US542643A

US542643A - Charles heyman

Info

Publication number: US542643A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1895-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 1912-07-16

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. HEYMAN. STOP 000K LOOK Patented July 16, 1895.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. ,G. HEYMAN. STOP COCK LOCK No. 542,643. Patented Jul 16, 1895,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES HEYMAN, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

STOP-COCK LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,643, dated July 16,1895.

Application filed April 23, 1895. Serial No. 546,929. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES HEYMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Stop-Cock Locks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of myinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention is an improvement in stopcock locks and electrical appliances used in connection therewith,and is especially an improvement on and an addition to the device shown in an application filed by me March 20, 1895, Serial No. 542,736. In the said application I have shown and described a stopcock lock adapted to secure the handle of a stop-cock in the proper position, and to prevent it from accidental turning, or from being turned too far. The said application shows in connection with the said lock an arrangement of electrical devices whereby a person at a distance from the lock itself may ascertain whether the lock is in position and holding the handle of the stop-cock or not.

My present invention has for its objects, in addition to those set forth in the aforesaid application, to guard against oversight, which might occur it' the means provided in the aforesaid application for learning the position of the lock were not used, and for this purpose to provide an automatic electrical device which will give notification of the facts that the lock is not in position, or being in position that the hand of the stop-clock has not been turned, and therefore the water is not oif.

lVith these objects in view the invention consists in the various novel details of construction and the combination of the parts, and in the device as a whole.

I have illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings, to which reference is hereby made and which form part of this specification. In these drawings, throughout which like letters and figures of referenceindicate corresponding parts- Figure 1 is a diagram showing the application of my device. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the stop-cock lock provided with my improvements. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the stop-cock lock, taken on a plane passing through the electric pins or contact-points (1 Fig. 4. is likewise a horizontal sectional view of the stopcock look, but is taken on a plane passing through the electric pins or contact-points H, and showing-the stop-cock handle in position. This figure is diagrammatic also in part, and shows to the right a section of the contact device K with its electrical connection with the other portions shown in the figure, and also with the bell. Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing in detail a portion of my device which is marked K.

In the drawings, the letter A indicates the ordinary service-pipe supplying water to a building.

The letter 0 indicates the stop-cock which controls the flow of water through the service-pipe into the building, and has the handle a, which is provided in a suitable place with the insulating-annulus c. As shown in the drawings, this annulus 0' projects beyond the surface of the handle; but it may be sunk upon the handle to conform with the contour thereof.

By the letter D is designated my stop-cock look as an entirety, suitably placed with reference to the stop-cock itself.

At E is indicated an electric battery, connected through the alarm or bell-ringing device F with the stop-cock lock D, in the manner hereinafter described. The electric wires connecting the battery, the stop-cock lock, and the bell F are indicated by e.

P indicates a door, and R indicates the jarnb of the door next to the lock, which is indicated by the letter S and is of any desired or usual construction.

0 designates an electric key mounted in the door-jamb opposite the bolt of the lock S in such a manner as to close a circuit or make electrical contact when the bolt is thrust forward. This electric key 0 is connected through the Wires M with the electric bell N and with the stop-cock lock D in the manner hereinafter described.

The stop-cock lock D consists of a bed portion or base D and the lock-casings D D hinged thereto so as to oppose each other and to meet and form a hollow tube when thrown at right angles to the base D. It is to be noted that the lock-casings D D have their inner ends squared, and consequently cannot be moved toward each other more than ninety degrees. 'In other words, wheuthese sections of the lock or lock-casings are at right anglesto the base to which they are hinged, their inner ends are flush with and rest upon the same and further movement isimpossible. The base D is usually made of wood or other non-conducting material, but it suitable precautions for the insulation of the parts hereinafter mentioned are taken this base may be made of metal or other material. Its shape is not essential. The sections or lock-casings D D are usually made of metal-such as brass and the likeand are provided at any proper point with a lock or catch device, indicated by D in Fig. 2. This lock D holds the sections D D together, prevents their accidental displacement, and insures the proper adjustment of the parts. The base D has mounted in it between the sections 1) D 'the electric contact devices, metal buttons, or spring-pressed pins d which are suitably connected by means of the wires c with the battery E and with the bell-ringing device F. Within the sections or casings D D and near their inner squared ends I secure in any suitable manner blocks of insulating materialsuch as wood, hard rubber, or the liked, to which are fastened the L-shaped metal spring tongues d, which extend forward obliquely within the casings far enough to embrace the stop-cock handle 0 when the same is in position.- .These'spring-tongues d. by means of their bent-up portions are adapted to impinge upon and to be in electrical contact with the electric contact devices, metal buttons, or springpressed pins d whenever the casi'ng-se'ctions"D D are brought together and the lock D is fastened, but they are insulated from the casing-sections and from each other, and so no current can pass unless at such time the stop-cock handle 0 is in contact with them, as before described.

The bell-ringing mechanism F is of any ordinary or approved construction and is provided with a switchf.

As described up to this point the device is the same as that set forth in my former application, Serial No. 542,736, and its operation thus far is briefly as follows: Whenever the stop-cock has been turned to shut off the water, and the locking device D has been closed thereon, as contemplated and shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a person at the switchf will be apprised of the fact by the ringing of the bell F whenever the circuit is completed; and by using the same switch one may know that the stop-cock lock is not in position and does not embrace the stopcock handle bythe fact that the bell F will not'ring when the circuit is supposed to be completed by the turning of the said switch; but the object of the invention up to this point is not only to lock securely the stop-cock and to secure the same against accidental turning, but is to guard an ordinary door, such as the street-door of a warehouse or other building; but of course the closing of a window, the walking upon a mat, or any other necessary operation prior to leaving the building, could be used to close the circuit through theelectric key 0, instead of the lock-bolt herein described.

While the bell F is arranged to ring when desired if the stop-cock has been properly turned and locked, the bell N is arranged to ring if the stop-cock has not been turned, or if having been turned the lock is not in position. By means of the key 0 and the switch f the exact position of the stop-cock and of the lock can be ascertained at any time.

The letters G indicate tubes secured on the outer opposite sides of the casings D D and have mounted within them the spring-pressed pins g g, which are adapted to pass through the said casings, and to touch each other when the stop-cock handle 0 is not in position. These spring-pressed pins g g are'of metal or other conducting substance, and are connected electrically by means of insulated wires 71, with the contact points or plates 72. on the inner faces of the'in'sulating-blocks d. These contact plates or points h are adapted to impinge upon and to be in electric contact with the electric contact devices, metal buttons, or spring-pressed pins H, which are not essentially different from the devices 01 The spring-pressed pins H are connected by means of wires 1' with the wires M. The annulus c is, as before stated, of insulated material, and is placed upon the handle 0 of the stop-cock in such a position that when the said handle is within the stop-cock lock the spring-pressed pins'g g" will rest thereon and thus be insulated from each other. It now we suppose that the stop-cock lock has been closed without turning the stop-cock so that its handle is included by the casings D D the springpressed pin-s g will be in contact, and if at this time the door P be closed and the bolt of the lock S be turned and thrust forward the electric key 0 will close the circuit and the bell N by its ringing will give notice of the fact. If in-this case the switchfbe turned the bell F will not ring because there is no electrical connection between the'metal springtongues d.

The letter K indicates a circuit-closer which will give an alarm through the bell N whenever the key 0 is closed and the stop-cock lock D is open. This circuit-closer consists of a IIO metal tube K, provided with a flange for at- 7t projects beyond the tube 70, as shown in the dra\vings,the rod 75 has its outer end split and flared to either side, but a metal button, a tap, or the like would answer the same purpose. The casings D D may be provided with offsets to bear upon the spring-pressed button it when they are closed,but the spring is of sufiicient Strength to push them apart unless locked by the catch D. As shown in Fig. 5, and also in Fig. 2, the circuit-closer K is in its normal position when the lockingcasings D D are open, and as shown in Fig. i the circuit-closer K is in its proper position when the said locking'casings are closed. It will be seen that as shown in Fig. 4 no current can pass through the said circuit-closer K, because the tube K and the nut or cap k are insulated from each other, and the rod does not touch the nutor cap k although it passes through an opening therein. As shown in Fig. 5, however, the flaring ends of the rod L1 touch upon and are in electric contact with the cap or nut k and hence at such a time a current of electricity may be passed through the said circuit-closer. If now we suppose that the electric key 0 is closed while the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the bell N will ring, thereby indicating that something is wrong, whereas, if the said key is closed, while the parts are in the position shown in Fig. at the bell N will not ring.

To resume: As shown in Fig. 1 the bell F will ring when the switch f is turned, but there will be no ringing of the bell N upon making contact through the key 0. This condition of affairs will be conclusive proof that the stop-cock is locked and all the parts in their proper position. As shown in Fig. 2 the bell F cannot be rung, while the bell N will ring immediately the key is closed, thus indicating that the stop-cock lock has not been closed atall, or, that it closed, the stopcock handle has not been turned, and therefore the water has not been cut otf. Suppose, however, that the stop-cock lock has been closed bybringing the casings D D 'together and catching the lock D without turning the handle of the stop-cock. In this case the bell N will ring immediately the key 0 is closed, while the bell F will not ring at all.

It will be seen that I use the battery E for both circuits, the circuit indicated by the wires c as well as that indicated by the wires M.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A circuit closer consisting of a metal tube in electric connection with one pole of a battery, a spring-pressed metal button mounted in the said tube and in contact therewith, a metal cap or nut secured to one end of the said tube and insulated. therefrom, the said cap or nut in electric connection with the opposite pole of the said battery, an opening in the said cap or nut, and a metal rod secured to the aforesaid spring-pressed metal button and extending rearwardly through the opening in the cap or nut without contact, the said rod having its outer end enlarged and adapted, normally, to rest upon and be in electrical contact with the said cap or nut, making the circuit, and to break the circuit whenever the aforesaid spring-pressed button is pushed into the tube.

2. A circuit closer consisting of a metal tube 7.: having a flange in electric connection with one pole of a battery, a spring-pressed metal button is mounted in the said tube and in contact therewith, a metal cap or nut 7r? se' cured to one end of the said tube and insulated therefrom, the same being in electric connection with the opposite pole of said battery and having an opening through its length, and a metal rod 70 secured to the aforesaid button 7t, extending through the opening in the cap or nut and having upon its outer end an enlargment adapted normally to close the circuit through the said cap or nut 7& and to break the circuit when the button 7U" is pushed into the tube, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a stopcock lock having a base D and lock-casings D D hinged thereto, of the spring-pressed pins g, g, mounted in the casings D D and adapted to touch each other when the casings D D are closed together, electric buttons, springpressed pins or contact devices II mounted in the bed-portion D between the casings D D insulated from each other and in circuit with an alarm N and an electric key 0, and contact plates h suitably mounted in the casings D D in electric connection with the springpressed pins g, g, the said contact plates h bearing upon and being in electric contact with the pins II when the casings D D are closed, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

at. The combination with a metal stop-cock handle having an insulating annulus c, of the stop-cock lock D, a battery, an electric circuit 6 and the electric circuit M, the stop-cock lock D being provided with the metal spring tongues d and the contact devices (1 and the springpressed pins g, g, the contact plates h electrically connected with the pins g, g, and the contact devices H united to the electric circuit M, all substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. The combination with a metal stop-cock handle having an insulating annulus c, of the stop-cock lock D, a battery, an electric circuit a and the electric circuit M, the stop-cock lock ICO D being provided with the metal spring tongues d and the contact devices (Rand the spring-pressed pins g, g, the contact plates h electrically connected with the pins g, g, and the contact devices H united to the electric circuit M, and the circuit closer K also united to the electric circuit M, all substantially as and for the purposes described.

. 6. The combination with a stop-cock haviug a metal handle provided with an insulating annulus, of astop-cock lock provided with contact devices arranged to bear upon the said annulus, an electric circuit uniting the said contact devices with the poles of a battery and an ,alarm placed in the said circuit, as set forth.

CHARLES HEYMAN. Vlitnesses:

CLEMENS GREIL, NATHAN LANCASTER.