US520542A

US520542A - Stop-cock box

Info

Publication number: US520542A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1894-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 1911-05-29

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. T. J. RYAN.

STOP COCK BOX.

No. 520,542. Patented May 29, 1894.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2. T. J. RYAN. STOP4 COCK BOX.

No. 520,542. Patented May .29, 1894.

/wmifizym/ Wllgesses UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

THOMAS JOSEPH RYAN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

STOP=COCK BOX.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 520,542, dated May 29, 1894. Applica/(i011 filed December '7. 1893. Serial No 493.072. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS JOSEPH RYAN,l

a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Stop- Oock Box, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stop-cock boxes;

and its has for its object to provide certain,

preventing access thereto except by authorized persons, and also to provide a cheap and efcient expansive screw joint between the' separate sections of the box, to provide for the proper adjustment thereof to different depths, while at the same time yielding to frost-lift.

With these and other objects in view which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the saine consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

In the drawingszfFigurel is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of a stop-cock box embodying my irnprovements. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification including an extension pipe section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged det-ail elevation of the cover and cap attachments for the upper end of the lower box section. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View of the construction shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line m-:r of Fig. 1,with the locking screw removed. Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of a modified construction of turning rod or key. Fig 7`is a detail view of the locking screw with its split `end unclinched. Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of ya second method of supporting thebrass nut in position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

, ings, they will not pass therethrough the same are out of alignment as stated, but- A represents the lower box section on which is adapted to be adjustably fitted the upper box section B, both of said sections being tubularor cylindrical sections of pipe constructed in suitable sizes so as to adapt the box for use `in connection with various sizes of pipes and cocks. The lower box or pipe section A, is provided at its lower end with the usual bell-shaped base O, which is adapted to straddle an ordinary pipe c, and to inclose inside thereof the stop-cock c', arranged in such pipe, and thereby provide the usual means for conveniently manipulating the cock from the surface of the ground, it being well understood that the upper box or pipe section B, is adjusted on the lower section so that its upper end will be brought to about a level with the ground.

Y The lowerbox section A, is further provided near the upper end thereof with a section of screw threads or ribs D, which are sharply inclined so as to provide for the quick adjustment of the box sections, while at the same time providing for a sufficient expansion'of the upper box section to accommodate the frost-lift. The said section of screw threads orribs D, which are cast exteriorly on theupper portion of the lower box section A, are provided at intervals with the dirt escape openings d, which provide free escape for rust, dirt, and sand, in screwing the sections together, so that they may be-easily adjusted and prevented from being choked by such matter. The dirt escape openings d,in each of the thread ribs D, are arranged out of alignment with each other in order to more readily insure the escape of all the dirt, &c., while at the same time not substantiallyinterrupting the continuity of the screw so as to interfere with the turning of the screw lugs or projections E, thereon, and the lower sides of the said dirt escape openings d, are beveled or inclined at their upper edges as at d', so that when the screw lugs E, reach the dirt openbecause will freely ride over the same and continue to turn on the screw threads or ribs when the box sections are being adjusted together, inasmuch as the top bevels d afford no sharp corn ers or impediments to the said screw luffs. The screw lugs or projections E, are of a cochical or pointed shape and are arranged in diarows, on the inmetrically opposite vertical IOO ner sides of the upper box section B, so as to complete the necessary screw connection between the two sections, and said upper section B, is further provided at its extremelower end with an additional set of these screw projections or lugs, 'so as to hold said upper section steady on the lower section and prevent it from unduly wabbling. It will be seen that by reason of the pointed shape of the projections or lugs E, the contact between the two box sections is reduced to a minimum, so as to effectually prevent the box sections from rusting together so as to be useless, while atl the same time these pointed projections or lugs out the rust and dirt from the lower box section, when the parts are being screwed together, and force the same through the dirt openings d, and so 'subserve the function of completing an expansion s crew joint which accommodates frost-lift. v

Ordinarily, only two of the box sections, such as described, are employed to complete the construction of the stop-cock box, but where pipes are laid exceptionally deep in the ground, I may then employ a supplemental extension pipe section F, between the sections A, and B, and this extension pipe section F, is provided on the exterior upper portion thereof with a section of exterior screw threads or ribs D, similar to those on the lower box section A, and in the lower end is provided at diametrically opposite sides with vertical rows of pointed or conical screw projections or lugs E similar to those on the upper box or pipe section B. In this modification the exterior threads of the extension section engage the interior projections or lugs of the upper section, and the projections or lugs thereof engage the exterior threads of the lower box section.

'In either construction o f stop cock box, after the parts have been screwed together it is necessary to employ some means for preventing the saine from being further turned so that the boxes cannot be disarranged by.

unauthorized persons, and in the modification shown in Fig. 2 it is necessary to prevent the section F, from turning, when the upper section B, is being adj usted thereon. To accomplish this result I employ a removable U -shaped locking key or staple G, which is lowered within the stop-cock box after the adjustment of the sections, and is placed over the upper edge of the lower box section A, and, in the modification in Fig. 2, also over the upper edge of the section F. The outer l prong of the U-shaped locking key orstaple G, is adapted to be disposed in the blank spaces of both sections, and on the lower section it is disposed in one of the dirt openings d, so as to lieacross the space between the uppermost threads, and therebyform a stop which prevents the pointed screw projections or lugs on the upper box section from passing beyond such locking key or staple, and in this function is especially useful in holdi ing the middle or extension section F, from turning when the upper section B, is being screwed in position.

Removably mounted over the upper open end of the lower box section A,is the conical pipe cover H. The conical pipe cover H, is provided with a lower flanged or shouldered edge 72, which registers in the upper open end of the lower box section so that the cover H, will be held steady in position on the lower section, and said cover is further provided near one edge with the key opening h', which is designed to accommodate the inner prong of the U-shaped locking key or staple G, so as to not interfere with the positioning thereof and which also additionally serves to steady the cover H, in its position on the box or pipe section. The pipe cover H, effectually prevents sand and dirt from falling into the lower pipe section when setting the box in position and also when in actual use, and said cover is provided in its apex with the rod opening 71?, which also provides for the escape of gases, and at a point below such opening with a projecting stop-stud I, which serves to limit the movement of the turning rod cap J. The turning rod vcap J, is also of a conical shape corresponding with that of the cover I-I, and is arranged over the apex of said cover. The said rod cap is provided at one edge with the limiting slotj,which works over the stud I, and serves to limit the movenient of the cap,and thelatter is further provided at its apex with the squared orpolygonal rod neck K, which is adapted to receive the'upper squared end k, of the turning rod or key L, held in such neck by the rivet pin Z. The lower end of said turning rod or key L, is connected to the cock c', so that by placing a wrench or key in the upper end of the stop-cock box and fitting the same on the neck K, the rod L, may be turned so as to turn on or off the water or gas, the movement of the rod L, being of course limited by the slot j, and the stud I.

The extreme upper end of the upper pipe section B, is adapted to be covered and uncovered by the flanged box cover M, which is of the ordinary flanged construction embracing the extreme upper edge of the upper box section, and said upper end of the upper box section is provided withtheinterior rest shoulder N, and the inwardly projecting lock lugs O, disposed directly above the interior rest shoulder N. The interior rest shoulder N, of the upper box section is adapted to support in position the removable dirt and lock plate P. The said dirt and lock plate P, is provided 'with a squared neck Q, which provides means for inserting the turning key within the stopcock box to turn the stop-cock, and also is adapted to itself receive a key or wrench so that the plate P, can be readily turned, and said neck Q, terminates short of the cover M, so as to leave a gas space through which the gas may find a passage, and finally escape through the escape opening R, `formed-in the box cover M. The plate P, is further provided in its edges with the guide notches S, which are adapted to be brought in alignment with the lugs O, in placing the plate in position and removal, and it will be readily understood that when the plate P, is placed on the shoulder N, aslight turn thereof either way throws the notches S, out of alignment with the lugs O, and locks the plate in position, while at the same time such notches S, are covered at their lower sides bythe shoulder N, thus preventing sand and dirt from working its way down the inner sides of the upper box section. The said combined dirt and lock plate P, is provided at one side of the neck Q, thereof with abrass nut T, which nut is itself provided with double beveled edges U, so that the same can be rigidly cast into the body of the plate P, in casting, and will therefore form substantially a part of such plate. The brass nut T, is adapted to receive thelocking screw V, the head of which is arranged to work in the sunken opening fu, in the cover` cap M, and the lower end of whichA is split as at W, so that after being placed in position, such split end may be clinched out and thereby prevent the cover M, from being lost and removed. By unscrewingthe screw V,sufticiently, the cover may be turned around from over the upper endof the stop-cock box so that access may be gained to the interior of the box or for the purpose of removing the plate P, if so desired.

The particular construction of the lockingscrew V, is an essential feature of the present invention, and by reference to the several gures of the drawings, and particularly detail Fig. 7, it will be seen that the shank of the screw V, is of a triangular, square or other polygonal shape, in cross -section, having blank unthreaded faces v', and provided at the angles or corners thereof with a line of threads U2. The polygonal shank of the Y screw is slightly tapered toward the split end W, thereof, and is intended to tap its own thread in the hole of the brass nut T. This operation is rendered practicable by reason of the fact that the nut T, is of brass or other soft non-corrosive metal, which willbe easily cut by the threaded corners or angles of the locking screw as the same is inserted therethrough, and this construction is important because the expense of tapping the brass nut is avoided.

When very smallstop-cock boxes are used, for instance a one and one-half inch diameter box, which is the smallest size in use, it is not practicable to use the dirt or lock plate P, and in such cases this plate is dispensed with, and the brass nut T, is cast into a section of the interior shoulder or ange N, as clearly illustrated in detail Fig. 8, of the drawings,

and in this modification, the shoulder or flange N, projects sufficiently in toward the center of the pipe to accommodate the brass nut, and does not extend entirely around the inner periphery of the pipe. At this point it may be well to direct further attention to the opposite rows of screw lugs or projections E, which dispense with the interior thread of the pipe. It will of course be understood that in different sizes of pipe or box sections, two

or more of these opposite rows of conical understood that while the same are preferably cast into the upper box section B, the same may be screwed, bolted, riveted or othwise secured within the pipe, and in any event the use of these lugs provides an enlarged space between the two pipe sections so that it is impossible for the same to rust together from long standing or long service in the ground, as is generally the 'case when interior threads are employed. Furthermore the screw lugs or projections are important for the reason that the same scrape and cut oi the rust from the lower pipe section and do not form any impediment to dirt and rust in escaping to the bottom and outside of the stop-cock box,'and besides these important functions the lugs or projections greatly simplify and render more practicablethe manufacture of stop-cock boxes, because the most difficult and expensive part of the box has always been in forming the interior thread of the upper section.

Theconstruction herein described not only provides a very practicable and useful construction of stop-cock box, but at the same time greatly simplifies the construction of such boxes and renders the manufacture thereof comparatively easy, and at this point it may be well to observe that such modifications as shown in Fig. 6, of the drawings, may be employed, in which gure the rod or key L, is illustrated as being made up of two extensible sections joined at their adjacent ends by the sliding coupling sleeves X, which permit of the propel' adjustment and expansion of the turning rod or key, especially when used in connection with the construction shown in Fig. 2.

Changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may bc resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thusdescribed the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is`

l. The combination of two upright pipe sections, one of which is provided with a set of exterior threads interrupted at intervals with dirt escape openings, and the other of which ICC is provided with diametrically opposite vertical rows of pointed or conical screw lugs or projections engaging said exterior threads and adapted to ride over said dirt escape openings, said dirt escape openings being arranged out of alignment so as not to substantially interrupt the continuity of the threads, and to prevent the lugsor projections from passing therethrough, substantially as set forth. 2. In a box or receiver Of the class described, the combination of the upper and lower pipe sections adjustably connected together, the lower of said pipe sections having a section of screw threads or ribs provided at intervals with dirt escape openings and upper beveled edges at the lower sides of said openings, the lat-ter being arranged out of alignment with each other so as not to substantially interrupt the continuity Of the screw threads or ribs, and the upper of said pipe sections being provided on its inner side with diametrically opposite vertical rows of pointed screw lugs or projections, and at its extreme lower end with an additional set of such lugs or projections, substantially as set forth.

3. In abox or receiver of the class described,

the combination of the separate pipe sections adjustably connected together, the lower of said sections having aset of exterior threads provided at intervals with openings, and the other of which sections is provided with diametrically opposite vertical rows of pointed screw lugs engaging said exterior threads, and a removable U- shaped locking key or staple adapted to embrace the upper edge of said lower section and having the Outer .prong thereof disposed in one of the openings of the uppermost thread and in the path of the screw lugs on the upper section, substantially as set forth.

4. In a stop-cock box, the combination with the upper and lower box sections adj ustably fitted together; of a pipe cover removably tted on the upper end Of the lower pipe section, the turning rod or key adapted to be connected to a stop cock and projecting above said pipe cover, and a turning cap arranged over the pipe cover and fitted to the upper end Of said turning rod or key, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the upper and lower pipe sections of a stop cock box, adjustably fitted together, and a removable locking key or staple arranged between the threads of the pipe sections; of aiianged conical pipe cover removably supported on the upper end of the lower pipe section and having a key opening near one edge adapted to receive one side of said locking key or staple, a rod opening at its apex, and a projecting stop-stud below said rod opening, the turning rod or key adapted to be connected to a stop cock and projecting above said pipe cover, a conical turning rod cap working above the apex Of the pipe cover and having a polygonal rod neck fitted on the upper end of said turning rod or key and a limiting slot working over said stop stud, substantially as set forth.

6. In a stop-cock box, the combination with the upper and lower box sections having interior screw lugs and exterior thread ribs, respectively, an intermediate adjustable extension section having exterior threads engaging the lugs of the upper section and interior screw lugs engaging the threads of the lower section, an extensible turning rod or key adapted to be arranged within the box and connected to a stop cock and a locking device to secure the adjustable sections from turning after their adjustment, substantially as set forth.

7. In astop cock box, the pipe section having an interior shoulder at its upper end, a combined dirt and lock plate adapted to be removably locked on said interior shoulder and havinga brass nut, the flanged box cover, and a locking screw adapted to pass through a perforation in the cover and engage said brass nut, said screw having a lower split end adapted to be clinched out to prevent entire removal, substantially as set forth.

8. In a stop-cock box, the pipe section having an interior shoulder `at its upper end and inwardly projecting lock lugs immediately above said shoulder, a plate having a squared key neck, and guide notches in its edges adapted to be turned in and out of alignment with said lock lugs, abrass nut having double beveled edges adapted to be cast into the body of said plate, the flanged box cover iitting over the upper end of said pipe section out Of contact with the neck of said plate and having a gas escape opening, and a locking screw adapted to pass through a perforation in said cover and engage the threads of said brass nut, said screw having a lower split end adapted to be clinched out, substantially as set forth.

9. In a stop-cock box, the combination with the pipe or box section; of a nut arranged within the pipe or box section below its upper end, the anged box cover, and a squared or polygonal combined pivot and locking screw adapted tO pass through a perforation in the cover and engage said nut, said locking screw being slightly tapered toward its lower end and provided with blank Unthreaded faces, and a line Of threads at the angles or corners thereof to adapt the same for tapping its own hole in said nut, substantially as set forth;

10. The combination with a pipe or receiver section; of a brass nut held in position within the pipe or receiver section below its upper end, the hanged box cover, and a squared Or polygonal locking screw adapted to pass through a perforation in the cover and to tap its Own hole in said nut, said locking screw having a slightly tapered split lower end, blank unthreaded faces, and threads at the angles or corners thereof, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J OSEPI-I RYAN.

Witnesses: GEORGE LOWE, THoMAsCHRIsTOPHER COSTELLO.