3 sheets sfieet 2.

(N0 model.)

E PLAD, ELBGTRIGAL-UONN-EGTOR IN PIPE COUPLINGS FOB, AIR BRAKES.

Patented Apr. 8,1884,

// lld INVENTOR WITNESSES in Z v a d. Attorney (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3, H. FLAR- ELEGTRIGALIGONNBUKOR IN PIPE COUPLINGS FOR AIR BRAKES. No. 296,547. Patented Apr. 8, 1884.

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HENRY FLAD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,547, dated April 8, 1884.

Application filed Juno 7, 1883.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Hnr RY FLAD, of St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Connectors in PipeOouplings for Air-Brakes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a combined coupling for hose or pipes, and electrical conductors arranged therein.

On the same date with this application I have filed two applications for patents for improvement-sin electric air-brakes for railway-' cars; and the main object of my present invention is to provide means whereby the electrical conductors which are arranged in the air-pipes on the cars may be automatically connected and disconnected between cars simultaneously with the coupling and uncoupling of the air-pipes or connecting-hose. It

will be obvious, however, that the invention may be used for coupling pipes or hose and inclosed electrical conductors used for any purpose.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations of devices for accomplishing the object above stated, and will be readily understood from thefollowing particular description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of an air-hose coupling provided with electrical connecting devices according to my invention, the hosecoupling being such as used in the hlallinckrodt system of air-brakes. Fig. 2 is a detached side view, and Fig. 3 an end view, of the insulating-casing for the spring-controlled connecting-rod. Fig. 4 is an outer end view of one of the coupling-clutches. Fig. 5 is a section of the same on line a of Fig. a. Fi

6is asection on line so a. Fig. 7 is a section on the line a Fig. 8 is a longitudinal central section of a Vestinghouse hose-coupling pro vided with. devices for connecting electrical conductors according to my invention. Fig. 9 is a similar section of another form of est- (No model.)

inghouse coupling provided with my improvement. Fig. 10 is a detached side view of one of the insulating-casings. Fig. 11 is a longi tudinal central section of a coupling commonly used in vacuuur air-bralrc systems, the same being provided with 1lly"ll1l1)IOV6l11l1t-.

Referring to Fig. 1, A A are the metallic thimbles of the members of the coupling, which are secured to the hose B B in the usual manner. C- G are the coupling-clutches screwed onto the thimbles, and D D are annular vulcanized-indiarubber gaskets filled within the clutches, and having outwardly projecting flanges,whi ch are clamped between the inner shoulders of the clutches and the ends of the thimbles. When the clutches are engaged, the edges of these gaskets come together and form an air-tight joint. V

In each of the thimbles A is fitted a tubular casing, E, formed of some non-conductor of electricity, preferably hard rubber or gutta-percha, said casing being formed of two semi-cylindrical parts, 0 and c, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, having heads in which are openings 0 0 0 o.

In each head of the casing is formed a central opening, 1), half of the said opening being in each part of the head.

Centrally in the casing, and projecting at each end through the openings 1) p, is an ranged a metallic rod, F, as shown in Fig. 1,

said rod having at its outer projecting end a flat metallic head, f, and being provided at an intermediate portion of its length, within the casing, with a shoulder, f, against which bears one end of a spiral spring, f surrounding the rod and having its inner end bearing against the inner head of the casing. The tension of the spring f is such that it tends to force the rod outward, the outward movement of the rod being such that its head will stand out beyond the rubber gasket, this movement being limited by the shoulder f,whi.ch comes against the head of the casing.

In placing the rod F in position the two parts of the casing E are separatedi The rod is placed in the notches in the parts of the heads of one portion of the casing, with the spring f 2 and the shoulder f in proper position, and

4 5 thereof.

then the other semi-cylindrical portion is applied to complete the casing, which is inserted in the thimble A and secured by screws 8 8. To the inner end of each rod F is to be elec- 5 trically connected, by soldering or otherwise,

the end of an insulated conducting-wire, \V, which, it will be understood, leads through the hose and air-pipes of a railway-car when my invention is applied for coupling the pipe and i conductors of an electric air-brake system; or

the wires may be led through sections of pipe or hose of any length for other purposes.

It will be obvious that when the two clutches of the hose-coupling are coupled together the I heads of two opposite rods, F F, will be automatically brought into contact with each other, and the rods will both be forced slightly inward, the two springs acting to press the heads together and maintain a good though flexible 2o electrical contact.

2 5 struction, each having radially-projecting segmental flanges b b diametrically opposite each other, and segmental hooks I) Z) adjacent to the flanges and projecting forward beyond them. Between the flanges and hooks on one 0 side are spaces, as at I), through which the hooks of an opposite clutch may be passed, and when two clutches are thus brought together and turned in opposite directions the hooks of one may be engaged behind the flanges of the other, and an efficient coupling effected.

In regard to the form ofhose-coupling shown in Fig. 8, it is only necessary to say that it is a form in common use, the two members of 0 the coupling belng dissimilar.

The insulating-casings E and E are each formed of two semi cylindrical portions, substantially as shown in Fig. 2, and are fitted into the two thimbles A and A and the chambers in front The spring-rod F in the casing E projects outward a considerable distance into the chamber'of the coupling member K, and is adapted to enter the chamber of the coupling member K when the latter is inserted in the former, as shown, so that its head may come in contact with the head of rod Fflwhich does not project so far beyond its casing.

The construction and operation of the elec trical connecting-rods is similar to that of the rods shown in Fig. 1, except that they project different distances beyond their casings. Both the rods, even when at their outer limit of movement, have their heads well within the chambers of the coupling members, and

are therefore not liable to accidental injury when the members are uncoupled.

The hose-coupling shown in Fig. 9 is also in common use without the electrical connecting devices. This coupling has similarly con- 6 5 structed opposite members, K and K which lap and interlock with each other, bringing the inner open ends of the cup-like portions L L opposite each other, the axes of the cups being at right angles to the axes of the thimbles A A. These cup-like portions are in communication through lateral openings withthe thimbles, and have rubber gaskets d d at their open ends to fit together and form an airtight joint. WVithin said cup-like portions are fitted the insulating-casings E E", having lateral openings 6 to the thimbles. At their outer ends they are provided with sockets c, and at their inner ends have partial heads or cross-bars eiwith central passages. Through these central passages are arranged the short metallic rods F having their outer projecting ends provided with contact-heads f and their inner ends inserted in the sockets 6. Inside of the casings the rods have shoulders f", to which are connected the conductingwires NV, and against the shoulders bear the springs f to force the heads into contact with each other.

The insulating-casings, as shown in Fig. 10, are each composed of two semicylindrical parts, which may be taken apart to prevent the insertion of the rod and spring substantially in the same manner as the casings in Fig. 1.

In the vacuum-brake hose-coupling shown in Fig. 11 each of the curved metallic springs F is secured intermediately to one side of the thiinble A", but is insulated therefrom. The inner end of the spring is electrically connected with the conducting-wire IV, and its outer end is provided with a metal contacthead, fflwhich the spring is bent and adjusted to hold normally a little outside of the gasket so that when the two members of the coupling are coupled together the heads of the two springs will come in elastic contact with each other, and their tension will maintain a good electrical connection.

Having fully described my invent-ion and explained the application of the same under various conditions, I claim 1. The combination, with the sections of a pipe-coupling and insulating-casings located within the coupling-sections, said casings provided with skeleton end bearings, of springactuated metallic contacts supported in the bearings of the insulated casings, and electrical conductors connected with said contacts, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the sections of a pipe-coupling and insulating-casings, each made in longitudinal sections, and provided with two-part end bearings, of spring-actuated metallic contacts supported in the bearings of the insulated casings, and electrical conductors connected with said contacts, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination,with the pipe-coupling sections and gaskets D D, secured thereto, of the insulated casings E, metallic contacts .E f, spring f and electrical conductors WV, substantially as set forth.

i. The combination, with two sections of a Intestimony whereof Ihavesignedthisspeci- 10 pipe or hose coupling and gaskets of insnlatfication in tliepi'esence of two subscribing witing material attached to each section toform nesses.

an air-tight joint, of insulated casing located 5 within the coupling-sections, and spring-acbu- HENRY FLAD.

ated metallic contacts supported in bearings of the insulated casing, and electrical conduct- W'itnesses: ors connected with said contacts, substantially A. B. METGALFE,

as set forth. FRITZ HGPPNER.

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