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In the usual method ef forming joints for tubes for the conveyance of gas, water, or steam, great difficulty is experienced in first making them perfectly tight, and subsequently keeping them so, and enabling them to be easily turned to the positions desired. The object of the plan of joint, which we illustrate below, is to remedy the defects of the old mode of connecting swivel elbow joints, and figure 1 of the engraving represents a section through a gas or other pipe, to which the improvement is attached; figure 2 is a detached view of the open end of ditto, and figure 3 is a perspective view of the metal washer surrounding the bolt for securing the elbow to the pipe. Upon the end of a male section, A, of a joint, is cast an axial stem or rod, B, said stem projecting from a cross bar, C, which is cast with, and just within, the open end of the said section. This rod passes through the axis of the female section, E, of the joint, and through an aperture on the covered end of section E, beyond which it projects sufficiently to admit the' washers and tightening nut, D, which is screwed on its end, one of the wash- ers being of vulcanized india rubber, and the other of metal, of the shape indicated in figure 3, to fit the axial stem, which is squared on one side at this point, to prevent the washer from turning round when the joint is turned or swivelled. The face of the flansre, G, is left rough, as it comes from the mould, and the faces of the female section axe turned, so that very little work is required to make a joint of this kind air or water tight. A seg-mental pipe, H, extends from the female section, E, and communicates with another female section, arranged at right angles to the first mentioned one, and having a male section, I, attached to its open end by a rod or stem, J, and washers and nut, K, in the precise manner that the corresponding parts below are formed and fastened. Two washers, one of rubber and the other of leather, are placed between the flanges of the male and female sections of the joints, and the requisite degree of pressure to perfect the joints is given them by the tightening nuts, D, K. In this simple manner—a correct, reliable and efficacious universal joint is formed, capable of being easily moved in any direction, and without the expensive and difficult process in forming the usual conical joints heretofore employed. The patent was issued on the 29th of June, 1858, and any further information can be obtained by addressing the patentee, David Kahnweiler, 55 North 6th St., Philadelphia.
