US55712A - Improvement in hydrants - Google Patents

Description

NAFETERS. PHOTO-LITHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D Cy @jjj ggg@

EMI" lf HER, WASHINGTON D C N.PETERs, F

vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSHUA REGESTER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEM ENT IN HYDRANTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 55,712, dated June 19, 1866.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSHUA REGESTER, of the city and county of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain novel and useful Improvements in Hydrants; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is an elevation of the hydrant. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the hydrant. .Fig 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the bottoln portion ofthe hydrant, showing the valve closed. Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing the valve open. Fig. 5 is a top view ofthe hydrant. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the cone which supports the valves.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to certain improve ments on hydrants which have arranged within an `outer shell or case a cylinder with a plunger working in it for the purpose of effecting the opening and closing of the valve which lets on the water.

The object of my invention is mainly to prevent the bursting of pipes leading to and from the hydrant, which frequently occurs in consequence of a too sudden movement of the valve in letting on and shutting off water, which causes a recoil and shock of the water in the main and service pipes.

Another object of my invention is to prevent the passage of sand, gravel, or other substances to the valve whichwould be likely to injure or prevent this valve from closing, as will be hereinafter described.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand my invention, I will describe its construction and operation.

The case which incloses the devices used for letting on and shutting off water may be constructed in any well-known manner; but for various reasons I prefer to make this case of two sections, A A', each one of which has a half base-support, c, and a suitable number of perforated lugs, b, formed on it, so that, when the two sections are secured together by means of bolts passing through said lugs, the basesnpport a, will sustain and hold in place the cylinder B, as shown in the drawings, Figs. 3 and 4. The cover of the case may be secured in place by clamp-fastenings or by means of a hinge and latch.

The cylinder B is open at its top for receiving a plunger, B', and it is constructed with an extended base, O, having a circular chamber formed in it and a tubular connection, D, projecting from it. This chambered cylinderbase receives within it a hollow screw portion, which projects from a perforated cap, D', as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. Below this cap Dis an inverted cone, E, which has a valve or plug, F, screwed into it so as to pass through th'e hole which is made through the center of .the cap. This cone has a flange, c, projecting from its upper end and encircling the bottom 'of the plug F, and in the annular space formed by said ange a ring of india-rubber is compressed and held in place so as to form a valve for closing the opening through the cap D when the plunger B is raised, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A number of perforations are made through the outer edge ot' the cone E, which admit of the free passage'of water, but prevent the passage through them of gravels or other substances which would prevent the valve ffrom closing snugly. This cone E is thus made to serve as a support and guide for the valvej'and plug F, and also as a strainer for the hydrant. It is held up to its seat by means of a spring, g, together with the force.

of water acting below it when the plunger B is raised.

The plug or valve Fis nearly or quite cylindrical at and near its base, which cylinder terminates in a tapering neck and an enlarged head, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

The hole through the cap D is cylindrical and Haring, the cylindrical portion being slightly larger in diameter than the corresponding portion of the plug F, so that when the latter is slightly depressed by the descent of the plunger B upon it, and the valvej'is thus caused to leave its seat, water from the chamber below will gently flow through the openingthrough the cap D. As the cone and plug are further depressed the ilow of water will increase until the full opening is made, as shown in Fig. 4, when there will he a maximum ilow. As the plunger rises again the liow of water through the hole through the cap D will be gradually diminished until it is finally cut off entirely by the closing of the valve f. By this simple device there will not be any undue strain upon the service pipes or mains, as the low of water cannot be suddenly let on or cut olf in operating the hydrant.

An opening is made through the cylinder B, near its base, for receiving the dischargepipe G, which leads up to an elbow, G', that passes loosely through the case A', and has a nozzle screwed on it, as shown in Fig. 2. The discharge-pipe Gis made of lead, so that when desired the cylinder B can be turned one-half or one-quarter round. Holes should be made at four points equidistant from each other through the bottom ot' the case A A', for receiving the pipe-connection D, when it is desired to make provision t'or adjusting this pipe.

The plunger-rod H is 'screwed into a loop, h, and secured by a janmiut, h', and this loop h receives a crank-pin which projects from a short crank-rod, i, as shown in Fig. 2. The rod L' passes through a tubular bearing, j, which is formed on a ilanged plate, k, and receives on its outer end a handle, Z. The tubular bearing, with its crank-rod, is passed through a hole which is made through the case-section A, and the plate k is secured to this section by screws, so as to support the crank-rod firmly in position. The plate k has two lugs, 7c' 7c', projecting from it, which arrest the handle when the crank is at its highest or lowest point. The handle l has a lateral lug, k2, formed on it, and it is by means ot' this lug that the arrest of the handle, when the crank is at either its highest or lowest position,is insured. It is important, in connection with this crank arrangement, to employ stops which will indicate when the hydrant is fully open and fully closed.

The crank-rod, plunger, and screw-cap can all be removed or replaced at pleasure when it is desired to get at the valves for repairs. This object is chiefly attained by having the crank-rod i applied to a tubular bearin g, which is constructed with a cap or iiange on its outer end, as above described. By this device the cranlcrod and plunger can be readily removed. Then by means ot' a wrench and hook the cap D can be unscrewed and lifted out of the hydrant-case.

I am aware'ot` John Culvers patent of April 22, i856, and my invention is an improvement on said Gulvers hydrant.

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

l. The construction of the nut D' with an external Bange and with an internal tlaring passage, in combination with the tapering plugvalve F, packing j', internal cylinder, B, and plunger B', all substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. Fittingthe plug-valveF in a recessformed in a conical seat, E, which is perforated near its circumference, all substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein described.

'3. The combination of the conical seat E, plug-valve F, packingff, perforations in the seat E, and the nut D', all constructed and arranged substantially as described.

4. Securing the pacliingfupon the scat E by meansof a ange, e, and plug-valve F, substantially as described.

5. Applying the crank-rod i to a tubular bearing, j, havin g atlan ged head, 7c, with stops k' 7c' on its outer end, in combination with a crank arm or handle, l, which has a stop, 7a2, formed on it, all used in connection with the foregoing features of invention, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

JOSHUA REGESTER.

Vitnesses ROBERT GARDINER, S. W. REGESTER.

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