Improvements in Tapping Casks and similar Vessels.
Year: 1888

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tapping Casks and similar Vessels.
I, ERNEST CLAUDE TAYLOR, Boots, Waterhead Hotel Coniston vii Ambleside, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
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This Invention has for its object improvements in the means of tapping Casks and
other similar vessels, and of untapping the same-by cheaper and safer means than
has heretofore been done; and for this purpose, I affix-by screws or other suitable
means to the Cask or other vessel to be tapped, a Metal Socket, fitted at its outer
side with a Sliding Door and spring Latch, to cover the plug-hole during transit, and
so prevent pillage. The hole in the Socket is made of two different diameters, both
screwed the same pitch of thread.
The hole with the largest diameter, has a number of holes drilled around it for the
liquor to run through to the tap, and is towards the interior of the Cask or similar
vessel; and the hole with the smallest diameter is towards the exterior of the Cask or
similar vessel; the shoulder thus formed at the junction of the two diameters, serves
to act as a seating for a Metal Plug, screwed to fit the larger diameter of hole; and
when screwed up to this seating, acts in the place of a cork to prevent the liquid from
running out of the Cask or similar vessel.
This Plug is made with a square or other suitable shaped recess at its outer end;
into which is made to fit the end of the slank of the Tap, which is screwed for the
remainder of its length, to the size of the hole with the smallest diameter.
In tapping a Cask or other vessel, the end of the Tap is inserted in the recess in
the Plug, the Tap is turned round; and while the Shank of the Tap is being screwed
into the smallest diameter of the Socket on the Cask; the square ended nose of the
Tap, screws round and carries backwards with it at the same time, the Plug from its
seating; in such a manner, that when the Tap is screwed home into the Socket, the
holes for the passage of the liquid are uncovered by the Plug; and the Cask is
effectually tapped without loss of liquid.

page_text: On the Tap being screwed out again, the Plug is simultaneously screwed forwards
again with it, by the square nose and recess described above; until the Plug comes
again on the seating in the Socket, and effectually seals the Cask.
Dated this Fifteenth day of October 1888.
HENRY WALKER HILL,
Agent for Ernest Claude Taylor.
Improvements in Tapping Casks and similar Vessels.
1, ERNEST CLAUDE TAYLOR, Boots, Waterhead Hotel Coniston, via Ambleside do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This Invention has for its object improvements in the means of tapping Casks and
other similar vessels, and of untapping the same-by cheaper and safer means than
has heretofore been done; and for this purpose, 1 affix-by screws or other suitable
means to the Cask or other Vessel to be tapped, a Metal Socket fitted at its outer
side with a Sliding or other Door and spring latch or other fastening, to cover the
plug-bole during transit, and to prevent pillage. The hole in the Socket is made of
two different diameters, both screwed the same pitch of thread.
The hole with the largest diameter, has a number of holes drilled around it for the
liquor to run through to the tap, and is towards the interior of the Cask or similar
vessel and the hole with the smallest diameter is towards the exterior of the Cask
or similar Vessel; the shoulder thus formed at the junction of the two diameters,
serves to act as a seating for a Metal Plug, screwed to fit the larger diameter of hole;
and when screwed up to this seating acts in the place of a Cork, to prevent the
liquid from running out of the Cask or similar vessel.
This Plug is made with a square or other suitable shaped recess at its outer end;
or with a square or other shaped projection; into which is made to fit the end of the
sbank of the Tap; which is screwed for the remainder of its length, to the size of
the hole with the smallest diameter.
In tapping a Cask or other vessel, the end of the Tap is inserted in the recess, or
over the projection on the Plug; the Tap is turned round; and while the Shank of
the Tap is being screwed into the smallest diameter of the Socket on the Cask, the
square ended nose or recess of the Tap, screws round and carries backwards with it
at the same time the Plug from its seating; in such a manner, that when the Tap is

page_text: screwed home into the Socket, the holes for the passage of the liquid are uncovered
by the Plug; and the Cask is effectually tapped without loss of liquid.
On the Tap being screwed out again, the Plug is simultaneously screwed forwards
again with it, by the square nose and recess described above; until the Plug comes
again on the seating in the Socket, and effectually seals the Cask.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood, and readily carried out and
into effect, I will proceed to describe the accompanying sheet of drawings, reference
being had to the letters marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the Socket fastened to the Cask, showing the
Plug screwed up to its seating, and the Safety Cover secured over same, as in
transit.
Figure 2 is a front view of the Socket with the Cover opened.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the Socket with the Tap screwed in, and the
Plug screwed backwards to allow the liquid in the Cask to run through the Tap when
wanted.
Figure is an outside elevation of the Socket; and Figure 5 a front view of the
same; both Figures showing the Safety Cover closed.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
In these views A is the Cask or vessel to be tapped. B is a Metal Socket fitted at
its outer side with a Door O; which may be either hinged as shewn, and fastened by
the screw I, or it may slide on the Socket, and fasten with a spring latch, or other
suitable means.
The Socket B has a hole in the centre of two different diameters,
but both screwed the same pitch of thread. The hole H with the largest diameter
has a number of holes J. J drilled round it; and forms at its junction with the smaller
diameter I, a seating K. E is a Metal Plug screwed to fit H, and formed with a
seating L to sit tight on seating K in the Socket. The Plug E is made with a pro-
jection G, into which the end of the Shank F¹ of Tap F fits; this Shank F¹ being
screwed to fit the screwed part I. of Socket B. The Plug E has a number of holes E
drilled in it to allow the liquid to pass to tho Tap.
In order to tap a Cask or other similar vessel by my improved means the operation
is as follows: The Screw or other fastener D is withdrawn, to allow the Cover C
to be opened as shown in Fig. 2; the end F of Tap F is put on to the pro-
jection G cf plug E; the Tap is turned round, and with it the plug E.
As the Shank of Tap F is being screwed into the hole I of Socket B; the
Plug E is being simultaneously screwed backwards in H, and away from the
Seating K, by the Tup; nntil this latter is screwed home to, and forms a liquid-
tight joint with the Socket B-as shown in Fig. 3; the Holes J. J are at the
same time uncovered by the Plug E; and the liquid is free to pass from the
interior of the Cask or other vessel through the holes J. J in Socket B, and
holes E¹ in Plug E, out through the Tap F as required; also through
holes M. M in Tap F.
On the Tap F being screwed out of the Socket B, the Plug E is simultaneously
screwed outwards again with it, by the square nose G and recess before described;
until the seating I of the Plug E comes again on the Seating K of the Socket B,
and affectually seals the Cask or other vessel.
The Socket B is shewn screwed to the Cask A, by means of Screws N, N; but
it may be screwed into the Cask A by a taper or other shaped screw formed on
the outer diameter of the Socket, or by other well known means. Socket B, and
Plug E, instead of being made of Metal, may either one or both be made of
Glass, Pot, or any other suitable material.
When the Tap F is withdrawn from the Socket B, Safety Cover C is closed,
and secured by screwing the Screw D into Plug E as shewn. or by other suitable
means. The head of Screw D, I prefer to make the same size as projection G
on the Plug; so that, the recess in Shank of Tap F, serves as a key for D, as
well as for G.
In some cases 1 prefer to make the Plug E a sliding fit in hole H-neither of
which are screwed and to make the plug E held tightly up to seating K, by a

page_text: strong spring in this case, the Shank of Tap F on being screwed into I does
not turn the Plug E round, but merely presses it backwards; compressing the
spring, until the Tap is screwed home in the Socket, and holes J. J. are uncovered.
On the Tap being withdrawn, the Spring makes the Plug to follow it, and forces
it tightly up to Seating K; and so seals the Cask again.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. For tapping Casks or other similar Vessels the use of a screwed or other
shaped travelling Plug, fitting in a Socket attached to the Cask, and screwed or
made to receive the Plug, in such a manner, that when the Tap is screwed into
the Socket for the purpose of tapping the Cask, the Plug is screwed or moved
away from a seating formed in the Socket; by which means the Cask is tapped
without loss of liquor which is free to run through the Tap; and that when the
Tap is unscrewed or withdrawn therefrom, the Plug is screwed or forced up to
the Seating, and serves as a Cork or Stopper to close the Cask, or other Vessel,
to which the Socket is attached; all as set forth, and substantially as shown and
described hereinbefore.
2nd. The particular arrangement and construction of apparatus for tapping Casks
and similar Vessels, as shewn in Figures 1--2-3-4 and 5 of the annexed
drawings; as set forth, and substantially as shewn and herein before described.
$
Dated this Seventh day of February 1889.